Man, I have so much on my mind today.
My friend Paige emailed me a week or so ago about her idea of a mini capsule challenge. The low down: 20 items (including shoes) for 21 days. At first I wasn’t sure I was interested, but the idea kept swirling around my mind.
Then another blogger friend mentioned how she had a 20-item sized travel capsule and she loved it so much more than her regular 40 item closet. Hmmm…
Everywhere I turn these days I keep seeing the terms, ‘minimalism’ or ‘less is more’ or ‘be more with less’ and it perks my ears and pricks my soul every time. I love stuff so much. But I don’t want to. I want to love my people more. I’ve made a lot of progress in the last year (I have pretty much omitted recreational shopping from my life, I buy far fewer things and I am a conscious shopper). But I want to go even further. I want to try out a smaller closet and see if I like it even more. I want to see if getting dressed is even easier, and I feel more awesome in my clothes.
Starting February 8th through the remainder of the month I’ll reduce my closet to just 20 items. I’ve already picked them out, and surprisingly it wasn’t too hard! I’ll share my items next week, and then I’ll take my photos in real-time (should be interesting!) and share a re-cap at the end of the week. I’m telling you now because I hope you’ll join me! If you’ve never done a capsule, now is a great time to dip your toe in! Do it! Let’s be effortlessly stylish folks together who have more time on their hands to do and more closet space and breathing space in our lives. We are using the hashtag #20items21days.
Before that fun begins I have a little collaboration planned for the end of this week with some fun blogger friends of mine. I am taking one item from my closet and styling it 5 different ways. Do you think I can do it? ;) It should be good practice for the mini capsule challenge. Stay tuned….
This outfit: This is a sweater I got last year from Nordstrom rack and I wear it ALL THE TIME. I ordered this one from Everlane to upgrade it to a better, and warmer option, but it was just too boxy on me. Try this better option in a gorgeous pullover. My shirt’s another oldie from Nordstrom Rack (check labels if you shop there, you can often find items made in the USA like this one). My jeans are by Paige denim, premium denim is an investment folks, but most brands are made in the US, you’ll wear them for years, and they make your butt look nice. ;) I wear this necklace all the time! It’s made in Oregon by BYCO, I also love this one. I can’t wait till spring when I’m not hiding it under a coat all the time. Bag is by Cuyana and shoes are by Nisolo.
Great idea — can’t wait to see the results! I think I may already be doing this without even knowing it. I gave away all my clothes after having my second child a year and a half ago, and started almost completely over. I’d have to count, but I don’t think there are too many more than 20 items total! Each new item I add is very carefully and intentionally added to be as versatile as possible. Everything is neutral — but it’s not as boring as it sounds! Textures, materials, and silhouette each play an important role in keeping things interesting.
So true Heather. A “basic” is neither basic nor boring when the fabric and/or cut is exceptional.
Andrea, you look so cozy and comfy in this outfit! And I love the mini capsule challenge that Paige has been mentioning – when I went to my closet to get dressed this morning, I thought about what I would choose for my 20 items…and believe it or not I think I have pared down my items to about 20 or less in the past few months! I was surprised, but also not at all shocked — in Hawaii, it’s possible for me to wear the same basic uniform every week. Plus, I’ve been ruthless about keeping/purchasing only things that I love or look GREAT on me. (Which is hard. Clothes are hard. PANTS are hard.) But it has paid off in a smaller closet made up of only items I enjoy wearing every day, much like yours :) Cheers!
That is awesome Erin! You should share what’s in your closet sometime! And thanks I totally feel cozy in this outfit. Though this time of year I could really go for some Hawaiian sunshine! I’m trying not to be jealous…
I can’t lie – the sunshine is pretty incredible. But I do miss the seasons, so enjoy that for me!
I would love to share my closet, but at the same time it might be a little too plain for the world of fashion-capsuling. I’m going through a phase where I’m letting go of a bunch of things and realizing that I am not a patterns girl, or an accessories girl…I am a basics girl. I like simple. I like uniforms. I like putting on clothes and then forgetting about them. I have the same t-shirt in four colors so I can wear one nearly every day. I never thought I’d be this kind of person but I love it!
I can relate to much of that Erin! Sometimes I worry my basics are too boring too. If there is one way I don’t want my clothes to ever feel it is ‘fussy.’
I’ve been toying with the idea of buying a pair of Paige Denim jeans. I’ve been seeing them everywhere, and I really want to invest in a good, solid pair of jeans. Can you let me know if these keep there shape between washes and after being washed multiple times?
What I’ve found with the jeans I own (mostly American Eagle) is that after a while, the jegging just starts to stretch out and I have to keep pulling them up to make them look good. No bueno! Hoping you’re able to give me some info about how you’re loving your pair and if they’re worth the investment. ($170 – yikes!)
Nicolle, I wear mine for a few weeks (several times) between washings. Mine hold their shape quite well, but do stretch out a bit in the knees after awhile. That being said, be sure they fit quite snug when your purchase to allow for a tad bit of stretching. Also, I think “jegging” style denim probably doesn’t hold its shape as well as regular stretch denim. And lastly, check Nordstrom Rack! They often have Paige jeans for under $100.
Oh, you’re the best. Thank you so much for the tips! I’ll check Nordstrom Rack soon. :)
You’re welcome! Hope you find some!
Love this! “Let’s be effortlessly stylish…” You’re speaking my language…my ultimate goal!! Also, the cognac accessories are so great with this outfit. And I agree on the investment denim. As the proud owner of two new (used) pair of high end denim I agree that they feel and look so much better than I ever imagined. And made in the USA. Baby steps!
I love it! Hope you get lots of use out of your premium denim. And of course I’m not surprised that we have the same goals. ;)
First off, I love how effortlessly perfect those shoes work with the colors in your capsule. The tan really brightens up the black and the gray and they look so good with your bag! This outfit, it’s just all kinds of great – your winter capsule is really strong and you seem really comfortable with it.
And second, I’m going to try this! Eee, I am really nervous, I tried Kendi’s 30x30s waaaay back in the day before I started blogging and I always gave up half way. But I feel now like I have a really good grasp on my own style and my closet is in a way better place than it was 5 years ago. I picked out my items, it was both harder than I thought and easier! I keeping thinking “oh no, I love wearing this, I can’t put it away for 21 days” but I feel pretty good about everything I chose. (oh man, I am SO happy coats/gloves/hats aren’t inculded, otherwise I’d end up wearing my whole capsule in one go.). I am really excited and nervous, you’ve been a big inspiration!
Ahhhhh Katie I’m so excited you’re going to do it!! Thank you for the kind words. I can’t wait to see what you come up with and the outfits you pull together!
Love the outfit – especially those shoes :) Interesting that I was also first inspired to try to streamline my work wardrobe after having done that with a travel wardrobe…
I never really counted but I’m curious now. I’m thinking the shoes will push the number up though – my Summer footwear outnumbers my Winter one but we’ll see :)
You should share what’s in your closet Rita!
Ugh, over the years I have been a notoriously bad overpacker. I wish I had a trip in the works just so I could see how I’d do now. ;)
ADORE this look + your cardigan is absolute perfection! I pretty much wear some version of this outfit everyday. My fave uniform! Best of luck with your mini capsule, I’m still happily rocking mine! xo
Right on! I hope your photography biz is going well girl!