Simple Maternity Capsule Wardrobe

It’s been a while since I’ve been on the blog! Thank you for sticking around.

I’m currently just over 30 weeks pregnant and I wanted to share how my simple maternity capsule wardrobe has been holding up for the past month. I curated this capsule back at the beginning of May. If you haven't watched that video yet, I would love for you to check it out on my YouTube channel. I’ll leave a link below!

This capsule is full of oversized dresses, comfortable jumpsuits, and billowy tops, almost all of which previously existed in my wardrobe. I’ve been really impressed with how versatile this capsule has been in adapting and changing with my growing body. I have grown out of some pieces at this point in my pregnancy, but the majority of this capsule is still going strong. I love all the fun colours and oversized silhouettes of a lot of the pieces.

A few thoughts

what I’m doing with pieces I’ve grown out of

For the pieces that don’t fit at the moment, I’ve passed them onto family and friends to wear for this season and once I can fit into them again, I can enjoy them! I love that the pieces are still getting worn even when it’s not worn by me.

maternity-specific pieces

Investing in a pair of maternity pants has been super key for me this season because although I had a lot of dresses and jumpsuits that fit, I really miss my high-waisted denim and black trousers. Those were key staples that I lived in before pregnancy. Simply having a pair of black joggers has allowed me to feel a lot more like myself even though my body has been going through a lot of changes.

versatility

I’m honestly really impressed with how versatile this small capsule has been so far. I even completed a #5x5ByFriends capsule wardrobe challenge with five of the pieces. It just takes a bit of creativity to get the most out of pieces that you already own, which is what I love the most about capsule wardrobes and shopping from your own closet. Because wearing what you have is always the most sustainable option!

a few of my favourite maternity looks

Jumpsuit by Tradlands
Cream Cardigan by Tradlands
Sneakers by Veja

Black Dress by ABLE - CANDICE20 for 20% off
Wrap Top by Vetta
Flats by Everlane

Black Jumpsuit by Boob Design

Black Linen Top by Power of my People
Black Joggers by Storq

Navy Jumpsuit by Curator SF
Grey Tank by FRANC

Striped blue top by Laude the Label
Black Joggers by Storq
Sandals by ABLE - CANDICE20 for 20% off

I hope you’ve enjoyed this mini recap of my maternity capsule, I’ll be in these pieces for about two more months! After that, we’ll see what happens!

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This post is not sponsored but may contain some gifted items and affiliate links. If you decide to shop through the links above, I may make a small commission that helps support this blog and other social platforms. I only share products and brands I love and support. All opinions are my own.

Thank you for supporting Candice Tay!

Small Business Winter Gift Guide

I’ve always loved supporting small brands, creators, and artisans and this year in particular I think it’s more important now than ever to shop small and support independent businesses where we can. There’s a time and place for the big box stores and I’m definitely all about balance and the process, however, I’d love to encourage you to shop small this season. I’ve curated a list of small businesses that I’ve been admiring from afar or have tried and or worked with in the past. I also tried to feature as many Canadian businesses as possible because I always love supporting local where I can. This is a seasonal guide for smaller, more “gift-able” items that I hope you can spoil yourself or your loved ones with this season.

Take a peek, stay a while and let me know your favourite small businesses and independent creators! I’d love to learn about them!

for a bit of sparkle

For yourself, a dear friend, or that special someone, here are some of my favourite jewellery brands to add a bit of sparkle.

Circle Hoop Jacket + Trois Huggie Studs by Jewels & Aces

Cadette Jewelry - Canadian brand, Woman-owned, $$$

Allison Asis is the creator behind Cadette Jewelry. The designs are very artistic, contemporary and unique, and I especially appreciate that the pieces are handmade locally in Toronto. Cadette Jewelry also partners with the non-profit organization One Tree Planted, and with every purchase a tree is planted to help support reforestation in Canada and the United States.

Soft and Sticky - Canadian brand, Woman-owned, $$

I had the pleasure of meeting designer Angie on set for one of my earliest brand partnerships about two years ago. She has since started her own little adventure, Soft and Sticky, creating fun, playful jewelry designed to be worn for everyday life. The pieces are also handmade with love in Toronto with precious metals.

