how to:

capsule wardrobe 101

Capsule wardrobes have been all the rage for the past few years now. Although I think they have navigated away from the original, more traditional definition of a strict number of classic, high-quality, versatile pieces, I still love the idea of capsule wardrobes and thought I’d give you my take on how to build your own capsule wardrobe. It’s definitely not the original method or the only method to build a capsule, but I hope this gives you some starting points or some ideas to tackle capsule wardrobes your own way.

But first, let’s talk about the why.

I think it’s important to consider why you want to have a capsule wardrobe before you start, or else this whole process might only be something that lasts for a few weeks, or maybe a few months. Here are a few pros and cons to consider when starting a capsule wardrobe. Maybe the following are some reasons that piqued your interest in the first place. Ultimately, we want to build a capsule wardrobe that features your favourite styles and is functional and practical for your lifestyle so that it becomes a sustainable process.

Pros:

• budget friendly

• great for small closets

• can be more environmentally friendly

• longer lasting

• easier to get ready

• bonus: may help you discover your personal style!

Cons/Challenges:

• style/trend constricting

• possibility of being less environmentally friendly (will discuss this point below)

• seasonal constrictions

Considerations…

Consider your lifestyle

Before gathering pieces for your capsule wardrobe, it’s important to know which pieces are best suited for your lifestyle. For example, I used to work in a more corporate setting, so pieces like trousers, shirts, and blazers made a lot more sense than they do now in my more casual work setting. Maybe you’re a new mum or a student. These things all affect what we choose to wear each day and what pieces we incorporate into our capsule wardrobes.

Consider your environment

Another factor that I personally found affected my capsule a lot is weather. After moving back to Canada from Sydney, I’ve found that I need a few more pieces than I did living in a warmer climate to get me through all four crazy Toronto-weather seasons. If I lived in a purely warm, sunny place, I might need fewer pieces in my capsule. So all that to say, consider your environment, and where you live when creating your capsule.

A system that works for me is having a basic, year-round core capsule that consists of pieces that are worn all seasons. Then on top of that I have a seasonal capsule for fall/winter and then one for spring/summer where I can have a bit more fun and change things up each season and include pieces that I wouldn’t necessarily wear all year round. You can read more on my core capsule here. Keep in mind, that I’m quite flexible with my wardrobe and I sometimes swap pieces from my seasonal and core capsules because I’m still figuring out which pieces I actually wear through all seasons.

Consider your personal style

What do you personally love to wear? If there are pieces you often gravitate toward, these will most likely be your capsule wardrobe staples. If you’ve been following my sustainable style journey for a while now, you’ll probably know that turtlenecks and high waisted pants are my jam. I go to these items time and time again for reasons such as comfort, practicality, and function. Take a look through your current wardrobe, I’m sure you can pick out some tried and true pieces as your capsule foundation.

Go easy on yourself!

I know traditionally, capsules are about numbers and having a certain number of pieces in your wardrobe. However, I personally think it’s fine for each individual to have a set a number or range for themselves, according to the factors that I mentioned above. In the end I’ve learned, through this process, to be intentional with my budget and what pieces I choose to invest into. It has also taught me that I need less than I think I do. I’ve also learned more about my personal style and it has invited more creativity into my wardrobe by learning to experiment with different ways to style pieces.

Let’s get started! (finally)

Wardrobe Evaluation

First, evaluate what you already own! This is SO SO important to being sustainable through this whole process. The point of a capsule is to curate a wardrobe that you love and can easily style each day that fits your lifestyle. I’m sure there are at least a few things in your wardrobe that you love to wear. So pick out a few dearly loved pieces and make sure you include those in your capsule! If there are pieces you no longer wear or are ill-fitting, declutter it sustainably! Try to repurpose the item or fabric (Tip: old t-shirts make GREAT cleaning rags). Sell it through online platforms such as BUNZ, Poshmark, or ThredUp. Donate it or gift it to someone else who loves it and would want to give it a second life.

