Capsule Wardrobe 101

how to:

capsule wardrobe 101

Capsule wardrobes have been all the rage for the past few years now. Although I think they have navigated away from the original, more traditional definition of a strict number of classic, high-quality, versatile pieces, I still love the idea of capsule wardrobes and thought I’d give you my take on how to build your own capsule wardrobe. It’s definitely not the original method or the only method to build a capsule, but I hope this gives you some starting points or some ideas to tackle capsule wardrobes your own way.

But first, let’s talk about the why.

I think it’s important to consider why you want to have a capsule wardrobe before you start, or else this whole process might only be something that lasts for a few weeks, or maybe a few months. Here are a few pros and cons to consider when starting a capsule wardrobe. Maybe the following are some reasons that piqued your interest in the first place. Ultimately, we want to build a capsule wardrobe that features your favourite styles and is functional and practical for your lifestyle so that it becomes a sustainable process.

Pros:

• budget friendly

• great for small closets

• can be more environmentally friendly

• longer lasting

• easier to get ready

• bonus: may help you discover your personal style!

Cons/Challenges:

• style/trend constricting

• possibility of being less environmentally friendly (will discuss this point below)

• seasonal constrictions

Considerations…

Consider your lifestyle

Before gathering pieces for your capsule wardrobe, it’s important to know which pieces are best suited for your lifestyle. For example, I used to work in a more corporate setting, so pieces like trousers, shirts, and blazers made a lot more sense than they do now in my more casual work setting. Maybe you’re a new mum or a student. These things all affect what we choose to wear each day and what pieces we incorporate into our capsule wardrobes.

Consider your environment

Another factor that I personally found affected my capsule a lot is weather. After moving back to Canada from Sydney, I’ve found that I need a few more pieces than I did living in a warmer climate to get me through all four crazy Toronto-weather seasons. If I lived in a purely warm, sunny place, I might need fewer pieces in my capsule. So all that to say, consider your environment, and where you live when creating your capsule.

A system that works for me is having a basic, year-round core capsule that consists of pieces that are worn all seasons. Then on top of that I have a seasonal capsule for fall/winter and then one for spring/summer where I can have a bit more fun and change things up each season and include pieces that I wouldn’t necessarily wear all year round. You can read more on my core capsule here. Keep in mind, that I’m quite flexible with my wardrobe and I sometimes swap pieces from my seasonal and core capsules because I’m still figuring out which pieces I actually wear through all seasons.

Consider your personal style

What do you personally love to wear? If there are pieces you often gravitate toward, these will most likely be your capsule wardrobe staples. If you’ve been following my sustainable style journey for a while now, you’ll probably know that turtlenecks and high waisted pants are my jam. I go to these items time and time again for reasons such as comfort, practicality, and function. Take a look through your current wardrobe, I’m sure you can pick out some tried and true pieces as your capsule foundation.

Go easy on yourself!

I know traditionally, capsules are about numbers and having a certain number of pieces in your wardrobe. However, I personally think it’s fine for each individual to have a set a number or range for themselves, according to the factors that I mentioned above. In the end I’ve learned, through this process, to be intentional with my budget and what pieces I choose to invest into. It has also taught me that I need less than I think I do. I’ve also learned more about my personal style and it has invited more creativity into my wardrobe by learning to experiment with different ways to style pieces.

Let’s get started! (finally)

Wardrobe Evaluation

First, evaluate what you already own! This is SO SO important to being sustainable through this whole process. The point of a capsule is to curate a wardrobe that you love and can easily style each day that fits your lifestyle. I’m sure there are at least a few things in your wardrobe that you love to wear. So pick out a few dearly loved pieces and make sure you include those in your capsule! If there are pieces you no longer wear or are ill-fitting, declutter it sustainably! Try to repurpose the item or fabric (Tip: old t-shirts make GREAT cleaning rags). Sell it through online platforms such as BUNZ, Poshmark, or ThredUp. Donate it or gift it to someone else who loves it and would want to give it a second life.

