Reading about Sarah who found a basic tee that could carry her through the next twenty years in style had me thinking about uniforms again this weekend. The appeal of a uniform for me is less about the daily savings of time getting ready + more about the overall decrease in time + money spent trying to figure out what to wear.

                     via                                               via                                                via

My wardrobe has always been a bunch of basics with a smattering of unique pieces thrown in. I would imagine many people's wardrobes are similar in this way. When the basics are lacking, it can all just feel like a mess of things that don't work. With the basics in place, the other pieces sing.

So...here is what I'm thinking for summer: a few solid tank tops + a few basic pairs of shorts. As needed, these pieces can mix with the other pieces in my wardrobe to make a sort of uniform with options. If I find the perfect "special" piece to add to this little collection of basics...great. If not...I have what I need. I've been thrifting + sewing + browsing a few fair pieces with varying amounts of success...so...fingers crossed.

Love,
​Jane

May was a beautiful month full of weather extremes + one big event for us...a wedding. In May, we bared our arms + legs to the sun...watched the rain fall for days + days...and camped out in the basement tracking a giant tornado. Clothing-wise, I wore a lot of varied pieces + combinations to keep warm + cool...often in the same day. These soft pants I purchased at the end of April were definitely my most worn piece. They are the perfect weight, so comfortable + go with everything from tanks to sweaters. 

I had the chance to test out this organic cotton/hemp tank quite a bit too. It's the perfect length, layers well, washes well + the arm scythe is just right. Note to self: a good purchase is quite easy to confirm (just not always so easy to find).  :)

The wedding had me a little more flustered about what to wear than I'd like to admit. My wardrobe is quite casual...just the way I like it. This wedding had me hearing all these little shoulds + shouldn'ts in my mind about lengths + colors of dresses, as well as what-ifs regarding temperatures for this outdoor affair in the upper midwest. I ended up collecting a few options, choosing the one that felt most "me" + confirming that absolutely no one cared what I wore.  :) So...there was a bit more returning of pieces this month than I'd like to admit or do again. 

For accountability's sake (May):
no wardrobe additions kept

Love,
​Jane

April temperatures have given the thermometer a work out...up + down. We've cozied up, and we've soaked in the sun this month. My most worn piece was probably this rust sweatshirt. It goes with everything + adds a cozy layer just right for these in-between days.

We also received a taste of much warmer temperatures which skip right over all the in-between clothes + the lightest of layers. Last summer I felt like I would have appreciated a couple more pairs of shorts in my wardrobe, so I started thinking about what ones I'd like to wear. Shorts are one of the easiest things to sew (elastic waisted versions anyway), so I worked on personalizing the fit of a pattern I already have. On the very last (rainy + cold) day of April, I sewed this block printed pair (above) out of a scrap of fabric just big enough to squeeze the pattern pieces onto.

My trainers situation also received some thought + action in April. Along with flats (+ an appearance or two of sandals), those trainers have been all I need during this transition season.

We are going to a wedding in May, + I've been thinking about what I have to wear. I thought I'd try a jumpsuit that I tried earlier in the fall, but didn't keep. The day after I purchased it, I received an email that that jumpsuit along with the rest of the sale section was another big percentage off. I ended up purchasing a few things. I have yet to receive the package, but I will record what I keep here + share a little bit more about them in the weeks to come. (Update: kept one pair of soft, swingy pants.) With this purchase + a project or two I have in mind, I think I have met the needs I can foresee for the next few months. I'm hoping that this is the beginning of a little pure enjoyment of what I have. (yay!)

For accountability's sake (April):
bought fair :: tank + soft pants
​made :: shorts
sold :: trainers

Love,
Jane

I was telling him that my simplicity journey has taught me things in ways that I never expected. My thinking has been transformed, but I still have to push myself sometimes. It was about shoes + how I finally took the plunge to only having one pair of trainers. That's when he said it with a tiny, smug smile, "Guys have it so much easier. We only need three pairs of shoes: a nicer pair, a sporty pair, and a..." I still don't know what the third pair was going to be, because I just had to laugh at this point. "You think you only have three pairs of shoes?" I asked.

