Building A Minimal (Capsule) Wardrobe

I’ve spoke about clearing out and reducing my wardrobe for a while now. It’s been a long gradual process particularly when you’re a clothes hoarder like me but my wardrobe keeps becoming smaller and less cluttered of unworn clothes. Instead of having a wardrobe full of clothes with jeans in every shade possible, I now have and am aiming for a smaller collection of items that I need and wear regularly that fits my style. Not only is de-cluttering a satisfying thing to do, it also teaches you more about buying clothes and how to buy more sensibly.

STEP 1: CLEAR OUT

The first step to making your wardrobe more minimal is to obviously cut it down. Open your wardrobe, drawers etc and look at each item individually and decide on it’s final destination (that sounds much more intense than I am intending!). Anything that you truly love and know that will get its wear, place it back into your wardrobe. If you have anything that is damaged or simply not wearable then chuck it in the bin. You’ve also got your ‘maybe’ items which we all have, items that we may be struggling to get rid of and are holding on to! Keep things simple and keep them in your wardrobe for the time being. Then you have the other items that you know you can get rid of. If you have anything that holds value, e.g. trainers, on-trend pieces then it is a good idea to think about selling items. I use eBay regularly and you also have Depop. It is such a good way to de clutter as you can make money that can be reinvested in your wardrobe! Anything else, can then also be given to charity!

STEP 2: ANALYSE 

After the initial clear out, you can definitely cut your wardrobe quite dramatically. Although I do think particularly if you are like me it can be difficult to be strict and cut out everything that could be erased. After a set amount of time, this could be weeks, a month, longer analyse your wardrobe again being more strict about what stays and what goes. One trick I have heard is to ensure all your hangers are facing one direction then once you wear an item face it the other way and after a length of time you can truly see what has been worn and what’s not. There is simply no point holding on to items that are not getting worn so this proves as a good indicator for de-cluttering. The process of continuously eliminating can be long particularly if you own a lot and have hoarder problems (guilty!), I am still regularly making my wardrobe smaller and smaller but each time I do it, it feels incredibly rewarding!

STEP 3: ORGANISE

Apologies to the naturally messy and untidy people who’s wardrobes mainly stay on the floor, sadly for you I am going to encourage you to do the opposite! The best way to get use out of your wardrobe is to ensure it is in a organised fashion in which you can see everything neatly in front of you. So in terms of hanging items up, I like to arrange them in a certain order like dresses then tops then trousers etc. You can make up your own order but having them in an organised way makes it much easier. In terms of storing in drawers etc, I like to have a drawer dedicated to certain things so one drawer for t-shirts, one for skirts etc. Another handy tip for organisation is to organise your clothes using the Marie Kondo method rather than stacking things as you see items much easier rather than simply wearing what is on the top of the pile!

STEP 4: INVEST 

After cutting down your wardrobe, you will have a clear idea of what is missing as well as understanding what you really wear. It is now time to fill in the gaps and make up a wearable wardrobe that reflects your style. One of the lessons I’ve learnt from looking back to my old shopping habits and my wardrobe is that I used to regularly buy poorer quality clothes and many trend-led pieces that go out of fashion far too quickly. Obviously adopting that method means my wardrobe grows quicker and also becomes unwearable. My attitude towards shopping and different clothing brands has changed a lot over the last year, I try to avoid on-trend pieces and cheap poorly made items and instead I like to invest carefully in pieces that are good quality and will we wearable for years to come. Whilst spending a lot of money on one item can be off-putting it is actually much better value than continuously spending on numerous items and having to replace them after a short period of time!

How do you de-clutter?

Twitter | Pinterest | Bloglovin | Instagram

 

Fall Style Wishlist

Did I just use the word ‘Fall’ during Summer!? Yup I did. Let’s get real though for anyone living in the UK, Summer came for a couple of days and then left us. The beginning of September is also looming which means the Autumn season is near and it is my favourite time of the year so of course I have to start early! Autumn/Winter style is also my favourite and I’ve been super excited to see all the collections come into store. I am also in the middle of sorting out my wardrobe so a few new additions wouldn’t go a miss!