Jewels & Aces - Canadian brand, Woman-owned, $$$

If you’ve followed along for a while, you’ll most likely have heard me talk about Jewels & Aces. Jewels & Aces is very dear to me because they were my first ever brand collaboration. The founder and designed, Grace is such a lovely soul and I’ve had the pleasure of chatting with her a few times over the past few years. Jewels & Aces introduces the unique concept of an earring capsule, similar to the clothing capsule wardrobe. If you’re a minimalist or looking to invest in a few solid pieces, I highly recommend Jewels & Aces. The fun capsules allow you to mix and match pieces and also pair new pieces with old ones you already own. See this video for some of my favourite earring combinations.

GLDN - Woman-owned, $-$$$

GLDN is a newer brand to me but is one that I’ve been admiring from afar for a while. They are all about adding the personal touch to delicate jewelry pieces are passionate about giving back. They have participated in tons of partnerships in the past and donated to many great causes. You can read more about their initiatives here.

the gift of warm cozies

Knitwear is one of my favourite gifts to give during the winter season because it is practical and I love the often handmade feel to a lovely knit sweater. I mean, who doesn’t love snuggling up on the couch with a cozy warm sweater and a hot drink?

Bare Knitwear - Canadian Brand, Woman-owned, $$$

First up we have Bare Knitwear, a small Canadian brand I worked with this past Spring. The designs are thought up with a less is more philosophy in mind and all the pieces are hand knit in slow batches by artisans in Peru. Bare Knitwear works in collaboration with local Peruvian farmers and artisans as a way to give back to the community.

James Street Co - Woman-owned, $$$

What first caught my eye about James Street Co were their fun little beanies and extremely oversized chunky knits. Chunky knits are all I want to live in during the winter and I think James Street Co does them so well. Their styles are casual and effortless, perfect for everyday wear. So, if you love a good chunky knit, you definitely should check out their knitwear collection. They also have a small menswear section if that’s something you’re interested in.

Shelter Cardigan in Birch by Tradlands

Tradlands - Woman-owned, $$

Although Tradlands is not strictly a knitwear brand, they have some really lovely sweaters and they carry my favourite cardigan from my closet — the Shelter Cardigan. Their sweaters are all very classic styles and if you’re a fan of colour, they’ve got some neutrals but also tons of fun pops of colours to add to your wardrobe.

L’envers - Woman-owned, $$$

L’envers is a European brand owned by Julie. I’ve had the pleasure of chatting with Julie via Instagram and email and love her heart behind her slow fashion brand, L’envers, which translates as “opposite”. They are passionate about being the opposite of fast fashion and create slow batch, delicate hand knit sweaters in Spain.

Kotn - Canadian Brand, $-$$

I had to shoutout another Canadian brand, especially because Kotn just recently launched a knitwear collection and the pieces are so good! The styles have a very classic feel featuring warm, muted tones perfect for the Fall and Winter months. I have to mention that if you have sensitive skin, cotton knitwear might be just the answer for you. Cotton is much gentler and less itchy compared to wool, so if you’re on the hunt for a nice knit this season, I’d take a peek at Kotn! They also are passionate about giving back to the community that their cotton is grown from with various social projects like building schools to provide education to those who don’t have access to it. You can learn more about their amazing social and environmental initiatives here.

for those who love trinkets & home design

JT and I have recently moved into a new home and have been doing tons of online furniture browsing. If you’re anything like me and LOVE interior design and browsing home goods stores, this is going to be a fun section for you!

Common Goods Studio - Canadian Brand, $$

Common Goods Studio makes the cutest ceramic cups and flower vases which are all locally made here in Toronto. Their pieces are minimal and functional often featuring neutral colour tones. Fun fact is that they supply the cups for our good friends’ coffee shop in Toronto - Lion Coffee. Another great local business to support!

