Winter Capsule and a fun find at Joe Fresh (eta outerwear in comments) - YouLookFab Forum

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Winter Capsule and a fun find at Joe Fresh (eta outerwear in comments)

Helena

Veteran

Hi everyone, happy Friday!

I spent some time this week putting together my winter capsule (at this point, I have my closet so minimized, that it's less a capsule and more just a small wardrobe, but I digress ...). Especially given covid, I think it should more than cover my needs from December through February, but even in normal times it would likely do the job fairly well.

For those interested, here are the details:

- around 28 pieces at the moment, with 'free spaces' in my mind just in case I feel I need to add a piece or two
- covers me for every day wear, plus holiday wear for homebound festivites, plus a smart-casual evening out if things open up between now and the end of Feb
- includes clothes and outwear and shoes; doesn't include accessories, jewellery, exercise clothes worn for exercise, or sweats that won't leave my couch
- black, white, I think one gray piece, and then deep red, green and blue are the colours (with one blush outlier for Christmas Eve)

I think all I purchased for this, this season (i.e. through the fall) are:
- lace blouse
- black joggers
- chunky burgundy cableknit sweater
- new cold weather boots (black timberlands)
- and a fun find from the grocery store today - a black sherpa jacket which will fill the only hole I can, which was a casual neutral topper to replace my sadly lost salt and pepper Roots hoodie. I sized right up to a large so it would be a bit oversized and fit comfortably even over my chunky sweater

I don't think I will need to add much to this, so that should be my shopping done for the foreseeable future (famous last words ha). Still forcing myself to get dressed in something I'd run errands or go for lunch in, every day except Sundays ... stubbornly clinging to some kind of normalcy as we (hopefully!) enter the home stretch!

I feel like a smart coat in an accent colour or pattern would be a great addition, but because going anywhere smart is unlikely to happen more than a handful of times at most, I'd rather hold off until next season and reconsider then.

Thanks for reading if you made it through! xx

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Dressing

33 replies

Latest reply was from Jenni NZ

Anonymous

I saw those jackets and had to refrain from buying the leopard print one As if I need another jacket . Anyways - I'm in awe of your carefully minimal closet - oh to be able to see everything neatly in front of you !

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Looks great, Helena! I hereby crown you Queen Minimal Wardrobe & Dresser.

Maybe when you have a moment, you can include the outerwear and footwear items for your three month Winter capsule, since they count as part of the 28 pieces. And show pics

Runcarla

Veteran

That is a small capsule for 3 months! But, I can see it working for you, and bringing some comfort from cozy repetition of favourites. You are in the TO lockdown, right? So sorry. Must check out the Joe Fresh selection when I do the next grocery run!

Anonymous

Is that all your winter wardrobe or like a project 333? Nice cohesive palette!
And lucky find at the grocery store- looks good for the days the house is really cold!

Helena

Veteran

Yes, for sure Angie ... Not very exciting but here you go! I also included my hat and scarves; even though they're not part of the capsule count, the colour and contrast counteracts the plain black a little! The Blonde booties are starting to look a little worn, and the navy peacoat needs replacing for sure! but I'm not feeling rushed at the moment.

Lisa ... I was laughing the other day at lunch with my Dad, when he told me his wardrobe strategy ... Basically he has 7 rugby shirt and maybe 4 pairs of khakis. When anything gets a hole in it, he replaced the item exactly. If that takes 10 years, all the better. Sub in golf shirts and khaki shorts for summer. One pair of shoes per season plus one pair of golf shoes. One winter jacket and one rain jacket. One hat. One pair of mitts . My sister is about the same. So I am now basically the clotheshorse of my family lol!!

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Helena

Veteran

Carla, I'm in York region so we are not in lockdown ... Yet *sigh*...

Suntiger, that's basically it! I have a few things tucked away that I know I won't wear, and this doesn't include a couple of pairs of sweatpants and a couple of sweatshirts. It seems small but actually I'm such a repeat wearer that it will probably be plenty, and my lifestyle doesn't call for lots of different styles of dress ... But I'll keep those wild card spots open in case something really grabs me in the new year!

