Late summer work capsule WIWs...

Hello! It's so great to be back here after a multi month gap. I get so many great ideas here...

I've described myself as a recovering clothesorexic; in the time I've been away that label has transformed into zen-like closet minimalist. Actually it's nothing that cerebral. I dislike shopping, am both easily amused & readily distracted, and live on a modest budget. End of story!

Well, this year I returned to full time work after years of owning a few part time businesses while I stayed home with my kids. I want to build a great work wardrobe for myself but I need to start small for my own happiness & peace of mind. For the first 7 weeks of special ed subbing I have dressed myself from an 18 piece capsule wardrobe comprised of jeans, skirts, tops, tees & jackets. Functionally it was 15 pieces because 3 were too warm for the weather. Shoes were not counted but I wore just the 4 you see here. Scarves were unlimited. I own about a dozen.

Anyway, I found it pretty fun & easy to make outfits all along the way. They could be a little formulaic, but they were comfortable and appropriate to my work. I'm very happy with how it worked out.

Now I'm pulling together some new pieces for an expanded & improved true fall capsule. I'll start wearing it in the next few weeks. Working from some of Angie's ensembles & the YLF community picks has made this process a lot easier. So, thanks!!

Gap 1969 gray cord jean jacket (ca 2010)
Black bird print chiffon infinity scarf
Dove gray Uniqlo slouchy tee
Black ATLoft ponte pencil skirt (ca 2009)
Gentle Souls pewter fishermans sandal

Olive green ATLoft army jacket (ca 2011)
Black Uniqlo slouchy tee
Mango mini leopard silk scarf
same pencil skirt as above
Taupe & black mini leopard Dolce Vita oxfords

same army jacket as above
Olive & purple paisley scarf
Cream CAbi shirred chiffon blouse
Paige boyfriend jeans
Cognac BCBGeneration d'orsay flats

Black no-name ponte cropped blazer from Ross
Black, gray & olive python print blouse from Nordstrom Rack.
Black ponte fit & flare midi skirt, thrifted but new with Macy's tags
Gentle Souls black ghillies

same black blazer as above
same black tee as above
F21 cheetah print scarf
Thrifted belt
Black Hudson Collin skinnies
same cognac flats as above

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11 years ago

Quietgirl

Veteran

You have obviously done some work. Thanks for a fun post!

Suz

(website)

I see real cohesion in your outfits! And it sounds as if you've created an amazing array of outfits with just 15 pieces. Brava!

I notice most of these pieces are neutrals. Is that pretty representative of your entire closet and is that how you enjoy it?

thimblelina

I am pretty neutral... I think of navy as a splash out color! haha
I like red shoes. I have some heels that are colorful which I can't wear to this job. I have a few bright scarves. Janet is sending me a pair of red flats from the exchange. I would definitely add a colorful cashmere cardigan if I saw the right one.
My new stuff is arriving. I've got a red & navy madewell plaid shirt that is positively loud for me. And I certainly want a little helping of all the fall burgundy I'm seeing.
Thanks for that... I will think about some more color!

Anonymous

15 pieces -- wow! I actually skimmed your post, looked at the pictures, then went back and read more closely, and I was really surprised to see that all of those looks came from so few separate pieces.

I'm especially drawn to the first two, because black pencil skirts combined with warmer tones and pieces with a more relaxed vibe are right up my alley.

Thanks! Yeah those are 11 of my 14 pieces right there... I have dark wash Hudsons, another couple of tees and a black cashmere cardigan. Maybe there will be time to work in the unworn pieces if the weather cools. And yes I am a RATE dresser by nature.

Beth Ann

You look pulled together, but still relaxed and casual -- perfect for teaching. A capsule is a wise idea for beginning a new job, with all the planning on the front end and less to worry about during the week.

froggiebecky

These look fantastic. I'd love to hear more--your ratios of tops to bottoms to toppers, and where you find laundry bottlenecks. Is this a wardrobe you're working from every day, or is it subbing-only?

susan

Active Member

You are a stylish cutie!

Thanks! It has been a little overly Spartan but also kind of pleasant because of the simplicity. I bought 8 items in early August & pulled 10 from my closet. I've subbed every day since school began on Aug 20th, and a few weeks ago got placed in a long term opening which means I see the same people day in & day out... (Oh snap, right? Need to look different! Ha)

I have been wearing different things on the weekends because of the summery weather. Shorts and tanks, sandals, workout gear, which are things I would never wear to work. In fall I'll need a larger capsule because of weekend overlap. I NEVER buy things I hate 'just for work.' I thought long and hard about including my beloved white cropped jeans in my capsule & then spent a day tempera painting in a medically fragile unit where I promptly concluded 'white jeans' and 'special ed classroom' should never overlap. Ever.

There are five bottoms in this capsule: 2 skirts and 3 jeans. Four toppers: 3 jackets and 1 cardigan. Nine tops: 3 blouses, 5 tees and 1 lightweight 'fashiony' sweatshirt. I didn't limit shoes, but I only own 4 pairs of closed toe flats for warm weather. Because I prefer sandals in summer I had to buy 3 pairs at once... Ouch! I like well crafted shoes. When boot season rolls around I will have more choices.

Yes, laundry has been a serious enterprise. I really can't slack & I dry none of it, so I have to allow time to hang. But my husband has to wear national park service uniforms that we also hang dry, and both my daughters run cross country so they have running clothes at least 5 days a week and need clean uniforms for meets. So we all jump on our pooled laundry immediately Saturday morning and make sure everything is ready by Sunday night.

I made one substitution during the seven weeks. I had a pair of NYDJ skinny jeans that I hadn't worn much, and I ended up loathing them. They were a pretty warm gray, but the fit felt janky, the rise felt like tweedle dee territory, and I was convinced they gave me old lady butt. So when this longer term assignment came up & I could see how casually everyone else dressed I rotated in my slightly distressed boyfriend jeans. (I wouldn't just waltz onto a new school site in those, though!). I also tried a knit day dress from my closet one day that felt too short with bare legs once I started really bending & stooping with little ones. Maybe it will make a reappearance in tights season.

I'm looking forward to more choices down the road, but really appreciated feeling no pressure to shop in the short term.

Thanks for the feedback! xo

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