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A Wardorbe plan

Isabel

Veteran

I have, since late spring, been trying to get a really good grip on a a wardrobe that would give me utility and the aesthetic that I like. Mo's numbers regarding the number of outfits that can me made out of individual pieces and Claire's 10 piece wardrobe just really got me to thinking. I was sick and tired of the seasonal switch out : the laundry, the ironing, the storage....not that it was that much, but it took me longer than 1/2 hour. I also became overwhelmed by the sheer number of outfits that I could make. This is the post that started me off when I realized that I wore almost everything on it ( except khakis ). http://www.theviviennefiles.co.....drobe.html Finally, after months of experimenting and cruising the web a whole lot, I have come to this :

4 capsules :
1 dressy
1 activity ( hiking, biking, kayaking)
1 coat/topper ( things that I really love and need for long winters )
and what I am calling my "common core" capsule.

My common core is the bones of my wardrobe. It consists of the following for winter :

2 jeans ( one straight, one skinny )
Gap always straight black pants
1 wool skirt
2 color pants ( in this case, off white cords and a burgundy cotton with tiny polka dots )
1 Oxford striped shirt
1 chambray shirt
1 black blouse with velvet black polka dots
1 striped T
1 navy blazer
1 black blazer
1 color blazer ( deep rose in wool with navy piping )
1 grey cashmere cardigan ( long )
1 black cashmere cardigan ( long )
1 grey merino wool t shirt
1 black merino wool t shirt
1 grey cashmere pullover
1 black cashmere pullover
1 black vest

It is a long list for sartorial scaffolding. But this is working really, really well for me. I am very happy with it. Now, this isn't it. I have other things and there are rules.

My scaffolding/bones colors are grey, black and denim.

My main colors are navy, greens ( bottle green, olive ) and gem colored reds with teals, other greens and purple as accents. It all needs to mix. And it gives me some of my absolute favorite color combinations.

I have culled my wardrobe to pretty much reflect this. I have about 45 pieces altogether, just clothes. Then there are tons of scarves in all colors and jewelry. I think that it may still be too much for winter, considering that I am a SAHM. But I am going to try it and see what happens for winter.

Any observations, suggestions ? I would be grateful !

Dressing

20 replies

Latest reply was from

thimblelina

(website)

Veteran

That sounds a lot like what I'm figuring out about my wardrobe. I like your functional capsules. That makes a lot of sense. And the way I arrived at my 'common core'* was to go thru pinterest collecting work outfits I liked, usually with one or two pieces I already have; then putting any element pictured that I didn't have on my list. After a while there was a lot of repetition and overlap. I'm closer than I imagined to the kind of working wardrobe I want!

I really appreciate the vivienne files too & I've adopted her 'core of four' and 'mileage four' mini capsules for creating basic silhouettes, or adding new colors. This month I focused on a deep brick to burgundy red and added a plaid shirt, a boyfriend cardigan, a color blocked tee and a plaid scarf that all incorporate that color. It kind of keeps focus, you know? Otherwise it's just a dab of this and a dollop of that...

Your palette sounds lovely. I'm a recent convert to a palette and find it immensely helpful. I made a soft autumn palette of my favorite 15 colors on an iPhone app & carry it with me shopping. There are 5 deep basics, 5 brights, and 5 neutrals. Like yours, it's not terribly restrictive.

Good work! It's fun to hear how others organize their approach to wardrobe building & maintenance. xo

* thems fighting words in CA now with the curriculum changes by the same name going into effect in our public schools... big flap!

Isabel

Veteran

Thimbelina, LOL !!! It is the same here in MA, I didn't make the connection. How funny !

I like how you put your work capsule together. That is a great idea...probably less work than the way that I did it. Hahahaha. I will have to check out the core of four and the mileage four. That actually sounds as if it may be a good strategy for travel. I also have some sort of color palette, wheel app, but I haven't learned how to you use it. I like your ideas. I will try them. Thank you !

thimblelina

(website)

Veteran

And I'm going to use yours!

thimblelina

(website)

Veteran

The palette thingy is called 'color schemer' and it's easy; you just make it up as you go. Here's a screen shot of mine. Neutrals warm white, soft gray, camel or nude, khaki or taupe, and cognac on top; brights deep red, deep turquoise or teal, warm grape or burgundy, olive green and coral in the middle; deep basics black, charcoal, navy, dark wash denim and espresso brown on bottom.

