It made me miss that season… when everything was still new and exciting.
I haven’t posted much lately on the subject and I’d love to say it’s because I’m just so insanely busy with my three girls, but while that is true, the real reason is that my capsules just weren’t exciting me anymore.
And if I’m going to be totally honest with you guys, it’s because clothes in general are not a happy thing for me right now.
My body changed a LOT with the twin pregnancy and it’s made getting dressed a source of anxiety and dread.
It’s much easier to share photos of my children than to show photos of myself, newly acquired love handles and all.
I (truthfully) don’t hate my body nor is it something I feel the need to change right at this moment.
My problem is that I just don’t know how to dress it in it’s new state.
But looking back on the old photos, it made me realize that this whole journey was never about having all of the answers. It was about growing together and learning as we went. I miss that. I miss figuring things out and messing things up together as a community.
So I’d like to start posting more about capsules again, though I’m not going to hold myself to any particular schedule (because we all know how good I am at sticking with things).
What I am going to do is just more actively pursue the practice again and do as I always did before: share the journey with you.
Does anyone else struggle in this way? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
Outfit Details:
Silk Tank: Everlane
Shorts: Thrifted. Similar USA Made. Almost exact in linen.
Scarf: Madewell
Sandals: Saltwater by Hoy
I hear you. I’m about to pay a stylist several hundred dollars because I don’t know who I am anymore clothes-wise. Truth be told it’s more that I don’t feel good in anything I put on post baby #2 and I’m secretly hoping someone else can change this :/
I think it goes to show that no matter how many times our partners, friends and family compliment us or how often we say we shouldn’t let society judge us by our looks the reality is it goes deep. I’m loving your blog and I think you are rocking your simple, but individual style. I hope you can find peace with things x
I know exactly how you feel Shauna! You’re right that it does go deep, which is why I think it’s good to really do the work and figure it out on a foundational level instead of covering things with a bandaid. I hope you find peace as well!
Definitely struggling myself! My capsule is dwindling down to where I know I am lacking, but struggling to add pieces back into it. I want to rebuild it either by second hand or through ethical shops, but it is a slow process. I have tried quick fixes that I loved, but the quality definitely showed it’s colors in less than 6 months. My wardrobe is somewhere around 20 pieces, and I want to work it up to between 40-50 pieces for a year round capsule wardrobe.
It definitely is a slow process! I don’t know if this is true for you, but I feel like for the first time since college (so ten years ago) I’m at a place where I know exactly what my style is and it’s so hard not to just jump in and buy everything right away! I’m deliberately not doing that so I can really take my time and make sure that any new pieces I add are pieces that are 100% what I’m looking for and will work with my lifestyle.
Can’t wait to hear more “mom-bod” friendly style ideas from you! ? The twin pregnancy thing is a game changer!! ?
It definitely is! We earn our twin mama medals don’t we?!
You just spoke my mind! Clothes and post baby body are my struggle right now, too. I can’t wait to see some of your ideas…
We’re in it together then! We’ll just have to learn alongside of each other!
It all makes sense now 🙂 I was checking out if your blog a bit, as a non-mom, because it had become The Baby Show, with Sidekick Karin, instead of Karin’s Show with 3 Baby Sidekicks. I was missing you.
And not necessarily the fashiony you. I wish I could remember which of your posts led me to Truncation, but what made me stay was how candid you always are. So thank you for sharing your truth with us, always, and however painful.
As far as body changes: I feel you bruh. I’ve been on and off meds that have made my weight fluctuate wildly in the past two years. So if you check my Instagram, @aspiringminimalist, you might be able to figure out what I did to refocus and keep the joy in getting dressed: I turned to accessories.
You’ll see it clearly if you start with my first Insta posts, from the winter 10×10 with Unfancy/StyleBee. I look slovenly AF in any and all photos where I tried to “let the clothes speak for themselves” (which is what both of those websites tout: Just buy this $200 linen tee to complete your wardrobe because it’s cut juuuust right). Because I didn’t like what they were saying. Because I am not a twig thin woman. No cut alone could help me feel at home in my body.
So I stopped giving my clothes such a voice. And gave one instead to my accessories. Whether distractions or embellishments or accents, their purpose was to put power in something other than the “cut” of my shirt. And it worked. And it’s CHEAPER OH MY LORD.
Imho, they didn’t “detract” from my look; they enhanced it. I didn’t know how I felt about clothes, but I could do my hair up with flowers or cool hats or headbands, wear my favorite earrings and bangles and necklaces, and getting really into belts.
So if you’re like me, and don’t like what you see in one spot, put focus on another one.
Sending you peace and clarity.
Xoxo,
Aspiring Minimalist
Thanks friend! Unfortunately (for you) it’s probably going to stay the baby show as that’s kind of my life right now and I only know how to share the things I care about. I know that doesn’t appeal as much to my non mom readers, but I have to be true to what matters to me!
I definitely agree with you about accessories though! I’ve really been enjoying statement necklaces and neck scarves again. Also, now that my hair is long again I’m having fun putting it up again!
I hear ya girl. I was just telling my husband last night (on a rare date nonetheless) at how I’ve been feeling a bit lost lately since I spent a lot of time getting comfortable in my wardrobe and now I’ve got a bin of maternity things I snagged over the last 8 years that really have no similarities to my current style. I’ve obviously been wearing what fit regardless but trying to make it work and feel confident in an expanding body has been a bit frustrating. Reallllllly looking forward to returning to my capsule in a few months!
Yay for dates! Glad you were able to get out! Maternity clothes are the worst! I hate to purchase them knowing they’ll only be worn for a bit and they’re so stinking expensive! I honestly ended up wearing leggings and sweatshirts for the last two months of my pregnancy so I kind of gave up on trying to have any style at all. If I can encourage you though, it’s just a season! And then those clothes that you loved will be waiting for you once you’re able to fit back in them.