My Go-To Staples
How often do you see someone trying to sell you “The Perfect Capsule Collection?” All the time, right? It’s one of my pet peeves and it drives me crazy every time I see an influencer or salesperson trying to say how important a capsule collection is.
Here’s the thing……they’re not wrong! A capsule collection IS important, BUT it has to be personalized to YOU based on : your body shape, your personal style, your lifestyle, your color profile and you BUDGET!
So, let’s talk about this. What is your body shape? Do you even know? Do you know what dresses and what jeans suit your body? If you do, then start building a capsule collection of items that fit you and flatter your shape. Do you know what colors look best on you? You can’t create a closet of essentials if you are wearing all the wrong colors! How about your style? Do you think your style is preppy or classic or do you throw in some boho items? You’ve gotta know that in order to be shopping in the right stores!
What about your lifestyle? Is someone trying to sell you an expensive black blazer with matching pants and a button down shirt when actually what you NEED is a pair of jeans, a cashmere sweater and a sneaker! And, don’t get me started on people telling you what you should buy when they have NO idea what your budget is!
PLEASE.
If you’ve been following along lately, you know I’m launching (next week!) a super PERSONALIZED digital styling system that will give you all of my recommendations for YOU and only YOU. WHn ou join - you will actually get your own Digital Closet - a personalized website with a “closet” full of items that are chosen specifically for YOU. It’s going to be amazing….
It’s kind of a big deal - so there will be a limit on how many will be able to get access given the high touch, so if you want to hear MORE and get on the early bird list, just reply to this email :)
Now…..my personal essentials are below. These are things that I wear all the time and if I could only pack these items for the rest of my life, I’d be just FINE. Take a look!
JACKETS
I am partial to a great pea coat because they just look really sharp. They’re CLASSIC and not too preppy. You can make a pea coat look SUPER chic just in how you style it. I don’t go ANYWHERE without my vegan leather vest - that’s an absolute must-have for me. My new St. John jacket has become a favorite because I can dress it WAY up or dress it down with jeans. It’s elegant yet wearable. My vegan leather Veronica Beard blazer is a go-to when traveling because I can mix and match it.
I wear it over a dress or with black pants or jeans during the day or out at night.
My spring/summer go-to is my denim jacket with the puff sleeves. It’s a feminine look with the little puff so it is perfect over a dress and it’s just the right length. My down blazer is SO slim and it’s an elevated puffer look. It even rolls into a tiny pouch so it travels very well. You can find it HERE and use code ANGELAHOWENSTEIN.
SWEATERS
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Ooooohhhh….sweaters…gotta have ‘em and sometimes you have too many :). I think everyone needs one sweater in a color other than black that is within their color profile. I happen to look good in pink, so I go to this one a lot. It’s cashmere and a little cropped, so I can wear it with a skirt or with jeans or even shorts on a chilly night.
My grandpa shawl collar sweater I LOVE with just a tank underneath, hanging open or over a cute dress or even just hanging around the house! It’s fun in the summer on a chilly night with shorts too.
My fav is my puff sleeve navy sweater. It’s my go-to and to me it’s a neutral since navy is my color.
Some people can’t wear a puff sleeve and that’s ok. Find what works on your body type and stock up because that is what should one of your essential pieces.
MY FAVORITE TOPS
I am a button down girl for SURE. I love an oversized flannel or a denim button down. For a night out, I love a leopard print top with long jeans. I do have a few silk tops with different prints, but there’s something about leopard that is fun, but still neutral.
If you’re not a leopard gal or a button down gal, then these would not be part of your winter capsule collection…..
JEANS
My other MASSIVE pet peeve is an influencer or sales person who says, “skinny jeans are out”. OMG!!!!! That drives me nuts! No jeans are OUT if they look good on YOU. If they are the right style for your body shape and they flatter you in all the right places, then they are IN. Period. I will say this is a time when you REALLY need to pay attention to body type more than anything else. There is nothing worse than buying the trendy “mom jean” and they look terrible on your figure. Believe me, I’ve tried it and I always go back to a cropped or long flare.
When it comes to jeans, keep in mind that darker denim will ALWAYS make you look more slim. I mean, we all know that, right? Darker pants or jeans will flatter more than a white jean or even a light denim. That’s just the case. And, don’t worry about wearing a darker wash in spring or summer! Throw on a white shirt to off-set the dark denim and you’re good to go.
By the way, I’m not saying you can’t wear white or colored jeans. You can! Just make sure the denim on a lighter jean is thicker with less stretch. Too much stretch will make you look and feel like a snausage. :)
JUMPSUITS
Jumpsuits are something you just have to get used to. People get scared that they won’t look good on them. Some jumpsuits might NOT look good on you, but if you search hard enough, you’ll find the one that does. They’re just a nice alternative to pants or a dress. In fact, they should be called “drants” or something since they are kinda a combo of pants and a dress :)
MY FAVORITE DRESSES
When it comes to dresses in the winter, I stick with mostly longer dresses for casual so I can wear a tall boot. Both of my fav black ones can handle a boot or a heel - whatever I’m in the mood for. For dress-up, I tend to go short - better for a night on the town
NIGHTGOWN & ROBE SET + LOUNGEWEAR
Ok, now you know! I’m a nightie and robe gal! I don’t walk around my mother-in-law’s house in this, but I do wear it when I’m at home. :)
I grew up seeing my mom in her sets and I just thought it was so elegant. She did and still does have beautiful nightgowns. So, I supposed I got this from her :). Some gals like to wear sweats or a pair of pajamas, but that’s all too much for me - I overheat. This nightgown covers me enough so I don’t get too hot and since it’s so silky soft, it feels GREAT. I wear shorter versions in the summer, but my winter go-to look an awful lot like the one to the left. I mean gals, maybe you should give this one a try ;0
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Here’s my FAVE new lounge set by Frank & EIleen. It’s comfy and cute and I can mix and match it with a ton of different things. Pricey…but great.
BEST HAT
This hat is the BEST. I wear this thing all winter and I even travel with it! But, if I told you that you MUST get it, that wouldn’t be fair! You may HATE hats like this and feel more comfortable in a beenie or a fedora or something. See what I mean? If this had doesn’t suit your personal style, then NO WAY should you buy it. You have to look closely at what you would ACTUALLY wear all the time in order for that hat to make it into your essential collection.
My Go-To Shoes
Even though I live in a cold climate, I still wear backless shoes like my fake Chanels. I’m certainly not going to walk around the house in snow boots unless I’m going outside! My FAVORITE Rachel Comey clogs are kinda like slippers to me. They slide on and give me height at the same time. YOU may not like clogs, so you wouldn’t be buying them - and you shouldn’t! If they don’t fit in with your lifestyle or they are over your budget, then they are a NO.
When it comes to evenings out, I wear dressy jeans with a high heel (always high) bootie or pump. I love that look. Again, might not be for you because you can’t wear heels….ok, so let’s find something else that will work for YOU. Sneakers are HUGE these days, and they’re easy to find in all price ranges. If someone tells you to buy a pair of Golden Goose sneakers but you’re really feminine (GG’s come distress and “dirty” looking) then you need a nice, clean white sneaker.
So, you can see gals, what works for ME may very well not work for YOU. Please keep that in mind as you scroll through Instagram or wander through a store. Figure out those five important things - body shape, colors, style, budget and lifestyle - and go from there. If you need help……you know where to find me :)
Your friend,
The Anti-Capsule Collection Gal
