As I alluded in my previous post, I’ve recently been toying with the idea of creating a 30X30 capsule wardrobe. This was something I regularly sought out as a challenge in my early foray to discovering minimalism and how I connected with it. These days, I think it’s a useful tool for hitting the reset button, redefining your style, or maximising the contents of your wardrobe.
I haven’t talked about this much – if at all really – but I’ve found myself struggling to nail down my identity as a new mum. It’s been the driving force (along with stress and lack of sleep) behind many of my new purchases; still sticking to the 30 day shopping rule though, of course.
While it may seem superficial to some, part of who I am is rooted in the way that I choose to dress. It’s an outward expression of “me”, and I’ve been trying to navigate just how to say that with my wardrobe following this huge life change. Much of the clothing I own (and adore) is a little too high maintenance to risk wearing around a messy infant, and others fall into the trap of my fantasy self.
A 30X30 capsule wardrobe seemed like the perfect antidote. Some time to reflect, while also removing the stresses of picking out an outfit; a welcome reprieve for me given we’re in the midst of working through the dreaded four month sleep regression (or progression…) with our son.
So today I’m going to share a look the items I chose to wear for the next month as part of my 30X30 capsule wardrobe. I’ll be documenting my outfits and posting them on an (almost) daily basis to keep accountable, as well as share any new learnings I have over the next month.
TOPS
Madewell t-shirt | In truth, there’s a few different basic tees I’ll be reaching for. This has become a core layering piece as part of my “winter uniform”, and I find myself going through a new one each day. My Madewell one is a recent purchase, and just so happens to be the tee I’ve worn today. I like the fact that it’s a heathered grey (the other options I have are mostly whites), a nice soft cotton, and is cut closer to the body than your typical ‘loose’ fitting tee.
Uniqlo stripe long sleeve top | I had to throw a mariniere in here. It’s effortless, timeless, and again, another staple style I like to reach for regularly. One of my girlfriends and I were joking that this is a key part of the formula for “mum style”. This particular one is from the men’s section. I opted to get it in a size small and it is the perfect, slouchy, and slightly boxy fit.
Isabel Marant Etoile stripe t-shirt | Another striped top, but I promise this one is different! It has a low scooped neckline, and is made from linen. There’s a slight sheer quality to it, and it has an interesting woven texture. I see myself wearing this like a layering piece, or with a wool cardigan on warmer days.
Lola Rae sofia top | This top is a classic case of champagne taste on a beer budget. Like everyone else on the internet, I’d fallen head over heels for the Khaite Maddy top. I love the squared off neckline and how the unique sleeve design exposed more of the chest. I ended up stumbling across this more affordable dupe so I could get the look for less, and wanted to include it in my 30X30 capsule wardrobe as a more dressy option. It’s a thick ribbed knit that hugs the contours of the body, and I really like how it looks tucked into jeans or trousers.
Everlane pima cotton tank | A great tank is a ride or die wardrobe staple for me, and this one takes the cake as my most worn. I bought it in three colours – black, white, and grey – and see myself using this as another layering option throughout the month.
Madewell black floral wrap top* | While I’ve stopped wearing anything that I’d consider too “high maintenance”, I decided to make an exception for this black floral wrap top. The rest of my capsule is fairly basic, and I figured this would be a simple way to jazz things up. If prior experience of these 30 days capsules is anything to go by, there’s a chance I may not end up reaching for this. But I figure, it’s nice to have the option.
Grana b/w long sleeved striped top | The last top I picked was another stripey number. Can you tell I have a type? This one is slightly different. I *promise*! Again, I shopped the men’s section for this piece, as that boxy fit is something I look for in my oversized tops. Plus, you often get more bang for your buck. This is a black based top with thinner white stripes. Another monochromatic favourite.
KNITWEAR
& Other Stories black cardigan | As soon as I started mapping out the items for my 30X30 capsule wardrobe, I knew I had to include this cardigan. I’ve been alternating between this one and a slimmer-fitting shorter option from Uniqlo, but this is my ultimate pick if I’m after a casual cosy chic option. Made from 100% wool, it’s a great layering piece, plus doesn’t feel itchy against my skin.
