Wardrobe Updates

 

If you’ve been reading here throughout the year, you know that I have been on a grand capsule wardrobe project. I had a specific set of clothing I wore in January through mid-March, and then I switched it up for the rest of March through the end of May, and then I brought in the summer set of clothing for June through August.

            I’ve been waiting for the bloggers who inspire me to publish their fall capsules, but they haven’t yet. I’ve also looked at what I have and at the unpredictable weather that comprises September, and I’m just not sure how to make it all work. Do I plan for warm or cold or in between? Do I try to bring in several new pieces or keep using what I have?

            Over Labor Day weekend, I went through my entire wardrobe. I went all the way from front to back. The things I’ve hung onto throughout this capsule experiment, even if they haven’t necessarily been a part of it. The things I have worn in some version of the capsule. I stared at it all. Learned from it all. Today I want to share with you what I learned and how I plan to implement it for the remainder of the year.

ONE. I have learned so much about the colors I like to wear. I have learned that one color that was a “no-no” on the color analysis I did is actually one I enjoy wearing: black. I have learned that I especially love wearing all the shades of blue, some pink, some light green, and some maroon. I love tan and white, too. A little gray, but not as much as the tan and white. I’ve found I do like a good mix of patterns and plain. And I’ve learned more about the patterns I do and do not like.

TWO. I have learned so much about the cuts and shapes of the pieces I like to wear. Some styles that I’ve always worn – I no longer like on myself. As I made my way through the wardrobe the other day, I decided to eliminate some things I’ve owned for years – and other things I just added this year. They worked for the capsule, but I don’t wish to keep them permanently. I’m consigning them so someone else can enjoy them. (After all, nearly everything in my closet that came in this year came from a consignment or thrift store.)

THREE. Speaking of that, I have learned that I have hit the complete jackpot at thrift and consignment stores. I have half a dozen pieces I adore and get tons of compliments on, and they were discards from someone else. I am so glad someone else hated them. 😊 While I’m not opposed to buying something new if I find and love it, I think, going forward, shopping used is going to be my primary source. The prices work for me, and I like the unique feel of a single piece that doesn’t look just like what everyone else has.

FOUR. I have learned so much about mixing and matching this year. Limiting myself for three whole seasons to a small grouping of clothing has pushed me to try combinations I never would have tried otherwise. And sometimes those combos provided real winners! I don’t feel as dependent on inspiration outfits to help me figure out what to put together.

FIVE. I’ve decided for the rest of this year, I will not limit myself to a particular seasonal capsule. I am going to take the best of all the things I have collected this year (plus a few things I owned before and didn’t use in the official capsules) and enjoy them for the remaining four months of the year. If I didn’t love it, I didn’t keep it. I’ll still keep doing what I’ve been doing all year…I’ll just have a little bigger grouping of things to enjoy.

SIX. I plan to keep an eye out for a small handful of additional pieces I want to add. There were a few pieces I had in my capsule because I already owned them, but they didn’t fit like I really wanted. I eliminated them and will look for similar pieces that fit my style and body better. (One example? A sweatshirt. I had a sweatshirt in my winter capsule and loved it, but it was a little short. I like my sweatshirts to be slightly longer. So I put it in the consigning pile and will watch for one that has a different cut and length.)

            I’m excited! I’m excited to keep using what I have and yet feeling like I have a whole new group of clothing, because I’m bringing back some of the warmer stuff!