maternity capsule wardrobe

Here it is, my long-awaited maternity capsule wardrobe (kidding - I doubt anyone has been waiting on the edge of their seat for it).

I've mentioned before my interest in a capsule wardrobe, and now, with a deadline and a decreasing number of items that fit, this seemed like the perfect time to try it out. I've also played with a capsule wardrobe before (four 30 for 30 challenges: June 2013 // November 2013 // October 2014 // April 2015), choosing 30 items to wear for a month.

So, the concept and application of "capsuling" (I'm making that a word, you're welcome, internetz) are not new to me. However, each 30 for 30 challenge had a defined lifespan of a month. This new adventure will last until sometime in June (perhaps after, who knows how my postpartum body will look and feel?), and I put it together (i.e. boxed up everything that doesn't fit and won't fit for a while) in March, so we're looking at about 4 months of true "capsuling."

The below items still remain in my closet after several reviews because they still fit; however, that doesn't mean they'll remain until the end. I hope to update/edit as items are edited out, but, alas, that may not happen, what with life happening and growing a human and all. I also may not wear everything that appears below - that is dependent upon the weather, as I've included several sweaters.

A few items to note:

1) While my total count of items is around 70, some of these items (basic tops, etc.) shouldn't really be counted, as they're more items to be worn under something. Or you can count them, whatever.

2) Some items have been added to the below, and some of these items will not make it to the end of my pregnancy - I am hoping to get some pictures up and an update posted, but if you see unlisted items in a future post, or never see some of these items on the blog, apologies!

3) These aren't the greatest pictures you'll ever see, but I was running out of daylight, so please excuse the hangers and way items are piled on each other. I've tried to link to previous posts showing the item where applicable.

4) I have not included accessories, shoes, loungewear or undergarments in the pictures below, but you better believe I'm using/wearing them all!

Let's begin...

left to right, back row first:

long sleeve green floral tee: local consignment (non-maternity)

long sleeve teal tunic: Target (non-maternity)

short sleeve cobalt tunic/top: Kohl's (maternity)

blue striped v-neck: Old Navy (non-maternity)

tan & gray tunic: Kohl's (maternity)

red & blue striped top: thrifted

red top: Kohl's (maternity)

left to right, back row first:

3/4 sleeve black chiffon blouse: Nordstrom Rack (non-maternity)

short sleeve black tunic/top: Kohl's (maternity)

black top: Kohl's (maternity)

short sleeve black v-neck: Target (non-maternity?)

long sleeve back v-neck: Target (non-maternity)

short sleeve lace tee: gift from a friend

lightweight knit oatmeal top: Coldwater Creek

left to right, back row first:

long sleeve gray lightweight sweater: Kohl's (maternity)

long sleeve black & white striped tee: Kohl's (non-maternity)

lightweight open knit sweater: Coldwater Creek (non-maternity)

short sleeve white v-neck tee: Target (non-maternity?)

long sleeve white v-neck tee: Target (non-maternity)

short sleeve gray tunic/top: Kohl's (maternity)

long sleeve gray hooded t-shirt: WalMart (non-maternity)

left to right:

dark wash chambray: thrifted (non-maternity)

ombre chambray: Target (maternity)

light wash chambray: Kohl's (non-maternity)

black chambray: Old Navy (non-maternity)

top to bottom:

red cardigan: Banana Republic (non-maternity)

raspberry cardigan: thrifted (Motherhood Maternity)

navy blue cardigan: Banana Republic (non-maternity)

purple cardigan: Ann Taylor (non-maternity)

top to bottom:

oatmeal cardigan: Eddie Bauer (non-maternity)

oatmeal sleeveless cardigan: Eddie Bauer (non-maternity)

cream zip-up cardigan: Aéropostale (non-maternity)

top to bottom:

black cardigan: Maurice's (non-maternity)

black & gray striped cardigan: Eddie Bauer (non-maternity)

black & white polka dot cardigan: J. Crew Factory (non-maternity)

left to right:

cream cowl neck sweater: Coldwater Creek (non-maternity)

pink & teal poncho: Lilly Pulitzer (non-maternity)

left to right:

teal hi-low maxi: Nordstrom (non-maternity)

black maxi skirt: from a friend (maternity)

knee length black skirt: from a friend, Old Navy (non-maternity)

gray maxi skirt: from a friend (maternity)

not pictured: knee length gray skirt: from a friend, Old Navy (non-maternity)

