The Capsule Wardrobe

So, now that I'm de-cluttering, and having so much fun doing it, I decided I need a capsule wardrobe.
A wardrobe of a few basic pieces of clothing to mix and match for a variety of daily outfits.
I have always loved the idea of this and even came close to accomplishing it quite a few years ago
but somehow I kept accumulating more clothing without getting rid of any!
Leads to clutter that constantly needs organizing!
And staring at a closet full of clothes on Sunday mornings trying to figure out what to wear is NOT fun!
I am SO tired of that!

I got rid of more than 40 pieces of clothing!
I know, it is so ridiculous!
And I still have to go through footwear, coats and accessories!
Honestly, it is SO exciting to see the clutter LEAVE!
You HAVE to try it!

The basic capsule wardrobe consists of basic pieces in neutral colors that suit you;
navy, black, brown, gray or shades of white (cream, ivory, tan etc).
I'm going with black, brown and ivory.
I took everything out of my closet and piled them on my bed.
Then, I took my favorite pieces and tried to come up with as many outfits as possible.
It was amazing how many different looks I got from a few pieces!
I added different shoes, bags, scarves, etc, to make the outfits more exciting.

It is so much easier to pick out what to wear now!
I even used the camera on my phone to snap a few outfits in case I get brain fog!
Love it!

Here are a few examples of a basic capsule wardrobe:
The first one is from www.nicolelsinclair.com
and the second is from www.simple-ways-to.com
I hope it simplifies your life a bit like it did mine!
Have fun!
P.S. I am working on the kids clothing now in the same way!

Spring Fashion Update

I am loving the bright sunshine we have been having!

Spring is right around the corner!

We can start putting away our black clothes!

YAY!

I thought I would have a nice neat list of 2010 Top 10 Spring Fashions for you but, sigh, I can't seem to figure out exactly what is going on.

So I will just give you a list of all the trends I came across and you can just pick your favorites.

Here goes:

1. Bold colors (turqouise is the number one, followed by red, yellow and copper tones)

2. Pretty pastels (pink, coral, purple)

3. Beige and nude colors

4. Little white dresses

5. Tribal print dresses, tops, etc

6. Tie-dye and watercolor dresses, tops, etc

7. Pencil skirts

8. Big, bright floral blouses

9. Denim galore

10. Animal prints

11. Ballet flats (with a heel, perhaps?)

12. Colorful, oversized handbags

13. The Boyfriend jacket (roll up the cuffs?)

14. Ripped jeans (don't tell our teenagers!)

15. Sailor stripes

16. Bold jewelry

17. Sequins, beads, glitter and shine

18. Ruffles

19. Mismatched prints

20. Sleek sporty styles

21. Clogs with a modern heel.

Phew! I am tired just thinking about it!

I guess the sum of it all is to just

WEAR WHAT YOU WANT !

FORGET ABOUT WHAT IS IN STYLE!

JUST BE YOURSELF AND HAVE FUN!

Top Ten Fall Fashion Trends

When the kids and I go to the library, I sometimes flip through a few magazines to check out what's in style. I like to keep abreast of what the current fashions are. Now, I am not a slave to fashion trends, I just like to know what the 'color' of the season is, etc.

Well, the color is red! I don't believe we have seen much of that color lately. I wonder what Sally's has in red? (That's Salvation Army in case you didn't know!)

So that was #1-Red

#2 Saddlebag purses-the kind that have a rounded flap and look like something that would be hanging from a horse.

#3 Ruffles-on tops, skirts, shoes, purses.

#4 Leopard prints-this never goes out of style. The trick is to wear just one piece, not head-to-toe. It is great in a scarf! (Always fits, and never goes out of style!)

#5 Black leather-Jacket, dress, skirt, pants. If I see any of my friends in black leather pants, I'll at least know they read my blog! Just tell your husbands who to thank!

#6 Lug-soled heels-I just don't get this one. These were high heels with a lug-sole! You know, like on hiking boots? Terrible, in my opinion!

#7 Bold gold jewelry-I for sure could find these at Salvation Army. They were very chunky. Great with simple outfits!

#8 Sheath dresses-Think Jackie Kennedy. Very classy! They showed them in subtle patterns and designs and in colors of gray and soft purple. Of course, the in color is red, so if you are not shy, it would look great!

#9 Neon pink and black-looks best in small doses, unless you are under 9 years old!

#10 Leggings! Yes, leggings! I almost died! On grown women? I couldn't stop laughing. THIS IS NOTHING NEW! I WORE THOSE IN THE EIGHTIES!!! Ok, now serious! I have to admit that they did look good on this very gorgeous model with beautiful flowing dark hair. She was one of those Ralph Lauren models! I actually wrote down her exact outfit! Here it is: black leggings in hi-heeled, almost-to-the-knee black boots, a tucked in white ruffled blouse (I better NOT see anyone in leggings with a TUCKED in shirt! I am still laughing!). Ok, she had a black belt with a big gold belt buckle, a classic silk scarf around her neck with navy, red, purple, white and gold, a buff-colored barn jacket and black leather gloves. There! I did actually love this outfit! I might try copying it to some degree. Don't worry, I will not be tucking in my shirt! I actually wore this almost-exact outfit in the early 1990's. Fashion designers just update past outfits! Now we know their secrets!

Other trends:

~Polished waves for hair. Put away the straightener!

~Embellished tees and tanks. 1990's-remember? The tanks, I guess, are for under jackets, etc.

~Vintage jewelry. Never goes out of style!

~Daytime glitter-not just for nights out!

~Leather and lace

~Anything plaid

~Shoulder pads

There you have it! The inside scoop on fall fashion!
Have fun!