WIW: 2 by 2, gray, black, denim blue casual capsule

This is a capsule I packed for a few days away, this time in Hood River, and it was hot and I wanted to keep things simple as we were mostly walking around town and doing light hiking. (not pictured, gray trail sneakers and running gear). I also brought my black mixed media moto in case it got really cool, but it never did.

2 shirts: black boat neck tee with wide welt, gray rabbit tee

2 bottoms: pinstriped maxi, denim cut offs

2 belts: white canvas, black leather

2 shoes: black gladiators, black cons, and a cheat - a pair of ankle strap heels for a nice dinner.

2 cardigans: pearl gray, long black thin and airy knit (actually I could have left the gray home)

Discoveries: full stretchy maxis are the best things to wear with your legs tucked up on the seat on car trips.

Questions: In the last slide, I wasn't sure what width belt and what length cardi worked best with the maxi 'dress' with the gladiators. I wore the third image, but is the fourth better? Or is an even shorter topper needed? Should I belt lower?

Feedback and ideas welcome!

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9 years ago

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

I really love your entire capsule! Very cute!

I like the third and fourth looks equally - to me it would be a matter of my mood at the moment, and the venue or activity I was dressing for.

Tanya

What a great capsule. Very edgy-chic.
I think both belts work, though I have a slight preferance for the thinner one. The topper works nicely too, but you could try the dress with a more cropped one as well.

Dee

What a great mini-capsule! And you managed to make a maxi look non-boho, which is something I really want but am completely failing at.

Like Tanya, I have a slight preference for the thinner belt, but I think the one you wore looks fine.

Suz

rabbit, you are so inventive. These all look fantastic on you. I have a special love for the shorts looks. But all are fantastic on you. You know how to make your dark hair work as part of the ensemble.

What are the gladiator sandals? I love them! I got the Sofft Bernias in pewter and wish I had ordered black at the same time.

I slightly prefer the thinner belt and the shorter cardi in the last outfit, but both actually work to my eye. The band of black on top balances things nicely, along with your hair.

rabbit

Thanks La Belle and Tanya and all -- good to know how others see the belt/topper situation.

Dee -- yeah I like individual elements of boho, like the way a maxi swishes around your ankles when you walk or a light cotton dress feels, but I usually end up trying to go more minimal and modern with everything else in the outfit, I'm not too into ALGO boho that often for my own style.

Suz - the sandals are Clarks Indigo but they are a few years old and I don't see something similar now (I think I was an accidental early adopter for once). The Sofft Bernias look very similar to them and have the same slight wedge though.

CocoLion

First, to answer your question. I think both belts work well, it's just a different look. However I do feel the shorter cardigan works better than the long one. For a long cardigan look, I'm thinking one that is longer would work best, for example knee or just above the knee length. For an on-trend long over long look.

This is an organized capsule and to have your maxi skirt double as a dress is clever!

My favorite way you've worn the maxi is the last look in slide #1. I think the boat neckline adds more structure, and the cross-body bag breaks up the expanse of fabric. Also, you look freaking awesome in those aviators!

Love all of the shorts outfits, but the rabbit version gets my top vote because the graphic tee goes so well with the Cons.

ETA -- I love black, white and gray as travel colors. They go with everything and the black is coffee-stain friendly.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

Did you hike up your maxi dress to create a midi dress in #3? I love those renditions best - clever. Both belts and gladiators work. Very nicely done. xo

UmmLila (Lisa)

Such a nice capsule for summer, even better because you're minus traditional summer color schemes. I like the thin belt better with the dress.

Cocolion - I agree about the practicality of the travel colors, and thanks for the topper ideas.

Angie - yes, it's a maxi skirt, but it kind of has a bandeau top so I tried this one day and liked it -- it actually is more comfortable and stays put better than some strapless maxi dresses I have.

Thanks Ummlila - some summer brights and pastels work for me, but dark neutrals are my happy zone.

Jeanie

Rabbit, I dub you queen clever light packer! I love Hood River Everything works together and looks cute. I need to work on this skill. I am taking notes. Looks like the key is keeping to 3 colors...black, gray & denim to keep it simple. I prefer the oomfh of the wider belt but I suppose either works.

Aubergine

Like them all, and love how you've gotten so many levels of dressiness out of so few different items. The rabbit top is so fun! I think I like the thicker belt a little better with the dress because it stands out more from the print, but both definitely work.

Heather

Active Member

I think I like the wider belt without the cover up and the thinner belt with a cover up. As far as other cover ups, I might go shorter, but more structured. Maybe a denim or moto jacket?

The edginess of these outfits is pretty fantastic.

Clever! I lived near Hood River for a summer. It can get warm. I like the maxi 'dress' best with no topper in the second option.

Firecracker (Sharan)

I love the whole capsule. All of these looks are terrific! I wouldn't have thought of wearing a white belt the way you've done it in 2, but it looks smashing--so much fresher than black would be. I'm impressed with your use of the maxi skirt as one of just two bottoms for a trip--and you turned it into a dress as well! Love, love the dressy look with the heels.

Both belts look great with the dress and the gladiators. The thin one adds a more feminine touch, and the other keeps the tougher vibe. I like where you've placed the belts; if you were going to belt lower, I'd think a chain type belt (i.e., more flexible or drapey) would work better.

On cardi length: The cardi you wore with the dress is a great casual look. A shorter shrug would work, too, for a little dressier look.

Joy

This is a wonderful capsule. I like the shorts looks best, especially 3 & 4 in the second grouping. You have beautiful hair.

Gracie

What a great edgy capsule – I love all the looks specially the shorts ones and the one with the thinner belt on 3. Also loving your aviators, very cool!

Deborah

Fantabulous travel capsule! Rabbit, I generally loathe maxi skirts but you have shown me the light!! I think I might need one (did I say that out loud?).

Ink the final set of outfits, I adore #3. The slim belt looks great too but I cannot decide which works best.

Jaime

Great capsule - I love the shorts outfits but these are all excellent.

thanks all! I appreciate the belt and favorite inputs.

Heather - I'm keeping an eye out for light structured summer toppers. I have a denim jacket which I occasionally wear with this.

Firecracker - that white belt has been my totally unexpected workhorse this season, it adds a twist to so many outfits.

Deborah - I love the way maxi's feel, and I think they look better in motion than static, but most of the patterns just weren't working for me. This was an experiment as it was very inexpensive, but it's so comfortable that I'm happy to demote it to lounge if gets pilly.

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