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8.24.2014

THINKING OF FALL: 33 FOR 3. OR 37, OR 40. WHATEVER.


Am I the only one feeling like August is completely over it? The other afternoon we had us a sweater situation happening, and there was a distinct leafy/swirly kind of feeling gong on. Can we blame this on the Super Moon? It's gotten me all introspect-y and junk. 

So I'm going to attempt this wardrobe capsule nonsense. (Have you heard of this?) Now, I am not a minimalist. Not even. Oh, but I want to be! And even though I love me some quantity, it turns out I am super predictable in the things that I like. I've always been so taken by the idea of a uniform--so romantic!--so I might as well do it. Like, the other day. Huck and I were walking to the market, talking about our favorite colors. (Side note: How do we run out of string cheese so fast?) Huck's favorite color changes from day to day depending on which Wild Kratt brother he is favoring at the moment. (Chris? Martin? They are both so fantastically nerdy and balding.) That day he claimed red (it was a rather feisty day for the kid), and then I asked him if he knew what my favorite color was, and he said, "Yes, Mom. White. And gray. And brown....." And then he made this face, like, Well there's no accounting for taste, is there. But my point is spontaneity is overrated, and this fall I'm attempting to keep my wardrobe to 40 items or less. I've been playing around with it already the last few weeks, and this is the most fun I've had getting dressed in forever. Not to mention, planning my "back-to-school shopping" strategy has never been so satisfying, in always.

So first you have to take inventory of your Pinterest boards. This is how you plan it. A Pinterest board's as good as therapy, I've always said. I made you a little mood board to show you what all I'm thinking. It will surprise approximately nobody.


Slouchy tee shirts, to start. Dainy gold jewelry that I never have to take off. Got it. 


Brown, White, Black, and Gray. Obvs. Plus small pops of red (not pictured; red flannel!).


Also midi skirts. And stripes! (Duh.) (I need to find a decent black a-line midi skirt. Seen any lately?)


And on the beauty ends of things: Soft, romantic hair. Barely-there make up. Full brows! Red lips! (Am I growing out my bangs, or not? I pray over this daily. I don't suspect God cares, he hasn't been very helpful.)

Once I have my fall line-up final-finalized, I"ll be bringing you the run down here. And then, occasionally, I'll feature a few of my favorite boring minimalist ensembles, here on the blog, too! AREN'T YOU THRILLED?! 

Would you ever do a short-term tiny dancer capsule wardrobe? Wanna do it with me? 40 items or less for 3 months. Who's in!? Link up your blog or your Instagram in the comments if you are. The more the merrier! Come on you guys, you know you want to!

Half ass photo credits coming riiiiiiight now: All photos via my Pinterest page. 
I know, I know...

53 comments:

  1. YES! I'm copying you so hard.

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    1. Best comment ever!

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    2. Perfectly worded in every way! Can't wait to start!

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  2. I just found the un-fancy blog and have totally been considering doing the capsule too! Is it totally terrible the reason I'm thinking of not doing it is because of how much work it will be to go through my clothes?! ha!

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  3. My whole family (its all ladies in this household) has been positively obsessed with the concept of capsule wardrobes lately. Essentially due to Caroline's blog (un-fancy.com, seriously check it out it is inspiring). I am constantly struggling picking clothes even though I have way too many, and paring it down seems like an amazing way to live with less, have an easier time getting dressed in the morning while also stimulating some very creative fashion ! I can't wait to see how you get on with the idea, and would love to see some outfits featured !

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  4. Love this whole post, Natalie. I've been loving Carolin's blog too.

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  5. On the midi skirt vein: I've been eyeing a couple on ASOS recently (but haven't bit the bullet just yet to be able to speak as to their worthiness)

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  6. YES i am in! i'm moving to spain in november anyways, so my wardrobe is already dwindling & this is even more inspiration to go for it. best challenge. can't wait to pair down my items.
    -k
    www.kerryjune.com

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  7. Like you, I crave a simpler wardrobe but I'm not there yet. I do have a THING - every time I wear something and I'm irritated by it for whatever reason (colour slightly off, a touch too short in the bum area, etc.) I toss it. So we're getting there. I've made good inroads into my winter things (I'm in South Africa, by the way) and I could totally get on board with this for (our) spring/ summer. My instagram is marcia0608

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  8. I'm in! my instagram is b_marie82

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  9. yes. i totally did a tiny wardrobe when i was pregnant, of all things. i had like eight tee shirts, i wore cardigans over them, and i had three pairs of pants i wore on rotation. it was wonderful! as i transitioned back to my regular wardrobe after giving birth to Lou six months ago (what?!?!? how did that much time go by?) i'm trying to stick to just what i love. for me, that's tees, cardigans, and skinny jeans. i'm not sure what i'm going to do for shoes once i have to stop wearing my flip flops though - i'm thinking those new boots Toms is making for the ladies, or getting a pair of their kid-sized Botas in grey (the plus size of having super tiny feet) and living in those all fall and winter. and yes to white and grey for sure!

