Suz gave me a brainstorming project . . .

Please excuse the length of this-- I
understand if no one wants to take the time to read it all, but I thought I
would go ahead and put it down for my benefit.

At the end of December, I posted on a thread about goals for 2014. Suz
suggested I do the exercise where I think about each occasion I need to dress
for, and what I see myself in. I'm finally getting around to starting my
homework!

First, I started with upcoming trips we are tentatively planning . . . I threw a
few work and social events in for good measure. I have 2 or 3 three-day
weekends a month, and the SO always has 3 or 4 days off a week, so we can make
a lot of short driving overnights fairly easily. Of course, I don't think we
will get to everything on the list.

On the list:

3 gallery/exhibit/event openings at work and another institution (possibly a 4th, but it isn't planned yet) and a fairly casual awards ceremony dinner

2 theater openings-- also fairly casual

5 day or weekend gear trips

2 photo trips (day or weekend)

trip to denver (weekend trip, hockey game, aquarium, dinner out, shopping)

trip to Tucson (visiting SO's family, shopping, aquarium, dinners out, touring)

visiting family (visiting my grandparents, church, zoo, melodrama, maybe 1 tourist day)

trip to southern NM (homecoming, visiting mentor, dinners out, White Sands or Carlsbad)

1 powwow

1 fancy dinner out

1 cocktail party (SO's work party)

1 professional conference

1 memorial/fundraising walk

Plus:

daily work clothing

clothes for dirty days at work

training clothing

casual-- grocery shopping and eating out in a small resort town

lounging -- with possibility for unexpected guests

day hikes, shooting, exercise, fishing

date nights

Based on a little calculation, I think if I concentrate on building up my work and casual clothing for both seasons, I can add a couple blouses, and sweaters and take my existing professional/interview capsule mixed with the work and casual capsules to most of my events with accessories. I will also have to add a few lounge pieces and 2 pieces of gear. Now I need to start working on lists for purchasing this year and see how much of it I can fit into my budget!

Any tips or ideas for versatile clothing, dressing up and down pieces, or must haves for your own similar capsules?

12 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Wow, well done, Elly!! It's more work than we think to go through this exercise, but I have found it really helpful.

It sounds as if you have a ton of stuff planned for the next while. Phew! But it's also great to have events to look forward to (and to dress for).

For gallery/ exhibit openings and casual awards dinner: Items that might work for me in similar circumstances and would have good crossover potential:

Non-denim pants in a super flattering cut (any colour or neutral you like).
Really great jeans (if the venues are casual enough).
CASUAL LBD worn with boots or booties.
Moto or other jacket with a bit of a "cool" or "trend" factor.
Footwear is key -- something contemporary.
Bag is also key -- for evening events, try a clutch.

For those kinds of events I often go for a column of dark plus a jacket -- so black ponte-type or slim pants with black top plus blue jacket or taupe leather jacket. It's a FFBO for me in those situations. It's just a little bit dressier than my daily work-at-home wear but still feels comfortable enough that I don't feel unnatural.

If you already have all those pieces, rejoice, and you can spend elsewhere!

It sounds to me as if you also need a really great cocktail dress if you don't already have one. It could be a dress with crossover potential or a dedicated cocktail dress....depending on the level of formality of the events requiring it. I ended up getting a dedicated cocktail dress just last year. It won't get worn much, but when it's worn, it is loved!

Another option is a black pencil skirt (or a lace one) with a top that can dress it up; this skirt would have total crossover potential for gallery exhibits, openings, dinners out, conferences, etc. The seamed skirt from Halogen might work if you don't have one yet.

Elly

Thanks for chiming back in Suz-- I'm glad you encouraged me to do this, because it really has helped me thing about versatile pieces.

I was thinking column of black for gallery openings as well-- most of our openings are on evenings in the colder seasons, so I anticipate wearing my black self-stripe dress slacks and black-on white oxfords alot, and would really like to find a slouchy black pullover with a scoop or boat neckline, and a swingy turtleneck. For the more casual openings (we have one daytime opening scheduled) dark jeans or ponte pants with boots and a nice sweater and one of my leather motos or a flowy dark cardi with a blouse or button down, might work. I think jewelry and a pair of special sophisticated flats or pumps are good ideas, although I likely won't carry a bag since I will have a coat with pockets or can lock my belongings in my office. Too many hands to shake to juggle a bag and drink.

As for the cocktail party and a few dates, I have a Halogen seamed pencil in black. I was hoping an embellished or interesting cut top could create a composite dress look with the right shoes--- both of the events on my list are winter events and will be cold at least outside.

Tops and shoes, and maybe a pair of ponte skinnies will be the concessions to the event wardrobe-- but some of the tops and the ponte pants will probably work into my everyday wardrobes when paired with jeans.

Elly, that sounds terrific. Glad you already have the pencil skirt. An embellished top or two could solve your cocktail and more formal needs.

And yes - the ponte pants AND the tops will work back into your regular life wardrobe really, really easily. You wouldn't wear them on your dirtier work days but you could easily wear them on other occasions. I'm wearing my black stretch pants right now (working from home day).

I like your other ideas as well.

Carla

What at a great thread Elly, and super ideas Suz. Food for thought...

Thanks Carla!

And Suz--- totally agree! I haven't ever had a pair, but I could see myself using them. Dirty work days are all about jeans and sassy sweatshirts and tees because washability and durability are important. However, After mid-summer work should be getting a whole lot less dirty (I will have finished the cleaning of our neglected blacklog storage room) -- so that is something to look forward to. If nothing else, I thought the ponte would be good for running errands on the weekends.

Alassë

Great, very thorough job brainstorming, and nice that you & Suz are on the same wavelength.

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