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

I'm loving this idea of seasonal capsules, and actually wrote down something along these lines as an experiment for next year. Like you, I have a pretty small wardrobe to begin with, but I was thinking that defining some key pieces for each season and setting others aside might help stave off some of the boredom I start feeling after wearing the same things on repeat for too long. Plus, it'd be a specific time to look forward to new purchases and an anticipated small refresh.

I can't remember...have you been doing this for previous seasons or is this new to you? I hope you'll share some outfits as you get into it!

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Such lovely strong colors—you won’t get bored!

Anonymous

I’m piling up donations weekly right now . I wish I didn’t Iove fashion so much though- it would be easier to keep a tighter closet going .

Helena

Veteran

Lisa, you gotta do you ... I for one would be a bit sad if you got tooo minimalistic with your style; I admire your artistry, right down to your nails!!

Thanks FI!

Jenn, I think I am actually a natural capsule wardrobe person, but in the last few years I've gotten too focused on what it *looks* like from outside rather than what I actually like to wear ... which resulted in a lot of churn as I bought, and donated, "shoulds". Not that I won't still make mistakes, but I feel a little more confident in my own style ... which is not sleek and cool urban, but is a little more colourful and mom-ish, which is what I am after all! So hoping I'll find a good balance between being myself and not getting to stuck in a rut going forward ...

I think the seasonal thing really helps with boredom ... especially because you live somewhere with a sort of consistent climate, right? (like moderate to hot, vs. the huge freezing to boil swing we have). So in theory you could probably keep the same stuff all the time. I know our spring and fall are very similar, but I still have, let's say a couple of sweaters I would wear only in spring (like a pink one). It makes me feel like I'm shopping when I open a seasonal bin!

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

I was just explaining that about the seasonal thing to a friend who might be moving to Florida. My life there was not under my own control, and it was very easy to get sucked under and feel like nothing ever changed, much like people feel about Covid. Setting up seasonal clothing, thanks YLF, made a big difference in feeling like time was measurable and moving in a meaningful way.

LaPed

Veteran

Wow, 28 pieces for a long winter season is super impressive! Beautiful true-to-you colours. I hope you'll share some WIWs.

My family is about the same as yours regarding clothes -- as little as possible, replaced as infrequently as possible. I've had a reputation as the clotheshorse of the family ever since I was a kid, begging my mom and grandmother to take me thrifting.

Joy

Veteran

Wow! I like your self discipline and color choices. I have been doing something like this. I was so happy to see November end so I could wear holiday colors rather than fall colors. I have been pleased with my December capsule so far. It consists of 9 pieces so far. I’ve found that I need some statement earrings for some festive Holiday Zoom gettogethers.. That would be an accessory so does not count as clothing. For January I am planning a minimal capsule of neutrals with challenges of wearing them together. By January I am tired of color and metallics.
. I don’t count footwear as I change shoes often to keep feet happy and healthy. At 74 I don’t have any corns or bunions, or other problems so far.
In Kansas it got warm enough to start thinking about spring. Now we can have the most snow in April and freezes and snow through May, so Summer does not really start until mid June. I may need to add to the spring wardrobe but am probably ok if I pull from the fall capsule and wear dark brown with pink, olive with aqua and peach, pale blue with black or mint green or citron with mustard. Please keep us updated on your successes and problems with your seasonal capsules

Murph11

Veteran

I’m in awe of the 3 inches (8cm) between hangers!

Helena

Veteran

Thanks so much everyone ... Joy, I can't wait to see your outfits!

I'll definitely share how it goes; hopefully it won't be too boring!!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Thanks, Helena! I suspect you wear the black puffer a lot more than the peacoat in your Canadian Winter so it gets a LOT of wear!!! I'm curious: are you happy to wear the same black puffer all Winter long? Maybe the variation of a scarf adds the change you crave. Or the outfit underneath! Like my Dad, who does just that ....one coat to rule them all - only his coat is taupe. It can work

nemosmom

Veteran

Wait wait... you found that great fluffy jacket at the GROCERY store?!?!?! *jealous*

You dad sounds like my dad! He has X number of tops and bottoms and always does a 1:1 replacement. One coat, one pair of gloves, one hat, 4 pairs of shoes!

