The Capsule Wardrobe: My Insights and Tips

Ever since I paired down what I have in my wardrobe, I've felt a lot more free with what I can wear and how creative I can get with what I already have. And if you've noticed the posts on my Instagram (@amyhoover9), you can tell how much I love coming up with new outfit combinations.

The first tip I'd recommend if you're wanting to get into this whole thing of capsule dressing is to declutter. Find out what it is you love and what you're turning to most often, and once you've discarded the rest, evaluate what's left. Do you think you could use some more basic pieces? Is your wardrobe lacking in more occasion wear or seasonal options? Are there some pants or other bottoms that you could have more or less of?

When I first got into the capsule wardrobe system, I didn't really know where to start, so I just jumped right into it without a plan. Because of me doing things that way, I ended up giving away too much. However, I thankfully had enough time to take back the things that I wasn't ready to give up before the rest was donated. Because of this mistake I made, I now see the importance of having a plan thought out and written down.

I'd say the second mistake I made in this process last year was not taking the time to actually see what was missing once I decluttered my wardrobe. I thought that I'd be able to just know right off the bat, but I realize now that it's all about seeing what works best for you and what fits your lifestyle. Erin Elizabeth's videos have really helped me to hone in on this in particular as she explains how to find your personal style and how your wardrobe reflects your lifestyle (Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fu2phwAzHVk). Now in addition to what's said in the video, I'd like to point out that finding your dream closet doesn't have to be expensive, especially if you're tight on money or if you don't have a lot of it to begin with. One of the easiest and most cost-effective places to shop for clothing is at your local thrift store, so if you have one near you, then that'll make the process better for you and for the environment in the long run. Now keep in mind that this process will take time, so one thing to consider is to gather up inspiration through Pinterest first, or even through other apps that are similar (Cladwell has been somewhat effective for me in the past). I've done this a lot with certain clothing items I know I need, and once I've gotten a good idea, I'll start browsing on different online shops to see what they have.

I do believe that there's a lot more opportunity for creativity when you have a capsule wardrobe, plus it makes getting dressed in the morning a lot less stressful. One quote that comes into my head with this concept sometimes (which I found on Pinterest) is that fashion is what you buy, style is what you do with it. I hope that these tips and guidelines can help inspire or motivate you to working on your dream wardrobe!

The Differences Between The KonMari Method & Minimalism

I'm sure a lot of you are at least familiar with Marie Kondo's book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up. And while I'll admit I haven't read this book at all, I am familiar with the book's core principles in the most general sense as I've heard/watched other people's reviews of it.

From what I've learned about KonMari method at least is that instead of working to declutter by each room or zone, she recommends going through your stuff by category. She also recommends that you fold all of your clothes instead of hanging it up, and there are certain ways that she thinks are best to fold each clothing item. One thing in particular that kind seems odd to me is verbally thanking each item as you give it away. I would figure that it's common for people like Marie to have that somewhat spiritual component come into play with their physical belongings, and perhaps there is some value to doing so as it makes you become more appreciative of what you already have. Gratitude is something that we as a society should probably practice more often anyways. 

The thing that separates the KonMari method from minimalism is that while its principles are similar in a lot of ways, this method emphasizes more on what to keep versus what to toss or give away. Decluttering this way brings into focus a more emotional/spiritual approach, but with minimalism, there's a different perspective as you're thinking more in terms of practicality. The questions that come to mind from a minimalist approach are how much value you're getting out of something, how long has it been since this item has been used and will you buy this again if you were to see it in the store. There's probably a lot more questions that follow, but either way, the more you adhere to these guidelines, the less you'll end up having. In some ways, the same could be achieved with the KonMari method if you practice the habit often enough in a way that actually works for you. 

Now that these differences have been distinguished, I do want to touch on something that may or may not be considered within these two lifestyles, and that's the human mindset. How we see the process working out in our heads may be different than how it actually works out in reality. If you're expecting to have a lot less in the end but you find that you're holding onto more, then you might want to consider where you're current mindset or emotional state is at; this can also be said for those who are expecting the opposite to happen. Decluttering can be a long, tedious project no matter which method you use, and it's completely understandable to feel overwhelmed when you're tackling it for the first time. However, you must remind yourself of why you're putting yourself through this in the first place. If you're living space is making you feel stressed because of the amount of stuff you have, then that's a good sign to start the process no matter how daunting it may seem. Chances are that you'll probably end up feeling better at the end; you can trust me on that. 

