We all have jewelry in our wardrobe but how much of it do we really wear?  Before you purchase another piece that only sits in your jewelry box, create your very own jewelry capsule.  A jewelry capsule is just as important as a wardrobe capsule.  In this blog post, we’ll help you determine the essential core pieces that form your very own jewelry capsule.

Here are some easy steps to guide in the formation of the capsule.

1. Analyze your style and lifestyle.

For me, when the COVID pandemic hit, I realized that in the hospital setting, some of my jewelry that I was previously wearing was no longer practical.  Additional hand washing and hand sanitizing in terms of frequency became the routine.  Ensuring that everything up to my wrist could be scrubbed – meant that I had stopped wearing rings and bracelets in case I couldn’t scrub enough with the jewelry being in the way.  Furthermore, the long necklaces and dangling earrings were the things that I stopped wearing as well.  I couldn’t figure out how to clean these items on a regular basis.  So, in the jewelry box they stayed. 

I’m really looking forward to wearing these again once the pandemic is over.  For now, my basics are stud earrings and a wrist watch.  I can’t wait to get dressed up in regular work clothing again; even though I love the hassle free nature of scrubs.  I’ll be blogging about scrubs later on.

Perhaps you don’t have to worry your work environment in the same way I do.  Therefore, you can wear larger pieces of jewelry – keep those in your collection especially if you love them. We’re all bound to have different styles, and different lifestyles. This first step is for you to really get to know your style and how your jewelry fits in with your lifestyle.

2. Track what you like to wear for a month.

Like I mentioned earlier, I’ve reduced my daily jewelry to stud earrings and a wrist watch during this pandemic.  So tracking for me is fairly simple. 

You might want to put it on an Excel spreadsheet, or simply write it in a note book.  This will help you visually determine if there is any pattern or trends. The tracking will help facilitate the next step, which is to analyze and edit.  Knowing which pieces you wear, and when you where them is the key for this step. 

3. Analyze and Edit.

If you track what you tend to wear most often, you might see a pattern or a trend.  Is it always the same metal colour?  Is it ornate or simple pieces?  Do you tend to layer your items?  Do they have similar colours in the pieces like black enamel? Do you tend to wear a specific colours(s) pastels versus jewel tones?

This should give you an idea of what you gravitate to, and help sort out how many pieces in that specific style you already possess.  This may help guide you in purchasing pieces that complement what you have in your existing collection.

4. Define your capsule.

Based on your month of wear, establish a few categories:

a) Basic or every day – These become your core items.  Your personal favorites or just things that are easy to mix and match with many of your outfits.

b) Seasonal – Some of your jewelry maybe seasonal like braided straw earrings for summer or beach wear.  Putting these away after each season makes them a “new” collection for your use the next time.

c) Special Occasion – Some pieces may be more extravagant for evening or special events. They may be larger in scale.

d) Sentimental – Pieces that you’ve kept for sentimental purposes and cherish, like your grandmother’s broach but don’t tend to wear them.

e) Donate/sell pile – Jewelry you are happy to part with to make room for new items to love.

5. Create a wish list for missing pieces.

Now it’s time to zero in on purchasing the jewelry pieces that you really want and need.  You don’t have to worry about buying things that never get worn and left in the jewelry box any more.

Window shop first.  When you find a piece, review how this new purchase will fit in with your collection.  See if you have any outfits that your new jewelry will complement before committing to the purchase.

6. Invest in quality over quantity. 

Not all of us may be able to wear real diamonds and pearls every day, so if you are going to purchase fashion jewelry – know what you are purchasing.

Fine jewelry is made from precious metals and real gemstones.  Fashion or custom jewelry is generally made with synthetic or imitation stones.  They are both equally nice to wear, but you did to take care of both to enhance longevity.

I’d love to hear what you have in your jewelry capsule, and how you went about form your own! Please comment below. Please also don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here.

Slightly Petite, Wendy