Happy Wednesday Lovely Readers!
I realized it’s been a while since I’ve thanked you for reading my posts and following along on my little blogging journey, so I wanted to say, Thank You. And I mean that very seriously, from the bottom of my heart! Your support means the world to me! <3
Today, I’m launching a new series on Belle by Laurelle, and it’s all about capsule wardrobes! If you’re not sure what they are, be sure to check out this post where I go more into detail explaining what they are. Essentially, they’re a wardrobe made of versatile pieces – mainly basics – that work together, simplify your dressing each day, and ultimately save time and money. My goal in sharing this series is to show you how dressing well really doesn’t mean you need to have endless amounts of clothing or put in a lot of effort or planning. I don’t feel like I put much effort into dressing every day, and it’s not because I’m too lazy to. It’s because I have capsule wardrobes, with clothes that work together well and make putting outfits together easy!
I tend to have a general/basic capsule wardrobe, and seasonal capsule wardrobes that build on top of my general one. For example, a great white tee is part of my basic capsule wardrobe, as it can be styled and worn year-round, whereas a long black cardigan would be part of my autumn/winter capsule wardrobe, as it’s likely something that will be a great wardrobe stable though the cooler months, but not spring and summer. I have some pieces that only work for one of the four seasons, but many can work for around two seasons/half the year, depending on the weather.
I cannot emphasize how important basics are to dressing well. Because of that, I am much more willing to invest more in great quality basics for my general, year-round capsule wardrobe. You really do get your cost per wear for those items! For seasonal capsule wardrobes, I do try to spend a bit less, but I still think the basic pieces in those are important especially if you’re going to be wearing them on a weekly basis for six months! For example, a black cardigan or black jeans. They don’t work well in the warmer months, but I live in them in the cooler half of the year! When I do get trendy or fun pieces, it’s usually very easy for me to style them because I have a good foundation of basics, and I don’t feel like I waste money because I tend to not buy trendy items often and I don’t spend much money on them when I do.
While many of my pieces in my capsule wardrobe are extremely versatile, some, like today’s piece aren’t as versatile, but are pieces I continually reach for while dressing to look stylish and sophisticated, so I still consider them a part of my capsule wardrobe. I find statement tops to be an incredibly easy way to look great while not putting forth a lot of effort into planning your outfit or accessorizing. I always keep several in my wardrobe, no matter what time of year it is, because I love how easily they make an incredible outfit. I try to go for ones that aren’t too trendy, so I’ll be able to wear them for a few seasons or years. You can throw them on with jeans and a neutral handbag and pair of shoes, and you’re set! And as I mentioned in this recent post, I find having one or two statement pieces in an outfit is a great recipe for looking amazing without having too much going on. Less is more, but I sill like to have something to take an outfit to the next level! Statement tops are a great way to achieve that!
My statement top is one I picked up from Zara’s recent sale (for only $13!! such a score.), so it is out of stock, but I rounded up some gorgeous statement tops from some of my favorite retailers! They’re linked right below and I include a variety of neutrals, prints, and prices. I hope you can find a few great statement tops to add to your wardrobe to make throwing together an amazing outfit as easy as pie! Let me know in the comments if you have or would like to have a capsule wardrobe, and if statement tops are/would be in yours!
Laurelle
– Neutrals –
– Fun Prints –
Statement Ruffle Blouse :: Zara
Black Ripped Jeans :: New York & Company
Tan & Black Mules :: Zara
Cognac Croc Crossbody :: Camelia Roma
Earrings :: Thomas Sabo
claire whitmore
February 22, 2017Love your purse! I agree that people don’t realize how important having basics in your closet is!!! From Claire at claire-wear.com!
bellebylaurelle
February 24, 2017Thank you, Claire! And I agree! I hope this series will shed some light on that!
-Laurelle
Chelf
February 22, 2017lovely!
bellebylaurelle
February 24, 2017Thank you!
