In my last post, I talked about why I’m editing my closet to build an eco-friendly capsule wardrobe. Honestly, I’m loving it because having fewer clothes helps me spend less time thinking about what to wear on a daily basis, and I also feel good about reducing my impact on the environment. Today, I’m breaking down what’s in my spring capsule collection.
One important thing to note – this is NOT a minimalist capsule wardrobe. I started with a pretty…let’s call it “robust” closet, so I had a lot of options to start with! Second of all, I’m a mom of two young boys and I’ve been working from home for ten years. So my wardrobe is full of casual, easy pieces that are comfortable enough to wear at my desk all day, but I feel put together at daycare pickup or having a drink in the driveway with neighbors after work. Basically, I want to look like I put some effort in!
I live in New England, so spring can be a bit of a tease – March and April are cooler months and it doesn’t get regularly warm until May. It also rains a lot, and we’ve been known to get late snowstorms – so “spring” can really feel like different seasons at times! So layers are core items in my spring wardrobe. Below are some staple items that I continually reach for, and also a few new pieces I’m keeping an eye out for to keep things fresh and up-to-date.
Spring Capsule Wardrobe Basics
- T-shirts: I just love the classic look of a white t-shirt! But I also make sure I have a few shirts in jewel tones, which is my preferred color palette. I look for t-shirts that aren’t see-through because I can’t be bothered with the extra layer of a tank underneath.
- Sweater dress: This might be the only single item in this list, but it’s the perfect piece to pair with a cardigan and tights as a transition piece in early spring, or with sandals and a denim jacket as it starts to warm up.
- Jackets: Speaking of a good denim jacket, other key seasonal pieces include an always trendy trench coat, a black blazer to dress up pairs of jeans
- Pants: I hope it goes without saying that I have “good” yoga pants for a quick grocery store run! Just me? Moving on… I also have multiple pairs of jeans ( skinny jeans for life!) because some days you want dark wash jeans, and some days you just need crisp white jeans that scream, “Spring is here!”
- Workout Clothes: This past year, I’ve been exercising more as a form of self-care, and I’ve been adding some versatile items that can work in different ways – so I can wear them while exercising, and also as “athleisure” attire. (Thank goodness that’s a thing now!)
How Many Items Do I Need in my Capsule Wardrobe?
I get asked this question a lot, but there is no such thing as a magic number for a perfect capsule wardrobe. It would be impossible for me to tell you what is “enough clothes” when everyone has a different daily routine. Plus, I’m not a fan of strict rules – who has time for that?
Tips to Get Started With Your Spring Capsule Wardrobe:
- Try to keep your wardrobe down to a limited number of items that you can use to create different looks. Each person’s list of essential items will be different depending on the needs of their busy lives, jobs, etc.
- When you’re adding new items, be picky! I am working hard to refine my personal style and be honest about what clothing items look good on my body type. I am looking for versatile items that depict a timeless style and I generally avoid fashion trends (tie-dye, crop tops – I’m looking at you!)
- Don’t forget about special occasions! I know, you probably haven’t worn your little black dress in forever, and you have that pair of shoes that have been sitting in a box since last year. But these are still important pieces of your current closet and you’ll be grateful you don’t have to waste time and buy new ones next time you have a wedding to attend
The fashion industry knows what they’re doing, and I know it can be tempting to toss or ignore your old clothes in favor of adding fun new items – especially this time of year when you’re sick of your winter clothes! I promise you will love love LOVE having an entire wardrobe full of versatile pieces that fit your individual style.
Next up, I’ll be planning out my summer capsule collection and looking to add some sustainable fashion including a new pair of jeans and an all-purpose maxi skirt.