Streamlined Summer Wardrobe 2014
In the heart of the summer season, one fashion enthusiast embarked on a mission to refresh her wardrobe, adhering to the principles of a capsule wardrobe. This carefully selected collection of essential, versatile, and timeless clothing items is designed to maximize outfit combinations while minimizing the total number of clothes owned.
The author began by assessing and curating her existing wardrobe, pulling out classic white shorts and a white dress from storage, along with 3 items that rolled over from the spring capsule. To augment her summer collection, she bought 16 new pieces, primarily from American Eagle and Madewell, with a budget of $500.
The author's wardrobe is monochromatic, but she emphasizes that a capsule wardrobe doesn't have to be neutral. Neutrals are simply her personal style. Vests have become one of her favourite ways to add interest to an outfit during hot weather.
To create a capsule wardrobe effectively on a budget, follow these steps:
- Assess and curate what you already own.
- Define your personal style and lifestyle needs.
- Choose timeless, versatile essentials.
- Prioritize quality over quantity.
- Build gradually.
- Consider multi-use or layered items.
This approach helps save money by reducing impulse buying, lowers decision fatigue, and supports sustainable consumption, making it ideal for a budget-conscious wardrobe makeover.
The author's summer capsule wardrobe consists of 34 pieces. She has 12 bottom pieces, including 4 dresses, 4 shorts, 3 pants, and 1 skirt. The author's shoe collection features 7 items, including 3 heels, 3 sandals, and 1 pair of flats, along with cognac slides, silver sandals, and Topshop version of Birkenstocks (not real Birkenstocks).
New additions to her wardrobe include track shorts, a printed maxi, jean cutoffs, boyfriend jeans, dark jeans, black maxi, black skirt, soft shorts, soft pants, and a black shirtdress. The author has also included specific items like a white tank, muscle tee, boheme tee, white button up, linen top, brush stroke tank, grey tank, Paris tee, chambray shirt, denim vest, and sleeveless chambray shirt.
The author is proud to have stayed within her budget of $500 and estimates her average monthly spending on clothes for the next three months to be approximately $165. Her summer style is minimal, neutral, and modern, reflecting her personal taste and the essence of the capsule wardrobe philosophy.
- The fashion enthusiast's refreshed wardrobe, following the capsule wardrobe principles, includes a mix and match of dresses, tops, jeans, and shoes.
- In her monochromatic wardrobe, the author finds vests to be an un-fancy yet interesting addition to her summer outfits.
- Maintaining a capsule wardrobe on a budget requires careful shopping, with stores like American Eagle and Madewell offering fashionable and affordable options.
- By using the steps of assessment, curation, defining personal style, prioritizing quality, building gradually, and considering multi-use items, the author managed to assemble a summer capsule wardrobe of 34 pieces, including 12 bottom pieces and 7 shoes.
- The author's new wardrobe additions also include fashion pieces like a black shirtdress, a black maxi, and a chambray shirt, contributing to her simple, modern summer style.
- The author's style and lifestyle reflect in her shopping choices, as evidenced by her purchases from the fashion-and-beauty and home-and-garden sections on her online shopping platform.
- To maintain her budget-friendly wardrobe, the author plans to spend an average of $165 per month on clothes for the next three months, ensuring she continues to embody the modern, minimal, and neutral aesthetic in her lifestyle and closet.
