The Capsule Wardrobe a Experiment: Lessons Learned (Spring)

Spring has always been a weird season for me, wardrobe-wise. It starts off with 50* days feeling like the Sahara, and by the time the calendar says it's over, there have been a least a couple days where the temperature is literally double that. And let's not even talk about summer, when it's too hot and sticky to even bother putting a real outfit together. Earlier this year, as we moved into these seasons, I knew I wanted to continue my new capsule lifestyle, but I wasn't sure how exactly to accommodate such a wide weather range for these months. Truthfully, I still haven't even come close to figuring it out. But this is an experiment, after all, and these are the things I've learned from my second/third(ish?) capsule wardrobe attempts:

Lesson #1: I need more spring-to-summer transitional pieces. 

I knew when I started this capsule that it wasn't going to be easy to nail down pieces that would work for the quickly-rising temperatures. Summer starts much earlier than I'd like to think (and stays longer than I'd prefer), so I just don't need as many long pants, jackets, etc. 

Lesson #2: I probably don't need as much color.

This year, after the harshest winter I've experienced in quite some time, spring came with such promise of warmer days - and colors! - ahead. I already owned a couple of bright cardigans and picked some items that would help complement them, only I never felt truly comfortable in those colorful tops. Those two bright floral chiffon tops? They seemed like a good idea at the time, but still don't feel like they fully fit my style, which I'm still figuring out but realizing more and more that I tend to stick to simpler/more classic pieces and colors. Next year I think I'll toss some of the brighter stuff and stick to neutrals. The, er, bright side: the material of those tops is fancy enough that I've gotten plenty of use out of them in my business casual office!

I really like this outfit, it's just not totally me.

Lesson #3: White pants were a smart addition.

Screw the whole Memorial Day-Labor Day rule; I didn't purchase these until May this year but next year I'll be rocking them as soon as those spring flowers start to bloom again. I've never owned a pair of white pants I liked, but now that I've found my lucky Sevens I scooped up a pair in a white cotton fabric and I've been in love ever since.

The only picture I have of my white pants is when I threw them on with a yoga tank for an impromptu after-dinner beach walk to watch my sister play volleyball...

Lesson #4: So were denim shorts.

And speaking of denim, swapping out my chambray button-up for this lighter camp shirt was genius. At first I was hesitant about basically owning 2 versions of the same shirt, but it turns out they both have their place in my closet. The camp shirt works for both this almost-but-not-quite denim-on-denim look, and with khakis for work (I can get away with it since it's not really denim). 

Lesson #5: Rompers aren't my best look. 

This was brought to my attention by my husband. Um....thanks? At least he's honest. I wore my black romper out maybe 2-3 times but only ever felt okay in it at best. It is really comfortable, but it sucks when I have to pee (which is approximately once every hour). I don't want to admit it, but I think this one is at a net negative.

Long #6: I need more bottoms to wear with my navy peplum top. 

And of course, as soon as I typed that I realized I could probably try it with my jacquard shorts...which would be great, except I left my peplum top in Blacksburg because I didn't think I had anything to wear with it this summer. I love this top but I think I only wore it a couple times (with my aforementioned beloved white jeans).

Lesson #7: If I could only wear one maxi dress for the rest of my life, it would be this one. 

Dark/neutral colors? Check. Flattering cut? Check. Perfectly lightweight? Check. This has been and will stay a staple in my April-August wardrobe, for sure.

I threw on my hands-down favorite sweater over this maxi on an unseasonably cool May day for a walk around campus with Becky :)
Whereas by the end of winter I felt like I had nearly perfected my winter capsule, I feel like I still have a lot of changes to make for my spring capsule next year. I'm happy with the foundation I have for spring but still need to do some work finding pieces for warmer weather that are light and classic - right up my alley.