the blog.
Summer Capsule Wardrobe
It's summer in the city! Ever since I returned from the Disney Wonder, Toronto has been seriously hot. I had planned to continue wearing my cruise capsule for another month or so, but it's too warm out for that by far! As you know, my cruise capsule wardrobe was about 50% clothing for the heat of Mexico and the Bahamas, and 50% clothing for around the ship (a highly air conditioned environment). At this point I'm in need of a 100% warm weather wardrobe, stat!
I'm jumping into my Summer Capsule Wardrobe which I plan to wear for June, July, and August of this year. Let's get into it!
It's summer in the city! Ever since I returned from the Disney Wonder, Toronto has been seriously hot. I had planned to continue wearing my cruise capsule for another month or so, but it's too warm out for that by far! As you know, my cruise capsule wardrobe was about 50% clothing for the heat of Mexico and the Bahamas, and 50% clothing for around the ship (a highly air conditioned environment). At this point I'm in need of a 100% warm weather wardrobe, stat!
I'm jumping into my Summer Capsule Wardrobe which I plan to wear for June, July, and August of this year. Let's get into it!
Summers in Toronto can range from mild sunny days to extreme heat and humidity, usually averaging about 25 degrees celsius (but regularly creeping over 40).
I need a wardrobe made up of lighter weight fabrics to keep me cool and pieces that work for me time as well as work in a casual retail environment.
As always, I stuck with 40 pieces total...
You may recognize some pieces from my fall, winter, and cruise capsule wardrobes in here, but I also picked up a couple fun new items!
As always, my wardrobe is almost entirely void of colour. I like dressing in black, white, and gray for the versatility and how classy it makes me feel! The one struggle I foresee is a lack of sandals... I might end up replacing a pair of docs with a strappy pair if the summer gets any hotter. I also felt the need to include a couple colder weather pieces, just in case the heat is a bit of a fluke and we go back to spring temperatures for a while. I've been loving high waisted bottoms with crop tops lately, and you can definitely see that reflected in my capsule!
I feel like this iteration of my capsule is a good mix of old and new with 8 new pieces and 32 standbys from my wardrobe. For anyone interested in the pieces featured, the following is a list of exact or similar items:
TOPS (22)
- white snap crop
- white fringe crop tank
- white lace up tank
- white v neck tee
- off-white knit cropped tank
- beige tank
- grey cropped tank
- grey lace up tank
- eat fruit not friends tank
- grey crop tee
- grey tee
- long grey tee with slits
- long grey cardigan
- black crop henley tank
- black lace up tank
- black & grey reversible cami
- black sleeveless v-neck blouse
- black tank
- beatles tank
- black cropped tee
- black deep v neck tee
- black t-shirt
BOTTOMS (9)
- black maxi skirt
- black jeans
- black leggings
- black high waisted shorts
- high waisted black jean shorts
- high waisted light wash jeans
- high waisted jean shorts
- light wash denim shorts
- ripped jeans
DRESSES (1)
SHOES (5)
- white eyelet chucks
- white floral docs
- black and white dotted sneakers
- black vegan docs
- black flip flops
OUTERWEAR (3)
See my capsule in action in my Summer Capsule Wardrobe Lookbook!
Want to make your own capsule? Check out my post on How To Build A Capsule Wardrobe and download the free capsule planning worksheet!
What are you excited to wear this summer? Let me know in the comments below!
Until next time,
Cruise Capsule Look Book
Hello from Miami!
This week I'm sharing a quick video showing my packing process as well as some outfit ideas from my cruise capsule wardrobe. There also may or may not be kittens being adorable. You'll have to watch to know for sure!
Hello from Miami!
This week I'm sharing a quick video showing my packing process as well as some outfit ideas from my cruise capsule wardrobe. There also may or may not be kittens being adorable. You'll have to watch to know for sure!
Watch the video on YouTube HERE!
LINKS TO THINGS I TALKED ABOUT...