Brand Loyalty & How It Ties Into Minimalism

When it comes to different fashion brands, no matter how high end, expensive or inexpensive they are, I personally think that there's a lot to consider. Supporting a brand by any means is not a bad thing generally speaking, but I do believe that brand loyalty can either make or break your wallet if you're not careful with how much time you spend shopping for it.

I'll admit that as I get older, the less I start to care about following certain clothing brands or companies. I just want to wear clothes that are comfortable and make me feel good, and I think this is a good piece of advice that everyone should consider.

So in all of my experiences personally, I've learned that shopping for discounted or on sale items is the best way to go, and that goes for any brand or retail store that you shop at. However, shopping on those occasions can also be quite tempting/impulsive if you're not careful. If your shopping habits are anything like mine was, then sometimes it can feel like you have to have this one item because it's on sale, but it's not something you particularly need. This is where having a list and sticking to it will help you the most. If you write down everything that you need first and keep it visible, it'll help keep you on track with which purchases are most important or essential.

Brand loyalty is something I've used very loosely as half of what I was spending my money on was clothing or accessories from fast fashion retailers, but seeing where I'm at now, I feel like I'm finally learning how to find items of better value. And even if you're someone who's more into higher quality brands like Louis Vuitton, Michael Kors or even more sustainable ones like Angela Roi or Everlane, I do believe that it's fine to invest and spend as long as you're getting good value out of it. Now when you apply minimalism to the concept of fashion (or anything else really), it shouldn't be focused on deprivation or competition. Do what works for you, keep what you love and toss out what doesn't add value to your life. Those are the three main things that have really resonated with me in my experiences, so I hope these insights can help you in some way as well.

Relationship Talk: Jealousy & Insecurity

To me at least, feeling comfortable with the person you're with is important. If either person in the relationship doesn't feel comfortable enough within themselves, then how are they going to feel when they're together? How are they going to communicate if conflict arises? 

In all my experiences with insecurity, one thing I've learned is that doubting yourself will definitely kill your inner confidence- add love into the mix and it can definitely cause some issues. I've had my fair share of moments where I wasn't sure if my relationship would work out. I've had moments where I really wanted to give up- and I have followed through with that more times than I care to admit, but despite this one struggle I've had, I always came back. It's not easy to feel like your best self when you're in a relationship, but sometimes, you just have to be your own best friend and not become too dependent on your significant other. 

Now I do believe there's a difference between being possessive and jealous. I don't believe in making generalizations because every person's situation is different, but when it comes to jealousy in particular, I do feel like it's easy us to develop that feeling if we don't feel confident within ourselves. And while it is okay for one to feel this way, what's not okay is acting out on that feeling in a way that's damaging or negative. This is why communication is so important, even if it's difficult. 

Being possessive or over-protective of someone you love can sometimes be a good thing as it reminds people that they should stay committed to the person they love. However, I do believe there's a small, grey area within this topic because one has to have enough trust in their partner. I feel like it's common these days for people to not trust other people instantaneously, but if you're someone who's constantly keeping their guard up or acting like your partner can't fend for his/herself, then perhaps you should learn a thing or two about having more trust. In this case, actions definitely speak louder than words. You can't just say you trust your partner then do something else that doesn't support your claim. 

I personally have dealt with jealousy a couple times at least, but I can't say that I ever let that feeling become an issue for me when it comes to my behavior. I always try my best to be honest with my feelings, but even if I'm not, I still have my morality in check. Even then however, I know I'm not perfect. 

If there's any advice that I can offer based on my experiences, it would be that trust has to be mutual. I'd also say that it's okay for you to be human; it's okay for you to feel insecure, jealous or even like a failure. HOWEVER, you should not let those feelings dictate the way you act. Try your best to be honest with yourself and with your partner; it'll definitely save you a lot of time in the end. Trust me on that. 

Styling Basics: The White T-Shirt

If you don't already have a basic white t-shirt in your wardrobe, then you might want to consider buying one for yourself. I remember when I used to think that I'd never get into more basic colors like black and white because I always enjoyed more colorful options, but I've been challenging myself a lot more recently- and because of that, I've come to really enjoy how the color white looks on me.

