Cap-sized! Lessons from my casual fall capsule. Pic heavy.

Back in September, I got inspired to try a few capsules. After one misstep -- a capsule of outfits that, however good in themselves, didn't really answer to my daily needs all that well -- I came up with this one -- a more casual capsule for work at home days during transitional early fall weather.

Not only that, but I rashly promised to wear it -- and report back on my experiences. 


Here I am with that report. 

Let's cut straight to the chase. This was a massive fail. I couldn't stick to it! I managed to wear capsule outfits for approximately 10 days out of the possible 30 (or more, counting weekends).  A few of those appear in Pics 1-4. 

So, what happened to my fine intentions? 

I. Got. Bored. 

Seriously bored. And hey, there was other stuff already in my closet so I started putting it on. (See Pics 5-7) 

Oh -- and then some fab new stuff arrived, and that was much more fun to play with!! (Pics 8- 14)

Plus, I had various occasions to dress for, which threw the capsule out the window anyway. (I can give myself a pass for those days, right?) (Pics 15-19)

What I've learned:

While a small capsule is a great way to begin experimenting with different combinations, I am one of those people who needs a medium sized wardrobe that I can treat essentially as one BIG capsule (with overlapping and interwoven sub-capsules).

At the same time, it's really useful for me to think occasionally in terms of purpose-driven capsules, to ensure that my needs for different kinds of activities are covered. And I've learned that I need more variety than I thought in my work-at-home capsule. 

Except for travel, I don't want to wear the same few items all the time. Even if nobody is seeing me except the cat. 


I love my pretty new things best, no matter what. I am so, so, so firmly on Team Wear it is ridiculous. 

BUT I do mix in my new things with old things. Look how much wear those white jeans got! (I actually wore them way more than this -- this is simply a sampling of photos.) Ironically, I was almost going to dye these jeans last fall until Angie talked me out of it! 

Capsule making can offer surprises. I loved the look of Pic 1, but the rolled up jeans there drove me batty with their ill fit. After three wears, I tossed them. As for the print pants in Pic 3, before this capsule making exercise these were in my donate bin. I'd forgotten that they are the absolute perfect weight for transitional temperatures. I got a lot of wear from them in the past six weeks, drastically reducing their CPW. The capsule exercise was useful for that, if nothing else! 

The best part about doing the capsule was the way it provided me with some FFB outfits for those days when I really couldn't think all that creatively in the morning. I already knew how the outfit looked and felt (from having taken pictures). I just pulled it on and went with it. 

What about you? If you tried a capsule, how has it worked for you? 

 

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Another Theory, and a penny for your thoughts

Warning: Many pics! 

With no final decision on the BR suit yet, I picked up the Theory Lanai (navy pinstripe) and the Testra trousers today for comparison. 

Once again, I was plagued by poor light, so I fear the detail is lost on these. If the weather improves I may ask Mr. Suz to take a few outdoor shots of both suits tomorrow. I did try to lighten some photos. 

I tried some of the same combinations as in my previous post to aid comparison (i.e. with jeans, with a skirt, with a dress, pants with a different top.) 

#9 shows the jacket with my Theory Emerys. 

#10 shows the Lanai jacket with the BR straight trousers (as yet unhemmed so falling down at the bottom).

FInal pic (18) is the BR suit for comparison. I really wish the detail was showing better here. 

I am not going to say a lot here because I'm genuinely curious about your responses. 

Apologies for the spotty bathroom mirror. Was trying to show a bit more detail. 

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WIW: Flared skirt with "cropped" pullover

Okay, so the "cropped" is a slight exaggeration -- this is a banded sweatshirt that I've sort of folded under, but. A girl's gotta use what she's got, right? Does it work? Heading out for lunch with Mr. Suz's cousin and partner who are unexpectedly in town.

Coolish day with rain in the forecast; will be adding a trench. 

Sweatshirt: Banana Republic
Skirt: ancient, one of the oldest pieces in my closet -- Comrags
Navy booties: Zara
Bag: Ralph Lauren

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WIW: WritersFest Blue and Jacquard

This is the first year since I joined YLF that I've been simply a spectator at our local writers' festival rather than a reader or moderator. I must admit it was a lot of fun to be in the audience for a change! 

Here's what I wore. I repeated myself a lot because I am low on toppers at the moment! :-) But also because I am so firmly on Team Wear and I just love wearing my new things. 

I guess the theme was "blue." I wore blue every day except one. 

#1

Day 1: Attending events: Fluid knit with trousers as per Angie's blog post. 
Sweater: DVF
Trousers: Theory Emery
Bag: Danier
Booties: SW

#2

Day 2: Evening event followed by drinks in hospitality suite with other writers..
Jacket: Zara
Black sleeveless turtleneck: Winners
Belt: consignment
Shoes: Vince Camuto
Jeans: J Crew Toothpick sized up one for more ease.

#3

Day 3: Daytime events (Saturday)
Shoes: Converse Hi-Ness
Skirt: Vince Camuto
Top: Winners
Jacket: The Bay

#4-5

Evening speakeasy (fun event where writers read to accompaniment of live jazz)

Dress: Nicole Miller (oh, I love this dress)
Clutch: vintage from my mother
Shoes: RW & Co.
Jacket: The Bay

#6

Day 4: Daytime events -- readings, a friend's book launch, lunch with friends, more readings. 

Jacket: Zara
Top: Club Monaco
Denim skirt: Old Navy
Booties: Report Marks

#7-8

PM closing event

Shirt: Cassis, courtesy Celia
Jeans: J. Crew
Boots: DV Joust
Jacket: Zara

Thanks for looking! 

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