Hey guys! Summer is coming on strong, and I am ready to give you a peek inside my closet – literally!
This is my actual, real-life closet in all it’s ‘glory.’ I now consider myself a ‘graduate’ of capsules, and the exercise of using capsules has brought a lot of value in my life. As I shared in the spring, I have defined my style, cut the clutter, and (for the most part) curbed my endless shopping habits. Now, things look a little differently in my closet. I have more of my wardrobe ready to use, rather than packed away, even if it’s not quite ‘season-appropriate.’ I am choosing to get the most out of my items by having them more available. Additionally, viewing my closet as a whole is a valuable tool. It helps me see the bigger picture of my wardrobe and encourages me to be even more selective about what I add to my closet, since it’s near/at capacity.
Let’s move on to the tour!
TOPS:
From L to R: Black Circle Tank, c/o IMBY | Navy U-neck, Everlane | Black Pima Tee, Everlane | Gray Tee | Burn Tee, c/o Bridge & Burn | White Cotton Tank, Everlane | White Ryan Tank, Everlane | White U-neck, Everlane | Ivory Blouse, (similar) | Blank Canvas Top, Jamie + the Jones | Embroidered Cream Blouse, (similar) | Poplin Pinstripes, Everlane | Cobalt Tank, (similar) | Chambray Tank | Chambray Top | Striped Tank, (similar) | Striped Tee, (similar)
LAYERING/COOLER WEATHER ITEMS:
Top Photo: Gray Sweatshirt, older Everlane, (similar) | Cocoon Cardigan | Cashmere Crop Sweater, Everlane (currently with Mediums in stock!) | Cream Henley Sweater
Bottom Photo: Merino Cardigan (similar) | Black Vest | Black Cotton Cardigan (similar) | Kimono Jacket, Only Child | Denim Vest, thrifted | Blue Chambray | Light Chambray, (similar) | Boxy Stripes, Everlane
BOTTOMS:
From L to R: Olive Shorts | A-Line Denim Skirt (similar: here and here) | DIY Cut-Offs | Dark Wash Cut-Offs, Levis | Light Wash 501’s, Levis, (similar wash) | Boyfriend 501’s (similar) | Cropped Flairs – I chopped mine! (similar) | Dark Wash Skinnies | Black Distressed Skinnies (similar)
DRESSES/ONE PIECES:
From L to R: Emerson Fry Caftan (major score at Crossroads! Still had the tags on!) (similar from this season) | White A-Line Dress, Brass | Chambray Tank Dress, Everlane (similar) | Summer Ferns Shift Dress, c/o Belvele | Black Shirt Dress, c/o Bridge & Burn | Black High-Low Dress (similar: here and here) | Black Jumpsuit, Reifhaus
SHOES:
Top Row: Black Chunky Heels, last season Madewell (better option: here or here) | Tan Oxfords, Nisolo | Birkenstock Madrid Sandals
Middle Row: Italian Slingback Sandal, last season Everlane (similar) | Tan Clogs, c/o Sandgrens | Low Ankle Booties, Frye
Bottom Row: Huaraches, Nisolo | Birkenstock Arizona Sandals
Oops! Not pictured: black tank, linen shirt, gray Converse (better option)
Life After Capsules
I’ve spent a lot of time lately, thinking about what kind of closet strategies I want to implement, moving forward from capsule wardrobes.
My blogging BFF Paige and I have been brainstorming quite a bit, and as we navigate our own post-capsule closets we’re hoping to share a framework that might help you too. Not ideas on what to buy, or how to organize your closet, but more strategies on how to execute a lean closet and be satisfied. I hope to share more next week. :)
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 rather than a fast-fashion diet of as much as you can fit into your shopping cart and/or budget.
Cheers,
Andrea
Andrea,
While I read your posts regularly and have therefore seen many of these clothing items already, but it was so helpful to see them all hanging together. The figurative light bulb came on over my head when I saw how many of your items are in the same color family or are what I would consider neutrals. It really helped me to see the way you are easily able to mix for new looks. Not sure why it took me this long, but thanks so much for this post.
Thank you Rebecca for this comment! Sometimes I worry that readers will get bored because they are seeing the same items over and over, but I hope it can be an encouragement! Good luck with your closet journey!
You gave me closet envy! Your journey is inspiring me to pair down and only keep what I love. Thank you!
Hey girl! I hope you find it as rewarding as I have. It actually gets easier and easier to pare down. The hard part is to not keep adding back in!
This was a great post, I really enjoyed reading it. I’m excited to read your upcoming posts specifically because you mentioned they won’t really be about purchasing new items but finding contentment with what’s already there. Such a great idea for closets and life in general. Thanks for diving into this!
Thank you Brook for being excited about these upcoming posts! I expect to share the first one on Friday, about my post-capsule life, and the strategies I’m taking to stay in a good place regarding my closet. I am so thrilled you’re interested!
