The capsule wardrobe. You’ve probably seen that term floating around on Pinterest often, but what exactly does it mean? How many pants? Tops? How to combine them? You’ll learn how with this Wardrobe Architect challenge.
Trust me, I’ve read more articles & books about clothing than you’d care to know, and what I’ve decided is this. What works for one person may not work for someone else. Your wardrobe is personal and should reflect your own unique lifestyle. However, there is something to be said for minimizing a basic wardrobe that is thoughtfully curated to reflect your tastes as well as your needs.
Sarai from Colette’s Wardrobe Architect challenge defines the capsule wardrobe as a subset of your closet catered to a particular season, consisting of 20-33 items. She also suggests checking out this terrific blog on fashion, Into Mind. So, naturally, I did. And I was inspired! I’ve decided to follow Into Mind’s 20 Pieces/20 Outfits formula. I’m carving my Spring/Summer capsule wardrobe down to 20 items, but I’m not including pajamas, bathing suits, or shoes. I know shoes can be a black hole for some gals, but I believe if I keep my wardrobe minimal and versatile, then I deserve to spice it up with some kick-ass shoes.
The first task is to make a list of all the events and occasions you will face during this coming Spring/Summer season. Mine is simple:
- every day casual (running errands, art projects, writing)
- daytime events (lunch with friends, meetings)
- nighttime events (dinner parties, movies, restaurants)
- weddings
- church
- baseball games / sporting events / barbecues
The next task is to list the 20 most important pieces for your capsule wardrobe. Keep in mind the silhouettes & shapes we’ve learned that are most flattering for our body types. I used Polyvore to do this. You don’t have to worry about color right now, just the shape and types of garments. It was helpful for me to review my Pinterest “fashion” board, onto which I’ve collected inspirational looks and outfits I think I’d like to emulate.
Here’s my ideal capsule wardrobe:
7 TOPS: basic tee, baseball tee, sleeveless blouse, short sleeve top, linen tunic, print blouse, chambray blouse
4 BOTTOMS: culottes, cropped leggings, boyfriend jeans, shorts
2 SKIRTS: chiffon full skirt, pencil skirt
3 DRESSES: cotton shift, cocktail dress, maxi dress
4 EXTRAS: jean jacket, summer cardigan, knitted shawl, lightweight scarf
Now here’s the fun part. Putting them all together! I came up with these 20 outfits. Remember, the final colors & patterns are not yet decided, so just focus on the ensemble. Next we’ll start the truly fun part – selecting colors, fabrics, and patterns!
