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My Spring Closet

I wanted to post an update on my closet after clearing out SO much at the end of last year and living with a winter capsule for 6 weeks. I just wrapped up our 27 Days of Spring Fashion so I’m getting my spring wardrobe squared away.

spring closet

After I finished the capsule wardrobe experiment, I knew I didn’t want to continue living with such a rigid set of rules. I also knew that I didn’t want my closet to get out of control again, so I tried to shop strategically as planned my spring wardrobe and the 27 outfits for our spring style series.

I don’t think there is any “right” number of clothes for everyone. I believe every woman should determine the “right” amount depending on her lifestyle, climate, size of her closet, and budget. That is going to look different for everyone.

My lifestyle is casual, and I don’t work in an office environment, so I don’t need a professional wardrobe. I also don’t have a lot of fancy events to attend, but with my job, I occasionally attend press trips, conferences, and special events. When things pop up, they tend to do so with very little notice. For this reason, I have to keep some clothing in various levels of formality on hand so I’m not floundering at the last minute trying to decide what to wear.

I also have a job that requires me to show different trends and styles on a regular basis, so it is tempting to over shop. I’m learning that I can feature things for a blog post and then return or donate without adding them to my closet. This way my closet doesn’t get out of control so quickly.

I have a nice sized walk-in closet, but it is not huge. I prefer to keep my daily working wardrobe in my closet, and I keep workout clothes, pajamas, bathing suits, etc. in my dresser. I do it this way so I can see everything at once.

I tuck my special occasion clothes into the back of the closet where I can’t really see them, but they are accessible.

My goal is for my closet to house my daily working wardrobe for the season. This wardrobe is made up of a foundation of key investment pieces with an assortment of more affordable, trendier seasonal additions that will probably get cycled through rather quickly.

I used to be the type of person that would buy duplicates of anything I love. Now I am trying to avoid that pitfall because I don’t need 5 grey t-shirts. I’d rather have one good quality grey t-shirt that can serve as a foundation for more creative outfits than to have 5 different grey tees all competing for my attention.

However, there are times when duplicates are appropriate. For example, last winter I realized that I wanted to wear my black moto jacket with EVERYTHING, so I decided to add a few more similar styles of jackets in different colors to add variety to my wardrobe. I did not get the exact same jacket in 3 colors, though. I try not to do that… although I am tempted to get those Felicia flats in a couple more colors because I love them soooo much. But I digress.

With much preamble, here is the foundation of my spring wardrobe. I will be adding a few pieces here and there, but I am content with the variety and amount of clothes I have. This will look like a lot to some and not many to others. It’s not about the number, but rather, about the pieces that have earned a hanger in my closet. I hope it’s helpful!

I’m not doing the graphic that I did for my winter wardrobe capsule. That took all day — I’m not even kidding. It’s hard enough to gather the links. Instead, I am going to use shoppable widgets that you can easily click through to get more details or to purchase if you desire. If the exact item I have in my closet is no longer available, I tried to find something something similar.

Without further ado, here is what’s in my Spring Closet.

10 Jeans

jeans - 1 (1)

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I may have a problem. I know, 10 jeans is a lot, but I don’t have any pants, and I only have 2 skirts, so it works for me. Most of these are included in the widget above, although I can’t find anything quite like my Black Orchid skinnies from Stitch Fix to link to. I really love those right now. These are close (and on sale!) but mine are dark blue, not black. And I have a verrrrry old pair of Joe’s bootcut jeans hanging there that I rarely wear but refuse to give up.

 24 Tops

tops - 1

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That probably sounds like a lot, but it includes basic t-shirts, dressy blouses, and everything in between. I linked to everything I could in the widget below, but a few things are missing like my sea-foam green dolman sleeve top, a royal blue top from LNBF that I love, and a white 3/4-sleeve top from WHBM last year.

I have a lot of “stand alone” 3/4-sleeve tops that I will put away when summer weather gets here, but they’re great for this in-between season.

4 Dresses, 2 Skirts, 1 Cardigan, 8 Vests & Jackets

dresses and jackets - 1 (1)

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I lumped these all in together because they hang together in my closet. I have three dresses and two skirts. That doesn’t include formal dresses that I keep in the back of my closet for special occasions. I only have one cardigan. It occurred to me that I donated quite a few that I’ve had for at least five years, and I probably need to replace a few of them. I seem to wear more jackets now than cardigans.

I have a few jackets and 2 vests that are nice for layering at this time of year. I didn’t include my raincoats. They hang in our coat closet downstairs.

