Winter Capsule Study - 52 Outfits; 13 Pieces

It always amazes me how many hypothetical outfits I can make for myself out of not a large amount of clothing - and exercises like this help me consider combinations I wouldn't have thought of previously!

I thought about investing in a few key pieces this winter to help me integrate a few new trends that I think are amazing, but probably won't overdominate my wardrobe choices. In particular, the graphic sweater is something I've noticed a lot of our YLF-ers rock out, in particular Una and Anna come to mind - and I definitely want to try it out. I like the kitty sweater and I am thinking of trying a simple lettering one. Angie rocks her dotty sweater, so I definitely need one of those!

Solid tops are something I find really hard. I think they are boring and don't like investing in them. I am attracted by bow tops, so I kind of went a little hypothetically crazy here, but my bow tops I have are put through their paces a lot throughout the weeks. Most of my tops have low bows, so I chose a white one with a higher up one to work with my sweaters in #3.

Midi skirts however, are probably something I will be putting more money into given that they are not only on trend, but something that I love and are work appropriate. I am thinking of a solid navy, a solid black, a solid merlot and a patterned one. I am quite drawn to this patterned one, but it is very similar to my Anthropologie one - but with a few key differences: the fabrication is heavier, and there is the additional length. Still, I will give it some thought.

My existing cardigans are items that I replace every few years anyway, so I am thinking of picking up one or two in trendy colours. Oxblood is very pretty, and I'll probably grab a black one (not shown) because mine is a little worn. I thought Mustard for this exercise would give an additional pop of colour.

Other items I am considering include a chambray shirt for layering with all the sweaters in #3. Of course, once I incorporate my existing clothes, the combinations would explode exponentially - and hopefully I won't have to do crazy amounts of laundry. I am looking forward to combining sweaters with tutu tulle skirts that I already have!

I hope you enjoy my indulgent fantasies - do any of you do these exercises too? Or keep them in your mind? I know that Ingunn is our capsule queen, so she must have a mind like a steel trap to keep it all straight! I'm more visual!

SOURCES:

BOW BLOUSES - Pink, White, Merlot (Dorothy Perkins)
SKIRTS - Navy, Black, White (Dorothy Perkins) - Merlot (Asos)
CARDIGANS - Mustard, Cranberry (Ricki's)
SWEATERS - Dotty (Forever21) - Kitty (Dorothy Perkins) - Text (Used)

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10 years ago

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

I've been looking everywhere or a mustard sweater like that! I'm also thinking about getting a graphic sweater. Your choices are all fab, and I think they will melt into your existing wardrobe in a nanosecond. Great exercise, Lyn!

Lantana

I find it so interesting the different approaches people take to capsule creation. One thing is consistent - it is time consuming!

Suz

Fun!! I guess I do a similar thing in my mind when I am shopping. I don't take photos of it, but I do the same sort of calculations and sometimes write it down in a list, exactly as you do, noting potential "issues" like whether the proportions might be tricky or whether I'd be missing a completer piece or what I estimate the comfort levels to be.

I love your combos here and think these items would work really well in your wardrobe.

This is great! I do exercises in my head and sometimes jot on paper things like I only need x number of warm weather options repeated y times, which equates to w number of bottoms with z tops lol.
My newest acquisition yesterday was a seamed short sleeve black tee. Yes, boring, but a wardrobe hole. I realized it would mix with every one of my 6 skirts and 5 pair of pants I brought. Also probably every of the 5 pair of shorts. Then I realized I have not owned a black short sleeve top in many years . . . oops.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

You have been very busy. Good job.

Lisa

Great colors here. And that kitty top is too fun, you MUST get one! I am always amazed at how far the "right" mix of clothes can go. When I start trying to remix my wardrobe, I always come up with more combinations than I have time in the current season to wear them all. And then I'll usually pick one or two new combinations that strike my fancy, and go back to sporting the same handful of looks anyway!

lyn*

Thanks for your thoughts

@ Ingunn - I went to take a look in store and the quality wasn't there for the mustard cardigan. I am slightly disappointed, because the store usually has pretty nice cardigans. I may just wear mine from last year until they get their act together

@ Lantana - Actually, all this took me about an hour and a half. I thought it would take me longer, but I guess I had most of the outfits and things already planned in my head, and I only frequent a few shops

@ Suz - Ah, the completer piece - makes me annoyed when I am missing one of these in my wardrobe, and I have a sneaking suspicion I am missing one, because my clothes don't really flow like they should!

@ Mo - I used to have a wonderful black top like that too! It disappeared one day in the wash - but I can't wait until I can find another versatile one like that! I'm so glad you found one.

@ Angie - Thanks. Tee hee.

@ Lisa - I know, isn't the cat top absolutely adorable? I think I will order one. It also comes in blue, but I think it's less adorable. I like the way you think - just because somethings can be added together doesn't mean they should be!

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