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Anonymous

Isabel, I think that sounds brilliant! Thank you for the mention.

Seriously, I love it when we use each others' ideas for inspiration and just for a jumping-off point to find out what works for us. Will you be keeping track of wears or numbers like Mo does?

So, you've already gotten rid of stuff, or did you just box it up to see how this works? Your neutrals and colors sound like they're going to be perfect together and with your coloring. I like that it's less overwhelming; that's always a good thing. Keep us posted on how it goes!

@thimbalina, your palette and color app sound very cool!

Isabel

Veteran

Thimbelina, thank you ! I have wanted to play around with color theory for quite a while. I am going to give this a shot.

Claire, I have gotten rid of more clothes that I care to admit . : ) I boxed first, then out it went. It was really easy this time. I hit a wall of saturation and felt really good with what I was wearing. There were things that I loved but don't have the lifestyle for. There are things that don't fit well. There were things that were alllllmostttt...if you know what I mean. There were too many things. I have also gotten rid of about 12 pairs of shoes. It really struck me this past Spring the amount of time that I put into a seasonal clothes swap for clothes that I don't wear often and I just don't want to do it. I was overloaded on summer things though it is my shortest season ( almost all the shoes were Spring/summer ). I think that as I am getting healthier I would rather DO things than wring my hands over my clothes. It also was giving me a bit of anxiety to look at all my shoes and blazers and think, " I HAVE to get them in and wear them before the season ends..." UGH. I don't know why I felt that if I put "limits" on my clothes that it would be too constricting. It has turned out to be just the opposite. I am finding out that choice paralyzes me and it gives me anxiety. I don't like it....but I do like living in a democracy. LOL !

My scarves and jewelry keep things happy and colorful for me. I will start posting soon. Your input would just be awesome ! ( I don't think that I will keep track of wears. Maybe I should. Hmmmmm )

Beth Ann

Veteran

Brava! I think moving toward a wardrobe, and leaving the mindset of buying cute clothes is something that has brought me more peace and pleasure in my style. Sounds like you've done this and more!

My only suggestion?

Remember the pirate code? More guidelines than rules? Well, I let myself cheat on my capsules. Sometimes I break away from my plan for a day or two, and it can be the right choice.

Isabel

Veteran

Beth Ann, I don't know the pirate code ! I am going to google that. But I really like the idea of guidelines. Much, much better sounding. It reminds me of how I don't call my budget a budget, rather a "spending plan". : )

Thank you !

Anonymous

Your post is GREAT. I love reading posts that come together so well and help me continue to develop my own capsules. I'll continue to watch for updates as the season changes.

crutcher

Veteran

I loved reading about your common core...(definitely a smile at choice of terms)...You are brave and courageous (in my opinion) to downsize as you have getting rid of those that are almost...(I still struggle with that)...
My question is do you live in a four season climate?...I am at a loss as to how you can wear seasonless when dealing with four seasons?...
I will be interested in hearing more about your journey...

Jenny H

Can I just say that I would be very happy with your wardrobe?! Natural fibers! Small numbers! Following the Vivienne Files! The colors! It's a wardrobe that is right up my alley.

I would love to see you post outfits that you create from this.

Anonymous

I wasn't trying to insinuate that you should keep track of wears! If you're not inclined to, don't (I don't)! With this small number of clothes, you'll get an idea fast of what you're wearing and what you're not.

So...only six tops, unless you wear the cashmere pullovers as tops (that would make eight)? Do you have T-shirts that don't count? I'm not pointing fingers here, because, if you recall, I only have six tops, and I manage just fine. I like the idea of your solid tops, because they will serve as the perfect backdrop for your scarves and jewelry and no one will ever know if you wear them in heavy rotation. Your skirt and colored pants will give you interest on the bottom, and of course throwing the vest over a shirt will change up your look even more.