Pinto Projects - Woman-owned, Canadian Brand, $$

A more recent find has been Pinto Projects. All the ceramics are handmade by Emmalee over on the beautiful West Coast of Canada. Her pieces have a minimal, modern aesthetic and often feature a fun handle (my favourite part of her pieces)! A personal pick of mine are the cute little espresso cups with a fun speckled detail.

Newly - $-$$

Newly is the perfect place to look for sustainably made home goods. They are a certified B-corp company and all of their products are made with 100% recycled or repurposed materials.

Kroft Studio - Canadian Brand, $$-$$$

Kroft Studio carries the most beautiful, handcrafted pieces all made locally in Toronto! The designs are minimal, yet functional and add a unique touch to any space. I love the subtlety of the designs and the way they light up simple spaces.

June Home Supply - Canadian Brand, $-$$$

I’ve been a long time admirer of this stunningly curated home goods store located in Winnipeg, Canada. All the pieces they carry look like they came straight out of a Kinfolk magazine. They carry a wide range of items from small trinkets, every day kitchen/bath products, to seasonal items. Basically a one stop shop for aesthetic home pieces.

Goodee - $$$

Another curated store, Goodee focuses on empowering makers and creators from across the globe. They carry a wide range of homewares and lifestyle products from small items to larger furniture pieces. I love that they are passionate about caring for people and the earth and it’s evident in the carefully curated marketplace of items.

low waste kick starters

Of course I had to include a few of my favourite zero waste swaps. These small items are perfect for gifting and are great for anyone interested in making some simple swaps!

Small Food Wrap by Abeego

Abeego, Woman-owned Canadian Brand, $

Say “bye bye” to plastic wrap which Abeego wraps! I’m a huge fan of beeswax wraps and have not had plastic wrap in my house for over two years. There are so many wonderful alternatives to storing leftover food items, but I think beeswax wraps are my favourite. Abeego is my favourite brand because they carry a wide variety of sizes for different foods and I also find them a little more durable than some other brands I’ve tried.

Ten and Co - Woman-owned, Canadian Brand, $

I wanted to shoutout this wonderful brand and in particular spotlight their sponge cloths. I’m a huge advocate for sponge cloths because they are SUPER absorbent, pretty to look at, and they are biodegradable at the end of its life. I’ve tested out a variety of sponge cloths and I’ve found that Ten and Co have the strongest, most long-lasting cloths.

Stasher Bag, Woman-owned, $

Stashers were one of the first zero waste swaps that I purchased back when I began researching low waste living. I loved the idea of replacing single use sandwich bags with reusable ones. I still have the ones I bought a few years back and have since also purchased larger ones for freezing and marinating food! They come in a wide range of fun colours and sizes, so have a browse and maybe you’ll find something to fit your lifestyle!

Nixit, Woman-owned, Canadian Brand, $$

I was gifted a Nixit cup a while back and have been testing it out for a couple of cycles now. I wanted to feature it because it has been such a handy menstrual cup and is very comfortable and also, no more leaks! If you’re interested in trying out a period cup or haven’t found one that best fits your body, I highly recommend trying out the Nixit cup. And if you’re not sure what I’m talking about, you can check out this blog post all about how I transitioned to a zero waste period.

Baggu, $-$$

This is probably the simplest swap you can start with. A reusable bag! I personally love Baggu’s reusable bags because they are super handy when I’m out and about at the grocery store or just out at a shop. They fold really flat and fit into pretty much all of my purses. There are tons of patterns and colours so I’m sure you’ll find one to suit your style.

for some r&r

For those who need some R&R. This section features some wonderful self-care brands and of course candles to set up the cozy mood.

Forma Oleum Face Oil - Eluo

Well Kept - Woman-owned, Canadian Brand, $$

Make bath time relaxing and sustainable with Well Kept. I recently switched over to their safety razor and although it was intimidating at first, I haven’t looked back. No more disposable razors! They also carry a small line of sustainable shower and bath accessories like shave oil/soap, agave exfoliating cloths, and soaking salts. The perfect gifts for a relaxing night in.

