• Style
    • Simplified Wardrobe
    • 10×10 Wardrobe Challenge
    • Outfits: Spring
    • Outfits: Summer
    • Outfits: Fall
    • Outfits: Winter
  • Travel
    • Packing Guides
  • Lifestyle
    • Interiors + Home
    • Music + Books
    • Beauty
  • About
  • Shop My Outfits
    • like to know
    • pinterest
    • spotify

Un-Fancy

Outfits: Winter, winter outfits

5.28 Q&A: spring capsule date, weather, and 5 of my favorite books + blogs

02/27/15

winter-outfits-185winter-outfits-188 winter-outfits-186

Q: I’m wondering if you’re planning to post a spring capsule soon. I’m dying to pick up some new things for spring but I want to be smart about it. –Erin

A: Hi Erin! I’m posting my spring capsule on March 18th — woohoo! And starting next Wednesday, I’ll be posting a few sneak peeks + my thoughts as I put it all together. Can’t wait to share!

Q: I live in San Francisco and would like to put together a capsule wardrobe but feel like we don’t have seasons here. All of the clothes in my closet stay in my closet year round.  How would you handle this? –(name withheld)

A: No seasons? No problem. If weather isn’t a factor, use this as an opportunity to base your capsule on something else — like a color palette or mood or style.

Or you can simply use it as a way to honor the person you are + the life you’re living, here and now. Filling out the lifestyle section of my capsule wardrobe planner every three months is a special, reflective experience for me. It always helps me slow down and focus on the present … and appreciate it.

It sounds like your clothes may be appropriate all year round, so it may feel strange to put perfectly good clothes in storage for a little while. But in every capsule, there are always “appropriate” clothes that I choose to store instead.

Why?

It gives them a break so they don’t wear out too quickly. It also gives me a chance to shake up my wardrobe. I may be tired of wearing a certain piece, so I’ll retire it for a season — but then when I pull it out of storage three months later, it’s love all over again. Most importantly, it keeps my closet clutter-free which really simplifies getting dressed in the mornings.

If you simply don’t want to remix your wardrobe every three months, you may want to try having two capsules a year — a warmer capsule and a cooler one — instead of four.

Experiment a little until you find what works for your life. No matter what, do what feels right to you.

Q: What books or blogs would you recommend for someone wanting to simplify their life? — Jenna

 

Hi Jenna! Here are my top 5:

This TED talk

This book

Also this book

This food blog

This style blog

Enjoy these last days of February. Spring is coming!

xo

signature

Sweater: old from Zara (get on the waiting list here or here’s a similar one)

Top: old from H&M (similar here)

Necklace: Moulton

Pants: old from J.Crew Factory (similar here)

Shoes: Diba via DSW

Bag: Marc Jacobs

28 Comments

Related

Comments

  1. Ariel says

    February 27, 2015 at 6:47 am

    I love the idea of mixing things up based on a color palette each season. I’ve been trying to do this lately. The past few months I’ve been enjoying blue, gray, and black, but now I’m starting to think about what colors might be fresh for the spring. Looking forward to seeing your next capsule soon!

    Reply
  2. Carol says

    February 27, 2015 at 6:50 am

    Looking forward to the sneak peaks, Caroline! Have you decided to stick to 4 capsules a year?

    Reply
  3. Jennifer says

    February 27, 2015 at 7:37 am

    Hey Caroline! Thanks for sharing and I can’t wait for the 18th!! I had a question as I’m approaching my third capsule. This concept works really well for me but I was wondering how many clothes you keep in storage to pull from? Our house doesn’t have tons of storage space but I love the simplified closet for making decisions. I also have some really nice clothes that may find their way back into my life in future seasons. How do you not get bogged down with the stuff you aren’t using? Any tips? Thanks so much!!

    Reply
  4. kris says

    February 27, 2015 at 8:01 am

    I live in San Diego where the weather is mild most of the year. I like to follow the season capsules to keep me from wearing the same things for 12 months . I don’t like a lot of things so having a minimum amount of clothes each “season” that I wear ( storing the rest) is fun…I too get to pick out different colors, textures, accessories and shoes …without this I get bored of wearing the same items over and over . I love following Unfancy for new ideas !! I hope Carolyn continues to have a capsule for each season !!

