Capsule Wardrobe
Hello friends!
With this extended time at home we've been cleaning out closets and purging so many spaces in our house and it feels! so! good! It's the perfect time to purge and declutter, gearing up to take on normal life again with more simplicity and peace of mind. Did you know that having too many options/decisions can create unnecessary mental and emotional stress?
Through various behavioral studies, researchers confirmed that having too many choices is harmful to our psychological, biological, and emotional well-being. An article from Brain World Magazine states, "It can be a source of regret, depression, and anxiety. Additionally, researchers looking at images of brain activity during decision-making processes found that constantly making decisions will not only deplete our mental energy but also reduce our willpower and efficiency in making subsequent decisions. So the question begs, at what point does choice go from being accommodating and liberating to intimidating and debilitating?">
With this in mind, we want to walk you through the process of building a capsule wardrobe that can save you time and simplify your life! We don't want you to be paralyzed by trying on a dozen outfits and not liking any or looking at a full closet and feeling like you have nothing to wear. We want to empower you to feel confident in what you put on and leave you with more time for other areas of your life. We'll break it down and keep it pretty simple, but obviously each individual should add what they like and tailor it to what works for them.
So what is a capsule wardrobe?
A capsule wardrobe is a collection of classic pieces that can be mixed and matched to make an endless assortment of great outfits. These pieces should be classic, good quality, and well fitting. Think quality over quantity.
At Mainstreet, we value quality and make our pieces to last. Choosing colors and styles that you can wear regardless of your age and keep these pieces for years despite passing trends. Our pieces are versatile, making them easy to dress up or down - giving you more possibilities for the money spent.
The Basics!
The building blocks of your wardrobe. Everything really can go together if you have some good solid basics to build your outfit around. These pieces should be classic in silhouette, and relatively neutral in color and pattern. For the basics, you should have:
Tops
Make sure these pieces fit well and are comfortable - you will wear these all the time.
Skirts or Jeans
Denim is classic, comfortable, and goes with everything.
Soft and Solid:
Layering
These pieces will add dimension and will help you adapt to the season.
We love these layering pieces because they can take a basic combo like black denim and a white t-shirt and make it a complete outfit. They can also help transition seasonal pieces like sundresses and make them wearable for fall and winter.
Shoes
These should be comfortable, versatile, and functional.
Now, The Additions!
This is where you tailor the capsule to reflect your unique style and personality!
Dresses, Skirts and Jumpers
These can be a great way to add texture, pattern, and personal style! Pick a few dresses, jumpers, and skirts that have patterns you're attracted to. Luckily, regardless of how bold these pieces are, they'll still go with anything because so far everything else in your capsule is neutral.
For an effortless casual look, pair these with sneakers and your denim jacket. To dress it up, add booties and a cardigan. Or don't layer at all and enjoy these pieces solo all through the summer!
Graphic Tees and Blouses
This is another way to mix it up and bring in your personal style. Find at least a couple graphic tees and blouses that you are drawn to. Your blouses should work well over a tank or paired with your cardigan. The graphic tees can also be paired with your cardigan and of course, your denim jacket for an easy, casual outfit.
Hats and Accessories
We love hats because they can beautifully complete an outfit and instantly dismiss a bad hair day. If you choose a neutral color and style, it can be worn year round through every season!
Accessories can include hair clips, glasses, jewelry, scarves etc, but if you add these, remember to keep it simple and make sure that they pair well with more than one outfit. One of our favorite accessories is a scarf - it can make a simple combo sophisticated by tying it around your neck. It can also add a fun, sweet element to your basics by wearing it in your hair.
The process of building your capsule can happen as quickly or gradually as you’d like. We are here to help you find the pieces that you need to create the capsule of your dreams. Whether you want to completely reconstruct your wardrobe and create a brand new capsule, or are hoping to gradually collect your capsule pieces, we're here for you and hope to help make this process easy, empowering, and enjoyable!
Whether you're just starting out, part way through the process, or are already living with a capsule you love, engage with us on instagram, facebook, or here in the comments. We want to see what you're up to, learn from you, and inspire each other!
Much love,
The Main Street Exchange
