The fourth Chic Assignment this month was to prepare your wardrobe for the upcoming season. Most people, when preparing for the season ahead, just skip to the fun part... the shopping! But it's critical with a thoughtful wardrobe, to first analyze your wardrobe from the most recent season so that you can learn from your mistakes and go forward with a clearer purpose regarding your true style.
Today, I'm analyzing my spring/summer capsule wardrobe. How did it perform? What did I love about it? What didn't work? How will I change going forward? These are all questions answered in today's video.
For links to every article of clothing mentioned, visit my original ten-item wardrobe blog .
Items not listed there, but mentioned here are my new Mott & Bow jeans, and the late summer jumpsuit,
Let's talk about the pro's from this season:
👗My clothes were nursing-friendly, which was truly the most important functional aspect of my wardrobe.
👗I felt presentable every day. A major plus!
👗Some of the colors were vibrant and life-giving. When I wore the red floral blouse, floral maxi dress, and seafoam floral dress, I regularly received compliments!
👗My wardrobe fit in my budget. (This is always a must!)
👗I was able to wear the pieces in a versatile way and was delighted to discover how much I love layering tees over the dresses.
Let's talk about some of the cons from the wardrobe this season:
🌟The heavier (long sleeve) pieces from the spring wardrobe did not transition well into the heat of the summer.
🌟Many of the colors were too fall/winter for me.
🌟Because I didn't switch out more summery clothing this year, my son asked me why I wear the same dress all the time. Ha!
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Comment of the Week
Patricia B writes, "Hi Jennifer I'm new to your vlog & I have to start by saying that in 2016 became disabled & couldn't move well & hence became very overweight! Then I had no confidence in myself & started a life of sweatpants & baggy tops 😥 however after watching your videos for only 2 weeks I've started taking more pride in myself wearing dresses & skirts ^ putting on makeup. I've had my hair cut & carry myself much better now so I want to say a BIG thank you to you for giving me back my dignity 😃❤"
Hi Patricia, I love your comment and am so happy to hear about your triumphs with dressing and carrying yourself! Thank you so much for sharing your story with us.
I hope you enjoy this end-of-season analysis. I would love to know how your wardrobe performed this season. What went right and what went wrong? Let us know in the comment section below.
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10 comments:
Enjoyed hearing your assessment of your wardrobe. I discovered a skirt which I have loved this summer and thought of you since it’s very easy to wear, cool, light and comfortable. It’s called a Rip Skirt and is available on Amazon. They come in 3 lengths. I chose the longest one which is mid-calf length. It is a wrap around with Velcro on the waistband so is very adjustable. It wraps enough so that it does not fly open to reveal too much. They come in several prints including some bright options. They are very cute with tee shirts and tank tops. Would be great for southern Cal.
I, too, have two jean skirts. I like their versatility (just like wear-with-everything jeans!) but the style can be somewhat restrictive and too hot in the height of summer. I live in the high desert Southwest. This summer I found a great alternative. It's a slightly A-line skirt with a non-fussy ruffle at the bottom. The skirt is made of slightly lighter weight denim than "jean" skirts. So, similar fabric and color, but more comfortable fit. It works with everything, just like jeans. I love it. I wear the jean-style skirts throughout fall and winter with tights and sometimes boots, but they just don't work in summer.
Hi Jennifer,
having a four season wardrobe does not have to contradict your ideas of minimalism. It simply is a more fluent process (if that is a good word to use): When the weather gets warmer I change some pieces and turn my winter wardrobe into a spring wardrobe. When it gets hot, the rest of the winter clothes go and make space for summer and so on. So strictly speaking, you do not need many more outfits.
A four season wardrobe has another benefit: When I wear a dress after a three months absence I always get comments about my "new" item.
I guess your son will be very happy with the changes to your wardrobe :)
I just love how real you are, Jennifer, and true to yourself and not trends, and not stuck on some "image" that may not work for you anymore. You are still my favorite blogger!!
