Yes, finding silk tops this year at a reasonable price point was impossible. I far prefer sleeveless woven silk for summer dressier occasions (meaning dressier than gardening or sitting on the couch at home) but I couldn't find a single item I liked this year at a price I could afford. If I lived in your climate and worked in an office I would want about ten of that type of top (because although I hand wash, there could still be laundry bottlenecks).
I did find that viscose or lyocell worked for me as an alternative this summer. It is man-made but it breathes. The quality can be terrible or surprisingly lovely, depending. I found a woven version in a top that proved surprisingly cool and comfortable. The only problem was the neckline which (on me, not the model) would be completely inappropriate for a workplace but fortunately worked okay for my own purposes. ("Going out").
I also chose a poly top from BR but it is too warm for our warmest days.
Re the capsules -- that is precisely what I am doing -- pulling out the clothes and creating outfits for the various occasions in my life.
In terms of my out of the home life, I have discovered that I am a specific type of uniform dresser. I am more than happy to repeat the exact same outfit multiple times -- if I feel completely, 100% happy with them. What makes me happiest? Usually the incorporation of at least one "new to me" item in the outfit, often a slightly trendy one. So it might be a new style of footwear, a new cut of denim, a new colour to me.
Also, by the end of that season I will never want to wear that exact outfit again. I may happily wear it 20 times or more within that season, but at the end, I am done and want to create a new favourite combination. This doesn't mean buying all new clothes (fortunately) but it does mean I need updates each season.
The thing that makes it complicated is that I have so many roles. And such varied weather. So I do need clothes with some flexibility and "cross-platform adaptability" if that makes sense.
Even so, listing all the known upcoming occasions and imagining what I will wear for each of those is a highly instructive process and one I use for building my wardrobe overall.
For the lounge, I've really narrowed it down. I know in summer I wear lightweight, loose shorts and a woven sleeveless top or very lightweight cotton or linen tee. And my Fitflops. That's what's comfy, practical, and presentable enough if I need to answer the door. I don't go out anywhere in these clothes except for an evening walk around the neighbourhood.
In winter, I know I need and love cozy knits. In the past I usually wore jeans with the knits, but I am wondering if I can wear some sort of knit track pant or (shudder) leggings this year instead because while I find jeans comfortable I almost want a more streamlined look and feel in the house. But it may not work for me.
Sorry to derail your thread here and thank you for humouring me!