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  10. It makes me sad to know the Kratt brothers are aging. I totally had a crush on them when I would watch their show at age 7. But I suppose they are my mother's age...yikes.

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  11. ah the midi skirts! i have so many in my cart at asos. but this black one is everything: http://us.asos.com/ASOS-Full-Midi-Skirt/1276h8/?iid=3722952

    ps just for fun: http://semiweeklyeats.blogspot.com/2014/08/so-much-to-say-4.html

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  12. Feeling the exact same ensembles! Of course, this could have something to do with the fact that I follow you on Pinterest. I'm trying to bounce back from having a baby - she's 11 weeks - so the idea of some simple clothes that work no matter what is really appealing.

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  13. Favorite post yet! I'm totally with ya!

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  14. I totally LOVE this idea. It's perfect for back to school, too!

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  15. Oh my gosh, I have the total opposite problem. I just recently inventoried my wardrobe because I noticed I was wearing the same shirt and pants, like, four days a week, and I realized that my total every day, actually wearable wardrobe (fit right, not stained, no holes) was down to 10 items. Total. Pants, tops, skirts, dresses (just kidding, there were no dresses). I was like - no wonder I never have anything to wear? What is wrong with me? (The answer to that is motherhood, obviously). TEN! I have one pair of pants. Just one. SO - I am working on bulking up my wardrobe with quality, durable, wearable items. I just bought three new pairs of pants! Maybe that capsule wardrobe would work for me, but like, in reverse. Minimalist wardrobe - yeah! But learn from me, don't take it too far. Even by accident.

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  16. This is gonna be super great!

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  17. I seriously love this idea! The older I get the more I'm into having a smaller, higher quality wardrobe that 527 pieces from Forever 21.

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  18. Instead of 40 items I think it's gonna be two suitcases, since I'm moving to Paris for a year. But, basically the same thing.

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  19. I love this idea and I'm so glad it is catching on! I've already been planning my capsule wardrobe for a couple of weeks, and I've convinced my husband to do it with me. I seriously have never had so much fun strategically planning my "back-to-school" shopping plan. I can't wait to see what you have picked for yours!

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  20. Great idea! 40 items... no sweat (hopefully it'll break me out of my stay at home mama no-i-didn't-sleep-in-this-outfit rut). IG @meig

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  21. We have the same wardrobe. And probably the same pinterest fashion boards. I get teased all the freak time about how much gray I wear....I also have gray jersey sheets and swear by the fact that I sleep best in gray pajamas. And when I want to mix it up? Yup...red lipstick and flannel. #neverchange

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    1. ....I also think "soft and romantic" is how I will start referring to my hair instead of "it's naturally sort of wavy but really just frizzy and I slept on it wet last night then put some scrunchy stuff in it this morning." Amen.

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  22. I LOVE this idea! Now, let's see if I can actually follow through... P.s. Your Pinterest boards are a thing of wonder!

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  23. But we need a hashtag to go with this. #wardrobecapsulewinning #captivatingcapsulating #ibetyoucanthinkofabetterone

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    1. I vote for #captivatingcapsulating !

      http://blog.rachteo.com

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  24. Love this! I'd love to try it with you, and a few fellow readers for support. I don't have all my pieces chosen, but I am getting started, Instagram: nhcapsule to follow along :)

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  25. Do pajamas count? I have multifarious amounts of pajamas. I am a stay at home mom in a podunk town with nothing to do but go to church and to the grocery store. And I will not say if I have or if I have not been to possibly both of those locations in said pajamas. ; ) On second thought, I may have to sit this one out!

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  26. This is a fantastic idea. Why have I not heard of this before? I'm not sure. I think I probably ALREADY have a capsule wardrobe and I didn't even know it... But now that I'm going to be conscious of it, it is somehow way more exciting. I'm gonna have to look into this one...

    Also, I love that Huck has observed your colour scheme. That's fantastic.

    http://jemimajaneblog.com

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  27. I am dying to know what that red lipstick, the last picture is. I can't get onto your pintrest board, so if you know, please tell me!