The easiest outfit you could put together is a white t-shirt, denim shorts (or jeans) and a pair of sneakers. You could also easily dress up this look by adding heels or sandals instead, and perhaps throwing on a blazer on top. Another way you could make this basic look more casual is to throw on a loose-fitting cardigan, and if you're someone who enjoys color like me, you could go for any color cardigan to help spice up the look.

Color can be a fun way to experiment with your wardrobe, but I think there's a lot more you can do besides playing with that option alone. If your style is more monochrome and/or neutral, then you could easily spice up the basic jeans and t-shirt look with a statement necklace or scarf. Handbags can also help elevate your look as long as you find colors that complement the outfit well. One style tip that I'd recommend is to not go overboard with your accessories, especially if you decide to add in a statement piece of jewelry (or even a scarf). If you decide to put on a statement necklace, then try to keep the rest of your jewelry/accessories minimal so that it doesn't take away from that one statement piece you're wearing.

Handbags are always a fun way to spice up your look, but one rule of thumb that I like to keep in mind is finding colors that make the look more cohesive. For example, say that you're wearing a basic white button-down shirt and dark wash jeans. If you want to pair your shoes and handbag together but the colors are complete opposites of each other (like green and pink), then I don't think those would work out very well. However, if you were to pair a blush pink bag with a shoe that's either similar or even neutral (think white, tan or nude), then those colors will balance each other out more naturally. The same could be applied with more fancy accessories. If you were to change out your nude sandals with black heels,  and switch out the pink bag for a red one paired with a small, silver necklace, then your outfit instantly goes from basic and casual to more polished and put together.

I hope these tips and tricks are helpful to you in some ways, because I know they've helped me a lot as they're inspired by a YouTuber named Erin Elizabeth. Her videos have really helped me see the versatility of what I have in my wardrobe as there are so many ways to style the most basic pieces of clothing.

Slow Fashion Basics: True Materialism

In Matt D'Avella's documentary entitled Minimalism, the subject of slow fashion is touched on slightly. One of the people that he featured in this film talks about how materialism could be better approached when taking away the negative stigma of how it's is perceived through social media. People with privilege or high-income salaries become an easy target for being "too materialistic" in a negative sense as they tend to show off their luxury or high-designer purchases. Those people may give materialism a negative perception, but that's nothing compared to how us Americans (regardless of how big or small our paychecks are) treat the items we have with care.

Fast fashion at its very core is something that promotes wasteful habits. We buy, we wear, then we toss it after a couple months. The kinds of materials that are in fast fashion clothing aren't meant to last forever, so that's a partial reason for why this planet has suffered from a lot of waste over the years. Slow fashion, on the other hand, works towards finding more sustainable and eco-friendly materials to put into each piece of clothing. Not only that, but when combining the minimalist lifestyle with the topic of fashion in general, we as a human population could learn more about how to care for what we already have and work towards becoming more aware of our shopping habits. 

Back when my wardrobe was in an almost constant state of change, it never really occurred to me that I could wear one shirt more than once, or that the shoes or accessories I had could be used in more than one outfit. This is a misconception that can be easy to fall into, but once I found and applied minimalism to my life, I became a lot less stressed and felt a lot more freedom with what I can wear. 

Now with as much knowledge as I have about this subject, I'll admit that I still have a handful of clothing items from fast-fashion retailers. I'll also admit that I still occasionally shop in places that may or may not be ethical. However, I am a lot more mindful of how I care for the clothes I have, and I enjoy every piece of clothing I have in my wardrobe. I personally think that one of the biggest ways to increase the longevity of your clothing is to wash it less, especially if it's delicate or doesn't have any odors or stains. I'd also recommend folding any heavier clothing items, like sweaters or cardigans. 

I think that the term "true materialism" is something that we could all strive for no matter what category of items we focus on. This information may not be new, but I do hope that the information I provided you with has helped to bring some insight or inspiration. I know that I've definitely learned a lot in the last year or so when it comes to this topic in particular. 

Ways to Live a Better & Happier Life

I realize that everyone's experiences in life are different. I also realize that my experiences may not work for some people, but I do hope that me speaking on a topic as general as this will be helpful in some way because I do believe we're all deserving of a life well lived.