Later that evening, while he was out...I put his shoes together in a line...his thirteen pairs of shoes...with a little note above that read, "Guys have it so much easier." He gasped when he saw them + laughed. I just said that I knew I wouldn't have the chance to make this point again.  :) No pressure...just awareness.

He is the one who suggested writing a post about it. "Sometimes you just don't even know that you have so much," he said. 

To me, the interesting part is that he could easily say how many pairs of shoes would be enough + what functions he would need them to fulfill. When it came time to look at the shoes that were actually already in his possession, however, "enough" was not part of the equation. At that point, it was more about the items themselves...not "necessity".

I can identify with this too. But I'm trying to work things from the opposite direction...and little by little...I'm learning. We're learning.

Love,
Jane 

This last week of March has brought a couple of days with temperatures that touched the 70s F! As I write this I'm feeling resistant to thinking back on the rest of this cold + cloudy month. I just want to look forward to sun-kissed shoulders + bare feet. It's coming.

New collections came out this month which fueled those dreams. Dreaming made it a little easier to tolerate the still present leggings + sweaters...as did trading long-sleeved tees for short-sleeved ones, wool socks for cotton, and fur-lined boots for trainers. Little switches really did make things feel a bit fresher. 

My closet received a mini clean out + a few things were put up for sale on ebay. The usefulness of my pieces has come into acute focus over the past few years. I like the concept of objects maintaining their value through use. If I'm not using a piece to its full potential, it can feel good to pass it on to someone else who will use it well. I'm not looking to replace things with newer, shinier or more exciting versions. Less is liberating + often brings more value to the things that remain.

I'd been keeping an eye out for a restock of Aliya Wanek's beautiful sweatshirts all winter. A longer sweatshirt would be useful year-round in my simple wardrobe. This month I was able to purchase one in just the color I'd been waiting for. The rewards of patience have been evident lately. Now if I can just internalize + apply the lesson going forward!

This month it felt good to wear what is in my closet, to try on a few versatile pieces that I'm looking forward to wearing over + over in the warmer months to come, and to let a few things expand their stories with another wearer. Tiny moves have been made toward a truer alignment with function + beauty in my life + in my wardrobe.

For accountability's sake: (March)
bought fair :: sweatshirt
sold :: sweatshirt, pants, shoes

Love,
​Jane

A couple of Saturdays ago, I found myself sucked into a van life rabbit hole. One video turned into another...partially because I found this couple just so likable.  :) I haven't been totally attracted to long-term van life, because it doesn't fit our stage of life right now...but I am attracted to a life filled with exploration + adventure + not being hindered by stuff.

When I'm trying to keep perspective on how much I do have + that I don't need more, I often think of people far less fortunate than my family. I'm so lucky to have all that I do have. I have everything that I need. This week I found myself thinking of van lifers as well...having all they need in that vehicle...especially in terms of clothing. When I'm on vacation I'm happy to wear the one sweatshirt I have, when it's sweatshirt weather. I'm happy to wear the one pair of pants or shorts or jacket or trainers or sandals that I have. I wash things less often, but enough. It doesn't matter if I wear the same sweatshirt for parts of every day for two weeks. I'm not really thinking about my clothing, because I'm looking outward ...experiencing every moment of every day. My clothing is quite important. (I've had to buy an extra layer when I misjudged things on camping trips.) Clothing enables the adventure. It's a tool. It keeps the mosquitos off, enables swimming, hikes well, keeps me cozy or cool or dry.

I'd like to be able to keep this perspective in mind in my daily life as well. I don't have to keep all of my clothes in a cubby, but there is no reason that I (+ the planet) can't benefit from this mindset.

I think I've linked this video here before, but it combines what to me is the best of van life + mindful living. My thoughts revisit this concept often. Intentional living comes in an endless number of forms + can be just so incredibly creatively constructed.

Love,
Jane

Today I started a little bit of a wardrobe transition from winter toward spring. This involved a good closet cleaning + the consideration of each piece that went back in. I have a carry-on suitcase that goes in that space between the shelf + the wall that holds my out-of-season pieces (+ keeps my woolies air-tight in the summer). In went the gloves, hat + scarf. Out came the short sleeved tees. (It's optimistic, but I'm wanting to try the lighter layer under my pullovers.) In the closet go the parka + boots. Fingers crossed.

