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Well hey girl heyyyyyyy!!  Shout out to my stylin’ mamas out there who love comfort AND looking at least a little put together while we’re out chasing babies and chasing dreams. πŸ˜‰  While my blog and Instagram are primarily focused on home design ideas, I also love to express myself through style, and I so appreciate you guys welcoming that new addition to the Cotton Stem community with open arms–it’s like we’re all shopping together virtually, and I love it!  Wanted to use this post to answer a few wardrobe capsule questions and specific winter wardrobe updates that y’all have asked about, so here ya go!

(*this post is sponsored by one of my faves for years, Sole Society
thank you for supporting the brands that support my little blog and family😘)

CottonStem.com winter wardrobe capsule for moms over the knee boots
DRESS  |  CARDIGAN  |  BOOTS

DRESS – Navy and white pinstripe shirt dress, and I’m wearing the Small in regular length.  
CARDIGAN – Wearing the Small, and it’s so nice and thick and nubby…and pockets!
BOOTS – Surprisingly comfortable with that lower stacked heel, and I’d go up a half size.

One of the most frequently asked questions I receive about capsule wardrobes is how to start.  I know, it’s sort of a strange concept at first, but, once you get your feet under you, it’s sort of a game changer.  I did a short and sweet series on how to start your own capsule wardrobe [HERE] if that’s something you’d like to try!

I began a capsule wardrobe system when I was looking into a closet full of every single size it felt like, including pre-kid business clothes, a whole 4 season wardrobe of maternity clothes, post-baby transition clothes….and I STILL couldn’t figure out how to get dressed, GAH!!  It was too much, and I needed a way to pull myself back to center and figure out my style.  Capsule wardrobes are a great way to get back to your baseline and remember what you love, what makes you feel beautiful, your favorite colors, textures, shops, etc.  It might not be a forever type of lifestyle change, but it is always there to help pull things back to center.  It takes a little bit of effort to get started on the front end, but being able to get dressed in under 5 minutes and know you’ll look cute and love how you feel….WORTH IT. πŸ™ŒπŸ»

 


CARDIGAN  |  PANTS  |  SLIPPERS

CARDIGAN – One of my faves from my girls at Cloth + Cabin!
PANTS – Cutest little Christmas jammies, so soft and in the S.
SLIPPERS – Worth every single penny.  Not kidding.

I’ve also been asked if I stick to the “rules” of a capsule wardrobe 100%, and honestly, no.  I certainly used to at the beginning when I was desperate to get my closet and my spending under control, and those guidelines really did help me sort of relearn myself, my style, my size and fit after having babies and nursing, and it got me back to center like I said.  Such a great way to focus and establish a baseline.

But, as most things do, my need for a strict capsule wardrobe changed a bit once I finished having kids and after I worked really hard to regain my former(ishπŸ˜‰) size…although nothing will EVER look the same, guys! πŸ˜‚  After doing capsules pretty strictly for about 5-6 years, I now feel pretty confident in my purchasing choices, I know my shape is staying more or less the same (depending on how close we are to holidays….you know what I’m saying…πŸ˜‰), and I’ve sort of relearned how to not spend spontaneously and instead be considerate.  Sounds like something that should come so easy, but I’ll tell ya; after going from working woman to new mom, it was a total wardrobe change overnight.  Pre-baby body to post-four-kids-in-five-years body…NOT THE SAME THING. πŸ˜³πŸ˜‚  I was lost!  And after years and years of doing capsules, it really got me back on track.  I don’t need the strict boundaries like I once did, and I shop now with renewed confidence and consideration.  It was a phase of my life that desperately needed structure, and capsules provided a bit of that for me!  Not a forever system (at least not the strict and rigid rules), but certainly a beneficial process depending on where you find yourself and the state of your closet, ha!

 

CottonStem.com winter wardrobe capsule for moms sole society
SCARF  |  SHOES  |  BAG

SCARF – This is the coziest, softest cashmere travel wrap scarf, and I can’t even with the affordable luxury.  (Scarf was so popular that it sold out FAST!  Here’s a link to a super cute cashmere beanie in the same style and on sale!  Sole Society is having a huge sale on scarves and wraps HERE!) 
SHOES – Adorable mules with the perfect amount of neutral holiday sparkle.  Fit true to size!
BAG – Perfect size for my work bag and holds laptop, planner and all the things in style.  Neutral taupe vegan leather goes with every look.

