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Un-Fancy

Outfits: Summer, summer outfits

sleeveless chambray + eyelet skirt

09/02/14

Capsule #3 / Outfit 44

capsule-wardrobe-blog-2070 capsule-wardrobe-blog-2074 capsule-wardrobe-blog-2073 capsule-wardrobe-blog-2072 capsule-wardrobe-blog-2071

I started planning for my fall capsule wardrobe this weekend — yay! I started a little earlier than usual (my fall capsule starts October 1st) but I’m sure glad I did because I’ve run into something … unexpected.

My summer wardrobe came together lightning fast — from concept to hanging-in-my-closet, the whole process took about 6 days.

But my fall wardrobe? Well, so far I feel unsure of my style + unsure of how to pull together looks.

To try and remedy the problem, I started searching outside of myself: scrolling through Pinterest like a madwoman + scouring stores online. This brought on a slow frustration. Shopping without internal direction + vision is generally a bad idea. At least, for me.

I went to sleep last night feeling antsy. I’m supposed to know about style but I feel lost — what if I can’t pull it off?!

—

But today?

Today is a new day. 

I’m hitting restart.

I’m turning inward. I’m embracing serenity + tuning out the noise + listening to my own compass.

How?

By focusing on the girl inside the clothes — rather than the clothes themselves. How does she want to feel? What will she do for herself, for her people, for complete strangers?

Here’s how it looks for me:

How does fall Caroline want to feel?

Warm. Cozy. Welcoming. Thoughtful. Reflective. Appreciative.

What is fall Caroline doing?

Laughing. Hosting. Reading. Growing. Dwelling in whimsy + wonder. Being in love.

All these conjured up visions of oversized knit sweaters, comfy jeggings, warm color tones, and graphic tees paired with playful patters.

Boom.

Clarity.

And even more important than clarity … serenity.

If you’re feeling frazzled about your style, like me, take a step away from the computer, away from the stores. Focus on the girl inside the clothes. Project yourself into the future. How do you want to feel? Chase that.

Top: Madewell (similar or similar for $12!)

Skirt: Madewell (similar)

Shoes: J.Crew (similar for $9!)

Bag: Marc Jacobs (or similar for $40!)

Bracelet: Madewell

32 Comments

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Comments

  1. Kat says

    September 2, 2014 at 9:49 am

    I love love LOVE your blog! I am tying to put together my own fall capsule wardrobe and would love to see more of your process for selecting pieces!

    Reply
  2. Lauren says

    September 2, 2014 at 9:59 am

    Such amazing insight, thank you!

    Reply
  3. Chloe says

    September 2, 2014 at 10:00 am

    I so appreciate your analysis and encouragement! I am having trouble with my own fall capsule just because I have to leave in the middle of it for heavy winter weather (working in Northern Europe for two months). Who cares! I’ll make a fall capsule, I’ll make a winter capsule, and they are both supposed to work for me, not make me work for them. (I feel the same way about beauty products ;)). Completely inspired and renewed by your thoughts and actions. Thanks for making your ace blog!

    Reply
  4. Rita O'Keeffe says

    September 2, 2014 at 10:04 am

    I cleared out all my clothes at weekend… What a shock, lots of empty clothes hangers. lady at clothes bank appreciated my unwanted clothes donation…. Kids all back at school this week so I now have time to focus on my capsule wardrobe plan of action. Anyway, I am on a budget so opted for a somewhat scaled down version of your 37 items…. I purchased fab fitting skinny jeans, and treggings in black and dark burgundy. Its a start…. Ill go to H & M tomorrow for tops, & knitwear. I’m enjoying this process and it will be so worth it when its done. Weather here in Dublin Ireland all mixed up at moment but Autumn will be here with a boom all to soon. I am inspired by your advice. Thank you

    Reply
  5. Taylor says

    September 2, 2014 at 10:09 am

    A great way to think about style! I started my fall wardrobe this month because September in Michigan can no way be confused for summer. haha! There are till a few pieces I’m missing for my wardrobe and it was starting to make me feel unsettled. I woke up in the middle of the night and all I could think about was, “would I rather have a leather, biker jacket, or a cool utility jacket?” and couldn’t fall back to sleep! It was horrible! I love the idea of figuring out what I want to do and, more importantly, how I want to feel.

    xoxo
    Taylor

    Reply
  6. Jessica says

    September 2, 2014 at 10:19 am

    Super cute and easy outfit! I love it.

