to wear: PMT spring remix challenge

If you've been reading for a while, you'll know that I'm a big fan of the capsule wardrobe, whether for daily life or (especially) for travel. There are just so many benefits, from how how it helps me actually utilize the things I own (and also acquire only things I'm going to get a lot of use out of); how it helps really pinpoint the personal style I desire, alongside the style that's practical for my life; and how a thoughtfully planned capsule helps make outfits feel so much more put together. And speaking of: Audrey of Putting Me Together has the ultimate way to make this happen in your life: her PMT Challenges.

floral blouse (similar, similar) | dressy tee | white jeans | long cardigan | skinny jeans | peep-toe booties | flats (similar) | denim jacket (similar) | neutral dress (similar) | earrings | long necklace | scarf

In these challenges, Audrey helps you build a super versatile seasonal capsule wardrobe, and then she tells you exactly what to wear every day for a month. How handy! It's a super practical approach to seasonal mix & match dressing, especially if you don't know where to start on your own capsule wardrobe.

I got a sneak peek of the outfits Audrey has planned for the spring 2018 challenge, so I put together a little preview for you of just a few of the types of pieces you will see included in the capsule wardrobe list. It's all stuff that's endlessly remixable, can be utilized both for a casual and a dressy casual lifestyle, and the best part is that Audrey provides "substitution" information so that you can more easily build your personal capsule to fit things you already have or that suit your style best. So if the item is a "solid neutral top" and Audrey shows a chambray shirt, you could use that, but you could also fill in with something else based on her hint of "any solid neutral top or tee that can be layered under completer pieces." This way she makes it super easy to shop your own closet and/or some afforadble stores.

While creating packing posts or mini capsules is kind of a hobby of mine, I'm still excited to join in and try out Audrey's ideas for this spring. If you enjoy my remixing/capsule posts but aren't quite sure how to put together your own, definitely consider joining in as well! For $39 you'll get the whole capsule list, 40+ specific visual outfit layouts, daily style tips, a private Facebook discussion group, and - best of all - the skills to put together a wardrobe and outfits that are remixable and leave you feeling put together.

So what do you think? Do you want to try it along with me? You have until April 1 to sign up, at which point you'll receive the capsule list and can start putting together your own. Then the outfits are planned for you to wear from April 2-May 4.

Note: I get a commission if you sign up through any of the PMT Challenge links in this post, but regardless, I really believe in this as a great program!

Sharing on Trend Spin, The Style File, The Blended Blog, Style on the Daily.

to wear: holiday season 10x10 challenge

Even though I don't need to do any suitcase packing for the holidays anymore (a major perk of moving back to your hometown - getting to do all of the family holiday events, while still sleeping in your own bed!), I still love a good holiday mini capsule that incorporates some festive reds and plaids...

blouse (similar) | vest (similar, plaid, herringbone) | plaid shirt (similar) | black dress (similar) | open cardigan (similar) | skinny jeans (similar) | red flats (similar) | ankle boots | holiday flats (similar, similar) | faux leather leggings (similar)

There's just something about getting dressed in December that makes me excited about mixing and matching lots of outfits - partly because I have a few holiday season favorites (like a Christmasy plaid shirt and flats that spell noel) that want to get a lot of wear in a short amount of time, and partly because there are a lot of events and gatherings that call for nice ensembles.

So with how well my fall 10x10 challenge (10 items, 10 outfits) went, I thought I would go for it again this month. Very excited about the remixing possibilities of this lineup, and the excuse to insert a little bit of festivity into my everyday wear (not to mention some great dressing up possibilities for any parties!).

Sharing on The Style File, Mix It Monday, Hello Monday.

wearing lately: October 10x10 recap

I really enjoy putting together monthly mini capsules of current wardrobe favorites that mix and match well together, so it's probably not a surprise that the 10x10 challenge (make 10 outfits out of 10 items) caught my attention. So I focused my October capsule this way, and it was a lot of fun to stretch to 10 outfits, from the 5-6 outfits I usually come up with from a capsule of this size.

So here is a recap of all of my outfits (you can see original posts here, and a collage of the items here). It's not surprising that they look quite cohesive, since they're made up of the same items, but I do appreciate how they manage to look not too similar. Moral of the story, you can do a lot with a little... and I'm feeling energized about streamlining my wardrobe again after this.

Overall, I am pretty darn pleased with all of these outfits, actually, but I think the last one, with the white jeans and suede jacket, has to be my favorite. (Helps that it came with an extremely delicious date night dinner.) What's your favorite? Have you done a challenge like this? I want to see more examples, now that I'm all jazzed about this!

Sharing on Trend Spin, The Style File, Hello Monday.

to wear: October 10x10 challenge

I've followed along as a few of my best blog buddies, like Erin and Kimi, have participated in the 10x10 remix challenge, and I loved the idea - all you need to do is select 10 items (tops, bottoms, shoes) from your wardrobe and make 10 outfits from them. And have fun getting creative!

moto jacket (similar) | ankle boots (similar, similar) | slides (similar - I found these in store clearance for $5!) | striped shirt (similar) | denim dress (similar, similar) | gingham shirt (similar) | black jeans (similar, similar) | fancy flats (similar) | sweater (similar) | white jeans (similar)

This actually isn't all that different from what I do with making monthly mini capsules, or my travel capsules - the intention being to have some fun with your wardrobe, and along the way challenge yourself to take a somewhat minimalist approach to a wardrobe, to figure out a cohesive style for myself, and to make getting dressed a breeze (sometimes fewer choices = way less time trying to figure out what on earth to wear). I usually do about the same number of items, but actually pulling together 10 different outfits and photographing them? Still a little bit of a challenge

I was thinking it would be a lot more fun to do this 10x10 thing when it was good layering weather, so I kept it on the back burner until fall... and now here's what I come up with! Kind of the chillier weather version of the black & tan thing I had going on in August. All of these neutrals are super easy to mix and match, and they feel pretty cozy for the season too.