Whistles is one of my favourite places to shop, it is a little more pricey for a high street store but it offers good investment pieces that aren’t carbon copies of everything you find in most other cheaper stores. There is a couple of things on my list from the brand that I am desperate to get my hands on. The first is this Multi Coloured Striped Knit which is super cute and injects a nice bit of colour into an outfit. It also looks comfortable as I do find that a lot of knitwear can be too heavy or too light and this seems like the perfect happy medium!  The jumper also appears to pair well with this leather skirt too which is in a gorgeous burgundy colour. As it is leather it might be a little more difficult to care for but it seems that it would make a great staple in my wardrobe.

A few more classic pieces that I need in my wardrobe include a good pair of black skinny jeans. I basically live in black jeans but I don’t have a decent pair so I do have my eye on a pair from All Saints which seem like a perfect match for my wardrobe. Also, a major lust is the Acne Jensen Boots, yes they are incredibly expensive but damn they are beautiful and are a great wardrobe staple. Lastly, is this cute pinafore dress from Urban Outfitters which I’ve been wanting for so long. It would also look super cute with the Whistles jumper and be a little different to just wearing jeans all the time!

What is on your fall wishlist? 

Twitter | Pinterest | Bloglovin | Instagram

The Bag Wishlist

I’ve always been a bag kinda gal at heart, bags over shoes anyday! My dreams of owning a designer bag have existed for too many years now and I think it’s time I did something about that, right!? Being a Leo, I do have expensive taste and I do like a little bit of luxury so whilst a designer bag may require a good few wage slips, it is still something I am happy to invest in. You either get it or you don’t but for me it’s the kinda thing I like. Having got hooked onto luxury style YouTube channels which I mentioned here, I am ready to take the leap into saving for my first designer bag. So what is it going to be, well I thought I would show you some (yes just some) of the bags that have topped my wishlist!

Starting with the bag of dreams, a Chanel Classic Flap. Every bag lover needs a Chanel, right!? Now the price for Chanel is eye-watering and sadly it tends to increase year on year making it near impossible to buy one. However hopefully one day, whilst it is not on my immediate list (for obvious reasons) I will be able to visit a Chanel store in Paris (yup, going all out!) and pick up my very own. Then I will be one step closer to being LC, life goals right there!

Another bag of dreams that I just need in my life is the Saint Laurent Sac De Jour. This bag is simply beautiful, black grained leather possibly in size small please. Again it is one of the more pricier options on my list but having this bag would make me complete. Hopefully I can save up for this one once I graduate as a special treat cause you gotta treat yo self.

Now I mentioned that I prefer my bags over shoes but if there was one pair of shoes I would like to get my hands on then it would be the classic Valentino Rockstuds. Of course with those I need a bag to match, it’s only right! I adore the Valentino Rockstud Lock Shoulder Bags, particularly the light nude pink-y shade which would match my shoes obviously! The bag just looks so beautifully elegant with the gold hardware, I need!

I usually tend to avoid seasonal pieces and trend-led items and I would particularly advice to when opting for a spendy purchase however I have my eye on one. The Gucci Dionysus Shoulder bag is a classic but I have never really been a fan of the whole Gucci monogram style however I adore some of their Floral design options. It is a bit different and totally a statement piece but it is so beautiful! I have been actually really impressed by some the newer Gucci styles recently too!

Lastly, a much cheaper option than the rest, the Celine Trio. I adore the whole minimalistic Celine aesthetics and I just love how simple but chic this bag is. Everyone needs a good crossbody small style bag and this is such a great option. The three compartments is also incredibly handy but I can imagine pretty annoying when you have to get your bag searched! A good all rounder though!

What is on your bag wishlist? 

Twitter | Pinterest | Bloglovin | Instagram

 

My Minimal Jewellery Collection

The whole minimalistic lifestyle seems to be all the rage lately particularly on many blogs. Whilst the concept sounds pretty good, it isn’t very feasible. However I have definitely tried to adopt the more is less kinda of thing lately style wise, beauty is another story…  From my wardrobe to my accessories, I have been de-cluttering a lot out of my stash in order to create small collections of items that I know I will get use out of it and that I truly love. My jewellery is an area that I have been cutting down quite dramatically recently and I thought I would give you a little insight into my collection.

