The Best Way To Stick To Your Capsule Wardrobe

Ok friends, I have a confession. On the very first day of wearing my spring capsule wardrobe, I veered away from it and wore a non-capsule item.

I can just hear the reader gasping.

But here’s why. Guests were asked to wear pink and/or polka dots to my niece’s Minnie Mouse themed birthday party. I didn’t include either in my spring wardrobe, so I had to “go shopping” in another section of my closet.

One of my biggest concerns when planning for this capsule, was not having the appropriate clothes for all occasions. After experiencing this on day one, I suspected I’d have to frequently break away from my capsule selections.

Surprisingly, this hasn’t happened as often as I expected. For events other than a themed party, the exercise of using a capsule wardrobe has encouraged me to play with styling a little more. Use accessories and your own expression of style to dress an outfit up or down.

The ensemble below is a perfect example.

I started with classic white button up shirt and a pair of skinny jeans. For concealed carry, I’m wearing my SIG P365 in a Kydex holster from Eclipse Holsters, which connects to my pants with a Fabriclip. I wore the shirt untucked to better conceal my firearm and layered a tank top underneath, which helps compress the gun closer to my body.

From there, I got creative.

Dress it up: The picture above leans more towards a polished look. I layered on some jewelry and wore my hair in a bun with loose curls. I carried my satchel (which happens to be a concealed carry purse I design with Cameleon Bags) in the crook of my arm. Carrying a bag this way always reminds me of the glamorous 1950s. I slipped on a pair of matching high heels and instantly felt more elegant.

To dress the outfit up even more, you could switch out the jeans for dress pants or a skirt.

I achieved a much more relaxed look by sweeping my hair back in a ponytail, choosing simple jewelry (rhinestone earrings, single pearl necklace and silver ring), and switching out the heels for loafers. For an even more casual look, you could always opt for sneakers.

Learning to adorn a minimalistic outfit appropriately for the occasion has helped me stick to wearing items from my capsule wardrobe. It simplifies the process of getting ready in the morning without taking away creative expression.

Chicago Trip | Packing, Capsule Wardrobe, Situational Awareness