ETA more pics Capsule wardrobe Inspired by Ariadne, Ingunn & Mo LONG

I've eta a collage of tops with the floral pants. Added tan shoes, blue sandals & orange bag as my accessories.

Links to Ariadne, Ingunn & Mo & thanks for the inspiration.

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....nspiration
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....adnes-post
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....sual-style

This was the jumping off point:
http://bananarepublic.gapcanad.....CD=BNC_BAC

Because I wanted a more casual spring summer capsule I swapped out some pieces:
x3 tops (4 for me)
x2 pair of pants (3 for me)
x1 skirt
X1 dress – swapped the dress for a top & pants see above
I jacket
X1 trench swapped the trench for a linen jacket/coat
They have only counted
x1 pair of shoes but they use also booties in some of the examples.
+ Belt, bag & scarf.
The BR items also include another shirt that they don’t count in the 10 pieces.

I've been playing with this for a couple of days (it is hard work but so worth it).
I've included x2 jeans a boyfriend & a skinny but will swap one of these for lighter pants. I have lots of accessories, bags, shoes & sandals so I knew I wouldn't need to worry about finding the right ones. I included a scarf because it works with the jackets.

All the pants work with all the tops which makes x 12 outfits. The blue blazer works with all the tops except the grey tunic (I don't like the length/proportion). The grey coat/jacket goes with all but the white shirt (the necklines don't work). So each of these pieces makes another 9 possibilities. So I'm up to 30 outfits without using scarves belts shoes etc. for variation. This is before I choose a skirt. I have x2 summer skirts a navy one & a grey & white patterned one. I still need to try these with the tops to see if they work. If I added a couple of knits & a couple of tops (which wouldn't need to go with everything I could manage for a season for sure - I would be bored but could do it.

The most interesting (to me) insights are:

1. My everyday/casual wardrobe is in very good shape for the warmer weather. I basically have navy, grey & white as my neutrals which I love. All my neutrals work together. I have aqua/blues & greens for colour.
2. The patterned tops I have are not as versatile for me, maybe because I have a harder time finding a well fitting top? Sewing may be required!! I swapped the patterned pieces on top for the patterned bottoms. I have another pair of slouchy pants that were in the wash which I could use to replace one of the jeans (picture #2).I am bigger on top so it works for me.
3. The three pieces I bought this season are perfect - the floral pants & aqua techno material slouchy-tee (pictured) & the patterned pants in pic #2 are just what I needed to add some colour, pattern & texture to my summer clothes.
4. The BR work capsule would cover all I need for a dressier capsule so I'm currently working on re-sorting & editing my dressier clothing too.
5. My next task is to take photos of all these clothes (another reason to have fewer clothes - not that I needed one). I started to take photos while doing this but couldn't focus on both.
6. I don't have a big wardrobe but the hard part was limiting the pieces to put in the capsule.
7. I found several pieces that were just not me & I had a hard time mixing even though I'd recently done a big purge. (Yes they are in the Elvis bag - in the car - they have left the building).
I felt I learnt a lot from doing this exercise. I'm really glad I did Angie's "adjectives to describe your style" exercise first because this kept me focussed on the look I was trying to achieve & the qualities my clothes need to have before they feel right for me.
Link to Angie's post here:
http://youlookfab.com/2011/06/.....our-style/

My adjectives are here:
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....road-wordy

I will be trying to use this capsule over the next few days (weather permitting) & will post some photos of me wearing the clothes then.

Thanks for staying with me........
Comments & constructive criticism always welcome.

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13 years ago

Day Vies

Veteran

I love you palette -- it reminds me of Hawaii. I have been working with that same BR capsule and you are so right Caro it's HARD! Bravo to you for putting together 30 outfits already -- I am struggling at 10!

I wish I could see the accessories but I get the gist of where you are going from your adjectives and the pieces you have selected. I too find it hard to work with patterned tops (bigger on the top as well) and feel at a disadvantage when creating work oriented capsules as a result. I look forward to the pictures of your looks from this capsule.

