Latest Capsule Wardrobe offerings (& #Passion4Fashion Linkup)

Just the latest offerings from my Summer Capsule today, a month on (already) from the last one.

 Its been a bumpy ride to say the least but I haven't given up completely, and I am definitely still continuing as it's now a way of life for me that I love.

I am half way through my summer Capsule and have had to relent add in a few more pieces. Only a few are newly bought, any others I have flexed in from storage. 

Currently I'm sitting in sub-tropical temps, which is so unlike the UK (and I daren't even moan about it, but I have prickly heat, bleuhh!) and finally I am getting some use out of the shorts and little cami vests I had picked out all those weeks ago, hurrah!!

So this looks like phase one of my summer capsule. Filled with more Spring wear then summer, but I did it, and I've loved every single one of these outfits. I've definitely found my groove, and looking through these pics or on my IG account you can see a definite colour scheme.. a working colour scheme pleases me greatly.

A few of my favourite pieces are

The Cream lace insert shirt (above, and again further down) on sale from Warehouse. This is an addition as all the cami's were just not working in the cold weather spell. This shirt is so soft, so comfy and minimal, but charming. I love it.

My Topshop jeans were to replace some of my really ill fitting jeans since loosing some weight, or destroying a pair with bleach. I could quite happily live in these. Just the right amount of stretch, the perfect fit, high wasited and they don't sag through the day, which wins them major brownie points in my books.

Black slider sandals.. easy, minimal, perfect lazy girl sandal.

Lots of the other pieces below are all old, the red floral dress is about 4 years old but I still love it now. Slow Fashion can be so satisfying when you see a piece that you've had for years and still want to wear it. 

Now thats true love!

An InLinkz Link-up

Fluid Capsule Wardrobe Idea and Changes for Me

I mentioned back on my first Capsule catch-up that i may allow myself a few changes half way through if it was required, because the UK is a difficult place to dress for. One day its single digit temperatures, sleeting even, the next week it looks like summer's on it's way.
Bi-polar British weather is a bitch. There's just no predicting it.
I erred on the side of caution (ie cold weather) when it came to my first Spring capsule, which has worked well for me so far as its been baltic, but this week and next, well there does appear to be some sort of freakish temperature increase.
I mentioned yesterday that whilst studying the form of all things #CapsuleWardrobe i came across the ever useful and lovely blog Tartan Brunette.
What is great is that Jen is British ( she lives in Scotland) capsule wardrobe blogger and she has encountered the same issues as me:
Spring weather and dressing for it from a small(er) selection of clothes is difficult.
I could totally relate.
So with that in mind she presents The Fluid Capsule idea, where you have 5 items that can be brought in or taken out as required, warm weather or cold weather, you're basically covered.
Perfect solution for the UK and anywhere else that has an unpredictable climate a la Britain.
Now I'm not going all out crazy with my switches here and actually shall be swapping some out as opposed to just bring them in, meaning my number (45) is still the figure I'm working with, and that also means I'm not just adding in pieces which could cause me to blatantly end up where i was last time: with a whole shed load of clothes that i hardly wear.
That's not the aim here.
So by removing the pieces that aren't working for me (and with valid reasons below) I am making my capsule more efficient.

Also this is still a huge learning curve for me, so a few alterations were bound to happen (lol!)


The 4 pieces I am removing are:

1x Khaki Jumpsuit
1x Black Pleated skirt
1x Cricket Jumper
1x Adidas Gazelles

Being replaced with

1x Denim Culottes  (Options: Love these from madewell and the Etienne Marcel too, the cuff is gorgeous!)
1x Black sandal (Option: The tassels on the Loeffler Randall ones are divine!)
1x Black Skirt
1x Yellow Light weight jumper (This Clue sweater in yellow is perfect)

I am happy to be adding a couple more bottom half options as that is the one thing I'm slightly struggling with.
I previously mentioned that the skirt I had included is just too small and uncomfy and therefore uber unflattering, which I have to say was one of the worst pieces in my capsule.
After giving a skirt option some more thought, instead of the knee-jerk reaction like with the pleated skirt I originally included, i knew a denim skirt would be more my bag as it's just what I am comfortable in.
I've gone for this asos black denim skirt and i couldn't be happier with it.

Secondly, I'm going to take out my Navy Adidas gazelles and replace with my old but comfy black lace-up sandals... just in-case i fancy getting the toes out that is. These are super similar to mine which I bought last year

Next I'm going to take out my Khaki Jumpsuit as STUPIDLY i didn't try it on before including it in my capsule. Which for most people I'm sure would be fine. But me? No. I've  gained half a stone since I last wore it(sob) and when I tried it on for the first time the other day it almost cut me in half. I couldn't lunge or even move for that matter, everywhere was just tight. I would like to say maybe I shrank it on a hot wash, but alas I fear it may be the winter weight... its a sad state of affairs when last summers jumpsuit no longer fits and a rather rude wake up call (been walking miles each day and started My Fitness Pal App, but still... the shame!) So bye bye for now jumpsuit, hello, new culottes. Culottes just seem to be the perfect cut for this time of year.

And lastly, something I also threw in as a knee jerk reaction, my cricket jumper. I don't even like it (Ebay here it comes) So a nice pop of yellow is replacing it with an old Hush fine knit sweater, which will really add a fresh pop of colour for the following weeks.

