How to save without compromising fashion!
As a woman and self-proclaimed “girl’s girl”, my lack of fashion savvy can be frustrating. I know; the struggle is real!
On my best days, I struggle to put outfits together. Color coordinating is not my thing, and I have no idea which colors complement each other. Are skinny jeans still a thing? I don’t know. I wouldn’t know how to wrap a scarf to save my life.
The morning rush and the fashion rut
Every morning when I’m faced with “what to wear,” I cringe at having to decide on an outfit and always end up choosing the same pieces. If I could wear jeans and a graphic tee every day, I would be happy. Add a boyfriend blazer and I’m good to go. However, my job requires a business casual dress code, and so I mostly stick to trousers, blouses, button-down shirts and heels (low heels, that is).
Many a day, technology is what saves me. Pinterest is an amazing tool for outfit ideas. When I’m not sure what goes well with what, I search it on Pinterest. Not too long ago, when colored denim was a thing (is it still?), I purchased the prettiest shade of jewel-tone green skinny jeans. It was just before the holidays and I was inspired to wear green. Once I got home, it hit me like a ton of bricks — I had no idea which top to pair my jeans with. I searched for “green skinny jeans outfit ideas” and in seconds I had dozens of looks to choose from. Winner!
Working mom on a budget
But as a working mommy who doesn’t have time to spare on busy mornings, I’m always looking for practical ways to make my morning routine a breeze. What do most women want? We want pretty clothes that look good, feel good and, most importantly, are easy on the bank account.
After kids, my priorities shifted.
I must admit, during my younger years, I truly enjoyed shopping; it was the thrill of finding the perfect jeans, the trendy shoes or the killer accessories. Nowadays, I get more excited about my latte in the morning than solo trips to the store. As a result, outfits get repetitive and boring.
And so, to break this cycle, I’ve decided to dabble in minimalism! My goal is twofold: (1) Simplify my morning routine and (2) Spend less $$ on fashion. Who’s with me?
The first thing I’ve decided to do is build a wardrobe capsule, which is something I’ve been wanting to try for a while after seeing it on social media. This means choosing a specific number of pieces for each season. Apparently, many experienced wardrobe capsule enthusiasts suggest 37 items, not including accessories, pajamas, or workout attire. It will be important to choose mostly basic, versatile tops and bottoms that can easily be worn in multiple combinations.
So, if you’re trying this at home, make sure to choose items that you will be comfortable sporting. For example, I don’t do crop tops! Nonetheless, be open-minded and don’t be afraid to try new styles and patterns.
My capsule wardrobe for spring:
- White tee
- Graphic tee
- Tank top
- Button-down blouse
- Cardigan
- Blue jeans
- Dress
- Skirt
- Slacks
- Denim jacket
- Faux leather jacket
- Flats
- Booties
- Heels
- Sandals
- Tennis shoes
The idea is to wear only these pieces for a season, or 3 months, without shopping or minimal shopping during that time. Pick a color scheme that matches your unique personality and style, but that complements the season as well.
After the three months, you’ll pick new pieces to add to the rotation. Some of the items can roll over into the new season, and so the idea is to purchase as the least as possible. Imagine the possibilities, and, best of all, less spending and less stress getting dressed in the morning. I’m down!
Where to start?
A good place to start is to pick a day to take everything out of your closet and clothing drawers. Pull everything out so you’ll know exactly what you have in inventory. Next, separate pieces that aren’t in season for the wardrobe capsule. For this upcoming spring capsule, you’ll want to put away your heavy winter sweaters and coats. You’ll bring these back for your winter capsule.
Make sure to take out sweaters/coats you know you won’t wear again, and either sell them online or donate them. Heck, you can even swap with a friend. Then you’ll want to sort through what’s left, and make sure to get rid of anything that doesn’t fit quite right, or items that always get overlooked in your closet. If you’re still not sure about an item, put it away in a “maybe later” box in case you decide to rock it later.
Once you’ve gathered all the “yes” pieces that you love, you can start putting together your 37 pieces. If 37 isn’t the number for you, then pick a different number. Start mixing and matching, making sure you have the right layers for chilly mornings or evenings. Because my job requires business casual clothing, I’ll make sure to add button-downs, trousers and comfortable heels into the mix.
Juggling work, mom life and a social life can be hectic enough, without the added stress of looking constantly polished and put-together. This minimalist wardrobe experiment may be just the trick to freeing up more time in the day for things you truly enjoy.
I’ve picked my 37 items and honestly, I’m very excited to get started!
Have you joined the minimalist lifestyle?
We’d love to hear your tips and advice!
