Hello Ladies!

I have been trying to make a list of all my activities and potential capsules in an attempt to narrow down items that would make good purchases.

Making the list was pretty easy, but now that I have it I find it overwhelming. There are a lot of separate activities and I am having problems narrowing down if some of them can be combined into one capsule with versatile use of clothing.

If you all wouldn't mind bearing with me and my brainstorming, I would love some input.

Here goes a long post!

Activities/capsules and descriptions:

1. Travel-- I live in a pretty remote area, so I spent a lot of my weekends (especially during good weather) traveling. I don't fly much, but I do alot of 1-3 day road trips and maybe 3-4 longer trips a year when I get time off. I need practical, comfortable stuff that is easy to mix-and-match and throw in a bag, yet which also can be combined in ways that I don't look out of place or like a honky or a crazy tourist if we end up in a gallery or a theatre.

2. Photography-- I have been an amateur photographer for 8 years. Obviously when I am out shooting nature in the mountains, I wear mountain clothing. On the other hand, I take a lot of trips and walks in well populated areas-- so I like to look nice but need sturdy shoes (flat sneakers, low-heeled boots) and clothes that won't be ruined if I end up leaning against something rough or kneeling in the dirt to get my shot.

3. Powwows, Bear dances, and other events-- I get invited to casual events with a "respectful" dress code often enough to need an option or two. Sometimes these events call for a long skirt with a shirt or blouse, other times a pair of clean looser jeans with a sweater, skirt or blouse will suffice. Shoe options are limited to moccasins, cowboy boots, and the occasional con-type-sneakers. The other must have accessory is a dance shawl to cover the shoulders.

4. Museum/gallery events--- There are a couple of times a year when I have to dress up for openings or other events. Sometimes they are very arty-casual but there are also more cocktail-type attire events.

5. Country-western dancing and c/w band-events and concerts-- I love to two-step and go to something like this maybe 6-8 times a year, but have done it much more in the past and would like to get back to it. Obviously, cowboy boots, snug western jeans, a western shirt, a belt, and a cute top or two have this covered.

6. Clubs, bars, dancing-- I am not much of a club kid, but being in my early twenties many many invitations and activities end up at the bar-- even with friends that don't drink. I like to look "sexy" yet stay covered. Something that is comfortable to dance in and won't be destroyed. Snug jeans, a fancier or moderately revealing top, and danceable boots or heels.

7. Dinner out--- in my community this usually means smart casual with the occasional skirt or sundress.

8. Friends' houses-- many of my friends have kids so a lot of our socialization happens at their homes. Others have dogs. I need something comfortable and mess-proof, but up a notch from my own home wear.

9. Dates-- I just started dating again after two years where I wasn't and three in a serious relationship.

10. Interviews/presentations-- need to work on this ASAP. Definitely creative business though.

11. Work-- still waiting on the news on the job, but more likely than not the dress code at any place will be smart casual. However, I don't think I would be comfortable going to work in my errands or going out jeans and I would need some business casual options.

12. Family events and church-- pretty occasional and a different type of put together casual. My grandmother currently has pictures of me wearing the same shirt for 5 years in a row to events.

13. Weddings--- more frequent that you might think. I have had 9 friends get married this past year-- again I am in all the pictures in the same two outfits that are both aged.

14. Funerals-- none this year, but the year before I had 3, and the year before that there were 5.

15. Errands-- things to wear to the grocery store, post office, to drive to town to go to the mall or home depot, and down to the local diner. Some might be stand alone outfits, others might be jackets, ect to throw over a "home" outfit.

16. Around the house-- I am in my yard multiple times a day and am very visible, so I prefer real clothes at home. That said, I irrigate, carry wood in, pick apples, cook, ect in these clothes, as well as have two dogs. I also need a sweatshirt or coat to wear when doing dirty chores to slip over whatever I am wearing and a pair of waterproof boots for the same. This capsule also includes loungewear for evenings, mornings, and after workouts.

17. Handyman capsule--- these have to be tough, functional clothes that I don't mind getting dirty and staying dirty. Stuff to wear to go to the mountains to cut wood, get bloody helping out after a hunt, pour concrete in, ect.

18. Desert/warm hiking-- Unless I am on a well-maintained trail I prefer long pants. Maybe one pair of cargo shorts. Jeans and light pants, short sleeve tops, light cotton button downs.

19. Fishing, mountain hiking, lake time, horseback riding, shooting-- Sturdy jeans, possible wool or tough pants, cotton or tech long and short sleeved tops, flannel and denim shirts, fleece or sweatshirts, cowboy and hiking boots.

20. Swimming/gym-- workout and running clothing, bikini for hot springs and beach, practice suit for pool time. Some parts of this capsule also may go to the hospital and doctors for physical therapy and stress tests or MRIs.