Taking a look overall at my collection, I have a clear love for small dainty pieces that can be worn very casually. Gold also tends to be colour of preference as I just prefer it and it seems to go more with my style too. I tend to shop in high street stores for my jewellery pieces but I will go into that later and show you where I bought all my favourite pieces from. Also, if you are interested in my storage as seen above, I keep my necklaces and rings on my very beautiful marble and gold stand from Oliver Bonas and I also have a little plate from H&M in which I store my earrings.

NECKLACES

From oversized statement pieces, I have clearly made a change in my preference of necklace style. I currently have three go-to dainty pieces that just add a simplistic but chic addition to a casual outfit. Urban Outfitters is one of my favourite stores and particularly for jewellery. They do the most perfect minimalistic style pieces that fit perfectly in my collection. The first necklace (left) is as extreme as it gets. The longer chain and double triangle style is more of my going out option for when I have a little more neck on show. The other two are simple pieces; one with my star sign and the other a basic gold bar style. When it comes to necklaces I am all for the less is more approach, looking back at what I used to wear I much prefer the neater simplistic style.

RINGS

I don’t want to sound like a broken record since I am sure by now you get the whole ‘I prefer the minimal look’ although when it comes to rings I am so for it. I love the look of having a handful of rings with cute midi styles and what not but if I am honest I forget my rings half the time so remembering to coat my hand in them doesn’t really work for me. Although nevertheless I love a good simple ring. There is something about a good ring that just makes me feel complete outfit wise but also adds a bit of sophistication to an outfit. For a simple casual look I love my Gemporia Crescent Moon Ring*  which I spoke about in a separate post here. The crescent moon adds a personal touch yet is super simple but a special piece in my collection. I also have a more ‘edgier’ style from Topshop with a cross design which remains well despite being a cheaper piece.

EARRINGS

Probably my favourite pieces of jewellery. Earrings are the one thing I wear all the time (although saying that I currently am not wearing any!). Whilst fun slightly comical fruit shaped earrings look ever so cool they just don’t fit my style and after wearing boring studs I really wanted to find earrings that I enjoyed wearing and created a bit of a statement. I have became truly obsessed with swing earrings that are pretty unique with a swing bar style that comes from the back of the ear as well as a stud at the front. I have multiple pairs now and Asos seem to hold the best selection. Whilst I love the look of crazily pierced ears I wouldn’t wish that pain on myself (lol) so I love that adding something unique can keep my earring choice a bit interesting.

*PR sample

What is your favourite type of jewellery?

Twitter | Pinterest | Bloglovin | Instagram

 

Gemporia 9K Gold Moon Stacker Ring

I don’t think I could ever fall into that ‘minimalistic lifestyle’ category although I love the minimal look when it comes to style particularly jewellery. There is just something so chic about minimal simple pieces. Speaking of which, I have added a new piece to my minimal jewellery collection (something I will show you soon!). Thanks to Gemporia who specialise in gemstones, I was kindly gifted this gorgeous 9K Gold Moon Stacker Ring* (£52) which is the perfect new addition to my jewellery wardrobe.

I love a good ring but I am so disappointed in the poor quality high street offerings which are easily scratched and worn within a short amount of time. So it has been a delight to get my hands on this gorgeous gold ring from Gemporia. As I said previously, with my minimal preferences I chose this simplistic but classic piece rather than something big and chunky which isn’t my style. The ring has a cute crescent moon design on the gold band which is super pretty and goes with everything. I used to have a crescent moon necklace which sadly broke but I am delighted to have the moon design back in my collection in some form. Not only is it aesthetically pleasing but the crescent moon has a bit of deeper meaning to me as it holds a much more personal meaning to me. The symbol actually plays a sort of reminder to me in where I grew up and basically home for me  (Just pretend you know what I am talking about!). So obviously to have a personal touch behind it makes it feel even more special!

The ring is slightly a touch too big for me although it is nothing that can’t be fixed! Once it is more my size, I can’t wait to wear this more as it adds such a simple and classy touch to any outfit. I am obsessed! Gemporia also have a really great range of jewellery to suit everyone so if you are still stuck for Mother’s Day then I am sure they will have something perfect for a last-minute present!

What is your favourite piece for jewelery?

Twitter | Pinterest | Bloglovin | Instagram

Style Wishlist

I tend to have moments where I am really into shopping around for new clothing bits for my wardrobe and other times when I am not really feeling inspired enough for a wardrobe refresh. Currently I am feeling it when it comes to clothes, I don’t know whether it’s the upcoming change in season or from having cleaned out my wardrobe that has sparked this but I definitely have a few pieces that are on my radar. I do have quite a few more investment pieces in the line up but I am looking to make some high quality purchases as I find the perfect staples for my wardrobe.