These items have already provided me a most excellent apple orchard outing ensemble, and then a great date night outfit the next night - stay tuned for photos of those, and of course 8 others, to come!

Sharing on Hello Monday, Mix It Monday, The Style File.

to wear: August mix & match

Much as I love the color palette of poppy red, white, and navy blue for summer, and all of the July outfits I mixed & matched out of it, I'm also excited to change things up a bit for the August version, to another favorite combo: black and tan. Add in some white, and it's surprisingly fresh for summer, in my opinion.

striped tank (similar) | denim jacket (similar) | gray tee | midi skirt (similar) | sandals | espadrilles (similar) | tank dress (similar, similar) | sunnies (similar) | straw hat (similar) | crossbody (similar) | bikini (similar) | cover up (similar) | necklace (similar) | shorts (similar)

You may recognize several items from this summer's earlier lineups - especially the espadrilles and sandals that I have been wearing a ton. Those inspired this black and tan theme, since I love to throw them on with an easy black jersey dress and call it a day. Also, the skirt and tee from my Dubai work trip. I was excited to find a way to pair them together casually when I got home - stay tuned.

And yes, still a denim jacket in the lineup - we get some cooler evenings on the lake shore sometimes, but also: air conditioning! I always bring something long-sleeved when we go out for dinner, or even if I'm walking around Target.

Here's to another month of summer loving and styling!

to wear: June mix & match

Happy unofficial start of summer! This long weekend is the kickoff to a couple of months of fun getaways, beach weekends, concerts, and more - and when summer is always this packed full (which also means lots of packing weekender bags), I've found it so handy to plan mini monthly wardrobes. Picking a focus on a few mix & match items from my larger wardrobe helps me get ready for all of the summer fun so much faster.

striped shirt (similar, similar) | denim jacket (similar) | peplum tee (similar, similar) | white jeans (similar) | sandals | tennies (similar) | romper (similar) | necklace | one-shoulder blouse (similar) | bikini | sunnies | tote (similar) | shorts (similar) | jersey dress (similar)

And since I already had a suitcase to pack for this weekend, I got an early start on the June list. Lots of layers come in handy since it's usually a bit cooler at the beach at the beginning of the month - but the bathing suit always comes along in case of enough warm sunshine (and I'm pretty excited to debut this new one from Adore Me!).

This mix of casual and dressier, and warmer and cooler, items will be perfect to make a solid 10-12 outfits that will take me from the everyday activities to the beach to the Avett Brothers concert (can't wait!) and some brewery and alfresco dates - plus a birthday celebration! - in between.

What are you excited to wear this month?

p.s. if you're interested in more ideas, check out last year's June and July lineups - I updated some of the links with similar items!

Sharing on Fashion Files, The Style File.

momma Monday: Katie's maternity capsule

Instead of the usual mini me Monday, today we have a fun momma version! You may remember my lovely friend Katie from her earlier appearance sharing her work capsule suitcase, for travel related to her job as American Sign Language (ASL)/English interpreter. I was so excited to hear from her over the summer that she was expecting, and we've had so much fun talking maternity wardrobes that I made her promise to come share her results.

Now that she's just delivered her beautiful baby girl, you get to enjoy the full, pregnancy-long knowledge of Katie's maternity wardrobe... This lineup, along with the great tips she shares below, are great inspiration for any pregnant ladies out there who want to know (1) what to buy/wear, and (2) how to do it in a way that suits their personal style, but what I especially love is that this cohesive capsule is great for anyone looking for a versatile, classic style.

maternity tanks (similar) | v-neck tee (similar) | striped boatneck (similar) | long-sleeved tees (similar) | tunic sweater (similar) | long cardigan (similar) | tunic blouse* | chambray shirt* | marled sweater* | t-shirt dress (similar) | striped dress (similar) | ponte pants (similar) | jeans (similar) | colored cords | aztec cardigan* (similar) | down vest* | herringbone vest* | ponte blazer (similar)* | tartan blazer (similar)* | utility jacket* (similar) | denim jacket* | cable knit poncho* (similar) | leggings* | plaid scarf* | oxfords* (similar) | sneakers* | ankle boots* (similar) | wedges* | cognac boots* | black suede boots* | necklace* | belt* | floral scarf*

*items marked with an asterisk are non-maternity items Katie incorporated from her regular wardrobe - I love how much she was able to incorporate from that!

Katie's Five Tips for Building a Fall/Winter Maternity Capsule Wardrobe

Anne is truly a master at building mix and match wardrobes and I knew she would be my go-to consultant for building a maternity capsule wardrobe. She helped me in the early planning stages and I was excited when she asked me to share a bit about my experience. Here are five tips I learned along the way and which helped me feel successful in building my wardrobe.

