In early March of this year i decided to try dressing out of a capsule of black and white/ivory. I made this decision partly to simplify dressing as i live w my mom and her health required more attention, but also just because. For me, it’s fun to dress a bit more intentionally, mom likes seeing my get ups, so it’s a way to have some fun for myself but making it easier by reducing options up front.
There’s about 25 pieces here, more or less. I’ve been very intentional about bringing pieces into my closet for decades now, i’m picky! Some of the clothes here have been in my closet for 15 or more years (the ivory w black embroidered polka dot top, the black and white me made corset tops), but most have been around a few to a couple of years.
I used to design and sew most of my clothes, the last few years i’ve had neurological problems and so i haven’t. But i have found some brands which produce pieces very much in line with my aesthetic, if not my budget lol. I use the gem app to alert me to DOEN blouses: between seconds, used, and dupes i’ve managed to get a nice collection over the years. As you can see, i enjoy layering these blouses in various combinations - they are of lighter fabrics which makes this more comfy in hotter weather (i’m also usually running a low grade fever).
My aesthetic is kind of a combo of Amelia Earhart utility and Karen Blixen decaying belle epoque. I like to have pieces that reflect both attitudes in both tops and bottoms, so i can go strictly utilitarian or full frou frou depending on my mood.
I’ve taken screenshots of the phone folder i’ve been keeping of some of these outfits, with a variety of single outfit pictures so people can get a better sense of the pieces (i’m not sure how many pictures i can post!). Capsule wardrobes are usually associated w ‘classic’ or ‘minimalist’ aesthetics, but i’ve found that they can work with really a huge variety of aesthetics as long as the pieces work with each other and with your actual day to day life.
Base Colors: White through ivory, cream, beige, tan, khaki Black - solid, textured, patterned and dark navy
Accent Colors: denim and tobacco
Dusters: Tobacco in linen by Solitaire Black w tan pin strip by Gudrun Sjogren in cotton hemp Natural linen by Hearts Desire by Mary Grace
Blouses: White linen corset top of my own design: one shorter, one longer Black cotton eyelet corset top of my own design w multi buttons Gap x DOEN peter pan collar white cotton button up blouse Cotton ivory top w black embroidered polka dots and ruffle Kara Thoms cotton tops in cotton-white w voluminous sleeves and ruffled yoke, ivory gauze w lace trim DOEN henri style top in black/ecru floral cotton Madewell henri style dupe in white cotton ‘shadow plaid’ weave DOEN knock off rayon black sleeveless ‘henri’ with front ruffle and pintucks Cotton button up shirt by Frank and Eileen in soft white w faint blue and grey stripes
Scoop neck fine ribbed cotton tees by Everlane in black and oatmeal heather
Cotton Crochet short sleeved cardigan by DOEN in white Me made and stitched long sleeved little rayon cardi/shrug, black w white stripes inspired by Ivey Abitz
Skirts: Eyelet edged cotton half slips by Gudrun Sjogren in black and ivory Black cotton eyelet skirt of my own design White eyelet trimmed skirt by DOEN
Pants: Painter’s pants by dickies in white and light khaki Curve leg jeans by Everlane (they are very long in the crotch, too much so for me but i got them second hand to try out jeans for the first time in many years. I love the denim so will be looking for a better fit)
Dresses: Black and ecru floral in rayon knit by Gudrun Sjogren White cotton eyelet by Gap x DOEN
Aprons: Williams and Sonoma in heavy cotton, dark navy and light tan stripes Me made in graphic floral denim print
Shoes: Sneakers in white/ivory; urban clogs by Sanita in light grey (to be honest tho i spend a fair amount of time barefoot)