On Tuesday, Jenn and I are hosting the first of our Mom Style Remix linkups, where we're inviting all (you don't have to be a mom!) to showcase how you make your wardrobe basics into stylish outfits. First up is the most basic of basics - jeans - a particular favorite of mine, as someone who both works from home and is a mom.
A great thing about jeans for my lifestyle is that they're casual and easy, but there's so still much variety possible. And! As you can see, there's no need for them to be mommish, if you start with a good pair. The five types I have in my closet, which cover every occasion from work to date night to errands and in between: dark skinny jeans, ankle jeans, distressed boyfriend jeans, black jeans, and white jeans.
Jeans are such an individual thing, finding the cuts and brands that work for your own body - recently I've personally gone toward more of the designer jeans because I just got SO sick of ones from places like Gap or JCrew stretching out and sagging so much after just a couple of hours of wear (not to mention ones from places like Old Navy that just never had a good fit for me). So I've had luck with searching Shopbop for some higher quality cuts and fabrics.
My all-time favorite is now the Paige Verdugo (#1 above). Flawless fit, and the amazing fabric truly is stretchy without stretching out. I have them in white too and would definitely consider replacing my so-so black ones from Target with the Paige version as well.
What are your go-to types or brands of jeans? Have you branched back into the flare style yet? I'm considering it! Jenn and I are looking forward to seeing 2-3 ways you style your favorite jeans on Tuesday...
I like a well-placed Target impulse buy, but as part of my 30 before 30 goals, I've been trying to be smart about accessories and outfit completers and think of them as investment pieces, buying the quality versions instead of the cheap-o versions over and over. In addition, with a capsule approach/wardrobe made of basics, I've started to realize that you want the completer pieces to feel special or luxe as it really takes a simple outfit up a notch. Five items where I think it's worth going big:
These 5 items have all been mainstays of my wardrobe for a long time, but always in the faux (i.e. Target) version - and so I found myself replacing them a lot because the fit was a bit off or I was wearing through them so quickly. Thus their status as worth-it for investing - these items just look higher quality, fit better, and last longer than their cheaper counterparts. And I've found with the quality items, when you're careful with your purchases, they also have lasting power in terms of how much you like them, so they've been go-to pieces for a long time and will continue to be. Excellent cost-per-wear ratio (especially because even with "investments," I still wait for a sale or a coupon or a birthday...).
My items and some additional options, in case you want to get on board:
Since my winter capsule is set and thus I don't need any more clothes at the moment, I'm using my partnership with Shopbop over the next couple of months to think about one or two more investment items that will really add to my wardrobe long term, as mentioned earlier. Since two of the things I'm really going for in this capsule are luxe and a little (teeny) bit of edge, to add the twist to my neutrals/basics, I'm eyeing their selections of leather jackets and leather cross-body bags and clutches. The Marc Jacobs and Kate Spade ones get me especially jazzed...
In the meantime, I think the "save up for a few investment items" entry on my 30 before 30 list can officially be crossed off, with the above and my grown up lady handbag from a couple of years ago.
I admit, I've been having a few qualms along the way as I put together this capsule wardrobe. Closet purging doesn't tend to make me anxious, but this is my most pared-down wardrobe ever. And though I don't think I'm going to end up missing the things I got rid of, I have been occasionally second-guessing my capsule choices, whether I'm going to get tired of a small selection, or whether all these neutrals are going to be a mistake - seeing all the photos together makes me worried that it's a boring palette or too plain. But going back to my inspiration boards and my intentions reminds me that this is really what I'm drawn to, and I really don't need more than a few great basics to make a bunch of stylish and "me" outfits.
So I'm excited that it's finally time to just get started on this capsule wearing. In the end, even if some of it doesn't work out as I hoped, it's just 3 months - and you don't know until you just try it out! So without further ado, here's what I've got for September through November:
It's actually taken a fair bit of time and thought to put this together, and there are a few things still on the way/on the shopping list, as you can see: for a few specific things I knew I wanted to be part of the capsule it just made sense to wait for inevitable Labor Day sales and dates I could redeem coupons, so they'll be included as they arrive (if they work out - if not, that just means I don't need them and can get by with fewer items!).