24 Pairs of Shoes

shoes

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Some of these shoes I won’t really wear until summer, but I have been styling them into some of my spring outfits for those of you in warmer climates. I feel like it’s still too soon for espadrilles here. I prefer to wear my suede sandals and the ones with the wood heels when I dress up, but I generally live in ballet flats right now.

Some of these shoes are old, but I linked to the ones I can. I can probably purge a few more — I’m looking at some of the ones on the bottom shelf, and I’m not sure I’ve worn them in the past year or two.

If I have any holes in my shoe wardrobe, it is a pair of grey or silver ballet flats. I really want a pair. I’d also love to find a pair of comfy lace-up flats. I have tried a few on, but none that were comfortable enough to keep.

Handbags

handbags

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I’m including these because, well, why not!?! They’re some of my favorite wardrobe items. I haven’t purged my handbags in a while, and I’m probably overdue, but I haven’t got the heart to get rid of anything. I know I’m missing some links, but that’s a pretty good overview of my faves. I’m also trying to decide between one of two “saddle bags” that came in my last Trunk.

So that’s my closet! What does your spring closet look like???

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66 Responses

  1. I have a similar amount of clothing. I have a few dress pants, along with jeans. No skirts (but looking for a jeans skirt), a few dresses. I have fewer shoes and handbags (but I always admire yours!). I use 3-tops-to-one-bottom as a guideline; it gives me variety and seems to work for me. I enjoyed this peek at your wardrobe!

    1. your 3-tops-to-one-bottom rule is interesting! never heard of doing that but I like that idea! I would probably have more than 3 though.

      1. I found the suggestion in an article on creating a travel wardrobe, as a way to get the most looks with the least bulk. I’ve found it works for building a wardrobe, too.

          1. No, I’m not that organized lol. My bottoms tend to be neutrals in a few colors – gray, navy, denim blue, beige & white. Tops often go with more than one of those.
            I read somewhere that if you stick to your most flattering colors, your clothes will mix and match more easily.

  2. Thanks for sharing this. My closet is similar except I don’t have that many handbags. I also would like to add more dresses this spring and summer because they make me feel good. I have a lot more blouses but that’s because I’m thinking about going back to an office job and I don’t want to be frustrated over my wardrobe when the time comes. I’m slowly adding more pretty blouses and skirts to get prepared.

      1. Woo Hoo. I still live in the dark ages…my phone doesn’t have internet…so I don’t have Instagram account yet. I know…hard to believe. LOL.!! I figure God can still bless my blogging endeavors despite my lack of technological advancement. 😉 Working on it though because you can still probably have one and just post from your computer right??

        xx-S

  3. I loved this post. It was SOOO fun to see what was in your closet. It does take FOREVER to do a post showing every single item in your wardrobe I haven’t posted my spring capsule yet for that very reason! LOL. I’ve definitely taken photo shoots trying to hide price tag for items that I wanted to style but intended to return. hahahah I saw a peek of denim vest in there…wearing mine today with the fav white jeans….Style yours soon!! I can’t wait to see it.

    Have a great day!!!!
    xx-S

  4. I don’t think your tops or jeans seem excessive (but I am coming from the perspective of my mother’s closet—who almost hoards her clothes). And, of course, you’re just talking about clothes for one season, which I have a hard time doing since our weather tends to be bipolar! I’m not even sure I could decide on this few of things (one of the reasons I don’t love to travel—I have to choose a limited amount of clothes to take–ha ha)
    But you brought up a good point–you could show something for the blog and then return it…I hadn’t thought of that. Or take thing to a consignment shop.
    I’m also trying to be better about not buying the same things all the time. I think we are drawn to certain items because we like them (read–already have them in our closet). It’s funny, because my husband will say “don’t you already have something like that?” and he’ll be right. So I”m trying to branch out more (thus the sequined shorts from last Saturday’s post—I had nothing like that in my closet–ha ha)!! jodie
    http://www.jtouchofstyle.com

      1. I do the same thing! It would be nice to buy something outside my comfort zone, although I don’t know what that is! Lol. My closet is like your Jo Lynne and I work outside the home and my office is business casual so I can wear most things to work, just not jeans. I’ve decided I’m not buying anything new unless it brings me joy!

