It’s taken me a LONG time to get this wardrobe together. There wasn’t much of a budget left for clothing after moving, plus I literally finished sewing one of the skirts a few days ago. Much of this wardrobe is linen, yet the more expensive linen pieces were purchased on Etsy last year.
I’ve thrifted many pieces as you will see, and some I sewed myself. The only thing I splurged on recently is my shoes. I’ve had issues with my feet from years dancing commercially in heels or strengthening my feet in pointe shoes. Neither have done my body good over time. After having my son, my days of wearing anything other than a minimalist zero drop shoe has been out of the question. So that is all I wear now and what you will see here.
My Fall/Winter 2019 Capsule Wardrobe consists of five tops, three skirts, five dresses, three sweaters, three coats, two pairs of shoes, a scarf, bag, and belt (not shown).
2. cream linen top (my design)
3. thrifted green linen top
4. thrifted navy skirt
5. eggplant violet linen skirt (my design/matching fabric – LinenDi on Etsy)
6. dark blue linen skirt (my design)
2. Tadeevo brown leather minimalist boots
3. BloemLinen dark navy pinafore dress
4. Vivobarefoot brown minimalist shoes (these shoes from summer replaced the 2nd pair of boots pictured above which I returned)
5. thrifted denim shirt
2. KnockKnockLinen ginger brown linen dress
3. dark blue linen dress (my design)
2. thrifted moss green scarf
3. thrifted cognac basket bag
2. thrifted ginger brown linen coat (eBay)
3. thrifted navy coat
4. thrifted cream cardigan
5. thrifted navy sweater
6. thrifted tan sweater
This wardrobe is a collection of carefully selected pieces over the past year or more. Being consistent really helped it come together. One of the greatest benefits of a capsule wardrobe is that it really helps you focus in on what items actually work in your wardrobe and that includes your color palette.
Being very strict on the colors of each piece makes a huge difference when creating a cohesive wardrobe with predominately thrifted items,
I always focus on purchasing natural fabrics over synthetics, yet this wardrobe is not free of them. The navy coat is synthetic and the lining of the ginger brown linen coat is also synthetic. There is no need for perfection even if you are wanting to be eco friendly. Sometimes sticking to your budget is the best approach.
If you’re into linen as much as I am, don’t overlook thrifting for linen on eBay.
Both of the linen coats are from the FLAX brand which is a brand I often search for because of the quality of linen. All linen isn’t created equal and I prefer midweight or heavy weight linen. Nine of the other thrifted pieces (linen and otherwise) I found at different thrift stores in Raleigh. I had no idea they were so good in this city!
This wardrobe works well for the season of life that I’m in. I’m a work from home mom and I wear these clothes at home, running errands, children’s activities, going to church, etc. None of it is too fancy or too casual, and definitely not uncomfortable. Lastly I will confess that I no longer have a simple closet set up as pictured above like our last apartment. I share a walk in closet with my husband and son. I had to use the coat closet for the initial photo. No need having you believe my life is perfect and 100% Instagram worthy.
If you’re curious about why all the long skirts and dresses, I shared more on my journey to dressing modestly here.
Much love!
(Images by Dawn Michelle)
Raw Lawgirl says
Lovely! Barefoot style shoes are IT. Everything else squeezes the feet into narrow toeboxes and tilt the foot at such an angle that it ruins the feet, back, and pelvic area of women! Love your linen pieces. I used to have an affinity for linen, but not the time any longer to make sure it is wrinkle free enough for the professional office. I instead op for mostly organic cotton dark knits from sustainable online brands. They come out of the washer and hang dry without wrinkles! I have a minimalist wardrobe all year and forever so no need for capsule wardrobes for me. As you know, Los Angeles weather is mostly the same year round or nothing that a cotton or linen sweater cannot cure!
Dawn Michelle says
Thank you Raw Lawgirl! I completely agree with you about barefoot minimalist shoes. I have narrow feet and was surprised that having a wide toe box makes such a difference for even my feet. I can’t go back to traditional shoes amd don’t want to.
I understand what you mean about linen wrinkling. The thrifted green linen shirt in my capsule wardrobe is a lighter weight linen and it wrinkles like crazy. Light weight linen gives linen a bad rap in my opinion. Midweight and heavy weight work best for me. What’s great about capsule wardrobes is that you gear them to your personal lifestyle. I’m glad you found an easy system that works well for you.
I hope all is well and that you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. And in LA weather a cotton or linen sweater can cure pretty much anything year round. Too funny!
V says
Thanks for sharing! I too wear only dresses and skirts. I’m trying to collect my staple pieces. Its taking me some time. Its encouraging to hear it took you atleast a year.The weather does not change that to drastically here in Houston. Its usually pretty warm when it’s cold I can add a sweater/jacket. Maybe have some rain boots when its storm season.
Dawn Michelle says
Hi V,
It takes time to put together a wardrobe with good staples. Be patient. It will come together beautifully. Best wishes!
adanmo says
It would be great if you could do a review of the Tadeevo boots, particularly as winter shoes. I’ve been nervous to pull the trigger on them particularly for that concern.
Dawn Michelle says
What was your concern exactly? I love them!
Angelica Murray says
Do you find them to be warm as winter shoes? Also, do you think the sizing is true to fit?
Dawn Michelle says
The Tadeevo winter boots are lined and extra warm. They do have an autumn version which I’m assuming is not lined. They are also more comfortable than most slippers so I don’t even think to take them off when I get home. I will say that I’ve been wearing minimalist shoes for over three years so I have become accustomed to them. After my last pair of thrifted sandals broke, I’ve been only wearing minimalist shoes.
Sandy says
Such a beautiful wardrobe, Dawn.
The colors remind me of nature’s true naturals.
Wishing you and the family the best life in your new environment.
Dawn Michelle says
Thank you Sandy! Living in NC has definitely been an adjustment, but it is still a huge blessing. I truly appreciate your kind wishes. Wishing you and your family abundant blessings as well.
nofixedstars says
i love, love, love the colours! linen is so comfy, and it works all year ’round when layered. and i am a fan of long skirts and flowing shapes; although i am not at all modest by design, it just looks prettier to me, and is much more comfortable than tight/short spandex-y stuff.
i hear you on the feet-not-tolerating-heels-any-more thing…i wasn’t a dancer, but still found my feet changed after having a child—definitely more sensitive! and as i grew older, well…let’s just say flats are my friend.
and the closet disclaimer at the end is perfect—my own is emphatically not “insta-worthy” at the moment (or ever?). being able to share a closet with hubby and son, though, is pretty impressive! i don’t think either i or my husband would ever approach that level of disciplined minimalism. i do greatly admire it, and i am sure it simplifies the heck out of things.
Dawn Michelle says
Hi nofixedstars,
Thank you. Yes flowing clothing is definitely more comfortable. And I have heard others say that their feet changed after pregnancy.
Now that I think about it, having all of our clothing in one place does make laundry easier to do. There is still much effort it keeping everything organized and tidy. Having less does make it doable though. Thanks for your comment and I hope all is well with you.