Cruise Capsule Wardrobe: http://plantbasedbride.com/blog/cruise-capsule-wardrobe
How To Build a Capsule Wardrobe: http://plantbasedbride.com/blog/how-to-build-a-capsule-wardrobe
Fall Capsule Wardrobe: http://plantbasedbride.com/blog/fallcapsule2015
Winter Capsule Wardrobe: http://plantbasedbride.com/blog/winter-capsule-wardrobe
Earth Science Mint Rosemary Deodorant: http://www.amazon.com/Earth-Science-Natural-Deodorant-Rosemary/dp/B000Q3Y9X0
Vegetology Omega 3: https://www.vegetology.com/collections/vegans/products/opti3
Vegetology Vitamin D3: https://www.vegetology.com/collections/vegans/products/vitashine-2500iu-tablets
Why I add a B12 Supplement to my Vegan Diet: http://plantbasedbride.com/blog/b12
I hope you enjoyed it!
Until next time,
Have you ever travelled for work? How was it for you?
Cruise Capsule Wardrobe
Last year I spent 8 months working for the mouse. Mickey Mouse, that is! I completed a contract as a performer on the Disney Wonder and had a ball of a time.
The only problem? I packed WAY too much. To my credit, I had no idea what one should pack for 6 months at sea… but a guitar, a backpack, and two huge suitcases weighing in at over 70 lbs each? Just a little bit of overkill. (I did eventually get the suitcases down to under 60 lbs each, but it was painful. And believe me, lugging those babies around in the bowels of a ship was NOT a cake-walk).
So as I prepare for my second contract, a quick month, I know I can do better. I am a minimalist now, after all. I have Marie Kondo on my side. I have KonMari in my blood. Ok, maybe I’ve taken this a bit too far… Anyway, I am definitely better equipped this time around to pack minimally for maximal impact.
As I still vividly remember how painful it was trying to decide what to bring and what to leave behind last fall, I thought I would take you along for the ride in the hopes that you can learn from my mistakes and be ready for any opportunity that comes your way!
Last year I spent 8 months working for the mouse. Mickey Mouse, that is! I completed a contract as a performer on the Disney Wonder and had a ball of a time.
The only problem? I packed WAY too much. To my credit, I had no idea what one should pack for 6 months at sea… but a guitar, a backpack, and two huge suitcases weighing in at over 70 lbs each? Just a little bit of overkill. (I did eventually get the suitcases down to under 60 lbs each, but it was painful. And believe me, lugging those babies around in the bowels of a ship was NOT a cake-walk).
So as I prepare for my second contract, a quick month, I know I can do better. I am a minimalist now, after all. I have Marie Kondo on my side. I have KonMari in my blood. Ok, maybe I’ve taken this a bit too far… Anyway, I am definitely better equipped this time around to pack minimally for maximal impact.
As I still vividly remember how painful it was trying to decide what to bring and what to leave behind last fall, I thought I would take you along for the ride in the hopes that you can learn from my mistakes and be ready for any opportunity that comes your way!
My Top 3 Tips for Practical Packing
Packing sucks.
The majority of the population (including myself) hates doing it. I know quite a few people who would rather trash all of their worldly belongings and start again rather than pack for a move. But what about when your packing for a trip? You’re going somewhere potentially unfamiliar, where you may be unable to purchase necessities (especially if you live an ethical lifestyle). You need to bring the basics with you, at the very least.
So how can we make packing more palatable? With my top 3 tips for practical packing, of course! (Can you tell I love alliteration? I thought so.)
I also created a Packing Checklist to help you remember every important item!
Building a Capsule Wardrobe
A capsule wardrobe is a small, intentional, daily wardrobe made up of pieces you love, fit you and your lifestyle, and all work together.
I wrote a detailed post explaining the capsule concept as well as a thorough how-to for building your own, go read it HERE, get familiar, then come back and read on!
If you’re already on the capsule wardrobe train (Hi, my name’s Elizabeth. Let’s be best friends.) I’ll get right into my streamlined capsule process!
To begin the curation process for my third capsule wardrobe I sat down, asked myself a few simple questions, and put pen to paper. Here are the 7 questions and my responses to help you get a fuller picture of the process:
- How long will I wear this capsule? One month.
- What will the weather be like? Temperatures ranging from 20-30 degrees celsius, mostly sunny, possible rain.
- What will my typical day look like? (Consider formality, dress codes, activity level and type) Exercise and rehearsals (requiring active wear), time spent in crew areas and in my cabin, time spent in guest areas (comply to dress code), time spent at the beach and swimming, time spent in port.
- What types of special events and activities will I be participating in? Crew events, special events in guest areas.
