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Dressing

About: How to Create a Mix & Match Capsule

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Working with my 3 capsules: new purchases, new mirror :)

Cococat

Veteran

I've been wanting to experiment with some of my new purchases for a while now, but my mirror is awful, and it's been too hot to try on too many things anyway. Yesterday I bought a new mirror with a lockable jewelry cabinet, and it's a public holiday so, inspired my Angie's capsule post, I decided that there's no time like the present!

Some time ago I did a big wardrobe cleanout and I figured that I loved 3 different styles around which I could create capsules. There was:
1. Monochromatic/avante-garde (not easy for me to pull off avante-garde, but I love this look on others)
2. Vintage or vintage inspired.
3. Boho/boho lite

As much as possible, any new purchases had to fit within those themes. I'm still not perfect, but I think I'm making better choices. Most new purchases were bought in the past 6 or so months.

1-2 are vintage inspired; 3-11 are monochromatic; 12-15 are boho inspired; and the final 2 are a wildcard.

#1 New pants from Ruby Sees All, Zara top. The pants remind me of a 70s tablecloth...ugly yet somehow appealing.
#2 New ASOS wiggle dress. I have about 5 in a similar style, easy to wear and great for work.
#3. New top bought in Bali. Worn with a dark denim pencil skirt from Cotton On. New Kmart boots.
#4. New top from Myer. Worn with same skirt as 3.
#5. Very new net poncho worn over Helmut Lang Top and Valley Girl leggings. Kmart boots. I love this poncho and need to have more plays with it. By the look on my face, I'm not so confident about this look..lol.
#6. New Kmart tee $8!!, worn with Cotton on pencil skirt and new leopard print chunky wooden heel sandals from Wanted
#7. New Cotton On tee with Metalicus skirt, Motto belt and new Vionic runners
#8. White F21 pleather jacket over Bonds tank, Lee jeans, Peter Lang necklace (20 years old, found it while transferring things to my new jewelry cabinet), new RMK booties
#9. Same as 8 with new (Ebay) Sass and Bide jacket over
#10. New Zara shirt with newish Dion Lee for target pencil skirt, Kmart boots. I would love to wear this shirt to work half-tucked like this...I'm not sure though.
#11. Newish jumper (bought at end of season), same skirt as 10, shoes bought in Paris about 18 months ago.
#12. Newish Country Road jumper with Cotton On pencil skirt, Wanted lace-up sandals
#13. Newish Kmart top, Metalicus scarf, Lee jeans, new RMK boots
#14. Very new top bought from local designer (it was the colour and sleeves that I couldn't resist), black Lee jeans, RMK boots
#15. New Tigerlily jacket over Lee Jeans, Bonds tank and Vionic runners
#16-17. I fell in love with the colour and style of this skirt, and I hope I can make it work. Worn in first pic with Sass and Bide jacket and in second pic with new Tigerlily jacket. Target boots in both pics.

Thought and comments most welcome.

In particular, I would love to have your suggestions for ways to wear the net ponch in #5 and the blush skirt in #16-17.

Dressing

24 replies

Latest reply was from Suz

Sal

Veteran

I always love your looks Coco so this is a treat. I can see how your approach works, and I am doing something similar (although sadly more on the casual less glam side).

There are so many fab looks here, but I will particularly point out 1,2,3,4,5, 7....and 12 for a more casual look.

I think the poncho styling is great- I think keeping the underlayer very very simple is the key - a sheath dress or pencil skirt could also work. A long full skirted dress might work if the lines were correct. I would stick to either black, grey or maybe jewel colours.

The blush skirt is very pretty, and I like the last styling. I will be honest and say I am not as keen on 16. How about a light top - even your white shirt. I had a skirt in pewter that I struggled to style, I think a shortish top that sits on the waistband would work well. The neutral boots work to toughen it up - I think "fierce" shoes not pretty shoes are needed here. I look forward to seeing what other more clever stylists than me suggest.

ETA: How about tomato red on the top, that could be fun.

You have a fabulous footwear collection too.

rachylou

Veteran

Wow! I love how you've styled all these looks. Have totally hearted this thread. I like how you've toughened up the blush skirt with boots and the way you've done the net poncho over long and lean (and sleeveless). I love the little bit of tough in all these outfits. I would, but I also think it's something special on you, Coco (!!)

Cococat

Veteran

Thank you Sally! I love looking at your pics too. You give me some great ideas...such as the skirt with runners look.

I'm pleased that you like #12. I was hoping that the top didn't look too bulky.

I'm not so sure about the jackets with the blush skirt either, but I do like the boots. Maybe the black tank under wasn't right either....but It was my last try on and I was over it by then..lol.

Cococat

Veteran

Thank you rachylou. I'm thinking that long and lean is the way to go with the net poncho and the boots are probably the best choice with the skirt.