I certainly am stuck in my wardrobe STYLE largely because I am difficult to fit (taller, pear-shape, in my 50's). And modesty is hard to find. Skirts usually don't come in colors that work except black. Or they're too short. Or too tight in the hips. Or fabrics that snag. Even tees have to be altered to reduce the neck opening so I can bend over "safely"(I hate layering in summer). So I'm constantly shopping, trying, experimenting, searching, decluttering, etc. I'm finding that I almost prefer synthetic fabrics that won't shrink or fade or pill. Still haven't found a favorite brand that I can count on to have things that work for me .
Rather than boxing, I am fortunate to have a spare closet for off-season clothes, and like Katrin's, I will pull a few pieces to use for the coming season and replace them with a few pieces that worked with the extreme temperatures of the previous season.
For example, for this fall I have pulled (out of my spare closet) all my 3/4 sleeve tops (except heavy ones) and they are waiting and accessible in the back half of my working closet. I haven't yet put away the very lightest-weight summer tops because we are still in 100 degree weather. But that will be the next step, then continue by putting away the heavier short sleeved items, and adding heavier or darker-colored 3/4 sleeves, etc. This is nice when one week will be rainy and in the 70s and the next week will be in the upper 90s!
BUT I am learning from your videos, that it's best to sit down one day and ASSESS my wardrobes every single season. Otherwise I forget what I put away 6 months ago, perhaps things I got on sale at the END of that season and never even wore yet, and I'd think I need to shop again!
DD - I would love to know where you got that skirt you were talking about?
Our summers here in the mid-Atlantic region have been unbearably hot and humid. Fortunately, Garnet Hill came to my rescue. I purchased two of their pima cotton godet dresses, one in black, and one in "portobello", which is a cool taupe. Also their French linen sleeveless shirtdress in black. (I prefer neutrals to colors, generally.) These dresses are very cooling to wear, machine washable and dryable, and make me look and feel amazing! I wear them all the time, and in all situations: cleaning, relaxing in the evening with a book, running errands, or going out to dinner. They only require a change of accessories. I have other clothes, but these are just so comfortable and flattering that I wear them to the exclusion of everything else! I'm thinking that when my other summer things get dingy or worn out, I may choose not to replace them and just go with dresses in the summer. It's so much easier than separates.
Hi Jennifer,
That was a beautiful video analysing how your spring/summer wardrobe performed for you. I live in a warm climate where winter is short but chilly. Our summers are hot and last for months. I have a capsule wardrobe too. But sometimes the discipline to plan for the forthcoming season lags due to being a busy mum! Ha! So I appreciate the encouragement to actually sit down and take stock rather than casually purchasing just whatever. So thank you! I have divided my wardrobe into 3 seasons...transitional (being spring/autumn), winter & summer. I get 2 months of autumn transitional, 3 months of winter, 1 more month of transitional, then 6 months of summer. My transitional wardrobe stays in place from autumn to spring, I just swap out a few things once winter hits. Summer means quality pieces for me, they get such a hard wear with needing to wash on the daily. Thank you for encouraging us to evaluate for ourselves what we need based on our style, climate & budget. We are more resourceful than we realise! Plus our own personal style grows and changes with us, so good to honour that. Your 10 item wardrobe really is here to serve you, enabling you to get on with what matters most!
As we start thinking about and planning for the colder months, I have just one request: can you please also retire the word 'bootie'?!
In reference to the word "bootie", I think it's just where you come from: some people only use it for baby booties, but I've seen "bootie" used on other prominent fashion blogs in reference to ladies' ankle boots. At least it doesn't have as broad a meaning as the word "napkin", which would mean "diaper" to Canadians! ... Well, in hindsight I guess "bootie" can be used for yet another meaning... pun intended! LOL I think it's unavoidable; words get used for many purposes!!
Watching your video made me realize I also need to be careful about which colors I buy for the spring and summer. I gravitate a lot towards navy but I have been feeling similar about wearing dark colors in these months. I also LOVE the L.L.Bean nursing-friendly dress. I bought my first one four years ago and they have always been my go-to dresses for the postpartum, nursing months. I love that they don't require ironing.
Thanks for the continued advice on how to assess your items after each season.
Lauren
I love your 10 item wardrobe videos. The thing you mentioned about colors is very true for me. I want to wear colors for the current seasons. It makes me feel lighter in the summer and warmer in the winter.
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