Gather Inspiration

Next, gather style inspiration! This is such a fun part for me. I’m always so inspired by others’ style and I love to create mood boards each season on Pinterest. This not only keeps me from impulse purchases, but it also shows how my style changes from season to season - it’s like a digital style diary. I also love the “save” function on Instagram which I use often as I’m scrolling, to save inspiring outfits and styling techniques.

List It Out

Now that you’ve gathered pieces from your existing wardrobe and hunted for style inspo. It’s now time to identify wardrobe “gaps” or maybe some “wants”. Maybe there’s a particular trend that you love this season and you want to include - write it down! Maybe you’ve been on the hunt for high quality high waisted denim for a long time. Write it down! For example, this spring/summer season, I was on the lookout for some white pants and more “summer” material pieces for my capsule. Whatever wardrobe gaps you identify, make a list! Having a list in mind helps to guide your shopping so that you will be less likely to make an impulse purchase. It’s like going to the grocery store with a list rather than going to the grocery store with no list and an empty stomach!

Cape Jumpsuit (Top) by Vetta Capsule
Donna Jeans by Cheap Monday

Black Tee by Muji
The Carpenter Pant by Everlane

Shop Intentionally

Finally, it’s time to shop for those missing items. Start to keep an eye out for the items you’ve identified on your list and shop with intention. You may be wondering, “what does shopping intentionally even mean?”. That is a great question because honestly, I think shopping intentionally can mean different things to different people, depending on your WHY (see above). I can only speak for my own why, so here’s my story and how I define “shopping intentionally”. I originally began exploring capsule wardrobes because of my interest in living a more low waste life. This exploration very quickly led me to the nasty discovery of how wasteful and unethical the fast fashion industry is and this has really affected how I shop. For me, shopping intentionally means being aware of my ecological footprint by shopping sustainably and also supporting ethically-made brands where I can. As tempting as it would be to start from zero, and build my wardrobe from the ground up, I would end up leaving an even larger environmental footprint by throwing out all my existing clothing. Instead, I try to “shop my closet” as much as I can but still give myself the freedom to enjoy fashion by making purchases from ethical and sustainable companies and investing in high quality pieces that I know will get a lot of wear.

If you don’t know where to look for sustainable and ethical brands, I have a whole brand directory where I’ve been keeping track of all the brands I’ve tried or have collaborated with in the past.

Now what?

Well, if you stuck around all the way to the end, thank you so much - I really appreciate it! I hope this post was insightful and helpful if you’re looking to build your own capsule wardrobe or are just curious about all this capsule talk. It may seem a little complicated at first, but trust me, you’ll get the hang of it! I’m going to leave a few more tips below that you guys shared with me through my latest #capsuleconversations post, and hopefully they will help someone out!

Tips from you!

• try smaller capsule challenges as a start to see if the capsule wardrobe system is for you (spring 10x10, may 30x30)

• have a visual overview for your capsule wardrobe

• choose pieces based on fabrics

• have a “capsule” when travelling to test out the system

• make sure your pieces can be styled at least 3 ways before purchasing

• have fewer pieces that are patterned for simpler styling

Let’s continue the conversation below! Please let me know if you have any other questions or things I should blog about. It was already so hard to cap this post…I’m thinking there may need to be a part 2!

Do you have a capsule wardrobe? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

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This post is not sponsored but contains some gifted items and affiliate links. If you decide to shop through the links above, I make a small commission that helps support this blog. I only share products and brands I love and support. All opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting Candice Tay!

Spring Outfits

feat. elizabeth suzann

I’m sharing three transitional spring outfits today featuring all linen pieces by Elizabeth Suzann. You might remember back in the winter when I shared winter layering outfits. Now that it’s spring, the weather has started to warm up a touch, but there are still those days when mother nature can’t decide what season it is.

If you’ve never heard of Elizabeth Suzann before, I’m excited that I get to be the first to introduce this brand to you. Elizabeth Suzann is a brand that I’ve admired since the start of my journey in exploring sustainable and ethical fashion. Their garments are intentionally designed to be timeless, quality pieces that last. It’s evident that they value people. I can see it through their representation of different cultures, ethnicities, and body types throughout their brand. I love that there are small touches displayed in each garment such as tags that tell me who made my garment. It’s a nice reminder that there’s a real person behind each piece carefully crafting it with pride. I also love that they use natural fibre materials and are all designed, cut, and sewn in Nashville. You can even take a peek at their studio here.

