Well, we did it! We moved this weekend!
And Thanksgiving is this week!
On top of that — I’ve officially started planning for my winter capsule wardrobe.
I probably need a nap.
But yes. Winter capsule planning is in full swing. It’s definitely earlier than I usually start, but with the holidays, I knew I wanted to have things done early. Because:
(A) There’s no way I’m missing out on family time to go shopping.
(B) I don’t want to leave you hanging on New Years Day with a, “Hey, I haven’t finished my capsule wardrobe, so no posts for the next week or two, mkay?”
Besides that, inspiration is just flowing right now. Don’t you love it when inspiration flows? You never know when it’s going to show up, but it’s always a good day when it does — even if it shows up when you’re trying to fall asleep at night. Why does that always happen?
So, winter capsule, it’s on.
And this sweater cardigan is definitely making it in. Honestly, most of my fall capsule wardrobe will probably make an appearance in my winter wardrobe.
Since I’m diving into this process, most posts coming up will include a little winter capsule update. You know, stuff like how it’s going and what I’m thinking and all that.
If you have any specific Q’s in regards to how I’m approaching this winter capsule, leave ’em in the comments, and I’ll try to address them as best I can in upcoming posts.
Happy Monday!
Hat: Urban Outfitters
Top: J.Crew (similar)
Sweater: old from Zara (similar)
Jeans: Madewell
Shoes: Aldo
Bracelets: Moulton
Necklace: Madewell
Hi Caroline,
I LOVE your blog…it has helped me tremendously. I am still learning however. I wasn’t sure where to post this question, but wondered when and how you go about planning for the next capsule. In other words, are there certain sites you look at to give you an idea of upcoming trends for winter? Also, how far in advance do you start getting an idea for this? I appreciate any advice you could give :)
Winter capsule? Eeek! I feel like there’s so much of your fall capsule left to see.
I’ve had a pretty successful fall capsule wardrobe and fallen in love with the concept (thank you!). As I’m starting to contemplate my winter capsule, however, it feels like a totally different look/vibe. I like it but I’ve confused myself about my style! Living in the northern Midwest, I’m drawn to a more uniform-based wardrobe (jeans, sweaters, snow boots) this time around so that may play into the change from the fall wardrobe. Do you have any tips for how your style evolves with trends and seasonal changes yet stays consistent?
It’s hard to believe it’s winter capsule planning time already! I just love how going through this process each season helps me define more and more how little I really need and how to better use the clothing I already have.
I am on my 1st capsule ever (fall) and I have had an epiphany. Fall in Michigan lasts MAYBE 1.5 months and then it is right into the colder weather or snow. Yes, that’s right, we had a foot of snow last week. So how would you recommend setting up a capsule wardrobe for someone who lives in Michigan? The way I have kind of sorted things out is that in Michigan the seasons are more like… Jan-April = winter, Apr-May = spring, June-Sept = summer, Oct-Nov = fall, Nov-Dec = winter. So there tends to be overlap, but we have more winter than fall or spring. I don’t want to get to antsy to go shopping during the Nov-April months. How should I set up my capsules?
Karli, I have a similar problem. Living in Oregon, we have a long, warm but mild summer (about July to September), then it becomes progressively rainier and cool in the fall (October and early November) before transitioning to the rainy season (late November to about March). April, May, and June are wildcards – you get a mix of beautiful sunny days and rain. So I would say that it’s important to define your capsule for the seasons you actually live in. For example a fall wardrobe makes no sense for Oregon. I have a few transition pieces that are key for both the short fall and manic spring, but otherwise I pretty much have a “summer” and “rainy season” wardrobe, with some extra-warm pieces in the “rainy” wardrobe for very cold periods and ski trips.
Fellow Michigander here (SE Michigan, anyway, weather is a little different down here compared to the UP!). I am new to capsule wardrobes too and I have a suspicion I’m going to end up with a summer and winter wardrobe and during the short spring/fall seasons I will just pull select items from either wardrobe. I have some summer dresses that pair well with tights and a light cardigan, for example. This fall there was about a month, just like you said, where I had both my summer and winter clothes out so I could adjust to the rapid temperature swings. Even this morning it was 55 when just last week we had wind chills below zero! At least it was nice to wear fashionable boots instead of my insulated pair for a day.