  5. I think a Spring wardrobe is the most difficult for me to condense. With our crazy, unpredictable weather in the Spring, I’m constantly shifting and borrowing clothing items from my winter items to wear with Spring items. Where I live, we often joke and say that we can experience every kind of weather in one day!!! How is a girl to dress?? I am amazed that you have only 10 pair of jeans! I am way over that number, but keep all my jeans in my working closet, they never get put away. I’m also guilty of buying in multiples. If I like something a lot, I will buy it in several colors. I am also having a serious talk with myself about doing that. I’m glad to hear that you have put to rest the capsule wardrobe concept! I gave it some thought and decided that it wouldn’t work for me for the very reasons you talked about.

    1. I can relate to this. I live in MA and the weather is all over the place so I need to keep a mix in my closet.

  6. thanks for sharing your closet…..when you signed up for the Trunk, oh I can’t remember the full name, how soon did you get in contact with your stylist? Just curious since I want to sign up at work but can’t talk to anyone until the evening hours b/c I’m in the classroom teaching all day.

  7. Thanks for sharing – I just updated my closet last weekend and feel much better about the way I organized it (thanks in large part to your previous post on doing a capsule wardrobe!). Thanks for providing information on a spring wardrobe.

  8. Thank you for sharing! It was fun getting a peek into your closet and hopefully will be enough motivation to get mine organized for Spring. I definitely need to go shopping! If you decide to get rid of some of your handbags, how about giving your readers first shot at them? 🙂

    1. Haha, I’ve actually wondered if there is a way to do that! I know some bloggers have a separate instagram for selling their stuff, but then I’d have to deal with packages and the post office, and oh, my, that is too overwhelming.

  9. Genius idea on how you arrange your shoes. Love how you can easily see the style of a pair of shoes by arranging them with one shoe showing the heel and the other shoe showing the frontal view. Have fun on your trip!

  10. I’m thinking about moving all my everyday clothes into my closet so I can see them all. I think it might help convince me to put on “real” clothes too if I’m not looking at lounge stuff and the other clothes at the same time.

  11. I love clothes… I guess it’s my hobby… My challenge is my weight fluctuates a little between small and medium so I am afraid to get rid of clothes. I feel like I keep struggling with the same ten pounds. Also where we live you may get up in the morning and it will be 28degrees then by four o’clock be 65 plus. Crazy weather.. Back to wearing winter sweaters this week 🙂 Is anyone else holding on tightly?

    1. Haha, my hobby too! 🙂 I know what you mean about the weather – I put away all my long sleeves and now it’s FREEZING. I hate this time of year. Usually I set a date – somewhere around Easter and the first day of spring, where I decide I’m switching to spring, come he!! or high water. That is sort of what I did here on Easter, and now I’m paying for it. But I don’t care. I am SO done with sweaters! LOL!

  12. I love the fuchsia/magenta tops you have at the end of your closet. I have the same coloring as you and when I saw you in that one vibrant fuchsia top from Trunk Club with the white jeans I realized that I really need more of this color in my closet! That color looks so good on you! I saw a link to the trunk club one but I was wondering what the other 2 were? Thanks!

  13. You have no idea what you have done for me in the last 6 months. I am clueless when it comes to putting outfits together. I can go into a store & pick out things I like but as far as completing an outfit, I struggle. I’ve purchased many of the things you’ve talked about & honestly I have gained so much self confidence. I’m 41 years old & a stay at home mother of 4 and I finally get the whole “buy quality vs. quantity!” If you would have told me a year ago I would pay $198 for a pair of jeans I would have told you, you’re crazy. However I never seemed to have a problem buying 4 pair at $50 a pop. Lol. Your closest looks heavenly. Please continue doing what you’re doing because you are encouraging many many women. God Bless.

  14. Ha, ha, I guess I am something of an over buyer and hoarder. I counted 50 spring/summer blouses and never made it to tee shirts.I haven’t done my seasonal purge yet. My niece was teasing me about having 2 pair of pewter ballet flats but I pointed out that 1 pair had a cap toe and the other did not! Seriously I am trying to be better about shopping and buying duplicates, but it’s a slow process.

  15. Great blog Jolynne! You covered a lot but it was concise. Are there any downsides to hanging your t-shirts? I also notice you use wooden hangers. I have been doing the fold and file this past winter; but with my cotton t-shirts (of which I have many!) they are always wrinkled. This means I bring out the ironing board almost every day.

