2021 Spring Fashion Report And – – A Capsule and A Box Wardrobe
11 Thursday Mar 2021
Written by Elizabeth in Uncategorized
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“Spring always comes,” declares Clarrisa Pinklola Estes, Ph. D in “Women Who Run with the Wolves.”
Indeed, it has! At least here on the Western Slope of Colorado, where I live. I know for sure because yellow crocuses are blooming by my front door, and the daffodils are sprouting buds.
It almost seems like life has gotten back to somewhat being normal after a horrible bout of the Covid virus worldwide. Here, the question everyone asks each other is, “Have you gotten your second vaccination?”
“Yes, thank goodness!” is my answer.
Apparently, fashion is feeling better, too. The colors this season are not bizarre like they have been the past year. There are no wacky styles either (well, except for bra tops.)
In my review this season, I kept coming across the term “capsule wardrobe.” After investigating, I realized it is just a 2021 way of describing a “basic wardrobe,” which is a selection of a few quality pieces of clothing that can be worn throughout the year and added to later on.
Here is the 2021 definition: “Think of a capsule wardrobe as the building blocks of your closet that support the foundation of your personal style. Start by investing in timeless, classic pieces that set your current fashion #mood—then add trends, color, prints and patterns for each season.”
Frankly, once I retired, I forgot all about the basic wardrobe. After all, I no longer buy expensive suits, high heels, or coats. But− guess what – I have a capsule wardrobe in my closet. Today it consists of jeans and tees, comfortable shoes and jackets for various seasons. It works for me as my old capsule wardrobe worked in days gone by because I don’t have to buy many items each season. Mainly, I replace what is worn.
Then, since there weren’t tons to write about for this fashion report, I decided to explore these services where a “shopper” buys clothes for you on-line and then mails them to you in a box. I looked at three popular services: Nordstrom Trunk Club, Stitch Fix, and Amazon Prime Wardrobe. After you answer several personal clothing questions for all three programs, a buyer shops for you and sends the items to you in a box. There are no shipping or return fees. If you buy an item, the minimum “shopper fee” is eliminated.
I thought all three were terrific during these virus times when shopping, at best, is difficult, and for many of us who no longer live in large retail areas. I enjoyed spending time exploring Nordstrom (right here in my little town!) However, I rarely spend $50 to $100, their minimum, for tops or jeans, so I knew they were not for me. I did order a box from Stitch Fix. It was so fun to answer all of their questions, and I eagerly waited for my package to arrive. Unfortunately, I thought the clothes were expensive and were not exactly what I wanted. Further, it would be too much of a hassle to keep “working with the buyer” to get it right. I returned the whole box. Amazon Prime was just too hard for me to figure out all of the charges.
One real advantage of all three, which does not cost anything, is to see how they put together various outfits.
2021 Spring Fashion Report for Ladies-of-a-Certain Age
Color and Fashion Personality
You can’t go wrong fashion-wise if you wear clothes that fit your personality and colors that complement your skin, hair, and eyes. We naturally gravitate to certain styles. If you don’t know your fashion personality, take this fun quiz. (I have a classic causal personality fashion style.) Likewise, we all have colors that naturally make us look and feel better. If you don’t know your color season, here is a fun, no-cost quiz to take. (I am a winter season.) The Pantone Institute each season determines the top colors, not only for clothes but also for all sorts of products, including paint and appliances. The foundation stones for a “capsule wardrobe” are fashion style and color.
Below is a list of the 2021 spring colors I have summarized for you under the color heading. Click on the link to see the actual Pantone names and color sample. If you are into astrology, here are the best colors according to your sun sign. (I am happy to report that my favorite color, purple, is best for my sign Aries.
Light orange, light blue, rust, yellow, medium blue, soft green, mint green, coral, orchid, and raspberry
Nail colors offer lots of choices this season, from soft to vivid.
Spring 2021 Trends
Blouses with big collars
Oxford blue shirt
Classic white shirt
Puffy sleeves
Exaggerated shoulders
Blue jeans, blue jeans, blue jeans – all leg styles!