1. Determine a color palate and strategies for purchase while staying true to your current style

Before I was pregnant I was secretly pinning maternity looks on a private board on Pinterest. However, without knowing, if or when, I’d be pregnant, the looks I pinned were all over the map in terms of style and season. When it came time during this pregnancy to finally get serious about maternity items – about the time the hair elastic was no longer working to keep my pants up – I knew I wanted a maternity style which stayed true to my non-maternity wardrobe. It is easy to be swayed by what you see online or to pop into Motherhood Maternity by the invitation of a loved one and to simply purchase what you like in the moment. But I knew taking that strategy wouldn’t please me in the long run and would leave me feeling dissatisfied with my options (not what you want when your body is already changing in ways which are unpredictable). Instead, pick an item or two and use that as the starting point for your color palate moving forward. Knowing I would need maternity options for fall and early winter helped sway me towards this scarf and this cardigan. As these were both non-maternity items, I knew they’d stick around in my wardrobe post-pregnancy and were a great starting point upon which to build. After selecting these pieces, I determined what I would need to wear with them while not pregnant, and simply searched for a maternity equivalent.

2. Take inventory of current pieces

After selecting the scarf and the cardigan as my central inspiration pieces, I determined a handful of solid or patterned tops, mixed with a handful of bottoms, would be the best mix and match option for surviving approximately three-ish months of constant maternity wear. I realized, however, that I would get even more wear and versatility out of the wardrobe by mixing with items I currently had in my closet. I would recommend taking inventory of items you currently own – paying particular attention to jackets, necklaces, scarves, belts, and shoes – to determine ways to stretch the wardrobe even farther. Utilizing plenty of items you currently own will not only help you conserve your budget for a few splurge-worthy items, but will also help you feel, and look, more like yourself during pregnancy. As your pregnancy progresses some of the items may not fit in the same manner, i.e. a jacket or a belt, but you can alter how you normally wear it to keep it around long enough before retiring it away until postpartum.

3. Shop online

Plain and simple: maternity clothes are expensive. I was fortunate to have a budget already reserved to purchase items I needed, coupled with a little gift from my mom, but my early dreams of purchasing items from a few swoon-worthy brands quickly faded when I realized how quickly it would eat away at my budget. Another snag: maternity items are tough to find in-store, or aren’t even sold, at some of my go-to brands. I was basically forced into doing all my shopping online whether I liked it or not. Yet, shopping online ended up being a blessing in disguise! I took advantage of the 30-40% off sale options from places like Gap, Loft, and Old Navy to order items in multiple sizes and then simply ship back those which I decided not to keep. Make sure you pay attention to retailers which are offering free shipping and free returns or be willing to pay the return fees. Some of these retailers, such as Gap, will even accept in-store returns for certain maternity items. Shopping online meant I didn’t have to run all over town on days where I was still recovering from morning sickness or simply lacked energy. Plus I was able to quickly determine which brands I favored and scoop up pieces in my size at a discount. I found the inset jeans to be the most comfortable for me, the Gap Pure Body tanks ended up doubling as camisoles later in pregnancy, and Loft had the most comfortable panel which could easily be worn full or demi style. Another favorite item: the Loft ponte leggings with a seam; they were as comfortable as a legging but were appropriate enough for work and the seam made them seem more professional and less casual.

4. Purchase for the season for which you’ll utilize the most items

My husband and I found out I was pregnant in late May which meant I was able to hide my first trimester bloating with summer dresses and flowy tops. I was fortunate to make it until about 24 weeks or so until I felt the need to switch over to maternity wear. As such, the majority of my pregnancy would be spent during the fall (which ended up being unseasonably warm; thank you El Niño!) with the tail end falling in the early winter. I made the decision that through layering items, or simply purchasing one or two “warmer” pieces, making the wardrobe fit for fall was the best option. It is difficult to predict how your body will change during your pregnancy, particularly if it is your first, but I was willing to take the risk. I also didn’t want to spend money on items I knew I’d simply wear for a few weeks. I would recommend to hold-off purchasing some of the items you may or may not need until you actually need them. Case in point: I wasn’t sure if I would need a heavy down jacket this season due to the unseasonably warm weather. I was fortunate that I had an older pea coat which was just a tad too big pre-pregnancy, but has worked wonders this season, which sufficed for chillier days. However, I didn’t want to purchase a heavier jacket to only wear for a few weeks’ time prior to delivery. I took the chance and it turned out that my current down jacket still fit! I was shocked I could get it zipped over my belly, but I’m glad I waited to see if I’d need it or not. If I had ended up unlucky, I would have simply done some online shopping, while utilizing those discounts, to get something that would have worked. Or even considered wearing it without it zipped up and simply making sure I had enough layers underneath.

5. Purchase non-maternity items when possible

I would recommend sizing up in non-maternity options when possible if you suspect you’d continue to wear the item postpartum or in subsequent seasons. I found tops which were tunic style – long with a rounded hemline – to be the easiest to wear throughout pregnancy. Both the length and the hemline allowed the tops to hit my body in such a manner it did not make me look larger than I was, but also did not mean my belly was hanging out underneath. Now, as I near the end of my pregnancy and start to consider my postpartum wardrobe, these pieces will help me to feel comfortable and confident in the weeks after delivery. Furthermore, these are items which I genuinely enjoy having in my wardrobe and do not feel like I “wasted” spending money on during pregnancy. I also added a few more non-maternity accessories over Christmas which helped to expand my mix and match options even further and filled the little void I had for shopping for non-maternity pieces.

