Capsule Wardrobe | Outfit Roundup : Week 1
Are you a lover of fast fashion or a minimalist? Honestly, I think I’m somewhere in-between. I love the creative aspect of fashion and get excited at the change of a season to see what new styles are coming out! At the same time, I’m picky with what I choose and try to select clothing that fits my personal style.
It’s important to remember that what we wear affects how we carry concealed. Too many clothing options can complicate the process of getting ready, making it time consuming to find the right holster for the outfit. Plus, we need to practice drawing our guns from the different types of clothing we wear. This matters because the second layer of a tank top, the ruffled hemline of a wrap dress, a dangling tassel, etc. can all get in the way. Be honest, have you practiced with every outfit in your closet right now? I, sad to say, have not.
Could a capsule wardrobe be the solution? We’ll see. I’m excited to FINALLY be trying this out!
My primary goal is to simplify the process of getting ready in the morning, have a way to carry a firearm every day, and be consistent with my draw. Other general benefits include saving money on clothes and having an organized closet.
I put together my Spring capsule wardrobe at the end of December 2020 in preparation for the article I wrote for Concealed Carry Magazine. I used my concealed carry styling experience to choose the best collection for my purposes, but I fully expect to make changes now that I’m able to actually wear this section of my closet.
Here’s the roundup of this week’s outfits and what I’ve learned so far.
Eclipse Holsters Use code: Elegant15 for 15% off
First outfit! The three core styling techniques I’m using to conceal my firearm include:
1. Spandex tank top to hold the gun closer to my body.
2. Patterned shirt with texture to camouflage any bumps the gun may create.
3. The cardigan creates an extra layer to hide any printing from the grip of the gun
4. High waisted pants – I find these to be more supportive for the weight of my gun.
If you’re putting together a capsule wardrobe, make sure to consider the weather. In Ohio, it can be snowy at the beginning of the week and in the high 70s by the end!
It snowed the day before this picture was taken and the only heels in my capsule are open toe. Thankfully, most of the snow had melted and I was able to put up with the cold, but I may consider adding some closed toe heels.
I didn’t capture my outfit on Friday because I was in an NRA class all day. You can’t tell from the picture, but I wore my high waisted Cropped jeans and grey sweater with pearl details.
Only three days into this project, I was tempted to veer from the capsule. I was on my way to a three-year old’s birthday party and the dress code was pink. I regret not including my FAVORITE color in my capsule. This will be changing soon! (photo taken in my parents’ guest room closet).
This was an easy breezy outfit for the first warm day in a while! I did a load of laundry and threw both pairs of jeans AND my thigh holster into the wash. When I put on this dress, I realized the thigh holster shorts were still damp. I do have another on-body holster in the capsule, but it must clip to pants. Thankfully, I included a few concealed-carry purses to be used as backup holsters. I practiced drawing from the purse a handful of times to re-acquaint myself with the draw before going out.
Dene Adams Thigh Holster Use code, CCLIFESTYLE10 for 10% off | Natalie Concealed Carry Purse
It got up in the 80s today so this heavy sweater may be phasing out soon. But then again, you never know when it’s going to snow again. I carried my firearm in the Dene Adams thigh holster shorts, which I’m wearing under the dress. I also have the Natalie handbag, which I created in collaboration with Cameleon Bags.
I can already tell getting ready is easier. These high waisted, cropped pants support the weight of my gun perfectly and this thick cotton top prevents any printing. I originally set aside a few gold and pearl pieces for this capsule, but I decided not to limit my accessories. Since they don’t take up much space, I may as well take advantage of any accessory I have to help make the outfits look different.
“Chime-In!”
What do you think of the capsule wardrobe idea as a solution for concealed carry?
What questions do you have about capsule wardrobes?
Comment below 😊 I’d love to hear from you!