    Reply
  5. Anna says

    February 27, 2015 at 8:04 am

    In North of Brazil we dont have seasons too, it’s always very hot. So I’m planning my capsule based on my activities: work, loungewear, errands, night life, etc. Its working wonderfully!

    Reply
    • christina says

      February 28, 2015 at 12:23 am

      Hey! I used to live in Manaus! Always hot and humid but very beautiful and wonderful culture. :)

      Reply
  6. Laura @ Roam + Golightly says

    February 27, 2015 at 9:50 am

    Although I really wish we had one seasonal climate here in Pennsylvania, I will say that filling out the lifestyle section of your planner helped me out a ton too! And simplifying the clothing I wear into it’s uses made me realize that my outfits must either straddle the line between comfort-casual and business-casual. It makes buying seasonal capsules more of a segmented thing, but totally makes sense to me!

    Reply
  7. Kathleen says

    February 27, 2015 at 11:06 am

    I love this outfit!

    Reply
  8. amy says

    February 27, 2015 at 11:11 am

    Love the outfit in the photo! Can I get details on where they are from? I love things I can wear and transition all year round.

    Reply
  9. Bronwyn says

    February 27, 2015 at 11:39 am

    Thanks for the blog suggestions. Can’t wait to find some time to explore them.

    Reply
  10. Tammy says

    February 27, 2015 at 11:49 am

    Caroline,
    I’m turning 49 on my birthday next Friday! And I LOVE your blog. I can take your advice and work it into my life style- 49 year-young teacher and wife who loves to gather with friends and play. I love that your advice encourages living with less and staying true to your own style. This is a theme I’m finally getting at 49 and I wish I had understood it better sooner- BUT I have no regrets and believe I am where I’m suppose to be.

    Besides fashion, I appreciate your recommendations on books, self-improvement, food, blogs, and just your general way of thinking,

    Blogs, social media, and technology in general are allowing people to be more well informed and exposed earlier in life. My wish is that everyone can embrace the positive aspects of being well-informed and exposed (cause there are lots of negatives too).
    I’ve done two capsules with your guidance and looking forward to creating my spring capsule.
    Anyway- just wanted to say how awesome your blog is for me- thanks for “doing you” and inspiring and encouraging others to “do themselves.” That’s good for the world!
    Tammy

    Reply
  11. stephanie says

    February 27, 2015 at 11:58 am

    “Living the Simple Life” by Elaine St. James – it’s small [5.5″x6″] and so well written – it’s one of the few books that I have NOT given up through [literally] years of moves and goodwill and library donations. This book is so well written and started me thinking and moving in the ‘simplification/minimalist’ direction before it was a common subject all over the internet. There are many books out there on the subject, but I have yet to read one that is as well thought out and thought-provoking as this one.

    Reply
  12. Shastablasta says

    February 27, 2015 at 12:10 pm

    I also live in San Francisco. I started my first capsule on Dec 1 using what I already had and had recently purchased. I’m still figuring it out but a couple things I did were :

    – I excluded shorts from my number because I only have 2 pairs and they could be needed at any time (even in Feb)

    – I also excluded some layering elements like tank tops that rarely get worn as just tops.

    -for winter I included more sweaters since it’s likely to be colder then and I’m more likely to visit colder climates. Keeping where I might visit in mind for other capsules.

    Reply
  13. Gretchen | Gretchruns says

    February 27, 2015 at 12:23 pm

    SO EXCITED to see your next capsule! That means warmer weather is headed to the northeast, right?

    Reply
  14. Erin says

    February 27, 2015 at 12:25 pm

    “Seasons” can mean so much more than weather though. Think holiday season, wedding season, sports seasons… in winter I know I want to include a cocktail type dress and fancier wrap or jacket, and in spring and summer something I can wear to the many weddings, beach parties, and other dressy-casual outdoor gatherings. In fall, the football jersey comes into rotation.