I think you have a lot of potential variety with this list, and the only way to work out any kinks is to wear the clothes, which you already are! (Ahem, I'm dealing with a few kinks of my own.) I can really relate to the feeling that too many clothes can cause anxiety and stress (or maybe it's just too many wrong clothes--I may never find out!) and I'm glad to hear your closet is in this happy place.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

A great starting point. Well done. xo

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I love these kinds of posts too - always new thoughts and plenty to learn. Isabel, your list looks really great and I love the color palette you've chosen. I remember the painting challenges here on YLF a while back and those really started me thinking (along with the Vivienne files) about how an outfit is much like a painting and we (the body) are the main focus of the painting.

carter

Veteran

Great post and great thought process! I have also been thinking along the lines of your common core for my casual wardrobe. Not so much the exact pieces as the VF (as you have individualized yours), but which items I need to form the base of any casual outfit. Much like you and VF, my core colors are narrow and well defined. Mine are all neutrals as well, so that I can bring small doses of color in whenever I like and everything will work.

You have made much, much more progress than I have on wardrobe numbers. Hopefully I'll make some progress here over the Winter. Can't wait to see some outfit posts from you!

Susie

Veteran

I love these posts. I think your list looks terrific and offers a great deal of outfit combinations. I also love your color choices.

I was just looking at my outfits plan for fall and winter. And the bottom line is that I have too many pieces for most items to get the number of wears that seems reasonable. I have around 180 clothing items, not counting shoes/bags/accessories/loungewear/gear. I appreciate you mentioning the 'almost right'- I think that's an area where I could find a few pieces to cull.

The seasonal switch out doesn't bother me. In fact, I prefer to remove the out of season items from my closet because they feel more fresh when I bring them out again. I'm now excited to wear my cashmere sweaters from last year. Had they been hanging in my main closet all summer, I don't know that I would be as happy to see them come winter.

MrsLeichliter

Oh this original post and all the cooments are fascinating! I love the concept, and I'm going to try tweaking it for my own (for instance, even though we are in a very northern climate, I can only tolerate cashmere in toppers/sweaters...So I'll be looking for some cotton alternatives). It is so helpful. I'll be checking out more Vivienne Files also.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

This is fascinating, Isabel! Congratulations on bossing your clothes around instead of letting them boss you! And on picking a "core" wardrobe that works for your lifestyle and climate, which is really the first step.

Unlike you, I really enjoy the seasonal closet shift. It definitely takes more than half an hour, LOL, but I find it gives me time to reconsider my style direction and to remember what I have and take note of what might need upgrading. Plus, apart from a few items, most of my clothes can't cross all four seasons here. I can usually make them work for three seasons, but not four. So, I have some fall/ winter pieces that also work for early spring; some summer pieces that also work for late spring/ early fall, etc. But only a couple that truly take me across all seasons.

I love your colour palette. I know from seeing you in them how amazing you look in those rich reds, for instance.

This is a very tightly edited capsule that still allows for a fair bit of variety. I hope you will show us some of the outfits you create from this!

Isabel

Veteran

I am sorry for not making the seasonal situation clear. I do live in a four season climate ( the Northeast ). I will probably wear this core from Mid October to end of March. So it will not do year round. I call it a "core" because this is literally the scaffolding that holds up my wardrobe and makes everything work. Over the summer I boxed everything up and lived with 5 dresses, 2 pairs of shorts, 1 skirt, 4 t shirts and 1 capri type bottom. I will still have to do a clothes swap. It just became too much for me. Maybe it is facing the clothes that you are just not that thrilled with, yet they take up time.

Claire, lol, yes, it just gave me the idea that I might want to do that. Just to make sure it is working well throughout the winter. I DO have other things. The merino wool pieces are t shirt type pieces. I also have one in blue. I have 3 flannel shirts within my color scheme - but those are as you call them, "extras".
I also have 3 merino wool camis, a green micro corduroy tunic, and a deep teal merino wool tunic.

One thing that I really like about this is that I wear it around the house if I am not doing heavy cleaning. And it feels nice. I spend so much time at home that I felt my clothes weren't getting worn. I cannot tell you how nice it feels to get up at 6:30, throw on a cashmere sweater and a topper with my "nice" jeans and drive my son to school.

I haven't done the shoes but I probably have 8 pairs of tall boots and 4 of ankle boots. I also have 1 pair of grey shoes that are great for winter. This, too, is more than enough.

( Crutcher, it was purely by accident....I didn't realize it until Thimbelina pointed it out. LOL )

Anonymous

Isabel, your new morning uniform sounds so yummy! Maybe that's the next project for me; comfortable but attractive at-home wear. We'll have to see what this season brings.