Fall Mini-Capsule
Possible Quarantine? In Style?
Happy day, reader dear!
It’s been an interesting week Chez Klebba. Hubby has been unwell, and one of his co-workers had a Covid related hospital visit, so we are hunkered down awaiting test results.
Spoiler Alert: All is well. But I finished this post before the good news came in and wasn’t about to rewrite it!
How does that ancient Chinese curse go? May you live in interesting times.? I think that’s it. My father used to quote that and May the fleas of a thousand camels infest your armpits. Camels is a nice retort when someone sends you to the edge. AND so much more creative than (expletive deleted) YOU!
I’m there. On the edge, that is. I’m living and working in my office while we wait for things here to shake out as they may, and find myself moving clothes out of our bedroom and into my temporary digs. Which means…
It’s the perfect time for a Mini-Capsule! Why? Because when I get stressed and have more on my plate, I want fewer choices. If you’re not convinced, think about how easy it is to dress when you are on a trip. There’s less choice!) So I’ll be taking a trip to my office/our spare room for a few days until we have more information…
I could move my wardrobe over. There are only about 35 pieces in my closet, special occasionwear notwithstanding. (I’m clearly NOT going to need any of that for the next few weeks!) So let’s plan a 4-3-2-1 Capsule and move out! Or is it in? How about over. (Here’s a 4-3-2-1 Capsule I created for a 10X10 Challenge. You’ll see some of the same pieces!)
First, a look at the weather. What do the weatherguessers have planned for us?
Ready
Okie doke. I know this sounds ridiculous, but these temps are chilly for us, especially this early in the season. Those 50’s (12-14C) are our depths-of-winter temps. I’ll need some cozy sweaters and a warm-ish jacket. (I know it’s not really cold, but #lifeinthesouth, peeps.)
Set (Steady)
This capsule will be a bit odd, because my starting point is the clothes I wore yesterday and today. They’re already on me and in the spare room. Now, it’s time to fill in the blanks with pieces still in my closet!
I’m punting on the black linen I wore the other day, and choosing two toppers that are part of my fall wardrobe. I only pulled the black linen in to demonstrate one of the scarf styling options in the #fallscarfchallenge #scarfstylechallenge. Argh. That sorted, it’s time to get down to work.
GO!
As I mentioned above, this Mini-Capsule will be a 4-3-2-1. That means I’ll be choosing 4 Tops, 3 Bottoms, 2 Toppers and 1 Dress. I’ve built out MANY a capsule using this formula. It’s fabulous for packing! Note: I’ve been known to swap the toppers and dresses numbers for hot weather packing. (Meaning: Pack 2 Dresses and 1 Topper. Because if you can’t give it sun, give it air.)
4 Four Tops
I was torn here, peeps. I wanted to add a solid blush blouse, but the red-violet sweater made more sense for the cooler temps coming. Besides, I needed a blast of cheerful color!
3 Three Bottoms
The skirt and trouser jeans were my “already worns.” This is a brutal call for #3. I WANT my Levi’s 501’s. They are my comfort jeans. Unfortunately, that leaves me with all neutral bottoms. I’d like to add my pink wool trousers for color, but after a weekend of anniversary celebrating and Halloween, I don’t think I can squeeze into them. Besides, this is looking to be a pretty casual week, right?
2 Two Toppers
Okay, so neither of these toppers is really a color, since they are both Colored Neutrals, but they’re better than another grey or navy! Besides, they both work for inside and outside. That will be important!
Want to know more about these Colored Neutrals? You can read about Teal, here. And Olive, here.
1 One Dress
What am I thinking here? Well, I can layer my navy sweater over it and wear it like a skirt AND I can also wear it with my green jacket. Navy tights and flats or boots if I want to “get fancy.”
How About You?
What kind of adventures do you have going this month? (Please do tell! I need to live vicariously through someone else!) Have you had to quarantine or isolate? How did you manage that in your household? Have you ever built out a 4-3-2-1 Capsule or Pack? How did that formula work for you? I’d love to hear. I’m pretty much tethered to my computer right now, so throw me a line…
Love and sanitizing,
Stylishly yours,
8 Comments
NATALIE K
Liz, I’m learning that dresses that just skim over my waist and are longer(I must wear flats!) look the best on me. I’m finding I really would like some dresses to wear with my cardigans during our crazy cold at night and hot during the day weather!!
Liz K
Good luck finding the right sweater this season! Many of them are long this year, which is often less than flattering with a longer dress. Especially on petites!
Sally in St Paul
High temps in the 50s does seem cool for early November where you are! I have to admit that I never quite understand how people can get by with so few tops in a capsule because I definitely feel that I need a fresh top every day. I guess washing in the sink is an option, but for me that would be more stressful than merely having more tops. (For travel, it’s a different calculus than staying at home.) I love the look of your capsule, and both of the colored neutral toppers are quite fun…a nice alternative to the “yet more neutrals” approach that seems so common.
Liz K
Knowing your warm/cool propensity is a key factor in how many shirts you need. (As well as how messy an eater you are!) I’m a cool-natured messy eater, so I can easily wear a top more than once. AS LONG AS I wear an apron for cooking AND eating. In our Georgia summers, it’s only one wear before the laundy. Because. GA. Heat. And. Humidity. Ugh. Also the fiber content determines wearability. I wear a lot of lightweight wools/merinos in the winter and they are naturally odor-resistant. I also wear camis or tees under blouses in the winter for warmth and to avoid washing. The washer and dryer are the cruelest thing we do to our clothing. We need to air and freshen more and wash less! I’m glad to hear you like the addition of the colored neutrals. I, too, dread the all-neutrals capsules that predominate out there, Sally. It might just be my mission in life to brighten up the world of capsule wardrobing!
Kathleen McDermott
Thought provoking. I’d only do this if I was traveling or having overnight guests. I’d go with my uniform and have 3 Cardigans, 3 Pants (Dark Wash, Med Wash & Black Jeans) and 4 Patterned Blouses!
Liz K
Sounds workable, Kathleen! Love it!
NATALIE K
Liz, I prefer to pack a top and a skirt for the dress. I’m simple not a dress wearer so I only own one summer linen dress. I bought that dress this past summer but I never wore it!! I just get more out of separates plus I’m short waisted so dresses don’t fall where they should on me!!
Liz K
It’s good to know what does and doesn’t work for your figure, Natalie! I’m a bit short in the waist, too, so I don’t look for dresses unless they come in petite. I’d love to find a co-ord skirt and top for a dress look! Proportions can be hard with a skirt, especially one that ends at the knee, which is often most flattering.