Gather Inspiration

Next, gather style inspiration! This is such a fun part for me. I’m always so inspired by others’ style and I love to create mood boards each season on Pinterest. This not only keeps me from impulse purchases, but it also shows how my style changes from season to season - it’s like a digital style diary. I also love the “save” function on Instagram which I use often as I’m scrolling, to save inspiring outfits and styling techniques.

List It Out

Now that you’ve gathered pieces from your existing wardrobe and hunted for style inspo. It’s now time to identify wardrobe “gaps” or maybe some “wants”. Maybe there’s a particular trend that you love this season and you want to include - write it down! Maybe you’ve been on the hunt for high quality high waisted denim for a long time. Write it down! For example, this spring/summer season, I was on the lookout for some white pants and more “summer” material pieces for my capsule. Whatever wardrobe gaps you identify, make a list! Having a list in mind helps to guide your shopping so that you will be less likely to make an impulse purchase. It’s like going to the grocery store with a list rather than going to the grocery store with no list and an empty stomach!

Cape Jumpsuit (Top) by Vetta Capsule
Donna Jeans by Cheap Monday

Black Tee by Muji
The Carpenter Pant by Everlane

Shop Intentionally

Finally, it’s time to shop for those missing items. Start to keep an eye out for the items you’ve identified on your list and shop with intention. You may be wondering, “what does shopping intentionally even mean?”. That is a great question because honestly, I think shopping intentionally can mean different things to different people, depending on your WHY (see above). I can only speak for my own why, so here’s my story and how I define “shopping intentionally”. I originally began exploring capsule wardrobes because of my interest in living a more low waste life. This exploration very quickly led me to the nasty discovery of how wasteful and unethical the fast fashion industry is and this has really affected how I shop. For me, shopping intentionally means being aware of my ecological footprint by shopping sustainably and also supporting ethically-made brands where I can. As tempting as it would be to start from zero, and build my wardrobe from the ground up, I would end up leaving an even larger environmental footprint by throwing out all my existing clothing. Instead, I try to “shop my closet” as much as I can but still give myself the freedom to enjoy fashion by making purchases from ethical and sustainable companies and investing in high quality pieces that I know will get a lot of wear.

If you don’t know where to look for sustainable and ethical brands, I have a whole brand directory where I’ve been keeping track of all the brands I’ve tried or have collaborated with in the past.

Now what?

Well, if you stuck around all the way to the end, thank you so much - I really appreciate it! I hope this post was insightful and helpful if you’re looking to build your own capsule wardrobe or are just curious about all this capsule talk. It may seem a little complicated at first, but trust me, you’ll get the hang of it! I’m going to leave a few more tips below that you guys shared with me through my latest #capsuleconversations post, and hopefully they will help someone out!

Tips from you!

• try smaller capsule challenges as a start to see if the capsule wardrobe system is for you (spring 10x10, may 30x30)

• have a visual overview for your capsule wardrobe

• choose pieces based on fabrics

• have a “capsule” when travelling to test out the system

• make sure your pieces can be styled at least 3 ways before purchasing

• have fewer pieces that are patterned for simpler styling

Let’s continue the conversation below! Please let me know if you have any other questions or things I should blog about. It was already so hard to cap this post…I’m thinking there may need to be a part 2!

Do you have a capsule wardrobe? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

---

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!

Winter Layering

Winter Layering

turtleneck edition

Alright friends, I don’t think I need to reiterate again just how much I love turtlenecks. They are such staples for me throughout the fall and winter seasons. Funnily enough when I was a kid my mom used to make me wear turtlenecks underneath my T-shirts and sweaters and I hated it because most other “cool kids” didn’t wear turtlenecks. Now looking back I think mom was just a pure style genius with a side of practicality! I‘m so glad I grew out of being self-conscious (definitely not completely, still a work in progress) and worrying about what the “cool kids” wore.

