The dressy capsule…

Runcarla

Is anyone re-evaluating their dressy capsule? I am!

The last time I shopped specifically for dressy occasions was in 2017, and a try-on session over Easter weekend revealed fit issues. I’ve dropped a size and the sand has shifted since then. Also, down to one pair of dressy shoes!

I’m planning on mix-and-match separates - with some items crossing over to everyday errand running (not chore days or gardening! LOL!). With that in mind, I picked up a slip skirt (I’ve always wanted one!) and then found a great video on how to style it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9THIjl7AynI

Are you going out more? What’s the status of your dressy capsule? How does your personal style translate to special occasion dressing?

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by Runcarla

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1 year ago

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41 replies

Latest reply was from LaPed

Cardiff girl

Veteran

I thought that you had dropped some weight in your last post but am very wary of commenting on peoples weight without an invite to do so.Anyway what a good excuse to refresh the capsule!I am afraid that although l don’t have a large amount of dressy clothes by any means l very rarely wear them post covid,if at all.It’s not that we don’t go out it’s just that everything is so casual here post pandemic and there’s not a lot Of need for me to dress up.I do agree though that separates are the way to go as they are so much more versatile in that they can be dressed up or down in away that a dress for example can’t be so easily.
l do hope you can still wear your ball skirt though,l really like that skirt!

1 year ago

Runcarla

Veteran

@ Cardiff girl - the ball skirt is too big, but I’ve kept it! I think it would be a straightforward tailoring job to snug it up should the occasion arise to wear it. In the interim, just having it in my closet makes me happy! A girl can dream

1 year ago

LaPed

Veteran

I was just thinking about this in response to LJP's Easter outfit post!

The last time I added to my dressy capsule was 2021, in preparation for our first post-pandemic wedding invite. I added a black satin skirt and bronze pumps, both secondhand! I've worn both pieces since, remixed with tees/jeans/sneakers for more casual events. I also added a tiered ditzy-floral dress from Madewell (last time I shopped a literal clearance rack!), which was also a wedding outfit contender. I had it shortened a bit to make it more versatile and I wear it a few times each warm season (Apr- Oct; it's great in the fall with boots + moto). I did cull a few pieces over the past three years that felt redundant or like they weren't aligned with my style, but if anything my dressy capsule feels like it has grown a bit in size and a lot in versatility. Wedding outfit below (late September, at a ski/bike center in northern VT).

Full dressy capsule here:
https://youlookfab.com/finds/c.....tion=12814

What I've realized is that for a dressed-up outfit to feel authentic to me, it needs to have a dose of insouciance and can't take itself too seriously. A menswear inspired element often does the trick, or one cheeky "loud" piece. The items in my dressy capsule have most of their outings as a single element in an overall casual outfit.

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1 year ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Fun skirt! Pretty with your hair

Carla, do you mean formal wear as dressy? If so, no - I'm set for that for a while. Did that last year!

But in terms of less formal but dressy, I'm an "every-day-dressy-person" so YES! I have a very similar skirt in navy, and it's an every-day-style for me. Doing a gorgeous seasonal refresh because I LOVE Spring fashion......and Summer fashion too! Almost finished. I stop shopping at the end of April, usually. (Apart from nabbing midi dresses on sale because shorter hemlines are making their way through fast and furiously, and I keep my dresses and skirts knee-covering).

YES! Going out so much more! And it's therapeutic. Traveling. Making more plans to travel. Events. Dinner parties. A wedding. Shopping with clients. Glorious!

I am embellishing my beach-pool-resort capsule, which has been different - (because it rarely happens) - and very fun!

My capsules - no matter the dress code - trend to reflect my typical colour palettes, modest dressing, a big dose of great quality, lots of "pretty and dainty", practical comfort, hi-low price points, trendy and classic silhouettes, and some type of playful or nostalgic component that makes me smile!

1 year ago

Cardiff girl

Veteran

Phew,glad the skirts still in the closet!

1 year ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I was thinking the same as Cardiff Girl! I hope the ball skirt can be altered to fit again! That is such an amazing skirt....and looked SO fab on you with white shirt....

Anyway...I am due to revamp the dressy capsule for sure. I have done a major edit of it and got rid of most older things (sheath dresses that are too short for my current preferences). But I haven't purchased real replacements. And possibly do not need to. I'm waiting until I get a clearer sense of what occasions I might have to attend in future. We are still only gradually coming out of our pandemic mode.

What I do have consists of separates and I do think they are versatile. I will wear the jeans semi- casually. I certainly wear the silver boots and the foil sweater in more casual situations, and occasionally the tartan tulle skirt -- although less often for that one.

I like the idea of a slip skirt, too. Love the bias lines and bet it suits you.

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High Rise Faux-Leather Cheeky Straight Jeans

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Blondo Elvina Waterproof Bootie

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Collection floral jacquard top

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Eileen Fisher Eileen Fisher Tilda Stacked Heel Pump (Women) | Nordstrom

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Trouvé Trouvé Mixed Texture Jacket

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1 year ago

Runcarla

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@ Angie - date night dressy! I feel like formal wear occasions are so rare that they are better dealt with when the occasions actually arise. Galas, mother-of-the….etc.

