Another Copycat minimalist wardrobe attempt-Ingunn, Mo and BR inspired

Phew, what a wardrobe workout!

I spent several hours working out a capsule based on the Banana Republic capsule that inspired Ingunn's recent great interpretation. I learned some important lessons today:

1) I have plenty of clothes to create workable capsules. I could have created countless outfits and had many more pieces I could have worked into this capsule

2) I don't wear many of the great pieces in my closet.

3) Some pieces I have, I wish I would have bought higher quality. For example, I wanted to experiment with 'mustard" (not certain the color would work for me) this season, I realize I would be much happier with a better quality cardigan than the Target one I bought and would probably wear it more often.

4) I found some great new ways to wear some pieces that have become orphans.

5) Realize I don't really need anything, but would like some slim leg or ankle pants (I'm loving the burgundy BR Sloan pant).

6) Taking the time to take pictures of possible outfits pays off, many outfits didn't look like I imagined.

Capsule Pieces (I purposefully excluded jeans as those could be used in place of any pant shown for even more outfit possibilities) I didn't limit shoes or belts and didn't even use scarves and other accessories, I needed to finish this at some point today:)

1) Blazer, Black Tahari
2) Moto, Grey Tweed
3) Pencil Skirt, skirt
4) Slacks, grey
5) Jeans, Burgundy
6) Pants, Black Ponte Knit Gap
7) Sweater, Burgundy Dolman
8) Blouse, Black button down
9) Cowl Neck, Black Banana Republic
10)Shirt Dress, Black silk
11)Shirt, Gold horizontal stripe

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13 years ago

Caro in Oz

Veteran

This is such a useful exercise isn't it? I'm still going......

rute

Lovely! This helps a lot to see what we have and how we can use it more!

Raisin

I love reading these posts! You did such a great job! I love the idea of a capsule wardrobe....really trying to make my whole wardrobe one capsule.

Glory

You did a great job and have some lovely capsules! Very inspiring - really loving that grey jacket!

Makrame

These look great! Once again, similarly to the previous BR capsules, I feel like your photos could be in a catalog, you look so good.

I particularly like all the combos with the moto jacket, dolman sleeve top with ponte pants, and bottom left photos in #1 and #2. The gold striped shirt looks great, too, the way you styled it with belts.

Kat

I like so many of these and love your sharing the lessons you've learned-you look terrific! What is really being driven home for me in seeing all these is that a certain cohesiveness multiplies both the number of outfits and the number of "looks", that more items doesn't necessarily equal more options, and that picking clothes you love (quality, etc) and some planning and experimentation are all really essential for a closet that adds to your life rather than detracts from it with stress, etc. Thank you!

(website)

I love how you almost did 3 mini colored capsules within the capsule! I also see that not doing complete exact mock-ups, down to the shoe or scarf or belt, lends more freedom and maybe makes the personal pieces you own more cohesive than trying to fit them exactly into BR's box. That is a something I wish I'd done. Love how you set your pics ups against theirs for direct comparison (no idea how to do that lol). Awesome job, and lovely outfits! I prefer the looks with the jackets, or completer pieces. Maybe it's my subconscious desire for fall weather he he.

JuneBug

This is really inspiring. I wish I could pull a similar one but I'd run into so many road blocks, first finding numerous doubles and things I don't wear because I don't find them when needed and I have duplicates! Like Mo, I prefer the looks with the jackets as it sort of ties everything together and appears finished!

cheryl

You did a fantastic job. I love your grey moto!

Ingunn

This is awesome! I will come back later and comment properly, just came home from work and are heading out again for a school meeting in a few.

Carole

Caro, RunningRaw, Glory, Makrame, thanks so much for your kind feedback!

Kat, you are so right, having more doesn't really help you in your closet, in fact, this made me realize I need to do more purging, so it's easier to find the good stuff in there.

Mo and Junebug, Yes, more jackets would be great. I actually had a gray wool coat that could have been used with the outfits without the other jackets but I forgot to take pictures with it, lol.

Thanks, Cheryl!

And Ingunn, after doing this I realized what a pro you are, even after all the pictures and experimenting, I feel I could have done a better job putting together the outfits differently.i was getting tired and just wanted to get it done. Thanks again for the inspiration.

I've had a closer look now, and this is so inspiring! I think your capsule is very successful. I particularly like your striped shirt, it looks so good on you! I also like the outfits with jackets a lot. Thanks for sharing your insights, they are after all the important part here - don't you agree? In regards to doing a better job, this IS tiresome, and I felt like you when I was at it. You've done a great job here!

Angie

Fashion Stylist

WOW!

What a beautiful capsule, Carole! Just look at the way you are rocking those booties with skirts and dresses. My best

Thanks, Ingunn and Angie. This was hard work and so time consuming but I learned some valuable lessons that will stick with me. Thanks for the inspiration.

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