After wrapping up the Mini Capsule Challenge last week, moving into my spring wardrobe seemed like it was the next logical choice. I had already been sorting through my storage bins (I am down to just ONE for clothes and now the other one holds my off-season shoes). Thus my closet was a pile-up of winter and spring items, and it was time for some order.
Weather-wise it’s a bit early to start dressing for spring, but the items I chose to add to my closet for the season are a little more suited for cooler temps, so I thought: let’s brings it on.
The Details:
TOPS
white button up (similar) / cotton chambray (love this one!) / tencel chambray / ivory blouse (similar) / cream embroidered blouse / black blouse (similar) / navy stripes (similar) / boxy fit stripes / black turtleneck (similar) / gray tunic tee / white u-neck tee / navy u-neck tee / gray graphic tee / black pima tee* / white tank / black tank (love how this fits!) / loose, cropped tee*
SWEATERS
cropped cashmere* / oatmeal henley / merino cardigan (similar) / gray cape / gray sweatshirt (love this one)
BOTTOMS
black skinnies / distressed black denim / dark skinnies / distressed skinnies (similar) / light wash boyfriend denim / vintage denim / flare denim (similar) / atheltic-style skirt* / a-line skirt*
OTHER
navy kimono jacket* / black blazer / white dress (in navy) / black dress (similar) / denim vest
SHOES
black chelsea rain boots / black heeled ankle boots / pointy black ankle boots / cognac ankle boots (similar) / suede taupe ankle boots / tan oxfords / pointy flats / cons (try these) / vans (love these)
*=new addition
Note: You’ll notice many of the items I linked to have a higher price point than your average $20 piece of clothing. This is because I have linked to companies and items that are made in the USA or are known to have the reputation of being sweatshop-free. Try not to let the prices scare you, instead think about adding 1-2 well-considered (and well-sourced) items to your wardrobe instead of a fast-fashion diet of as much as you can fit into your shopping cart and/or budget.
How I Decided What to Purchase:
I spent a lot of time thinking about what to add to my closet for spring (probably too much time). But this is my typical pattern – to overthink things. Perhaps it comes with the territory of being a perfectionist, we want to get everything right. My wardrobe is no exception. However, I’ll take this moment to interject that I do not want a ‘perfect’ closet for the sake of perfection nor vanity. I want a ‘perfect’ closet comprised of the right set of beautiful puzzle pieces that both serves and streamlines my life.
After careful consideration I added the cropped cashmere sweater, the navy kimono jacket and a black tee. I also sold and purchased Birkenstocks, but I am anticipating those to enter the picture closer to summer. I intentionally added only a few items, and you can read why here.
For me spring is about simple, subtle layers, easy on, easy off to accommodate the ever changing temperatures. My cashmere sweater can easily go over a dress or under a vest and the natural fibers are perfect to keep me comfortable in a range of temperatures. The kimono I can throw over nearly everything in my closet (dresses, leggings, jeans, cutoffs, you name it) and I feel instantly chic. The black tee – gasp – I did not own one.
Thoughts on Transition Season Closets:
Dressing during transitional seasons usually brings out some of my most fun and creative looks. The advantage of working in milder weather allows me to pull my favorites from both summer and winter and mix them together. i.e. – sandals and pants or sweaters and skirts. The creative opportunities are endless.
However, the range in temperature during a transitional season also makes it tricky to stock a closet – especially if you want to avoid an overpacked wardrobe. Because I favor a smaller number of items in my closet, I have come to adopt a means of keeping my choices less than overwhelming: swapping. As the weather warms later in spring I’ll swap a pair (or two) of jeans out for shorts, same with boots for sandals. It makes no sense to include those things right now while it’s still rainy and 50 degrees, but I know by April the tables will be turning. We will start getting more of those warm, break-through sunny days and I’ll adjust accordingly. It feels good to know I have those options, and it also feels good to face a clutter-free closet when I get dressed in the morning.
And finally… what’s in a name?
Back in the summer I wrote about how I suspected a capsule was a vehicle in my style journey and not necessarily the destination. I can’t express how much utilizing capsules has changed the way I approach clothes, my wardrobe and putting myself together. It has been a real game changer for me. Just go back and read some of the early entries in my blog.