One thing I have learned through capsuling for so long is how to inject a little bit of holiday sparkle and affordable, cozy luxury into my wardrobe during the season without splurging on things that look so beautiful online (glittery stilettos and such), but where would I actually wear them?  Honestly, I rarely even wear heels and prefer comfortable, classic looks that I can mom in…but!  I also want to feel a little festive with all this holiday sparkle all around!  So, I usually save a couple spots in my closet for a bit of festive fun….like these pieces from Sole Society!  Honored to partner with this company that I’ve shopped with for probably 4-5 years, because I’ve always been drawn to their original, unique designs, their price points and the fact that the customer service is πŸ™ŒπŸ»  Little bit of sparkle on the neutral nude mules (comfy!), a luxurious (and BIG!) cashmere travel wrap scarf that doesn’t break the bank, and this buttery smooth vegan leather tote is a perfect work bag for my short walk to work in my she shed.  If you guys haven’t shopped Sole Society, I can honestly recommend the company from years of shopping with them!

 

LEGGINGS  |  SCARF  |  WEEKENDER  |  BAG  |  SHOES  |  JACKET

LEGGINGS – Vegan leather Spanx leggings that DO THE JOB, man. πŸ™ŒπŸ»  Fit TTS.
SCARF – Inexpensive, lightweight blanket scarf
WEEKENDER – Perfect for a weekend away…here I was leaving to go to NYC!!
BAG – Crossbody version of the larger bag, and I’ve worn it for YEARS.
SHOES – One of the most comfortable pairs of shoes ever.  Fit TTS.
JACKET – A staple in my wardrobe!  Fits TTS.


CARDIGAN  |  JEANS  |  SHOES  |  BRALETTE

CARDIGAN – Super soft waffle knit cardigan with POCKETS!  Love to wear with leggings, bc it’s long enough in front and back.  It’s a bit oversized but I liked it so ordered my size (S).
JEANS – These fit like a good ol’ regular pair of jeans.  Not skinnies, not boyfriend, not super stretchy….just JEANS.  Fit TTS but if you’re between size and want a more snug fit like this, choose the smaller size.
SHOES – Neutral, comfortable and unique…love these!  TTS.
BRALETTE – Lightly lined with some cute lace that peeks out with an oversized sweater!  I’m a 34/36B and wear the Medium.

For my overall wardrobe, I really try to do my research and find ways to be comfortable while looking put together. But, like, ACTUALLY comfortable.  For instance, I can’t do tight necklines, even if the top is cute.  I don’t like low cut pants post-babies, even if they are in style.  I can’t do high heels on a regular day chasing babies, even if that’s what is all over Pinterest.  Through doing capsules for years, I have learned to look past the trend into what I will ACTUALLY pull out of my closet and feel beautiful and comfortable wearing in my actual lifestyle.  Thus, good jeans and nice vegan leather leggings with cozy sweaters and comfortable bralettes instead of padded underwire bras…these are my top picks from my wardrobe.  And I feel like I’ve learned enough about myself to be choosy while being cozy; I still feel stylish, up to date, all the things, all while being comfortable.  If that makes sense!?  πŸ˜‰

 


SWEATER  |  JEANS  |  BOOTS  |  BAG  |  BRALETTE

SWEATER – Have collected this soft, oversized sweater in lots of colors over the years, and I have the S!
JEANS – Worn these the past few years, and I like the unique distressing.  I went up one size for a baggier fit.
BOOTS – The winners of my ankle bootie try on [HERE]!  
BAG – The tote version of the bags in my travel post…love.
BRALETTE –  Same as above pic!

So, that’s where I’m at with capsule wardrobes, the process, the benefits, and using the system to get one’s closet back on track.  Plus, I hope this post gave you some ideas on how to add quality, comfortable style into your own wardrobe!  Approachable style is the name of my game both in my home AND my closet. πŸ˜‰ What about you?  Do you find yourself drawn more to style regardless of comfort level, are you leggings and sweats all day errrrryday, or do you fall somewhere in the middle like me?  I bet so much of this depends on what we do for a living or with our day, so I’d love to hear how you dress for your day and whatcha do!

Thanks for coming by to say hi, buddies!!
❀️ Erin

 

 

 

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  1. Kara Layne says:

    That first outfit?! Miss Erin, to DIE for! Loving the style you have and the inspiration in this area – keep doing wonderful things, Mama! πŸ˜‰

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