Starting off with Urban Outfitters, I have developed a love for UO lately, something I am sure I have made clear on my blog before. A lot of their pieces are a little more expensive but the styles are all so pretty and the quality is great too. I love a good casual tee and I love how cute this little strawberry tee is. Definitely one I will be picking up!

With Spring arriving, it is no better time for a good trench coat. I love the trench style and have forever longed to own a good quality camel trench. Whilst Burberry may be out of my budget for the time being (a girl can dream right!?), Zara will always remain queen of outerwear. Their coats and jackets are always great quality and totally reliable pieces as well as being truly gorgeous. I love this cotton trench which looks so much more expensive than it is. Definitely a great investment for the new season!

I have grew a strong love recently for Whistles. Their range does have a much steeper price tag but they have such gorgeous staple pieces. I have my eye on two tops from the brand, the first being this cute black knit with lace details. I seen a very similar top in Reiss but at a much higher cost so I was happy to see this at a much more affordable rate! The other is a little different, again another lightweight black knit but this time with cut-out shoulder details for something just a bit different. This would be such a nice option for an evening out!

Lastly, how could I do a clothing wishlist without a bit of ASOS. Firstly, I have been loving the whole pinafore trend lately. It took me a while to find a good affordable option that looked flattering but this one from ASOS seems to fit the bill. I think it will look great for everyday wear with casual tees for something a little different! Definitely something I need my hands on soon! The other two things from ASOS are very similar pairs of shoes from the brand Dune. I totally have to blame Kate from Kate La Vie for this as these shoes are all I can think about lately! The first being flat shoes in a gorgeous white and beige shade perfect for spring and super classy. These remind me so much of the Valentino Rockstud shoes (which are super dreamy!) with the studded design so a much cheaper alternative is well up my street! The other pair is basically the same although in heel form so would look great for going out.

What is on your wishlist?

Twitter | Pinterest | Bloglovin | Instagram

 

 

 

My Staple Cross-body bag and Chloe Drew dupe

It’s been a while since I talked style on this blog although the topic itself is the prime reason I started this blog so I thought it would be fun to bring in some more style posts! Any recommendations for posts are very welcomed! Anyway I am currently in the process of reinventing my wardrobe of staple pieces that I know will remain in style for a long time to come. Bags are something I like to hoard, I have to admit. I have always been a bag kinda gal so it is something I would happily invest in! My goal for my wardrobe really is to cut out the junk that I don’t wear anymore and those pieces that adopted fad trends that are a bit of a waste of time. It is all about quality over quantity (something I wish I told my younger self!) and finding those staple pieces is my current wardrobe goal.

Back at the end of last year, I picked up this gorgeous mini cross-body bag from Topshop. I wasn’t looking for a new bag at the time although as soon as I spotted this it had to be mine. The first thing I thought when I seen it was the fact it is a perfect dupe for the blogger favourite Chloe Drew bag which is what dreams are made of (pretty much). Although what I love about this is that it isn’t an exact dupe or copy, it has similar characteristics but doesn’t feel cheap like a designer knock off. Yet in fact it feels and looks expensive, the gold hardware and chain gives it a very luxurious feel. The bag itself is also pretty sturdy and structured which I like so doesn’t feel flimsy or cheap, an important factor for me when it comes to bags. The bag also has a tassel design on the front which adds a nice bit of detail without being too over the top and also adds a slight 70s vibe again without feeling like a fad. The black shoulder strap also makes it comfortable to wear and again adds that little extra luxurious feel.

I hate to be that person although sadly this bag isn’t available anymore on Topshop. At £30 though it really was a complete bargain considering the quality and beautiful aesthetics. It will remain a long time staple piece within my collection, I just wish I picked up more in a couple of different shades…

Do you have a staple cross-body bag?