Shopping is a concern for me too, though. It won’t be a problem this winter since I’m on a tight budget and have only been able to buy a couple pieces a month. But if in the future I’m only shopping twice a year that’ll be much more difficult. I have a feeling I will allow myself to indulge in accessories quarterly to keep things feeling fresh.
Emma, I love the idea of investing in accessories quarterly. Thanks for sharing that bit of wisdom!
Yay, can’t wait to hear about your winter capsule! I especially love your posts about what worked out/what didn’t and why — so much learning.
I’m working with my first capsule wardrobe right now and it’s been pretty bland, but I’ve learned a lot from it so far (I’m doing 1 fall/winter and 1 spring/summer with one mid-season update for each, since those are the two major seasons over here on the coast in CA). I tend to go with neutral, solid and basic, so my personal challenge is to aim for patterned accessories, or basics that have an interesting cut or material. I also like Into Mind for ideas about this, and am contemplating embracing my tendency toward basics and instead of overhauling the entire wardrobe, getting 5 statement pieces each season that enhance what I’ve already got, but I haven’t decided yet :)
Thank you Caroline, and I hope your move went well!
So excited to find your blog today! I feel so encouraged to find somebody with similar taste and shopping philosophy. We’ve just moved from Europe to the States- my husband is American.
I’ve never heard of the capsule wardrobe before, so now I’m working on my first wardrobe planner (thanks for the pdf) because I’m pregnant with my first; it’s going to be a winter-spring combo. I’m lucky to have people that borrowed me some of their clothing. :)
cheers, Em xoxo
I adore this sweater/shrug… I’m so glad it’s making its way into your winter capsule. I have to say, I’m a religious reader but not a frequent commenter but I have been so inspired by your closet journey. It’s such a blessing to be able to follow along every day. :)
Caroline!
In regards to carrying over most of your fall items into winter, I hope you realize that is exactly what you originally set out to do by starting this whole thing! You’ve taken more time to find what you love and in doing that, you’re buying less and living more simply. How great is that?! And you still get to have fun picking a new more pieces to mix in.
I’m so excited to see your upcoming posts about the new capsule as well as the reviews of the fall capsule.
If memory serves me your new capsule post should come out around the 25th which will be like Christmas, lol, for all of us!
xox
I just stumbled across your blog. I am a seamstress and I sometimes overwhelmed by what I think I want to sew for myself. I do something like the capsule for my kids, by switching out seasons and taking stock of what they need for the season. But had never done it for me. Yesterday after finding your blog and reading a little I went through the whole closet (hubs did his too) and we weeded. I have a whole bin to revisit for spring/summer and three garbage bags to consign/goodwill. I am at about the right number of pieces with a few things that I can clearly see I need to sew/add. It’s very freeing and should be much easier to dress myself in the morning! Thanks so much for reminding me that less really can be more.
I’m contemplating the switch to capsule wardrobes, but I also live in TX (DFW, actually). How do you shop/plan for a capsule when the items that are comfortable to wear aren’t in stores anymore? For example, it often makes sense for us to keep a pair of shorts in rotation until October. And it’s not uncommon to have a 75 degree Christmas where the flannel and sweaters don’t make sense.
Also, what do you do with the clothing from previous capsules? Does it go into the back corner of the closet, or storage somewhere if you do need to pull it out in a pinch?