As my pregnancy nears its end I can say that I am genuinely content and happy with the wardrobe I built and know it will allow me to easily transition into postpartum. I rarely had days where I felt like I didn’t have anything to wear and as I selected items reflective of my pre-pregnancy style, I felt like myself as my body changed but remained confident in my look. You may find yourself retiring some items as the fit simply changes due to the size of your belly or if your feet swell toward the end of pregnancy and you can no longer wear your favorite wedge. Nonetheless, hopefully these tips will give you ideas and direction as you build your maternity capsule wardrobe; take your time coming up with a plan and have fun with the process.


Thanks, Katie, for showing us how to rock maternity style and for sharing these great tips. Can't wait to hear about baby girl's arrival any day now!

wearing lately: January mini wardrobe

As promised, here is my mini wardrobe lineup for January, which I used the handy dandy Capsules by Cladwell tool to help me assemble. The process helped me realize two emphases for what I want/need to wear this month: first, versatility (crucial given the mix of work-from-home and work travel I have this month), and second, neutral but cheerful (given my love of mixing & matching neutrals but my need for a bit of happy color on dreary winter days).

striped tee (similar) | cardigan | fair isle sweater (similar, similar) | fine knit sweater (similar) | graphic sweatshirt (similar) | chambray shirt | popover blouse | down vest | skinny jeans | ankle pants (similar) | pencil skirt (similar, similar) | winter coat | leather backpack (similar) | accessories: similar necklace, similar scarf | suede boots (similar) | nude flats (similar) | sneakers | cognac boots (similar)

As I mentioned yesterday, this mini capsule isn't meant to be restrictive, but it does feel helpful to narrow my wardrobe down a bit when I'm standing there trying to get dressed or pack for one of the two work trips I'm taking this month. Given that I don't have to dress professionally for work on most days, I don't have a very business casual-oriented wardrobe any more, so it's also helpful to consider what in my closet can swing both ways - work and weekend.

For starters, this cheery pop of pink was perfect for a breakfast date with Peter but works just as well with those ankle pants and necklace for the upcoming work meetings and with the pretty pencil skirt for church.

What are you wearing this month? (Anybody need a winter coat as big as mine? I'm thrilled with this purchase so far!)

Sharing on Hello Monday, Mix It Monday.

closet inventory + Capsules tool

Here's something most of us can use in the New Year: a closet reassessment! With the help of the Capsules by Cladwell tool I mentioned last month, I have been doing just that:

I love the concept of a capsule/minimal wardrobe, having experienced many benefits from doing one a year ago in the fall and winter: the wonderful paradoxes of feeling like I had more to wear even though there was less in my closet or wanting all the things less even though I wasn't "allowed" to shop, the bliss of reduced decision fatigue, and the greater satisfaction with my personal style in general.

However, I don't necessarily want to have one at the moment - I just want to have a good wardrobe, one that is suitable for everything I need, uncluttered, and easy to make great outfits from. In light of this, I thought the Capsules tool could be useful for re-focusing myself this year: clearing out some non-essentials (or, worse, non-"me" items) that have managed to re-build up the size of my wardrobe again, finding the pieces that really work for me and my lifestyle, and making only smart new purchases (also avoiding any extras!).

For starters I did a closet inventory; the results, along with a little tour of my closet organization, just for fun:

I've always been intrigued by other bloggers' closet inventories, and perhaps a bit smugly so... the numbers always sound so big, and surely mine would seem more reasonable, as one who has previously done capsules and is so into remixing, right? But it turns out there's actually a ton of stuff in my (half of the) closet! I mean, there aren't even close to enough days in the week to wear 40 shirts, even if I spill on a bunch of them. Clearly I don't need all of what I have in there - and I don't wear it all with regularity either. (The Capsules team suggests that 80% of our wardrobes tend to go unworn! I'd have to dig a little to see if that's true for me, but definitely there's always a 10-20% that I wear WAY more than the rest.)

So after this assessment, I used the Capsules tool to make a goal for the size of my wardrobe. I didn't focus as much on the tool's first steps of closet cleanout and inspiration gathering that it walks you through (though these are very useful for newbies); what I found really helpful here was the needs assessment section: first, recording the activities in my life, what types of items I want to wear for them, and how much variety of clothing I need for each.

Based on this assessment, after inputting my personal activities (mostly working from home, church, occasional date nights and ladies nights, some work travel), along with the variety required (which made me realize, let's be honest, I really don't need much variety for any of these things), I ended up with much smaller numbers: 10 dresses, 8 sweaters, 3 outers, 15 shirts, 6 pants, 3 shorts, 4 skirts, 16 shoes.

Now I'm considering how I want to use this going forward. I think it'll help me take a harder look at what I really wear, so I can remove extraneous items and get closer to these suggested numbers, and also be more firm about shopping for specific things only and not adding anything I don't need to my wardrobe.