Metallic
Moto (bomber) leather jackets
Jean jackets
Trench coats
White sneakers
Flats
Florals
Cut-outs (Particularly around the midriff and shoulder)
Bra Tops (No, I am not kidding!)
Jewelry
Beaded necklaces
Pearls
Metal crush
Shoulder-grazing earrings
Bags on necklaces
Purses
Feathers
Mini
Chain Strap
Fringe
Raffia
Oversized leather tote
What’s In My Closet
The Western Slope of Colorado, where I live now, is hot and dry for most of the year. The sun is intense. The weather plays a significant role in my clothes decisions. I have a classic casual fashion personality and am a winter color season. I always “shop my closet” first. Also, I look at how worn each clothing item is because I wear items year in and year out. As a lady-of-a-certain-age, I wear casual clothes almost every day, mostly blue jeans and t-shirts or leggings and sports tops. As a working professional, I spent lots of bucks on expensive garments and small amounts on weekend clothes. (I had fun shopping for those fun clothes – mostly from K-Mart and Target. I am happy to report that the quality of these garments was terrific. I still have several pieces.) If an item is worn, I put it in a donation bag. If an item is “almost” worn, I put it on my shopping list and look for a replacement at consignment or high-end thrift stores. (My mother would be so proud of me.) For example, I need a new trench coat soon.
Blouses –
(I rarely wear them because I hate to spend my time ironing. Yes, born shortly after the end of WWII, I would not think of wearing anything wrinkled.)
This season I will wear a classic white shirt with a floral blue and yellow scarf, and I look forward to wearing my beloved blue denim shirt with the ruffled collar and cuffs.
Blue jeans –
Yes, I am a blue jeans baby! I have every leg and width size. This year, I bought a new pair because my standard jeans from Lands End were getting baggy and worn-looking. I thought I was going to have to buy wide-cuffed (boyfriend) jeans. But, I folded up my standard pair, and they look great, particularly with my bomber leather jacket, Monet garden-inspired lavender, and raspberry colored scarf and flats. I love my denim leggings because I can wear them on the pickleball court to protect my skin from the sun or the yoga studio.
Jackets –
I hope to find the perfect replacement for my Ralph Lauren jean jacket that is at least 20 years old and getting a little tight. My leather-like bomber jacket, I have had forever. I bought it at Kmart. It is washable, but I have never washed it. The trench coat in my closet has been to London and Paris, and other fabulous places.
Long and short sleeve t-shirts –
I bought several (great sales!) to replace the ones I had. Of course, they are purple, lavender, raspberry, and pink, except for one forest green because I have had a “hungering for this color” since writing about clothes from the 1940s in my “Murder and a Victory Garden” book.
Shoes –
In my closet are white sneakers, white top-siders, flats (at least 20 years old), and new metallic thongs (I add a sparkly belt and light-weight gray cardigan sweater over a t-shirt when I wear them with jeans.)
Jewelry –
I bought a pretty little silver necklace with a purple and pink stone. I have lots of pearl earrings and necklaces.
Purses –
The big gray Ralph Lauren Tote (My best buy ever – $50 Goodwill – for a purse that retails at $500) holds everything
If I get tired of it, I have a Brighton straw (raffia) purse with leather handles to wear. (It is my second best buy since I bought the $250 retail price bag for $50 at a thrift store run by a hospice organization.)
Nail polish –
A new bottle is such a cheap mood enhancer. I bought two, both Sally Hansen, Argan oil formula (my nails love it,) “Give Me a Tint,” and “Pomegratitude.”
List of Sources:
https://apple.news/ATGZyeuH6SJSyOyMHkcD0hA zodiac
: https://apple.news/AYUNKOPjLRMmjeFeSSUoCag nail polish
4 Super-Cute Outfit Pairings That Are Perfect for Spring https://apple.news/ApQtMBllQRXSM06rB8hCzhA
This Is Set to Be 2021’s Easiest Trend—and You Probably Already Own It https://apple.news/A7zg3hW-tR0WLatROKGwlwA
Copyright – Elizabeth J. Wheeler, March 8, 2021