Winter capsule! Yay! That makes me super happy. Also congrats on moving! Hope you share some home snaps with us soon :-)
As it happens I have also started planning {last week actually}, and have just posted about my winter uniforms over on my blog. Here’s a link, if some fellow commenters are interested: http://www.katberries.com/2014/11/winter-capsule-wardrobe-planning-three.html
I’m so excited about wearing loads of sweaters and scarves. And really curious to see what you’ll be wearing. I have a pretty good idea about my capsule and I’m already thinking about Christmas and NYE outfits. I think the planning is the most fun part of it for me. {But it’s hard to judge since all of the parts are kind of my favourite.}
I have a question for you, Caroline. When you start planning for your next capsule, do you always start in the same place? Lifestyle, word association, colours, go to pieces and outfits and shopping list and budget, like they’re listed in your planner? Or do you change the order you do things sometimes? Kind of a weird question but I find it really interesting to see how people go about planning.
xo Kat
Hey Caroline! I just found this sweater that’s super similar as yours, even better than the sweater you linked! Thought your readers might like to see the link so they can find one exactly like yours. I love this look so I was searching high and low! As always, thanks for your incredible blog :)
http://westandlou.com/collections/new-arrivals/products/oversized-woven-cardigan
Thank you!!! This is going on my Christmas list! And I like that it’s Kendi’s store – I follow her blog too! =)
Yay Mandy! Thank you so much for sharing this! And it’s from West + Lou, which I LOVE! (Go Kendi!) :) :) xo Caroline
I love the look. I have those pieces and now I know how to put them together. In-Fancy fits me to a T!
Re seasons and capsule-ing (a word?):
I feel like for my climate it makes more sense to plan a summer and a winter capsule, with some ‘shoulder season’ pieces. For me, the idea of 4 wardrobes for each season clashes with the minimalist idea, especially as where I live doesn’t have four distinct seasons. Anyway, interested to see what/how much changes from fall to winter for you!
I love your style!
I have been planning my spring/summer capsule (I am in Australia) and I have found that it is actually hard to get all the pieces to fit together and appear to match my style. I wasn’t expecting this as I feel like I usually know my style quite well, but having to pick a set amount of pieces seems to make it a little crazy! That said, I am enjoying the experience so far, and have definitely identified a number of wardrobe gaps that I would have missed otherwise!
I live in California where the season don’t change drastically. I was wondering how you would approach moving from fall to winter with the need to only add about five new items. Would you then take out five you have been wearing even though you still like the outfits? It is hard for me to figure out how to transition to a winter capsule wardrobe when I only need maybe a few more sweaters.
Every day I look so forward to see your newest outfit – thank you for the style inspiration! :) I was able to find your exact cardigan available here and on sale. I was really excited to find it and wanted to share it with others who might be interested in purchasing it.
http://www.lordandtaylor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/en/lord-and-taylor/womens-apparel/patterned-cocoon-cardigan
Thanks for sharing, Elle! :) xo Caroline
Hi Caroline, love your website. I only found it the other day and I’ve been eagerly trawling all your posts – it’s been so cool to see how your style is developing, and the ease with which you put things together increases.
Can I ask how tall you are? Because I love the jumper you’re wearing in this post, it looks incredible on you, but it seems to hang a bit… awkwardly on the model in the link. I’m 5’4.5″, so I’m wondering where it might fall on me.
Anyway, keep up the amazing work, I look forward to seeing your winter capsule :)
Hi Dominique! I’m 5’5″. :) xo Caroline
Thanks heaps :) I’m in New Zealand, so on our way into a hot and humid summer, but I’m definitely keeping this jumper in mind when I’m planning my AW15 capsule wardrobes in 4-5 months :)
Hello
I love your blog and I find many inspirations here! Thank you for this amazing blog!
I also startet with my winter capsule warderobe last weekend. I was for the weekend in Hamburg Germany and bought already a few pieces. I’m Plus Size and need to order a lot online, which needs lot more time to find new awesome clothes. Here in Switzerland the shoppings possibilitys are limited, which makes it sometimes hard to find exactly what I’m looking for.
Greetings from Switzerland
Melanie
i can’t wait to see your winter capsule. i currently live in austin, too, so my seasons line up with yours for now, but we are moving to DC at the beginning of the new year and think i will be in for so much longer winters in the coming years.
WoW!! I’m come from thai but I want to buy products.