I’m hoping to develop a golden beige/tan capsule to match my hair…

1 year ago

unfrumped

Veteran

I am re-evaluating but to the point that my evaluation shows
1 ) I no longer have anything good super dressy to wear
2) I no longer seem to have any occasions that require it

Not counting “ dressy- ish, which while usually outside of my environmental norm, I can still get away with, especially with tweaks to casualize.

I’m so untrusting of how my size or shape or comfort level and then style, may be less predictable, that I’m wary of buying very dressy capsule pieces expecting longevity.

For me these items seem hard to find, hard to fit, more expensive , and then, what on earth to do about shoes? Again no longevity.

That said, if I just fell into an item that seemed just perfect for my least unlikely imaginary lifestyle ( how’s that for a capsule name) , and likely would be separates that I’d have some prayer of wearing together or mixed as smart casual or dressy casual, and not scary spendy, then I think I might buy it.

Related to my recent post, I think id rather allow a small amount of wardrobe space for a feel- beautiful
“ maybe somewhere “ item than a ho- hum “ sure I can wear this” item.

1 year ago

Irina

Veteran

This is one area where I struggle. I have a pair of pants that need to be tailored in my dressy capsule and some tops, not all of them go with those pants.

But the thing is I don’t have any evens planned and the pieces I mentioned still have tags on. on one hand, I like to be prepared, on another - having unworn clothes bothers me. I know if I see a silk skirt or a dress that works for me, I would consider it.

Finding winter semi dressy things is even more challenging, I don’t see garments that feel like me, warm and easy to wear with outwear . But in a sense it should be easier - at least I know where I would wear it and how often.

1 year ago

cat2

Veteran

I did a bit of an evening refresh this year. I love dresses, but was down to only a couple for Summer in my current size. I bought 3, one dressy one for a wedding, and 2 for casual nights out. They were a bit spendy, but given how settled my style preferences are, I am likely to get years of wear out of them. I also bought some summer weight pants that can be dressed up, or worn more casually. This has actually been most of my spend this year, I only needed summer weight jeans for my day to day.

1 year ago

LJP

Veteran

Unfrumped took the words right out of my mouth . And articulated better than I ever could .

DH and I are both very busy with work still ( he’s unretired himself ) and our post pandemic lifestyle is very different than that of pre . Far more stay-at-home oriented and far more casual .

I’ll be considering dressier items for winter , especially holiday items where my collection is old and no longer representative of how I want to dress .

Lastly - I have a similar black “ satin “ bias slip skirt that I think I’ve worn once in 5 years but don’t see ever passing it along. Hopefully I’ll wear it again sometime soon !

1 year ago

Anonymous

My life has been completely back to normal for a long time now! I quickly went back to my normal range of dressiness, which I'd consider midrange.

Above that, I think of it as 2 seperate categories, business and fun. Business dressy for networking and presentations, which are a normal thing for me- and fun dressy for holidays, jazz concerts, and weddings. I could pull something together pretty easily right now except for if I had to go to a wedding or anything very formal. I just passed on the dress I wore to the last one (5? years ago), cause the neckline draped too low for my comfort. The chance of attending anything like that though, is nearly zero, cause most of the people DH and I know are in long marriages. There are a lot of fundraising galas in my area, but I've never been cause they're $$$.

1 year ago

Sal

Veteran

I don’t have black tie or gala options but I have a good dressy capsule for 50th parties, dressy meals out, award ceremonies, graduations, and potentially the races or weddings - although I don’t have anything planned in these last categories - and both grads were 2022 occasions so nothing there either.

Not in finds us a second hand black tuxedo jacket on the way to me and some beige heels.

The black sheath and lace dress are not trendy at the moment but so classic I think they are worth keeping.

No plans to upgrade now- a winter long sleeve top that worked with the palazzo pants is probably one gap.

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1 year ago

Style Fan

Veteran

I rarely need a dressy capsule. I have a dark blue bubble skirt from Mr. SF's 60th birthday (he turns 75 this year) ready for the right occasion.
I would need a top and footwear for the skirt.
I also have a lime green dress that I have worn to a couple of weddings. Again, footwear is needed.

But my most versatile outfit for dressy occasions is my Sarah Pacini black suit. The black drains against my skin, but the design is flattering and exciting. I can wear it to funerals, weddings, job interviews (not that I plan to go on any) and just about anything I can think of. It was an excellent investment.
I need footwear for cooler occasions.

Picture of Lime Green dress.

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1 year ago

CarolS

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I don't have a lot of need to dress up these days, but I do want to have the option to at least do the odd "fancy casual" look.

I sucked it up yesterday and ordered the silver Ecco Soft 7s because I have such a challenge finding proper dressy shoes. Can't hurt, can it? (I mean other than hurting my pocketbook -- GAH!! Almost $250 CAD!!! That had better be real silver on those things.)

I've been hunting for a while now for a sequinned, silver lurex or lace top that won't break the bank. Came close once or twice but haven't found MINE yet.

