Spring Capsule Series, Part 1: Somewhere Over the Rainbow

You can see it, right? Dorothy walking out of her tornado-stricken, gray-scale, Kansas home and emerging into the lively and colorful Oz. A film transition memorable and progressive for its time and a metaphor for the natural transition from winter grays to colorful spring hues. Although our closets can incorporate color wherever we choose, there is something about the vibrant life arriving in spring that brings energy to the season and our closets.

Regardless, if you have already "worn out the winter" (see earlier post) or are still in the process of purging your woolen cloaks, it is time to start thinking about the springtime sunshine.

Over the next two blog posts, I will walk you through how to build a spring capsule wardrobe (33 pieces) by celebrating what we have in our closets and upgrading with a few intentional items (I'm limiting myself to 8 purchases).

STEP 1: Pick a Palette

Don't you love them all!!! (Credit to ErikaFirm.com) Me too . . . BUT it's important to hone in on some of the colors presently in your closet and a color that is guiding your spring energy, for me - YELLOW. I decided on "deep end dive": Yellow, fave. French Blue, good color on blondes. Green Ash, calming. Marigold, not my fav and can be quite unflattering on me SO . . . contemplating eliminating it from my palette entirely OR incorporating it through accessories -TBD. Whatever palette you choose, DO YOU and don't feel bound to necessarily ALL the colors in the palette. Pick either a specific color that speaks to you OR a palette that catches your eye and use that to guide you through developing your spring capsule.

Step 2: Shop Your Closet

Time to dust off the box you haven't seen since September or relocate your spring-type items that were hidden in the depths of your closet by "winter-wear". Pull out all colors, patterns and materials that fall under your spring color combo, in addition to any "spring classics" you may have (Classics include: whites, khakis and jean that you would consider "spring").

Step 3: Assess What You Have (Head to Toe)

Below are some general guidelines or what we're looking for.

Hats (1)

Accessories (3)

Tops (7)

Jackets (2)

Dresses/Rompers (3)

Handbags (2)

Bottoms (6)

Shoes (4)

Wearer's Choice (5) - These are 5 items you can add to whatever category you choose.

Below is my initial closet "shop".

STEP 4: Create and Imagine

This is when we begin to envision all the colors in your palette coming together like yes, a rainbow. You will see them blend and pop and can start to envision when you will wear each combination AND foresee what you may need to replace, purchase and upgrade. Also, just because you included an item in your initial closet "shop", you don't necessarily need to choose it to be part of your (33) capsule. We will talk about this more before we actually form the capsule outfits in the next posts.

RECOMMENDATION: Start a list and maybe begin to peruse your favorite on-line shops for what additions you're interested in (I'm eyeing a handbag of some sort, jacket, color pop bracelet and YES something yellow:).

Create: try on what you have and start to form outfits.

Imagine: What might be the perfect addition to complete your springtime style and start to search.

Soon the shopping festivities will begin!

STEP 5: Have Fun & Don't Fret

Remember, however you are proceeding with these steps, feel empowered by the colors that make you shine. NOTE: You may have spring items you adore, that don't fall into the capsule we create - that's OK! Wear them! Enjoy them! I repeat: Fashion is fun and beauty is effortless with confidence. The capsule is available to help you focus on a pallet you love, and purchase intentional, functional pieces for an empowering spring style.

Embrace the transition into spring with ease and elegance and always . . . enjoy!

***For closet and fashion services contact liliesandlace11@gmail.com