But I think the upfront investment - both time and money-wise - will pay off over the next couple of months. Having a cohesive, mix & match approach to my closet and thinking ahead about what kinds of outfits I need for my casual, work-from-home-mom lifestyle, and then coming up with lots of specific options out of these pieces I've chosen, should mean it's easier to get dressed because the only options in my closet are pieces that I'm excited about, that go together, and that work for my personal style and lifestyle.
So I'm excited to begin the wearing part of the process and start photographing some of the results to show off in future linkups - but at the moment I can't wait to preview your capsules!
Aside from a request to be sure to link back to Jacquelyn's blog and to mine, so that your readers know where to go if they want to join in, this is a pretty loose link up - even if you aren't quite ready with your capsule, or are doing a different/similar challenge like a 30x30 remix, we still want you to join in and share with us where you are at in the process. As Jacquelyn said, the point of the link up is to encourage one another as we work towards a more workable, financially responsible wardrobe, so we look forward to seeing how you make this work for your lifestyle.
As I'm thinking about a fall capsule wardrobe, it's perfect timing for sharing my "closet confidential" on The Circle: digging through my closet to identify things like the oldest item, most expensive item, and current favorites is actually really helpful in the process of culling my wardrobe into the essentials for a fall capsule because it shows me what in there has been a really smart purchase, what goes with my personal style best, what suits my lifestyle needs most. So here they are:
Oldest item: Gap cargo jacket. It's somewhat shameful the short amount of time some things are in my wardrobe (hopefully a capsule wardrobe helps me make smart choices on pieces that are around for years to come!), but my army green cargo jacket has stood the test of time - I snagged it for under $10 at a consignment shop a full 4 years ago, and it's still one of my most-worn items. It goes with everything!
Newest item: Bauble Bar tortoiseshell necklace. I've been trying to avoid buying any additional summer clothes as part of this culling my wardrobe process, but accessories that can jazz up simple summer outfits now and go with everything in my capsule wardrobe in the fall? Smart choice.
Most expensive piece: Coach leather purse. I've been trying to spend more on less to get higher quality, longer lasting, better fitting clothes, but I still manage to not spend that much on anything by shopping smart, using sales/coupons that pop up as the time to buy. But my grown-up lady handbag really was an investment in a real leather classic and timeless piece. And I still love it!
Biggest bargain: Old Navy black & white striped tee. Aside from the aforementioned cargo jacket, whose cost-per-wear is down to pennies, I'd have to say this tee is a bargain winner - a classic go-to item snagged on clearance for about $2.
Current favorites: denim jacket (still!) and gladiator sandals. Two things I've been turning to a ton this summer when I want to add a little interest or edge to a simple outfit. Knowing this helps me going into fall as I plan go-to pieces and outfits: I'll continue wear the denim jacket a ton to dress down dresses and skirts, and I plan to translate the things I love about the sandals (cool vibe, cognac color) into a pair of booties to jazz up my classic basics.
And with all this talk of capsule wardrobes: I decided to take the plunge and really try out this minimal wardrobe/no clothes shopping thing for 3 months (September through November), and Jacquelyn of Just Jacq and I have decided to collaborate on a little link up series to motivate and encourage anyone else who is contemplating it too.
We were both really inspired by the seasonal capsule concept on Unfancy. When I discovered this blog, I felt like it put into words exactly what I'd been feeling about wardrobe overload and dissatisfaction, and it put a process to what I can do about it. And I've heard from quite a few ladies who also feel it's time to simplify and to take their wardrobes to the next level by cleaning out the things they feel lukewarm about (as Shea put it) and having the satisfaction, freedom, and ease of being left with a wardrobe made up of items we love, that work for our lifestyle, and that mean we always have something to wear.
If you're interested, get started thinking about your mini wardrobe for the next few months - what pieces and outfits fit your style, your lifestyle, your goals for how you want to look/feel (working through Caroline's free wardrobe planner is super helpful). And then clear out the things that don't work for you!
Next week Jacquelyn and I will share some of the inspiration images that we're using to help guide our capsule creation and a little more about the process of purging our wardrobes, selecting our pieces, etc. And then in the first week of September, we want to see those capsules, whether you decide to do a 3-month capsule, a 30x30 remix, or just a thoroughly curated closet. Or if you're not quite ready with it, then maybe a list of what you want your simplified mini wardrobe to be!
