Thought on Capsule Wardobes: A Year later

So its nearly a year since I started, what was at first an experiment on working with less clothes in a Capsule Wardrobe.
Learning to shop less was one of my primary aims as my unnecessary spending and my wardrobe habits were spinning out of control. Pieces worn once or some not at all. My wardrobe became like narnia.. not entirely sure what the heck was back there.

Blogging and daily social media posts of #OOTD photos had created some nasty habits for me. The constant need to keep up, the constant need for the latest fashions and passing phases, the 'I need this item so i can post it on social media' mentality was exhausting my mind as well as my bank balance.

But after a long hard look at my, quite frankly, ridiculous wardrobe and bank balance, i decided to try a seasonal capsule wardrobe.
Last Spring i started by clearing out my entire wardrobe and only put 45 items back in.
I ran with those items solely for the entire Spring season. Then came summer and i did it again, Autumn was one of my favourites and then winter, which we're still in.
Through the year i flexed to suit some weather conditions, allowed myself the odd spend here and there and wore what i had repeatedly.

It felt good.
It felt good to wear great items over and over again. It felt good to get my monies worth from items i'd spent my hard earned cash on. It felt good to not feel pressured (all be it my own pressure) to live up to social media standards.

Over the time i felt like i got to grips with what worked with a capsule wardrobe (lots of neutrals and lots of easy remixable items) and what didn't (too much patterns, clashing colours and dresses).
I learned that buying quality over quantity is far better than shopping cheap sales buys that i would never wear, or only ever wear once.
That investing in great jeans is key, especially if you're a jeans lover like me.
I learned what style suits my lifestyle, rather than shopping for outfits that inevitably weren't me.
I learned a lot about my shopping habbits (Hello, i'm Rachel and I'm an emotional shopper) and when i like to shop and how.
I learned that clothes don't define me, but they are a rather great expression of who i am.
So i guess you could say I learned a lot.

However, sometimes the neutrality of my wardrobe bored me and left me feeling lacking. I couldn't conjure up any excitement from the pieces and it made me realise that i actually do love to add in quirky, fun, fashionable pieces.
This past season i have been left perplexed, once again standing in front of my wardrobe and before you know it that dreaded thought floods in "I have nothing to wear".
I ended up feeling un-enthused by my options. The neutrality becoming mundane, the remixes all already remixed.
Suddenly the capsule doesn't seem so shiny anymore.

The other thing i noticed was how some Capsule Wardrobe advocates will shop spending £250+ at the beginning of each season to buy their pieces for the duration. This is great if you have excess expendable cash to do this. I don't.
I'm a picky shopper, i pick pieces up through the season, and especially watch out for sales too.
The couple of times i shelled out some money to buy new things at the beginning of the season when they were full price, i would find they'd be in the sale a mere 8 weeks later, leaving me a bit miffed that maybe if i'd waited i could have saved my pennies. Granted this can happen whenever, but it happened a few times and did make me see that splurging at the beginning of a season to fit the Capsule Wardrobe dates, wasn't for me.

So, what does this mean? Am i now going relegating the Capsule wardrobe and returning to my old ways as a shopaholic?
Well no of course not. I'm dumb but i'm not that dumb.
I've learned SO much from this past year. I'm now A LOT pickier with my clothes. If i order them and i'm not 100% i send them back the very next day, i don't sit on them and ponder until its too late to return. I try things on in the changing rooms, and again if i don't absolutely love it, i don't buy it.
I also work on a one in one out rule, leaving my wardrobe at around 55 pieces. I won't allow myself to get overrun by clothes again, and it means everything i do own, i love and want to wear.
I sell anything i no longer have need for or don't feel is 'me' any more on my Instagram sales account or ebay.

I've also come to accept that. although i am more frugal with my clothing purchases, I'm still allowed to buy the frilly interesting 'fashionable' top; if i like it and know i'm going to be able to get good wear out of it, then i buy it.
Outfits are an expression of our personality, and getting dressed each day is a little glimse in to our make up. Express yourself well. Life is short after all.]

Would love to know your thoughts and feelings on your clothes and shopping habits. let me know in the comments below.

Slogan Sweaters...Why you need one(or 5) in your Life!

My current fave slogan sweaters

 Oui Sweater

Dreamer Sweater

They've been doing the rounds for a good few seasons and I, for one, am fully on-board with messages on tops. I love that they are fun little conversation starters for an outfit, bringing instant interest to a basic jeans and jumper(sweater) day. For those days when you can't be bothered to think of anything complex these do all the work for you, making style easy is what I'm all about (as you all know i'm sure: Easy style formulas are my favourite thing, i'm all for an easy life me). And the two jumpers above that i bought recently have been on constant repeat.. no lie.. they've both been worn multiple times in the past couple of weeks(if you follow me on Instagram you'll probably of noticed.. i do wash them..I promise😉).