To finish off the process, I used the color palette selection section of Capsules to give myself a focus for January - I still have the whole regular wardrobe available, but this "mini wardrobe", like I've been assembling monthly since September, narrows down some go-tos for when I need something great to wear that makes me feel great - and quick.

Trying out the Capsules tool with a focus on just January ended up being helpful, given the work travel I have this month. Since I work from home, usually professional wear doesn't factor in to the equation so much, but with two trips for meetings, this month I need to be a bit more organized on the outfit planning front. Creating a small capsule was really helpful in narrowing down my wardrobe to this month's essentials, which makes getting dressed so much easier by eliminating extraneous options and reducing decision fatigue. I just made all the decisions up front about what to wear in January, and now all I have to do is throw a couple of things into my gym bag or my suitcase and I'm going to be good to go, since everything goes... you'll see the selections tomorrow!

Whether you want to have help refining your wardrobe, figuring out what to add to it each season, or picking a mix & match set of items for a trip, I definitely recommend checking out Capsules. It's easy to use, whether on your phone or your computer, and it does a good job of guiding you through all the steps - steps that might seem onerous at first (closet cleanout, making a Pinterest inspiration board) but that are so worth taking the time to do, as having a streamlined and cohesive and "you" wardrobe, whatever size that might turn out to be, will save you so much time in decision making in the end.

I do think there are a couple of drawbacks - I wished that I could go back and adjust some of my settings within the capsule, rather than having to start over, and I wish that I could create more than one at once, as I like to do separate ones for seasons or specific trips - but if this concept is something that has intrigued you but you haven't known where to start? Start here!

p.s. looking for more on how to use this tool to create a personal capsule, or on ideas for what to include? See Audrey or Tieka's great recent posts on the benefits and basics of capsules, or check out my lineup from last winter.

Capsules by Cladwell provided me with free access to try their tool, but the opinions here are my own. Thanks for supporting the sites that support mine!

wearing lately: September mix & match wardrobe

I didn't want to quite go the distance and tackle the full capsule thing again this fall, but I really was looking for some of the closet satisfaction and ease that it brought... so I thought: why not pretend my wardrobe is a suitcase? I always know what to do when I reduce things down to my mix & match packing lists, so breaking the closet into suitcase-like sections should work great for everyday life, right?

silk blouse (similar, similar) | striped tee (similar) | gingham shirt | burgundy dress (similar) | skinny jeans (similar inexpensive) | white jeans (similar) | cognac belt (similar) | cardigan | navy booties (similar) | scarf | a-line skirt (similar) | leather backpack (similar faux) | sneakers | nude flats (similar) | field jacket

When I travel I'm always looking for pieces that can do a variety of things - dressing up and down - and of course that's exactly what's needed in regular life too, since some days I'm working from coffee shops, then momming, then having date night - but I want to keep my wardrobe size manageable. Hopefully this monthly mini wardrobe approach also helps get me excited about working with what I already have, but otherwise if I shop will point out closet holes or items that will fit in really well to my wardrobe and my style.

What I wear this month doesn't need to be restricted to these items by any means, but when I want to pull together something quickly (like when I'm throwing stuff into my gym bag to change into after my shower there) or am having one of those "nothing to wear" feeling days, here's a set of go-to items that mix & match to create great early fall outfits.

September always feels tricky with temperature fluctuations throughout the day, plus some summer-like weather when I feel like wearing more fall-like clothes, so I have lots of layers for cool mornings/warm afternoons and also items where I can go with bare legs or arms, but with fall twists (booties, rich burgundy and cognac hues). This mini wardrobe has a bit more color than I expected, but after tiring a bit of my summer wardrobe, I'm all excited about this navy/burgundy combo at the moment - but with the fun surprise of leaving white jeans in the mix to keep it feeling fresh.

Here are a couple of outfits already made from this slate, making the same shirt/cardigan combo suitable for a family cottage gathering and for church - extra handy when I had about 5 minutes to get ready for each. Exactly when a pre-planned outfit is called for!

Stay tuned in the next couple of weeks for two ways to wear those white jeans for fall, plus two ways to wear the fab navy ankle boots. Plus I'm already all excited about the next section of my closet I'm going to mix & match this season: the black and white and gray part. Lineup coming in October!

Sharing on Third Thursday Threads plaid theme, Creative Closet jewel tones linkup, Just Jacq, Hello Monday.

capsule wrapup + linkup

We've come to the end of March, which means the end of my winter capsule wardrobe. It's not really the end though, since plenty of these items will get plenty more wear in other seasons - but there's the fun of spring, getting to pair the gingham shirt with white jeans instead of layered under a sweater and a vest, or cuff the jeans with some cute sneakers instead of thick socks and booties.

A little recap of how this season went down:

Most worn items: top: down vest and cable knit sweater / bottom: dark wash jeans / shoe: cognac booties

Least worn items: navy dress. Also, top: both blouses / bottom: burgundy cords / shoe: riding boots

Favorite outfits: layered stripes, chambray & vest with sneakers / gingham shirt with peplum jacket / everything with the graphic tee

Least favorite outfit: floral sweatshirt with utility jacket - kinda blah somehow

Tweaks: returned the moto boots that I really wished worked for me (liked that little bit of edge) and replaced them with a block-heeled version scored on sale at Madewell - also a worthy purchase as they were quite versatile.