After that, let's check in once a month on how it's going and show off some of the outfits we've been wearing, to share inspiration and keep accountable (even though I have hopes this will make me less inclined to add things to my wardrobe, I'll still need accountability on the not shopping, I'm afraid...). So here's the link up schedule:
September 2 - your capsule
September 30 - show off some capsule outfits!
October 28 - capsule outfits round 2
November 25 - capsule outfits round 3
And if we're all still having fun, maybe we'll follow up with a similar schedule for winter! Who's with us?
Lately I've been debating the merits of having just a small capsule wardrobe. I feel like I've gotten so good at making mix & match suitcases and working with a limited number of items to create a whole bunch of outfits that I really like and feel good wearing, but somehow this doesn't seem to translate to my overflowing regular wardrobe - where I stand looking at all this stuff and having that nothing to wear feeling.
I think what this means is that less really is more when it comes to wardrobes: while it seems like more options would be better in terms of having something to wear for all occasions, perhaps having too many is just overwhelming, and fewer options actually leads to higher satisfaction and more creativity, when it's the items you really love and that are really versatile. It certainly works for travel, so why not for every day?
So I recently started with a big closet cleanout, but I still have some fears about really being brutal with the purging (and even more about my ability to be firm on not buying more things to fill the closet back up!) because what if ... ? But I think it's time to trust that this capsule thing could really work well for me - I already define my style as "classic basics with a twist," which means I can definitely get by with just some great, high-quality base pieces and some interest-adders in terms of accessories/jackets/shoes. This makes for a great mix & match set up, and it suits my style well.
This outfit is an example - basic white jeans and gray tee, but still a bit interesting with a twist, in the marled texture of the shirt, the great sandals, and a necklace for a little shine. In the fall, all I need is my cargo jacket, and this is still a go-to outfit that suits my style and my lifestyle perfectly. I might have niggling fears about this being boring or not blog-worthy, but here's my test: I know I'd be attracted to this in a catalog or on a mannequin (and somehow such a basic outfit wouldn't seem boring if I saw it on a chic lady at the mall). It's classic, put-together, and me - this is real life dressing, folks.
I'd already been contemplating coming up with a small capsule wardrobe for fall when I happened upon the blog Unfancy, in which Caroline builds four capsule wardrobes per year, taking everything out of her closet but the season's 37 pieces (and then not shopping during the season!): 15 tops, 12 bottoms/dresses/jackets, and 9 pairs of shoes. And I love what she's come up with. Though we don't have exactly the same style, her approach of using a capsule wardrobe to make "real, everyday, unfancy outfits" is perfectly me.
Not to mention that there are only so many days in the week and only so many weeks in each season - I had this realization recently that with all the summer clothes in my wardrobe, I barely have time to wear them all thoroughly before the season changes! Time to simplify and get back to basics.
I'm hoping I have the guts to take the plunge and do this for fall because when Caroline writes things like "Now I always feel like I have something awesome to throw on" and "Less actually reflected my style with dazzling clarity" and "Less made me happier" I get all excited and I want in! So stay tuned...
Not the little black dress - it's the long black dress, another wardrobe staple and current summer go-to item. Last summer maxi dresses were a crucial part of my maternity wardrobe, and I even had a couple of regular-sized ones that I thought were perfect because they fit then, and I'd still be able to wear them later... but not so. Turns out the large bump was a huge help in making the length of the dresses work for me, and now they drag all over the floor.
I finally tracked down a petites version that works for my frame this summer, and I've been getting just as much use of it. So easy to throw on but still look and feel chic as it makes a look of its own - but also so easy to jazz up with accessories!
Version 1 was for an evening at Cilantro for yummy Vietnamese food with some lady friends - I always feel long and lean and glamorous in a maxi, and the jacket made the look feel a little cool for a night out (but warm enough for a cool evening!). And version 2 was for Peter's birthday BYOB (and cake) picnic dinner at Eli's BBQ. It was a hot night and a very casual setting, so just a simple necklace and sandals, and I was ready to go.
