Tim Gunn's 10 Essentials from my closet (pic heavy, linked) - YouLookFab Forum

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Tim Gunn's 10 Essentials from my closet (pic heavy, linked)

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

This is about another capsule from my closet, based on a list by Tim Gunn.

I've just recently become aware of Tim Gunn, and I have yet to read his books. I've played a little with his list of 10 essentials, and wether you like classic modern style or not, I believe there is something to learn for everyone by trying to substitute the items on his list with your own. Just swap the type of items you don't like with something you actually wear!

As a starting point, I've been very loyal to his list of 10 essentials, but I've only picked garments from my closet. You must have seen most of it by now - but every capsule has it's own distinct flavor, and this one is more on the conservative side than my normal style:

https://www.evernote.com/shard.....32fd2c1aab

I think of the 20 outfit combinations here as my sketches of ideas, nothing else.

I really don't believe in a universal list that fits everybody's lifestyle, but a list can also be seen as a starting point, and there lies its value in my opinion.
There are many ways to tweak lists, just have a look here at this post from Angie
http://youlookfab.com/2010/09/.....e-without/

and this one from Imogen Lamport about the very same list: http://www.insideoutstyleblog......drobe.html

What do you think? Is this list for you? Comments are always welcome - thanks for looking!

Dressing

17 replies

Latest reply was from Carole

Kristin L

Veteran

Great job hitting the essentials. I don't think this list is for me. I need more than 1 set of jeans and I fear wearing nice clothes to the lab or field because I know they'll get ruined. I think that list works great for people who have a job where you have to dress nice every day.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

You interpreted this beautifully, Ingunn! I hereby crown you Queen Capsule.

Adding in textured black black hose will add more spunk to those outfits.

I agree that a list like this is a starting point and has to be tweaked to align with your lifestyle and style persona.

harmonica

Veteran

Great job and you look sharp and modern! I like lists like this and found a similar list very handy when I first started working on my wardrobe. But it is true, you need to add your personal flavor to actually *own* the looks. Just curious - how are those dressy pants with booties?

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Another great capsule here. Your comment about it being more conservative than your usual way of dressing was very interesting. How would you make it more you? Would you change the pieces or break them up & wear something more fashion forward with them?

I found I needed to make too many substitutions for this list to work for me (I'm retired). Imogen's list does seem a little more modern or creative somehow - maybe it's just more casual.

I loved your comment about thinking of the combinations as your sketches of an idea. How do you feel about your wardrobe now & do you have a clear idea of where you would like to go from here or are you still playing?

This is so interesting, thanks for sharing both your thought processes & the photos.

Ariadne

Veteran

I am loving these threads, Ingunn. I'm so inspired! I love the color combos. Question--does the trench coat count as SSB? Because I love it and love it on you, and am wondering how that happened I really love classic beige trench coats but have been staying far away from them because of the SS factor.

cheryl

Veteran

I really enjoy your capsules. I like how you interpret them for your own life.

wendyraye

Thanks for posting this. Capsules are a fairly new concept for me, and despite knowing their value, I never know where or how to star creating one. Well, no more "waiting" for things to magically fall together - you've inspired me to a whole new level. Visualizing your capsule, for me, is more inspirational than any magazine article because there's a "real person" in the clothes who looks fantastic!!!

Anonymous

You have done a wonderful job on this and it's very inspirational. I think Tim Gunn's, or any of these lists, would work for me. However, I don't have them all yet, but the one's I have are workhorses.
I really like your choice of neutrals, especially the navy with black. I am amazed at the ways you were able to change up your party dress.

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Kristin, thanks! I agree that most people need more than one pair of jeans or other casual pants. 12 items are extremely little as a wardrobe, but one can add in more as preferred. The capsule idea makes it easier to make coherent choices.

I'm very honored, Queen Stylish More spunk is certainly needed here, and I think some of the outfits are pretty bland as they are now. But by tweaking the details - changing hose and maybe shoes, adding scarves, jewelry etc, they can easily be improved.

harmonica, thanks! The dressy pants are cropped and go very well with booties. Booties would make the outfit look more modern, I suppose. I also have a classic pair of pants, so I can go either way.

caro, great questions as always! I think I would need to add some more flavor to the outfits, at least some of them, to make them feel more like "me". Different hose, scarves, maybe more color. Booties instead of boots etc. All these capsule exercises has made much more aware of the possibilities I already have. No need to run out and buy new outfits in panic if any occasion arises. I'm not sure yet if I'm done with this or not, and I still feel a bit puzzled about where I'm going. But I get really inspired to try new patterns and color combinations, and hopefully I'll find what I'm looking for along the way. If not, the journey is in itself a goal to me, too.

Ariadne, thank you! I'm not sure what SSB stands for?

Thank you, Wendyrae!

Joy, thanks a lot! I'm glad you pointed out the party dress. I never knew it was so versatile until I did this capsule.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

So interesting, Ingunn. This one does feel much less "fun" than the BR capsule. It would be interesting to break down the reasons. I think it is because it lacks the punch of fun colour and the textural interest of that capsule. At the same time, this one is only trying to be an "essentials" wardrobe.

Day Vies

Veteran

I am so pleased you posted this capsule. Thank you! I have just begun working with capsules and this is a super simple template for me to translate into my wardrobe. I see myself eventually working in prints and colors, but for now the very neutral pieces allow me to focus on what the piece is, not its color, pattern or versatility.

Overall this is just the kind of template I have been searching for that will give me the initial success of creating at least one complete workable capsule. YAY!

Sylvie

Veteran

Queen Capsule is a great name for you. Every one of those outfits looks sharp on you. It shows us how important it is to have clothes that fit impeccably and flatter your bone structure and coloring.

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Thank you Suz, for pointing out in such an accurate manner why this capsule is much less fun than the BR-version. I do like this one, too, but in particular the outfits that involves the party dress, because I've only worn it twice until now.

Day Vies, I am so pleased that this is useful to you. I think this is basically a core wardrobe to which one can add almost anything. I don't consider this as "finished", it needs tweaking to become complete. But it illustrates the versatility of such garments. I understand why they are called "essentials" and "classics".

Sylvie, thank you! I agree, fit and shape is really important.

Ariadne

Veteran

SSB = Soul sucking beige
https://www.google.com/url?q=h.....the-world/
http://youlookfab.com/2008/04/.....and-beige/

This thread reminded me to be on the lookout for textured hose--mine have all died.

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

I see, Ariadne:) SSB, the most dreaded color (or lack thereof). Thanks for the link! Well, the trenchcoat I have is more cold toned than the average beige, and I actually like it on me, too! It has a gray/greenish cast, I'd say, not warm yellow/pink. Maybe that's why you like it better than SSB?

rachylou

Veteran

Another amazing re-creation!

I think the sweatsuit substitute is a good idea of Tim's.

This is a very classic list, so I suppose it would lack a certain spunk. However, I do think you look very very good and your items all work wonderfully together.

It's interesting, I "dismantled" my classic wardrobe a long time ago. I don't have any of those things on the list in a "classic form." I don't have a single skirt that would be good match, fabric wise, for the single blazer I now own. I have little jackets, which I consider to be different.

Carole

Veteran

Another great capsule, Ingunn, and another great exercise to make sure the basics are covered. You seem to have the perfect work, smart casual and casual wardrobe and can use these as a jumping off point for a Zillion other outfit combinations. You could easily incorporate the color of the moment and have a totally new and exciting capsule! love that!