How to Create an Easy Capsule Wardrobe in Midlife
Navigating through midlife fashion can be overwhelming, especially when you feel unsure about your personal style. In our latest podcast episode, personal style coach Ashli Anna Hurley, a seasoned expert in the fashion industry, shares insightful tips on mastering the midlife capsule wardrobe and fashion.
A significant focus of our conversation was the concept of capsule wardrobes. Ashli Anna explains that a capsule wardrobe is a curated collection of versatile and essential clothing items that can be mixed and matched to create a variety of daily outfits. The key to creating a successful capsule wardrobe is selecting pieces that complement your body shape, fit your lifestyle, and resonate with your personal style.
How to assemble your Capsule Wardrobe:
According to Ashli Anna, it’s crucial to create a core wardrobe list that includes these essential pieces. Tops, bottoms, sweaters, blouses, outerwear, cardigans, underwear, accessories, and shoes in neutral colors. You can create various looks from these wardrobe staples and mini capsules for different seasons. This will ensure your wardrobe remains relevant and functional throughout the year with many classic pieces. She does not believe we should put a number on how many items should be in the capsule wardrobe. Instead, ensure you have specific items as your core to create different outfits.
When working to create mini-capsules that include seasonal pieces, try to create a color scheme for that season. You will want to store the winter coat and knee-high boots away, as they should not be in your closet during the next season. You don’t want to create decision fatigue, therefore having fewer options and less clothing to stare at.
The First Step is to Identify the Levels of Dress
There are 4-5 levels of dress. You need to calculate how many days you are wearing each style of item in a month. If you aren’t dressing at level 4 or 5 but 3 or 4 most days a month, then you don’t need a lot of options. You will only have 4 to 5 dressier blouses. This will help to ensure you are focusing on the most important things for your closet. Only purchase what you need in your life right now. This will help you to create your own capsule wardrobe specific to your needs.
1: Pajamas, loungewear, workout clothes, and yoga pants (can be elevated to run errands)
2: Polished Casual or Everyday Wear could include things like denim shirts, black pants, skinny jeans or a cute denim jacket, white tees.
3: Dressy or business casual: a cute button-down shirt, specifically a white button-up shirt
4: Formal: like the little black dress, or clothes you would wear for special occasions
Beyond the practicality of clothing, Ashli Anna also delves into the emotional and logical aspects of dressing for midlife. She advocates for a balanced look that is authentic to the individual and allows for you to shine in your own personal style. The goal is to focus less on our insecurities and more on what makes us unique and beautiful. She emphasizes the importance of dressing intentionally, not just for aesthetics, but also for our “kingdom calling”—using fashion to express ourselves, attract people, and share the gospel.
One outfit all Midlife women should have:
Ashli Anna identifies three essential wardrobe items that are a great addition to every midlife capsule wardrobe. A well-fitting pair of dark wash pair of jeans, a white t-shirt or neutral shade of white, and fashionable white sneakers. These items provide a solid foundation for any outfit and can be easily mixed and matched with other pieces in your wardrobe.
Ultimately, Ashli Anna’s approach to midlife fashion is about more than just clothes. It’s about embracing change, boosting confidence, and celebrating individuality. She encourages women to view fashion as a self-expression tool and celebrate their unique beauty with some of their favorite pieces.
As we age, our bodies change, and so too should our approach to fashion. Ashli Anna’s tips provide an easy way for us to navigate these changes with grace and confidence. She wants to ensure we continue to feel good about ourselves and our appearance at any age.
In summary, dressing for midlife is about finding a balance between comfort and style and embracing the changes that come with age. With Ashli Anna’s advice, you can revamp your wardrobe, boost your confidence, and transform your style to suit your current lifestyle and body type better.
Learn more from Ashli Anna:
Ashli Anna Hurley is a Christian Homeschool Momma of three girls. Her passions include leading worship, learning God’s word, and teaching women about their God-given features and capsule wardrobe hacks so they can feel empowered to show up and shine in their kingdom callings. Ashli Anna has been in the styling industry for over 10 years and has styled thousands of men, women, and children through her experience as a stylist at Stitch Fix. She is now a full-time Personal Style Coach and a Your Color Style Certified Color Analyst.
Free Style Guide: email me at boldfaithandfashion@gmail.com
Capsule Wardrobe OUTFIT IDEAS For Working Midlife Women | Facebook
