I can’t believe it’s been four years since I’ve attempted a true capsule wardrobe. About five years since I watched the True Cost and really changed my shopping habits. Six years since I finished a year-long shopping diet. To top it off, it’s been so long since I’ve written a blog post, I don’t know where to start. Is this thing on?
why i quit capsule wardrobes
If I remember right, the main reason I gave up trying to make a seasonal capsule wardrobe work all those years ago was simply because in an attempt to shop less, I only found myself chasing perfection. Which led to more shopping. I always felt the need to add “one last item” to polish it off. And the following year, as I pulled things out of storage, my interest had waned toward the things I had planned so carefully just 12 months before. Those old things were no match for buying new stuff. It became frustrating and felt incredibly wasteful.
The idea behind seasonal capsules is brilliant and helpful in so many ways. When you own too many clothes, there’s a good chance you don’t know your style. You might gravitate towards sales or trends. Perhaps only wear things a couple times before forgetting about them or discarding them all together. Minimizing the amount of clothes in front of you each day by putting together a capsule wardrobe really helps cut down on decision fatigue and see what things you actually want to wear time and time again. It’s a focused experiment that can really guide you toward new spending habits and style preferences.
why i’m back
After I watched the True Cost documentary however, I started thinking of fashion in a different way. I no longer wanted to shop for a single season, but rather for the long haul. The things I bought should be made without harming people or the environment. I planned to wear the hell out of whatever I brought in. Quality garments that I would enjoy for years to come. That still hasn’t been as easy to accomplish as I’d hoped. But it certainly slowed me way down in regards to how I acquired clothes.
Last summer, I participated in a #99daysofsummerstyle challenge. And at the end of it, I felt disappointed. Normally, I track how often I wear my clothes. (You can download your own free wardrobe tracker template here!) At the end of the summer — even though it FELT like I’d been wearing the same things over and over — the tallies showed differently. I couldn’t exactly claim that I was wearing the hell out of anything in particular. Granted my wardrobe was nothing remotely close to Shopping Addict Jaana of Christmas Past, but I still felt I’d lost focus. I kept wishing I had put together a capsule wardrobe for travel and summer fun.
summer capsule wardrobe
I took some time right when quarantine began to try some things on and put together a loungewear capsule. It wasn’t long until it was too hot (and boring) to continue wearing leggings. So I got busy and moved some of my cold-weather items and anything that I wasn’t thrilled to wear to another section of the closet. They weren’t things I was necessarily ready to part with, I just wanted them out of the way. I made a YouTube video about it and everything. But alas, it shall never see the light of day! Quarantine life (AKA Stevie) took over everything. Having that head-start though, made it a little easier to put this 37-piece capsule wardrobe together.
ALTHOUGH I CAN’T EXPRESS ENOUGH HOW MUCH I DESPISE MAKING THE GRAPHICS THAT GO ALONG WITH THE CAPSULE. Too many late nights this week trying to put it all together.
my picks
ROW TWO: homemade tie front tee (similar / similar) | gifted boxy button up | linen button up (similar +size) | secondhand utility jacket (similar) | denim jacket (similar +size)
ROW THREE: homemade crop tank (similar) | homemade raw silk tee (similar) | secondhand striped button-up (sold out / similar / similar +size) | linen sweater (similar / similar +size) | cardigan (similar)
ROW FOUR: black denim shorts (similar +size) | old cutoff shorts (similar / similar +size) | long denim shorts (sized up 2 from my usual / similar +size) | white shorts (similar +size) | secondhand pleated shorts (other colors available / similar / similar +size)
ROW FIVE: oversized button up (similar +size) | easy chino pants (similar +size) | old printed culottes (similar) | high rise straight jeans (similar +size) | classic straight jeans (similar)
ROW SIX: jumpsuit (other colors available / similar) | old black romper (similar) | homemade black linen dress (similar) | homemade striped dress (tutorial / similar +size)
SHOES: white slides | taupe birkenstocks | tan slides (similar style / similar color) | brown birkenstocks | black sneakers | old athletic sneakers (similar) | strappy sandals | sandals + laces (similar)
So… it begins. Capsule Wardrobe 2.0. At first glance, I think this is a good representation of my relaxed summer style. I won’t dissect it too much for now, other than saying I probably don’t even need as much as I’ve laid out here. Really can’t imagine wearing jeans too often, but they’re such a staple, I couldn’t leave them out. Also… I might have too many Birkenstocks. That being said, the only summer shoes that are tempting me right now are more Birkenstocks in many other colors. Hello beauties, and cuties, and comfies! A pair of each, please.
Anyone else out there feeling the urge to put together a good old fashioned summer capsule wardrobe?
loves,
jaana
Hi, can you share what sewing patterns you used? I’m getting back into sewing and really like the items you sewed. Thanks!
I hate to say, but I don’t use patterns! I trace other clothes that I have for the basic shapes and keep all my items super simple. Sorry that’s not much help! <3
As a mom with three kids four and under, my body has been through so much and I regret that I have lived in leggings even all summer and sweaters and athletic wear for the last five years. This is so helpful for me as I’m rebuilding what fits me and also is age-appropriate for me now. Thank you for this graphic!!
So, so glad its helpful! If it makes you feel any better, I HAVEN’T been living in leggings and I STILL struggle to find my style. Good luck rebuilding your wardrobe, hope it’s a fun experiment for you!
This is so great! I’ve been tossing around the idea of putting together a summer capsule (or I should say officially as my summer wardrobe is basically already a capsule), and now you kind of have me convinced!
Yes join me! Back to our classic content haha!
I can totally relate to the stress of chasing perfection. That’s the main reason I have never gone for a true capsule wardrobe. But I love the one you have put together here! Will definetly use it for inspiration for when I get mye sewingroom back and can work on the holes in my summer wardrobe.
That’ll be a great project once your sewing room is up and running! So fun
I’m super inspired by this post. I have lived in hot/humid summer weather for 10 years and still haven’t come close to knowing how to dress properly. (I am a fall/winter girl in my clothing preferences.) A solid summer capsule is a goal I am setting for this year, so that I don’t have to stress every time the season comes. I love your pieces, colors and style. Thanks for doing the work to put this together and share it. It is helpful for me.
I’m so glad it’s helpful. I totally struggle with summer dressing as well, so I’m trying to let go of expectations for being cute/trendy and just wear what’s comfortable!