-Laurelle
Sailusha Gosala
February 22, 2017I LOVE this top! Such a great and informational post. So excited to keep up with this series 🙂
bellebylaurelle
February 24, 2017Thank you so much, Sailusha! I’m glad you liked it, and plan to keep up on it!
-Laurelle
Mona
February 22, 2017Laurelle, first off just want to say love the design and vibe of your blog- so well done. Also, I love this look, so cute. It’s super helpful to your readers that you talk about basic pieces vs trendy pieces. I am the same: I’ll invest in a seasonal to year round basics and then have a little fun with fast fashion purchases here and there.
bellebylaurelle
February 24, 2017Thank you so much, Mona! And I’m so glad you found my post helpful! I find that people don’t realize how helpful basics are, so I hope that this series helps shed some light on that!
-Laurelle
Linh Dao
February 27, 2017Omg! This top is so beautiful! I love it! It looks amazing on you and I love all the selections you hAve in this post! I want them all now!
Linh
Stephanie
February 27, 2017Capsule wardrobes are so much fun. I think it’s great to see how creative you can get with a handful of products. Plus, throwing in the more detailed pieces like this is great too! I can’t wait to see all the awesome outfits you put together!
Stephanie // SheSawStyle.com
Thomas Falkenstedt
February 27, 2017Seems like I need to do more capsule thinking so I could empty my closet a bit (there’s a biiiit too much in there right now!) . I love that statement top and also love to experiment with colors, patterns and shapes to stand out in a crowd. 🙂
Love the outfit!
xoxo
Thomas
http://thomasfalkenstedt.com
huyen tran
February 27, 2017You worked this look so well! I am definitely more of a basic type of person, not because I want to be “boring” but more because I dont like wearing the same prints several time (more because its trendy and tends to be out of style by the end of the season). I am with you though, I do spend less on pieces that I know I won’t wear as often.
Iliana
February 27, 2017I’m not a busy print time of gal but this blouse looks great on you and I loveee how you styled it! May have to steal the look 😉
Xx
Rachel
February 28, 2017Lovely combination! Love your top!
http://chicglamstyle.com
Danielle
March 1, 2017I’ve always been so intrigued by the thought of a capsule wardrobe! Can’t wait to see more looks you put together! And $13?! Really?! What a steal! Love the delicate ruffles and the fun knotted print!
xx, Danielle | Pineapple & Prosecco
jackie
March 1, 2017Loving those jeans and the top goes so perfectly!
http://themodalista.com
Alyssa Simakas
March 2, 2017Loving this top! It is so important to have basics but also fun pieces in there as well- love everything you linked!
Bryanna
March 3, 2017Is that a Michael Kors belt? I think I have the same one! Such a cute, metal detail to pull in the look.
I couldn’t agree with you more with investing in the basics. In the end you, you are going to wear it more that it’s worth. Therefore, you will end up saving money! Loving this new Capsule Wardrobe Series that you started. Such a genius idea! Plus, I seriously have a problem with buying too much Zara stuff. I can’t get enough! This top is just so cute and will be super versatile throughout most of the year!
xoxo Bryanna | Coming in Clutch
Lauren
March 6, 2017I’m such a fan of using versatile pieces in my outfits! I totally agree that people need to focus on basics 🙂 Great new series, girl .
Xx,
Lauren // http://www.mylifeaslaurr.com
Sarah
March 13, 2017I’ve been dying to try a ruffled top like this! You look beautiful! Obsessed with this entire look.
Sarah // http://www.sarahtahami.com
firsttennesseebankoverdraftlitigation.com
August 31, 2017My e-Books also provide step-by-step instructions on how to create a capsule wardrobe, but I wanted to put the capsule process all in one easy-to-follow blog post for everyone to reference.
ganaconlascuatro.com
November 9, 2017Typically, you wear a capsule wardrobe for 3 months, then at the end of those 3 months, you update it for the next season.
Karri
March 3, 2018Hmm it looks like your blog ate my first comment (it was super long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I had written and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog. I too am an aspiring blog blogger but I’m still new to the whole thing. Do you have any tips and hints for novice blog writers? I’d certainly appreciate it.