Friday 24 August 2012

Follow up on the 15 to 50 capsule wardrobe

Some time ago I started collecting items for a small capsule wardrobe, as described in the book  (or should I just call it sheets?) "15 to 50".  Based on a few item I already had in my closet I came up with an outfit with the four colours that I wanted in my capsule, and wore them for a day to see if I liked them. I did!
 My body isn't very average so I haven't been able to get everything, but here's how far I've come:

The three jackets are still only two:


A real second hand jacket!


























A cheap thing customized with silver edging

























The five bottom pieces:


Pencil skirt from Eastex


























New skirt from Marks and Spencer


























New skirt from Phase Eight, not yet worn!


























Old, long black skirt, seen often this winter





















Jeans






















These were the five bottom pieces, now the seven tops. The pink pullover and cardigan is meant as a twinset and count as one item. I'm still missing a fitted/tailored cream shirt - but it's just impossible to find!


cardigan - 1. twin





















pullover - 2. twin





















Dark burgundy plain top





















Plain black top





















Black top with sleeves





















Printed top from Kaliko





















Supposed to be a printed blouse!






















In addition to these items I have my accessories - shoes, jewellery, bags and scarves. In colder seasons I'm adding coats and heavy jackets.

Not being able to find shirts and blouses that are fitted has been the biggest obstacle. Plus I've had to change two pairs of trousers into two skirts since I've given up on trousers for the time being!

In this process I've also realized that I've never ever before owned a plain black t shirt! I'm excited to see if I'll find it useful. The burgundy skirt is A line - another first.

On Monday I'll be back to school and I plan to see if I can get through the week in only clothes from the capsule. 

The day before yesterday I was so lucky, my hairdresser called me and said that someone just cancelled their appointment and would I like to go now? I almost ran out the door! She didn't have time for dying it, but who cares? I have before and after photos that my daughter took on the train.Try not to look at the red top, it was more than the camera could handle.


Before















After















Last night we had friends over for dinner. I made a flower decoration that turned out ok, and a starter that was way more than ok!


Flower decoration

















Starter with smoked salmon and eggs

















Yesterday I was so busy that I never got a chance to take any outfit photos, so I'll have to make up to you in during the weekend!


16 comments:

  1. Your dinner table looks lovely and very inviting! I love dinner parties and have hardly ever entertained like that. I think I'm intimidated.

    Looks like you've got the right things for your capsule going. I love that raspberry color on you the very most!

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    1. Thank you very much Joni! If you where anywhere nearby you would be most welcome to join the party!

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  2. I think I would find the whole capsule thing impossible, because I would want to wear different colours all the time! I love the berry shades you have gone for, and that there is some print in there too. Looking forward to seeing how you get on!
    Your table looks beautiful, love a bit of smoked salmon too!
    Good that you got the cancellation at the hairdresser's, you are looking great! I have to wait a WEEK with my awful grey roots before I can go - can I stand it?!
    Have a lovely weekend. xxxxxx

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    1. Thank you so much Curtise! If this capsule project works out the way I hope, I'll collect other capsules - hopefully using some of the colours from this one. The goal is to eliminate the "orphans" and only have things that really work together. So I'm only limiting myself to these colours for a short while -not always!

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  3. I really love your capsule colors, and the cowl-neck black top looks fabulous. I cannot find that booklet (15 for 50) anywhere on the 'net -- where did you find it? It looks like a lot of fun : >

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    1. Thank you very much Patti! The booklet is bought from Amazon UK, and the cowl-neck is an old one from H&M!

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  4. It will be very interesting to follow your challenge during the first week of school. I can already see lots of possibilities. And I can see the difference from the haircut!

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    1. Thank you so much Terri! I'm very excited to see if I can make it work. I'm still missing a few pieces, and I'm not sure it covers the different temperatures we have, very well. But I'm giving it a chance!

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    1. Thank you Megan! I plan on remixing them a lot - so there's a chance you may see them again soon!

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  6. Your haircut looks great! And your table is absolutely beautiful. I hope you and your friends enjoyed the evening - it would be hard not to. Good luck with your ongoing capsule hunting.

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    1. Thank you very much Melanie! We had a lovely (and late!) evening with lots of laughter!

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  7. You are radiant in both before and after - and your haircut looks great! Looking forward to following your capsule outfits. Beautiful colors and I love the black top with sleeves.

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    1. Thank you so much Judith! A good hairdresser is worth every penny! I'm so happy to have found this one - I may ask her if I can post her picture on my blog!

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  8. Nice to see you again, my dear friend.
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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    1. Thank you very much Sacramento! And welcome home from Scotland!

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