"Cheats": hmmm, a lot more than last time. Some warm weather clothes for my Bahamas trip, an additional (polka-dotted!) down vest to replace my yucky old black one, this perfect striped tee (I've proved how useful they are!) and awesome sweatshirt in mid-March super clearance sales, and some great black heels for upcoming weddings after getting rid of my horribly uncomfortable old pair.

Closet rescues: amazingly, I thought I was kind of over my black & white striped tee, but it got a ton of different uses and is definitely sticking around.

On their way to Goodwill: my riding boots, which I already didn't really love, just aren't looking their best and don't fit my style as well any more as the other options I've got now.

Biggest surprise: how I didn't actually want to TORCH my sweaters and  boots (though sick of wearing them, sure) after the season. And how much I loved my cream cable knit sweater - surprisingly shows up only a few times here for how much I liked wearing it. So basic but versatile.

Biggest mistake: the burgundy cords. I loved my burgundy jeans in fall but just wasn't feeling the colored bottoms this winter - I think it's because my warmest coat is plum colored, which just looks dumb with colored pants! And skirts/tights, for that matter.

Lessons learned:

• I don't really need another official capsule. Based on the lessons I learned from fall (fewer items in the wardrobe paradoxically leads to more options/satisfaction, neutrals work for me, etc.), which were reinforced by doing this again for the winter, I feel ready to transition into a "regular" closet that incorporates those principals. I still love the concept of creating mix & match collections (my suitcase posts are my favorites to put together), but I'm at the point where my wardrobe sort of is that. It's pretty well pared down, I've really learned what my style is and what works for me, and so I'm kind of good to go at the moment without getting formal about rules. I liked my spring/summer wardrobe a lot from last year and thought I did a good job of streamlining it (though I wasn't doing a capsule then, the options I have reflect how I was starting to think along the minimalism/pared-down/neutral style lines) so I'm hoping I'm able to just carry on informally with the capsule concepts I love into regular life - having a small wardrobe, doing great mixing & matching, finding outfit formulas that work for me, not accumulating too much via shopping but making smart purchases. 

• Which leads into my newfound faith that I really CAN moderate my wardrobe shopping! I was much looser on the no-shopping rules this season, as seen above, but even with kind of throwing them out the window, I didn't go back to my old habits. By getting used to having a smaller wardrobe, learning that I really don't need that much in there (and actually really liking the limited stuff that is in there!), and just doing less shopping in general, I just don't have as much desire to add more stuff, so I don't feel like I need formal rules beyond my monthly budget. Sure, I still kind of have some of that "want all the things" feeling as spring arrives - who doesn't - but much less so. Pulling out the non-winter capsule clothes from where I had packed them away is making me feel like I have new clothes all over again, which is fun, and beyond that I think I can make smart, targeted shopping choices.

• Which then leads to the lesson that knowing what you're going for is crucial. It's one thing to identify your personal style, which I feel like I've had a handle on for a couple of years, but then it's another thing to have specific direction. This winter I really wanted to take my basic style up a notch by wearing items that added a bit of a luxe feeling, or that added a little bit of edge. This was SO helpful not only in figuring out what should be in my wardrobe but also in putting together daily outfits, so that I could walk around feeling how I wanted to feel in clothes. Which felt great.

• A cute down vest is a winter wardrobe must-have. Duh.

• Shopping smart pays off. Usually at the end of the winter I'm ready to torch all of my sweaters and boots (or at least donate all of them, which is what I did after last year). Really putting some thought into my wardrobe and buying a couple of sweaters that would be great for my personal style and lifestyle (same thing with boots) worked out, I think. I'm tired of having to wear them, but I absolutely plan to have them in my wardrobe when cold weather comes back around, and I think that's a feat - both in terms of still liking them and in terms of how well they've held up. A few quality pieces vs. my normal buy a bunch of sweaters on sale mentality paid off, as I didn't end up with any sweaters that ended up feeling not "me" after only a couple of wears, or that were too pilled after one season to be able to bring back next year.

• Cognac booties go with everything. Also duh.

• I don't really wear dresses/skirts in the winter, but they're still worth their slot in my wardrobe - especially the ones I included can be pulled out for the few occasions I end up needing them in the winter, but they also can be adapted to fall and spring outfits really easily, so they're smart to keep in a wardrobe of limited size, as I move beyond the specific capsule. I think this versatility is a feat! Same goes for the blouses in my capsule - not worn much but nice to have around for date night/work trip, and definitely usable in several other seasons too. 

This wardrobe approach might not be for everyone, but I'm glad I did it - I know there are a lot of people who, like me, are looking for more wardrobe satisfaction while sticking to a budget and focusing a bit more on quality vs. quantity where possible, and giving myself a set of rules was a big help in finally achieving those wardrobe goals and feeling like (for the most part) I always have "something to wear."

How about you? Did you do one too? Over this whole idea or still going strong? Link up winter capsule recaps or outfits (or a post from any current style remixing challenge you've got going on) below - and please be sure to link back to Jacquelyn & me in your post to share the love.