This summer marks two years since I started on my style journey and I am thrilled at where I am today versus where I was then. In a nutshell I know what I like to wear, how to dress myself and I don’t yearn to constantly shop and buy every item of clothing I come across. Deciding what to put in my closet is a lot more effortless. It has become more of a process of shifting my seasonally-appropriate clothing in and out based on the calendar and not necessarily an orchestrated capsule. Therefore going into spring I am referring to my spring wardrobe as my ‘spring closet’ rather than my ‘spring capsule.’ Though it’s roughly the same thing as a capsule but the word just doesn’t seem to fit my wardrobe efforts anymore. I still intend to keep my closet forever lean, and I’ll probably keep abiding by most capsule ideals. I’ll do my shopping seasonally and of course I’ll only be purchasing from my favorite ethical retailers.
cheers,
andrea
Love what you ended up with and your perspective on your closet. This spring season in the northwest is hard to plan for, but exciting all at once. I’m looking forward to seeing the outfits you put together this season!
Thanks Stacy! Yes it is kind of exciting here, especially on those unexpected warm, sunny days!
Love your spring style! I have finally started shopping after a 60 day break and have added three things to my wardrobe for spring. I made my first purchase from Everlane and really love their quality although their sizing is inconsistent. I still would like to find a pair of sandals, but I can wait a few more months for those. Looking forward to your future posts and how you put everything together!
Hi Rebecca! You’re right! I have found their sizing to be inconsistent as well. For example: the chunky wool sweater was huge in a Medium, and so was a chambray dress I ordered. But their t-shirts are a little more consistent to each other though a medium runs pretty small. I hope you love what you ordered!
this capsule looks amazing! could you please do a review on your only child pieces? I’ve been looking to get a couple of pieces from them as well as Jamie + the jones, but can’t decide what to pull the trigger on. thanks so much!
Hi Lizzie, I’ll be publishing a review and feature of Only Child in the next few days! :)
Yay, yay YAY! I love the way you’ve articulated everything here. How funny something as small as a word swap — ‘closet’ instead of ‘capsule’ — can resonate within us. I created a winter ‘capsule’ and am currently working on my spring ‘capsule’ after having, too, navigated away from creating capsules with over a years worth of them under my belt — focusing on an overall smaller intentional closet. Seasons of life change just as the seasons of the year do and I expect that sooner than later I’ll be referring to my wardrobe as my closet instead of capsule again. I too believe a capsule is a vehicle suited for certain periods of life: pregnancy, postpartum, period of re-focus, etc. A ‘diet’ as Caroline called it, lol. I expect that I will utilize the concept again and again and again as deemed necessary, each time taking away a new lesson.
Also I love the close up/vignette type shots you’ve included with this capsule! Care if I steal this idea for when I share mine later this month?
‘Steal’ away my friend. ;) I can hardly claim ownership on such an idea. I always love and respect the work you put out, looking forward to hearing more about your spring closet soon. ;)
Yes, I think we have been inundated with the phrase capsule in the last few years and perhaps it’s become a bit tired. ;) I have similar thoughts too about the “diet” – I’ll always keep it in the back of my mind in case I should find myself once again need of some redirection.
$167 for a chambray shirt?
Hi Lynn, $167 is definitely a lot for a chambray shirt! It’s the kind of investment you could hopefully see a decade of wear out of, and from everything I know about Tradlands, that would probably be true – plus it’s made in the USA, something that’s hard to come by in a chambray shirt.
Other places you could look: men’s department at Everlane, their slim fit shirts are great! And I know they have a chambray one. Also, try BeGood clothing.
Hi Andrea! Really enjoyed this post, especially you explaining how you decided what your additions would be. I agree with the swapping, it just makes more sense than getting stuck with pieces you can’t wear after 5 weeks. I’m slowly finalising my spring capsule/closet, I got most of the pieces I wanted now I’m just deliberating over this one amazing pair of shoes (in my last instagram!).
I don’t think the term capsule wardrobe applies to me either, but I’m still calling it that because people know what it means and my principles are really not that different.
Also, your flatlay game’s getting strong! :) Looking forward to spring outfits.
xo Kat
Kat I always love it when you weigh in! Thanks for the comment on my flatlay game – that was my first attempt and it’s kind of fun! Off to check out your IG post on shoes now… ;)
What are your thoughts on the Everlane crop sweater? I’ve been debating between the crop and regular crew. Love reading your blog by the way – and I feel like we have similar complexion coloring and color palettes for our closets, so it’s fun to see your outfits and be inspired for my own!