This is a really great time to think about what I wore this winter + what I didn't wear. I'm going to set aside the pieces that didn't earn their keep + see how my wardrobe functions without them...while it is still cold. I'm excited about this little learning experience...even if it involves only the tiniest of shake-ups. I'll reevaluate the set aside pieces' usefulness in a few weeks. 

The sun is out + we're ready for spring!  :)

Love,
Jane

After I made my imaginary small, fair wardrobe for work, I told Jo that I would make her one too. I finally made good on that promise.  :) Since I know some of her preferences + her employer's dress code, this little collection is pretty customized. Almost all of the pieces here are secondhand (+ pretty awesome!). I very much enjoy trying to collect pieces that will mix + match + layer in so many ways. I used most of the same principals here that I did in my original post.

I like how every single one of the tops could be layered over the dress. A top + the cardigan would even work with the dress. The tee paired with the jeans + a pair of Vans (they didn't fit into the grid) could be quite casual. The cardigan could be layered on for cooler days. Another casual outfit could be made with the Vans + tee (tied at the hip with the knot turned under + the dress (tied at one knee). The button up can be worn tucked into the pleated pants, tied over the dress or layered (both under + over). That's just the beginning of the looks that could be created. Lots of choice.  :)

Twelve pieces that could make up a very versatile work wardrobe for Jo:
-black jeans
-pleated pants
-skirt 
-dress
-cardigan
-pullover
-top
-tee
​-button up 
-oxfords
-boots
​-Vans

All lovely photos via links.

Hope you like it, Jo! 

Love,
Mama (Jane)  :)

During the past year I decreased my wardrobe...and then made some silly purchases trying to create excitement + style. Of course this is about more than just clothing. It's about contentment. It's about what I'm trying to say with my clothing rather than my life. I'd like to focus on contentedness + living life outside of a focus on clothes. I do like fashion, but I am feeling the need to forget clothing a little more...in order to stop always looking for more.

One of the tools that has come in handy on this journey has been my list of pieces that I've decided is enough. I compiled the first list during a year spent trying to buy only replacements. I found it helpful to have a list of things that I'd deemed worthy of being replaced...a list of highly scrutinized "necessities". Over the past year + a half, I've continued to consider the necessity of each item on that list. I've observed what is truly necessary during each season that passes + made note. Obviously we would each come to different conclusions for our basic simple wardrobes. I'd encourage taking weather, activities (work, lounge, weekends, events), style + comfort into account. My list includes daily clothing...but excludes outerwear + intimates. I could lounge, sleep + workout in the pieces I've included on my list.

My base wardrobe now consists of the 20 following items:
8 tops
7 bottoms
1 jumpsuit or dress
4 footwear

My current preferences break down like this:
-2 tanks
-2 tees 
-layering tanks + long-sleeved tees (counting these as 1 item, bc I don't wear them alone)
-1 sweatshirt
-2 sweaters 
-2 soft pants  
-2 fitted pants
-leggings
-2 shorts
-1 layer-able dress or jumpsuit 
-sandals 
-trainers
-boots
​-flats

When I have these wisely chosen items + they mix well...I have enough for all the seasons + all the situations I anticipate finding myself in. I can add pieces to this list, but I don't need more. The idea is that I can find rest...contentment...a break from the desire for more. I'd really like to get back to having long periods of time when I'm not thinking about my clothes...and short periods of time when I reassess what I need + shop for those specific pieces.

The way I composed this collection of pieces in the first place was just to shop my own wardrobe. There is no reason to go out + purchase a whole new "capsule wardrobe". I've found one trick to making "less" work in various situations is to choose pieces that aren't too casual or too dressy. Depending on the events for which one needs their wardrobe to function, pieces might be chosen accordingly (choose a black rayon dress + dressier flats or boots instead of pieces like those shown).

The images above are not the pieces I have in my simple wardrobe (those might be getting a little redundant around here).  :) They are a mix of thrifted + fair pieces that just might fit the bill. All lovely photos via links.

Love,
Jane