Dress them with jeans and sneakers, trousers and boots or skirts and shoes.. they really are magical little numbers that will transform your outfit. 

Slogan tops have really been around for decades, remember back in the '90's when French connection had FCUK emblazoned on everything? Yup, slogans have definitely earned their keep over the years in one form or another (thankfully those FCUK slogans died a death).
Recently Bella Freud seems to have made slogans cool again.
You only have to scan through a few fashion bloggers Instagram grids to see the below jumper on multiple squares... Of which i totally understand, its gorgeous!

Bella Freud 1970 Jumper

(sold out most places but i've found some sizes available above!)

Libertas

Fairytale of New York

I also found these from Joanie Clothing which i also absolutely adore (and they're a fraction of the Bella price tag)

Maybe Baby sweater

 Sundry 

have a plethora of designs and slogans, all very casual, perfect for weekend wear. I'm smitten with the La Vie Est Belle sweater, its could work so so well with so many outfits.

We have some more in the form of sweatshirts here too, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is emblazoned in sequins which makes me love it all the more. Styled with ripped boyfriend jeans, white sneakers/trainers and a black blazer and, My God, you've got a bloody good outfit!

Chaser Weekends Sweater

South Parade Kiss Kiss Bang Bang

C'est la vie j'aime La Vie Rebecca Taylor

Some more favourites all under £55.00

So do you love slogan sweaters? 

Which is your favourite and how do you like to style yours?

Blush and Camel (& #Passion4Fashion Linkup)

I am still so very smitten with Blush, its such a sweet colour to remix and adds such a pretty edge to an outfit. I've worn this jumper multiple ways since buying it as it just goes so so well with all jeans, trousers and skirts.
I think this outfit is me ushering in to Spring.. I think i may well be done with Winter, bring on Summer! Anyone else feel the same? As much as i love me some knitwear and my cast coat collection, I think I'm ready for not freezing or getting soaking wet every day, aren't you?
Even though its cold and rainy lately, I've still dared to bare my ankles as my Silver Loafers are just brightening my days at the moment. Again.. think i'm a little bit over boots every.single.day.
A little bit of metallic sure does bring a bit of jazz to an outfit and looking down on these unbelievably comfy shoes certainly lightens my mood (these ones look wonderful btw), plus being silver they act as a neutral, which means they go with just about everything.
And finally.. I may have to start looking for a new camel coat. This one has been with me for 3 years ( i think) and i still absolutely love it, but sadly i somehow managed to rip the lining from the inside to the point of being un-mendable.. Very sad times. I'm going to keep it for the rest of the season, but may have to resign it afterwards. I've just had a look at some and this dRA option looks like a good one (and its reduced). I really don't mind spending a little more on something i know i will wear and wear and wear. My current coat owes me nothing and has been well worn and loved, and it is the coat i never realised how much i would wear. It's fair to say I actually do need a camel coat in my life. I can't imagine not.

So enough about my outfit, how are you? Are you as glad as me to see the back of January? I am so ready for a good month. February please be kind!
Do you have anything nice planned for Feb? I'm looking to do something new, something different. I fear I've fallen in to a rut of the same old same old that so easily ensues through the winter months. I need and injection of fun somehow. Ideas on a postcard(or in the comments!).

Outfit details
Coat: F&F Super old.. Try this by dRA which looks like a beautiful cut and length
or Try This lovely option
Mom Jeans
Silver loafers: Love the Sam Edeleman ones, or These Asos rose metallic
M&S Bag
H&M Scarf

An InLinkz Link-up

6 Steps to Look Good (and then feel good) in a Hurry!

We've all been there haven't we? Whether we're mums trying to get our kids off to school without forgetting their lunch/kit/heads, or maybe we've had a Netflix marathon the night before and ended up pressing that snooze button one too many times, resulting in running around like a crazy lady in the morning, just trying to get out the door in one piece.
Yep been there done that (I once turned up to work in the Travel agents with two completely different shoes on, yes they were both black but besides from that.. totally different, and very noticeable too. I had to sit behind my desk all day and promised my boss i wouldn't stand up to approach customers in fear of looking like a crazy shoe lady)

But after many years of getting ready in a hurry and having to do so with children in tow, I would say i've become quite the pro at getting ready, looking presentable and being on time. I hate being late (and can actually say it very, very rarely happens), and i really hate feeling dishevelled or not at my best, it can really put your footing out for the rest of the day.
So with all my years of getting it wrong practice I've put together my simple steps to
Looking Good in a Hurry.

Starting the day off well can really set you up for a productive happy day, so with these very simple steps I hope they'll be helpful, whether you're a sleep deprived Student or a busy Mama with many plates spinning.

Plan:

This might sound simple but preparation really is key. Just like you would plan for an outing or a meeting, i plan what i'm going to wear.
This consists of a couple of things.
Firstly, the night before i will check the weather forecast to see what conditions i may be dressing for the next day. I'm actually quite the weather forecast addict, i check multiple times a day... Its weird i know, but it helps to be prepared for whatever Mother nature has in store the following day.
Check your diary.. See what you have planned. If its a day out hiking then you're obviously going to be leaving those heels at home.