  16. I love your blog and peeks into your closet. Mine isn’t as organized but we share a love of Nordstrom for sure 🙂 I recently bought some (5 pairs!) of pants at Old Navy. I have been so happy with how well they fit, washed and dried without ironing I had to send you the info! some are on sale now too. I bought the Harper pant and I’m a teacher and they look good at the end of the day and are comfortable. I also like their cropped jeans and white distressed boyfriend jeans. I typically buy NYDJ and some pants at Talbots. I’m so happy with these and the cost savings have made my wallet happy! Thanks for doing what you do — beautiful inside and out!

    1. Oops and have you tried Tieks for ballet flats? On my feet all day and I HIGHLY recommend them 🙂

    2. Cyndi likes those pants too, I think. She styled them in her 27 days of spring fashion. I’ll have to check them out. I should have at least one pair of pants! LOL

  17. Well done and very interesting!!!! I’m trying out the capsule wardrobe concept, mostly because I don’t actually NEED a lot of variety AND I live in a very warm climate (!). I do like my “extra” pieces, though, and like you, need dresses and blazers for certain events. Thanks for helping us figure out a wardrobe that works for us, and sharing yours!!!

  18. Great post Jo-Lynne! As a retiree, I have way too many clothes in my closet, even after getting rid of a lot. As I wear tops this Spring, I have changing from a plastic hangar to felt ones. That will help me know what I’m really wearing.

    I hope you had a blessed day.

  19. I started following your posts last fall along with Grace & Beauty and look forward to your daily updates and helpful information. I am a 55 year old Gigi of two and live in central Oklahoma. I take your suggestions on style and use it to help me with my wardrobe and keep up with the latest trends. Thank you for sharing your spring closet today! Hope you enjoy your trip south this week.

  20. Great post! Love seeing what you have and how many. I know you subscribe to Stitch Fix but have you checked out Trunk Club? I’ve seen one video review of it and like what I heard/saw (no fee like SF, clothes come from Nordstrom). Would love to see you do a review of it.

    I love the brand Me Too (sold at Nordstrom) for flats; very comfortable. Here is a link to a similar style that I own: https://shop.nordstrom.com/s/me-too-fiona-metallic-leather-ballet-flat/3673233?origin=category-personalizedsort&fashioncolor=PEWTER
    and another style:
    https://shop.nordstrom.com/s/me-too-halle-2-0-ballet-flat-women/3309335?origin=category-personalizedsort&fashioncolor=PEWTER%20METALLIC%20LEATHER

    They seem to change the style every season or two. The pair I have now has a small silver buckle at the toe area. Like I said, they’re rather comfortable for a ballet-style flat.

    1. Yes, I’m a HUGE fan of Trunk Club. 🙂 I also like MeToo flats, although I just ordered a pair with a pointed toe that I’m returning b/c they are too snug on my toes. I’ll check out these styles. 🙂

  21. I love this post!! This made me realize that I have too many dresses. It was fun getting to see your closet and thanks for all the tips.

  22. Thanks! This was really helpful. I have tried Stitch Fix based on yours and Cyndi’s recommendation – and because it is very difficult for me to get out to the stores and I’m not a very good “shopper” anyways. However, Stitch Fix has been hit or miss for me. I’m thinking of cancelling and trying Trunk Club. BUT – I’m also really considering just ordering things based on your closet – so it is helpful to see it here all together in one post. I don’t need many clothes but after years of making due with things that I don’t really like or don’t fit well, I am slowly working towards a complete re-build of my closet. I know I have to take care of myself – along with the rest of the family. And, I want to be a good role model for my 3 daughters. I would not be able to re-build without your advice and website!!

  23. I love this post, trying to downsize my closet as well, and your selections/numbers really help! Will you roll many of your tops into your summer wardrobe? It gets so HOT here in Tennessee that sleeveless is definitely a staple item for the summer, definitely not the 3/4 sleeves (although I love those for spring/fall). Right now I’m having the hardest times deciding on tees… seems I need looser tees for skinny crops, but then I pair those same tees with say a straight (not formfitting) above the knee skirt and my body has become one long rectangle :-/ I just started following your blog/IG, so I’ll have to go back and look at your summer outfits. Downsizing can be hard on a momma, haha!!

    1. I hear ya! First of all, the 3/4 tops will go away for summer. I love sleeveless tops in the summertime and rarely wear sleeves. If anything, I throw a jean jacket on top of my tank tops. 🙂

      I hear ya on the loose tees and skirts – not a good combo. I see the “front tuck” with the tees into the skirts on the retailers’ sites but I just don’t find it to be that flattering in real life. I have done it, though, b/c it seems the thing to do. This fashion thing is hard! LOL!!!

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