I’m not necessarily a minimalist with my wardrobe (just ask my husband! haha), but I do like to have some basic outfit “formulas” to resort to on the days when I just don’t have the mental capacity (or frankly, the energy) to think about putting together any kind of ensemble. I say this because “capsule” is a bit of a misnomer for this post as it’s not a full capsule, but more of a curated group of mix-and-match options that I can reach for without much thought.
Disclaimer: these are all super casual looks because I’m not attending any fancy events at this point in my life, but I still want to look put-together and [somewhat] chic in my daily life of being a stay-at-home-mom. Additionally, I’m not saying that these outfits are “just for moms” — that’s just where I’m at in my life right now so they’re good for this chapter, but they’d also be good for anyone!
Additionally, these are my picks for our winter season in Seattle… where it’s mostly overcast, rainy and chilly (rarely snowy / freezing) so I recommend making adjustments that work best for your climate! I also prefer a neutral palette for easy mixing and matching, but I fully support (and encourage!) the addition of color to your outfits!
Base Outfits:
Sweatshirt + Jeans
This can be any pair of jeans — wash, style, etc; dealer’s choice. I personally prefer a cropped cut sweatshirt these days, but I say go with whatever makes you comfortable! I saw this classic fit sweatshirt recently and am super tempted to add it to my closet!
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Long Tee // Sweater + Leggings
Leggings are an absolute staple and sometimes you just need a longer top to go with them (obviously, go for a cropped style if that’s more your vibe or just knot a longer tee!).
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Matching Lounge Set
Oh man; I don’t know what took me so long to embrace the matching set life for lounging… if COVID-19 quarantine lockdown taught me anything, it’s the value of a cute matching set! I highly recommend getting at least one pair.
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ACCESSORY VARIATIONS:
Formula 1: baseball cap, coatigan, d’orsay sneakers
No time to wash your hair? No problem; a hat is your new bestie. I’m personally a fan of the classic baseball cap, but whatever style suits your fancy will work! I like the baseball cap in particular because it mixes well with my other “mom uniform” selections.
Obviously, you can wear any kind of white street sneaker (Adidas Stan Smiths, Reebok Club C Sneakers or Nike Air Force Ones would be excellent classic options too!), but I personally love the ease / femininity of this D’Orsay style!
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Formula 2: hair clip, waterproof outerwear, waterproof Chelsea boots
Soggy, rainy day? This outfit is a sure winner. I truly believe that finding the right outerwear is seriously the key to dealing with inclement weather seasons. I absolutely adore this coat in particular because in addition to being warm and dry, when zipped it gives me a bit of a waist in a typically shapeless garment. You already know I love these waterproof Chelsea boots — you can read my full review here.
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Formula 3: sling bag, puffer jacket, sporty sneakers
Busy day where you need to be hands-free? These items are the perfect accessories for on-the-go. I just got these sneakers to replace an older, worn-out pair and I absolutely love them! They’re great for exercise, but also stylish enough to wear for running errands. The sole is so cushy and I find them to be really comfortable… tbd on how they hold up during any type of workout activity though. I swore I’d never get a “fanny pack”, but here we are. I think this is due to the fact that they’ve been rebranded as “sling bags” and worn crossbody which is so much more chic than worn around the waist / hips (and not to mention more secure for your items!). I love having a bag I can grab for super quick trips out of the house — if Soph is with me I can definitely fit a Size 4 diaper, travel pack of baby wipes and slim tube of diaper cream in there with my wallet, keys and a lip balm.
I love the versatility of these outfits and their abilities to mix and match (a fave “remixed” combo of mine is the coatigan paired with my Chelsea boots)!
I hope these ideas help to inspire you to create your own mini seasonal capsule with ensembles that you don’t have to put much thought into, but make you feel put-together even on the crazy days.
Sending hugs —
xx, Natalie
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