FASHION - My 10-Piece Active Capsule Wardrobe

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Summary - 

If you love the idea of a capsule wardrobe but you’re too scared to cull your entire wardrobe, try dipping your toes in with an active capsule wardrobe. In this episode, I teach you how to create a 10-piece active capsule (accessories included) that will have you covered for both Summer & Winter. 

Things I Mention - 

  • The 10x pieces I suggest you include to maximise versatility all year round. 

  • Why each piece is included and what to consider when purchasing each item.

  • Why I choose to wear all-black activewear only. 

PLUS, I share a few of my favourite go-to activewear brands and stores to help you get started. 

Links & Helpful Resources - 

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I’m yet to record any episodes about capsule wardrobes but rest assured, they are coming - I’m just easing into them because I know the concept itself can scare a lot of women. If this is you and you find the thought of living with less clothes & accessories daunting, then this episode might be for you. This is how I started with the whole capsule wardrobe concept myself and it was a brilliant way to get my head around the idea by dipping my toes in so to speak to see if I even liked it before attempting my actual wardrobe. This is my 10 piece active capsule wardrobe. 

There are fitness influencers and PT’s all over social media who flaunt and showcase a new and exciting outfit every single day - I’m afraid to say, you won’t get that from me. I much prefer to stock up on just a few versatile staples that mix & match with ease and will see me through an entire years worth of workouts. Whether you’re an existing FEEL BE LOOK beauty or not, you may have noticed on Instagram that I wear the same few pieces every time I upload a workout story or video. I also stick to the same black colour palette to make things even easier for myself. Honestly, it’s hard enough trying to find the time to workout - so I sure as hell don’t want to dedicate any more time deciding what outfit I’ll wear too. 

In this episode, I’m going to teach you how to create a 10 piece active capsule that will have you covered for both hot & cold temperatures. As I just said, I like an all-black colour palette however you can re-create the same capsule using colours that flatter and work well with your particular skin-tone (and on that note - if you’re not sure what colours work well with your skin tone - either go back and listen to episode #28)

Ok, let’s kick things off with tops. The first top you’re going to need is a crop top/ sports bra. A fuss-free crop top is such an essential. Not only are they practical and so necessary as women but they are great for layering under tops that have wide or low armholes too. FEEL BE LOOK is all low impact exercise and I don’t have a large bust so I can get away with choosing almost any crop top provided it ticks a few of my own boxes which is that it needs to be easy to get on and off and doesn’t dig in or ride up. If you do high impact exercise though, you’ll need a crop top that supports this type of exercise. I also like a style with a wider waistband because they look great when styled with high-waisted jeans, skirts or trousers for a sporty, athleisure look outside of exercise. 

A tank top is next. I prefer a sleeveless tank because this style allow you to move more freely which means you can concentrate on your form and control during an exercise and see how your upper body moves during a particular movement - all crucial things to minimise injury and maximise results and very important to me as a Personal Trainer. 

The final top you’ll need is a long sleeve top which is a must-have for Winter and being able to stay consistent with exercise through those cooler months. What’s more, you can roll the sleeves to elbow length if need be and you’ve got a great transeasonal piece too. 

Now, moving onto bottoms and the first item you’ll want to buy are bike shorts. Bike shorts are a great investment not only for your active wardrobe but for styling outside of your workout as well. I love the look of a pair of bike shorts with an oversized shirt and boyfriend blazer for an outfit that gives off that casual, effortless vibe. I find a mid-length short to be the most versatile all year round. 

Sweatpants/ tracksuit pants are next and my goodness, these came in handy whilst being isolated during COVID. They’re cosy, they’re comfortable and they’re the main reason I’m able to get out of bed during Winter to exercise. I also prefer sweatpants as opposed to tights for those rainy home workout days. 

