Planning Your Spring Capsule Wardrobe

Things have been difficult and uneasy lately for everyone. I know the constant stream of Coronavirus updates can feel really overwhelming and panic-inducing. And while some may say it’s tone deaf to not address what’s going on, I trust that you will seek out the information you need, when you need it. I strongly feel that continuing to take in positive (and non-pandemic-related content) is necessary right now to maintain some semblance of normality and happiness. So in an effort to give you a brief break from ongoing events, today I’m focusing on a much lighter topic: spring wardrobes. Here’s how I’ll be keeping busy creatively and planning my spring capsule wardrobe.

Taking In Inspiration

One of my favorite parts of each new season is scouring Pinterest for fresh new outfit inspiration. I’m constantly pinning and saving Instagram pictures for later and I even have a folder for each season. Usually I’m not super aware of the patterns in the pins until I go back and look at the types of outfits I’m saving the most. I’ve already pinpointed some key pieces on my Spring Wardrobe board: blush and brown tones, feminine blouses, chunky cardigans and oversized trench coats.

If you want to start pinning but don’t know where to start, there are a few strategies to take. You can try searching ‘Spring Capsule Wardrobe’ for an overview and outfit combinations. You could also search by a specific item of clothing, like “satin midi skirt” for ideas on how to style it. And for a more general mood, try “french outfits” or “minimalist spring fashion” for even more ideas.

Making a Wishlist (Or Several)

I’m now a quarter of the way through the #20in2020dressing challenge and surprisingly, I’ve only purchased 4 items, which means I’m buying less than I thought I would! This challenge has definitely made me way more aware of each purchase, even more so than before with a year’s worth of capsule wardrobe purchases. And I plan to continue careful consideration of each purchase heading into spring.

So how does one go about planning purchases? The important thing is to have a place devoted to tracking your purchases and updating your wishlist. You can use a bullet journal, spreadsheet, or even just the notes app on your phone. I like to let things sit on my wishlist for a month or so, to avoid impulse buys. And don’t feel like because it’s a capsule wardrobe, that you have to make all of your purchase at the beginning of the season- this is definitely not the case for me.

The Fun Part

Shopping is of course the most fun part of this process. The funny thing is now that I shop for a capsule wardrobe, I’m waaay pickier about where my clothes are coming from, because usually I have something really specific in mind. The idea of going to the mall and buying whatever they have in stock at the moment actually gives me a tinge of anxiety. If you’re in need of some new places to shop, I have a few favorites places to share with you.

Lately I’m loving Everlane and Sezane for well-made wardrobe basics like pants, denim, blouses and knitwear. I also love the selection at COS for minimal investment pieces. ShopBop and Lisa Says Gah are two online retailers with tons of hidden gems from small brands. My favorite online secondhand shops are Poshmark, Depop and ThredUP. There are a bunch of Instagram accounts, like @noihsaf.bazaar, selling curated secondhand too.

You can also shop my favorites or my recent edit of French-inspired pieces.

Top: Orejas | Pants: Everlane | Jacket: Levi’s | Bag: SOCCO Design | Shoes: Similar | Sunglasses: Similar | Jewelry: Mejuri (1, 2, 3) & Missoma

So there you have it, my tips for planning your spring capsule wardrobe. I’m so excited for the change in seasons, as it feels as if winter has held on just a bit too long. Let me know how you’ll be planning your spring wardrobe in the comments below. Thanks so much for reading and please stay safe and positive. These difficult days will pass and there will be brighter days ahead! xx Jessica

You can shop my Orejas Retro T-shirt here and use code JESSICA15 for 15% off your order.

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