Mott & Bow black cashmere sweater* | Another knitwear essential on my list was a basic cashmere crew. You’ve probably picked up on this by now, but I’ll almost always go for the safe bet colour-wise. Most of the other knits I chose have a super relaxed feel to them, whereas this fits a little closer to the body. I wear this in a size small.
Everlane almond alpaca sweater* | You’ll no doubt have seen me wearing this sweater countless times. I love the fluffy texture; it makes a monochromatic look seem more fun. There’s also the oversized blouson style sleeves. The knit has a slightly open weave to it, so this is one I’ll either layer or reserve for warmer winter days.
Sheep Inc anthracite ‘medium’ sweater* | The sweater I’m currently cozied up in is this one from Sheep Inc. It’s made from New Zealand merino wool, and has a really lovely weight to it. It feels hefty, but it’s still malleable and tucks well. This particular sweater is a unisex one, and I opted for size two or the ‘medium’ for that “stolen from the boys” kind of look. Similar to my Naadam cashmere sweater, I find that this does pill up every few wears so you do need to regularly maintain it with a wool comb.
Sezane grey chuck sweater | I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again, Sezane knitwear can be pretty hit or miss. I’ve bought a few knitted styles from the brand, and this was one of the handful I chose to keep. Despite being made from babykid mohair, it’s pretty soft and has a light, fluffy texture to it. I love the thick braided detail at the collar and the cuffs. It’s a fun touch! One thing to note is that these babykid mohair knits do malt. It eases off after the first wash, however.
Country Road grey marle soft cardigan | As a second cardigan option, I went with a ribbed grey one from Country Road. This has a cool undertone to it, so I have to be careful when pairing it with other grey hues. It’s slightly cropped so the kind of thing I prefer to wear buttoned up like a top. I love the contrast tortoiseshell buttons too. It feels like an unexpected pairing with a grey knit.
Joseph ivory oversized rollneck sweater | This final sweater will come as no surprise, I’m sure. My Joseph, ivory sloppy joe sweater. It’s my third winter season with this knit, and I still get as much joy from wearing it as I did when I first bought it in 2018. This has a super oversized fit, down to the length of the sleeves. I love how this pairs with slimmer silhouettes for a juxtaposition. The ribbed stitching down the sleeves and centre back is probably my favourite detail.
JEANS/SKIRTS/TROUSERS
Marle black silk midi skirt | I’ve been making a point of exploring more New Zealand and Australian brands this year. Marle – a Kiwi brand – in particular has topped the lists of favourites to watch. This is one of my latest purchases, a black silky midi skirt with a striking contrast ivory hem. I found that this style ran incredibly long; well past my ankles, so I got it taken up at the tailor to the perfect length (for me!).
Madewell blue skinny jeans* | Denim has formed a huge part of my style identity postpartum, and this pair from Madewell has been a firm favourite. The denim is thick but comfortable, and I actually don’t mind that these have a little bit of room around the ankle. I have a short inseam but found this “cropped” length perfect on me. Based on my limited experience with Madewell denim, I do think that this style runs large. I have a size 25 in these (currently a small size 26 in jeans) and there’s a fair bit of give at the waistband.
Zara faded black skinny jeans | In an effort to try and kick myself out of a “style rut”, I decided to limit myself to two pairs of denim. The second pair I went with are a slim straight leg option from Zara, in a faded black wash. These have become a bit of a stand in for my beloved Dr Denims, which are still a smidge snug on me. I probably wouldn’t go rushing to Zara for denim again in the future, but this particular pair have served me well so far, and haven’t stretched out or bagged at all (unlike another pair I own from the retailer!).
Forcast black trousers | For days when I don’t feel like wearing denim, and I don’t want to wear a skirt or dress, I almost always reach for these trousers from Forcast. The fabric has a bit of stretch to it, which makes them very comfortable to wear. The fit is slightly cropped on me too which is a bonus.
Christopher Kane camo skirt | I decided to have a bit of fun with my second skirt pick, and include this grey camo mini from Christopher Kane. This was one of those lucky pre-loved finds. The tonal camo print is surprisingly effortless to style, and I envisioned myself wearing this with black tights (for warmth), and any of the oversized knits I mentioned above.
