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How To Build A Capsule Wardrobe
Have you ever woken up, looked at your closet full to bursting and thought: "I have absolutely nothing to wear."? Me too. How is it that you can own so many pieces and still feel this way? Maybe you're like me, surrounding yourself with mediocre pieces and wearing your few favourites over and over again while avoiding the rest. Well, enough is enough! I am finally creating a capsule wardrobe and I couldn't be more excited to share my journey with you. Read on to learn how you can create the perfect, concise, wardrobe for you; full of clothing you love and want to wear every single day!
Have you ever woken up, looked at your closet full to bursting and thought: "I have absolutely nothing to wear."? Me too. How is it that you can own so many pieces and still feel this way? Maybe you're like me, surrounding yourself with mediocre pieces and wearing your few favourites over and over again while avoiding the rest. Well, enough is enough! I am finally creating a capsule wardrobe and I couldn't be more excited to share my journey with you (and hopefully inspire you to follow suit). Read on to learn how you can create the perfect, concise, wardrobe; full of clothing you love and want to wear every single day!
What is 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. For me it is comprised of 40 pieces (but you can pick whatever number works for you!) including tops, bottoms, dresses, rompers, shoes and outerwear. It does not include workout clothing, audition and special occasion wear, accessories, and loungewear for around the house. A capsule wardrobe is intended for a specific season (like fall) and is worn for 3 months, without any new clothing purchases!
The idea behind a capsule wardrobe is to...
- Simplify your life.
- Reduce the amount of time spent deciding what to wear and increase the time available for doing the things you truly love.
- Cut down on spending and get the full value out of your clothes.
- Find your style and revel in it.
Sound good? Then keep reading to learn how to create yours!
How to create a capsule wardrobe of your own.
ONE Get inspired.
Head over to your style board on Pinterest (I know you have one!) and take a look at the pins. Is there a style that sticks out at you? Which are your favourite looks? What pieces show up again and again? As you scroll through and analyze you will begin to get a sense of what your style aesthetic is. It may be far from how you dress right now, or look exactly like your current wardrobe. Either way, this is the style you're drawn to and what you should base your capsule wardrobe on, just so long as it fits your lifestyle! You could even start a new board and pin all of your absolute favourite that fit the season you're working on to have all of your inspiration in one, easy to find, place.
Don't have a style board? Feel free to look through mine!
Also feel free to take a look at my Fall and Winter capsule wardrobes!
TWO Come up with 3 words that describe your style.
Or five, or twelve. The number of words isn't important. What is important is that you can describe your ideal style in a clear and concise way. This will only help you as you build your capsule! Try looking at the list below for some inspiration:
Now get out a pen and some paper and write down the words that describe your dream (yet practical) style. Seriously, do it!
THREE 'Tis the season.
Think about the season you're building your wardrobe for. Is it winter in Canada? Then you probably won't need any shorts. Think about temperatures, weather like rain or snow, and the colours that you like to wear during that season. Keep these things in mind as you choose your pieces!
FOUR Pick a number.
Next you want to pick your number of pieces. I decided to go with 40. This breaks down to:
- 17 tops;
- 9 bottoms;
- 3 dresses and rompers;
- 7 pairs of shoes, and;
- 4 pieces of outerwear.
Your numbers don't have to be the same as mine, and they may change slightly as you go, but I find it really helps to have a structure to work in while selecting your pieces.
FIVE Go through your wardrobe.
Now it's time to go through the clothes you already own and make 5 piles:
- Capsule (love it, in season);
- Seasonal (love it, out of season);
- Maybe (unsure due to style, fit, cost, etc.);
- Donate or Sell (don't love it or wear it), and;
- Trash (too worn to be donated).
Go ahead and throw out your trash pile, separate your donate and sell pile, and store your seasonal clothing in a box under the bed or in a closet. Then, collect your capsule pile and write down what you have by category. How many items do you have? What are you missing? Is there something you need for your capsule hiding in your maybe pile that could do the trick? If not, add the item to your shopping list.
Need more help sorting through your clothes? Check out Marie Kondo's book on decluttering your life! (Click on the book cover to buy it on Amazon! This is an affiliate link.)
SIX Plan your capsule.
As you go through your items think about the overall cohesiveness of your wardrobe. The aim is to have items that work with as many other pieces in your wardrobe as possible. This can be achieved through colour palette or style. I like to keep the majority of my wardrobe neutral, consisting of black and white, to allow for easier mix and matching. Analyze your items for holes: is there a sweater you need to pull together multiple outfits? What about a pair of shoes that would make that dress and those jeans really pop? Continue adding to your shopping list until you reach your golden number and have each piece you need to make your wardrobe work. This step requires a bit of shuffling around to find the perfect combination of items that gives you the most bang (and outfits) for your buck!
