Capsule #3 / Outfit 46
White after Labor Day? Don’t mind if I do! ;)
We’re still in the worst heat of summer in Texas, so you better believe I’m living in shorts + tanks right now.
We’re chatting about the guts of my fall wardrobe planner so far — and you can get yo’self one right here. This is part 3 — brands.
In this section, I list out brands + stores + designers that work for my style, body, and budget.
Remember this post about shopping tips? Well, making a list of your go-to brands is the very first tip:
Having a list of go-to brands is like having a secret weapon. Think about it–brands design with their ideal client in mind, and you better believe they have her profiled in detail. They know her body type, her style, and her price range.
There are literally thousands of brands out there and they each target a different type of person. So your brands are out there! Explore one brand at a time on sites like Piperlime or Polyvore. When you find one that screams you, add it to your list and make notes about the specific things that fit you there. When you’re in need of a party dress, just check your list and rely on your brand. You’ll save so much time.
This section keeps me focused, so I don’t waste time scouring stores that don’t work for me. Personally, I’m a big fan of find-what-works-and-don’t-over-think-it because there are more fun + important things I’d like to spend my time doing — like making out with my husband. :)
My brand list looks like this:
- Zara — coats + tops
- Urban Outfitters — accessories
- Madewell — jeans + tops + shoes
- Gap — jeans + jackets
- Aldo — shoes
- Topshop — wild cards
- Anthropologie — accessories
- H&M — jackets
What does your brand list look like?
Want to see the rest of this series? Here you go!
Top: J.Crew
Bottoms: American Eagle
Shoes: Topshop
Bag: Marc Jacobs
Necklace: Anthro
I never thought about using different brands for different clothing items / different styles, clever!
Same here…will definitely keep that in mind!
I always thought I was boring for always shopping at the same stores, but this makes me feel better about it. I know what works for me, and what brands cater to my style. While it’s always nice to find a new store that you’ve never thought of before, sometimes the tried and true will work just as well.
xo Julie
julieupstairs.wordpress.com
I’m surprised American Eagle wasn’t on your list of top brands as I’ve seen a couple pieces from them in your spring and summer capsules! They’re my go-to for jeans. :)
Nicolle
I find that Eddie Bauer jeans work well for me. They have a curvy style that is perfect for my small waist and rounded bottom. I also love Ann Taylor. Pretty much anything from there. Banana Republic is another favorite.
You are doing something so cool with this wardrobe planner. I’ve gotten into this mindset of only keeping things in my closet/only buying new things that fit me and my personal style to a T. But with that comes practice and a keen eye. The way you lay everything out and think from all angles to pinpoint a personal style is incredibly helpful and smart. And I love the outcomes that it brings—less time fretting about getting dressed in the morning, and more time for making out! Love it.
I used my store list from my worksheet to help me unsubscribe to all that email temptation. After I created my capsule the store list became pretty clear since only 5-8 stores showed up in all permutations of my capsule in the planning phase.
http://golightlyandco.blogspot.com/2014/09/unsubscribe.html
Ah, this is so cool! Thank you!
My brands list is really short. Pants really don’t fit me. Ever. There’s one style at GAP that works for me. Otherwise I like J.Crew for the top half of my body. For heels, I like seychelles. For flats I typically pick up anything inexpensive because I will wear them out in a little less than a season. I’ve been surprised at the quality of Sole Society and fit since I have wide feet. I also like dolce vita shoes.
These are my go to stores as well aside from Topshop as it has only been recently added to the SF shopping landscape. I also shop Uniqlo for basics. And then I definitely keep an eye out for designer collaborations with brands. I’ve scored a few things from the Stella McCartney for H&M, Isabel Marant for H&M, and Missoni for Target collections and love them all. :-)
I totally busted out my white jeans on Tuesday! And I put my daughter in white pants too! Long Live White! :) Anyway. I am a shorty and it’s hard to find reasonably-priced business-wear in petite sizes (at least in the town where I live). I have found that Banana Republic & Ann Taylor Loft are my best bets for petite-sized work clothes. And I can buy them online because I already know what sizes and fits work for me, so. YAY for online shopping. GAP jeans will forever be my favorites. They are the only jeans I can count on to fit my short little legs! And Steve Madden & Nine West make all my favorite shoes.
I really have never thought to just stick with what I know. Now that I’ve written all that down, I feel a little sense of peace that I don’t have to haul myself (and my toddler) to every store in town when I already know perfectly well where my favorite pieces come from.
Having go-to brands would be so helpful! My problem is that I’m really on the borderline between regular and tall sizes – I’m 5’9″, which is usually the cutoff for tall sizes. Stores like Gap or H&M will often have stuff that fits, but not always – especially dresses and tops. If anyone can recommend brands that consistently fit taller (but not SUPER tall) women, that would be so awesome!
You may be surprised but Zara! On their site in the details section you’ll see that they really use a range of different heights for products which is really helpful for finding a few of those taller pieces! I also like to cheat – a midi skirt as a knee length one? Keepers!
Hope that’s a little help! Jess (therealjlow.wordpress)
Would love to see what the two of you have come up with for your mom’s capsule wardrobe, one shot of the whole wardrobe. If you ever do one for your husband that would be great to see, too. Thanks for all the work you do on your great blog!
club monaco: sweaters, shirts
j crew: t shirts, sweaters, accessories, pants
h&m: shirts, dresses, accessories
gap: pants
ae: sweaters, dresses
aritzia: dresses, shirts, accessories, jackets, sweaters
little burgundy: shoes
I feel like i’m forgetting some stores but those are the ones off the top of my head :)
When I did this I was completely surprised as I thought I only had a few but actually had quite a lot! I’m not sure what that says about my body shape however! And Amanda Bee I feel your pain! Check out Zara for jeans in their special price TRF range the rolled leg Jean is perfect for extra length and I’m five ten/eleven :)
So excited for your fall capsule Caroline!!
Jess
I’ve been making a real effort over the last few years to both pare down my wardrobe and buy from brands that have more transparent manufacturing practices in light of the safety concerns for overseas factory workers and the environmental impacts of fast fashion. It can be more expensive to shop this way, but I find that I buy less and have a wardrobe full of favorite pieces that I can feel good about wearing.
Right now my favorites are:
Tradlands for menswear inspired button down shirts
Everlane and American Apparel for everyday basics like t shirts and leggings
Poppy Von Frohlich for really special coats and awesome flannel shirts
I also have a big soft spot for Madewell and J. Crew.
Thanks Stephanie :)
I love the idea of go-to brands. I’m ready to step up my game and start purchasing things from more grown up stores like J. Crew and such.
Thanks for this! I’ve been building a capsule wardrobe since I found un-fancy at the end of July and I love it. But before these posts, I hadn’t gone through the steps of the wardrobe planner. It makes the decisions feel so much more intentional. Madewell and Everlane have made up the bulk of my newer purchases, but I’m interested to see brands that others choose that align well with my style too. I’m excited for the next piece of this series!