Spring Capsule Wardrobe Ideas

I’ve been working on shopping for (with lots of returning—haha!) and figuring out my spring AND summer capsule. I decided to try doing a two season capsule because I always get really excited about shopping for spring, but then summer kind of just blends in to it (for me). So I figured I may as well just do a bigger shop now and then wear the clothes for longer.

The goals for a capsule wardrobe can be customized to your lifestyle. For me, the main purpose of this challenge is to shop for a season (in this case, two seasons) and then take a break from shopping. It does help me save money and create less waste, but my main goal is to work towards less TIME spent shopping. Shopping online is so much fun, but it can also be a huge waste of time when done all the time. So learning to take extended breaks from online shopping has been really good for me!

The other thing I would like to improve this season is the comfort of my wardrobe. Being a new mom, I am now seeing the practical concerns that commenters always pointed out to me in the past. For example, I’ll show you below the CUTEST purse that is a nightmare for my new mom lifestyle. I am learning that while I do want to have my own style and feel confident in what I wear, my new main priority is definitely comfort. I want more clothing that is easy in every possible way—easy fits, easy to take care of, easy to move around in while trying to get my little gal into her carseat … just all around easy!

Alright … well, let’s move on to the fun part! Shopping IDEAS for spring and summer.

Dresses.

I still feel like dresses will play a huge part in my wardrobe … that is not changing anytime soon! This year, I am gravitating toward dresses that have fun prints that are either short or mid-length. I got several dresses from Rylee + Cru (with matching mini versions for Nova), including this one. I am loving neutrals this season with some pops of warm colors here and there.Links: 1 / / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 (similar) / 9

Jumpsuits.

I am SO on board for the jumpsuit trend. I have several from Big Bud Press (when I like something, I tend to get it in a lot of colors). The other thing I am loving is matching sets!Links: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 (similar) / 10Shoes.

I am loving the current trends in shoes. The styles are really flattering and wearable right now. I am loving a mini heel. In years past, I was big on platforms, but I am trying to branch out to new styles and having a lot of fun trying out new things right now. Pictured above: Velvet Slides/Moorea Seal (on sale!), Tan Slides/Revolve, Lavender Slides/Marias.

Links: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 (similar) / 11 / 12

Tops.

Tops are one of the categories I struggle with more when shopping. I tend to wear my favorites over and over, but have a difficult time finding a lot of options that are flattering and can be mixed and matched. This season, I am focusing a lot more on finding great tops.Links: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11

Skirts.

I tend to wear my skirts over and over. They make for quick, easy outfits that still feel like I’m trying (as opposed to yoga pants—haha). I always have a couple Madewell skirts in my closet and a few vintage ones for fun.

Links: 1 (similar) / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / / 9

Jeans and pants are more challenging to shop for. For me, it’s all about the fit. If the fit isn’t perfect, I won’t wear them, and so I try to be extremely picky and return anything that’s not both comfortable and flattering. That said, I am loving the variety of denim and pants styles that are available this year. Bell bottoms, mom jeans, high waisted stretchy pants … these are all my kind of styles!Links: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9

Shorts were actually kind of easy for me this year because I did what I used to do in elementary school and I turned three pairs of jeans into shorts for the new season … just chopped them off! What I am looking for now are a few more pairs of high-waisted shorts that can be dressed up just a little.Links: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7

Spring + Summer Outerwear.

This is an important category for me since as soon as it becomes the tiniest bit warm every restaurant begins to BLAST the AC. I have to remember to bring sweaters with me everywhere I go (and now one for Nova, too). The other thing I love in this category is a good denim jacket. I wear mine all the time, year round. My denim jacket from Madewell is probably the most worn item in my whole closet! I actually have it in two sizes depending on if I want a tight fit or a cozy fit.

Links: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8

Bags.

I looooooove bags. This is, by far, my favorite section to shop. I have to cut myself off at a certain point … haha. But since I wear very minimal jewelry and accessories, I do feel like my bags (and sunnies) are my main statement pieces. Shown above: Woven Pom Pom Clutch/31 Bits, Luna Bag/Cult Gaia (this is the world’s most impractical bag for moms … but it’s gorgeous so I’ll save it for my next date night, I guess) White Bamboo Bag/Amazon, Leather Circle Bag/Madewell (this bag is amazing and I want the red one too).

Links: 1 (similar) / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11

Jewelry.

I keep it pretty simple with jewelry. I like dainty gold pieces and the occasional fun piece, like these crazy woven studs.Links: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11 / 12 / 13 / 14 / 15 / 16Swimsuits.

I love shopping for a new swimsuit this time of year. I am a fan of one pieces with cut outs and high-waisted two pieces most of the time. This ’70s rainbow towel is the ultimate.Links: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 (similar) / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 (top and bottom)

And just for the hell of it … let’s do sunnies! I am obsessed with sunnies and attempt to only add a few pairs each season. Links: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9

I’m loving that scarves are having a moment this year. I have a HUGE collection of vintage scarves that I will hold on to (trend or no trend), but it’s kind of cool when they are.Links: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5

That’s all for now!! I had SO much fun creating this post for you and I hope it helps you gather up some inspiration for your own spring/summer wardrobe! xx. Elsie

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  • I love these posts!!! Keep ’em coming, please! I got a copy of The Curated Closet and worked through it after reading about your journey with it and it has been a game changer, so thank you. 🙂

    And I want to know (please) where to find the swimsuit that’s laid out on the rainbow towel!

  • LOVING the Luna bag…it reminds me of Sigourney Weaver’s necklace in the movie The Ice Storm (which has some great 70’s fashion and décor if you haven’t see it 🙂

  • Curious as to how many pieces in each category you use to create your capsule wardrobe each season? I’m new to it and the number of posts out there are overwhelming!

    • I’m not normally real strict about numbers. The main purpose of it for me is to feel like I have “enough” of all the different categories and to take a shopping break until the next season. 🙂

      I think most people who do capsule do around 40 pieces, not counting accessories.

  • you picked up some really gorgeous clothes! also I think it must be quite tough to only shop twice a year! chapeau if you stick with it!!
    Lena xx
    thefandfclub.blogspot.co.at

  • Hi,
    This is totally not my game at all (I live out of op-shops and use all my clothes til they die, trend or no trend – though I like window shopping via you!) but I just wanted to know if you were aware/cared about the “Who made my clothes” thing happening on SM right now, or perhaps known as the “Fashion Revolution”. Do you take care to “shop ethically” (I think we have to look beyond that turn of phrase to really understand what it means, like can we really shop our way out of planet wide disaster….?!). I’ve only just heard of this latest thing and wondered if you had too and what your “ethical” stance on clothing was? (for no other reason than curiosity, I’m noticing many people are approaching “ethical” clothing in such a variety of ways.) I suppose this capsule wardrobe is a part of it?

  • Love this post, but dangerous. I legit just bought two pairs of shoes from the list. As a mom, too, I am all about sliders!! No quicker way to dress your feet haha. Where is that scalloped skirt from? The link went to a different, non-scalloper version. Is it discontinued?

  • I’m curious what you did with last year’s clothes. I apply capsuling concepts but with a bit larger number than the 33/38 piece ones I’ve seen. However, each season I reuse a lot & only buy if I need something or notice a gap in my wardrobe. Do you buy all new each season/capsule?

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