1 year ago

Brooklyn

Veteran

I have lots of separates that are plenty dressy enough for most occasions in my real life. I’m a big believer in mixing them up or down depending on the event and wearing them as much as possible. I don’t have any formal wear at all. But I don’t need it. As with all things, I find Summer is harder for dressy. Because jackets are hot and fabrics are natural and light. And I can never find any dresses. But I do have some silky tops and skirts. I also think that a blingy belt can amp up the dressy factor.

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1 year ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Oooh, Brooklyn, what a gorgeous collection!! So fab.

And Style Fan, that lime green dress is magic on you!

1 year ago

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Fun to see everyone's dressy pieces! I do regularly have dressy for me occasions but cannot think of anything close to a formal wear required ever. So dresses and skirts, yes, gowns no.

1 year ago

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I feel I still have heaps of dressy clothing, mostly pre-pandemic. I tried on all my 9 summer dresses with forum help early 2022, of which 4 were arguably dressy. I kept 3 of those and edited one which was my husband’s and the forum’s least favourite. I have kept one dressy summer cardigan and two dressy summer jackets. I also have a dressy tunic and skirt.
I have purchased one new floral summer dress for the wedding I am attending in Canada but will wear the existing vintage silk blouse and existing dressy silver sandals with it.
For winter, I own 3 dresses which are suitable for formal events or parties, plus several pairs shoes. It’s a bit too black in colour range but think I can live with that. Perhaps a true winter wedding might need something less dark, but such an event is not on offer!
As for date nights, I have a plethora of options. We seem to have got out of the habit of going on them! We enjoyed several while on holiday in Thailand though, but were not overly dressed up in the heat.
I think I’m lucky that my weight loss was slow, taking about 3 years to gradually lose 12 kg, and maybe some of the clothing was loose fitting enough that it still fitted.
I have totally grown out of my favourite mesh skirt which is now way too big but do have other options. It’s up the top of the wardrobe in case I could get it altered.

1 year ago

Jenni NZ

Veteran

BTW I just adore Brooklyn’s capsule! So many beautiful skirts.
How is your dress search going Carla? The wedding you’re attending in England is at a very similar time to the one I’m attending in Saskatoon!

1 year ago

Dee

Veteran

I don't have any real dressy occasions these days, but I did purchase a pair of wide leg dress pants in a taupy brown/black and if I combine it with my white dressy peasant blouse, a string of pearls and some strappy sandals I should all be all set.

These days it seems that dark wash jeans, a nice top and a jacket or cardigan topper passes for dressed up for most of my occasions.

1 year ago

Runcarla

Veteran

@ Jenni - after ordering and returning several dresses, and striking out at local B&M stores, I did find a dress I like a lot for $16 at thrift. DH really likes it - LOL! I’m still looking for something ‘lighter’ - in weight and colour, but not panic shopping! Need the higher neck and would prefer long sleeves.

I’ve been scanning Angie’s Finds, because she’s been collecting a lot of beautiful floral dresses. Might even shop when in the UK since our agenda is very open - 5 days in Richmond and 6 days in Cambridge (2 days activities related to the wedding).

If this dress ends up being ‘the one’ I will accessorize with headgear. In the photo (below) I’m wearing a simple black headband to get the ‘feel’, but I would get something more extravagant - like the photos in Finds.

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1 year ago

CarolS

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I get what you mean about wanting something in all ways lighter, but this really is a great looking dress, Carla -- with the added bonus, I suspect, of being easy to pack if it does wind up being 'the one'. I especially love the purple feathered piece. I admire your thrifting skills!

1 year ago

Irina

Veteran

Carla, you look stunning! This dress is so gorgeous on you!
I would love to see a lighter color shoe but even with the black the outfit looks perfect.

1 year ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Kingston is very close to Richmond, Carla! I like shopping there, and know it well. Brother and his family live close-by. Not sure which stores survived the pandemic - but for dresses head to:

Hobbs
John Lewis
Jigsaw
L.K.Bennett

1 year ago

rachylou

Veteran

I like that dress on you, Carla, a whole lot!!!

1 year ago

Runcarla

Veteran

@ Angie - the Hobbs dresses you’ve been collecting in Finds are gorgeous. I’m also interested in what I’m seeing at L.K. Bennett. I’m trying to get UK sizes sorted. Ordered from M&S and had to return due to size (but also quality) issues. I like shopping abroad, and DH always does well when we travel

1 year ago

cat2

Veteran

RC, just FYI for planning Hobbs dresses are for the short waisted. L.K. Bennett is more long waisted. My Spring-Summer wedding guest dress is past season L.K. Bennett

1 year ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

cat2, FWIW and if it's helpful to others, I'm not short-waisted! I'm regular waisted. Hobbs dresses fit me really well - and so do L.K.Bennett dresses, actually. That said, Tanya has a challenge with Hobbs dresses because she is long in the waist and rise, so I understand your concern. L.K. Bennett dresses have longer rises.

Carla, let me know if I can help you with UK sizing. At the moment - the Hobbs US site reflects UK sizes and I have alerted them to that. They are fixing it. Generally, UK sizes run smaller than their equivalent US size.

And Greg and I also do well shopping abroad! HIGH FIVE

1 year ago

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