And of course, you’ll need some full length tights or leggings - an active wardrobe hero!! Personally, I’d choose a solid colour for versatility plus they'll work hard to lengthen the look of your legs as well - a bit of styling trickery whilst you workout never hurt anyone right?! I also love a high-waisted style with a wide waistband to prevent the tights from digging in. Another important thing to mention here is that you’ll want to look for tights that are squat and sweat proof. When trying on leggings, do a few squats in them and make sure you can’t see your underwear through the fabric both from the front and back and lighter colours tend to be really good at showing sweat patches which if looking like you’ve just wet yourself is the look that you’re going for, then you do you but that’s not for me. Oh and don’t forget to wear a seamless underwear or g-string - visible panty lines are one of my biggest pet peeves!

Outerwear is up next and the area that I like to have the most fun. I’ve included 2x items both for versatility purposes of course (versatility is always my top priority) - you’ll need a sweatshirt and a light-weight anorak. A sweatshirt can be layered underneath an anorak on really cold days and you can style a sweatshirt back with sneakers and a statement skirt for the ultimate sportsluxe look. An anorak on the other hand is such a practical piece to own. They are light-weight and thin so great for travel. They’re rain-resistant and they’re warm - seriously an anorak is the one piece you never knew you needed until you owned one. 

Last but not least, accessories make up the final 2 pieces to your active capsule wardrobe. I’ve included a cap and a pair of sneakers. Just because we’re working out, doesn’t mean we can’t accessorise  - caps are brilliant for this purpose because they are practical too. I love wearing a cap when I’m training, not only to keep me sun safe but to keep the hair off my face as well. 

 Finally,  your sneakers and just as I would suggest for your actual wardrobe, it’s best to stock up first on a pair that matches back with the colour palette you’ve chosen for your active capsule. From here, you can experiment with fun colours and prints to inject some personality into your outfits but start with the right foundations and go from there. 

If you’ve listened to this list and say for example, you’re not quite sure what an anorak is or looks like, don’t worry I’ve got your back. I’ve created an example of my own active capsule wardrobe as a blog post which includes images of each of the items I’ve just mentioned. You can find a link to this post in the show notes or by visiting www.elishacasagrande.com.au/blog

To wrap up this episode, I quickly want to mention a few of my favourite activewear brands and stores because this is something I get a lot of DM’s about. I’ve got 4x that I purchase from and recommend to my clients and they are - 

AIMN - AIMN are my go-to for crop tops and tights. I wear their seamless range and I honestly don't think I’ll ever choose another brand. They are so comfy, I’ve been known to sleep in them just to make getting up the next morning to exercise less painful. I do find their sizing to be a little small though so best to go up a size. 

PE Nation - PE Nation has a huge range on offer and I find them to be one of the best for stylish outerwear. They nail that off-duty look and most of their pieces work so effortlessly back with your actual wardrobe.

First Base - I love this local Bondi brand and have for a really long time. Actually, quite a few years ago, I launched my own online store and First Base was one of the first brands I stoked. Their tights feel like a second skin, they are squat and sweat proof and I just love supporting small businesses. 

If you’re after a one-stop shop though, I love StyleRunner and you’ll notice in my blog post that I have chosen all of my examples from StyleRunner so you can shop online with them, knowing that they’ll tick all boxes. 

Lastly and I’m yet to try these myself but do believe they are worthy of a mention here - I’ve heard you can’t go wrong with Lululemon Tights particularly the Wunder Under style. If you’re a fan yourself, please reach out and let me know. I’d love to hear your thoughts so I can recommend them to future clients also. 

Elisha CasagrandeWomens Confidence, FEEL BE LOOK, Confidence, Brisbane Personal Stylist, Online Personal Stylist, Styling Tips, Outfit Styling, Clothes Pyschology, Fashion Psychology, Style Rut, Fashion Tips, Styling Advice, Shopping Budget, Fashion Budget, Repurpose Clothes, Personal Style, Defined Personal Style, Wardrobe Versatility, Investment Buys, Shopping, Online Shopping, Add To Cart, Cool Colours, Warm Colours, Wearing Black, Dark Neutral, Black Clothing, Active Wardrobe, Capsule Wardrobe, Active Capsule Wardrobe, Activewear, PE Nation, Stylerunner, AIMN Australia, First Base, Lululemon Wunder Under