Winter 2015 Capsule Wardrobe

This is my second time doing the capsule wardrobe. I didn't have enough pants last season and ripped my only pair of jeans, so I did not worry out about following the capsule exactly. After all, one of my goals for doing a capsule wardrobe was to streamline my routine in the morning to eliminate undue stress from my day. To rectify the pants issue, my ever helpful and generous Mom bought me two pairs of corduroys and new jeans when I was home in Florida last November (thanks, Mom!). She also kept my rambunctious toddler occupied while I tried on clothes (thanks even more, Mom!) I had a hard time deciding what to wear this season. If I had my druthers I would have wanted to wear all black and white this season. I have been very inspired by these muted neutrals and a limited palette.  However I wanted to be realistic and use a lot of what I have, since I didn't want to purchase too many things.

I used as much black and white as I could and inserted wintry colors (eggplant and navy). Here's what I came up with.

I have been meaning to get a couple of sweaters and finally had the chance to shop and find something today (sans toddler). They were also both on sale - score! Since I knew exactly what I needed to round out my wardrobe, it was easy to target my search and not spend money on extraneous items. I also got a free lipstick at MAC with the "empties" I had used up. Good stuff!

Sketches and Clothes and Chicken Scratch

I had some fun today mentally recalling what I put together clothes wise for the past ten days trying to only use items in my capsule wardrobe. I felt like sketching...

Days 7 and 8 were my favorite days, since I wore a new silk scarf that a friend gave to me, and a gorgeous 100 inch strand of pearls my mom gave me one Christmas. The pearls looked especially nice against the black blouse I wore.

I'm still working through my capsule, and I already replaced a few things, but so far it's making my morning wardrobe decisions much easier. It's also encouraging me to work with the accessories I have but never end up wearing!

Fall Fashion Capsule Wardrobe

I heard about capsule wardrobes for the first time from Caroline at Un-Fancy. As someone who flirts with the idea of minimalism, wants to be more efficient in the morning (getting out of the house for work & daycare) and is looking to eliminate daily choice overload, I was hooked!

The idea is that you select a specific amount of items of clothing, accessories and shoes for the season and pack what you won't be using until the next season. Dependent upon what "rules" you follow, accessories and shoes may or may not count. I'll likely count my shoes (forgot to draw my blue suede boots) and be unlimited with my jewelry to switch things up.

Basically, it's a strategic plan for your wardrobe, so that it is edited, cohesive, and items will work well with each other. As an artist and designer, I love having limits, it helps me be more creative and forces me to use what I have. I also am more mindful of the great items that I do have.

It was great timing since Fall has just arrived. After reading a ton of posts on Un-Fancy, I also checked out Project 333 , which was also helpful (and binge worthy). I packed up clothes, put items in the donate pile, and a mend pile.

I went to my sketchbook to figure out my 33 or 37 (still a little undecided) pieces for the next three months. It sounds like such a small number, until you start writing it down, or in my case, drawing it out.

This is my preliminary Fall 2014 capsule. I think I'll buy a white tee shirt, and maybe a green military trench if I find a good deal, but I think I'm good! Side note, I love the drawing app Paper by 53, it is so much fun, though nothing will ever replace old fashioned paper, pencils and paint!

I'm one step closer to having a jumpsuit uniform!

P.S. Look at my sweet little boy drawing too! Sigh, for cuteness...