Winter Capsule Wardrobe: January-May 2015

Here it is! My winter capsule wardrobe! *insert happy dance here*

I love sharing my new capsule wardrobes with you, but I am PRETTY giddy over this one. Eek!

I explained more in the wrap up post of my fall capsule wardrobe, but I think that I’m finally getting the hang of what I like. But even more importantly, I have learned that there is a difference between liking clothing and loving it. Or in other words, you can appreciate a piece of clothing for what it is, but if you won’t absolutely love it every single time you put it on it’s not worth having in your closet. Right?!

There were so many items in my last capsule wardrobe that I really DID like on paper, but unfortunately I just never reached for them because I didn’t love them ON me. So this time I tried to keep that in mind when choosing what was or wasn’t going to make it into my capsule. I guess the only downside is that it’s hard to tell for sure until you’ve lived with the clothes for awhile so I’m sure you’ll be hearing from me in a couple of months on whether I actually did a good job or not.

Oh and one last thing before we continue: if you need a refresher on what a capsule wardrobe is, take a look at this.

So without further ado here are the details on how I put my winter capsule wardrobe together:

40. 40 must be my magic number because even though I don’t have a hard and fast rule on what number I’ll settle on, it’s been that same number every time…

… which includes clothing, light jackets, and shoes. It does NOT include outerwear seeing as I live in the land of 10,000 climates (*cough* I mean lakes).

My budget was happy to know that I really didn’t need any new shoes. It worked out really well because I felt like I had some major holes in my tops arsenal. I hadn’t really shopped for winter tops for awhile because of being pregnant, etc. You feel me.

And for whatever reason, I REALLY struggled to shop for this winter capsule wardrobe. I had in mind what I wanted, but it was really hard to find what I was looking for. I ended up returning a ton and it was just… annoying. I think I need to figure out a new way to do things, but I’m not sure exactly what that’s going to look like. Or, maybe that’s just the price you pay for buying things secondhand. I’m still musing over that one. Help anyone?!

I did start to browse around in thrift stores and on eBay a lot earlier than I did last time. I was SO stressed when I tried to pack in all that thrifting into three weeks before my fall capsule. This time, I created my list of things I wanted back in early October and just started looking here and there when I had time. Plus, I ENJOY thrifting so it gave me an opportunity to still do some of it, but in a controlled way. That REALLY worked well for me.

You’ll also notice that the only color that I included was red (I consider navy to be a neutral). I talked about this on Wednesday, but I’m sick of trying to wear certain colors just because I feel like I should. So I’m going to see how it goes only having the one color that I truly do love on me included in this capsule.

Oh and one last thing: I know I said that I was probably done with jeggings/light colored skinny jeans, but I. just. can’t. quit. them. I know. Judge all you want… BUT, I’m happy I included them because I’ve already gotten some use out of them.

All in all, I really felt that this round went way better than the last two. I was more focused, I stuck to my list, and I came away with pieces that I really do love.

Alrighty then! Onto the best part: here are the individual pieces. And as always, you know the drill. I try to buy most of my stuff secondhand for a variety of reasons, but I will link up similar items.

 

Winter 2015 Capsule Wardrobe

White Button Down | White Silk Tee: Similar | White Blouse: Similar | White Tee: Similar

Winter 2015 Capsule Wardrobe

Striped Tee: Similar | Sweatshirt: Similar | Gray Sweater: Similar | Sweatshirt Dress: Similar

Tops 3 Collage

Sweater Dress: Similar | Duster Cardigan: Similar | Cardigan Jacket: Similar | Sweater Vest: Similar

Fall 2015 Capsule Wardrobe

Sweatshirt Jacket: Similar | Graphic Tee: Similar | Striped Blouse: Similar | Black Blazer: Similar

Winter 2015 Capsule Wardrobe

Black Tunic: Similar | Black Sweater: Similar | Black Skort: Similar | Black Dress

Tops 6 Collage

Black Skinny Jeans | Ponte Pants: Similar | Leather Jacket: Similar | Fringe Cardigan: Similar

Winter 2015 Capsule Wardrobe

Navy Tee: Similar | Dark Skinny Jeans| Flare Jeans: Similar | Legging Jeans: Similar

Winter 2015 Capsule Wardrobe

Boyfriend Jeans | Flannel: Similar | Red Jacket: Similar | Red Tunic Sweatshirt: Similar

Winter 2015 Capsule Wardrobe

Heeled Chelsea Boot: Similar | Black Ankle Boot: Similar | Suede Ankle Boot | Riding Boot: Similar

Winter 2015 Capsule Wardrobe

Duck Boot | Heeled Loafers: Similar | Converse | Red Flats: Similarhttp://shopstyle.it/l/cjJe

Aaaaand that’s it! What do you think of my winter capsule wardrobe? Have you got your winter capsule wardrobe (or summer capsules… I haven’t forgotten about my lovely Australian readers!) in place yet? If you blogged about them leave your links in the comments below so we can all see them!

And if you need some help with the planning process, make sure to subscribe so you can get my free guides!

Now let’s get started on some outfit posts!

Until next time,

Signature

 

Leave a Comment

37 Comments

  1. 12.4.15
    Laura said:

    Congratulations on the capsule! It looks great. I love that you build your capsules from thrifting.

  2. 12.4.15
    Terri said:

    Great looking capsule you have there, I am now subscribed to receive more like this

  3. 12.4.15
    Shann Eva said:

    Looks like a great capsule. I can’t wait to see the outfits you put together. I really love that fringe cardigan, and the little black dress too. I love that you have red in your capsule!

  4. 12.4.15

    I love your capsule! My Capsule is really similar to this. Mostly black with a little bit of red.