This is definitely a dream partnership and I’m so honoured to be able to collaborate with a company that so closely aligns with my sustainable goals and values.

As you may know, Elizabeth Suzann just launched some styles in new linen gauze colours to their Warm Weather Collection. I thought it would be nice to show you the pieces on its own and then styled.

Outfit 1: Georgia Midi in Terra Midweight Linen

Georgia Midi, size OS Minus

This is probably the most colourful piece in my wardrobe at the moment. I’m in love with this gorgeous Terra colour for the warmer months. I’m wearing the Georgia Midi in one of their signature materials - midweight linen. I’ve styled this midi dress over a pair of linen trousers and completed with my chucks. I can’t wait until it actually gets warm enough to wear this outfit! This piece can also be styled with a belt for a more pulled together look.

Georgia Midi with Serpentine Wrap Belt

Outfit 2: Georgia Midi in Ivory Linen Gauze

Georgia Midi, size OS Minus

Here is the same Georgia Midi in one of the new linen gauze colours, Ivory. This is the epitome of a spring/summer dress. It’s lightweight, breathable and can be styled up or down. The linen gauze material has more of a textured feel to it, making the garment appear pillowy and light. I think this material is a great alternative to traditional linen if you can’t stand the wrinkles because this material is a naturally crinkly material with lots of texture already.

This midi dress can be worn on its own or paired with trousers, like I’ve done here. Since it’s a very neutral ivory colour, I styled it with more earthy-toned trousers and clogs.

Outfit 3: Harper Tunic in Pepper Linen Gauze

Harper Tunic, size OS Minus

The Harper Tunic in Pepper Linen Gauze is such a lovely addition to my warm weather wardrobe. I decided to go for a dressed down look with my ripped jeans while still staying put together with a pair of low slingbacks. I love the high-low hem line of this top and the Pepper colour adds nice texture and interest to the fabric.

Outfit 4: Petra Crop in Ivory Linen Gauze

Petra Crop, size OS Minus

This final piece is in the same Ivory Linen Gauze as the Georgia Midi I styled in outfit 2. I can definitely see this being a summer staple for a long time because of its classic silhouette, breathable material, and light neutral colour. I’ve styled it here with a pair of wide leg chinos and my chucks. This is a top that I know I’ll be wearing all season long with high waisted denim, shorts, or even as a layering piece on top of dresses or jumpsuits.

Thank you so much for reading all the way to the end of this post! I really appreciate it! I hope you enjoyed learning about Elizabeth Suzann and seeing these beautiful pieces in action. You can check out their collections here. If you’re interested in the pieces or have any questions at all, feel free to send me a DM on Instagram. Also, if there’s any other way you want to see them styled, be sure to let me know!

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This post is not sponsored but contains some gifted items and affiliate links. If you decide to shop through the links above, I make a small commission that helps support this blog. I only share products and brands I love and support. All opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting Candice Tay!

Slowing Down

feat. ode to sunday

What do Sundays mean to you? In our home, Sundays are a day of rest, worship, and connecting with family and friends. It’s a time to slow down and reset for the week ahead, appreciating what’s in front of us. We treasure these days.

The Brand

Ode to Sunday is a small independent brand from Lithuania that focuses on manufacturing minimal and effortless pieces, with ethical and sustainable practices. I really admire Ode to Sunday’s appreciation for local resources and their focus on creating timeless, high-quality garments. They have a passion for cultivating connection and community and have a dedicated “stories” section on their website highlighting the lives of various inspiring women.

The Pieces

Ode to Sunday so kindly gifted me two pieces from their collection to try out and review. As I was preparing for my Spring capsule, I had been looking for more linen pieces to add to my wardrobe, so I was very excited to add these two garments to my wardrobe. I’m all about comfort, versatility, and function when it comes to what I wear. These two pieces definitely fit into those categories and I can see myself wearing them all throughout Spring and Summer. I’ve been teasing a bit with the linen pants on my Instagram so I’m excited to finally share them with you!