Organise:

When i'm putting my clean clothes away i hang them together on one coat-hanger or next to each other, as complete outfits. I will often look through Pintrest or Instagram to see outfits that are similar to pieces i own and then group them accordingly:
Top, jeans, scarf all bunched together for easy access
Skirt, shirt, tights even, all hung on one hanger.
Instant outfits make for great time savers and means you're not running around the house, tearing your hair out, while the kids throw Cheerios, looking for that one piece of clothing that seems to have disappeared to the magical land of odd socks and hairpins.
You've already done all the thinking which is perfect for when one eye is still closed and you can barely string a coherent sentence together let alone an outfit.
Thus leaving more time to get the children fed, watered and ready for their school day, or for just sitting and perusing social media with a nice hot coffee, composing yourself for the day ahead.

My new absolute favourite jumper that i just LOVE wearing (and its only £16!)

Easy hair styles

Ladies, our hair is our crowing glory, wouldn't you agree? A good hair day can really set the president  for the day ahead.
The key is obviously quick and easy.
Pintrest and Youtube are full of easy hair tutorials, its all about finding what works for your hair type.
My hair is so thick and frizzy that i would never have time to wash, dry & straighten or curl my hair every morning. For me half styling the night before works. ie, if i'm going to go curly, i just wash the night before then scrunch with mouse and let it air dry. Then, in the morning, I may run the curling wand over just the top few pieces to jazz it up a bit.
Or when in doubt, a cute up-do like a nice bun that looks chic, will be your morning hair saviour.
Another favourite of mine is No Heat Hair Curl. I love this method as i am just so so super lazy when it comes to hair. This is so easy and has such a great outcome that makes it look like you've been pruning your lovely locks for hours. Sneaky but very effective.

Also Dry-Shampoo... a girls best friend. seriously, best invention ever. I know lots of people like to wash their hair daily, and it is obviously personal preference, but if you can save your safe the time, do so with dry shampoo. 

Shop Fabulous

This sounds strange but i mean it. When you shop don't just buy something because its okaaayyy, or because you think its an inoffensive piece and easy going.
Buy pieces that are fabulous.
Make each item you buy a show stopper or a classic in its own right. That way each time you get dressed you will always be wearing something amazing. Something that will be eye catching, something that says "yep I've got my sh** together" it could be a gorgeous dress that's just so easy to wear but striking, it could be a pair of leopard print booties that are comfy yet stylish, or it could be that colourful top just makes you feel fabulous!
It honestly works.
When you shop, don't buy something 'because it was cheap' or 'Because i'm going to fit in to it after i loose 6lbs' or ' Because i saw it on so and so and she looked good'.
Shop for amazing pieces, that you alone love and that make you happy.
Shop for pieces that fit you now, like a glove.
I can guarantee that each day getting dressed will become a lot easier when there are things to wear that you absolutely love and fit like a dream.

Simple Makeup

If you fear you have not much time for makeup, i have 3  quick fixes to bring your face to life instantly
BB or CC cream: Instant skin tone regulator, most will also have SPF so you're helping protect and they also give a wonderful glow to the skin that makes you look instantly refreshed.
I'm currently using the Embryalisse CC cream and it is dreamy!
Mascara: Instantly opens up the eyes with a quick swish of the (mascara) wand. For me it instantly makes me look more awake and put together.
Tinted Lip Balm/Lipstick: Choose a pretty pink or a dash of red to bring a bit of colour to the face and shone to the lips. This will also detract from blood shot eyes, buy drawing others line of sight to your lips.
This will take you 3 minutes, tops!

For me, I feel naked without drawing in my eyebrows (true story, i'm severely eyebrow challenged after plucking too much as an over zealous teen and then they never grew back), so adapt to fit your face, but just doing this simple tasks awakens my features and I feel ready to go.


Emergency Kit
Keep a small bag full of essentials in your bag/car. This is really a little life saver, for when you literally need to look presentable but you just rushed out the door.
I always have in mine (which i keep in my car) travel size or sample size products such as mascara, a blusher, concealer for instant pick me up of the face. Then some dry shampoo, hair pins and hair tie for my unruly mane.
A quirky necklace is always a brilliant addition as it really makes you look like you made an effort, when the truth is, you've just flung it on in the car, but who needs to know that ;)
A small perfume is also another great addition for a quick spritz.

By sticking to these easy steps i always feel good leaving the house. Don't get me wrong, the other morning the dog was sick on the carpet, I poured cumin instead of cinnamon on my porridge and then the Neo smashed my vintage bowel, so, it cant help everything, but at least i could deal with all that extra crap knowing i was ready to go! 

And that's it. Simple really isn't it.

Tell me, do you have any great organisation tips for looking good and getting out on time? I'd love to know!