I\u2019ve talked before about creating a wardrobe where everything goes with everything else.\u00a0 \u00a0I did it back in 2008 using the Sewing with a Plan concept, then making sure each time I added a capsule, I added one that went with the rest of the wardrobe.\u00a0 I can go from a barbecue, to hanging out around the house, to an office situation to a party and always look appropriately-dressed.\u00a0 It passed with flying colors just this past week by being more than adequate to handle a cruise.\u00a0 Shell and broomstick skirt, and I was ready to walk in comfy sandals around Nassau or barefoot on the deck.\u00a0 Straight skirt and shell with contrasting scarf with nice flats and understated jewelry and I was dressed nicely for dinner.\u00a0 Pants, shell and jacket and I was ready to fly back to cooler New England.<\/p>\n
Oh, and using this concept, you can pack for a week in a carry-on.\u00a0 For the record, I didn\u2019t for the cruise because I deliberately saved room to bring presents back to family.\u00a0 But when I fly, I oh so prefer to carry on luggage!<\/p>\n
Thing is, you can do this even if you don\u2019t sew.\u00a0 While in the sewing world it\u2019s often called \u201cSewing with a Plan\u201d or \u201cSewing with a Purpose\u201d, in the fashion world, it\u2019s called a \u201cCapsule Wardrobe\u201d.\u00a0 \u00a0To create one, you kind of have to sit down and think about what it is you<\/em> regularly do and how you live.\u00a0\u00a0 I can guarantee you beyond a shadow of a doubt that my wardrobe won\u2019t work for you.\u00a0 We live different lives!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Separates are your friends.<\/strong><\/p>\n You want separates. Yes, even if you like the monochrome look from time to time (I do!) make sure that you\u2019re getting separates.\u00a0 The whole point of a capsule wardrobe is to mix and match.<\/p>\n Pick a color palate and stick to it!<\/strong><\/p>\n Ideally, you should have two to three basic colors that harmonize and are a bit neutral, then an accent color that goes with at least two of your colors.\u00a0\u00a0 I break this rule a bit.\u00a0 My colors are burgundy, black, forest green, and deep purple.\u00a0 Obviously the red and purple don\u2019t go so well, but between the black and the print I chose, there\u2019s a lot of anchor between the colors that I don\u2019t mind this minor inconvenience.\u00a0 It\u2019s a pity I don\u2019t like brown or gold, as it would have made a somewhat more harmonious wardrobe.<\/p>\n Minimize Prints.<\/strong><\/p>\n I would only have one print in my capsule, and this print should go with all the basic colors.\u00a0 This is where the seamstress <Hem! Hem!> <\/em>has it easy.\u00a0 You buy a print and make a few garments from that.\u00a0\u00a0 Boom, you\u2019re all good.\u00a0 Shopping makes it a bit more difficult.\u00a0 When I buy ready to wear clothes (one of my sweaters is, as a matter of fact), they\u2019re almost invariably solids.<\/p>\n Keep garments simple.<\/strong><\/p>\n The design of the garments should be simple.\u00a0 Solid colors, and design details that aren\u2019t too fussy. \u00a0Are jeans a basic part of your lifestyle?\u00a0 Then my goodness, jeans should definitely be a foundation of your wardrobe capsule!\u00a0 You should have two or three pair that really fit well and flatter \u2013 all of them in a single color.\u00a0 You can\u2019t go wrong with basic black, but if black ain\u2019t your thang, just pick another color.<\/p>\n If this is beginning to sound boring?\u00a0 It\u2019s the next step you should be thinking about.<\/p>\n The accent is in the accessories.<\/strong><\/p>\n There\u2019s a reason French women are so addicted to scarves[1]<\/strong><\/a><\/em>.\u00a0 I think we\u2019d all agree that French ladies are known for dressing well.\u00a0 They also generally do not have stuffed closets, but minimal pieces chosen with care.\u00a0 Black slacks and a white shirt might make you look like a waiter, but add a fabulous scarf with well-chosen jewelry and you just look elegant.\u00a0\u00a0 I\u2019m a big fan of scarves myself, just because they\u2019re an inexpensive and versatile way to add color and interest to an outfit.<\/p>\n So, maybe elegant isn\u2019t the look you\u2019re going for.\u00a0 That\u2019s okay.\u00a0 It\u2019s not for everyone.\u00a0 That basic canvas that is your separates can be dressed up or down according to your tastes with lots of funky jewelry, a single small necklace, or choice of hairstyle and bag.<\/p>\n The point of a capsule wardrobe, though, is a plan-ahead thing.\u00a0 Once you\u2019ve created it, you know instantly whether or not something you see in a store will go with your other clothes.\u00a0\u00a0 You never really have to rush to buy clothes for an event.<\/p>\n Oddly enough, you don\u2019t necessarily need that many pieces.\u00a0 I have 23 pieces in mine, though you can get by with a lot fewer than that.<\/p>\n At a minimum, you\u2019ll need:<\/p>\n When choosing tops and bottoms, make sure that a couple of them can be combined to be dressy, even if you don\u2019t usually dress up for much.\u00a0 It\u2019ll keep you from panic shopping for events.\u00a0 For me, this was easy.\u00a0 Black fitted shell, black straight skirt, and voila, I have my Little Black Dress, all ready for my good jewelry and an updo.\u00a0\u00a0 It\u2019s good for anything but a wedding or a ball, and I own[2]<\/a> a formal-length dress.\u00a0 (Though in my case, for a wedding, I\u2019d just use a matching shell and skirt in a color appropriate to the season that\u2019s not<\/em> black).<\/p>\n You might find that you very well already have close to a capsule in your closet already, but only need a piece or two to complete it.\u00a0 If you want to try this out, I\u2019d encourage you to go over your wardrobe, toss what you don\u2019t love and doesn\u2019t fit, but then build your capsule around what you already own and love.<\/p>\n [1]<\/a> And I blame many of the French teachers at a job I once held for passing this addiction on to me by bringing me back lovely scarves from Paris and Lyon.<\/p>\nSome Basic Wardrobe Capsule Concepts<\/h2>\n
What\u2019s in a good capsule wardrobe?<\/h2>\n
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