The Accidental Capsule Wardrobe

16/04/2020

Just like the title of the 1985 novel by Anne Tyler, The Accidental Tourist, I now have an accidental capsule wardrobe of which I’m very proud…

It really did come about by accident, even though it has been something I have aspired to for a couple of years. A quick rifle through my old overflowing wardrobes, convinced me I would never be ‘that girl’. Fast forward 2 years and at least 18 months of continual decluttering and I think I may have accidentally achieved my goal of a capsule wardrobe. Around the same time I stopped buying fast fashion, and turned down working with brands who no longer fitted my new slow fashion style.

[perfectpullquote align=”full” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Fast forward 2 years & at least 18 months of continual decluttering & I think I may have accidentally achieved my goal of a capsule wardrobe.[/perfectpullquote]

What is a Capsule Wardrobe?

In case you are not sure or always wondered, I googled a few definitions, all are different but this is the one I feel happiest with:

“… A capsule wardrobe is a limited, curated collection of clothing, shoes and accessories that can help you live with simplicity while reducing decision fatigue. It generally consists of a few key items that are used as your entire wardrobe for a season”

Simple Pieces, basic shapes…

My early Summer 2020 capsule wardrobe consists of 10 key items, 3 pairs of footwear, 3 bags and a black leather purse belt. To these I will add black, white and grey plain t-shirts plus a couple of sweatshirts, a pair of blue denim jeans and a pair of cream jeans. Later I will swap out the heavier pieces for lighter items.

The Bags:

I could go over the top with bags, but how many do you really need? May I suggest one investment bag that will take you anywhere and perhaps 2 casual styles, one larger than the other? I treated myself to the Little Liffner bag below, because I had a rather good start to the year! It will be my ‘investment bag’ for some years to come. No flashy labels, no double Gucci G’s (heaven forbid) just a quietly stylish leather bag. After-all, as they say, if you know you know…

The other 2 bags you can see above, are for casual use, my vintage basket, I took it everywhere last year.

Plus a squishy denim blue, over sized tote from Cos, I bought at the beginning of the year. I spotted a rather lovely denim one here, that would be perfect for summer.

The Shoes that every summer wardrobe needs..

I must admit I have given up on strappy high heels, toe posts and anything with adornments. I want simple, I want leather and a shoe that is not only comfortable but will take me from the city to the poolside and off out to dinner in a day…

White and Navy are from Vagabond shoemakers and the cream and khaki pair is from Cos. All bought in the sale. Go me…! So when we are finally allowed out I will persuade Marc to take some snaps and show you how it works IRL – in real life.

[perfectpullquote align=”full” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]So at last after 18 months of donating all those wild prints to charity, I have a wardrobe with clothes in it that I actually wear…[/perfectpullquote]