Eluo - Woman-owned, Canadian Brand, $$

Eluo has a simple collection of face masks created to elevate the daily skincare routine. The masking ritual is so relaxing and is definitely a nice treat at the end of a long day. Another plus is that all the ingredients are plant-based and very gentle on the skin (even on my sensitive skin!). They recently launched a nourishing face oil which has been so helpful for my skin as the weather has gotten colder.

Nautana Co - Canadian brand, $

These candles are hand poured with love locally in Toronto! I’m always on the hunt for a good candle, especially during the Fall and Winter months. They just make my space so much more cozy! Nautana Co is a more recent find and they have the perfect candles for a night of self-care at home.

Milk Jar Candle Co - Canadian brand, $

To finish off this R&R section is Milk Jar Candle Co! What caught my eye about them was the cute little milk carton illustration on their candles. I love that they have a fun milk jar return program. When you’ve finished a candle, you can return the jar and they repurpose it! It’s such a great way to reduce waste and lower their environmental footprint as a company.

I hope you enjoyed this small business gift guide and maybe it’s given you some ideas for this upcoming holiday season. I know there will be tons of sales going on, and who doesn’t love a good sale, but I also wanted to highlight some really awesome creators and brands. Let me know if you discovered any new brands or gift ideas through this guide and I hope I’ve inspired you to shop small and local!

Maybe I’ll make another guide? If you liked this, let me know if there are any other categories you’d like to learn more about.

For now, happy Friday and have a great weekend!

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This post is not sponsored but may contain some gifted items and affiliate links. If you decide to shop through the links above, I may make a small commission that helps support this blog and other social platforms. I only share products and brands I love and support. All opinions are my own.

Thank you for supporting Candice Tay!

Styling Spring Knits

It’s finally Spring here in Toronto but if you’ve ever lived in Canada, you know how the weather can take you for a rollercoaster ride during the Springtime. As I’ve slowly transitioned my winter wardrobe into my spring wardrobe, I’ve made sure to include a few lightweight knits for chilly Spring days and cool Summer evenings. If you’re curious how to style knitwear for Spring, keep reading on!

I’m also extremely excited to be partnering with a Canadian slow fashion brand, that I’ve admired for a long time, to bring you today’s styling post. I’ll be sharing three styles from their collection that are absolutely perfect for this transitional weather but also make great layering pieces throughout all seasons. If you’ve been looking to invest in high-quality knitwear staples for your closet, Bare Knitwear is definitely a brand to consider. I’ve also got a limited time exclusive discount code for my readers - see more below!

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Partnership Disclosure: This post is produced in collaboration with Bare Knitwear and the Bare Knitwear pieces shown in this post were gifted or loaned as part of this partnership. I earn a small commission (at no additional cost to you) on all sales made with the exclusive code CANDICE10, valid from April 30th - May 14th.

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About The Brand

Before we get to styling, I wanted to share more about Bare Knitwear because they are doing amazing things. (Scroll on down if you want to hop to the styling first!) I recently met founder Kelsey Adair via email and really admire her passion for creating change in the fashion industry through her brand. Bare Knitwear is created in slow batch collections, which is the epitome of slow fashion! — It’s rare to see a lot of fashion brands working with this slow batch model these days. They only produce one refined collection a year, which reduces waste and eliminates excess inventory. They are also a brand committed to sustainable sourcing, working with fibres native to Peru, from suppliers who are committed to supporting local farmers. They only use dyes that have a OEKO-TEX 100 certification which ensures they comply with international standards on consumer and environmental safety — this is a huge deal! Bare Knitwear strives to empower local artisans while preserving the heritage of traditional Andean artisanal techniques. There is SO much skill required to make these pieces and each Bare Knitwear garment is handmade! Bare Knitwear’s fair trade certified garments are crafted in the Huamanga Region and employ about 150 - 300 artisans at the height of production season.

Reading more about Bare Knitwear and the process that these garments go through has made me recognize how much of an impact these pieces have. At the end of the day, it’s not just a long-lasting closet staple, it’s a hand-crafted piece of art that has helped preserve artisanal tradition and empower and promote the well-being of local Peruvian women. If you’re interested in learning more about their artisans, you can read more about Olga, a featured Bare Knitwear artisan.

