The idea behind capsule dressing has been around for awhile now. Take 3 basic bottoms, 3 basic tops, and add accessories and you could be dressed in five minutes.

Since I’ve been making most of my own clothes for this past year with a few notable exceptions (tights and undergarments), I’ve already been dressing this way without knowing it. I wanted to streamline my next few sewing projects so they’re practical and efficient. I put together a basic work capsule for fall/winter:

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3 Basic Bottoms:
+ black pencil skirt (already made)
+ black wide-legged trousers
+ black wool 1940s gored skirt

3 Basic Tops:
+ black lace blouse (already have)
+ black fitted cardigan x2, plain and beaded (already have the plain)
+ black fitted bustier top or silk with lace tank top (already have)

Accessories:
+ black/white spectator shoes (already have)
+ black rounded toe ankle boot (already have)
+ thin black leather belt (already have)
+ vintage-looking pins (already have, but don’t wear)

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Since I’ve been dressing this way already, I already have more than half of the items from this list. I have a few vintage-looking pins already but never take the time to incorporate them into my wardrobe. This would effectively break up the all-black monotony and give each outfit something unique. Based on this capsule idea, here are my conclusions:

Things I need to make:
+ black wool 1940s gored skirt
+ black wool wide-legged 1940s style trousers

Things I need to buy:
+ black beaded cardigan