I have a fairly standard closet; not quite capsule, but still intentional and somewhat minimal. I have not mastered the art of second hand shopping quite like my sister, but do not buy nearly as much as I used to.
As we head into the warmer weather (how lovely the sun is this afternoon!), I am looking forward to wearing skirts and dresses more frequently. I felt my wardrobe was missing a dress that I could wear for church or work without looking too casual or too formal; I believe I have found the perfect item. A blue knee length dress with a classic fit and large floral pattern. It is bolder than anything else I own, yet I absolutely love it. I normally don’t wear loud prints or geometric patterns because I have smaller facial features and I can get a bit lost in all of those colours, but I found the perfect balance in this dress. There is something fun in buying something new; but only when it is the right thing. When you know it doesn’t quite work no matter how hard you try, you end up feeling discouraged each time you put it on. Maybe even like there is something wrong with your body.
The change in seasons means switching over my cupboards. The freedom of inbuilt wardrobes in both my main bedroom and the second means I use one for warmer clothes and one for cooler. At the moment my heavier items are on hand in the main bedroom; jumpers, blouses, jackets. But in the next couple of weeks I’ll swap my clothes around so my dresses, skirts and shirts are in my bedroom.
I didn’t set out looking for two cupboards when I was moving house, but it’s turned out rather well. The clothing bar in the main bedroom is damaged and can’t bear much weight, and an easy solution was to divide my clothes so they weren’t all in my bedroom. Of course, it isn’t my fault if the bar does fail one day, but I don’t mind the separation. Those who talk about capsule wardrobes online discuss keeping your summer and winter items apart. You don’t need to have every item cluttering your closet all year round. By keeping out the pieces you will actually wear, you can see everything clearly (your skirts aren’t getting lost in your coats!) and when a new season rolls around, your clothes feel brand new because you haven’t seen them for months!
In the next couple of weeks I’ll move my dresses and skirts into my main bedroom. I’ve already started using my summer quilt cover (a delightful yellow, orange and pink floral pattern) and washed and put away the winter bedding (a lovely blue toned quilt cover of varying mosaic patterns), and it has refreshed the space. It is a beautiful way of welcoming the new season, and preparing your heart for what is ahead. It’s okay to be excited for the change! Who knows what this spring will hold.
I remember when I started my current job and bought a few blouses. Working in an office threw me into a different environment and I didn’t have quite the right attire. While things can still be fairly casual where I work, I feel my best when I wear those more delicate, professional items. A blouse and flats feels more comfortable than a t-shirt with sneakers (though of course I wear this too, at times). Wearing blouses also helped me feel more confident and almost more equipped to do the job when I was first hired. Inside I was nervous and insecure due to changes in my life at the time, but wearing those blouses conveyed a sense of confidence and ease. I felt older and more capable.
At one of my old jobs, the company introduced a new uniform. Working retail, I started that job with the company polo-shirt and then they changed it to t-shirts and hoodies. While they were good quality and comfortable to wear, the environment immediately became more casual. I noticed a change in attitudes when we began dressing differently; the workplace didn’t feel as professional anymore, and the job didn’t seem to be taken as seriously. While I’m not a fan of polo shirts, the company was represented differently with the change of uniform. It’s like on mufti days at school; even though you’re at school, everyone’s a bit excited and restless and it almost feels like a holiday.
What we wear affects us. What we wear matters and can change how we feel or act. While it isn’t everything, it is still something.
Well. The afternoon is getting on. I think it’s time for a tea break. My house is clean, the windows are open, and all that’s left to do is cook dinner. We all need slow days… and maybe a new spring dress.
Sarah xx
the softest words 