capsulewardrobe

SS/20 Inspiration & Transitioning My Wardrobe /  by Candice Tay

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SS/20 Inspiration & Transitioning My Wardrobe

With each season, comes new excitement for me. Fall and Winter means cozy knitwear and turtlenecks. Spring and summer mean breezy linen pants and not having to wear a huge puffy jacket whenever I step outside the house. I’m definitely a summer person — I love the longer, bright sunny days that come with Spring and Summer but I have also loved the time spent in the Fall and Winter. I think that having a curated collection of clothing that I love has helped me to love my wardrobe and also be excited about it when those seasons roll around again. This post is all about saying goodbye (for now) to my Fall/Winter wardrobe and exploring what I’m inspired by for Spring and Summer.

Each year I create two wardrobe inspiration boards on Pinterest. One for my Fall/Winter inspo and the other for my Spring/Summer inspo. If you’re interested in taking a peek at some of the styles and colours I’m loving so far, you can check out my Pinterest board here. As I’ve started doing this for the past couple of years, it’s interesting to see how my style evolves and at the same time pretty much stays the same. As I’ve gotten older, I think I’ve finally discovered my “style” and what I love to wear. I see that in the similar pins that repeat through my inspiration boards from season to season.

SS/20 Inspiration

It’s hard to fit my entire Pinterest board in one blog post, but I’ll share a little screen shot of it here so you can get the general gist of it. It actually looks quite similar to my board from last Spring/Summer.

SS20 Inspo

Styles

This season I’m really loving boxy shaped tank tops with more of a square fit. I’m seeing a lot of those pins on my board. In the Spring, in particular, I love to wear button ups. They’re great as an extra layering piece during cooler evenings, as a cover-up on the beach, or just worn casually on its own. I’m also feeling really inspired by wrap-style tops and dresses this season. I’m not sure what it is about the look, but I really like the laid-back, beach-y feel of a wrap top or dress. I’ve still got the staples in there like denim, straight let trousers, and crisp t-shirts. loving

Colours/Patterns

Colour wise, I clearly can’t get enough of the creams and whites. It’s just what I love to wear during warmer seasons. Except I have to be extra careful because I’m so clumsy! I’m feeling quite inspired by pops of earth-toned shades this season as well. I love the warmth of mauve and olive but also the coolness of baby blue.

I’ve never been a patterns kind of girl because I just like to keep it simple. However, the past year or two I’ve been really drawn to line art. It’s so simple, yet beautiful, and I think my love for framed line art has seeped into my inspiration for my wardrobe too. I think simple line patterns are so cute and would love to try something with some pattern on it this season. I also pinned a polka dot dress, not sure where that came from, but we’ll see where that pattern takes me!

Materials

I’ve always been drawn to linen, especially in the summer. It’s clear that it’s still my fabric of choice, just by looking at my inspiration photos. I think you’ll be seeing a lot of linen and cotton in my SS20 wardrobe. After looking through my inspiration photos, I can’t wait to unpack my capsule from last season and bring back some of my favourites.

What about you?

I hope you enjoyed this walk through of my Pinterest inspiration board and just my thoughts on what’s inspiring my Spring/Summer capsule this season.

What are some things that are inspiring you this season?

What styles are you loving and hoping to bring into your wardrobe?

If you’re curious how I transition my wardrobe each season, watch the video down below where I share just exactly how I transition my fall/winter wardrobe into my spring/summer wardrobe. It’s a great stay-at-home activity to do to get your spring cleaning kick-started!

This post is not sponsored and does not contain gifted items or affiliate links. I only share products and brands I love and support. All opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting Candice Tay!

 

5 Transitional Weather Outfits to Carry you into Fall /  by Candice Tay

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5 Transitional Weather Outfits to Carry You Into Fall

a weekly roundup

It’s officially that time of the year again, when the air is brisk and I start to crave all things cozy, snuggly, and warm. Yup, it’s sweater weather! Along with sweater weather comes transitional weather. It can be tricky to dress for transitional weather to make sure we’re staying warm but also not burning in the heat of what’s left of summer. This week was just the week for transitional outfits — complete with chilly mornings and evenings, summer-like afternoons, and sprinkles of rainy days. Let’s hop into my week in transitional outfits!

Monday

Monday's look was classic and hassle-free. You can’t get more classic than an oversized denim jacket and a pair of Chucks. This is a simple look that I often find myself sporting. It’s definitely one to try out if you have a capsule wardrobe. I’m sure you have similar items in your wardrobe that you can use to recreate this look. A denim jacket is the perfect transitional weather piece that is great as a light layer for those chilly mornings.

