I am obsessed with finding monochromatic capsule wardrobe and french wardrobe ideas on Pinterest. They are so black and white, both literally and figuratively. For the past year, I have voraciously read about simplifying my lifestyle through the “modern greats” of minimalism: Marie Kondo, Erin Boyle, Caroline Rector, Francine Joy, and Dee Williams. I gravitate towards the versatile outfit combinations, timeless prints, and effortless style for day and night. There are lots of great minimalist wardrobe and capsule wardrobe ideas out there, some incorporating hues of rose and peony or teal and turquoise. But in the flesh, I have noticed 3 accessories that make simple wardrobes classy and chic. I’m not referring to a leather-strapped Fossil watch or a rose-gold chevron ring. Instead, I’m thinking about simple chic style icons, like Audrey Hepburn and Brigitte Bardot or the girl next door living in the succulent-lined Brownstone, who always wear 3 simple things to compliment their wardrobe:
A SMILE. When I see a cute outfit on a straight-faced, rather disinterested woman, I am not as captivated as I am when I see a woman rocking simple style with a bright smile. It makes me curious: what makes her so happy and content? Is her life fulfilled by other joys that make a flashy, full wardrobe dull in comparison? As cliche as it sounds, a smile makes a big difference.
A POSITIVE ATTITUDE. From the same family as a smile, a positive attitude is attractive and electric. It radiates one step further through your thought process and speech. I remember my naive 17-year-old self, interviewing for college with an alumni from my dream school. I will never forget when she walked in to the coffee shop, wearing sweat pants, a messy bun, and no trace of makeup. She definitely didn’t look like a success story. She looked like an average person on her day off, grabbing russet potatoes at the grocery store or getting half a tank of gas with change from her cup holder. But after five minutes of chatting with her, I was enamored. My interviewer possessed such a positive and encouraging attitude. She wowed me with her passionate stories about work and travel. She flooded me with a myriad of tips for success in college and I left feeling ready to run a marathon. Her positive attitude outshone her outfit. I’m not advocating dressing in pajamas or yoga pants 365 days a year. I’m simply stating that minimalist wardrobes are that much more “effective” when people aren’t impressed by what you wear, but how you make them feel. This always makes me feel great, no matter what I’m wearing.
A BEGINNER’S MIND. Be a lifelong learner. The person who is never too old to take a guitar class, never too smart to take a cooking class, and never too busy to take a painting class can wear any outfit with poise and elegance. Ambition about learning new things and continuing to grow in skill and interest is a surefire way to see your clothes wear themselves to tatters. When you’re investing money, time, and energy in activities you love, your focus shifts away from outfit pairing. This is one of my favorite things to wear!
What accessories do you wear with your capsule wardrobe?
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