Closet Audit Capsule Wardrobe - January 2021

January 2021 Closet Audit Capsule Wardobe -
Color Palette: Royal Blue, Forest Green, Mustard Yellow

​What is a Closet Audit Capsule Wardrobe? Start Here.
​Entire Closet Audit Capsule Wardrobe Series Here

After my first month doing this project where I had a lot of black with some red mixed in, I thought a snowy/icy January would be perfect  to bring out some bright royal blue!

Tops

​Fast Fashion Royal Blue Turtleneck

• acquired: c. 2016
• wears: >25
• material: poly blend :(
• better option: this funnel neck blouse in royal blue

​wore 2 times in January

Fast Fashion Royal Blue Snap Button Cardigan

• acquired: ​c. 2016
• wears: >30
• material: 49% cotton 51% acrylic
• better option: this multi-way cardigan in royal blue

Everlane Relaxed Silk Shirt in Real Blue

• acquired: 2019
• wears: >15
• ​material: 100% silk
• free shipping & returns here

Wore 2 times in January

Fast Fashion Long Cowl Neck Sweater

• acquired: 2020 hand-me-down
• wears: 0
• ​material: junk
• ​better option: beautiful blue hand knit merino wool jumper / sweater
  ​wore 2 times in January

Fast Fashion Chartreuse Snap Button Cardigan

• acquired: 2017
• wears: >15
• material: poly/rayon/spandex :(
• better option: linen layering piece, hand made, customizable measurements in greenish mustard

Wore 1 time in January

Fast Fashion Forest Green Snap Button Cardigan

• acquired: 2017
• wears: >15
• material: poly/rayon/spandex :(
• better option: handmade linen blazer in evergreen

Wore 3 times in January

Everlane Mustard Yellow Cashmere Crew Sweater

• acquired: 2019
• wears: >15
• material: body 100% cashmere (trimmings cashmere/nylon/elastane)
• ​free shipping & returns here

​wore 2 times in January

Encircled Fair Long Sleeve in Forest Green
Initial Review Here

• acquired: 2019
• wears: >15
• material: learn about encircled's fabrics

​wore 2 times in January

Skirts

For the January Closet Audit Capsule Wardrobe Skirts Category, I chose 3 more-or-less solid skirts along with two fun patterned skirts. 

Sea Life Circle Skirt w/ Pockets - Made To Measure on Etsy

• acquired: 2018
• wears: >20
• material: unknown
• see available fabrics in small shops like this one

​wore 2 times in January

Fast Fashion Talbots Tweed Pencil Skirt

• acquired: 2013
• wears: >40
• material: poly rayon

Wore 4 times in January

Fast Fashion Banana Republic Taupe Skirt

• acquired: 2014 hand-me-down
• wears: >15
• material: cotton/lyocell/spandex poly lining

Wore 5 times in January

Encircled Dressy Sweatskirt in Navy
Initial Review Here

• acquired: 2019
• wears: >25
• material: MicroModal

learn about encircled's fabrics

Wore 5 times in January

Fast Fashion Long Abstract Animal Print Pencil Skirt

• acquired: 2011
• wears: >40
• material: cotton/poly/spandex

Wore 2 times in January

Dresses

 January Closet Audit Capsule Wardrobe Dresses Category, I chose 2 dresses. A yellow dress I was recently given in a bag of hand-me-downs and a blue and green dress I've had for a while. 

Yellow Fast Fashion Dress with Shoulder Cut-outs

• acquired: 2020 hand-me-down
• wears: 1
• material: synthetic

​wore 2 times in January

Fast Fashion Blue & Green Paisley Dress

• acquired: c. 2015
• wears: > 15
• material: synthetic

wore 1 time in January

What’s not included:

Layering T shirts and casual which is basically my jeans, dressy sweatpants, and encircled leggings with any of the tops above or my t shirts

Current Jeans worn here, Better option here

Dressy Sweatpants Black, XS - here
​(or here if you're Canadian)

Encircled Flipside Legging, no longer available but great option here (or here if you're Canadian)

Intentions:

Intention: The intention of the Closet Audit Capsule Wardrobe series is to assess the color, fit, style, and fabric of each garment.
Action: At the end of the month I will remove items I consistently don’t reach for, find unflattering, uncomfortable or in need of constant adjustment while wearing.