:

left to right:

coral dress: from a friend (non-maternity)

blush lace dress: c/o PinkBlush Maternity

teal floral maxi dress: consignment via PinkBlush Maternity

left to right:

navy blue sundress: consignment via Old Navy (maternity)

chambray dress: consignment via Kohl's (maternity)

left to right:

blue striped dress: WalMart (non-maternity)

black 3/4 sleeve dress: Target (maternity)

black wrap dress: thrifted, Motherhood Maternity

left to right:

black tank dress: American Apparal, via sorority recruitment (non-maternity)

black & gold printed dress: Base Exchange (non-maternity)

left to right:

olive skinnies: thrifted (maternity)

dark skinnies: PinkBlush Maternity

left to right:

dark skinnies: PinkBlush Maternity

flares: Kohl's (non-maternity)

black skinnies: PinkBlush Maternity

left to right:

denim shorts: thrifted (maternity)

black shorts: thrifted (maternity)

left to right:

denim jacket: Aéropostale (non-maternity)

olive field jacket: thrifted, Land's End (non-maternity)

black blazer: thrifted (non-maternity)

knitted fringe vest: Aéropostale (non-maternity)

gray sweater tunic/vest: Base Exchange (non-maternity)

left to right:

brown faux leather jacket: Aéropostale (non-maternity)

black velvet blazer: Eddie Bauer (non-maternity)

black faux leather jacket: Target (non-maternity)

And there it is, (most of) my maternity capsule wardrobe). Ta da! In summary, these are the bulk of the items I'll be wearing until delivery (the remaining items are basic completer pieces, i.e. tank tops & leggings, as well as loungewear, pajamas, activewear, swimsuits, and outerwear), and what you'll see here on the blog until then, as well. Wish me luck!

Phew. That was a lot. I'm spent.
Please comment with any questions or email me at sweetbananie@gmail.com :)

Side note: I follow several bloggers (Style This Life, KATBERRIES, Truncation Blog, Seasons + Salt, just to name a few - there are many more!) who utilize a true capsule wardrobe, and while I admire them and their application of the concept, I myself am not ready to permanently adopt the practice, YET. Also, I most likely won't be posting what I did/didn't wear, or how many times each item was worn, etc.

thrifted & festive

This black & gold printed dress is something my Mom picked out for me to wear during that "uncomfortable phase." For me, that was finding out I was pregnant until about 20 weeks, when I actually had a wee bump to show off (instead of looking like I had overindulged in one too many brunches...)

I wore this dress (undocumented) a few times over the winter holidays, as it can be quite festive and lends itself nicely to pairing with fleece-lined tights and sweaters. But sadly, this might be the last time I wear it before Bebe arrives - while it is stretchy, I'm not sure it can accommodate THAT much stretch ;)

I paired it with the above raspberry colored sweater that I thrifted - it's by Motherhood Maternity and I found it at my local ARC. It's a little big through the arms and shoulders, but I've been wearing it over almost everything as an "oversized" cardigan, so the extra room has been quite useful. I also love the color and the weight - in certain light it leans pink, and others, it leans purple. I'm going to tuck away this look for the next time I need a festive look with some stretch - black, gold, and a pop of color, perfecto!

printed dress: Base Exchange

black leggings: Old Navy (maternity)

black flats: BCBG via TJ Maxx

raspberry cardigan: thrifted (Motherhood Maternity)

stretchy pants

Hello! and happy Sunday!

I put together this look almost a month ago (*wide eye emoji*) so just imagine it now with a larger belly. However, it was perfect for wearing to work (leggings with a stretchy/flowy top), so I'm planning to repeat it soon.

