It has been about a year since I started my capsule wardrobe project, and it’s been quite the learning experience. I now function with fewer than 40 pieces in my wardrobe at one time, and have not needed to add new items since late summer last year. It has taken me some time to figure out how to dress in Southern California, and I’ve figured out which staples will last me the longest. Capsule wardrobes aren’t rocket science– if you’re determined to get it right, you eventually will.
Still, many people have asked me (through this blog and in person) how I manage to cycle and recycle through the same clothes. On top of the fact that the weather in Pasadena doesn’t vary much, I can almost wear the same pieces all year round. So how exactly do I get away with wearing the same clothes, without looking repetitive? Great question.
The purpose of a capsule wardrobe
I wrote extensively about my personal struggles with image and vanity last summer, so I won’t rehash that here; however, the purpose of a capsule is pretty simple. The fashion industry has moved from quality to quantity rapidly in the past 50 years, and consumers are beginning to catch on to the intention that most clothing is manufactured to be “disposable”. Frankly, fast fashion comes at a great cost to our economy, to the welfare of workers, and to our wallets. Cheap clothes are made by hands whose dignity has been exploited; in the meantime, the average American throws away 65 pounds of clothing a year.
So in an effort to shrink my wardrobe and to consume less, all while purchasing items that were made in dignified conditions, I began searching for pieces that I could wear for years to come. In some cases I succeeded, while in others, I failed– and despite the prices I paid, I still ended up with pilling fabric. More on that another day.
Ultimately, the goal is not to compromise on fashion or the appropriate outfit for each circumstance; nor is it to wear clothes that we don’t love or that don’t fit us. Quite the contrary: a capsule wardrobe is intended to provide for us perfect pieces, every time. It shouldn’t be that difficult, right?
Enter: artisan-made accessories
You might be thinking, Isn’t the whole point of capsule wardrobes to eliminate clutter? Don’t accessories add clutter?
Here’s the thing: I may have shrunk my closet and quit my shopping habit, but I haven’t fallen out of love with a well-put-together outfit. My secret to wearing the same clothes over and over is having a high-impact accessory arsenal at hand.
Of course, my requirements for the accessories I purchase are the same as that of my clothes: well-made, dignified conditions, fair trade if possible, and highly versatile. What I’ve discovered is that more accessories fit that bill than clothing. In fact, accessories are a great way to keep an outfit interesting without contributing to the whole problem of fast fashion.
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Capsule secret: why I’m building an accessory arsenal
It might be easy to dismiss accessories as excess. And if you’re one who truly doesn’t place value in an outfit at all, I respect that. But the rest of us need to take a closer look at accessories. Here are a few reasons why:
- Accessories often do better showcasing artisanal work. The artisan sector is the second largest employer of people in developing countries (number one is agriculture). Therefore, the artisan sector is a space where there is dignified work to be done. Every piece pictured here has been handmade by artisans. All featured pieces come from Noonday Collection, who sources fair trade items from independent artisan businesses.
- Accessories are one-size-fits-all. They don’t need to be switched out when your size changes. They’re also perfect for sharing, trading and gifting.
- Accessories require little maintenance. Unlike the pile of laundry at the end of the week, an accessory collection need only be stored properly or polished occasionally.
- Accessories can be repeated with impunity. A statement necklace can go beautifully with jeans or with a ball gown. People seem to mind less when jewelry, scarves or bags are repeated, and it’s easier to build staples out of them.
- Accessories take up no space. If you have too many things in your closet, swapping out clothes for accessories could increase variety while decreasing the space needed.
One dress, so many ways
One of my favorite dresses is The Toi by MM.LaFleur. It was quite the investment, but I have worn it to everything from interviews to special events to everyday work. The Toi is the perfect canvas for dressing up with accessories, and it never gets old.
I have put together six different jewelry combinations for The Toi. These combinations come from my personal accessory collection, and all the pieces are available from Noonday Collection. To read more about Noonday’s story and amazing practices, check out their impact page.
1) The Exploress
Metallic Pearls Earrings | Firelight Necklace | Bazaar Bangles
This is the outfit for a worldly, varied look. The necklace is made in Uganda from hand-rolled paper beads, the earrings are made in Ethiopia of upcycled artillery, and the bangles are made in India.
