I have to admit that not too much knitting or crafting took place this month. I was all gung-ho on the knitting front at the beginning of the month but then it got too sticky hot to knit even the little hexipuffs that I was feverishly knitting up. Ironically, it wasn't too hot for me to go on a jam making spree though!
Anyhoo, here are the 5 things I've been obsessing about this month:
1. Hexipuff Madness
2. Making Jam
3. Plain Greek Yogurt with Homemade Fruit Sauce
4. Camping
5. Capsule Wardrobes
I've been thinking a lot about my wardrobe this month. Mainly because I really have nothing to wear, and the fact that my wardrobe needs a Major overhaul. Yes, that's major with a capitol M. I'm thinking it's about time to do a complete and total purge of my closet. Especially now that I've come to terms that some of my clothes will just no longer fit me. It's been almost 4 years since the Munchkin was born and both my feet and my rib cage will not shrink back to their pre-kidlet days. Yup, things that they don't tell you about being pregnant: that your feet can grow a full shoe size and that your rib cage can permanently expand. And after 6-12 months if they don't go back to "normal" than they never will. Le sigh.
So...that all means I got to face the fact that a lot of my clothes and pretty much 95% of my shoes I can no longer wear. Not to mention that my tastes have changed and think some of my garments aren't "mommy-appropriate". As in some of my skirts and dresses are just too short, some tops are not long enough (bye bye belly baring days!), and some pieces are just too constricting. You know how it is sometimes...you think "maybe I'll save this for when I have a daughter" or "maybe it'll come back into style" or "maybe I can let it out/get it tailored and it'll fit again". Yeah, this thinking is not good. It only creates unnecessary clutter. And maybe some bad self-esteem when you look into your closet and see the clothes that no longer fits.
Anyhoo, so I've been really looking at what I have been wearing and trying to build my wardrobe from there. Ever since fashion school I've kind of been fascinated with the idea of a capsule wardrobe, but at the time could even consider trying it out (come on, I had a disposable income and had to keep up with the trends!). Now though? Now I can totally get with the program. Besides, my wardrobe already follows the capsule wardrobe rules, I just need to get a handful of pieces to make it complete. Don't know what a capsule wardrobe is? It's basically a collection of a few essential "classic" pieces that aren't dated, are kind of season-less, and can be mixed and matched to create several outfits. Awesome, right? You can update your collection by adding a few trendy pieces each season or by accessorizing. Typically the base collection would consist of a 1-3 base colours (I find my staples to be black and grey, with a few white shirts), and be of great quality (cause it's all about quality, not quantity...after all, you'll be wearing these items all.the.time).
Now some people might find this concept extremely boring, but I think it's great. It definitely would make getting dressed in the morning that much easier and will prevent you from having a closet full of clothes you don't wear. My wardrobe is pretty monochromatic with my pops of colour being either my hand-knit cardigans and pullovers, and accessories. I would love my base wardrobe to be like the one pictured above - sans denim cutoffs...that's never been my style. I'll admit that for the past year I've been "developing" my style (ok, I've been half-assing it) and have slowly built up a list of things I need. My mission this fall is to find a pair of black or grey flats (although, I've been eyeing up the silver glitter shoes by TOMS), hunt down (or sew up) a little black dress and skirt, and to knit up either a black or grey shawl and cashmere sweater. I've been searching for the perfect trench coat for the past 5 years and highly doubt I'll find it this fall, but I'll definitely be keeping my eye out. If I had the time (and the guts) I would draft my own based off of a gorgeous ASOS trench that I spotted back in 2008 (note to self: never hesitate on a classic!). Le sigh. The trench coat that got away...
awesome post! so full of fun information but I am COMPLETELY intrigued by the capsule wardrobe. I wonder if I could do that. (I would probably need some major guidance.) ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks Jen!! ♥
DeleteIsn't the capsule wardrobe idea just the most interesting idea? I'm positive that you can do it! :)
You are so cute. Jam...I need some of that jam......lol.
ReplyDeleteHahaha...you should definitely give jam making a try Shannon! It's easy! A bit labour intensive (there's a lot of stirring involved) but totally worth it! If we get sick and tired of blueberry around here I'll set aside a jar for you! ;)
Deleteif you need someone to help you purge, let me know! I love a good wardrobe overhaul!
