This cardigan was the very last purchase that eeked it’s way into my fall capsule wardrobe. I had planned, I had shopped, I had pulled things out of storage, I had made outfits. Everything was pretty much settled + set.
And then I realized I needed another layer, another long-sleeve, and another bit of color.
And for the sake of money + space (I only had one slot left in my wardrobe), I needed something that could do it all in one.
Enter this cardigan. It’s funny. I hadn’t worn a cardigan in two years or so. I just decided they weren’t for me. But this one got me back on the cardigan train — it was a layering piece, it was long-sleeved, and it was my color. Hooray!
And with that last piece, my wardrobe was complete.
I love that feeling of finishing a wardrobe + knowing I don’t have to worry about the “what if” of shopping for a nice long while + knowing I’ve got a great wardrobe to enjoy.
I’ve got to admit, I didn’t have that fuzzy feeling the first couple of times I made a capsule wardrobe. But … now I do. What about you?
Cardigan: Madewell
Top: J.Crew (similar)
Bottoms: Gap (similar)
Shoes: J.Crew
Bag: Nordstrom
Bracelet: Madewell
Necklace: Moulton
xo
I love cardigans!! But I find them like coats … you need so many in different styles to suit the occasion/weather!
I have that same cardigan in a different color, so I know how you feel! I’ve been wearing it to the point where I think people are beginning to notice my repeat cardigan, haha. It’s a really great piece.
Love this colour and I love this cardigan <3
Hi! Where did you get your shoes? The link goes to urban outfitters and a pair of pants.
I’m pretty sure it’s these from jcrew: https://www.jcrew.com/womens_category/shoes/wedges/PRDOVR~04326/04326.jsp
Hi Meg! Sorry about that — the link is updated now. :) xo Caroline
I decided recently that I’m over cardigans, but I think (after seeing this one) I have just been going for the wrong cardigans. Might have to try one a little looser and “grandpa” for my winter wardrobe.
As for capsule wardrobes, I just started this journey, so this first capsule is a little lacking. I tried to make due with a lot of what I already had on hand to save money and I’m quickly realizing what I thought was my style, is actually just a little “off.” I’m excited to keep building on the pieces I’ve invested in so far, the ones that DO feel like me. So while I don’t have the exact fuzzy feeling you described, I did feel really good about shopping with a friend this week, knowing exactly what piece I still needed for my fall capsule. It made shopping so easy and fast!
Have you tried “boyfriend” cardigans? Those seem to be longer and a great fit alternative to short/cropped cardigans. : )
Cute cardigan!
I’ve been planning a looser version of a capsule wardrobe based on Into Mind’s posts and workbook. Since I’m also trying to buy less (and better quality), I haven’t selected a fixed number of items for fall & winter. I just use my whole wardrobe, which I have been adding FW pieces to since August that are more aligned with my new style and sustainability priorities. The new pieces have been selected to be foundation pieces and to be way more remixable than what I already had. So although I will probably not experience a feeling of being finished with my ‘capsule’, I do feel very good whenever I buy a new item. That’s because I have carefully planned it and envisioned many ways of wearing it before purchasing. When I’ve finally found an item that matches my criteria, the fun actually begins because I can start combining endless ( okay, just a lot of) new outfits with the item. Plus I always feel like I’ve actually filled a real wardrobe ‘hole’, and that’s very satisfying :)
I do this too! I browse Into Mind now and again. She has a TON of information that sometimes I get overwhelmed. I still split my wardrobe into two capsules though. Since I am more conscious about my pieces being ‘Forever Purchases’, I wait for something I absolutely love because I plan to wear it forever. I’m currently waiting for the perfect cognac boots and trench coat. Because I have a goal, and not just aimlessly shopping, I am less tempted to buy something just because they are on sale because I have my plan already set in my head. I guess I just took Caroline’s mindset and ran with it and made it my own :)
Love this blog! I’m glad I found someone else who is doing the same!