I’ve been stalking Everlane’s website for nearly 9 months. I *think* I’m finally ready to commit to a few pieces (loving the shirt dress that I could put leggings underneath to compensate for English weather). Since we will be visiting the US this summer, I think fate is saying I should order it and have it sent to my parents for collection in July.
I’ve also been obsessed with the loafers, but I’m still hesitating over the price.
It might be too late, but I believe Everlane is running international shipping right now! I think today (the 5th) is the last day.
The shirt dress is so cute!!! I ordered the loafers, but sadly had to return them because they were too small. The quality was phenomenal! They are a gorgeous shoe!
Andrea, I’m so behind the times on this — but your blog redesign is gorgeous! Congrats on a successful launch.
I really liked this post, too. Your summer closet is so streamlined and pleasing to the eye — did you intentionally go for the same colors or did it just happen that way based on what you were drawn to organically? Thanks for sharing!
Erin
Hi Erin! What a great question! I did *not* do this intentionally, I just seem to have a strong preference for those colors! In fact, I was sort of cringing as I was putting together that post because I feel like I *should* have more color in there. But the honest truth is I probably wouldn’t wear much of it! Save for some additional olive shades maybe… What you’re seeing in this post is basically the result of two years of closet evolution towards a wardrobe made up 99% of things I love! ;)
Thanks for the compliment on my new design, I am really happy with it! And the developers at Solo Pine are AMAZINGLY helpful people. :)
Your closet is so restful to look at! Restful colors, nicely organized…..heaven! After I read this I went upstairs to take a look at/organize my closet and was surprised to see a lot more color in it than previous years. I read an article about how women over 40 shouldn’t wear black all the time because it ages them. Maybe that is the reason for more color these days….40 is looming. I still have quite a few neutrals and black, but a few pinks and blue/turquoise has been added over the last year and I’ve enjoyed wearing them. I’m also happy to have added some ethical pieces and some high quality thrifted pieces and I am loving how well made they are! Thanks for sharing your closet!
I love hearing this update on your closet Rebecca! It sounds like it is working really well for you.
I have heard that too, about wearing black over 40, but I think the key is execution. Chic black – yes. Boring black – no. ;) I think it can be easy for black to be frumpy too if we’re not careful. But maybe I’ll change my mind in a few years. :)
Excited to see where you take your closet from here! I too have been considering how I want to approach my wardrobe when I’m finished with capsules, but not exactly sure yet. Also loved seeing how your current closet looks all together, and in “real life”. Hope you’re staying cool in our crazy hot weather!
Hi Stacy! I am excited to share my future closet strategies! I’ve been thinking a lot about it, now that I’ve been at this whole capsule process for nearly two years. Where does the time go?! But I’ve learned so much.
Anyway, I am kind of melting! Looking forward to some cooler days later this week.
Your closet’s colors are the twin to mine — blues, grays and whites. I’ve finally embraced those are what I love to wear and it’s been so wonderful not to force myself to wear different colors. I enjoy seeing your approach to life after capsules. I’m figuring out my next steps as well.
Thanks Esther – I’m glad you can relate! It’s so much easier when you stop buying the things you feel like you “should” for your closet. Better to stick with what you love.
Yes, I am excited to share more about life after capsules, I have a lot of thoughts about it. Stay tuned!
My aunt, who’s subscribed to my blog and has a definite shopping problem, recently emailed me to say I should stop posting photos of myself and start writing about something more worthwhile, like about the interesting people that are around me and life in my town. She mentioned in the same email that by posting my outfits it looks like I’m in love with myself and that the outfits are same-y , like a uniform. So, do you think us fashion bloggers are in love with ourselves? :D Also, yes, thanks, it is a uniform so she got that bang on. I hate how older generations don’t get this at all. When I ask my mum to take pictures, 70% of the time she says: “of THIS outfit? What’s so special about it?” It totally gets my blood boiling. I’m not bored of my wardrobe, but comments like that make me feel like I should be. But unless you’re the kind of blogger like style scrapbook or atlantic pacific – of course you re-wear your clothes, I mean, it’s normal. Sometimes I wish I lived in the 1900s. Anyways this longwinded heart outpour is to say I am absolutely not bored of seeing your “old” clothes, partly because I don’t really remember what you wore last summer and partly because I come here to read your thoughts and observations. So don’t fret! I do speak for myself but I still love seeing your posts pop up in my blog feed :)
Ah Kat, I love this comment, and it has stuck in my head over the last several days. Your aunt’s observations are sooo interesting! I think a lot of bloggers can fall into that “I’m in love with myself” category. I started photographing my outfits because I was so fascinated by others’ that I thought I should start sharing my own. I’m definitely not in love with myself, but I could see how it seems that way! Sometimes I feel lame for writing so much about ‘trivial’ things like clothes and fashion, but at the end of the day, everyone has to get dressed, right? And I remind myself that my blog is just one small slice of who I am. I love this great, insightful heart outpour – thanks for the support love!
Anxious to see your fall closet!