SEVEN Shop.
Once you're happy with your list, it's time to shop! Make a budget before you go to ensure well thought out purchases. You're looking for items that are high quality, fit well, and radiate the style you're going for with your capsule. Bring inspiration images with you and remind yourself of your style words each time you pick up an item. Does it say what you want it to say? Will it merge seamlessly with the wardrobe you're building? Will it last through repeated wear for at least the next 3 months?
EIGHT Wear.
Hang up your capsule wardrobe and get the rest of your clothing out of sight. You will feel a calmness descend over you (I guarantee it!). Welcome to your new life! Now comes the fun part: styling outfits! You can take photos of the items you chose for reference or to upload to apps like stylebook to help with outfit building, or just wing it. You can also take photos of each outfit you build to keep track of the ones you really love for reference as you build next season's wardrobe. Enjoy your pieces for the next 3 months, then start planning for capsule #2 in the last couple weeks of the third month.
Be sure to check back to see my fall capsule wardrobe on the blog next week!
Until next time,
How do you feel about capsule wardrobes? Would you ever try one?
Don't forget to subscribe to the plant based bride newsletter to get my fall capsule wardrobe post delivered right to your inbox! (Form at the bottom of this page)
15 Weird Things I Do Now That I'm Vegan
In the interest of transparency, I feel it's important to mention that I've always been weird. This isn't some kind of new thing. Just ask Jason. I'm an introvert, but when you get to know me well? All bets are off! I'm an incredibly opinionated and creative person, and like what I like no matter how "weird" or "nerdy" other people may think those things are. I make big expressive faces and voices, love to sing all day long, and love Doctor Who. And while it may seem that there isn't much room for more weirdness from there, I definitely got weirder when I went vegan. Much weirder. Keep reading as I confess all and tell you the 15 weird things that I've started doing since going vegan!
I got the idea for this post from Matt Frazier of No Meat Athlete on his podcast. Check it out here!
In the interest of transparency, I feel it's important to mention that I've always been weird. This isn't some kind of new thing. Just ask Jason. I'm an introvert, but when you get to know me well? All bets are off! I'm an incredibly opinionated and creative person, and like what I like no matter how "weird" or "nerdy" other people may think those things are. I make big expressive faces and voices, love to sing all day long, and love Doctor Who. And while it may seem that there isn't much room for more weirdness from there, I definitely got weirder when I went vegan. Much weirder. Keep reading as I confess all and tell you the 15 weird things that I've started doing since going vegan!
ONE I sometimes go an entire day only eating bananas.
Not only that, but I like 'em good and spotty.
TWO I read the ingredient list on everything. Twice.
Food? I read the ingredient list. Toothpaste? I read the ingredient list. Clothes? I read the materials list. All day long, every day.
THREE I spend exorbitant amounts of time reading books, watching documentaries, listening to podcasts, and watching you tube videos about veganism, nutrition, animal rights, and the environment.
I am on a constant hunt for more information about the vegan lifestyle and the state of our planet. All of my curiosity and interest that was fostered in school has been transferred to this one, infinitely fascinating, interrelated group of subjects.
FOUR I eat sriracha on everything.
Mushrooms, rice cakes, pita bread, rice, pasta, tofu scramble, salad... you name it, I'll sriracha it.
FIVE I love tempeh, tofu, and seitan.
And other things that make my parents go "Huh?"
SIX I eat huge portions, especially of fruit and salad!
That family size salad bowl? I'll have two, thanks. One apple for breakfast? Uh... no. How about 5.
SEVEN I cross the street to avoid shops with meat in the window.
And I don't shop at grocery stores with lots of animal flesh on display. It's gross and upsetting and smells horrific.
EIGHT I bring food with me pretty much everywhere.
Tupperware full of beans and rice? Check. A bunch of bananas? Check. Rice cakes and a mini bottle of sriracha? Double check!
NINE I love green smoothies with odd ingredients!
The more gross it sounds to the average Joe, the more I want it in my belly.
TEN I can order off the average menu in less than a minute, but it takes me forever to decide at a vegan restaurant.
What? I have more than one option that needs to be modified by removing half of the ingredients to be vegan? This is going to take a while...
*30 minutes later*
I'll get the Tempeh Quinoa bowl. Wait! No, the Mushroom Risotto. But what about the soup!
