Don’t Fear Your Closet

Dressing for summer weather feels easy: shorts, tees, sandals, sundresses, swimsuit, and cover-up. Repeat. But as temperatures drop, our fashion requirements and choices rise. Blouses, sweaters, cardigans, blazers, outerwear, jeans, pants, boots, and booties. Oh my. We often find ourselves staring into our closets full of clothes, repeating the familiar refrain, “But I have nothing to wear!”

Enter a capsule wardrobe, which can save you time, money, and frustration. According to Susie Young, owner of Wit’s End Shops in Highlands, a capsule wardrobe is not the same as minimalist dressing. “Having 10 to 15 items in your closet is just not realistic for most women,” says Susie. “Let’s face it - most women enjoy shopping, and we need at least 30 to 50 items to feel we have a complete wardrobe for each season.” Many women like the simplicity of a capsule wardrobe, particularly when traveling, with some opting for just a carry-on bag.

And although many capsule wardrobes are made up of neutral-colored black, brown, navy, and white pieces, some of us want a bit more color and print. “For example,” explains Young, “animal prints show up every season and you can’t go wrong with incorporating an animal print belt, top, pair of pants, or shoes into your wardrobe.”

Some of Young’s “must have” items for each season include for spring: lightweight jackets, trousers, dresses, lightweight sweaters, flats, sandals and sneakers; for summer: short sleeve or sleeveless tees, dresses, skirts, shorts, sandals; for fall: lightweight jackets, cardigans, denim, trousers, boots, loafers; for winter: long sleeve tees, warm coats, chunky knit sweaters, denim, black or dark trousers, boots and booties. Accessories - including jewelry, scarves, and handbags - comprise a separate category.

Buying quality over quantity has become more popular, especially for women over 40. “As people become more environmentally conscious, fast fashion becomes unsustainable,” observes Young. “Fast fashion” produces inexpensive, trendy clothing in response to the latest styles, designed for rapid consumption. “Many women choose instead to invest in luxe fabrics and timeless pieces, such as a cashmere sweater, one pair of high-end denim pants, one or two pairs of dressy trousers, and one pair of luxury loafers, such as Gucci, that you can have re-soled and will last forever. And every woman should own a black cashmere turtleneck. Trust me – you will wear it again and again each fall and winter.”

Another way to curate your collection without feeling overwhelmed by a closet full of clothes and nothing to wear is to donate an item each time you buy something new, says Young. We all like to hold on to pieces in case they come back into fashion or in case we might wear them again, even if we haven’t for years. But purging unworn or outdated items can make our closets, and us, feel much lighter.

Stop by Wit’s End Shops, 382 Main St #849, Highlands, NC, to build your own capsule wardrobe.