1. Enjoy the little moments. Whether if it's a moment inside your car as you're rolling down the windows to let in that fresh air or listening to your favorite type of music... whether if it's being with your family, friends or loved ones... Even if it's just getting out of bed and enjoying every minute of your morning routine. There's always a silver lining that you could keep your focus and attention on for as little as one minute. Find out which little moments in life spark the most joy in you, and that'll help to boost your mood.

2. Time out breaths. If you find those voices or demons in your head coming up to the surface, stop them in their tracks immediately and just breathe. Breathe in those positive mantras that you're wanting to keep in your mind, and breathe out that negativity. Breathe in and focus on nothing but the oxygen around you (even better if it's oxygen from the outdoors), and breathe out whatever thoughts are threatening to hold you back. The more you can practice this one simple routine, the better you'll feel about yourself. 

3. Talk to a counselor or therapist. With the way technology is now, there's really no excuse to not get help if all else fails. If you're already signed up with a counselor/therapist in your area, then that's great. If not, you could either go the traditional route or get that help online. Whatever it is you decide to do, please remember that this option is always open, and there's no shame in taking this route. We all need it sometimes whether if we're open to admitting that or not.

4. Develop Healthier Habits. It's one thing to make your mental health a priority, but our well-being is more than just that alone. However, it takes discipline and effort to maintain a more balanced life. You have to want these changes bad enough in order to start somewhere with your physical health. If there's any easy starting point that I could give you, it would be to get more fruits, vegetables and sustainable proteins in your diet. And when it comes to exercise, the easiest thing you could do is sit less and move more. Take a walk whenever you have time to spare- and if you don't, then you need to make time. You could start as low as 10 or 15 minutes a day, and for as little as once a week if you don't know how or where to start. And while this last pointer is most obvious, I know it's something I myself sometimes struggle with as well: SLEEP. Your body's ability to function is highly dependent on how many hours of sleep you get. I myself try to get 8 or 9 hours of sleep a night, and I try to go to bed at the same time every night as well. I also try to get up at the same time every morning unless I know I don't have be anywhere for the day.

I know that this is a lot of information to take in, but I can promise you that these tips that I've learned can help you. If you have any questions, feel free to post them in the comments and I'll do the best I can to offer my advice. I'm not a professional by any means, but I do feel like our lives are worth the care and effort that we should put into ourselves. Everything I've experienced in the last year or two has been hard, so a lot of these pointers come from my own personal experiences as well as inspiration from others. Dealing with life's ups and downs can be challenging at times; I know and understand this. I hope that this post can help inspire you in some way. 

My Minimalism Journey

As someone who’s kind of always had a love for shopping, I’ve really had to place boundaries on myself when it comes to my spending habits- and I do consider myself to be frugal in some ways as I don’t like to invest or splurge all that often. However, I do feel like minimalism has helped me to see which habits I need to work on and how to care more for the things I already have.

I honestly cannot state this enough, but I do feel like YouTube has impacted me in many ways that I never thought possible. I personally got my first taste of minimalism through this channel called “Break The Twitch” (Channel link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyicqwQM9aIZ9mAw5xP4Q2g) So with like any other random search on YouTube, you’ll see recommended videos alongside whatever video you’re currently watching. I believe I first saw videos from the channel pop up as I was watching some kind of fashion/lifestyle video. I didn’t think much of it at first when I just started out with watching Anthony’s videos (the creator behind BTT). However, the more I visited after that first one, I noticed myself becoming a lot more vulnerable and aware within my own mindset and how that carries into these impulsive habits I sometimes have. It was kind of scary and overwhelming at first as I really struggled to understand how minimalism was going to look like for me.

The next person I stumbled across within this movement was Matt D’Avella (YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ24N4O0bP7LGLBDvye7oCA). He’s a filmmaker who directed the Netflix documentary entitled Minimalism which features the originators of this lifestyle’s comeback (Joshua Fields Milburn and Ryan Nicodemus, ie. “The Minimalists”). As a side note, I was exposed to a couple of their videos back when I was at Smyrna for job training last year.

I’d say that for the most part, I’ve always been a pretty organized person. If there’s anything in my space that I had too much of however, it was these collections of things that were of cheap value, things that were kept “just in case”, and other things that were hidden away or even within eyesight. Since finding these other people like Matt D’Avella and Anthony Ongaro, I’ve gotten rid nearly all of that extra clutter and it’s really made a world of a difference for me.