Acne Studios grey wool trousers | Most befitting of the winter season are without a doubt these grey wool trousers from Acne Studios. I mentioned in a previous post my good fortune in finding these 50% off. Having had them on my wishlist for some time, it felt a little serendipitous to finally stumble upon them at such a good price. Perhaps the unusual thing for me is the silhouette. It’s a much straight leg style than I’m used to.
Karen Walker natural beige “hydra” pants | One thing I really wanted from this 30X30 capsule wardrobe, was to try and play into my love of light neutrals. This is my biggest ode to that; a pair of linen, straight leg trousers. I wouldn’t consider linen the most practical choice for winter, but I figure it’ll work when paired with one of those oversized sweaters and some sneakers. In a way I feel like I’m trying to maximise my styling options with these trousers ahead of the spring.
JACKETS/COATS
Workshop utility jacket | My first jacket pick was a lightweight, transitional style. I’ve noticed that when going out for walks, it’ll start off cold but then I’ll quickly overheat. I thought this would be a good option to take with me, on the off chance that I feel a little chilly. The muted khaki colour looks great when paired with dark or monochromatic outfits too.
Vince black open front sweater | This is technically knitwear, but I tend to wear it more like a coatigan. It’s super warm and cosy, the kind of thing I’ll throw on in the house if it’s feeling particularly draughty. For a fun styling option this looks good belted.
Mute by JL navy coat* | Despite living in a relatively warm climate, I find coats a tricky one to whittle down. It’s the finishing touch to your winter outfit; the first thing someone sees as you walk in the door. Instead of go with an old faithful, I chose this Mute by JL ‘grace’ coat as one of my options. It reaches mid-calf so perfect for extra cold days, and the faux leather panels on the sleeves add a unique and interesting design element.
IRO grey wool coat | Because I couldn’t settle on just one coat, I decided to throw this one from IRO in as a back up. Where the Mute by JL coat is fluid and soft in its design, this has structure and a sharp look to it. It’s also shorter in length, coming up to mid-thigh.
SHOES
Everlane black 40 hour flats* | These pointed toe flats were easily my most worn shoe in autumn, and I’ve found myself reaching for them just as much over the past six weeks. The leather is supple and soft, making these a comfortable option. If you’re a regular around here then it’ll be no surprise to you that a pointed toe shoe is my favourite kind to wear. They’re visual leg-lengtheners – even more so if the shoe is flesh-toned. I tend to wear styles like this a lot to add balance to my body makeup. I have a long torso in proportion to my height, so this visually changes that perspective in an effortless way.
Golden Goose superstar sneakers | To this day it still floors me that I purchased a pair of intentionally worn in sneakers. At a premium no less. But after doing the legwork in my best basics series on white sneakers, I’ve come to conclude that this is one shoe that for me, feels worth the hype. And I don’t say that lightly. There’s a small platform in the heel which is part of what makes these look so flattering on. I also appreciate that they fit wide – it’s perfect for me, and doesn’t put any pressure on my bunion.
Charlotte Olympia kitty flats | One of my favourite styling tools for a simple outfit is to add a quirky pair of flats. The funnest and quirkiest style I own is without a doubt the iconic kitty flats from Charlotte Olympia. These may have had their “day”, but I’m not over them. I’ve worn this style year in and year out since 2012 (I think…?!) so it felt like a no brainer. The velvet is a little high maintenance, so I tend to avoid wearing them when it rains.
Vaneli beige two-tone pumps | Not a week passes by without me reaching for these two-tone pumps from Vaneli. An excellent dupe for the real thing from Chanel, I love the way these look. They’re timeless, classy, and elevate even the simplest of outfits. I also find them suitable enough to wear for most events, and they’re comfortable when walking long distances. There’s a small block heel but in truth they wear just like flats!
Everlane black editor slingback heels* | I’ve already mentioned my penchant for pointed toe shoes, and wanted to add in a block heel version. I don’t go out often, but even when at home I like to dress up a little occasionally. These have a squared off detail across the vamp which I find really flattering, adding even more visual length to the legs.