Tuesday

Rainy day? No problem! On Tuesday I sported an all-black outfit from head to toe while bringing in a bit of fall colour with this fuzzy fleece jacket. I also brought out my trusty rain boots as I prepare for some wet fall days this season. These rain boots are practical, stylish and the get the job done of keeping my feet warm during my every day adventures!

*CANDICE10OFF for 10% off Alice + Whittles ends Sept 27!

Wednesday

Lately I’ve been pinning classic white button-ups all over my Pinterest board. I’ve been feeling very inspired by this classic, laidback style. I particularly love the oversized fit of this white shirt paired over some black skinny jeans. A thin button-up like this is great for those fall days that don’t quite feel like fall yet. I completed this look with a pair of mules that I think just go so well with a simple outfit. These mules add a nice splash of colour while staying true to my earthy, neutral colour palette.

Thursday

Jumpsuit: Tradlands | Converse

Jumpsuit: Tradlands | Converse

This outfit was very heavily inspired by fall tones and all things fall. The pumpkin-y coloured pants along with a light, cream coloured sweater made for the perfect pumpkin spice latte combination! I’m actually not a fan of the drink itself and am more of a straight up coffee kind of person, but I was definitely inspired by the colours. This outfit was also a bit of an experiment with a sweater over a jumpsuit. This is a simple way to bring spring/summer pieces into your fall wardrobe. I paired a cotton knit over top of the light, airy jumpsuit to offer some warmth and make the outfit more appropriate for fall.

Friday

For Friday I decided to go for a comfy, casual Friday outfit that is the perfect transition from summer to fall. It’s playing with the same idea of using a summer jumpsuit and making it more fall appropriate. This time, instead of on top of the jumpsuit, I’m playing with layering underneath. I paired a thin long-sleeve shirt under this jumpsuit for some added warmth. Depending on your jumpsuit, you could also experiment with layering a thicker knit underneath for an even chillier day. I completed the look with a pair of slip-ons for total comfort!

I hope you enjoyed following along with my transitional outfits this week. Have any of them inspired you to get creative with your wardrobe? Is there a style you’re excited to experiment with? Let me know below!

This post is not sponsored but contains some gifted items and affiliate links. If you decide to shop through the links above, I make a small commission that helps support this blog and my Instagram. I only share products and brands I love and support. All opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting Candice Tay!

 

Read this when you want to invest in a shirt. /  by Candice Tay

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Read this when you want to invest in a shirt.

Lately, I’ve been trying to scale back my collaborations and focus more on the partners with whom I have a working relationship. All this thinking got me to the idea of wanting to write more posts that help you make informed decisions when it comes to making investment purchases for your closet. There are so many details to consider especially when you’re making online purchases.

In this post, I'll be sharing my thoughts on 5 button-ups that I own. We'll cover everything from fit and cutting, breathability, material, overall quality, and price point.

My sizing for reference: Height: 5’5, Hips: 34, Waist: 26, Bust: 31, my typical size is 00-0 or XS-S

Ready to hop in? Let's get started!

1 — Everlane Silky Cotton Oversized Shirt

First up is this recent launch from Everlane, the Silky Cotton Oversized Shirt. I had been looking for a classic oversized, cotton button-up for a while and this one definitely helped fill that gap. Upon first wearing it, I loved the oversized fit and the breathability of the material, though that does affect the sheerness of the shirt. The price point of the shirt is $60 USD. I think this shirt sits at a pretty standard shirt price point. This shirt is 100% cotton so although it wrinkles, it does not wrinkle as much as a linen shirt would. The feel of the shirt is very silky, as the name suggests, and soft on the skin. It has a one large pocket over the left side of the chest and has standard white buttons that create a seamless look. The silhouette of this shirt is very relaxed and casual and I love it styled tucked or untucked.

TTS? - Yes, I’m wearing a size 0 in the colour Off-White.
Manufactured in Shenzhen, China
Recommendations: This shirt is one of the more budget friendly options, sitting at $60 USD (if you’re Canadian, look at my recommendations for shirt #5). I’m in love with the oversized fit of this shirt and definitely think it’s a great option if you’re just starting to explore capsule wardrobes and wanted to invest in a classic wardrobe piece. It’s versatile and can be worn in various different settings.

2 — Curator SF Work Shirt

Next up, the Work Shirt in Blue Cloud from Curator SF. I have been a long time fan of Curator SF since I started exploring sustainable and ethical fashion. When they reached out a few months ago to partner up, I was ecstatic! That’s also when I was introduced to the this shirt. This shirt has a relaxed, casual feel and is made with a very sturdy material. Out of all the shirts I’ve reviewed, this one is definitely heftier and what I like to call “wrinkle-friendly”. It is 100% cotton so it also does not wrinkle as much as a linen shirt, but when it wrinkles it looks “lived in” rather than wrinkly. The Work Shirt is made with a bit of a thicker material so it is not sheer at all. Some noted special features of this shirt are the large, metal buttons and deep side pockets that are hidden along the seam of the shirt. The price point of this shirt is $132 USD, which is a higher price point, but is justifiable in how the company pays fair wages and chooses to keep its production local in one of the most expensive states while supporting their economy (I will explain more in another post — stay tuned!).