    Reply
  7. Stephanie says

    September 2, 2014 at 10:30 am

    I LOVE this approach to defining style. I get really hung up on looks I see on Pinterest and tend to sort of lose the sense of “me” when I’m putting together outfits. Earlier this year I went through my wardrobe and was totally ruthless with it. Ever since then, I’ve been constantly editing and trying to make better purchasing decisions but sometimes I get too caught up in the look and lose the feeling of “me.” Just wanted to say I love your blog and as of today, I’ve started my capsule wardrobe. I’m excited to see what I learn about myself and my style through this process. Thanks for being an inspiration :)

    Reply
  8. Cass says

    September 2, 2014 at 10:33 am

    Hi Caroline!
    I’m an aspiring minimalist who adores fashion, and I’ve found you to be inspirational and very creatively instructional. I, too, have had a tough time defining my fall capsule. Thank you for the important reminder!
    What sorts of things do you find help you gain the clearest introspection? Reading, journaling, meditation? I journal but don’t always find the most clarity that way.

    Reply
  9. lucinda says

    September 2, 2014 at 10:46 am

    this reminder couldn’t be more timely! i’m finishing up my fall cupsule (mine started sept 1st!) but i got really “lost” at the end while trying to shop for the final pieces. you’re absultely right. the inward reflection was missing. by asking myself the same questions you asked yourself, i think i’ve found the answer. thank you!

    Reply
  10. Ania says

    September 2, 2014 at 11:22 am

    This couldn’t have come at better time! I think it really helps with what I said in a comment in your previous post – about feeling to boring with certain things and too old in the clothes I was aiming for. It didn’t occur to me, but now I understand it’s all about staying true to yourself, expressing YOUR style and not someone else’s ideas about it! Thank you so much! :)

    Reply
  11. Elizabeth says

    September 2, 2014 at 12:00 pm

    I needed that this morning. Thank you. I had a similar feeling after doing some shopping yesterday.

    Reply
  12. Nina says

    September 2, 2014 at 12:23 pm

    So true, think about who you are and what you do in life, then match your clothes to it.

    Reply
  13. Tania says

    September 2, 2014 at 1:05 pm

    I’m a new reader and I’m so happy I found you. It’s so refreshing to find a style blogger looking for happiness internally rather than materials. I am in Dallas and also a fan of the “Own Less Travel More” mantra. I read your blog up and down and realized that you’re my spirit animal. Please continue to post daily!!

    Reply
  14. Laurel says

    September 2, 2014 at 1:36 pm

    Loved the questions “what does fall caroline want to feel? what is she doing?” These seem like great starting points for not just a wardrobe, but a lot of other things too. Love your blog, keep up the great work!

    Reply
  15. Kaitlyn says

    September 2, 2014 at 3:47 pm

    Found your blog last week, used your wardrobe planner, went home and turned out my entire wardrobe. I now have three bags of clothes I’m donating or giving, and a liiitle more space in my closet. I’m trying to put together the fall capsule wardrobe and I’m struggling with how it’s coming together. I feel like I have to go out and buy a lot to make it fit the style I want, but I don’t have the money to do that. Working with the existing items is not fitting my vision. Haha. This post helped, I love asking these questions to define your style for the season. Gonna give it another go.

    Reply
  16. Tricia says

    September 2, 2014 at 4:14 pm

    Wow, I’m so glad you shared your experience. I’d thought I had my fall style nailed down, but now I’m realizing that I was trying to conform to what my Pinterest board was saying instead of what I’m drawn to. Luckily the core of my style will remain the same; I’m just giving myself permission to “loosen it up” a bit by adding in some fun “boho” pieces. (FYI I’m going for cozy knits and warm colors too. I’ll just add a few fun patterns/lace/jewelry pieces). So thanks for the advice!

    Reply
  17. Kristian says

    September 2, 2014 at 8:38 pm

    I easily get overwhelmed too and this is a great exercise to help combat that!

    Reply
  18. Jessi says

    September 2, 2014 at 10:37 pm

    Thanks for this great post! I really love this advice and can’t wait to use it. And I love that this is good advice for any one, regardless of the styles they gravitate towards.

    Reply
  19. Sabrina says

    September 3, 2014 at 1:04 am

    This is so so true. Went through a similar phase a few days ago. I was trying to plan my wardrobe according to my style type. But the more I read and learned, the more I felt overwhelmed and unsure. So I stopped looking at pinterest, blogs and the like and focused on what I already know about myself, my style and the direction I want to take. And tadaaaaa, clarity.
    Just because we HAVE all this information available does not always mean we SHOULD use it. Retracting from information overflow is a good thing at times.
    All the best of luck with your fall wardrobe. I cannot wait to see what you came up with.