2) The Sparkler
Carved Pillar Earrings | La Luna Necklace | La Noche Bracelet | Ecuador Bracelet
This is my go-to outfit for an evening out! The La Luna Necklace is so beautiful and it transitions well from day to night. Both necklace and matching bracelet are made by hand in Guatemala. The carved silver earrings are made in a little workshop in Peru, and the bracelet is made of tagua seed from Ecuador.
3) The Classic
Lima Earrings | Dauntless Necklace | Golden Rivers Necklace | Luminous Bracelet
These pieces are perfect for a formal work setting. The Lima Earrings have a beautiful stone set in them, and the Dauntless Necklace is a simple yet modern everyday accessory. The Golden Rivers Necklace is a super multifunctional piece made with hand-cast beads in India, while the Luminous Bracelet boasts semi-precious stone, also made in India.
4) The Impressionist
Nalwanda Earrings | Twilight Mukisa Necklace | Golden Rivers (Strap) | Impressionist Bangle | Monaco Bracelet
This combination showcases the prettiest colors. The Nalwanda Earrings and Twilight Mukisa Necklace showcase the hand-rolled paper beads from Uganda (Mukisa means “blessing” in Ugandan). The Impressionist bangle is handpainted and laid with gold leaf, and the Monaco Bracelet is a classic made with ethically harvested cow bone. Both are made in India.
5) The Sartorialist
Ombre Prism Earrings | Desert Rope Necklace | Bethe Rope Necklace | Ibrahim Necklace
Linked Horn Bracelet | Everyday Artillery Bracelet
This look is for the girl who loves gold and silver together! The Ombre Prism Earrings are hand-strung in India, while the Linked Horn Bracelet is made of ethically-harvested water buffalo horn in Vietnam. The remaining pieces are all handmade from upcycled artillery in Ethiopia.
6) The Adventuress
Terracotta Rope Necklace | Golden Rivers Necklace | Monaco Bracelet | Addis Bracelet | Column Earrings
I put this outfit together with some of my absolute favorite pieces from Noonday Collection. The Column Earrings are hand-carved in Peru and are the perfect modern addition to any outfit. I wear these all the time! The necklace is a combination of the Terracotta Rope Necklace (from Haiti) and the Golden Rivers Necklace (from India), and I just love how the weight feels like strings of pearls. And finally, I love the Addis Bracelet from Ethiopia with the Monaco Bracelet from India. They’re an amazing combo for everyday wear.
The bottom line: accessories add mileage to your wardrobe
It’s true: you and I can probably live without accessories. We could also probably live with just a few sets of clothes– but we don’t. We still crave variety, our own unique style, and a celebration of wearable art.
The secret to my keeping my wardrobe small is that I’ve pushed into the new arena of accessories with the help of Noonday Collection. Noonday’s mission is to build a flourishing world through empowered women who shop responsibly, and through empowered artisans who create high-quality products and dignified opportunities. It’s a win-win!
Coming soon: how to get the most out of your accessories
In the weeks to come, I’ll be sharing even more of my wardrobe secrets. I will showcase the types of pieces you might want in your capsule accessory arsenal, and how you can use them in as many different ways as possible. I’m so excited!
[Tweet “Get more mileage from your wardrobe: secrets to success! #capsulewardrobe #minimalism”]
Thanks so much Eva! 🙂
I hope you’ll find a new strategy for accessorizing that you love. It has really helped me expand my appreciation for artisan goods, while choosing only high-quality, ethically made clothing for my wardrobe. It’s worth the time, and kind of fun too! 🙂
Oh thank you thank you Chelsea!! 🙂 Can’t wait to see what outfits you put together!:)
I love your accessory arsenal – so full of fun and variety!
I’m always a little jealous of people who can wear a lot of accessories. I’d love to be able to but they feel funny and fussy on me – beautiful big earrings used to be my “thing”, I have a wonderful collection, but my style has changed a lot over the past year or so and now even they don’t work for me anymore. Your post has inspired me to re-look at accessories and find something that works for me now!
