It’s the first week in May which means it is time to share what I added into my spring capsule wardrobe in April. In case you missed it, last month I shared how I am trying to be more intentional about what I buy this year. You can read more about it here. In a nutshell, this year I am making lists of what I want and making less impulse purchases, buying higher quality items, and building a synergistic seasonal wardrobe full of closet staples and pieces that work together.
I embarked on this experiment because I was overwhelmed by the number of items in my closet (most of which I wasn’t wearing), I often felt like I had nothing to wear, and, more importantly, I was starting to feel disgusted by my overconsumption. It takes a lot of time and effort to pare down a closet. All of those items we release end up somewhere and my guess is that it is probably in a landfill. I decided to make a change. The concept of a seasonal capsule wardrobe isn’t new but the practice of shopping with intention is new for me.
You’ll see from my list below that everything I bought in April works with the seasonal items I purchased in March. What I buy in May will grow and work with my March and April purchases. I’m on a monthly budget so I satisfy my desire to shop by spreading my purchases out over time. When I see something I like, I write it down in the notes app on my phone and I wait. Sometimes a sale comes along and it’s a great time to snag an item I’ve had my eye on. Often I review my list later and realize something that caught my eye was heavily influenced by my emotions or direct marketing or a combination of the two. I notice what I reach for the most when I’m getting dressed for the day. I decide if an item fits my lifestyle, if it works with what I have, and if it’s something that fills a hole in my wardrobe. Here’s what I added to my wardrobe in April.
Vests. Vests are popular right now and I chose two to add to my capsule. The navy sweater vest is more casual, the white vest is more tailored and can elevate denim or be paired with dressy pants. I wore them to dinner with the Evereve Geometric pants I purchased in March but they also work with the shorts. I can wear them both through the fall with a jacket layered over so there is a three-season element to this purchase. AT Weekend Collection Sweater Vest, $51 and Good American Vest, $112.
Sleeveless Cashmere Sweater. This is most reached for item from this month as we made the transition from early spring. I wear it with palazzo pants and white denim. It was one of my pricier purchases but cashmere is a beautiful fabric and because it’s a sweater I can continue to wear it in the fall. Nordstrom Cashmere Sweater, $105.
Black Cotton Blouse. Before I made this purchase I noticed that I only had one blouse to wear in the spring and it is one that I’ve had for over a decade. There’s something about spring that makes me want to reach for a top with feminine details like a puff sleeve. I like that I can wear this with denim, shorts, or pants. It’s a great item for everyday wear but dressy enough that I look put together. Pilcro Blouse, $93.
Linen Palazzo Pant. Linen is hugely popular right now and so are wide leg pants so if the two trends had a baby it would be these pants. I was looking for a simple piece that I could pair back with a cute top. By Anthropologie Linen Palazzo Pant, $157.
Linen Shorts Set. Sets are having a moment right now. One of my goals for this capsule was to add a set that I would want to wear on an ordinary day. Most of the sets I was seeing were super pricey though and I just wasn’t sure if this item needed to be on the pricier side because my goal is to use it for everyday wear or as a beach cover up. After trying on a few different sets I opted for this one from Old Navy because the price point matched my intended use. Not every purchase needs to be high quality but I don’t want to add many low range pieces to my capsule either. Old Navy Linen Blend Shorts Set, $52.
White Denim. When I was purging items from my closet for spring/summer I noticed a major gap in my closet: white denim. I had a pair that didn’t fit well anymore and a cargo pant that I like a lot but is not a closet staple. White denim can be worn year round so I knew I wanted to add a great pair of jeans. I love this pair. It was one of my priciest purchases this month but I know because of the classic styling and year round versatility that it will be worth it. Frame Le Slim Palazzo, $288.
Simple White Tee. I had been on the hunt for a plain white tee for a while. It’s a closet staple. A good one is harder to find than you would think. Sleeve length, fabric, overall fit and shirt length make it a really personal decision. I finally landed on this one, which admittedly is pricey, but I don’t mind because I got it during the ShopBop sale and after being the Goldilocks of tee shirts I think what I found is literally perfect. I will wear it year round. In the winter it will layer under crewneck sweaters. The Perfect White Tee, $54.
- Evereve Geometric Print Pants. I love to wear flowy pants in the spring and summer. These are a satin version in a geometric print that can be dressed up or worn casually with a tee shirt or tank.
- Melinda Maria Tennis Necklace. I’ve only had this necklace for ten days and already I’ve gotten so many compliments on it.
- Nubra Bra. I’ve basically forgotten what it’s like to wear a traditional bra because I wear a Nubra sticky bra exclusively. I’ve tried other brands especially less expensive Amazon versions and they just don’t come close with the quality of the adhesive.
- Varley Half Zip Sweater. While we are gearing up for spring it is still March and the weather in Washington, D.C. vacillates wildly. It can be cool and rainy or feel like summer! I have been eyeing Varley sweaters and sweatshirts for a while but they are pricey. They are on sale now at the end of the season and I’m so glad I snagged this one. I’ve worn it a few times and I know I will get a ton of wear next fall and winter.
- Devon Windsor Swimsuit. This is a new swimsuit brand on my radar. I love a denim suit and I fell in love with the simplicity of the design. One of my best spring break purchases.
- Reiss Dress Shorts. Reiss is one of my go-to brands and I love the idea of having a dressy short to wear with a tee or with a blazer if I’m dressing up.
- Naturium Transexemic Acid. For any girlies that get dark spots or hyperpigmentation, you’ll want to try this skin-correcting serum. I read fabulous reviews online so I decided to give it a try. It t has 5% transexemic acid (instead of 3% like my old brand), it is one-tenth of the price and more effective at fading acne scars and my melasma that pops up from sun exposure. Good skincare doesn’t have to break the bank.
- Akila.La Sunglasses. I was direct marketed this brand on Instagram so I decided to pop in their store when I was in Los Angeles last month. I had been wanting blue lens sunglasses in a tortoise frame but didn’t want to pull the trigger without trying them on in store. Akila will let you customize lens color to any frame. I love how mine turned out.
- Bardot Liana Dress. I love the idea of having long sleeve dresses in the spring especially because it is not always as warm as you want it to be at spring special events.
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