Twitter | Pinterest | Bloglovin | Instagram

Re-write the Royal Ascot Dress Code

The Royal Ascot is a huge summer event in the UK. If you are unfamiliar with the event itself, it is a horse racing event which dates back into the 18th century. As the name suggests it is also an important calender event for the Royal family with several members including the Queen making an appearance. Now fast forward to the 21st century aka today and the event is still making headlines. Although not particularly for the horse racing itself. The style and dress code is a major part of the event. Having a link with the royal family, the event is very formal with a strict dress code ensuring everybody is dressed in an appropriate manner. However the dress code is slowly dying with many females choosing a rather less than appropriate attire.  Every year sees a media frenzy of the many outfits worn to the event with many tabloids trying to ridicule many of the racing-goers on their choice of clothing.

Now you are probably wondering where on earth I am going with this… Well basically Farfetch.com who are a luxury online retailer have launched a campaign called Unfollow. The campaign with the tag line ‘For Fashion lovers, not followers’ is expressing individuality and rather than following trends its all about those who break the rules and show their creative side. As part of the campaign I got involved with the Re-write the Royal Ascot Dress Code competition. As part of this, I created a look of items from Farfetch which would be suitable for the Royal Ascot although a look which ties in with the unfollow campaign expressing individuality and something fresh. So here is what I put together …

Rather than going with obvious dress look I went with a skirt and body suit combo. The Pop Cph sheer detail body has a slight risqué factor to it with the sheer detailing however with long sleeves and a high rounded neckline there is nothing too offensive for the Royal Ascot.  I then went for the MSGM printed A-line skirt which is a mid-length skirt cutting off just above the ankles. I am so in love with the vivid print of this skirt. Paired with the black body suit, it allows the bold colourful skirt to make a statement. To flow with the splash of yellow from the skirt I added some equally bright accessories. I added this uber pretty Givenchy yellow envelope style clutch which I love and also a little bit of British from the amazing designer Charlotte Olympia which is these adorable ankle strap pumps. Of course last but not least a fancy piece of head-wear is a must to the races. I added this beautiful cherry blossom pillbox hat from Piers Atkinson which is simple but makes a statement.

What do you think of this outfit? 

Twitter | Pinterest | Bloglovin

Spring Clothing Wishlist

You may have seen my beauty Spring wishlist but now its time to look at my recent clothing wishlist. Looking at my picks, they aren’t the most obvious spring inspired pieces, sorry I am pretty boring and like wearing dark clothing! Anyway on to my picks…

Topshop Moto Black Short Dungarees – Dungarees are not something I ever thought I would be sporting again since I was about 5 but I seem to have took quite the loving for them in the last year. I kept getting put off them but they seem so effortless and a style that I don’t think will leave us any time soon. Being black denim they can go with pretty much anything, so hopefully I can add these to my wardrobe to release my inner Alexa Chung.

Weekday Chidi Tee – There is no denying I love a bit of stripes. They look so stylish yet they are so effortless to be paired with a pair of skinnies and flats, I’m so in love ❤ I’ve been looking for a good quality striped top for a while and after coming across the brand Weekday I’ve basically fell in love with them too, they have such great basics! I know without a doubt this top won’t be the only thing I buy from Weekday!

Topshop Scarf Border Print Top – Fingers crossed Topshop get more stock in of this beautiful printed top. I have another top from Topshop which is incredibly similar to this, just a different print. Its such a pretty colourful print that can worn dressed down during the day or for going out.

Birkenstock Arizona Leather Sandals – These sandals have got me in a bit of umms and ahhs. I keep seeing them around on the likes of Pinterest and other blogs and they look ever so cool, the basic black sandal going with pretty much anything as well as being comfy. The only thing is I’m still torn about them, are they one of those ‘ugly’ sandals? I’m not so sure, what do you think?

Topshop Moto Black Rinse Jamie Jeans – A pretty boring but essential piece. A pair of black skinny jeans. I am lacking a good pair of black jeans at the minute and I am looking for a good quality option that will last me a long while. As usual I have turned to Topshop although I am still looking around on this option. I usually get the Topshop Joni jeans but I think the quality is slightly lacking as mine always seem to stretch after washing and lose their structure so I am considering the Jamie jeans which I have tried before.

Cheap Monday Halo Tee – I am really looking into investing in some good quality basics especially t-shirts and this one from Cheap Monday fits the bill perfectly. It has a boxy structure and a pocket which makes this on trend and stylish. It would help achieve that effortless look teamed with some skinny jeans and many some Birkenstocks, eh?

So what is on your clothing wishlist for Spring?