I totally agree with you on the power of well made accessories. Besides, the nice thing with artisanal accessories is that they bring back memories every time they are worn. I have two beautiful necklaces handmade in Venice, one a present from my dad, one from my sister, and I think of them every time I wear one of them!
LOVED this post, Daisy. Great tips, great challenge. I myself do the capsule wardrobe, but have yet to take the time to really invest in my accessory arsenal. I like that. Thanks for taking the time to share!
Hahah I love that idea, Lindsay!! You can borrow for sure! 😉
Thanks friend!! Yes absolutely– me too! We got a few pretty things from Morocco (and also spices!!) and they’ve made perfect gifts.
Thank you Anna!! 🙂 Yeah, I used to hoard cheap jewelry I found on sale (ok not super cheap–) but it was so bad for my wallet and even worse for the people who end up making our cheap fashion. It’s so much fun now to be more intentional with what I purchase and how I wear it! Trust me it’s not as hard as it looks! 😉
That’s awesome! You’ll love the jewelry. Noonday is a really fabulous company– I wouldn’t have recommended them if I didn’t believe in them 100%!
Thank you Andrea!! 🙂 It’s such an easy dress to throw on .
I totally agree with you – accessories can completely transform an outfit! I love that your staple dress is not black, by the way. All of your looks are so different and beautiful, and your accessories! Can we just live next door to each other and I can borrow your pieces?
I love this! Accessories are the one souvenir I allow myself while travelling – they take up so little room and support local artisans. Plus I am DEFINITELY wearing the same thing everyday right now, so a few pretty pieces make all the difference!
Wow, I love this Daisy! I love the dress too… it looks so perfect for a wide variety of events. I love all these accessories too and how they’re all ethically made. I’ve always wished that I was one of those people who knew how to accessorize. I used to have a lot of (cheap) accessorizes, but then never knew what to do with them, so hardly ever wore them, haha!
These are all so beautiful! I love the concept & designs of Noonday, but have never purchased anything from them. Definitely just added a few pieces to my birthday wish list though 🙂 Thanks for sharing these ethical ways to accessorise!
That dress is really gorgeous. I love how you styled it.
Thank you, Megan! You’re so right– every time I travel I realize that I really can live with just a few pieces of clothing and some accessories! And backpacking requires the ultimate capsule since you have to carry it with everything else!
Yes!! I love scarves. Sadly I don’t get to wear them as much now that I don’t live in the Northeast… but scarves are a great way to dress up an outfit. They make a huge difference.
Haha thanks Brittany! 🙂 You know, I didn’t think putting together capsule wardrobes would be as much of a challenge (as in, I thought it wouldn’t be hard at all), but it’s really an intentional learning process!
Thanks for reading this! Best of luck figuring out your capsule wardrobe– I hope you find things you love!
An accessory arsenal — haha! I love that! It really is amazing how swapping out accessories can totally change the look of an outfit. You are becoming quite the capsule master — I love learning from you as you go!
This is great advice, especially for travelers! We do long term trips where I have to fit all of my outfits in a small area of our backpack. My outfits seemed very limited and I learned alot from our first backpacking trip! When we set off again I plan on following the rules of a capsule wardrobe to help! I love accessories and didn’t take any on our last trip, I will try them out this time around! Thanks for the great post! I’ll have to keep checking for more inspiration!
Accessories make such a HUGE difference! Admittedly I’m not one for statement necklaces, but in the winter I’m all about scarves. I wear ’em indoors — apparently that’s not really a thing people do? But I don’t care, because they keep me warm and cozy and add pops of color to my wardrobe in the bleak days of winter!
I love this post! I’m a capsule wardrobe blogger and I totally agree with you that accessories are everything! If you can mix up your accessories people won’t notice as much that you’re wearing the same thing… although I have also realized that I just don’t care if people see me in the same thing twice. They’ll get over it. 😉
Karin | http://www.truncationblog.com
I’m allergic to most jewelry so I have a collection of scarves instead. By changing the way I wear them i can make one scarf look different. There on online instructions for scarf tying for those who want to take this path. BTW, most of my scarves I bought as souvenirs– I have one from Paris and one from Germany and… The one from London has the tube map on it so I can take it off and relocate myself if I get lost. 🙂
This is great. I am in the process of creating a capsule wardrobe and these are great ideas. Thanks so much for sharing! http://petiteheartbeat.com
Thanks for sharing this! I’m a big fan of accessories – I tend to splurge on them more often than I do clothing. I agree that they can really change up a look – you demonstrated that so well with your little black dress that’s the perfect backdrop for any accessories.