That being said, I'm working on sharing my capsule wardrobe with you, but even in the few weeks since I took pictures of my items, I've discarded a few items (too small for now) and added a few more (birthday gifts from my parents), so there will be some edits. Hope you don't mind that I'll be utilizing an ever-evolving capsule wardrobe - it's a bit tough to put finite limits on getting dressed when your belly is growing everyday and your body is changing to support it...look for that post this week! I'm excited to dip my toes into a capsule wardrobe with you!

short sleeve tunic? top?: Kohl's (maternity)

striped long sleeve top: Kohl's (non-maternity)

black leggings: Old Navy (maternity)

black flats: BCBG via TJ Maxx

double duty

Windy & sunny days in Colorado do terrible things to my hair, and they make me squint in my blog pictures. Oofta.

Moving on...I found this dress at my local Clothes Mentor, and I'm really glad I happened upon it. I'd been admiring it and its navy blue cousin on PinkBlush's website for a few weeks. I snagged it and retreated to the dressing room as soon as I found it.It's a nice, springy maxi dress that I'm thinking would look okay postpartum, as well.

How's that for finding something I'd been eyeing, finding it on sale, and making it pull double duty? That's what we call smart shopping around here, folks.

maxi dress: consignment (PinkBlush)

metallic wedges: thrifted

headband: Lilly for Target

heart eye emoji

If you've read this blog for longer than a hot minute, you'll know that I LOVE chambray (heart-eye emoji love). And you also knew it was only a matter of time before I found a maternity chambray to please my denim-loving soul.

This shirt comes to me from the mecca of inexpensive clothing - Target. It came with a chambray sash to tie over my belly, but I'm not sure that look is for me. At least, not today. Instead, I plan to wear it untied, as above, until I can no longer squeeze into my old faithful favorite.

Chambray is such a great back drop for anything you might plan to wear, so kudos to whoever designed this ombre maternity chambray for this expecting girl (and others!) to wear and be sassy.

chambray: (maternity) Target

ikat print scarf: WalMart

black pants: (maternity) PinkBlush

cobalt flats: Calvin Klein

texturize

All of these neutral items are part of my "Maternity Capsule Wardrobe" (more on that soon!). My regular olive skinnies (RIP) were donated to Goodwill after heavy use over the past two and a half years. So I was thrilled to find these maternity olive skinnies at the thrift store - I think I even did a little jig in the dressing room when they fit. I won't sing the praises of olive-colored skinnies, but if you need some idea of how versatile they really are, check out these posts from the past. That's just the tip of the iceberg, trust me.

This oatmeal-colored sweater from my Mama has provided a nice backdrop for some different color combinations, while also extending the wearability of my wardrobe. It's a keeper, until it doesn't meet my pants anymore, then it will get boxed up with the rest of my pre & post-bebe wardrobe. But, for now, it's a nice & neutral color that plays well with others and provides any look with an interesting texture (and we know how I luuuuurve texture).

oatmeal sweater: Coldwater Creek from my Mama

scarf: gift from a friend

olive skinnies: thrifted

nude flats: Jessica Simpson via Nordstrom Rack

fickle spring

I could only salvage a few decent pictures of this outfit due to the wind. A "perk" (curse?) of living in Colorado, I guess. The latest perk is that after a few weeks of sunshine and warmer weather, it snowed this past week (I knew we weren't done with snow yet) and I even had a snow day!

Springtime in the Rockies is a tricky thing, and the earlier you embrace it, the better. Just because you were able to patio drink (not me) in March doesn't mean that spring is here - it means that it will still snow in March, April, and most likely May. Just take it as it is, roll with it, and don't get too bummed about having to continue to wear your sweaters and coats and boots. But also appreciate being able to wear a lightweight sweater and no socks when it's not freezing, like yours truly ;)

white sweater: Coldwater Creek from my Mama

jeans: PinkBlush Maternity

scarf: Target

cobalt flats: Calvin Klein via TJ Maxx