Featured Pieces

These are the three garments that I’ll be walking you through today to help offer some insight into the pieces and help you make a more informed decision if you’re looking to invest in Bare Knitwear.

• Mock Neck in Natural

• Seed Stitch Henley in Olive

• Marine Cardigan in Cloud Grey

*Shop Bare Knitwear with 10% off using the exclusive code CANDICE10, valid through May 14th. (code does not apply to the sleep shirt pop up)

1 | Mock Neck

The Styling

Spring is usually a time that I like to bring in light neutrals. For this first outfit I’ve styled the mock neck in a light and bright, Spring-appropriate monochrome look. I love how the beige sweater pairs so nicely with bright white pants and a pair of tan flats. Inspired by staying at home, in the second outfit I’ve styled the mock neck with a pair of slouchy trousers for the perfect cozy, at-home outfit. This outfit is great for lounging around or running out to do errands. I love that this knit can be styled tucked in or untucked.

The Material & Fit

The Mock Neck is made of 85% Pima Cotton and 15% Baby Alpaca. The blend of cotton and alpaca wool make it so soft (not itchy at all!), yet breathable and is a great light-weight piece to wear during transitional weather. This piece has a bit of weight to it allowing the garment to slouch nicely on the body. This pullover knit features a beautiful seamless mock neck collar and small slits on each side of the garment allowing for easy movement while wearing the piece. The sweater styled untucked hits me just slightly below the hip (I’m 5’5” and I have a longer torso). The sleeves hit at the perfect length and isn’t overly long or too short.

• I’m wearing the Mock Neck in the colour natural in the size XS/S. This garment fits TTS.

• Other colours: Olive and Black

• Sizes available: XS/S, M/L, L/XL

The Design Details

This sweater is a great no-fuss, every day piece. With the neutral colour “Natural”, classic and elegant silhouette, along with its relaxed fit, this sweater is so simple to pull together an outfit and can easily be dressed up or down. This mock neck features a delicate ribbed detail all throughout the piece that adds a bit of texture to this garment. I personally love how understated this piece is with the contemporary style as well as its seamless, minimal detailing. The garment drapes beautifully on the body and I love the straight sleeves that are intentionally left un-cuffed, completing the seamless, relaxed silhouette of the garment.

Shop the mock neck in natural and use the code CANDICE10 for 10% off + free shipping over $200 (Code does not apply to the sleep shirt pop up)

2 | Seed Stitch Henley

The Styling

Next up is this classic henley! First I went for a casual, comfy style, pairing the henley with a pair of straight fit, boyfriend jeans and sneakers for the ultimate casual-chic outfit. This is another piece that can be styled tucked in for a more relaxed look. The second outfit I pulled together is another monochromatic outfit, pyjama-inspired outfit. I like to call this style “pyjama-chic”, again most likely inspired by all this staying in. Who says you can’t wear your pyjamas out?

The Material & Fit

The Seed Stitch Henley is made of 85% Pima Cotton and 15% Baby Alpaca. This garment is another lightweight piece from the collection that is incredibly soft and breathable. This is another great option for transitional weather when it’s not full on t-shirt weather but also not sweater weather. This piece, though made of the same fibres as the mock neck, a little more lightweight. It features a high neckline and a boxy silhouette with a relaxed fit. On me, this sweater hits me just at the hip and is the perfect length for styling with all types of bottoms. Because of the slouchy fit and the lightweight material, it makes this piece really easy to tuck in and is not bulky at all. The sleeves again hit at the perfect length and isn’t overly long or too short.

• I’m wearing the Seed Stitch Henley in the colour Olive in the size XS/S. This garment fits TTS.

• Other colours: Natural and Black

• Sizes available: XS/S, M/L, L/XL

The Design Details

I really appreciate all the intentional design decisions in Bare Knitwear pieces like this seed stitching all throughout the henley. It adds just the right amount of intrigue and texture to a classic shirt. Not to mention the sturdy, wooden buttons down the top centre of the shirt and the minimal ribbing on the cuffs, collar, and the hem of the shirt. It’s a great piece to be worn on its own or layered because of the loose-fitting silhouette. The muted olive-toned colour of this garment adds a subtle pop of colour to any wardrobe and although it’s not black or white, because of its earthy hue, it pairs nicely with a variety of bottoms.