These days turtlenecks are a timeless staple in my closet. I love the simple elegance and modesty they exude and I find them extremely versatile both in casual and business settings. I recently, read an article one The Good Trade, which by the way, if you haven’t checked them out yet, definitely do, about the history of turtlenecks. Give the article a read here if you’re interested in a bit of a fun history lesson! It may give a bit of an explanation to maybe why I thought it was uncool as a child haha...

Turtlenecks: The Base layer

Turtlenecks are like the Swiss army knife of my closet. Since turtlenecks are traditionally a more fitted garment, they can be worn alone and under almost anything! I find that they really transform my outfits, taking them from a casual cozy weekend to the office and then to a night out with friends. Turtlenecks are also very practical because they add a ton of warmth to an outfit, which is what my mom was doing with my childhood outfits. I love the practicality of turtlenecks especially in the winter and will often just wear a turtleneck for warmth under all my sweaters.

let’s get layering!

I like to use turtlenecks to add a pop of interest in outfits. Whether that be with a classic black turtleneck as I’ve styled below, or with a coloured turtleneck. Below I’ve layered a black turtleneck under my grey sweater, but only allowing the neck and a bit of the sleeves to peek out. I think it’s like adding borders to a picture, but instead I’ve added a thick black border to my light grey sweater, making it pop more.

Turtleneck: UNIQLO
Knit: Max Studio
Jeans: Cheap Monday (Donna)
Boots: Sorel

Another way of adding a pop of intrigue in a more obvious way is to style it under a t-shirt or some sort or a piece that has more of the turtleneck exposed. Not only does it keep you warm, it also allows you to wear summer pieces longer, making them great for transitioning between seasons. Here I’ve styled my black turtleneck under a simple shift dress over slim pants.

Turtleneck: UNIQLO
Shift Dress: Vetta Capsule
Pants: Citizens of Humanity
Boots: Frye

As I mentioned above, turtlenecks are great for a variety of settings, and I personally often wear them to work but I easily style them casually on weekends as well. This is one of the main reasons why I have included multiple turtlenecks in my core capsule, simply because they get a lot of wear. My core capsule is comprised of items that I wear often and through many seasons. It’s definitely still a work in progress and something that I’m developing as I go, but if you’re interested in learning more about my core capsule, you can read about that here in a previous blog post.

Below, I’ve styled a typical outfit I would wear to work in the winter. I’ve styled this camel cotton turtleneck under the softest grey flannel, along with a pair of classic black work trousers. To finish the look, I slipped into my black Chelsea boots and accessorized with simple understated gold jewellery for an office-appropriate look.

Turtleneck: Kotn
Flannel: Tradlands
Trousers: Oak + Fort
Boots: Frye

To further demonstrate the versatility of turtlenecks, here is a more casual outfit that you would definitely see me sporting on the weekend. This look is also one of my favourites because it incorporates two hand-me-down item/“stolen” from my parents. Here I’ve thrown an oversized denim shirt on top of my ribbed turtleneck. In this outfit, I’d be ready to catch up with friends in a cafe or run errands on the weekend.

Turtleneck: old from mom
Denim Shirt: old from dad
Trousers: Aritzia
Boots: Sorel

Last but not least! This is my take on a classic 90s-inspired look - the spaghetti strap tank layer. Maybe I’ve been watching too many Friends re-runs and am getting inspired by one, Miss Rachel Green. Does anyone else remember this iconic look? For my final turtleneck outfit, I’ve layered a similarly toned spaghetti strap blouse over my tank top, tucked into a pair of black trousers, a finished off with my black Chelsea boots This is more of a clean, feminine look - maybe an outfit for a date night!

Tank: Aritzia
Turtleneck: Muji
Trousers: Oak + Fort
Boots: Frye

Turtlenecks aren’t for me!

Well after all this turtleneck talk, maybe you still think turtlenecks aren’t for you, and that’s totally fine! If you’re still interested in trying out some of these tips, maybe opt for a mock neck top as an alternative. Mock necks have a similar silhouette except there is less fabric and height covering the neck, helping to elongate the neck. Maybe turtlenecks are too form fitting for your liking, try styling them with higher waisted bottoms or with another layer on top. This could be a whole other blog post on its own, so I won’t get too into that! If your turtlenecks are itchy, maybe opt for cotton or a soft merino wool when purchasing a turtleneck. Both of these fabrics are extremely comfortable, not to mention cozy. If you’re interested in reading more about fabrics, I discuss more on wool and cotton in my previous blog post.

