The concept of capsule dressing is simple. Start with three bottoms and three tops, and mix and match. My original concept for Fall/Winter 2010 was to dress in all black and accessorize with shoes and brooches. I’ve taken that idea and modified it since so it’s even simpler. My accent piece is just one necklace, and I’ve reduced it to one pair of shoes for all outfits. Since black is hard to photograph, I’ve modified it to black/dark grey instead of all black.
Items I made:
Burda pencil skirt
High-waisted black wool trousers
Four-gored 1940s skirt
Items I own:
Black ankle boots
Black lace tights
Garnet necklace
Velvet jacket
Grey cardigan
Black victorian detailed blouse
Grey lace knit top
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Personal style: Design details that I navigated to (based on what I pulled from my closet as favorite items) included lace, velvet, tailored jackets, and antique or Victorian inspired details.
Here are some close-ups of the items I pulled from my closet:
Velvet jacket, dark grey with white small polka-dots, thrifted.
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Black Victorian top, with lace detail at yoke. I love the small buttons by the button placket and the mandarin collar, but this style seems really high-necked and constrictive to me most of the time. Still the details make it one of my favorites.
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Black lace yoke closeup.
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Garnet necklace, closeup. I’ve had this since high school. I love the antique-looking detail.
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Here are the combinations that worked well so far:
Burda pencil skirt in black cotton sateen, black lace blouse, fishnet tights. I actually forgot to include the pencil skirt in the range of possibilities below, but it is very versatile and comfortble.
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Wool high-waisted trousers, grey lace top, necklace, velvet jacket.
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Wool high-waisted trousers, grey lace top, necklace, velvet jacket. Side view.
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Wool high-waisted trousers, black lace top, velvet jacket.
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Wool high-waisted trousers, black lace top, grey cardigan.
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Wool high-waisted trousers, grey lace top.
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Wool high-waisted trousers, grey lace top. Side view.
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1940s four-gored skirt, grey lace top, lace tights.
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1940s four-gored skirt, grey lace top, cardigan, lace tights.
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1940s four-gored skirt, black Victorian top, cardigan, lace tights.
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Conclusion: I’ve never seen the value of separates until now, especially separates that coincide with each other. I usually sew a wardrobe full of dresses and always feel like I don’t have enough variety. This year will definitely be the year of sewing separates.
This has also been a good exercise in determining my personal style. In the Fall/Winter (and perhaps more season as well), I’m drawn to antique-looking details and Victorian and Gothic styles. I like velvet, lace, and fabric that feels luscious with interesting design details.
