All in Slow Fashion

My Spring Capsule Wardrobe + Why I'm Taking A Break from "Capsuling"

I know what you're thinking....spring has already been in full force for well over a month now and I haven't shared my spring wardrobe yet? I'm sure you've all been on the edge of your seats waiting for me to unveil my closet all this time, right? ;)

I'm nothing if not dedicated, and I decided to share my capsule a bit late this season for several reasons.

The first is this: midwest springs are equivalent to winter for the most part, so i wanted to wait until spring at least tried to make an appearance before I broke out the blush tones and shorts.

Secondly, I had a few big goals for this capsule and I wanted to feel like I had actually accomplished them before sharing.

And third, because this is going to be my last capsule for a while.

Spring Cleaning || Detox Your Wardrobe

Whether you're the capsule wardrobe building type or not, chances are you've spent some time this Spring downsizing (or wanting to downsize) your closet. I know the feeling of being overwhelmed by a cluttered closet and sometimes, after a long winter, a good, old fashioned Spring cleaning is just what your closet needs to whip back into shape. 

This spring, more than any other season, I've put a lot of work into curating the most cohesive, small, and practical wardrobe that I can; filled with pieces I truly love and wear often. However, that didn't happen overnight. Like most things, developing your style, even from season to season, takes effort and time. 

This "Spring Cleaning" series is all about uncommon areas to detox, and although your closet might be your go-to area to clean out, these tips may be ones you haven't thought of yet. 

One Happy Leaf || Bamboo Jewelry For Aspiring Minimalists

When it comes to jewelry, my mantra is pretty similar to the other areas of my life: I try to keep it as simple as possible. I prefer delicate stacking rings to statement pieces, and long necklaces with a simple pendent over colorful baubles. I only own one pair of earrings. 

This "keep it simple" motto helps me stick to my own personal style and only choose pieces that will, like everything else in my closet, flow well together. So, naturally, when I find a brand whose motto aligns well with mine, I'm hooked.

One Happy Leaf designs jewelry for "nature lovers, aspiring minimalists, wearers of messy buns and unapologetic smiles". Their pieces are all made by hand in Australia by Anna, the brand's founder and designer. 

milo + nicki || #weareunstoppable

There's something endlessly inspiring about women who rise above their own personal struggles and create beauty out of the ashes of their hardship. I think, in some form or another, all true beauty comes from a place of trial — much like diamonds are made out of extreme pressure. 

milo + nicki, a brand new ethical, cruelty-free line of women's wear, was born out of founder, Nicki's own struggle and as someone who values true vulnerability, Nicki's story was initially what drew me to the brand. 

Inspired by Nicki's Zambian and Indian roots, the pieces in their first collection — now available on Kickstarter — embody vibrancy and are meant to empower the women who wear them. Her six piece collection is made with eco-friendly fabrics, that are 100% biodegradable and cruelty-free, and printed with plant-based dyes. milo + nicki is truly the definition of a conscious brand and a quick glance at her gorgeous first collection will tell you that without a doubt. 

His + Her's Style || Thread Co.

Do you remember earlier this week when I chatted about the struggles of living with a non-minimalist? I've encountered so many women who are becoming more passionate about slow living only to be discouraged when their husband isn't as on board as they hoped — especially when it comes to their closet. For many guys, simplifying and, thereby, conscious shopping seems strange and inaccessible, since the vast majority of fashion brands for men are far from ethically-minded. 

Luckily, the deeper I dive into the slow fashion community, the more I realize that isn't exactly true.

Kestan || Effortless Clothing for the Spirited Woman

The entire premise behind creating a limited wardrobe/capsule wardrobe/minimal wardrobe (whatever term you prefer...) is to create ease in your life. Getting dressed shouldn't add extra stress to your day — in fact, you should look forward to picking out your clothes, because they are, in a sense, an expression of your outlook for the day. 

Sometimes, though, finding pieces to fill our "minimal closets" with is more work than we expect. It takes time, effort, and of course, money, to buy pieces we love, especially if the ethics behind a piece is important to you. 

Luckily, there are many awesome brands in the growing ethical fashion industry whose aim is to make effortless fashion a reality, without compromising ethics. 

Kestan is one such brand betting against fast fashion and set on making women's fashion more effortless and easy.