Your capsule looks perfect for your winter! It's a tight, colorful palette, with just enough variety, without being 'too much'. If that makes any sense. All of these colors are so pretty on you, too. You have done a lot of work here!

Can I ask a crazy question regarding how you have defined your season? Why Dec-Feb and not Jan-Mar?

Minaminu

Veteran

Torontogirl, snap! We could be minimalist cousins . I have been doing seasonal capsule wardrobes for a while and my current winter capsule has less than 30 pieces, mainly due to the limited space but also because I like the simplicity! I like how consistent and colourful yours is!

Cardiff girl

Veteran

Does this mean you have 28 items for each season?I can only hope to have a closet looking like that,very impressive.

Helena

Veteran

Thx CG and high five Minaminu! CG that's a good question ... I have a number of items that overlap seasons, on the other hand I have a few pieces that I tuck away just for particular occasions (like if I have a business meeting which is rare now that I don't have a pt job ) ... So it probably works out roughly like that but not exactly. ..?

Nemosmom, one of our grocery stores has a Joe Fresh section ... It's as close to a Target situation as we have here, sadly The season thing was such a revelation! I realized that December through February is reliably cold; June through August reliably hot ... The remaining 6 months aren't reliable for anything - but tend to be transitional and changeable ... So I find for here it's easier to plan if I break it up this way.

Angie, it CAN be a little boring for sure, but for me, the winter season and the gear that comes with it always feels so chaotic, and black feels so calm and tidy to me ... So I find black works best for me for these months - even more than other neutrals which is weird but true for me for some reason. I was eyeing some brighter winter accessories though for those days when I want some colour, so maybe for my Xmas stocking!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Helena, you carry on listening to your feelings and soul searching. If a black puffer is the winner - milk it

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Wow -- this is incredible! You have really refined it down to the bones and still left room for fun! Love the new sherpa! I also love that you bought a lace blouse for this season.

Anonymous

I am nodding in agreement about finding winter gear and outdoor dressing chaotic . I cannot handle the gloves and hats and scarves and coats and boots and now a mask and a purse and blah blah blah . I’m often leaving the house in the middle of winter without gloves or a scarf because I just can’t deal with one more thing ! Black looks good against snow and i winter light and is less visually chaotic indeed . ( this coming from the person who has 100 winter coats and jackets and mitts and scarves etc in every colour - lol!)

Nitsirk

Helena - I admire your precision in narrowing your wardrobe with colour, event, vibe, and purpose all factored in. I love your palette and Jo Fresh find! I may just check out the Jo Fresh offerings tomorrow!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

There was a time, not so very long ago, that I had a similar shoe strategy. I had two or three shoes for the year, wore them into the ground and then replaced. Similar with jeans and probably the rest but I don't even remember thinking about it much. Well that is definitely not me now! But I digress - sounds like you are in an excellent place Helena!

Bijou

Veteran

You are such an inspiration, I cannot imagine myself with such a minimal wardrobe. Yet you (and Jenn) prove how considered purchases create the perfect wardrobe. I am sure my largish wardrobe was influenced by my Mother and Grandmother who both loved fashion and had huge closets. You have definitely given me something to ponder...and the opportunity to re-evaluate my spending priorities.

Helena

Veteran

Bijou, thank you! And you are a beautiful, creative dresser who is on team wear and gets (and gives) great joy with your style ... no need to change it unless it will bring you joy! xoxo

Shevia, thank you!

Nitsirk, highly recommend that jacket - it's only flaw is that it is TOO warm at times ... which will be just fine with me in Jan/Feb! My friend has several colours and one is from last season, and she says they wash and hold up really well, too.

Lisa, high five on the winter chaos ... it gives me stress and black is a great antidote.

Thank you Suz and Angie! xoxo

Nitsirk

Excellent advice and tips, Helena! Good to know as wash and wear is so important in these pandemic times.

Jane

Veteran

I am so impressed by the elegance and simplicity of your approach. Such stylish pieces and so beautifully put together. It must be very relaxing to see the three inches between those hangers!

It is interesting about how families influence the approach to fashion. My granny was ever so stylish and always looked at new fashions. I know she would love my wardrobe!

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