We’ve already chatted about how much I love mixing cheetah with stripes. It’s a simple + no-fail way to mix prints.
But when you’re ready to try something different with your print mixing skills?
Try plaid + cheetah. I’m especially loving red plaid, for fall.
The combo is a little busier, a little more energetic. Even here, where I’m only using the prints in small quantities + wearing neutrals in between — it feels lively + happy.
I’m loving red this fall. I never ever would have thought of myself as a girl who loves red — it’s the strongest color! And I like neutrals! But, turns out I’m so happy with it. Color + pattern. I’m learning to embrace these things slowly but surely, friends.
I feel like we’re all on a friend level here.
Especially after yesterday.
I was totally in awe of how you celebrated our anniversary with us. You sent us blessings. You wished us well. You happy danced. And it made my heart do a happy dance.
Know why?
Because it takes a pretty great human being to spend their precious time encouraging others — thank you for being that person. Thank you for putting more good into the world.
Top: Aritzia
Bottoms: Gap (similar)
Shoes: Sole Society
Scarf: Madewell
Bag: Marc Jacobs
Glasses: Warby Parker
And! Don’t forget I’m still accepting applications for guest bloggers. Have hesitations about applying? Apply anyway. Because the very things you’re hesitating about are probably the very things that people will love + relate to.
And also! Did you see the new blog header? My oober talented friend Becky designed it. Looking for a designer? She’s your girl.
xo
Love your comfy/chic look today + those glasses are amazing. Are they functional or for style? I am looking to get my real glasses to look like that, but I seem to only see those fun frames for style than perscription.
Hi Tania! They’re functional — I’m blind as a bat. :) I get all my glasses from Warby Parker. Their styles are awesome! And they’re $95 for frames + prescription lenses. :) xo Caroline
SHUT UP! That’s crazy. Thank you so much for this. I use contacts and old glasses for at home. I’ve been avoiding replacing glasses cause it’s usually over $200 to start. THANK YOU!
I’ve also had good luck with 39dollarglasses.com if you want brightly colored or other funky frames. I have a pretty high prescription, so it’s more like $60, but still better than the eye doctor. You just have to know your measurements, and unfortunately they don’t let you try on like Warby Parker does.
Good lord, you are just the BEST kind of person. Caroline, thank YOU for sharing your life and amazing wisdom with us! *insert the feels*
Btw, I’m really loving your advice on print mixing. Red plaid + cheetah print looks really fun for fall!
Nicolle
Would love to see you add a gallery page to your website that has all your fall outfits pictured side by side, kinda like this: http://girlwithcurves.com/Gallery
It would be really great outfit inspiration and it would show how you’re remixing different pieces from your capsule wardrobe!
Happy anniversary plus a day!!! I hope you had a lovely day with your husband, Caroline. I love this mixture. Plaid and cheetah. I think that the patterns are kind of small, especially the animal print booties, it helps with them working together so well.
And thank you for those encouraging words to apply. When I first read your post over the weekend, I was completely gung-ho, I’m Gonna Do This! But as the days passed, I started to talk myself out of it. But you saying this is just the kick in the butt I need to apply! :)
Hi Caroline! I’ve been combing through your blog, and I think I am about ready to make a comment – So here it is! Congratulations on your anniversary, by the way! I am sort of in the contemplation phase of trying a capsule wardrobe. I’m at the point where I am going through all the clothes that I own, and trying to ruthlessly get rid of things that I never wear and/or don’t work for me. I have also put myself on a buying freeze. I am wondering what your thoughts are for creating a capsule when you work in an office. My office dress code is pretty much no demin, no leggins, no sneakers, no short skirts, and its also excessively freezing all the time. On the flip side, I’m 26, single, and spend my weekends usually going out with friends – checking out museums, art shows, concerts, bars etc. Except for maybe sweaters I would say my work and play clothes are mostly mutually exclusive. So I guess my question is would you think I would create separate capsules; or have you considered what an “Un-Fancy” number of items might be in this situation.
I’d appreciate any other opinions as well.
Thanks!
Hi Gabby!
I hear many people that have two separate capsules, but I try to incorporate my personality into my work wardrobe so I just have a one larger capsule to combine the two. I don’t really know how many pieces I have though. I have the same dress code as you. How is your ‘fun-time’ style? The biggest difference in the two sounds like nothing too short and nothing too low cut. I sometimes wear a button down, leather skirt, and heels to the office. If it’s cold, I add thick leggings (not as pants so it’s okay) and tuck them into boots or closed toe heels. Or I wear casual pants but dress it up with a nice top and great shoes. A lot of the stuff I wear in the office, I would actually wear hanging out but I’m not big on tight fitting and low cut things – though I have some if I want a sexy night :)
Hope I help a bit!