- 3 words that describe my ideal style: Minimal, Neutral, Light
- What kind of outfits do I love/inspire me? Pin em! Capsule and Style Pinterest boards
- What is my colour palette? Black, white, grey, and beige (neutrals) with a few pops of colour and pattern
Want to use these questions to build your next capsule? Use the form below to join the Plant Based Bride community and get your download link for the free printable!
Once I answered these questions, it was time to shop my closet!
The Cruise Capsule
You may recognize some pieces from my fall and winter capsule wardrobes in here, but there are also some exciting new items!
With warm weather on the horizon, I turned my focus to lighter pieces - both in weight and colour. While black is and always will be a staple colour in my wardrobe, white, grey, and shades of beige have made their mark on this capsule. I also brought back a touch of colour and pattern that was completely lacking from my winter collection as statement pieces that stand out on the backdrop of neutrality.
As you saw in my answers to the planning questions, I was hoping for a minimalist, neutral, and light feel in my capsule. Flowy fabrics, long cuts, draping, and soft tailoring pull everything together for me.
For anyone interested in the pieces featured, the following is a list of exact or similar items:
TOPS (16)
- white tee - aritzia
- white v neck tee - urban outfitters
- white button down - anthropologie
- beige trench - similar
- beige vest - similar
- long grey cardigan - similar
- grey cropped tank - brandy melville
- long grey tee with slits - similar
- grey tee - aritzia
- black & grey reversible cami - similar
- black sleeveless swing blouse - zara
- black sleeveless v neck blouse - aritzia
- black deep v neck tee - similar
- black t-shirt - aritzia
- black blazer - similar
- black cropped tee - similar
BOTTOMS (5)
- black track pants - gap
- black maxi skirt - brandy melville
- a-line skirt - american apparel
- high waisted jeans - urban outfitters
- high waisted shorts - similar
DRESSES (2)
SHOES (6)
I have to say that I am absolutely LOVING building and wearing capsule wardrobes. This is becoming a way of life. I’m hoping to progress to the point where I can let go of everything not including in the past 4 capsules (not worn in a year) and reduce my entire wardrobe to under 175 pieces total! (That may sound like a lot to you, but to me that’s TINY! I started out with over 500 EASY before my KonMari purge!)
I am so excited to try out the capsule model while working at sea, it feels like the perfect time to utilize this kind of dressing as you’re already limited by what you can fit in your luggage.
Well, my bags are packed. I have a backpack, my guitar, and one suitcase weighing 57 lbs (darn having to pack enough vegan and cruelty-free skin care, hair care, and body care for a month!) and I have to say I am very pleased. I don't claim to be the perfect minimalist. I definitely don't have it yet. But it feels so good to be on my way!
What would are the three words you would use to describe your ideal wardrobe?
Let me know in the comments below!
Until next time,
Winter Capsule Wardrobe
Winter is here and that means it's finally time to reveal my second capsule wardrobe! I had a lot of fun with my Fall Capsule and loved putting together this wardrobe, armed with months of capsule experience. (Learn how to build a capsule wardrobe here!) Some of my choices last time just didn't get worn, so I'm hoping to make wiser picks in my Winter Capsule that can handle the range of weather conditions and temperatures that Toronto winters throw at us Torontonians!
Winter is here and that means it's finally time to reveal my second capsule wardrobe! I had a lot of fun with my Fall Capsule and loved putting together this wardrobe, armed with months of capsule experience. (Learn how to build a capsule wardrobe here!) Some of my choices last time just didn't get worn, so I'm hoping to make wiser picks in my Winter Capsule that can handle the range of weather conditions and temperatures that Toronto winters throw at us Torontonians!
First things first, I promised I would review my first ever capsule wardrobe experience!
F A L L C A P S U L E W A R D R O B E R E C A P
T H E G O O D.
- I LOVED the capsule wardrobe experience and never want to go back to the standard closet explosion of earlier years!
- The neutrals meant that almost every item went with everything else, which made getting ready so much faster!
- I loved the minimal and neutral style I curated for myself.
- I really enjoyed the challenge to create different combinations from the same pieces for the 3 months. Go check out my instagram to see what I put together!
- This experience made me realize that I can downsize my wardrobe even more than I did during my KonMari minimizing spree, which is super exciting for a clothing hoarder like me!
- The majority of my clothes were super comfortable which was AWESOME.
T H E B A D.