If there’s anything that I’ve learned through this process (because minimalism isn’t something you achieve in only one night or day), it’s that the more you practice the habit of decluttering and owning less of the unnecessary, the more you’ll find yourself feeling more focused on things that have higher importance or value.

This blog that I post on is something I’ve had for a few years now, but when I see the content I made then as opposed to now, I definitely feel like my passions and interests have shifted for good reason. I feel like I’ve created a lot more opportunities for myself because of minimalism and knowing that they’re out there at least excites me.

My Handbag Collection

A lot of people seem to fall into either one of these two categories: the shoe lover or the handbag lover. I myself love handbags. They've always been fun for me as that's one of the easiest ways to spice up an outfit, but over the years, I have downsized from 20+ cheaply made ones to now only 13. I know this may seem like a lot still to some people, but every bag I own now is something I love and use constantly.

Cross body:

Yellow camera-style bag (Accessorize)-  For a while, I wasn't using this one and had it sitting in a box to be given away. However, I decided to take it back because not only is yellow my favorite color, but it's also a shade I've been seeing a lot of lately for spring/summer. We'll see how much it gets used this season.

Red fold over bag (The Sak)- This color has also been making a statement a lot lately for spring, but I honestly have had this bag for a quite few years now. I believe it was a birthday present from when I was in high school actually. It's one of my favorites! 

Black w/ silver studs (Steve Madden)- This is a bit more recent as I bought it three months ago from Nordstrom Rack. I'm definitely glad I made the purchase because it's the perfect size for every day- plus the strap is detachable, so I could also wear it as a clutch if I wanted to. 

Nude w/ circle-shaped statement closure (TJ Maxx)- I honestly think you can't go wrong with a nude handbag. This one was also a birthday present and it's definitely a favorite as well. 

Navy Blue- this one is something that was in my mom's collection for quite a while. Had to snag it up when she threw it into the giveaway pile, haha! 

Cream color bucket bag (Lucky Brand)- I realize that this brand is a little pricey, so I was over the moon excited when I saw this one on clearance at Dillard's. It was just sitting there and I was on the hunt for a new bucket bag anyways, so I'm glad that I picked it up. I believe the sale price was around $50, give or take.

Casual black & white fold over (Journey's)- This is probably one of the oldest bags in my collection and I still use it a lot. I believe my aunt gave it to me either for Christmas or my birthday; I can't remember exactly. Nonetheless, no matter how much I wear it, it still stays in good shape for a bag that's pretty casual. I love how it goes with a lot of things I have in my wardrobe- I've even worn it to work a few times and have gotten a couple compliments on it. 

Big Bags: 

Brown leather messenger (TJ Maxx)- With my navy tote coming at a close second, I've used this one for work quite a lot. It's very spacious on the inside, so even though I try to keep things minimal inside my purse, it's nice to have that extra space for if I need to pack more. 

Pink dome satchel (Charming Charlie)- I used to own a lot of handbags from Charming Charlie, but since downsizing my collection, I now only own this one and it's another one of my favorites (pink has always been my favorite color). 

Navy blue tote (TJ Maxx)- If there's any "rule" that I'd say every woman needs to follow, it would be to have a good sized tote bag in their collection. I used to always carry cross body bags to work, but now, I've come to see the practicality of taking a tote to work instead. It's easy to just toss it onto your arm or shoulder, plus it carries everything you need. Just make sure you don't over stuff it or it'll become too heavy, haha! 

Evening bags:

Pink w/ gold (Francesca's)- I'll admit that this one was kind of an impulse buy. When I saw it in the store, I immediately felt drawn to the color. I also really love the gold detailing and the overall shine the pink color gives off. It's definitely a nice statement to add to an outfit that's either basic and simple, or with an outfit that's similar in color. I personally love the bag best with this floral, cold shoulder dress (w/ black and pink) I bought at Francesca's as well. 

Tan wristlet cross body- This one was a Christmas present from my sister and while I have yet to use it as an evening bag, I do love how versatile it is. I've used it a couple times when taking walks down to CVS or Whole Foods; it makes keeping the essentials together a lot easier since the bag has a few card slots built into it. 

*I also have a black and cream color shoulder bag (from American Eagle) that I use in the summer. It's come in handy for whenever I take vacations to the beach or just to use by the pool.