An InLinkz Link-up

wearing lately: winter capsule London suitcase + linkup

Operating from a capsule wardrobe, with its limited size, makes everyday dressing faster and easier by eliminating the overwhelm of too many options - and it's equally helpful when it comes time to pack for a trip! When you start from a thoughtfully curated place, it's easy to pull just a couple of really versatile pieces to mix & match into all the outfits you need. In this case: outfits for a work trip to London (plus a little something for sightseeing on the side!)

gray cardigan (similar) | flocked tee | popover blouse | black sweater | ponte pants (similar) | skinny jeans | a-line skirt | wedge booties (similar) | quilted jacket (similar - great price!) | leopard wedges (similar) | printed scarf (similar) | sneakers | necklace | crossbody

My trip is quite short, arriving on Thursday morning and leaving on Sunday morning, so all I need is a very small suitcase - thus the above packing list, with just 7 items of clothing pulled from my winter capsule. To round things out, a couple of accessories and a coat, and then 3 pairs of shoes to cover the range from meeting dressiness to walking the city/airport comfort.

I like dark neutrals as my base for travel, because they're really versatile, seem most appropriate and chic for big cities, and because they don't look quite so dirty so fast if you're re-wearing. Ponte knits (pants and skirt here) are also awesome for travel (and sitting in meetings) because they don't wrinkle and are really comfortable.

And here are 7 outfits that I can make with those 7 items! I find that it's smart, when you're packing such a limited set of options, to try on all of the outfits beforehand - even when they're all amazing on paper, sometimes they just don't quite pan out, and it's nice to figure that out before you arrive and realize your meeting outfit just won't do.

These outfits cover everything I need for the short trip: two meeting outfits, travel outfit, sightseeing outfit,two dinner outfits, and a going out (to see a show) outfit.

Final crucial component to packing for a quick trip is smart bag choice! I always use my LL Bean rolling duffle (neatly rolling everything into packing cubes inside) as it is roomier than your typical hard-sided carry-on suitcase - but still allowed as a carry-on! The Lo&Sons OMG bag that I got as Hendrik's diaper bag is also amazing for travel, so I always steal it for trips... The pockets are great for organizing all your in-flight essentials, including one for your laptop, and I also love that one of the outer pockets zips open on the bottom so you can slide it over your suitcase handle for easy carting through the airport.

And new for this trip, a fabulous Kate Spade crossbody c/o Shopbop. I's nice to have something smaller than the laptop bag for sightseeing and dinner outings, but also something big enough to carry around my camera. This bag is so classy for going around a big city and the crossbody strap is so nice for hands-free carrying - but then I also love that it has the shorter strap that can turn it more into an evening type bag for going out to dinner if you remove the crossbody strap.

So that's what I'll be wearing out of my winter capsule for the rest of the week. What have you been wearing from yours lately?

Link up any winter capsule updates or outfit posts below. Also be sure to go check out Jacqueline's update (plus her awesome introduction as one of the two new Unfancy guest bloggers!) - and please link back to us so your readers can check out everyone's too. Our favorites will be featured in next month's newsletter (sign up here if you want to be on the linkup reminder list).

An InLinkz Link-up

Sharing on Mix It Mondays, Style Sessions, What I Wore to Work.

to wear: winter capsule + linkup

I've always found winter to be one of the hardest seasons to dress for - sure, it's nice to be able to layer in terms of outfit creativity, but there are all these restrictions with it being too cold for 3/4 sleeves or bare ankles, or impractical (perhaps dangerous) to leave the house in anything but heavy boots and a down coat. So it took a while to find inspiration for this, but the fall capsule taught me that it'll be worth it in the end - for the sake of sanity, budget, and wardrobe satisfaction - so I buckled down and came up with this lineup for my January through March wardrobe:

popover blouse | down vest | flocked tee | cropped sweater

striped tee (similar) | black sweater | black blazer | floral sweatshirt (similar) | marled sweater (similar)

graphic tee | gray cardigan (similar) | chambray shirt (similar) | silk blouse | poppy sweater (similar)

open cardigan | embellished tee | turtleneck sweater (similar) | flowy tee (similar) | gingham shirt

peplum jacket (similar) | tan sweater | utility jacket (similar) | a-line skirt | mini skirt

dark jeans (similar) | light jeans (similar) | black jeans | ponte pants | burgundy cords (similar)

striped dress (similar) | fit & flare dress (similar) | riding boots (similar) | cognac booties | wedge booties

leopard wedges (similar) | slouch booties | moto boots | suede pumps (similar) | sneakers | suede flats
*links to my actual items where available, similar items when that's what's pictured

The lowdown: This time around I have a slightly larger capsule - 40 items instead of 37 - to accommodate the realities of dressing for winter and my penchant for hating all of my sweaters and boots by the end of the loooong season, no matter how much I loved them at the beginning. Also, given the nature of the season, there are quite a few things I'll be wearing that aren't included here (coats, weather boots, long-sleeved tees/camisoles under sweaters for warmth). As with last time, I moved everything else out of my section of the closet and reserved one dresser drawer for the folded stuff, so that when I go to get dressed I see only these items. It's so refreshing to simplify this way - I recommend!

