03.24.23

Before Spring is officially here (I started writing this before winter was over), I wanted to share my current 2022/2023 winter capsule wardrobe. I haven’t experienced a real winter for four years since we lived in Hawaii. Now that we moved to Virginia, I was excited to finally be able to wear sweaters again.

This winter, the main pieces of my collection comprised of Madewell denim, Jenni Kayne, Sézane and a wonderful little French brand called COSE.

My base layers were a few pieces from Gap and Banana Republic.

My capsule has 24 pieces, including shoes:
- 3 base/layering pieces (1 tank, 1 tee shirt, 1 long sleeve shirt)
- 4 blouses
- 7 sweaters
- 1 sweater vest
- 2 cardigans
- 1 coat
- 1 jacket
- 3 jeans
- 2 boots

Everything in my capsule was purchased on sale or second hand, except for my Léontine Jumper from Sézane and my pieces from COSE.

For reference to sizing, I am 5’6” (with a long torso) and wear a 25/26 in Madewell and Pilcro jeans.

My style has been changing and I am excited to finally lean into what I’m drawn to. While the lack of color may seen bland, to me these colors and textures bring comfort to my soul and peace to my day.

I have never been more myself than in a high wasted skinny jean and a loose blouse or sweater!

**Jenny Kayne Lightweight Flannel, size XS**

Sweaters

Here is a closer look at the sweaters I picked this season. There is a lot of beige, but I’m in love with neutrals.

One of my favorite sweaters is the Léontine Jumper. I have had this sweater for a couple years now and it is my absolute favorite piece I own from Sézane! If I could only keep one item from them it would be the Léontine Jumper. Mine is in the Ecru and Camel in a size medium.

Jenni Kayne

Over the last few years, I have seen these amazing Jenni Kayne sweaters floating around social media that I absolutely loved. For over a year I researched their looks, sweater cuts and style to find what I thought I would absolutely love and wear for years because they are not cheap! But you get what you pay for: I have found them to be the warmest sweaters I have ever worn and they hold up wonderfully. I bought a few pieces during the 2021 Black Friday sale, and then again this past Black Friday. I have never bought any of their pieces full price; I either wait for a sale or find them second hand on Poshmark and Mercari. One of my great friends, whom I’ve know since high school, who also lived in Hawaii, loved Jenni Kayne clothes too. We always text back and forth about what is on our wishlist and what we have purchased and loved.

I also want to talk about the Sweater Coat, but I will do that down below. It really needs it’s own highlight!

**Alpaca Crewneck Sweater, in Apricot, size S**

COSE

COSE is a wonderful French small business I found on Instagram. COSE has quickly become my favorite place to shop. The brand was founded by Audrey Fitzjohn. She has created a beautiful place; with elements of garments she has designed, along with vintage and antique home good finds.

Her clothes are simple and beautiful, with timeless silhouette and high quality. As I am downsizing my wardrobe, I am very selective about new purchases I bring in and COSE has become one of the few places I buy my tops from.

Clothes can often be just clothes, but I feel like COSE’s pieces are an outer representation of my inner self as I age into my 30s. Also, my background at FIDM gave me a love for well made clothing and fashion! I just love COSE!

Cardigans and Outerwear

My outwear included two Jenni Kayne cardigans, the Sweater Coat and the Sézane Scott Trench Coat.

Funny story, I had been wanting the Sézane trench coat for a while in either the camel or khaki color, but I couldn’t bring myself to purchase it full price. I am a part of some buy, sell, trade groups on Facebook and a few months before we were moving, someone was selling their lightly used one in khaki for half the price! And that person just so happened to live in Honolulu! She was so nice and we did a meet up at Ala Moana mall and she let me try it on to see if it was a right fit. It is a couple sizes bigger than what I normally wear, but it was perfect to wear thicker sweaters underneath. It is a beautiful coat and had only been worn a hand full of times.

I normally wear a size 36 for their blouses and the Scott trench is a size 40.

Base Layer Pieces & Jeans

My base layers I got on clearance from Gap and Banana Republic, and my jeans are from Madewell. I have found Madewell to fit me the best and last for a long time.

Jenni Kayne’s Sweater Coat

I wanted to spend a little time specifically on the Jenni Kayne Sweater Coat. This coat is very expensive and is definetly an investment piece. When I was researching what I wanted to purchase from JK, I had this on my ‘maybe’ list. I ended up buying it when we still lived in Hawaii and even though I didn't need it because of the weather, I decided to keep it. I regretted buying it for months but I knew once we moved I would be able to use it more.

That being said, once we moved and fall hit, I have literally worn this almost every day! Every day! The quality is excellent, it is so warm and so soft. I have found my little kids using it as a blanket in the mornings on the sofa, also saying how wonderful it feels and how warm it is. It has stretch to it too so I can wear it with thick sweaters underneath. The wind does not go through it either. This is one of my favorite JK purchases and I am so glad I kept it. Mine is in a size XS.

Shoes

I worn only two pairs of shoes this winter. First, the brown Blundstone Heeled Boots, #1673 and the second, the black Nisolo Carmen Chelsea Boot. Both go with everything in my capsule.

The Blundstone boots I purchased last year in Hawaii and I like them a lot. They are very comfy and I found they don’t need to be broken in. They also work very well in the rain. I bought them in the Antique Brown color. My shoe size is pretty close to an 8 and that’s what I normally buy. The 8’s felt a little too tight on me, so I went with an 8.5.

The only new shoe I purchase this season was the Niosol Chelsea boots. They are very comfy as well and I got them in my normal size, 8.

I hope my capsule helps inspire you in your own capsule journey.

Thank you for stopping by.

Raven