There are many marvelous maxis out there (I especially love a striped one too, like so), but a black one is such a great blank canvas to make into new and chic outfits all summer long - or great on its own too. Options for any budget (including a couple of petites):
About a year and a half ago I wrote a series of posts about wardrobe essentials based on my signature style definition: polished casual, achieved through outfits made of wardrobe basics with a twist. This week, as part of Red Envelope's #RedStyle "Embrace Your Personal Style" campaign, I was inspired to take another look at how the essentials in my wardrobe make up my personal style.
While the outfits might seem a bit repetitive when you look at my style archives, I'm really pleased that those essentials still hold as my go-to pieces to make up the base of an outfit (in fact, most of those exact items are actually still in my closet - a great marker of worthy purchases!). Whether or not they're entirely "in," they're still me - and knowing what's me helps in any other wardrobe-building decisions. So here's how I've been embracing my personal style lately, with some new acquisitions paired with old favorites:
This combination is one of my favorites. The ankle pant/ballet flat silhouette is a classic, and wardrobe workhorse basics of chambray, black ponte pants, and a utility jacket make up the base of the outfit, but with a twist: this chambray top has stripes, and there's a little pattern mixing with the accessorizing to boot.
The second ensemble can't get much more basic - pants and a button-down shirt - but it's still interesting with the bright red cords and leopard print shoes. And when I want to turn up my casual look a notch, I tend to reach for a blazer. Again, there's not much more basic than a black blazer, but this basic can go a long way in sprucing up all kinds of outfits and making me feel polished.
And some other ways I've worn these basics with a twist:
I'm away at my work conference this week, so while I'm recovering from jet lag and running around at meetings, I thought I'd recap some "best of" posts and re-share some of my favorites. Up first, style!
I've remixed a lot of items over the last few years - but that's because I have a bunch of what I consider essentials, building blocks of a wardrobe that make endless outfits. (All a nice way of saying I wear the same things over and over.) There are some basics to my wardrobe that I've showcased before as my 5 wardrobe essentials, and looking back through all the style posts, I realized there are several more items that show up a lot - and are clearly essential for a versatile wardrobe (dress up/down, in any season!) in my personal style.
My original essentials were an army jacket, something leopard, a chambray shirt, a great necklace/scarf, and a basic dress that can be dressed up down - see more outfits here, plus a December/January version on Audrey's blog here.
I also see having some statement pieces, to add to those building blocks to make an outfit you, as essential to a wardrobe, and showcased some of my ideas - statement jacket, standout bag, unique jewelry, colorful/embellished flats, and party skirt - here.
Last fall we discussed wardrobe essentials - those go-to items in your closet that mean you always have something to wear. The 5 I featured were an army jacket, something leopard, chambray shirt, a statement necklace or great scarf, basic dress - and actually my true essentials probably number closer to 10, also including dark jeans, striped tees, a fitted blazer, gold flats, riding boots. Most of these are pretty basic building blocks, which are important, but to make a wardrobe interesting, I would say that it's also essential to have a few statement items, pieces you can add to those basics to make an outfit.
These items are going to be different for everyone; they're what defines your own style and adds the unique twist to your wardrobe, but they might fit into some general categories. A few examples:
boutique sweater jacket (best hand-me-down ever, thanks mom!) | thrifted red knit blazer | Steve Madden via TJ Maxx gold purse | Anthropologie collar necklace | Zara tassel flats | Kenneth Cole Reaction via DSW gold flats (that sadly I wore holes through) | Loft sequin skirt
These are the unique sort of pieces that I add to the chambray or stripes that everyone else has to make an outfit my own. Statement wardrobe essentials aren't not exactly one-of-a-kind, since they're not custom made or anything, but they're beyond the basics everyone sees at the same stores. Instead, find them at stores like Anthropologie or local boutiques, bring them home as travel souvenirs, or if you have a good eye for it, find them at thrift shops. They don't have to be expensive - though investing in any of the above would have been a good buy for me, I wear them so much - just different or interesting things that can make an outfit special.
Part of how I know these are my standout personal style items: they're by far the most complimented and commented on things I wear. So on days I'm not so much feeling my wardrobe, I pull one of these out. Not exactly to fish for compliments (though that's always nice!) but because I know it's a tried and true, me kind of outfit.
So what are your unique statement wardrobe essentials?
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