Now that you know just how much more I love turtlenecks, let me know below your favourite layering tip. I’m curious if you’ve tried any of these layering tricks? Do you have any questions about styling turtlenecks for your body type? I would love to hear your thoughts!

---

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!

Core Capsule + My Winter 2018 Capsule Wardrobe

Recent thoughts & My winter capsule

a capsule wardrobe in progress

recent thoughts

Welcome to my third capsule wardrobe - my winter 2018 capsule wardrobe! This capsule has been and is still a bit of a work in progress. As you may know from my Instagram, I’ve been experimenting with capsule wardrobes since this past summer and have found some things that work for me and some aspects that don’t work as well because of various factors. Honestly during the fall I struggled to stay within my capsule and really found it to be a challenge mainly because of weather, transition into a corporate lifestyle, as well as just adjusting to Canadian winters again after living in Sydney for a while. I can’t handle these winters as well as I used to be able to, but not to worry, I’m slowly getting more adjusted! I started a hashtag #capsuleconversations to hear more of your thoughts and see where others may be at with their capsule wardrobes. Some other challenge areas with capsule wardrobes that others have mentioned were about feeling limited by rules and numbers, not being able to define and express their style through a capsule, and capsules not fitting in with different areas of life. I completely hear you all on these challenges and am trying to find a way to balance these problem areas and tweak the capsule method to make it work for me and my lifestyle.

the core capsule concept

A new method I will be testing out this season is more of a fluid capsule built around a core capsule. This is not some new ground breaking method, but I hope to share my thoughts with you as I experiment. I thought of creating a core capsule that is solely comprised of the basics. It’s like the skeleton of my wardrobe. I took a look back at the past seasons and pinpointed the pieces I gravitated to a lot or just simply got a ton of wear out of. I decided that those pieces were probably my most well-loved garments and made the most sense to be the “skeleton” if I’m finding use for them all year round, while living in a country that has four distinct seasons.

You may be wondering, “why the core capsule?”. What sets it apart from the regular capsule wardrobe? There are multiple reasons that led me to this method, but I realized that the main reason why I gravitated to this method of curating my capsule wardrobe was to tackle the challenge of adapting it to my lifestyle. I’m so thankful for all the wonderful conversations that were shared on #capsuleconversations over on Instagram and I realized that many of us struggle with capsule wardrobes because it simply did not fit certain areas of our life. Specifically for me, I found it hard to incorporate trend pieces, style around the weather, and style around my corporate and weekend life. I’m hoping that the core capsule will help me curate seasonal capsules that allow me to work around some of those challenges. Now, enough about the what, let’s get into the how!

what’s in my core capsule

As of now, I have a total of 17 pieces in my core capsule. Since I’m still experimenting, I may change swap items in and out as I live through this capsule. I gave myself a flexible range of about 15-20 pieces for the core capsule. Remember, numbers and boundaries don’t have to stop you from curating your own capsule! For me, it just helps to have a bit of a guideline.

Bottoms:

• Navy Skinny Jeans

• Black Skinny Jeans

• Black Trousers

• Cheap Monday Donna Jeans

• Olive Trousers

Tops:

• White Camisole

• Black Tank Top

• White T-shirt

• Black T-shirt

• Navy Shirt Dress

• White Linen Shirt

• Denim Shirt

• Oversized Grey Cardigan

• Long Navy Blazer

• Black Turtleneck

• Grey Turtleneck

• Cream Turtleneck

core pieces explained

I tried to choose the most versatile and well-loved pieces to put into my core capsule. The selected pieces are great for layering under, layering on top of other garments, and can be styled up or down. Most of the pieces can also be worn in various seasons and make excellent transitional items. These are basically the essentials of your wardrobe and you could pack this wardrobe with you anywhere and feel comfortable and ready for different seasons and events.

