SUMMER 2020 FAVES ANALYSIS - YouLookFab Forum

As someone who has a lot of items in my closet (never counted but easily exceeding 100) I found it interesting that this summer I could have very happily lived in only 20 pieces. This is not due to Covid, there has been no change to my lifestyle here. Keeping in mind though my summer is strictly July and August when it is very hot and humid. Last year my summer favorites analysis showed me 35 items in heavy rotation. My 20 pieces are as follows:

2 Shorts - white cotton, denim bermudas
5 Skirts - cool leopard, camo, multi chevron print tube, green patterned, rust linen
7 Tops - rust floral blouse, multi chevron spaghetti strap top, light blue cami, black sleeveless shirt, black spaghetti strap top with hanky hem, khaki spaghetti strap top with hanky hem, olive shell
2 Dresses - Black/Red Floral spaghetti strap, Navy/white striped cold shoulder
2 Cardis - long cool leopard, short sleeve olive
1 Jacket - rust linen
1 Leggings - Zebra

These pieces mostly mixed/matched/combined well together. None of this was planned it just worked out this way. I really like this minimalist vibe and want to continue on this path going forward. My purchases have been very minimal this summer; a metallic olive bag which goes with litterally all my clothes, and a black/white vest which will be used as underwear in cooler months. I am totally happy with my closet at present. Thanks for reading, all comments welcome.

4 years ago

Helena

Veteran

This is awesome and very inspiring! It sounds like you nailed a palette and level of dress that mer all your needs and "milked it" as Angie would say! I hope you'll keep updating on how this journey goes as the seasons change!

I find my wardrobe shrinks in the summer ... Then I get the itch to expand in the fall ... Minimize again in winter ... And expand again in spring. I'm slowly learning to ride these waves and enjoy them!

It is amazing to me how white bottoms are such outfit makers. .. I think it's the combination of the fact that they are bright but also neutral .. so they just seem to work in such a range of circumstances.

RobinF

Twenty pieces doesn't sound like a lot but when you list them out it looks like more. Sounds like it is working really well for you.

I don't really count my items but I am sure I have and use way more than that. I think shorts alone I have six pair that I wear regularly and that is just evenings and weekends

Star

TG - white bottoms are definitely outfit makers. I honestly can say my most worn bottoms of all time are my current white shorts and a white cotton skirt that eventually ripped in action because the material was so thin from hundreds of washes. Only in summer though so I don't get the same mileage from white jeans. I think this 'capsule' will go into Fall by swopping out the shorts with my rust skinnies and dark denim cropped flares, and my linen blazer for my camel coloured suede blazer. And swopping spaghetti strap tops for long sleeved Ts.

RobinF - 20 items is alot if they can all combine! This is a real lesson for me.

Cardiff girl

I am in awe of someone being so minimalist but I do think it’s easier to do if you have consistent hot weather in the summer.

CG - It is definitely easier when weather is consistent. Our winter is consistently freezing (and long). I do miss a longer Spring and Autumn as alot of my clothes get very little wear. Keeping in mind I relocated from a different climate 5 years ago, what were my winter clothes in South African are now Spring/Autumn clothes in Bulgaria. I actually had no clothes that were suitable for winter here - obviously I had to rectify that and very quickly, as I arrived in deep winter. LOL.

Style Fan

You have a great summer capsule. Everything works so well together. White denim is such an outfit maker, as you say, but I can't wear it. I am a dirt magnet.

Joy

Very interesting. I moved to a different 4-season climate and now have a much shorter summer and too many clothes for hot weather. Adding more jackets and cardigans and light weight coats has helped me wear the summer clothes for most of three seasons plus summer excursions into the higher altitudes where it is much cooler.
How are you set for deep winter?

Sal

Great - pleased it works so well!

I love hot summer clothes - no need to layer, just nice simple outfits that work well. And white shorts do look so good.

Thanks Sal and Style Fan!

Joy, outside of summer it is really cold mostly so even my summer clothes do not work with layers. From October through to April I wear only cords (I find them warmer than jeans) and two turtlenecks, a soft cotton one as underwear and a thick wooly one on top. A very warm puffer jacket when going outside. Last year I mostly wore 2 pairs of cords for months, but changed up the Turtlenecks color everyday so as not to get too bored. This year I am planning on wearing dresses/skirts for longer with tights and layers and boots. But as I live right on the sea when the cold sea wind bites my stylish ideas go out the window

unfrumped

Very good analysis!
I am SO not minimalist, but that is a problem mainly when I feel I’m not fully wearing what I have, but can’t or won’t edit it out.
I have about 5- 6 pairs of shorts , after culling 2 and adding 1, each somewhat different length, style or purpose, and I wore them all enough to feel very good abi out this “ capsule. But I have loads of tops that did not get much wear per top.
I hope to review why and edit. Your post may help inspire me!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Glad you've found your Summer COVID style sweet spot. Long may it continue. I love Summer clothes too

rachylou

That’s an interesting question for me. If I’m traveling, I’ve learned two skirts and three tops will be plenty, but home is a completely different matter. Lots of factors: highly variable weather, a more complex routine, and somehow never time to do laundry...

Thanks Angie!

Rachylou - yes weather variations and complex routines definitely require more variety. I usually launder once a week so no issues there for me - I have the time being retired now :). I was the opposite, I used to take way too many clothes on holiday worrying that I would miss some item. If I have to pack for a holiday now it will be a different story.

Brooklyn

I am not a minimalist! Especially in Autumn Winter when I tend to go overboard. I improve in summer

Tell me about the metallic olive handbag. I've been after an olive handbag FOR YEARS. Metallic sounds even better.

Brooklyn - I love the bag, it is so versatile with my color palette. It is from a local boutique in my small town who unfortunately are not on- line. It was probably made in neighbouring Turkey.

nemosmom

Sounds like you figured out what really worked for you this summer!

I find I reach for far less variety in summer, too. My true high summer items aren't really layerable. I mean, they probably ARE in reality, but I don't like to for whatever reason...

Similarly to TG, I find my wardrobe shrinks in summer and winter then grows again in fall and spring.

Nemosmom - yes I definitely wear less variety in mid-summer and winter. However the number of summer clothes in my wardrobe is very high. I am probably getting overwhelmed by this and finding comfort in a few tried and tested pieces. No more summer clothes purchases for me unless one of my essentials wears out, ie white bottoms or khaki camo bottoms. Oh my gosh I have enough T's for a life time!

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