Trying a capsule wardrobe - YouLookFab Forum

Hello Fabbers!

I haven't posted here is a while, as I decided to take a break for personal reasons. But I have been thinking about style (of course!)

In January, one of my New Year's resolutions was to simplify my life, and part of that was working with a capsule wardrobe. I swore I'd never do it, but , it has actually been pretty fun, and it has simplified getting dressed in the morning. My capsule is quite big at 50 pieces, but that's only about a sixth of my wardrobe (I have a large wardrobe and I tend to keep things a long time.)

My style moniker is Urban Luxe. I like sumptuous textures, clean architectural lines, and contrast of textures and styles. Lately I have been going more monochrome but adding a little edge to my style. I've also been incorporating some vintage jewelry.

The following looks are what I've been wearing lately. I like them, but they still don't feel quite right to me. Something seems missing. I think maybe I need to amp up the texture - now that we are in deep winter here in Toronto, I haven't been wearing my leather jackets as much, and I really like the edge and texture they give. These outfits seem a bit boring to my eye.

All comments and constructive criticism appreciated. Bonus: some shots of new vintage jewelry finds and the family and I in our backyard rink

Graphic tee outfit:
Black crepe blazer - club Monaco
Floral tee - Zara
Grey jeans - BR
Moto boots - vince Camuto

Glen plaid outfit:
Blazer: J Crew
Jeans - BR
Suede long boots: Aquatalia

Sweater outfit:
Cashmere sweater - Club Monaco
white jeans - BR
wool vest - Club Monaco
Moto boots - Vince Camuto

Cardigan outfit
Cardigan - Theory
striped sweater - Club Monaco
Pants - J crew
Navy suede boots - Ralph Lauren

Skirt Outfit:
Navy shawl with leather trim - A peace Treaty
Sweater & Skirt - J Crew
Navy suede boots - Ralph Lauren

Leather leggings outfit:
Drapey crepe blazer - Club Monaco
top - Zara
Leather leggings - Theory

Grey dress outfit:

Dress - Pink Tartan

Cognac scarf - m0851

Cognac boots - Ralph Lauren

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5 years ago

ChristelJ

Veteran

My goodness, what elegant and powerful looks! Gorgeous. You have Urban Luxe down. I especially love the use of vintage jewelry, and yay, bring back brooches! The ornate jewelry is a wonderful counterpoint to the clean lines. Curious what constitute texture and edge for you. I see quite a bit of texture. What would be the indoor equivalent of the leather jackets you miss?

rachylou

The purple is a showstopper! You know, I’m used to you wearing more formal outfits, more suiting-type stuff. These lean fancy casual. A style shift?

Anonymous

The jewellery is gorgeous , and you have such lovely pieces in your wardrobe . The looks seem a little different than what we have seen from you in the past - and I’ll have to think about it some more . Maybe missing your usual edge ? Love those VC Moto boots - I wore mine to death and finally admitted they were done this year after a good 4 years of faithful service . Lipstick is on point

Jaime

(website)

Wait a minute! You have a backyard skating rink? That's hysterical! I guess it makes more sense than a pool in TO!
Ok, back to style - you look gorgeous! Specifically, 2, 4, and 8 are my favorites. I love how you have incorporated broaches. The necklace in 13/15 is also particularly great. I also like texture - I think it goes with our textury hair. But you are doing great without leather. Your lipstick is excellent throughout but I don't like your hair straight nearly as much as curly !

Runcarla

Wow! You,are working that capsule. Loving #13. Maybe you have a little less colour than we usually see? More black and grey in these pics? You have hair and make-up down pat.

Much love for family pic #6. What a way to make the best of winter.

Sal

Love the skating pic!! What fun.

I think you look terrific - I wonder if it is end of winter doldrums, I know a few on the forum have been sick of their winter pieces. Your jewelry is gorgeous and you have some lovely patterns. You look great in the pencil skirts.

I like 2 and 4 the best I also love the purple on you and the black brocade top.

The two I feel are missing something are 3 and 5.

I like the top of 5 and the bottom of 5 but feel like they are seperate outfits....I don't know if you have grey boots or a blue brooch, scarf or necklace or hat?

With 3 I am not sure about the vest over the sweater, are the lengths fighting with each other?

I hope that is helpful and nice to see you back.

Jane

Lovely to see you back! Your hair is of course wonderful! I really like the broaches and I think 1 is my very favourite - and then 8 because of the colour however they are all great looks.

LaPed

These are all spectacular, but I especially love the formula you're using in #4 and #8. Those tonal skirt/scarf/bootie combos are so good.

sylvie55

Active Member

You are gorgeous! I especially like the purple and burgundy shades on you. Maybe you’re craving a bit more color?

kkards

Roxanna great to "see" you again. i think these are all FAB....#2 is my fav of the group....i went back to relook at some of your old WIWs, having a hard time placing whats different...for some reason the word that keeps coming back to me is drama...

A backyard skating rink is quintessentially Canadian, Shevia. If you have a yard big enough for it, it's not uncommon for families with kids How else do you think we produce many of the world's best hockey players and figure skaters?

Bennett

Hell to the NO on boring!!! Put that thought to rest! Maybe you prefer more high contrast than monochrome in your outfits? Maybe you need to put leather back in your capsules? I love the vintage brooches you chose, and placing them high near your collarbone is brilliant! Your look is so interesting to me!

I like all of them, my favorite is #4! You do have texture in most of your outfits, just flatter as opposed to chunky texture.
I had no idea backyard skating rinks exist, very cool

Angie

Fashion Stylist

I can't believe the backyard skating rink either.......

Roxanna, you look KILLER in all these outfits. If they don't feel like you as you said, it might be a simple case of needing more variety and not limiting yourself to a 50 pieces to wear for weeks on end.

Roxanna

Thanks all for your kind replies and thought provoking comments - lots to think about here!

Re: skating rink - as Lisa said, it's quintessentially Canadian and common for families here. And it's so fun on a cold day to just head to the back and have a beautiful skate under the trees and starry sky.

Lots to think through in your insightful comments. As many of you pointed out, the cardigan outfit was my least favorite too - I think because it felt flat, lacking edge or texture. I think those are two elements I use to bring my outfits to life. I love lace and leather to add texture, and haven't been using either because of the Snowmaggedon here. Maybe incorporating both of those elements will help my outfits feel more 'me' again. (Christel - I wear my leather jackets indoors frequently, so I just need to bring them back into Rotation.)

Thanks all for the food for thought!

Vix

Hi Roxanna --

So nice to see you and some pieces from your amazing closet!

I think carving out a big chunk to play with was a great idea in terms of simplifying your life, and it certainly hasn't affected your style. You look sharp as a tack.

I'm pretty aligned with others in that #3 and 5 are the only outfits I could *possibly* think were less "you." They may be just a touch too quiet...easily solved if you're truly dissatisfied by layering more jewelry, swapping in a bit more color, adding more pattern.

Also echoing: mid(?)-winter. For me and many, tempting to think fleece and pjs are suitable for all occasions. Thanks for the inspiration!

SarahD8

Roxanna, I think you look great! My brainstorm when you mentioned missing the "edge" of your leather jackets was I wonder if you could look for items that have leather trim? I bet a good tailor could even add some to items you already own that otherwise work well but feel too "soft".

Gretchen

Your outfits look great - and I love the jewelry! If you feel like you need more edge/variation, I wonder if some additional toppers, or mixed-media jewelry might help?

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