    Reply
  20. mayafae says

    September 3, 2014 at 4:42 am

    Hey Caroline!

    I also love your blog – you know what, search for “soft autumn” on pinterest – I think this is what your are searching for! =)

    Reply
  21. Leanne Caroline says

    September 3, 2014 at 5:17 am

    Love this advice. Love this outfit. Thank you again Caroline for sharing and inspiring xo

    Reply
  22. Sophie FT says

    September 3, 2014 at 8:13 am

    Love this post. It encapsulates my thinking process too when I start to plan and get overwhelmed. ‘Focus on the girl inside the clothes.’ is fantastic advice.

    Reply
  23. Au Fil d'Isa says

    September 3, 2014 at 11:18 am

    Thank you, Caroline, that’s very enlightening! I’ve been trying to connect with my inner self in more meaningful ways these past few years. I now realize that my desire for a minimalist wardrobe springs from the same desire. To select my 37 pieces, I need to tune in to my moods and listen to myself, to what I need and want. I didn’t see it that way, so this post is llike an eye-opener. Again, thanks!

    Reply
  24. Jackie (York Avenue) says

    September 3, 2014 at 9:20 pm

    Well, I ordered this shirt in the beginning of the summer and wound up returning it…now I regret that, seeing how cutely you styled it and how great it looks! I have the lighter colored one but the way you paired this with the skirt is just adorable. Love!

    Reply
  25. Gina says

    September 4, 2014 at 5:53 am

    Caroline, I love your honesty in this post, and I love how you took hold of the struggle… you’ve shared some wise and very useful advice in this post:) I think sometimes for those of us that are so style focused (we have to be to blog about it), the pressure can build up to the point of feeling like you described. You are not alone…I’ve experienced very similar bouts of anxiety and self doubt, and believe it or not…I handle it similar to the way you did. You are very good at what you do…don’t doubt that. The roadblocks will make you stronger.
    Keep up the incredible blogging.
    XO,Gina
    http://classyeverafter.blogspot.com

    Reply
  26. Julie says

    September 7, 2014 at 6:44 pm

    I loved this post and the questions you posed to get yourself out of a rut. I found them very helpful as well as I’m planning my fall wardrobe. Perhaps something to add to the next version of the planner?? :)

    Reply
  27. Monika Faulkner says

    September 15, 2014 at 10:28 pm

    A lovely – and truly inspiring! – way for anyone, at any time, to hone in on their personal style!! You are full of great ideas, dear Caroline!! :)

    http://www.StyleIsMyPudding.blogspot.com

    Reply
  28. Lisa says

    September 18, 2014 at 1:51 pm

    Thank you! That is EXACTLY how I have been feeling. I thought I had this down, especially fall style, but I don’t. I’ll take your advice. Seems like a good idea. Thank you.

    Reply
  29. Katie says

    October 2, 2014 at 12:21 pm

    Such a great way to think about style, wardrobe and how to make clothes work for you. What will I be doing? How do I want to feel and live my life? I was feeling excited and overwhelmed last night after discovering your blog. I made a list and then went to to Pinterest to look for ideas and that didn’t help. Going inwards is such a fantastic suggestion. Thank you, Caroline!

    Reply
  30. Heidi says

    October 19, 2014 at 7:08 am

    Hi, Caroline–

    It’s been a while since I visited and I see that all your considered reflection about the role clothes play in a person’s life (both inward and outward) have turned it into something worth coming back to regularly. Thanks for bringing more depth and less surface to the proposition!

    I have just two little critiques: first, I think you can go ahead and focus on the woman inside the clothes. : ) “Girl” sorta sounds better, and maybe that’s how you think of yourself, but we need all the grown-up models we can get! Second, to my eye, your lovely posts would be easier to read with main text up higher and fewer photos. Three is the magic number, I think. Otherwise a blogger can start to look a little vain.

    Thanks again for all the effort you put into showing how to do it!
    Heidi

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. my capsule wardrobe // fall 2014 | Un-Fancy says:
    September 29, 2014 at 12:04 pm

    […] decided to focus on the girl inside the clothes — rather than the clothes themselves. I decided to let go of the idea that I needed to create a perfect wardrobe — I […]

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  2. Oufit 1 – embracing a transition wardrobe | Crafting the Good Life says:
    January 20, 2015 at 6:12 pm

    […] post that particularly spoke to me was this one, which talks about how you want clothes to make you […]

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