You may have noticed my column went missing for a while. Not long after filing my last one for a spring issue, my daughter Ruby Susanne made her entrance into the world. You guys, I am not even going to try to lie: the style quotient in my house dipped into the negative numbers. At first I thought I’d keep it as my dirty little secret. Then I decided (with the encouragement of colleagues) to put my money where my mouth was and undergo a transformation for the magazine. I might need to knock back a shot or two of whiskey when this hits newsstands—at least I can do that safely now! But before I get too self-deprecating, I will say that taking a style break really helped me redefine my priorities and style needs. One thing I loved about being pregnant was that I suddenly had this reduced, useful, cute wardrobe. When I got up in the morning, I had only a few options. Of course, I knew the time frame to wear those things all the time was limited, but I’m now ready to embrace the capsule-wardrobe concept. I have so little free time now, and what time I do have I want to spend with family, not standing in front of my closet. I’m learning how to have some fun with my wardrobe, while paring it down to the basics.
FROM THE EXPERTS
The Challenge: To create a capsule wardrobe with go-to stylish classics that I won’t tire of.
Faith’s Take: “Simplicity does not need to be boring. You will never regret wearing classic pieces that fit your body and lifestyle. And most colors and patterns are not as trendy as many people think.”
The Plan: “To me, capsule means being able to pull almost anything together from your wardrobe and it works,” Faith says. “There is no need to fuss with 15 pairs of pants you hardly wear. Dress for the life you have, not the one you think might happen down the road. Simplify. Let the wardrobe problems dissipate so you can concentrate on your real life. ”
BALANCING ACT
1. Maxi dresses have all of the style with none of the fuss.
2. A giant belt whittles the waist and covers post-baby body.
3. This dress is actually made of two fabrics—the top a stretch and the bottom a silk,
which allows you to dress it up or down.
4. Simple espradrille flats add a summery and nautical feel without compromising on comfort.
WHERE TO GET IT
Main Top Image Left: Maison Scotch blazer, $125; J Brand jeans, $207; both @ Bluebird Boutique, 3909 W. 50th St., 952-746-8675, bluebirdboutique.com. J.Crew blouse, $110 @ J.Crew, various metro locations, jcrew.com. Above: Paper Crown dress, $300; Cowboys belt, $88; Jenny Bird serpent bangle, $65; Jenny Bird king serpent bangle, $85; all @ Bluebird Boutique. Tory Burch shoes, $115 @ Pumpz & Company, Galleria, 952-926-2252, pumpzco.com. Right: Pumpz shoes, $225 @ Pumpz & Company. Belt, $65; Sweater, $150; both @ Bluebird Boutique. Herschel Supply Co. backpack, $55 @ Madewell, Southdale, 952-922-0975, madewell.com. Below: Artelier Nicole Miller dress, $400; Sorial purse, $198; both @ Arafina, Galleria, 952-925-1565, arafina.com. l’Autre Chose shoes, $395 @ Pumpz & Company.
GO WILD
Statement pieces have a place in capsule wardrobes, too.
1. The cut and patterning on this dress make it truly figure flattering.
The detailing ensuresyou can take it easy on the accessories.
2. Take a night off from the diaper bag and swap it for a clutch
with color and personality.
3. Even if you’re wrangling a post-baby body, sexy shoes fit!