Away From The Blue Blog
Thanks for explaining this part of capsule wardrobes! Super cute and great way to mix-it-up. Check out Trades of Hope if you haven’t already. Awesome company that helps women around the world. They sell beautiful handmade jewelry pieces.
I can’t afford to have a lot of clothes, so I do wear the same things over and over, I love to wear jewellery which can change the look of an outfit
Love this! It’s amazing to me how much accessories can change a look. Plus, my personal favorite part about them is that they ALWAYS fit. 🙂
xoxo
Kat
I love how different the dress looks paired with the varied accessories. Great outfits, and great post!
xx – http://distantlocals.com
I have been trying to build a time capsule wardrobe as well and I completely agree with you that accessories are so important! I love wearing unique pieces that really bring my outfits to life. Thanks for sharing!
http://www.mintnotion.com
Thank you Chelsea!! xo
So glad to hear it, Caitlin! It sounds like this season of transition has been tough– I went through something similar when my husband and I moved to Southern California. It takes time. You can do it! In the meantime, a cute dress with accessories is definitely the way to go!
Yes, well you definitely have the hang of it! In the end it’s less about the exact numbers, and more about whether each piece we own is being used well. So wonderful that you’ve been selective with shopping– we all can benefit from that!
Thank you Alyssa! Yes, scarves are fabulous– they are so versatile and can definitely change up a look.
Thank you so much, Dana! Let me know if I can point you to any other resources on this– on my site or others. It’s a journey and it takes some time, but having a capsule wardrobe has improved my life in so many ways.
It sounds like a capsule wardrobe would be perfect for you! x
Yes! it’s really quite amazing– and all of these items last for a long time!
Thanks Emily! Yes… I think most of us can do without those cheap shirts that we so often purchase on a whim.
Thank you Cassandra! Yes, I think it’s a bit tough to incorporate accessories into a capsule wardrobe. I’ve definitely become less interested in the absolute numbers, and more interested in how simple, socially responsible and efficient my closet can be! And I think you would love Noonday Collection– each piece is making a difference in an artisan’s community.
your accessories are gorgeous! I have a capsule wardrobe too, but I included jewelry, scarves, and other accessories in my 33 items. Next season, I think I won’t include jewlery becayse, while I don’t mind wearing the same clothing over and over again, I’d love to have more freedom with accessorizing.
Love this!! I love your purpose behind having a capsule wardrobe. I hate to think of anyone being exploited just so we can buy a newly-trendy top for less than $25. I love how you showed so many different looks with just one dress!
It’s total genius how much that simple dress transforms with just an accessory change. You totally know the secrets to stretch what you have to it’s max! (:
http://www.accordingtokiki.net
So much yes to this! I have a closet full of clothes and I always feel like I have nothing to wear. I need to downsize and prioritize, and add versatility with accessories instead of more clothes. Thanks for this!
Ok, you are wonderful. I have been feeling that I need to simplify my style. I really love your reasoning behind your capsule wardrobe. Thanks for the inspiration!
This is so great, Daisy! I have taken a vow of not shopping for a year, and I started this summer as well. I have found that scarfs are one of my favorite ways to mix up my looks, and love the outfit combinations you’ve made. Can’t wait to see more!
I love this! It completely changes up the outfit!
I love this! Noonday is so amazing. I’ve been struggling with my wardrobe because I’m unemployed thanks to a cross-country move with my fiance. So I feel like half of my wardrobe doesn’t work for just sitting around the house job hunting. But I’ve got a similar dress, and a ton of jewelry I never touch. Thanks for the inspiration!
The capsule wardrobe is a pretty new concept to me but I have been really selective when shopping for clothes the last few years and it paid off! I rarely go shopping now and when I do, I only buy one or two items that need to be replaced. I love having key pieces that I can wear all the time, like a great simpe white t-shirt!