The rules: Remix these pieces into lots of great outfits for the months of January, February, and March. And no clothes/shoes shopping. I reserve the right to swap out a couple of things if the perfect version comes along (such the replacement riding boots I've been trying to hunt down for 2 years...so I don't have much hope, but still), and to do a teensy bit of warm-weather clothes shopping for our anniversary trip to the Bahamas (it's been a long time since we've had a solo vacation, so momma might need a couple of sassy things...). Other than that, as much as I will surely be tempted by end-of-season sales, I learned last time that I really don't need more than this in my closet, and it actually is freeing and satisfaction-boosting to have fewer items (that I love) and to take the "want all the things" shopping feelings out of the equation.

The linkup: Are you doing some kind of capsule wardrobe for winter? I want to see what's in it! Link up below, go check out Jacqueline's (and please link back to us so your readers can check out everyone's too) - and then come back on the last Tuesday of each month to share some of your outfits!


   

    An InLinkz Link-up
   


Sharing on Style Sessions, Thursday Favorites, Oh Hey Girl.

pinning presently: winter capsule inspiration

Hope you all had a great Christmas! My next big project, now that the holiday shopping and decorating is done, is finalizing my winter capsule. It took me a little while to get up the energy to put this one together, I admit. I was really happy with my fall one overall, but it's a lot of work, all this planning ahead! And I just am not as excited about winter dressing as I am about fall. Winter just gets so looooong and is so limiting on the footwear. But after some Pinterest perusing, I've got a whole board of inspiration finally getting me really excited about what's to come for my January-March wardrobe.

top row: left | center | right  middle row: center  bottom row: left | center | right

For January through March, I anticipate ending up with a lot of neutrals again. Just like with fall, it makes me a little nervous because it seems like it could be boring, but it's obviously what I'm attracted to, and I always say my style is "classic basics with a twist", so I should just learn to go with it and not doubt.

This time around, I plan to do my usual "twist" with some pattern and pops of color, but I also love the idea of pieces that fit the neutral basics theme but that feel luxe - it just feels right for winter, and when they're basic, the look is going to come off so much better if the pieces are quality or have a rich feel. And I'm also looking to add pieces that have a bit of an edge - which is branching out a little for me, but I think it's a great way to expand my style (and make it slightly more cool) while still staying true to it at the core.

top row: left | center | right  bottom row: left | center | right

I'm starting to pull out my winter pieces to see what will fit my inspiration and goals for winter wear, and I'm also planning to use my partnership with Shopbop to showcase some of their items/great things about their site to find a couple of pieces with a bit of edge - I'm thinking some moto-style ankle boots and a leather (or faux) jacket will be just the right completer pieces to add that twist to my basic jeans and sweaters and take them up a notch.

Are you planning your winter wardrobe? I hope you'll join Jacq & me in our linkup series, which starts January 6 with your capsule lineup, and then features your outfits on the last Tuesday of the month.

p.s. if you want some more inspiration for putting together a capsule, see of course Unfancy, but also my fall inspiration post, which explains my personal twists on the concept, and my fall capsule lineup and wrapup.

wearing lately: holiday mix & match

Once your house is decorated, it's also nice to walk around feeling a bit festive yourself during the holiday season. There are some items in my wardrobe that definitely are suited to come out this time of year - the plaids, the pops of red, the chunky knits and faux fur - so while I'm in the window between the fall and winter capsules, I thought I'd dig through my closet for a mini holiday season mix & match wardrobe and make the most of them.

With just 15 items (3 pants, 1 skirt, 1 dress, 2 sweaters, 2 blouses, 3 tees, 3 shoes) and some accessories I have 15 different outfits (and there are more to be made, obviously) that take me through a whole range of Christmas parties - work, family, cookie decorating - and holiday events, as well as everyday wear with a little splash of festive and cozy thrown in. It's a great mix of inspiration/items from the holiday suitcase I put together last year, items from my fall capsule, and a few new acquisitions I made during the recent big sales in anticipation of the winter capsule.

Just as in doing the capsule thing for September through November, it's sooo helpful in getting dressed in the morning (or for an event, of which there are of course many this month) to have a limited number of pieces to choose from and some forethought on outfits to make with them, especially when I love all of these pieces. Plus it'll be handy when it comes to packing for our Christmas trip to Michigan!

What are you wearing this month?

Sharing on Mix It Mondays, Thursday Favorites, Style Sessions, What I Wore to Work.

wearing lately: fall capsule cozy

A couple of last looks from the fall capsule items, before we move on to a mini holiday collection next week... It got so much colder than normal for much of November that I kind of had to pile on all the fall clothes at once, or wear my coat around the house - so thank goodness for this mini-cheat (an addition to my wardrobe that my mom graciously bought for me) as I've been in need of a warmer sweater lately.

First, a dressier version - a pretty scarf and coordinating accessories in a rich cognac hue are a good way to be cozy but still polished. And then a more casual version - comfy and warm for the weekend but still cute!

I'd say these looks are really a mid-step between a fall and winter wardrobe - a thick sweater, but still done with my fall colors and even a little bit of bare (though chilly) ankle. I'm excited for how it's going to work in to my seasonably appropriate festive December wardrobe though! Think Tartan plaid peeking out and bright red pants on the bottom...

cognac ankle boots | plaid shirt | distressed jeans

And then it'll of course be great for the winter capsule too - coming at you January through March (though by March I'm bound to be rather sick of it, as always happens with sweaters, so here's sincerely hoping March doesn't require such thick ones.)

Sharing on Mix It Mondays, Thursday Favorites, Creative Closet favorite sweater linkup.