    Reply
  15. Christina says

    February 27, 2015 at 12:40 pm

    Caroline, thank you for the blog & book recommendations! I just purchased one of the books for my Kindle- going to read it on a flight later tonight. I so enjoy coming to check out your blog- I love the fashion but also love the additional articles on home, beauty, and your life simplification mantras. Keep up the WONDERFUL work! Have a great weekend :)

    Reply
  16. Meryl says

    February 27, 2015 at 4:28 pm

    Looking forward to seeing the new capsule!

    http://www.mrsfranzos.blogspot.com

    Reply
  17. Kirstin says

    February 27, 2015 at 6:52 pm

    There is a great article about Marie Kondo in today’s Wall Street Journal.

    Reply
  18. Kari says

    February 27, 2015 at 10:03 pm

    I am also from San Francisco and totally agree! I am constantly switching up my clothes! I do find that I keep my capsule I just layer with loads of tank tops!
    Kari
    http://www.sweetteasweetie.com

    Reply
  19. christina says

    February 28, 2015 at 12:29 am

    Oh my goodness. This reminds me that I was going to adjust my capsule timing so that my spring capsule starts and the beginning of March. And I lost track of time and haven’t even thought about my spring capsule. :p I actually feel a little sad. I really love my winder capsule. Oh, well. I guess I know what I’m going to do this weekend.

    Reply
  20. DeniG says

    February 28, 2015 at 2:26 am

    “…it may feel strange to put perfectly good clothes in storage…in every capsule, there are always “appropriate” clothes that I choose to store instead….It gives me a chance to shake up my wardrobe…when I pull [a certain piece] out of storage three months later, it’s love all over again.” Light-bulb moment! My closet is only 80 pieces total – including summer shorts, winter coats, shoes, and my fancy dress. At any given time at least 20 pieces are seasonably unwearable. But the rest work all the time, so I felt like I needed to wear them, make use of them. I loved the idea of capsule wardrobes, and now I get that it’s not wasting them to put them away till the next season, and I’m excited to pull something out down the road and fall in love with it all over again. Yay! and Thanks!

    Reply
  21. Charlie says

    February 28, 2015 at 6:45 pm

    Hi Caroline! I love checking out your styles for inspiration in my own wardrobe. I, too, will put my close in hibernation to give them a rest and also its like shopping without spending when I rediscover them months later, woo! I’m looking forward to the sneak peaks and the big reveal in March! xo – Charlie

    Reply
    • Charlie says

      February 28, 2015 at 6:47 pm

      clothes* …ah, proofreading is a must!

      Reply
  22. Lina says

    March 1, 2015 at 2:34 am

    Minimalist Baker and Into Mind are really amazing, I have been following them for a while and I absolutely love both styles and the design.

    Reply
  23. Vivian says

    March 2, 2015 at 5:32 am

    Really excited to see your spring-capsule!

    Do you know any blogs that are similar to your own? I would love to read some more inspiring blogs, but can’t seem to find any that suits my taste like yours.

    Reply
  24. Emme says

    March 2, 2015 at 11:18 am

    Hi, I am really loving your blog. I have a question , just started a new job i have not figured out the dress code yet but how do you style 3 or 4 outfits without looking boring or the same day in day out.

    Reply
  25. dana says

    March 3, 2015 at 5:49 pm

    So kind! Thanks for the mention. I literally squealed when I saw it. Adorable outfit! You look stunning, per usual.

    Reply
  26. Pearl says

    March 6, 2015 at 4:09 pm

    I like the idea of non-weather-based seasons for capsule wardrobes. I live in a place where there are all four seasons, but winter seems to be the longest. I have to work on finding enough winter clothes (spring has been my favorite season for clothing and so I have too many of the wrong weather clothes), but it might be nice to be able to change things up in the middle of a cold and slushy season.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Most Loved Posts

  • the vintage levi

    the vintage levi's of my dreams

  • My take on the Jenni Kayne Cashmere Cocoon Cardigan

    My take on the Jenni Kayne Cashmere Cocoon Cardigan

  • The cozy-luxe outfit I can’t get enough of

    The cozy-luxe outfit I can’t get enough of

  • What to wear with yoga pants in 2023

    What to wear with yoga pants in 2023

  • spring transitional dressing: what to wear when the weather is hot-then-cold

    spring transitional dressing: what to wear when the weather is hot-then-cold

  • real-life outfits + what I learned about my style in February

    real-life outfits + what I learned about my style in February

‹›

Join the mailing list

© Copyright 2023. Un-Fancy. All Rights Reserved. Design by love riot.