Additionally: This capsule also gives me the opportunity to try clothes from a recently received hand-me-down bag to give them an honest evaluation as to whether they are worthy of my in-progress closet curation.

Spreadsheet or StyleBook App: I'm also using this as an opportunity to start outfit tracking again whether in my Style Book app or a spreadsheet, to assess which clothing, footwear and other accessories I'm reaching for most and what the CPW is working out to be. Just a nerdy-fun thing .:)

Predictions:

I'm guessing this will be the year I finally shed some of the fast fashion cardigans I have a love-hate relationship with and items that are functional but I don't love, when I have alternatives available that I do love. 

Shoes I Reached For This Month: 

These Birkenstocks - the finish makes it surprisingly versatile and elevates a casual outfit a bit. They are also super comfy especially because of the wide and spacious footbed. (Note: Wearing these in January bc I’m home all day)

The Rothy’s Marigold points are a perfect match with my mustard sweater! See rothys FAQs here and get $20 off rothys here

Emerald Handmade Vintage Style Leather Booties from etsy

Spenco Orthotic Arch Support Loafer - these are a little loose on me so they rub at the heel on my right foot (problem area for me) if I wear them a lot without thick socks, but they are great for wearing at home! All Spenco shoes have  wonderful, supportive footbeds and I highly recommend them - just get the right size ;) 

Discoveries

What left my closet and why:

1. Chartreuse snap button cardigan - Pilling, stretched out, terrible for heat regulation
2. Forest green snap button cardigan - same as above
3. Royal blue sparkly top with cutouts - Although I think the top is pretty (hand-me-down), I found the cutouts and overall to be annoying and I think it’s too much pattern/bling up around my face. I’d rather reserve that for fun earrings.
4. Blue cowl neck sweater - I found the neckline was never laying how I wanted it to and the button details, while cute, make it less versatile. The synthetic material was not good for heat regulation.
5. Paisley dress - I received this from a swap years ago and have worn it a lot, but I realized I was keeping it and wearing it year after year not because I actually loved it or felt great in it, but mainly just because I had it and I could make outfits with it. It is actually too big for me, but I would belt it and no one would know. I considered that I could have it altered to actually fit me but then I thought no. I’ve used it well for years and it’s still in great condition. It will serve someone else and I can give that attention to another garment I truly love.
6. Yellow dress - This dress was cute and I had fun wearing it a couple times in January, but at the end of the day I got rid of it for a few reasons: It’s a little shorter than my preference, it also has cut outs at the shoulder that I find cumbersome, and it actually had some stains that I couldn’t get out after washing twice.

After removing these 6 items I was on a roll and removed a few more items in January:

1. ​Navy long sleeve shirt - was going to keep it for layering but tbh the neckline was stretched out and it wasn’t a snug fit so that’s not good for my kind of layering at all.
   
2. Black and white stripe tunic - was getting pilly and the neckline was way too wide for me. I was constantly readjusting it while wearing it. I’m over that!
   
3. A fit/flare tank with embroidery at the top that I have loved, but the pilling has gone too far!
   
4. Black top with sequins down the sleeve - neckline is too wide, always adjusting and bra straps always showing plus sequins were too flashy and when they start falling off it’s a scene.
   
5. Tiered polka dot maxi skirt - I kept this skirt for a long time and it wasn’t that i loved the pattern, and it was actually stretched at the waist and too loose, but after much thought I realized I love the style and silhouette of it. It’s flattering and an easy breezy wear for summer, although I’ve layered it in colder months too! So while I did remove it, I will keep a skirt with a similar style in mind to replace someday, no rush.
   

Gaps Identified:

• White/Off-white leather skinny belt
• Basic Headband

Closet Additions:

• ​​Everlane Cotton Crew Neck Sweater in Bone
  
• Everlane White Leather 40 Hour Flats
• Pact Black & White Long Sleeve Organic Cotton Tees

​Entire Closet Audit Capsule Wardrobe Series Here

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