Ask Angie & YLF: Struggling to Create Capsules...

Dear Angie & YLF,

I am having some difficulty with establishing myself a working fall capsule - ideally; I was hoping to restrict myself to 30 items for 30 days.

My first approach was to have a unified coloured theme, and I was going for a peach/pink, brown, white, navy, grey type of palette, but I realized that if I added one or two other colours, my combinations would increase greatly (green, purple and red).

Now, my green, purples and reds will play well with the neutrals in my originally selected bunch of clothes, but is it "worth it" to give up the colour unity in order to increase number of combinations?

Thanks for helping me out!

Much love,
Lyn

ETA: My pick of dresses (#1) - I think these generally adhere to colour cohesion better than some of my supporting pieces. I think the two pieces that sit poorly with me is the red and white dotty blazer and the purple cardigan in #2.

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13 years ago

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

Why does the capsule have to be color restricted to neutrals only? I actually love how the red dotty blazer and purple cardigan lend some color to the more neutral pieces. I could see the red dotty blazer pairing well with the floral skirt, navy polka dot dress, grey dress, etc etc. Same with the purple cardigan--what about wearing it over the peach dress, for example? Although I am not a capsule expert--I don't think in terms of capsules in my own wardrobe.

And yay, you didn't lose the bicycle cardigan after all!

CocoLion

Hmmm ... I would think that limiting your color palette would increase the outfit possibilities not the other way around? Maybe because I'm a bit color-challenged.

I think if I ever decided to do a 30/30, I would come up with my 30 items (with a limited color palette but expressing variety through accessories -- they don't count in the 30 right?) and give it a go for 7 days. Work with it just that long. Within that period of time, I would learn a few things and better be able to design an effective and satisfying capsule of 30 items.

Traci

I think some of the more sucessful 30x30 examples I've seen have been built with some color, not a collection of pure neutrals. I think the addition of the red and purple items will help your grouping feel more interesting. Remember, you don't have to wear it all together. I think sometimes looking at the set of 30 items it can feel daunting because it seems like the whole collection needs to look harmonious at the same time. I think if you build it to all be harmonious it will start to all feel the same by the end of 30 days.

lyn*

@ Natalie - I suppose it's true, it doesn't have to be colour unified! I would like to try the purple and peach, it is not something I have tried before!

@ CocoLion - That's a good idea! I will give it a go for a bit, and see how things work out!

@ Traci - Thanks for the perspective, I have never considered harmonious could be boring

Carole

I find the concept of capsules so fascinating! I love perusing http://theviviennefiles.blogspot.com/ for capsule ideas build around a limited color pallet. I love the idea of a small wardrobe based on the light, dark neutral and one accent color theme, but sometimes I wonder if that is too restrictive. Seems like no matter how many outfits you can make, everything sort of looks the same.

Sara L.

I struggle with capsules too. I'm trying to create a casual capsule for date nights and that sort of thing. I don't have a problem with my work and casual weekend wardrobe but really struggle with nicer casual situations.

I think you have a good start here, but remember that although it's very visually appealing to have all the toppers and dresses be color coordinated, you aren't going to be wearing them like that. The dresses only have to go with the tops, not each other. Same thing with the tops.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

It's hard to create "mix and match capsules" with a wardrobe full of frocks, Lyn. They don't mix and match nearly as well as separates. This is important to understand from the outset. But you can think of your frocks as a "wardrobe item capsule" - have you read this post?

http://youlookfab.com/2012/09/.....rchetypes/

In this case I would asses the variety, which answers your question about the colour unity. You have little choice but to add in extra colours in order to increase the variety because frocks are a more limiting silhouette. Add in the extra colours! I hope that makes sense.

When are we going to see you in trousers

geargirl

Active Member

I agree with the above comments! And add that my old accounting background would simply make a spreadsheet and plan the outfits for a month! Personally, I like color, but am happy to add it in the form of accessories, especially in the fall...scarves-I've missed them!

Thanks! I tried on a bunch of separates at Anthro today (hoping it would inspire me), but no luck.

I have an emotional issue with pants that I am not quite ready to address yet, so I will refrain from everything except jeans for now

If you put a buttoned up or pullover sweater over a dress, you turn the dress into a skirt. Hence creating another look for the one-piece. It makes it a two-piece, effectively.

ManidipaM

Lyn, I think you're on the right track with the practicality and mix-and-match-ability of coordinated shades --- but it's probably important to have the few extra pops of seemingly 'random' colour for several reasons. Boredom or sameness is only one of them.

Another is when you find yourself in an environment that doesn't quite match your colour scheme --- I'm reminded of the time I ended up at a restaurant where everything from walls to chairs was blue, and I turned up in blue too. I'd have loved to have had a scarf or cardi to hand to look less like one of those fab artistes who paint themselves to disappear into them! Yes, that's an extreme example, but you can imagine, say, wanting something a bit peppier at a street carnival or a party --- not that you can't do it with neutrals, but you do have to work harder with texture and pattern for that. Colour can be an easier fix sometimes.

A third reason, which doesn't hold true for all of us but I've found is true of me, is that when I'm feeling a little off myself (healthwise, moodwise, energywise... whichever), sometimes my favourite neutrals and darks suddenly lose their appeal. Maybe it's my mood showing on my (admittedly transparent) face, but I feel like I need an extra injection of colour to appear more myself on such occasions.

Possible fourth reason: A (seemingly) out of character jolt of a different colour is sometimes exciting... for occasions when you want to attract extra attention (be it for a conference or even a bunch of old friends who you rather would see you differently rather than fall back on old patterns).

All that said, coming back to the actual garments you have here, they do seem to contain plenty of pattern interest and subtle, lower-contrast colour combinations to keep things changed up for quite a long time. Do you want to try Denise's idea and see how you get on *without* the bothersome bits? And maybe leave two or three out of the final 30 to fill in the gaps later --- which gives you even more flexibility than adding colour you aren't sure of right away?

Well; I don't know of any restaurants I want to disappear into ... :p I do generally try to avoid white, because it does clash with my white coat, however!

Right now, I've already found a few items for purgatory/donate bin, because they pull in ways I don't like :p

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