Deb

Veteran

You've created beautiful capsules here. Every look is on point and suits you very much. Your style is immaculate and I love you eye for detail and colour, as well as your shoe collection. You don't need to change a thing imo.

lyn67

Veteran

Thanx for sharing, you did such a good job!:-) All are some great items and fresh looks-but OMG, I am dying for the net poncho in nr 5.!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can you provide a link:-).

Cococat

Veteran

Wow, Deb, thank you so much!

It's good to hear that I look to be getting it together regarding capsule dressing. Before ylf, my wardrobe was a shambles and it took me ages to get the confidence to cull, and purchase with some direction.

I noticed yesterday that I'm a veteran now too!

Bijou

Veteran

There is so much to love here! My favourite look is #10, I love the half tuck and the red necklace looks fantastic, so I hope you wear it this way. The net poncho is a great piece and perfect in the way that you have styled it. I would also try it over a column of white.

Anonymous

I love the idea of these capsules. It never would have occurred to me to develop a capsule around a theme!! But what a GREAT idea. You provided much food for thought.

You had too many great ideas for me to select just one, but I especially loved number 6 though 10.

Cococat

Veteran

Thanks so much Lyn, Bijou and Sterling.

Lyn, I've tried to find it online but no luck. Here's a link to their Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/OnKliff/ The boutique has Mode Voyage (their own label and the label on the poncho) but a range of other labels as well. My sister bought the poncho too. We are very different in size and style but it looked a million dollars on her just over a simple printed shift. The FB page has a mobile number to send a text. I would be happy to help if I can. I live about 15 minutes from the boutique. Actually, I'm going to post on their FB page and see what they can tell me.

Bijou, I love your idea of the net poncho over a column of white! I just bought some white jeans and I've been thinking of how to style them. I might just wear the white shirt half tucked and prepare myself for the reaction.

Sterling, the theme capsule idea was the only way I could get my head around the capsule concept. I think it suits me best too because work can be casual if I feel like it (no dress code) and work and play looks can easily overlap.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

*applause*

WELL DONE.

Coco, you've got it going on. You like to bring drama to each outfit despite the varying style persona - which is cohesive, btw - and you've achieved that with panache.

#1, 2, 3, 12 and 13 are my Killer faves.

I'm high fiving your cute long toes. I have fingers on the end of my own feet.

Carole

Veteran

I love your style, Coco...I had so much fun looking at all your great outfits! Thanks for sharing:)

Bonnie

Veteran

Well done - I love everything.

LilMrsNomad

Your style is impeccable! I love them all! Just divine!

Anonymous

Oh this photo session is such a visual delight, full of inspirational ideas! I look forward to more pics, courtesy of your new mirror IMO, you've absolutely hit all the nails on your three styles. You wrap up all three so perfectly. On your questions: I like your second styling (pic 17) of the blush skirt. I'd also love to see the poncho layered over a light-coloured dress. It's a standout piece and very avant garde. Brava!

RobinF

Veteran

You have a great style, it's hard to pick favorites!

Anonymous

You look fabulous and put together. I have noticed a difference in your style since you started YLF (more together). I am loving the first look. The pants are sensational.
But all outfits are great.

Anonymous

Wow what a collection! You look stunning. We need a pic of your mirror now.

Aida

Veteran

So fun to see all of your style personas across a range of outfits! I can see elements of each overlapping just that little bit in every one, which gives a nicely cohesive overall look. Especially love that little wiggle dress in #2, fab! A few other combos to try that pop out at me:

Pants in #1 with the fringey sweater in #12
Pants in #1 with the white button up in #10 (maybe add the white jacket in #8?)
Lacy top in #14 with the blush skirt in #16/17
Jacket in #9 with a white or black tank and the lighter denim skirt in #6/12 (might also work with the blush skirt?)
Fringy top in #4 with the lighter denim skirt in #6/12
White jacket in #8 with a fun printed top and flared jeans, if you have 'em

Brooklyn

Veteran

You have amazing style Coco. So arty and bold. My faves are 1, 3, 8 and 13.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Lots of great looks and pieces. The first outfit is terrific, and I also liked the fringey white and the pink skirt outfit especially. Too early for me to suggest anything, but I will be considering Aida's ideas later!

Cococat

Veteran

Thank you so much everyone!

Angie, funny that you noticed my finger toes and nice to know that I'm not alone. I really appreciate your comments Carole, Bonnie,LilMrsNomad, Aliona, Robyn, Smittie, BC, Aida, Brooklyn and Shevia.

I'm pleased to hear that I've evolved since joining smittie. I often had trouble putting things together and wasted so much of my wardrobe because I didn't know how to work with it. The idea of capsules has been a revelation as well. Now I have a focus when I purchase.

,Aida your suggestions are great. Thank you. I'm going to try them out and I'm particularly keen to see how the tomato top goes with the blush skirt, and the white shirt with the pants.

cheryl

Veteran

Great capsules. You look wonderful In everything

Suz

(website)

Veteran

My goodness you look astonishing. Lovely drama in every outfit and I find you have a coherent eclectic style. Brava! Also, great footwear!