Capsule Wardrobe for Every Season

I'm always on a mission to pack less. Carrying on is a way of life and I can't recommend it enough!

What I've realized is having a basic selection of clothes for every season is the perfect building block for packing. With these capsule wardrobes, I start with these basics - then add or take away as needed. Add a more formal dress, or slightly lighter or heavier clothing depending on the location. It works pretty well! Here's my basic capsule for every season.

Spring can be a tricky time - warm days, cool nights... you  need a little bit of everything. Here's how you can have plenty to get you by without bringing your entire closet. This little 8 piece packing list gives you over 10 outfits with almost no effort. Also, pick a few lighter colors as a reward for getting through winter :)

POWER PLAYERS FOR SPRING

- Lightweight tops that can be layered with cardigans or a chambray.
- Dresses... because it's spring! I always bring tights because you  never know how breezy it will be.
- A lightweight scarf. A key ingredient in ANY weather.
- A pair of closed toed flats for chilly days, and sandals when the sun is shining.

Other Spring packing lists:
Charleston

Summer is HOT. You'll never ever see me in jeans unless I'm at the north pole. Moving from spring, I ditch the jeans for shorts and a skirt, add a dress and swap to tank tops.

POWER PLAYERS FOR SUMMER

- A black sundress can be dressed up or down, and can cover you from the beach to dinner.
- Maxi dress. Once again, can be good for a day date, bridal shower, dinner, or attending a wedding. Plus you can wear it again on the flight to stay warm.
- The chambray will take care of any breeze or shade, or more likely, cold restaurants.
- Tank tops go with your shorts, skirt and can be layered over the black dress! Seriously, don't ever forget the black dress!

Other Summer Packing lists:
Cruise Outfit Guide // Cruise for Women // Cruise for Men // Seattle // Vegas // Florida 

Fall is always a favorite. After sweating all Summer I'm ready for some layers. Like Spring, layers are key.

POWER PLAYERS FOR FALL

- Lightweight sweater. My black & grey sweater is a fall favorite because it's lightweight but still warm. I can add a tank top or jacket and be good to go.
- Wool dress. Add tights and you've got a cute evening outfit. It's also nice to mix it up from jeans.
- Fingerless tights. I love these things! They keep air from sneaking up your arms but aren't so hot that you can't breath.
- Medium weight scarves add the perfect layer of warmth on a chilly night or overcast day. Then your medium weight jacket can take care of every occasion.

Other Fall packing lists:
Italy // Chicago // Seattle 

Winter... I almost don't even want to talk about you since you're almost over. BLAH! The only redeeming quality about winter to me is cute sweaters and blanket scarves.

POWER PLAYERS FOR WINTER

- Merino wool sweater. It's the thinnest, warmest sweater you can invest in. They have them everywhere from TJ Maxx to Target to J.Crew & beyond - get one. I have one in a neutral tan so it goes with everything!
- Layerable clothing. You will wear at least two tops every single day, so make sure they can layer over each other and all match.
- Blanket scarf! I love mine. I use it as a blanket on the plane, wrap myself in it when I'm freezing, and have even used it as an extra blanket in a cold hotel. Get one.
- Thermal & fleece. While these aren't attractive, they are warm. They are worth a little extra bulk in your suitcase so you don't freeze.

Other Winter packing lists:
Sub Zero Temps // Hot & Cold Weather (in one bag) 

General Packing Tips
Mix & Match // Packing Math 

You can DO THIS! This weekend Matt & I shared a carry on suitcase. If I can do it, you can too. What essentials are in your capsule wardrobes?
xo

Packing Math

Nobody likes math. Everyone likes lighter suitcases.

This is the kind of equation I can get behind.

H M short sleeve jersey dress, $24 / H M long sleeve button shirt, $31 / H M grey sweat shirt, $24 / Mustard yellow cardigan, $24 / J Crew button down top / Jumpers sweater, $130 / American Eagle Outfitters vegan motorcycle jacket / Green military jacket / MICHAEL Michael Kors denim skinny jeans, $200 / Rich & Skinny colored denim jeans / Emilio Pucci panel legging, $630 / Steve Madden lacing boots, $120 / Oasis black chelsea boots, $105 / Forever 21 infinity loop scarve / Sole Society plaid scarve

95% of my Italy packing list includes things that easily mix & match. The burgundy pants clash pretty badly with the red tartan shirt, but that's my only clash. I justify the pants because they add a pop of color to plain colored tops & mix it up from boring jeans! I could even potentially wear the yellow cardigan over the tartan shirt as well... but we'll see how it looks in my trial run packing experiment this weekend! All I can say is THANK GOODNESS FOR PACKING CUBES!

The beauty of accessories is how much they can change your look. The black boots are more sleek for dinners and nicer areas. The brown are more casual. Also, the leather jacket can add a certain edge OR sophistication to an outfit, depending on what I do with jewelry or shoes! 

We're only going to be gone for 10 days, but this list would give me plenty of options for over a month. 

Add, subtract, multiply & divide. Who says math can't be fun?
xo

Other Packing Tips:
How to Pack Light & Always Carry On
How to Pack for Chicago in the Fall
Packing for the PNW

Snow in September?

Last week I woke up to a text message from Matt (I was still in Seattle, he in Nashville) that said "My parent's deck this morning" - followed by this crazy picture:

It was September 11th. SEPTEMBER!!!!!!!!! 

Crazy talk. Especially to those of us who grew up with nothing by fantasies of snow dusted Christmas trees (aka people from Florida) and who have no concept of cold weather before Christmas decorations are out.

Honest, this is what I thought seasons were until my 20's (otherwise known as "the first time I could see my breath in May")

Winter: December-January

Spring: February-March

Summer: April, May, June, July, August, September

Fall: October-November

Yes, I realize this is foolish. But give me a break - I had nothing to go off of except what type of decorations were in windows. 

Now that I've learned the seasons (they still seem off to me, but I realize I'm jaded), It's still 3 weeks until it's officially fall, but it snowed in South Dakota. I thought that only happened in true arctic tundras like the top of Canada or Russia. But I'm incredibly fascinated by this: I grew up in a perpetual summer, and it was annoying at times (frizzy hair, sweating in "winter"), but would I want the other side of the coin? I don't think my tropical soul could handle it. As much as I love the changing seasons, I don't think I could do the other extreme. I braved two winters in London, but it's not nearly as cold as you think. And really, it barely ever snows there.

Which got me to thinking, where are some beautiful, temperate places where the leaves change but I will never have to shovel snow in the "Summer"?

Seattle

I just spent another 10 days here, and I just fall more and more in love every time. I felt like the PNW was getting little kisses of fall - crisp, sunny 65 degree days. You could wear a jacket without being hot or a dress without being cold. In my opinion, that's about the best weather you could possibly ask for. Every time I've visited, it hasn't been too cold. Oh yeah - and it has only rained once! That rain lie is total propaganda.

Southern California

I've been to LA a few times, and it always seems to be brisk & sunny (just like my last week in Seattle!). I've been in the Summer & the Winter, and both seasons seem to be mild and enjoyable to me. I don't think they get the perks of fall leaves or spring blooms, but I bet that could be remedied within a few hours drive. Road trip, anyone?

So is it just the West Coast? Is there some magical place I've never been to or heard of?

Do you living a real life "Frozen" (minus the musical snow man)? How do you handle it? I'd love your tips.

xo