TTS? - Yes, I’m wearing a size XS in the colour Blue Cloud.
Manufactured in San Francisco, USA
Recommendations: This is your go-to if you’re passionate about supporting small, locally made businesses. It’s also a heavier material than the Everlane shirt so it’s great for cooler climates and seasons. I can see myself styling this from now through Fall and will probably only really retire it in the dead of winter.

3 — Tradlands 101 Martine Cameo Tencel

This 101 Martine Cameo shirt has been a closet favourite throughout the summer season. It has a classic fit and has similar features to the Everlane shirt such as the large pocket on the left side of the chest. This shirt isn’t wrinkle-free, but the Tencel-linen (77% Tencel, 23% Linen) blend fabric is great for people who can’t be bothered steaming out their shirts. I’d say this is a pretty standard shirt, and the only thing I noticed was that the sleeves are a bit longer than the usual cutting of the others, but this honestly doesn’t bother me. I personally love to style this one tucked into some high waisted jeans. The price point of this shirt is $167 USD.

TTS? - Yes, I’m wearing a size XXS.
Manufactured in China
Recommendations: If you’re looking for a classic, durable shirt from a small ethical American business, check out Tradlands for staple wardrobe pieces. This specific shirt also comes in a luxurious black Tencel material if you’re looking to invest in a more neutral coloured piece.

4 — Power of my People Philosopher Shirt

Of course I had to sneak in a few Canadian brands for you! It’s always a treat to discover Canadian-made brands and I’d be lying if I said they didn’t hold a special place in my heart. Power of my People is a Canadian brand based in British Columbia. They are truly the “shirt people” — the entire collection is filled with women’s and men’s shirts. It’s most definitely a brand to explore if you’re looking to invest in a shirt. The Philosopher Shirt is a 100% linen shirt and is perfect for summer and spring. It’s breathable, lightweight and has a casual oversized fit. Since it is a linen material, it can be a little bit sheer. However, since I have it in black, it’s actually quite opaque. I especially love the two giant pockets on the front, not the mention a little pen holder pocket! It has black buttons down the front that creates a very seamless, monochromatic look. The price point of this shirt is $165 CAD

TTS? - I have it in an XS (the Wayward Fit) and found my shirt to be a bit larger than expected, so I would recommend sizing down in this particular fit.
Manufactured in Richmond, British Columbia
Recommendations: If you want to support a Canadian-made brand, Power of my People is a clear winner. All of their clothing is made with high quality, natural fibres like cotton and linen, so if you’re trying to avoid synthetics, I’d take a peek here!

5 — KOTN Essential Shirt

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Last but most definitely not least, is another amazing Canadian brand based right here in Toronto, Canada. The thing that sets Kotn apart from other brands is their undeniable efforts of authenticity with their consumers in revealing their traceability. This brand is all about transparency in their supply chains and it’s very evident in all their collections and new launches. The Essential Shirt is from their new “Wovens Launch”. It features the softest lightweight twill material that’s 100% Egyptian cotton. The twill material gives the shirt a very subtle woven texture, which I really love. Although this is a white shirt, I did not find the material to be see-through. Some other features to note would be the pleated cuffs and the tasteful faux horn buttons that run along the front of the shirt and on the cuffs. The fit is pretty standard and classic, and I also noticed there are darts on the side of the shirt over the chest which give it a more tailored look. The price point of this shirt is $75 CAD.

TTS? - Yes, I’m wearing a size 0 in the colour Alabaster.
Manufactured in Egypt
Recommendations: This shirt is a great option for you if you care a lot about traceability and ethics of where your clothes are made. Kotn also puts 1% of every sale along with other additional revenue towards funding schools in their very own farming communities. This shirt combines great quality, fit, and ethics all in one!

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You’ve made it to the end! I hope you enjoyed this review and found it helpful. After reviewing these shirts in more detail, I noticed small differences and things that made each shirt or company unique. I would recommend using this review as a guideline when you’re looking to invest in a shirt that works for you; whether that be based on quality, fit, materials, company ethics, price point, or where it’s manufactured! There are a multitude of factors to consider when you’re investing in slow fashion, so I hope this is a helpful guide as a starting point.

This post is not sponsored but contains some gifted items and affiliate links. If you decide to shop through the links above, I make a small commission that helps support this blog. I only share products and brands I love and support. All opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting Candice Tay!