Style Reflection
Add joy to your everyday style with insights from my capsule wardrobe experiment
Happy new year!
As we step into 2025, I find myself reflecting on a year of entrepreneurial experimentation, growth, and connection. Just over a year ago, I launched this Substack to complement the style inspiration I regularly share on Instagram with bi-weekly articles offering in-depth styling advice. Over the past year, I made a case for wearing your best colors and argued for taking an analytical approach to developing a personal style. I shared tips for achieving a chic poolside look and for packing light while satisfying your desire for style variety. I also introduced seasonal capsule wardrobes for winter, spring, summer, and fall for my paid subscribers (shameless plug: for only $8 per month, you’ll receive access to the 2025 editions of these thoughtfully composed wardrobes, receive personalized style advice, and support the work that goes into creating this content).
As part of my entrepreneurial risk-taking, I committed to an experiment that pushed me to evaluate my daily outfits with a more critical eye. For the past 90 days, I limited my clothing purchases, wore what I already owned (my “capsule wardrobe”), and documented my daily outfits on Instagram. Interestingly, I didn’t find it as challenging to limit my purchases or shop my closet as I did sharing my daily outfits publicly. While I’ve always been confident in putting together polished, crisp, and playful looks for events, having my day-to-day outfits scrutinized felt much harder. They could have easily come across as uninspired—especially while setting up our new Utah home and dressing out of a suitcase intentionally packed with ultra-casual clothes. This might not have mattered as much if I hadn’t been sharing my looks; after all, most of us can get away with dressing down some days. However, the experiment encouraged me to take a closer look at how I could enliven even my most casual ensembles to avoid feeling sloppy. Reflecting on the project offered valuable insights, especially for those looking to maximize the use of what they already own and bring more joy to their everyday style.
Invest in quality basics
Every great wardrobe starts with dependable, versatile pieces that you turn to time and again. These workhorses are the backbone of any wardrobe, ensuring you always have something to build an outfit around. During my capsule wardrobe experiment, I naturally gravitated toward a few key pieces that anchored many of my looks: classic soft white and gray crewneck tee shirts (colors that are especially flattering for me), straight-leg jeans, and timeless, solid-colored crew neck sweaters. These versatile staples worked for a variety of outfits, proving just how indispensable they are. Because I’ve invested in high-quality basics, these items held up beautifully to repeated wear, maintaining their shape, structure, and polish throughout the experiment. For anyone looking to create a functional wardrobe, I recommend prioritizing your budget on well-made basics—they’re endlessly versatile and designed to last.
That said, relying solely on these pieces day after day can quickly become monotonous—a common reason capsule wardrobes built entirely around basics can feel boring. During my stints in Utah, while working on our new house, I found myself heavily reliant on these workhorse items. To break up the monotony, I turned to a few simple tactics to inject personality and variety into my everyday looks.
Add in layers
Even the simplest outfits can feel more stylish with the addition of a thoughtful layer. A striped collar peeking out from a basic sweater, a sweater draped over the shoulders, or a sharp blazer or leather jacket can instantly add depth and visual interest to an otherwise plain look. In fall and winter, these layers are not only stylish but also practical, adding warmth to your outfit. A similar approach works just as well in spring and summer—try casually draping a lightweight cardigan or denim jacket over your shoulders when the weather is warmer.
Style your clothes
When you get dressed, don’t just put your clothes on your body as they are—take control of how they sit to add style and highlight your features. Cuff your sleeves to draw attention to slender wrists or a statement bracelet. Roll up the hem of your jeans to showcase a fabulous pair of shoes. Tuck in your sweater or blouse to create structure within your outfit. Whether you opt for a full tuck, a French tuck (just the front, for a more casual vibe), or a side tuck (great if asymmetric lines flatter you), this simple adjustment adds definition to your waist and makes your ensemble feel more intentional.
Mix in a few standout accessories
While a capsule wardrobe is typically built around timeless basics, you can keep your outfits feeling fresh and dynamic by incorporating a handful of standout accessories into your daily ensembles. I almost always wear my everyday jewelry: a classic watch, diamond studs, my cross pendant, my wedding band, and a ring featuring both of my children’s birthstones. These signature pieces add a personal touch to any outfit. When I want to make a bolder statement, I reach for standout items like my grandmother’s lavender jade beads, my Chanel pearl necklace, or a colorful leather bracelet. Alternatively—or sometimes in addition—I’ll accessorize with an embellished belt, a vibrant handbag, or a playful pair of shoes to bring even more personality to my look.
Shop your closet
It’s likely that you—like me—have items tucked away at the back of your closet, perhaps forgotten or unworn for years. Instead of letting them gather dust, pull them out and give them another chance. Experimenting with these pieces can help you decide whether they deserve a place in your wardrobe or should be purged for good. In the meantime, they can break up the monotony of your capsule wardrobe, adding unexpected variety to your outfits.
During this experiment, I wore lots of “oldies, but goodies,” including a black handbag that I’d traded for other options over the years. In wearing it again, I was reminded of how much I love it. These rediscoveries not only refreshed my wardrobe but also reinforced the value of shopping my closet before looking elsewhere.
Put in the effort
Feeling stylish for most daily endeavors doesn’t mean wearing elaborate outfits—it’s often the small efforts that make the biggest difference in how you feel. Take a moment to style your hair, apply a bit of makeup, or treat yourself to a colorful manicure to brighten your look.
In my case, I felt noticeably less pulled-together on days when I skipped styling my short hair, which requires daily attention. That said, in the interest of this experiment, I shared photos even on days when I slicked my hair into a ponytail, threw on a baseball cap, or left it undone entirely. On days I took the time to style my hair, paired with neatly polished nails and my everyday jewelry, I felt more buttoned-up.
For others, “putting in the effort” might mean swapping leggings for jeans, wearing a signature scent that adds an invisible layer of sophistication, or taking a few moments to steam or iron your clothing. These small, deliberate choices signal intentionality in how you present yourself and can set the tone for your entire day.
Parting thoughts
By employing a few simple tactics, you can feel pulled together more often without overthinking it. Good luck—and don’t hesitate to reach out if you’d like help curating your wardrobe, whether it’s a capsule or something more expansive!