Hi Erin, what a great question! I was initially drawn to the crop because of the modern look of it, but I tried to talk myself out of it at first because I thought it wouldn’t be as versatile as I’d like. I considered the regular length crew and the v-neck but I just didn’t love them. I was just really drawn to that cropped crew neck, so I decided to follow my instinct instead of getting what I thought I “should” get. When it comes to picking out clothes I find this instinct to rarely let me down, but it often gets drowned out by my over-thinking mind!
Furthermore, I love dressing out of simple and basic pieces. But I have found this usually works best when the pieces are interesting or unique, and the crop of this sweater is definitely that. So far I REALLY love it!! I think a regular crew neck would have felt too masculine on me. So I would advise you – go with your instinct!
I love your comment on my complexion, now I am super curious about you! :) I have a family of pale-skinned people so I always feel so tan next to them, haha.
Thanks for your kind words. :)
I love those shoes in the second picture (I have to have closed toe shoes for work, but want a sandal feel for the summer). Where are they from? (Thanks in advance!)
Hi Jo!
The brown sandals are from Nisolo. :) I love them! They run true to size, not big, and stretch a touch, so make sure they are snug when you get them.
Love how you presented this! And the more fluid idea of swapping items for the transitional season is a great approach and makes it so much more “workable”. I cannot wait to see all of these outfits this spring!
Thank you my friend! <3 I am excited too, and hope I don't get swallowed by the possibilities!
I’m on the same page. I have a closet rather than a capsule now and pieces flow in and out a few at a time as the weather shifts (sometimes back and forth here in the Rockies!). The best thing about simplifying my wardrobe was getting rid of the closet clutter and owning pieces I truly love to wear!
Yes! I can totally relate! Simplifying my wardrobe has been a game changer and I am so glad I spent the time using capsules to help me do it!
Just discovered your blog and love it! Thank you for promoting ethical shopping and brands. It’s so encouraging!
Thank you Esther! It’s my honor to be of encouragement! I truly believe that the more of us who make better shopping changes, the more likely we are at impacting the apparel industry!
Love love your blog :) I have a question about your Birks. Are they unisex or women’s size? I recently purchased the same style in unisex regular width (I have a normal to slightly wider foot), but found them a bit too wide. From the pic it looks like yours are also regular width, so just wondering if they were a good fit for you or also a bit wide?
Hi Christina! I am pretty sure they are unisex. Mine are a good ft for my feet, though I have a (slightly) wider foot as well. I will note, they look wide though, mostly because I am more accustomed to seeing sleeker shoes on my feet. Do yours feel loose?
I think you’re absolutely right, they’re so different from anything I own that it made me question whether I had gotten the fit wrong. They actually hug my feet perfectly, as I’m sure they should! Everywhere I’ve looked online shows women cramming their feet into the narrower/sleeker version, so I’m glad to see someone else staying true to size!
It’s a shocker at first (I’m still getting over it too), but your feet will thank you!!
After reading several of your posts I’ve realized we have a LOT in common! I, too, was stuck in “safe” mom clothes and realized I needed some flair in my closet. And YES this capsule wardrobe deal is totally a vehicle! I walk in to stores and don’t even flinch at the clothing sections anymore. So weird. I had time to myself the other day and had a couple hours remaining.. normally I would have gone to target or some other store and “shopped” but I didn’t need to or want to. WHAT?! lol
I know exactly what you mean! I can get in and out of Target so much quicker now, haha! I used to *always* be tempted by the clothes and purses. I used to spend kid-free time shopping too! Now my hubby and I go out to eat or get ice cream or coffee instead. I am trying to focus more on doing and less on buying and it has really given me some peace!
As for capsules being a vehicle, now what comes next? What is the next stage for us capsule ‘graduates’?
Hi! Just discovered your blog and seriously love your style. Where did you get that necklace in the first picture? Thanks in advance!
Hi Gabby! Thanks so much!! :) I am glad you’re here. My necklace is BYCO – he’s super talented!! The site says he’s sold out of the 4, but you might want to message him just in case. It also comes in 5 stones.
Thanks so much, Andrea!
I still can’t do it! I tried so hard to capsule but keep falling back to old habits. But then again, I really don’t shop that much anymore and only go looking when there is an event I need to dress up for. Thankfully I can almost always find something I already own that I like more than had I bought something new! The only rule that has stuck with me: hangers. I keep the same number of hangers no matter what. So if I run out of hangers, I am not allowed to buy anymore new clothes until I get rid of something old that I no longer wear.
Yes!! I finally made the switch to nice hangers, and I have thought about your rule. It’s a good one!