Seasonal capsule wardrobe

Now to the seasonal capsules! The seasonal capsules are great for having fun with your wardrobe by including trend pieces, lifestyle pieces, and of course, incorporating seasonal items. For my seasonal winter capsule, I took a look through my stored items and pulled out my cozy, chunky knits, cardigans, and my pair of wool pants. I always recommend curating from your own closet to #createtorenew first. Doing so allows you to use what you have and also see the gaps that are in your wardrobe, allowing you to bring new pieces into your wardrobe!

curate from your closet

make space for new items

Being a fashion lover while also trying to be more sustainable can be a bit of a balance sometimes. Fashion in itself is a wasteful industry, but at the same time, I believe I am free to enjoy this beautiful art form and have fun doing so. I think capsule wardrobes are great for helping us to enjoy fashion, while being intentional with the whole process of shopping or thrifting. With that being said, since I’ve started sharing my journey online, I am privileged to get the opportunity to collaborate with brands and try sustainable and ethical garments to share with you all. I honestly only choose to work with brands I believe in and have looked into. Since I have this wonderful opportunity, I decided to fill the gaps in my seasonal capsule or try trendy pieces from new ethical and sustainable brands.

whats in my seasonal winter capsule

For the seasonal capsule, I set the same boundary of about 15-20 additional pieces, meaning my complete winter capsule including my core capsule would be about 30-40 pieces. I want to stress again, that if you aren’t about numbers and boundaries, feel free to ignore these guidelines. Setting a boundary for pieces I bring into my wardrobe helps me to intentionally consider products and brands, as well as make sure I really love a piece before including it in my seasonal capsule. Below I have listed the items included from things I currently own and a list of new ethical and sustainable pieces. I’ve linked all the ethical and sustainable pieces in case you were looking to add some new items to your capsule this season!

Curated from my closet

• Black Wool Pants

• Grey Light-weight Knit

• Heather Grey Knit

• Grey Chunk Turtleneck Knit

• Olive Knit

• Grey Chunky Knit

• Navy Turtleneck Knit

• Black Cardigan

• Oatmeal Turtleneck

• Kotn Fitted Turtleneck in Camel

• Tradlands Grey Reyes Flannel

Newly curated

• Everlane Cashmere Waffle Square Crew

• Everlane Cashmere Crew

• Everlane Cashmere Square V-neck Cardigan

• SKYE Wide-leg Wool Pants

Everlane Cashmere Crew

I love the Oatmeal colour in this cashmere crewneck sweater. This piece is super light-weight and great as a layering garment for the winter. It’s another one of those timeless pieces that will last many years. I also specifically chose a lighter colour to brighten up my winter capsule.

Everlane Cashmere Waffle Square Crew

I am absolutely stoked about the Everlane Cashmere collection! All the pieces are actually as soft as they look. I chose this classic, over-sized black cashmere crew knit to add to my winter capsule this season because I know that this is a style for me that will last years. I love the boxy fit of it that can worn comfortably with jeans or styled up for work.

SKYE Wide-leg Wool Pants

I have been on the lookout for a pair of wool wide-leg pants for a while now and these are just the perfect piece to bring into my seasonal capsule. These can definitely be dressed up or down. SKYE makes beautifully unique garments and these pants are one of my favourites from their collection.

Everlane Cashmere Square V-neck Cardigan

This cozy cashmere cardigan is seriously like wearing a warm hug. Again, I really love a boxy fit and this cardigan is definitely that. It’s great to wear with all the buttons down up like a pullover “sweater” or undone as a cardigan.

I hope this post insightful and helpful for you as you work on your own capsule wardrobes. Please join in the #capsuleconversations over on my instagram @candicemtay. I’d love to hear your thoughts and read all about how you are tackling this capsule wardrobe concept. Have a great Christmas and enjoy your holiday season! P.S. stay tuned for another conversation about capsule storage.

---

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!