Shop the seed stitch henley in olive and use the code CANDICE10 for 10% off + free shipping over $200 (Code does not apply to the sleep shirt pop up)

3 | Marine Cardigan

The Styling

The final piece I’m styling is this incredible oversized cardigan - the Marine Cardigan. It has just the right amount of “oversized-ness” without making me feel like I’m drowning in a ton of fabric. In the first outfit, I’ve styled a simple, classic outfit with a t-shirt and a pair of straight leg jeans allowing the cardigan to shine. In outfit two I’ve paired the cardigan over top of a classic black maxi, going for an overall casual, laid-back look. This cardigan honestly doesn’t need much “styling” because the beauty of this piece really speaks for itself.

The Material & Fit

The Marine Cardigan is hand loomed and is made of 43% baby alpaca, 43% merino wool and 14% polyamide. Considering the size of this cardigan, it’s incredibly lightweight and probably the lightest piece out of the three. Although it’s lightweight, it’s also the warmest of the three pieces and I can see myself wearing this piece from the dead of Winter into mid-Spring as an extra layer on cool nights. This cardigan has an oversized fit and hits me slightly below the hip. It features a drop shoulder and airy balloon sleeves. I’m wearing the cardigan in the colour Cloud Grey, which I think is a perfectly fitting name for this soft, fluffy cardigan.

• I’m wearing the Marine Cardigan in the colour Cloud Grey in the size XS/S. This garment has an oversized fit and fits TTS.

• Other colours: Taupe

• Sizes available: XS/S, M/L, L/XL

The Design Details

The Marine Cardigan is the ultimate, staple cardigan to have in any wardrobe. It’s not only a pretty investment piece, but it’s also a practical garment complete with deep patch pockets on the front of the cardigan. It can be styled up or down and has the most beautiful billowy silhouette that leaves you feeling like you’re wrapped up in the biggest hug. I also like the attention to detail shown in the vintage, fishermen knit inspired ribbing that adds a lovely textural element to the garment.

Shop the marine cardigan in cloud grey and use the code CANDICE10 for 10% off + free shipping over $200 (Code does not apply to the sleep shirt pop up)

Concluding Thoughts

Thank you so much for reading my thoughts and joining me in learning more about Bare Knitwear. I love discovering and sharing ethical, slow fashion brands with you. Overall, if you’re looking to invest in knitwear for your closet, I would highly recommend Bare Knitwear. From the intentionality of their classic, simplistic designs combined with traditional artisanal craftsmanship, to the sustainable sourcing, to the ethical manufacturing that helps empower women, Bare Knitwear is a brand that I am so proud to be partnering with and is one who’s mission I can really get behind. Although it is a larger up front investment, these pieces are high-quality, long-lasting, and crafted with care. On a side note, now more than ever, I think it’s important to voice our opinions about slow fashion by supporting small businesses with our purchases or by simply sharing about them where you can. Bare Knitwear is produced in small batches, so if you’ve got your eye on something, I’d love to partner with you in supporting Bare Knitwear by offering the code CANDICE10 valid through May 14.

If you’re not looking to purchase something right now, I hope you’ve been inspired and encouraged by all the wonderful things that Bare Knitwear is doing and the beautiful pieces they are creating. I’m happy to have simply introduced you to a new slow fashion brand that is making a positive impact in the fashion industry.

Other Outfit Details

• Jeans, Boyish Denim (old)

• White Pants, Everlane

• Olive Trousers, Aritzia (old)

• Maxi Dress, Aritzia (old)

• White Tee, Muji (old)

• Flats, Everlane

• Sneakers, Veja

• Jewelry, Mejuri

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Thanks for stopping by! This post contains affiliate links and if you decide to make a purchase through the links above, I may make a small commission that helps support this blog and other social accounts. As always, I only share products and brands I love and support. Thank you for supporting Candice Tay!