For reference: I’m 5’5”, waist 26”, hips 34”, bust 31”

Outfit #1:

In this first look, I’ve styled both of the Ode to Sunday pieces. I’m wearing the Zoe Wrap Dress in bluish gray and the Camilla Pants in black. Unfortunately it’s still snowing here in Toronto as I’m writing this post, so I’ll have to wait a few more weeks until it’s warm enough to wear this outfit. I’ve paired this outfit with some Sandgrens clogs, completing this casual, laid-back outfit.

I can see myself wearing this outfit to a summer farmer’s market or a brunch date with friends.

Dress: Ode to Sunday Zoe Wrap Dress
Pants: Ode to Sunday Camilla Pants
Shoes: Sandgrens Clogs

Outfit #2:

This next look is my kind of go-to outfit. I’ve tucked in an oversized silk shirt into the Camilla pants and finished the outfit off with my favourite pair of sneakers. I did say I would share more about these pants, so here are some details.

I wearing the Camilla Pants in a size XS. I have to admit that these are probably my favourite pants right now. The fit of these is just phenomenal. They are a high-waisted, wide leg, cropped pant and have just the perfect amount of “wide” in them. There are also belt loops with an optional detachable linen tie at the waist. The details of this pant were so well thought out and are clearly evident in the beautiful pleating of the pant, the tailored fit, and the fine details of the button. I was asked about the “wrinkle factor” of these pants, and surprisingly as I’ve worn them, they have not been too wrinkly. I personally love the look of linen and the wrinkles that form throughout the day because it’s almost like telling a story through your clothes.

Shirt: Everlane Clean Silk Short-Sleeve Square Shirt 
Pants: Ode to Sunday Camilla Pants
Shoes: New Balance 574s
Earrings: Mejuri Organic Pearl Large Hoops
Watch: Stock Watch S002G

Outfit #3:

This third look is a more relaxed feminine outfit. I love the ease and simplicity of the wrap function of this dress. It’s such a simple, yet intentionally designed piece. It has a modest relaxed straight fit that falls just below the knees. I’ve paired this dress with some matching grey sling back heels. I’m wearing this Zoe Wrap Dress in a size XS and in the colour bluish gray.

This dress would be perfect for a relaxing weekend afternoon coffee date or drinks on the patio (when it gets warm enough). I can also see this dress being transitioning beautifully from casual to semi-formal with a quick change in shoes and hair and accessories.

Dress: Ode to Sunday Zoe Wrap Dress
Shoes: Everlane Square Toe Slingback
Earrings: Mejuri Organic Pearl Large Hoops

the fabric

Why linen? I personally love linen because of it’s comfort and breathability. Linen is a natural, sustainable material that comes from the flax plant. It actually uses less water to produce than cotton, which is another very popular “warm weather” material. A con for linen is the wrinkling that occurs, however, it may be viewed differently depending on your wrinkle tolerance and can also be avoided by the specific linen pieces chosen. It is also generally a more expensive natural material because of the time and effort it takes the produce.

Final Thoughts

These Ode to Sunday pieces are intentional additions to my wardrobe and have helped fill a gap in my capsule. These are pieces that I know were made to last through different seasons of life. Through my correspondence with Agne, one of the co-owners of Ode to Sunday, I could sense the deep personal connection and care that she not only has for her collection, but also the people for whom the garments are created.

You can explore and shop the full Ode to Sunday collection here, and maybe add some delicate linen pieces to your wardrobe this season. Ode to Sunday is generously offering a 15% discount to my readers, with the code candicemtay15. This discount applies to all products except for the “donation” section and will expire on April 18th. 11:59 PM, EST.

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This post is not sponsored but contains some gifted items and affiliate links. If you decide to shop through the links above, I make a small commission that helps support this blog. I only share products and brands I love and support. All opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting Candice Tay!