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  28. like them boots in your first pic with the ankle cropped pants....nioce!
    www.wildlandia.com

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  29. I started Project 333 in mid-February 2013, and I haven't looked back. I only count clothing and shoes (not purses or belts or hats or scarves and jewelry) and that works well. Sometimes if I'm feeling overwhelmed, I'll also include a suit (for work) that doesn't count. Ultimately, after a year, I have found that I like to have about 40 things at my disposal, and am okay packing the rest away. I'm trying to let go of what doesn't work without rushing to replace it; I'm also trying to shop for things I love and/or need, rather than just because I'm bored or unhappy with something in my life. That part? HARD.

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  30. Girl, it is eerily crazy how much this post is like the post I just wrote for my blog (hellolittlenest.blogspot.com). Right/write on! Much love!

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  31. I have been re-examining my own wardrobe since having a child, and this probably couldn't have come at a better time. I'm going to raise the bar and go under 30 items, since staring at my own pinterest board.
    www.littledwell.com

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  32. I absolutely love this idea of only have 40 items and working around it. You think at first that 40 is a lot but it really isn't. Not in the scheme of things! Can't wait to see how this goes.
    PS I'm totally a fan of the minimalist, black, white, grey, brown. No judgement is heading your way from me ;)
    And can I just say you are going to rock that red lip and bold brow this Fall like none other. I just know it!!
    xo TJ

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  33. Yes. I'm doing it. I'm in. I'll start in September! I'm minimalist-inspired, and I think fall+winter is the perfect time to tackle something like a wardrobe capsule. Like you, I'm all about those whites, greys, and blacks (although my pop of color is navy which barely counts soooo...). I hope you'll follow my adventures in caspule-ing on my blog, The What's In Between! (www.thewhatsinbetween.com).
    I can't wait to see what you whip up!
    The What's In Between

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  34. I'm not sure I even have 40 items in my wardrobe. I'm pretty sad like that. I need an overhaul bad! Maybe this is a good time to do it!

    We were growing out my Sebastian's hair! It got...lush. Ha! We had a woman stop us once and told us, "He has fabulous hair! He's going to be one of those men with really great hair. You know. Like the Italians." We loved it! but...we finally cut it since he was going into pre-school.

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  35. um i have been religiously following caroline's blog since basically day 2 and i'm still swimming in my attempt to pare down my wardrobe BUT WE CAN DO THIS. i can't wait to see what yours looks like!

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  36. I'm totally in! Last cold season, I just decided to own that my favorite clothing color is grey. That and striped…tees. :) Can't wait to see your outfits! I'll be blogging it too at: www.janejojulia.weebly.com

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  37. Check out HM for the black a-line midi. They had a few great midi pieces recently. I'm down for the challenge

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  38. love this idea! doubly down for this since your pinterest board summary is preeeetty much my pinterest board summary...

    http://blog.rachteo.com/

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  39. I am so down! I've already cleaned out half my of my closet & it's never been so freeing and utterly terrifying.

    www.behomesoonblog.com
    instagram: @caseybovee

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  40. Yes yes yes! I am trying trying to do this RIGHT NOW! I love the concept. And dang girl after how many years of reading your blog, can I just say I still think your writing is just about the best thing ever.

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  41. I absolutely need almost every piece of clothing you have posted. it's ironic because I have one or two of those pictures pinned on my pinterest as well for hair inspiration. where, oh where, do you find the perfect slouchy shirt? I swear I find the perfect one (and mistakenly do not try it on due to being in a hurry) and when I bring it out to wear, I hate it. It makes me look sloppy. Any recommendations?

    I am so ready for fall...and fall clothes...and fall weather...the leaves, too.
    love,
    alexandria

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    1. The Everlane Ryan tee! https://www.everlane.com/r/6id4py The U-neck is also so wonderfully slouchy and comfortable and only $15. I wear mine way too many times a week. You'll love one!

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  42. Love this idea! I'm with Anne though, where do I even start??!? Ack!

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  43. Alright, I'm in. www.theschamels.blogspot.com

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  44. I am on the exactly same page, mixing neutrals with bohemian wardrobe touches, posting under 5 piece bohemian wardrobe : http://tlvbirdie.com/category/5-piece-bohemian-wardrobe

    I am a big admirer of you blog, Natalie! Stumbled upon once, and keep on reading!
    Oly / TLV Birdie Blog
    http://tlvbirdie.com

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