[ striped top, J.Crew Factory (similar) / thrifted, DIY utility vest, (similar) (chic) / Levis’ 501 jeans / stacked heel black sandals, Madewell / bracelet, Madewell / watch: Seiko ]
I am not gonna lie, I love these pants.
They are the ones I want to reach for nearly every morning. When I saw them at the Levi’s store they looked and felt like home. I just knew, I had to find a way to make sure these jeans came to MY home.
Last summer I lived in my bleached, vintage, DIY distressed, cutoff Levis. They are loose and sloppy and probably a couple sizes too big, but they felt like the epitome of effortless. These jeans are like my shorts’ colder-weather sister.
One of my favorite things about having a capsule wardrobe is that I have learned that it is 100 percent okay to wear your favorite closet items over and over. I no longer fill my days with “filler” clothes because I don’t have anything “special” planned for the day. When there are limited options in my closet, I wear them all because if I don’t I will get bored really fast.
And, even though it is not easy to see it, I have learned that every day is special in its own way. It might be filled with dishes and dirty diapers but it’s special because LIFE and GIVING and LOVING and SERVING is often in the mundane. And it’s just a little less mundane in my favorite, slouchy, cool, I-feel-like-me jeans. ;)
Andrea, I love this post! And the others too. But I think this is a great topic because I think in American culture it is considered unacceptable and maybe even a little dirty to wear the same clothing over and over, pushing us further into consumerism and the need to have more more more. When I lived in France in high school, I noticed right away that my French cohorts would wear the same sweaters, pants, scarves a few days of each week, and sometimes even the same outfit two days in a row. I was shocked. But no one else batted an eye. Maybe it’s because French culture, at least the one I was a part of, focuses on conservation, in many facets. And why bother wasting energy deciding on an outfit to put together when you could just put on the same sweater you looked so good in yesterday? I know that isn’t exactly your train of thought in decided to commit to a capsule wardrobe, but it’s kind if the gist, right? Only fill your closet and your time with what matters to leave more of your day for the moments that really make life sweet. That’s a motto I could try to live by.
Yes Caitie! I couldn’t agree more with your last sentences. That has been a HUGE motivator for me in starting a minimalist wardrobe. I want more energy (and $$!) for the things that matter most in my life, and to not be always staring at my closet.
I love what you said about the French girls! What a great point. Since giving myself permission to ‘repeat’ I find I love my outfits a lot more! One of my favorite things to do go on streaks with a particular item in my closet and wear it over and over again, making it feel more like mine, and learning how it works with the rest of my clothes. I love it when my clothes feel like home.