ReplyDeleteThanks Nat! ;)
DeleteI think accepting the truth that I'll never wear most of the clothes in my closet is a HUGE step in the purging process! I just don't want to go overboard and start throwing out everything cause I've gotten so caught up, you know?
i'm so excited for fall too! hrmmm i'm liking the idea of a capsule wardrobe... something to look into... your jam looks so yummy. even better that you guys are eating through it! ha.
ReplyDeletexo
I was honestly worried that the jam would turn out horrible and that we wouldn't eat it at all! SO glad it's good and that it's flying off the shelf! :)
DeleteI love the idea of the capsule wardrobe. I have a lot of fun printed tees that I love, but as I'm starting to re-think where I'll be, career-wise, in the next few years, I'm thinking I need to pare down and create a more basic-yet-professional wardrobe. Of course, I'm also trying to lose weight and pay off a credit card while I completely re-think my closet, so I'm not making much headway.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean! Aside from trying to get my closet under control and to kind of live a more minimal life, I'm trying to pay off a credit card too. So the capsule wardrobe is right up my alley on so many levels. I'm sure if you took a really good look at your wardrobe you can come up with your own basics/essentials and build from there?
DeleteProbably! Though I have to admit, the idea of limiting my color palette kind of terrifies me. My closet is arranged by color. IT'S LIKE A HAPPY RAINBOW IN MY ROOM.
DeleteThat said I do have a ton of black shirts. Mostly, I just need to start weeding out a bunch of the graphic tees that aren't really professional and go from there. ALSO HOW DO YOU FIT YOUR KNITTED SWEATERS INTO THIS PLAN?! How big is the capsule?! ;)
The whole colour thing used to terrify me too, cause I really am drawn to colour. But lately I've been finding that I either wear a bright "seasonal" piece (like a sundress) with a bright hand knit cardi or jeans and a black tee/tank with a pop of colour (re: a hand knit cardi) and accessorizing with even more colour.
DeleteYou can definitely add in the graphic tees into the equation. I'm not sure what your job is, but you can always pair the tees with dark denim (to me, jeans are a must and are "classic" essentials!!) or black pants, a simple cardigan or blazer with a shawl as a scarf/cowl?
To tell you the truth, I've kinda built my wardrobe around the hand knits! It's actually easier than you can imagine to fit them into the capsule plan! ;)
Making jam is on my new 101 in 1001 list that I am yet to post. I think I will give it a go while I am on maternity leave.
ReplyDeleteYay! :) Making jam is actually super easy, just a little time consuming. Can't wait to see what kind of jams you make!
Deletei moved 2.5 years ago and purged like you would not believe. clothes, miscellaneous crap that hasn't seen the light of day in years.. it was very liberating. i spend very little on clothes now. although i consider my fashion sense very pathetic, i seem to have acquired a number of items that i'd consider "classic", as i don't seem to follow trends very well. i also sew, so when the rains start again i'll be hauling out the sewing machine for some new tops.
ReplyDeletei prefer to spend the little of my "mad money" that i have on yarn in any event, although lately i have been digging through my stash, which i am quite proud of!
It is liberating, isn't it? And really does make a huge impact on your stress levels!
DeleteI find if you dish out on quality pieces in the first place, it really does cut down on how much you're spending on clothes in general. I'm really hoping that this fall I'll be able to sew up a few new items for the wardrobe too!
Good for you for turning to the stash first before buying more yarn!! :) I've actually been pretty good this year in knitting stash first before running out to my LYS. I just need to remind myself more often that I have a stash and don't need more yarn! :P
Awesome post!! Always love a fav's list that I could have wrote myself!!
ReplyDeleteI've been building my capsule wardrobe for a year since dropping the last chunk (lol) of post baby weight. It's so easy to get dressed in the morning!! and i always feel fresh and put together yet fun and unique, especially adding in all the hand knits:)
Your jam production astounds me and i just spent 1.5 hours cooking dinner.....
Thanks Aja! ♥
DeleteThat's so awesome that you've already got a capsule wardrobe in the making! Finally realizing what I really do wear from my closet and sorting (most) of it out has really helped me so far. And really does make getting dressed in the morning that much easier! :) I can't wait now to really get my closet in order!!
Jam making is actually quite easy! I find making dinner more daunting than jam! ;)
Awesome post ! It contains very useful information about latest casual suits and fashion. Thanks for sharing such a valuable knowledge.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.apparelnbags.com/bella/3480-unisex-jersey-tank.htm