*another 20 minutes later*
IDON'TKNOW...AHH...How do normal people do this everyday??
ELEVEN I love salad without salad dressing.
Give me all them raw, plain veggies!
TWELVE I can talk about veganism for hours and hours and still have more to say.
And that's why I started this blog. (Duh.)
THIRTEEN I've become a bit of a hermit.
I avoid situations in which I'll be around lots of animal products. It's hard to have fun when you're surrounded by dead flesh. Or is that just me?
FOURTEEN I use coconut oil for everything.
It's figuratively a miracle!
FIFTEEN I dislike almost all junk food.
Seriously. All I want is fresh produce all day everyday.
And there you have it. The 15 ways I'm weirder than I was two and a half years ago. And that's really saying something!
Until next time,
What weird things did you start doing when you went vegan? I want to hear them all! Write to me in the comments below or on social media.
Don't forget to subscribe to the plant based bride newsletter at the bottom of this page. It's fun!
Living With Less: A Review of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up & How To Declutter the KonMari Way!
Hello and welcome to instalment number one of my Living With Less series! Today I’m tackling the first step in anyone’s minimalism journey, decluttering, with the help of the KonMari method. This method was developed by Marie Kondo, author of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up and an absolute genius. I’m going to give you a summary and review of the book and outline the simple steps you can take to rid your life of clutter for good!
Hello and welcome to instalment number one of my Living With Less series! Today I’m tackling the first step in anyone’s minimalism journey, decluttering, with the help of the KonMari method. This method was developed by Marie Kondo, author of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up (and an absolute genius.) I’m going to give you a summary and review of the book and outline the simple steps you can take to rid your life of clutter for good!
(This post contains affiliate links.)
Marie Kondo is an organizing consultant and author from Japan. She has a wonderful no-nonsense approach that really appeals to me, and is extremely likeable. Marie explains why most people are suffering under the weight of their belongings and how to free yourself from clutter. The book is easy to read and understand, and incredibly engaging. I read it from cover to cover in a couple of days and was immediately itching to declutter! This book is such an inspiring read; I’m not surprised that it’s amassed such a large following!
The book begins by shedding light on the common problems with organizing and decluttering that the majority of us share. She then goes on to explain her method of organization and why it works. Next comes an in depth guide to decluttering your home from top to bottom and storing those precious items you decide to keep.
Marie's method is a breath of fresh air which focuses on the joy special possessions can bring rather than the need for acquisition or holding on to useless items "just in case". She demands perfection, which is kind of wonderful in a world full of unnecessary moderation, yet understands that her clients and her readers are only human, and that some things just mean so much to us on a sentimental level that they belong in our lives. She also believes that tidying should happen only once, not everyday. This is wonderful news for all of us busy people who want to do it all at once and be done for good!
I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to absolutely anyone. Click on the book cover to buy it on amazon and get started on your minimalism journey with me! (Friendly Disclaimer: This is an affiliate link. There is no extra cost for you, but the small commission I receive if you purchase through my link helps me keep this site up and running!)
Read on to learn how to declutter using the the KonMari method!
How To Declutter Your Life, the KonMari Way!
ONE Dress up for the event. One of Marie's main beliefs is that tidying should be a special event, not a daily chore. And don't we usually dress up for special events? Don't do all of your tidying in sweatpants; through on a smart blazer or a pretty dress and give tidying the respect it deserves!
TWO Tidy all at once. I'll say it again, just because it's such a revolutionary thought! Marie asserts that tidying should be a one time event not a daily chore! Clear your schedule so that you can do it once and do it right.
THREE Discard by category, not location. Don't tidy your kitchen, then the bedroom, and so on. Marie has learned the optimal method of decluttering from trial and error and her extensive experience. Go category by category, and in the order she outlines in the book:
- Clothing;
- Books;
- Papers;
- Miscellaneous items, and;
- Sentimental items.
FOUR Put everything on the floor. One category at a time, go around the house and grab every item then put it in one big pile on the floor. Not only does this ensure that you don't forget or miss anything, but it shows you just how much you actually own; a pretty sobering realization!
FIVE Hold each and every item. Pick up each belonging, one at a time, and ask yourself "Does this spark joy?" If yes, keep it. If not, put it in the donate or sell pile!
SIX Focus. Don't play music or watch TV while you sort. This is an important task that deserves 100% of your focus!
SEVEN Discard all, then organize. Resist the urge to put things away as you go. Marie says it's important to go through each category and discard before organizing what you've decided to keep.