Love that you’ve made it your own, Liesbeth! That’s what it’s all about. Thanks for sharing it — I’m always so curious to see how people make it their own. And don’t you love Into Mind?! Seriously, she’s awesome. xo Caroline
LOVE this cardigan. Its on sale right now too, going to sell-out fast. If you don’t mind me asking, what size did you get? There are mainly M left and I’m afraid it might be a bit big…
Hi Carlyn! I got a Small. I’m usually an XS, but I wanted to size up so that it was a little oversized. I think a Medium might work great if you’re wanting that oversized look too. :) xo Caroline
I love that you mix so many different colors here, but they all work. Maybe it is your confidence. When I was younger, I would be like ‘Ok, I have black in my outfit, this means I need black shoes and bag – because I CANNOT wear brown and black.’ After your blog, I am mixing and matching things and they somehow go together and I’m grateful for that. It makes almost everything in my closet so versatile!
Also, I thought a cardigan is when you have an open sweater? I have been calling those cardigans… what is the proper name for it? I’m talking about your Aritzia gray sweater/cardigan hybrid. I guess I don’t really understand the difference between them. The buttons maybe?
So happy to hear that, Tania! And as far as what to call them, I guess I typically refer to my Aritzia sweater as just an open sweater or a cape. I tend to think of cardigans as a preppier style — more fitted + with buttons. :) xo Caroline
Cardigans are sweaters that open in the front whether they have buttons or not.
I have this cardigan in Spice Wine Heather.
http://www.talbots.com/online/browse/product_details.jsp?id=prdi33500&N=4294966556+10501&No=12&selectedConcept=Petites&_=1416031186594&Nrpp=12&Nr=AND(product.siteId%3ATalbotsSite%2COR(product.catalogId%3Acatalog20002))
I’m still getting to that “fuzzy feeling” stage about my wardrobe. I love the simplicity of it, but I’m discovering a few things I overlooked (lots of cardis but not enough shirts to put underneath — oops!) and it got way old way fast this year, so now I’m on the hunt for some tights to wear under my skirts and dresses.
I love a good cardigan! Here in the southeast, when it’s not too cold, it works in place of a bulky coat or jacket, and then it’s not something I have to keep up with indoors. However, with these temps!! No, it’s full on coat weather this week! (I know, wimpy southerners.)
I love this grandpa cardigan! I don’t have one this style but my daughter does! A couple of weeks ago I squeezed into it to see how it’d do for be … I’ll be planning on one for winter. ;)
I admire your style so much! You are sporting another pair of amazing shoes that I never quite knew how to pull off. I’ll pin this outfit for future reference to my Pinterest board. You do look absolutely stunning!
I love the color of your cardigan, and I also love its big pockets! I’ve been filling my closet with more greys and burgundies, and less crazy patterns. Though I fully intend on finding the perfectly patterned and incredibly cozy Christmas sweater :) -Audrey | Brunch at Audrey’s
I love cardigans. This year I’ve been loving nice thick ones that kinda feel like coats, but cozier.
I’m having a hard time with the not-buying. I don’t have a car and live in a small town, so I buy most of my clothes online from Old Navy and Gap. (Most other retailers charge big bucks to ship in Canada and their clothes seem to fit my aesthetic.) And I can’t STAND paying full price for anything from those stores because they constantly have sales. So I admit I have been buying things here and there at 40% off instead of waiting until the last two weeks to do my shopping. But you know what? I’ve been ever so much more careful and thoughtful about what I keep in my closet. And for me, that’s a great compromise.
I’m in the same boat. (Except for the Canada part.) I’ve been doing a little bit of judicious shopping here and there too. I think it’s all about making it work for YOU.
I think that’s awesome, Steph! Totally agree — it’s all about making it work for you. Get it, girl! xo Caroline
lots of colors today huh !
I thought I hated cardigans. Then I found this Anne Taylor Loft cardigan a yard sale for a couple of dollars last summer, and I thought, why not at least give it a try? I LOVE it. SO much. Seriously. What did I do without it? As far as the capsule collection goes, well, I’m in love, but it’s still the fireworks stage, not the best friends stage. I have a couple items that I put in my fall capsule that I haven’t even worn yet, and I’m not sure that I will. Sigh. *throws hand up* What an adventure!