If I have any constructive feedback for you it would be more tension. (that I am not even sure you need because everything looks so well coordinated, and what I think I am missing might be in the accessories) But, if you wanted to explore tension with this capsule I think you could achieve it by pairing opposing fit, opposing colors or differing textures.

shiny

You gave us teaser photos! You tease!

Can't wait to see... love your color scheme. It all sounds so exciting.

Caro in Oz

Day Vies - thanks for you comments, yes I agree looking at the photos here they look a little nondescript but I think/hope that's what makes them all play together. I think they do look a lot better when I put them on & accessorise them.

shiny I didn't mean to tease - promise.

rae

(website)

Wow, you put an admirable amount of thought into this! I cannot wait to see how it all comes together. I smiled when you mentioned the Elvis Bag.

Caro, your choices definitely play well in the sandbox together which is why the capsule is so successful (several steps above nondescript).

The reason why I am still struggling at only 10 outfits with my capsule is I can't decide on a color story -- you have already solved that problem. I might have to play with black white and tan or other neutrals just to get the feel of it.

Ingunn

Elvis bag - haha! I'm stealing that one. This looks very promising, and thank you for taking time to write down your process. I'm looking forward to see more results!

Suz

Oooh! This is so brilliant. I am so impressed with what I see so far. You look amazing. I can't wait to see the rest.

Deborah

Caro I admire your commitment to this process. I'm afraid my brain starts to get fuddled and I only get so far:(. I love your color scheme and I'm looking forward to seeing the capsule in action.

Jaime

The colors are gorgeous and I love the outfits you are showing - especially the white and black tops, which are so interesting and flattering. I am very bad at visualizing outfits that aren't on bodies, but looks great so far.

cheryl

Great pieces. You have done a great job with this capsule.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

I am most impressed with your thought process, Caro.

Kat

Caro, thank you for articulating your thought process so well. And then adding photos to illustrate. I went back and read your adjectives and really appreciated your description of what each meant to you...all your work has really helped me to describe for myself what I'd like my wardrobe "vibe" to be as well as some practical work I can do to play around with those ideas. Thanks too to Mo, Ingunn, and Ariadne for all their work and photos--I feel like you all are giving me important pieces to a puzzle I've been working on.

Kudos to you for taking on this challenge! It's not a quickie, but it does get your wheels turning. I am curious to see how this plays out with each person's individual pieces. I'm also now wondering if I had just paired up the 10 in ways *I* would have imagined, instead of copying BR's exactly, if I'd have been happier with the results?
Can't wait to see your finished pics!

Transcona Shannon

This is fantastic Caro! I admire anyone who puts this much work and thought into their wardrobe and choices. Looking forward to seeing it all in action.

bj1111

i love your color palette. is that cowl neck grey top helmut lang? i think we might be top twins...i have even slept in this top...it's so comfy.

Jenava

Wow, this is awesome! i love all the insights you gained. i need to go through this process myself. I've found that i don't have a huge difference between my work and casual wardrobes because i don't feel good in overly casual wear, but my office isn't very formal, either, so I typically buy stuff that can go either way...although woven blouses and high-heeled shoes usually don't get worn on the weekends.

rachylou

I love the pattern on the bottom. I admire your effort! It's a lot of work!

Thanks everyone, I really appreciate all your comments.
bj1111 - we are top twins!
Jenava - I've retired but I don't like really casual clothes as everyday wear - I prefer the structure of a jacket or the flow of a more complicated top rather than a tee. The only other thing I need to consider is climate. I live in a temperate climate but we can have long hot summers, so I like linen pieces for this time of the year. The only other items I need are for "special" occasions both day & night but I think the BR capsule may be more than enough for me for the day clothes so I'm working on that next, but I will tweak it to suit me.
Mo - I'd be interested to know what would you substitute in your capsule now.

biscuitsmom

Looking good, girl!

jenanded

Nice work Caro! I will go back and read your comments in more details but this IS such hard work but also so fantastic when its done.... Gosh people could make careers out of being able to work this stuff out for people (yeah Angie!) - it IS hard...

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