  5. 12.4.15
    Erin said:

    Lovely job, Karin! I just finished a second “shopping fast,” and from that developed a really good idea of what works, what I need, and how to put things together in new ways. (But let’s be real, I just end up wearing the same few outfits in heavy rotation…)

    I live in Hawaii where it is also constantly summer, so seeing everyone’s cozy winter capsules is making me long for sweaters and layers! However, I’ll be taking a trip back to the mainland at the beginning of next year and have planned a mini winter capsule to streamline my packing. Your list offered some great inspiration!

  6. 12.5.15
    andi said:

    one of each i want – love it – my favorite color is black 😀

  7. 12.5.15

    This looks like a great selection. So much versatility with these colors and styles. You definitely have a knack for this! I need your skills to find great pieces at second shops. Or maybe I need to live in a bigger town that has more second shops…hmm. Love the pieces!

  8. 12.5.15
    Andrea Dvorak said:

    I was really looking forward to seeing you capsule wardrobe Karin – I’m inspired! It’s simple and cool… I definitely love color (unusual for a capsule wardrober, it seems!) but I am planning to change it up a bit from fall (purple and orange, with navy & grey neutrals) to winter, by swapping the orange for teal. My winter capsule starts Monday but I am NOT done yet – I have a about 4 more items to find, ideally! I think I might allow some pieces to show up late to my capsule (in the form of Xmas gifts!) I’ve done all my winter capsule wardrobe shopping online so far (mostly black friday deals!) which is convenient, since I’m busy and don’t really enjoy shopping – but it’s also very SLOW… none of the instant gratification of immediately trying on/purchasing.

    Maybe shopping for you is harder now BECAUSE you are more sure/exact about what you want – thrifting or not, so many things are not QUITE right! Am I right? 🙂

  9. 12.5.15
    Jenny said:

    I want to make a capsule wardrobe really bad.
    Maybe I’ll start in spring…I feel like I have a ton of clothes that I never wear so I need to do something about that.

    xoxo, Jenny

  10. 12.5.15
    Shakeira said:

    I love these looks! Very classic and versatile!

  11. 12.5.15
    candy said:

    Wow I can’t decided where to begin. Love it all.

  12. 12.5.15

    I love the concept of a capsule wardrobe. But I just can’t do it! lol

    • 12.6.15
      Karin said:

      Fair enough LaNeshe! 🙂

  13. 12.5.15
    Mckenna said:

    I’ve been living in striped tees and leggings like the ones you have on here lately. I’d love some red flats though too!

    • 12.6.15
      Karin said:

      They are so easy aren’t they! When I’m home I don’t change out of my leggings. 🙂

  14. 12.5.15

    What a great idea! I’ve never seen this concept before, but I love it!

    • 12.6.15
      Karin said:

      Thanks Jennifer! It really does work well!

  15. 12.5.15
    jennyb said:

    This is a great post. We’re in summer here (Australia) but I’m pinning this for use when we get the cold weather. Do you have a summer one?

  16. 12.6.15
    Rebecca N said:

    Great job on the capsule! I am excited to see the outfits you create from it. I have decided not to do the capsule wardrobe anymore and just replace or upgrade 3-4 pieces of what is currently in my closet once a season. New purchases ONLY replace something already in my closet…..I’m not going to add to it’s size anymore. I still have about 35 pieces that I wear per season, but I give myself permission to wear anything in my closet if the occasion calls. Still, I love looking at other’s capsules and getting outfit inspiration from them! Loving your pops of red! That is one color I can never pull off, although I love it! Have a great week!!

    • 12.6.15
      Karin said:

      Thanks Rebecca! You’ve probably been doing the capsule process for so long that anything you do will just be a natural extension of what you’ve been doing. 🙂 I already think that I will probably move in that direction eventually as well. I think this is a practice in learning to live with less and then eventually you don’t need to have so much structure because you just do it naturally.

  17. 12.6.15
    Branson said:

    I love this idea of a capsule wardrobe! Awesome!

  18. 12.6.15
    Sara said:

    Wow what great ideas for a winter wardrobe! I really need a lot of fashion help.

  19. 12.6.15
    Hayli said:

    I haven’t really heard of a capsule wardrobe before- but now I am kind of intrigued! My wardrobe stays a lot the same year round….because I find that no matter what the season is I end up only wearing tank tops and then bringing a sweatshirt along because I’m either sweating or freezing! And I can’t ever find cardigans that are warm enough!

    • 12.7.15
      Karin said:

      I feel you on the cardigan thing Hayli! I’m sensitive to wool, so the only cardigans I can wear are synthetic or cotton… I get around the warmth issue though with a long sleeve top underneath. 🙂

  20. 12.6.15
    Candace said:

    I love a capsule wardrobe and you’ve done a great job curating this one! Love it!

  21. 12.7.15
    Melissa said:

    Great capsule! I am glad you didn’t quit the leggings- I thought the same thing and then what better thing to wear during the cold months to stay cozy. Ha!

    • 12.7.15
      Karin said:

      Thank you Melissa! And me too! I have been wearing them non stop! 🙂

  22. 12.7.15
    katie said:

    I love your wardrobe + the pops of red! It is perfect for winter!

  23. 12.7.15

    I love this! This is kind of how my closet is getting to!

    • 12.7.15
      Karin said:

      Thank you Adriana! And that’s great!

  24. 12.8.15
    Pam said:

    The idea of a capsule wardrobe appeals to my OCD and repetitive side, but my shopping and impulsive side screams no! My wallet is currently screaming yes though so I may re-consider. I look forward to seeing outfits you put together!

    Pam & Zoey
    http://www.foxydogstyle.com

    • 12.9.15
      Karin said:

      It definitely is hard to please all sides of our personality isn’t it. 🙂

Stay In The Know!

Subscribe to my newsletter for exclusive content.

Subscribe

* indicates required
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.