I'm super happy with the update and glad to say that I can already see many of the pieces that are in my Spring capsule being carried forward in to the Summer capsule... and yes I'm already pondering the Summer Capsule, nothing too drastic, but some definite improvements.
So far spring has been an excellent learning curve, and with these additions I'm sure I will continue to love dressing each day.

So what do you think of The Fluid Capsule idea?
I think its a great way to adapt to your climate and not feel restricted, but yet still sticking to the main principle of less is more.
I know all my clothes in my capsule are being worn and loved, so far this has really made a very happy impact on me.

I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Capsule Wardrobe Update: Feelings and Thoughts on Reprogramming

So, (why do i always have to start my sentences with 'So..' such a bad habit) its been just over a month since i started my Spring capsule, and as promised I thought i'd give you another little update.
My first thoughts on it can be found here and if you're new around here (hi and welcome, welcome!) or if you've been out of the loop (where oh where have you been?)  then you can read all about the reasoning behind my capsule and what my capsule consists of  here.

A month in and i am actually learning quite a lot.
I've learned i am most happy in simple outfits. I've established that i have found my own personal style rather than flitting from trend to trend.
I can see where my capsule is slightly lacking also, and therefore how i would improve it next time (and i think there will be another for summer!), for example, I could do with a couple more things for the bottom half, my jeans are well worn, which is great, but a bit more variety would have been better.

By removing constant online browsing and dreaming up outfits and filling my mind with clothes (which isn't a bad thing necessarily; imagination is always good, but i was a tad obsessive) I have opened up brain capacity it would appear. I am thinking of decorating and adding things to my home, I've started writing and actually have characters, a plot and back-stories so far (which excites me greatly) and I'm reading again, actually I'm consuming books constantly, gobbling them up and enjoying every morsel.

It's refreshing.

I am the happiest and most content I've been in years.

But of course there is a few down pointers.
For the first time this week, a month in to my capsule, I actually felt a fleeting moment of boredom. I stood there one morning and thought, " I don't fancy wearing any of this" and so that day i sat in my scruffy joggers and tee and decided not to dress for the world, which is fine, sometimes we have off days, or times when quite frankly we can't be arsed. But it did make me think that maybe i could tire of the capsule. The next day i awoke with renewed vigour towards my capsule and dressed happily. But I think a few more patterned pieces would have sufficed in making my capsule a little more fun and stopped me potentially getting bored.

So far I am yet to reproduce the same outfit twice, which really got me thinking.
I touched on this thought recently on Instagram(here).
Social Media portrays the image that we must wear a completely different outfit everyday.
We've all seen them, we all lustfully follow along and watch those fabulous ladies with their huge wardrobes that wear something different Every.Single.Day.
I mean, I get it, to post the same thing on Instagram time and time again is not fresh, its not ground-breaking, its not gonna get you loads of people clicking that heart button. But honestly?
Wearing an outfit on repeat that you love is surely more gratifying?
Its more than that.
Its normal.
Its' real life (I can only speak for myself on that one.. Its My real life at least).

The urge to look different everyday is something I struggle with and the reason why i was suddenly bored with my capsule.
It got me thinking.
I wear this dress at least once a week. Each time I try and present it in a different way, be that with a different scarf or jacket and shoes.
But ultimately its the same dress.
A dress I freakin' love to wear.
And I love to wear it in the same way, with the same shoes and jacket, as that's how i essentially like it best.

And that's ok.

I am reprogramming my mindset to allow the use of repeat outfits, no I won't be winning any 'likes' for it, but it's honest, and it's me.
Its my style.
And I'm ok with that.

Don't get me wrong, its fun to experiment and create new looks, i still have plenty i can make with my capsule, and like to plan outfits that are different. But I'm finally allowing myself to wear complete outfits on repeat.
Maybe its a blogger thing, maybe others don't suffer from this, maybe its just me? But going forward repeats and new outfits are all welcome in my eyes.


So,
Shall we take a gander at some of the outfits from the last 2 weeks?

Items I've loved this month

My Madewell Pointed flats in orangey-red (or try the Jeffrey Campell Belanger Loafer in red which are gorgeous)
The Khaki Utility jacket has proven to be super useful, when i'm not wearing it my step daughter is. I like the idea of a sleeveless vest-type version (like this gorgeous one from The Kooples) for a summer layering piece.
The denim dress of course (only big sizes left, but love these ones which have more sizes)
And a boyfriend fit white shirt ( also this one by brand Skin is divine!!!)



Tomorrow I shall be back with another quick post. Something I touched on briefly last time, but with a heatwave (ish) about to hit the UK, I am going to allow myself a couple of changes.
I found a great post by capsule wardrobe fan Tartan Brunette which really struck a chord (have a read and you'll see exactly what i mean).
Fluid Capsule.
Perfect for British weather.
All shall be revealed tomorrow.

In the mean time, let me know how you feel about repeating outfits, is it something you do? Or do you like a fresh completely different outfit every day? No judgement here, i have been both sides of the answer to this question. I find it really interesting how our minds work in regards to outfits.
Us ladies are a complex bunch aren't we ;)