– Tania
Hi Tania! My work style is a bit of a different “personality” than my fun style. At work I tend to wear either slim leg dress pants or A-Line midi skirts, with some sort of sweater/cardigan on top. I don’t really wear the pants or the skirts outside of work. In theory I like the idea of midi skirts with a less “work appropriate” top, but when the weekend comes I realize I don’t want to fully cover my legs if wearing a skirt if I don’t have to! My fun style is more shorter skirts or shorts with tights and more fitted tops. I definitely could choose pieces that are versatile if I plan it – and do things like you said like adding leggings under dresses – my office is casual enough that I can do that. :)
Hey Gabby! I have a 9-5 job that has a strict business professional dress code, so I thought I’d chime in. I made two separate capsule wardrobes – one for work and one for weekends/casual outings. I didn’t buy anything new for my work wardrobe… I just got rid of what I wasn’t wearing/didn’t like.
When creating my capsule wardrobe, I focused on really bulking up my weekend wardrobe because I was severely lacking in that department! Now, I have a section in my closet for work attire and a section for weekend wear. It’s made things so much easier! I’ve only implemented the 37 item “rule” for my weekend wardrobe, but I think my work wardrobe has about 20-25 pieces (not including shoes).
I say set a number that you’re comfortable with for each capsule. Caroline always reminds us that the capsule idea isn’t a set rule that we have to follow and she encourages us to really find what works for us and our lives. :) I hope this helps you!
Thanks for the insight! I think my task is to pay attention to how many pieces I actually use for both and see if one larger or two capsules makes more sense for me. I think I have the opposite problem as you in that I spend more time focusing on my weekend wear and realize there aren’t enough weekends to actually wear those pieces multiple times.
I was in this situation when I worked at a consulting firm about 12 years ago – we had to dress nice business casual (suits optional, but a lot nicer than jeans). I would typically NOT wear my work clothes to go out, so I had a separate wardrobe of work clothes, which ended up sort of being a capsule because I didn’t have THAT many. I had just enough to mix and match a bit, and only 2 pairs of shoes that were really work-appropriate, so maybe 25 pieces total, not counting coats.
My “going out” clothes were not this minimal, and a hot mess. I really could have used the idea of a Capsule Wardrobe back then :) What I’d do now if that were the situation is start with 2 smaller capsules of maybe 20-25 pieces each, and then use the first season to “study” what I might possibly overlap (if anything).
Then the next season you could decide whether to combine them a bit and reduce the total # of pieces, or still continue to keep them separate.
Adorable combo! I love cheetah print + any other print.
xoxo
Taylor
Happy late anniversary! My husband and I just celebrated our six year anniversary last week – he actually officiated a wedding for friends on it – so it was a super special day :-) Your wedding photos are beautiful!
I love the tips on mixing prints. I’m still in the beginning of my capsule wardrobe, this is my second season although the first season I cheated on the shopping part. I’m trying to stick with it full time this time. Love seeing your look evolve. I’m naturally a neutral and basics sort of girl and just had an epiphany that I could infuse some color and pop into my life by choosing more interesting or patterned accessories. Fun scarfs and clutches would add a lot of oomph in, I think. I love yours in this set up! And that baseball cap you’ve been sporting!
I didn’t read those as cheetah print, I thought they were toned down gold glittery booties until now ha! This makes a lot more sense with your aesthetic now. Happy belated Anniversary! Isn’t marriage grand? :)
Who would have thought 6 weeks ago when I discovered your blog that I would be coming back everyday to read it. I am a suburban stay at home mother outside of Toronto that just loves your look and the focus you have brought to creating one’s style. All my lfe ago I would wander through the stores looking to buy something new, and just end up with more stuff. Now, even in a month, I have much more confidence and when I have bought it is with purpose and thought. I even ventured in to Aritzia for the first time and picked up the blazer which I love. I no longer wander around aimlessly. You truly are helping others with planning and style, while keeping it light hearted and fun.
I know, right? I’m a WAHM after being home for about a year, and I can’t believe that I am obsessively checking a *fashion blog* daily when all I wore was sweatpants and yoga pants before this fall.
I love Caroline’s posts and her ideas around planning and choosing pieces with intention.
I love this look and am drooling over those booties! You’re also starting to warm me up to the idea of putting more red into my wardrobe.
http://www.lonestarlauren.wordpress.com
Hope you enjoyed your special day with your hubby yesterday! It’s so important to stay connected and celebrate your love!
I love EVERYTHING about this outfit … and thanks for the tip on affordable glasses!
;)
Hi Caroline – I’ve become hooked on your blog over the past few months. I visit every day now :)
I wondered – would you consider adding and archive page to your blog? I’d love to be able to browse past posts, but clicking on the monthly archives always brings up just the last few posts from that month and then I have to scroll through to get to the other posts. Would love to be able to get to any of your posts from one page.
Thanks for sharing all your looks and advice :)
Love it! I think plaid + cheetah is such an awesome combo. I will be submitting to be a guest blogger! Just gotta have my hubs photograph me this weekend. ;) Can’t wait!
Can I just have your style Plz!! lol I love the scarf! im running to get one asap!
http://www.moniquitabella.com
I love your scarf, and your shoes are such a nice pop of color! -Audrey | Brunch at Audrey’s
You make minimalism literally look so good. Awesome scarf!