- My tall black boots broke the first time I tried to wear them. Yeah.
- I barely wore the dressier items I included - the two white button downs and the deep v neck long sleeve tops in black and white. My day to day and work environments are very casual and I had barely any opportunities to dress up, other than auditions. Since audition wear isn't included in my capsule I just didn't need these items!
- The dress pants, track pants, and green jeans I included are cropped and it was often too cold to wear them, despite wanting to.
T H E U G L Y.
- I definitely didn't include enough clothing for cold weather - it got VERY cold in December and I had to go outside of my capsule to keep warm enough with more layers and heavier sweaters. This is a tough problem in Toronto where fall weather goes from summer heat to winter chill on a day to day basis. I hope next year I can find a better balance!
And now time for my winter capsule wardrobe reveal...
Once again I'm sticking to an almost entirely neutral palette. I considered including a plaid shirt again, but finally decided against it. Only time will tell if I regret that decision!
I did a lot of thinking and planning around layering options, since the temperature in Toronto ranges quite a bit. I also work in a store that can go from freezing to boiling to freezing again within any give day, so I need to be able to take off and put on layers easily! I'm hoping that I have enough of each layering category to keep me going until the end of March, I actually increased the number of tops in my capsule from 18 to 27(!) so hopefully I've covered all of the bases!
I'm also excited about my new vegan coat (see my unboxing video here) as it's black (surprise surprise), super warm, and very comfortable! 20 points to HoodLamb for making an awesome winter jacket. I plan on doing a detailed review after I've had a bit longer with it!
Just like last time, I'll share where I bought everything if you're interested in picking up a couple of the pieces. Once again, a little disclaimer. As I am an ethical vegan, I do not endorse purchasing any items made from or by animals. A couple of these pieces I purchased before my transition to veganism, and are therefore not in line with my current beliefs. If you are interested in my take on wearing products made from or by animals as a vegan, and why I continue to wear some of my old pieces, check out the post HERE. I won't be linking to items containing animal products but will instead link to a similar item made with vegan materials. I hope you understand and respect why I am choosing to do this! Also, some of the items were given to me or I purchased long enough ago that they are no longer available. In those cases I will link to something similar, or the same item in a different colour!
Alright, here we go!
TOPS (27)
- white cami - similar
- white flowy cami - aritzia
- white tank - similar
- white tee - aritzia
- white v neck tee - urban outfitters
- beige deep scoop cami - similar
- taupe waffle long sleeve - aritzia
- deer baseball tee - similar
- heavy patterned cardigan - similar
- grey cropped tank - brandy melville
- grey tank top - hollister
- grey tee - aritzia
- grey v neck long sleeve - similar
- grey hooded cardigan - similar
- grey & black baseball tee - aritzia
- dark grey tee - aritzia
- beatles tank - similar
- black cropped cami - similar
- black cami - similar
- black tee - aritzia
- black deep v neck tee - similar
- black henley - similar
- black long sleeve top - aritzia
- black v neck long sleeve - aritzia
- black cardigan - similar
- black pullover sweater - similar
- black chunky pullover sweater - similar
BOTTOMS (8)
- black skinny jeans - american eagle
- black zippered leggings - zara
- black leggings - urban outfitters
- black vegan leather pants - similar
- grey high waisted leggings - similar
- high waisted blue jeans - urban outfitters
- blue ripped jeans - similar
- blue jeans - anthropologie
DRESSES (1)
- grey sweater dress - aritzia
OUTERWEAR (1)
- black parka - hoodlamb
SHOES (3)
- vegan doc martens - doc martens
- short black cowboy boots - similar
- black winter boots - nice shoes
That's it! I'm excited to see how this capsule holds up over the next 3 months. I will be committing to no new purchases until mid May or so, when I will be planning my spring capsule! Check out my Style and Capsule Pinterest boards to see what I'm loving for spring as I begin looking for inspiration!
I hope you've enjoyed reading my recap and seeing my new picks for winter 2016! I've been considering filming videos to go along with my capsule wardrobe posts, whether sit down chat style or showing the clothes on my body as more of a look book. Let me know if you'd watch and which you'd like better! If you have any questions or suggestions please let me know in the comments and I hope you'll consider giving capsule wardrobes a try!
Until next time,
Are you doing a capsule wardrobe this winter? Leave your link below so that we can check out your picks!