11x kickstarters for your sustainable Spring Capsule wardrobe.
Become a master of the capsule wardrobe.
First things first, this might be the last Sustainable Shopping Letter…
The official start of spring marks my calendar to have a (little) wardrobe detox and do an essentials check. Is my crisp white T-shirt still crisp? Aren’t my sandals worn to thread? Where does it need a contemporary update?
Around the days of the detox I wrote this article. But it took me a h*ll of a lot of time to get the details straight. With everything going on lately (emigrating, baby two on its way and setting up other projects (like a Vintage Clothing Label by The Cosmospolite), I just couldn’t find the time to finish it and click send.
But here it is. Enjoy! Hit reply and let me know your thoughts. Feel the urge to take over the Sustainable Shopper Letter or co-write? Also hit reply.
Finally following up on the previous Fall and Winter capsule wardrobe letter this edition brings you the best of current ethical and sustainable fashion for your Spring capsule wardrobe.
Shopping List - The Capsule Wardrobe - Spring Edition.
Finally, kick off your boots and pair your maxi skirt, off white pants or light blue denim with bare ankles. I repeat bare ankles! Hallelujah!
Scroll down for my top 11. I will take you step-by-step through the items you’ll need to build a capsule wardrobe this spring. Following a buy now/wear now approach. Of course taking inspiration from my own wardrobe. Aiming to include different price points per type of item. Also learn (in season) styling tricks and how to work your fall and winter items into your spring ensemble.
Good to know: The orange texts are clickable (often shoppable) links. Some of which contain an affiliate link. Shopping via those links is much appreciated since it gives me a little fee. This allows me to continue to source the world wild web for contemporary and gorgeous sustainable clothes.
1 — (Off) white pants
Natural off-white organic cotton pants from Bite Studio €250
Welcome the new season with off-white pants. If I was to fit into pants in general (28 weeks pregnant as we speak) I would buy these off-white sailor pants from Jesse Kamm in probably this more countryside-proof khaki hue. While my inner city-woman is channeling this natural Mara Hofmann pantalon with a pair of Ayede flats. Also huge fan of this friendly priced cropped straight fit denim from MUD Jeans (I own a pair in dark blue - and please please use my code TRAVELINMUD for a 20% discount). At last, I spotted this super fine off white everyday cargo pants at another great Substack writer
Btw. the pants looks way cooler in her article then on the Everlane website.
2 — Classic crisp Boyfriend shirt
Maggie Marilyn striped shirts €275 and blue boxy shirt from Everlane €104
Classic white. Or make it striped. Like these from Maggie Marilyn or Rhea. Also really like this fresh blue boxy Oxford shirt from Everlane. Very basic but alway works; the organic poplin cotton by Asket.
3 — loafers, flats or slide ins
Chunky loafers from The Reformation €355, Patent leather balerina flats from Aeyde €245 and mules and jellies by Plasticana starting at €22 (below)
It’s not an easy pick with so many great (dressed yet) flat footwear around. Choose one pair for your capsule wardrobe and a pair that reflects your unique you. Something oddball, something that screams your name or maybe even is so ultra fashion that you just know you’ll love it forever - and are sure it will stand the test of time. I found myself metallic green slide on babouche slippers at Minimal Lisboa, vintage 60s vibe loafers and I might just have found my capsule pair…
The other day I fell madly in love with these mules and jellies by Plasticana made from recycled PVC and hemp. Available via The Domestic Botanist. Pre-order them before the 25th of may to be sure to arrive mid June. I know I will….
Give last years’ (wedding guest) dress an instant upgrade withe these silver strapped Aeyde balerina flats. They will look great a pair of denims too.
So will a pair of classic loafers. Never before, they’ve been this hot. Well not for a few decades or so. I dare you to wear them with a mini skirt and knee socks. Pastel socks like this pair in lilac or just very simple pretty off-white socks. Want your loafers a less serious courtroom feel? Try ordinary white sport socks.
4 — Long sleeve breezy spring summer dress
Wide drawstring Laura Manoogian €520 (now in sale)
Are you - just like me - on a quest to find the ultimate balance between city and countryside style? These dresses are highest on my wishlist. Romantic from Story MFG, flowy in cunmin by Shaina Mote or this ochre flowy dress. But still undecided. Super open for suggestions.
5 — The cardigan
Sailor-ish style cardi with military vibes from Shaina Mote €290 and deep v-neck by Monica Cordera €279
Layers, layers, layers. Need I say more. Best finds last couple of weeks: Extreme Cashmere cropped crew neck, thick organic cotton from Babaa in natural dyed clay pot or sunset orange-ish or this deep v-neck by Monica Cordera which is almost a cardi.
6 — light weight tailored pants
Voluminious Shaina Mote pants €493
Pairing linen beige pants with sneakers and the perfect white t-shirt. Just add a funky piece of beaded jewellery to make it less ordinary. Or pair with sandals, a boyfriend blazer and a dash of gold for a more dressed up feel.
Favourite pantalons spotted: Khaki from Everlane, Volumnoius Shaina Mote pants or menswear style pantalon by Shaina Mote.
7 — The perfect white T-shirt
Slightly boxy cut T-shirt from Asket €40
To wear all day every day any occasion. Feel like going all out minus the ‘overdressed’ feel? Use my style trick: fancy at the bottom, basic at the top. Favourites are the heavier weight organic cotton ones from Signe, the one from Asket in the picture or creme raglan by Everlane. Less ordinary, very comfy is this Merino Tencel mix t-shirt from Rhea or Extreme Cashmere's cotton-cashmere T-shirt.
8 — A(nother) maxi skirt
black A-line skirt with front split from Mara Hoffman €340
Obviously my most loved item these last couple of seasons; the maxi skirt. Take the denim Raey or Military Green Cargo Midi by Komodo from Winter or linen Baserange from the Fall capsule wardrobe list and finally pair them with your bare ankles. Haven’t you been craving for this too?!
Favourite new skirt finds: This mid-calf high waist crinkled Mara Hoffman skirt, a black A-line with front split from Mara Hoffman, this white denim Raey with fishtail or this most wanted Paloma Wool worn leather white a-symetric skirt.
9 — A cap
Black and white checkered Beklina cap €104,95
Winds makes your hair so messy. I never leave the house without a vintage NY baseball cap or simple one like this black Pangaia cap. Currently very much into visor caps like this checkered Beklina cap.
10 — A lighter shade of blue
Relaxed straight fit from Mud Jeans for €129,95 and cropped baloon shaped denim from Shaina Mote
It’s a good moment to add a light blue pair of jeans to your denim collection. Like this Jesse Kamm, relaxed straight MUD Jeans (remember that discount code as mentioned at number #1) or the perfect classic blue coloured low rise baggy jeans - my dream - from Raey. And what about these cropped baloon shaped ones from Shaina Mote as in picture above.
11 — The in between coat
Find yourself a Vintage Classic Burberry on Etsy, De Pop or Vestiaire. A pre-loved Kassl is also still very much appreciated.
Same same but different effect is one of these over coats (as mentioned in the Fall list): the sleek leather 90s jacket, my beloved double lined made to order Obaitamu duster coat or a (vintage) wool boyfriend blazer
Newly spotted: Oversized linen blazer from Everlane, Poppy red tailored suit by Kjinsen, this high end Khaki Bite Studio trenchcoat or hooded brown trench from Coredera or friendly priced Camel Thinking Mu trench.
Some more Spring Capsule Favourites from over the last couple of years until today.