EIGHT Thank your belongings for their service. This one can seem a bit bizarre, but is quite nice when you think about it. Marie suggests that you take a moment to thank the items you are discarding for their service. Even if you are only thanking them for teaching you what you don't like, she says you should find a reason to be thankful for the time they spent in your possession.
This is just a summary of Marie's advice. Go read the book to get the full benefit of her method and to hear all of the principles right from the horse's mouth!
I hope I've inspired at least one of you to explore the KonMari method and bring it into your life. It has only been a month and a bit since I applied these principles in my own home, and while I'm still a bit of a work in progress, I'm noticing incredible benefits! Remember that I will be posting a new Living with Less post each and every Tuesday for the foreseeable future. Don't forget to check in on the blog every week or subscribe to the Plant Based Bride newsletter (you'll find the form at the bottom of this page) for updates right to your inbox!
Until next time,
Have you read Marie's book? I'd love to hear your review in the comments below!
Linked Up!
How To Choose The Perfect Wedding Date!
So you're engaged. Congratulations! Let the planning begin. But how much time do you have to check everything off your list? Choosing the wedding date is one of the very first things you and your fiancé should do. But how do you decide? Read on for the 5 things you can do to narrow the options down to a single, perfect, day!
So you're engaged. Congratulations! Let the planning begin. But how much time do you have to check everything off your list? Choosing the wedding date is one of the very first things you and your fiancé should do. But how do you decide? Read on for the 5 things you can do to narrow the options down to a single, perfect, day!
ONE Make a list of special dates in your relationship.
When was your first date? The day you became "official"? The first time you said I love you? Any of these dates (and so more!) would be wonderful to commemorate by holding your wedding on the same day, x years later!
TWO Take your budget into account.
Keep in mind how much you need to save up for your big day. Is it doable in 6 months? Or is a year and a half more realistic? Don't let your excitement outweigh practicallity - it's very hard to throw a wedding without any money! Don't stress yourself out by giving yourself too little time to save. The wedding planning process is already intense enough!
Not sure what your budget is yet? Read my article on setting a realistic wedding budget here!
THREE Rate the seasons from your favourite to least favourite.
This one is pretty self-explanatory. Do you share a favourite season? Great! If not, try a little math. Rate your favourite season a 1, next favourite a 2, and so on. Have your partner do the same. Then, add the numbers for summer together, the numbers for winter together, and so on again. It should look something like this:
Spring: 1 + 2 = 3
Summer: 2 + 3 = 5
Fall: 3 + 1 = 4
Winter : 4 + 4 = 8
The smallest number is a great choice! You could also just compromise, of course, but no married couple ever has to do that, so there's really no need. (Hopefully you detected all of the sarcasm is that statement.) If you both really have no season preference, or are really bad at compromising, it may be easier to come at it from a design perspective first. Think about your ideal colour scheme, venue, photos, decor, mood, attire, food, everything! Does a theme emerge? If you were to pick one time of year that fit with all of the aspects you both love, which would it be?
Not sure what you want your wedding to look like? I suggest starting a Pinterest board and pinning images that jump out at you! Check out one of my four (yeah, four!) wedding boards below for an idea:
Regardless of how you come to an agreement, knowing which season you'd like to get married in is a great help!
FOUR Where will your wedding take place?
The location of your wedding will, of course, have a big impact on which date you choose. Getting married in Greece? You probably won't pick the same day as if you were getting married in Northern Canada. If you're planning on getting married or taking photographs outdoors, you'll want to pick a time in your preferred season that is likely to have favourable weather. If you're planning on staying inside, you have a bit more leeway!
FIVE Think of your guests.
Are your guests coming from out of town? Are you inviting children who are in school? Is your best friend going away for 3 months? Keep the people you care about most in mind when choosing the date. Not only will they be thankful, but you will be too when more of your loved ones can RSVP yes!
Jason and I loved the idea of getting married on a day that was special to us, and what could be more special than our first date? Since we had our first date at the beginning of September, and we both wanted an outdoor wedding and LOVE summer, it was a perfect fit! We checked the date in our preferred year (about 15 months after our engagement to give us time to save!) and it fell on a Sunday. Absolutely ideal for our dream brunch wedding! I hope that these tips help you and your partner find your perfect wedding date, and wish you all the best with the exciting changes to come :)
Until next time,
How did you choose YOUR wedding date? I'd love to hear about it! Let me know in the comments below. Don't forget to subscribe to the Plant Based Bride newsletter for updates on new posts about wedding planning! Scroll down to find the form below the comments section!