It’s such a learning experience. I’m still learning new things about myself + my style all the time. An adventure — love that. :) xo Caroline
I have a capsule wardrobe and at first I kept finding excuses for things I didn’t need ‘to add to my wardrobe’ in the end I saw that what I had was more tha enough and right on my style ever since then I have grown to love my capsule and have never been happier! Btw the colour of that cardigan is to die for!
Hi Caroline,
I literally have been stalking your page for the past few weeks now, I ran into your page from a YouTube Guru that I love @naturallyfashionable who is about to start her capsule wardrobe. I love the whole idea, and this is something that I have been looking into for awhile, but I just didn’t know where to begin, my story about fashion and style is very similar to yours and when I found your page I can honestly say that it was great relief to find someone that simplified the whole idea of having a capsule wardrobe. Since then I have really thought about the things that I have in my life and have really considered minimalism in a whole. I really thank you for creating this blog. I’m a family of 6 and this whole idea is a great beginning for me and family. With that being said, questions: Does your husband have a capsule wardrobe? If so would you consider posting/sharing what is in his wardrobe. Also, what are your thoughts on children having capsule wardrobes? What do you think would be a good number of items and how would you break it down?
Capsule wardrobes for kids are awesome! I did one for my 3 year old daughter as a test run before starting mine. It was so easy to get her dressed, plus if one part of her outfit got dirty I could just change that instead of changing her whole outfit. I did it for summer and had about 10 tops and 10 bottoms, 5 dresses, 1 pair of sandals and 1 pair of sneakers, and that was plenty. I kept to a tight color scheme of blue and pink with a little green, and for the most part everything went with everything else. Another benefit: it hardly cost anything to get all the clothes she needed.
Love this cardigan! I bought the same one in a different color. I typically wear more fitted cardigans, but this one is so cozy and I adore the slouchy style.
I recently discovered your blog and absolutely love your style! The capsule wardrobe is a novel idea to me…I hadn’t heard of it before. This has encouraged me to look at my closet and evaluate how I shop. I realized that I just bought things because I like them, but had no direction with any of it. Going through my closet and getting rid of clothes was huge eye-opener for me. Your whole philosophy is so enlightening to me; I’m so glad that I found your blog! Thank you!! :)
I love the clothes part of this outfit (that could be my winter uniform, living in Florida)..and the purse looks cute. Not sure I gel with the shoes and purse together…colors seem like they don’t mesh to me. Change the shoes and I would love the whole outfit even more…but that’s just my opinion. BTW, you are EXTREMELY photogenic, you really make all the clothes look wonderful…you have definitely picked the right line of work :)
Did my first capsule for this fall. Loving it so far. Most outfits are right on target.. 70% of my capsule feels real good. I went at it from a 15 work outfits and 6 weekend outfits concept… that worked for me as I am not a very good mixer-matcher. I tend to buy “outfits” and from time to time mix and match. The capsule has simplified my live and I love the Stylebook app- thanks so much for suggesting it.
Hoping my winter capsule will be closer to 85%(or higher) right on target. I do appreciate the journey and am enjoying following your lead on this journey. :)
Just discovering your site and I love it! Will there be a “winter capsule” and given the time of year- do you suggest waiting for the winter capsule or building from the fall capsule beginning now?
Love the cardigan, been looking for something similar. Love the combo with the wedges :)
http://korinsusanne.blogspot.no
I always waiver between loving and hating cardigans but with the weather and the frigid temperatures in my work space they are here to stay forever in my wardrobe but I love the new silhouettes that are available now like the “grandpa/boyfriend” and cascade/open front ones. Super cute and that is the best color!
Hi !
I’m late commenting on this article, but I really love this outfit :) I love cardigans – oversized and smaller ones alike. I think they’re a nice way to add color, pattern or texture to an outfit. This color is really nice – very cozy !
xo