So here’s a fun thing I thought we could try this week. A Capsule Wardrobe. Taking a number of pieces from your own wardrobe and making a weeks worth of outfits out of them. Well, I say ‘fun’, it’s the loosest sense of the word I know, but come on we’ve got to take what we can get these days haven’t we? My idea of fun is a boozy lunch at one of my favourite restaurants, maybe The Shed, or The Wolseley, or Santa Maria Pizza Pub in Ealing, then maybe do a bit of shopping in town, or a browse around Liberty, followed by some cocktails at fancy hotel bar and then, ideally home and in bed by 10pm.
Now the only bit of that I can do is the ‘home and in bed by 10pm’ part. Oh, and the cocktails, just not in a bar, in the comfort of my on home. BUT I have discovered that the people that own The Shed do deliveries of their farm produce so I haven’t gone without good food. In fact it’s almost been like Christmas with the amount of food I have been ordering in. But you know, without all the fun stuff that goes with Christmas, and obviously not being able to see my extended family in person, but food, food at least is good.
We’ve done a LOT of roasts as we can use the leftovers to make meals for the following few days. Meal planning has been the key. I’m actually quite enjoying that side of things. Plus if I want a baked Camembert for Lunch, then goddamit I shall have one. These are unprecedented times.
I’ve digressed. Again. The point of this post was as I said, take 7 items from your wardrobe and make them into a different outfit for each day. Sundays are not included as on Sundays, like Craig David, we chill and wear sweatpants and no bra. I know, I know, we can do that any day now, but… standards. For my 7 things I have picked the following items, and if you’ve been reading this blog for a while now, you probably already own all of these items as they are wardrobe staples…
- Leopard Print Dress
- Khaki Jacket
- Denim Shirt
- Straight Leg Jeans
- Checkerboard Vans
- Breton Stripe Top
- Black Sweatshirt
Let’s see the 6 outfits we can make out of that. Accessories don’t count, we’ve all got bags, scarves and jewellery we can use surely. I’ll tell you why I picked each piece and there are alternatives to each one on the scrolling bars below each outfit. All the clothes I’m wearing are from my wardrobe, most of which are old and not on sale anymore, apart from the Levis Shirt, TopShop Jeans and Vans.
OUTFIT 1.
Very simple, well, all these outfits are simple to be fair, but this one is just your leopard print dress and your Khaki jacket. The reason I picked Vans is that I personally think you can wear them with anything. Of course you could very easily switch them out for a plain white trainer or a pair of converse. This Hush Leopard Dress is my top pick right now for a print dress. It’s super flattering and should suit all body shapes. The collar also lends itself to layering. More on that later.
1. Hoops and Chains Fuck it Necklace (back in stock next week)
2. Hush Leopard Print Kensington Dress
3. Hush Khaki Jardin Jacket
4. Carloe London Edie Box Bag
5. Vans Checkerboard Slip Ons
OUTFIT 2.
I mean, this one is a no brainer. Isn’t a Breton, jeans and trainers most people’s go to everyday outfit? I picked this particular Breton from Boden because they make good quality classic designs that last for a long time and will never date. I’m pretty sure none of you need to buy a new Breton. At last count I have 8 of them. I know, I know, but that’s come down from the 18 I had before my wardrobe clear out. Add a colourful bag for a bit of interest.
1. Hush Khaki Jardin Jacket
2. Boden Long Sleeve Breton Top
3. Oliver Bonas Emilia Orange and Leopard Bag
4. Top Shop Considered Straight Leg Jeans
5. Vans Checkerboard Slip Ons
OUTFIT 3.
Here’s the layering, and believe me, it works. You absolutely can wear stripes with leopard print. Wear your Breton under your dress, roll up the sleeves so you can see the top underneath. layer the denim shirt over the top as a shacket. If you’re still a bit chilly add some secret leggings under the dress too. Once again, for those at the back that didn’t pay attention, ‘secret leggings’ are just any old cheap leggings that you wear under your dress or skirt so they don’t show. Thus giving the illusion you’ve gone for full bare leg.
1. Hush Kensington Leopard Print Dress
2. Modern Rarity D Frame Sunglasses
3. Boden Breton Stripe Top
4. Levis Boyfriend Soft Denim Shirt
5. Vans Checkerboard Slip Ons
OUTFIT 4
Double denim. Yes it’s not only allowed but I actually think it looks really cool. The trick is to have your jeans and your shirt slightly different shades of denim. Wearing exactly the same hue of blue is bit Justin and Britney circa 2001. A Khaki Jacket is something again that goes with pretty much anything at this time of year. I know we aren’t really leaving the house, but we have to hope we will be able to at some point in the future. For now, wear for those weekly supermarket trips.
1. Levis Ultimate Boyfriend Denim Shirt
2. Hush Jardin Khaki Jacket
3. Alexander McQueen Skull & Butterfly Silk Scarf
4. Top Shop Considered Straight Leg Jeans
5. Vans Classic Checkerboard Slip Ons
OUTFIT 5
You could use a plain black sweatshirt, or go for one with a print on it. Quite obvious really, but if you add a jumper over a dress, it turns it into a skirt and therefore a whole new outfit. This was particularly good in the BCV (Before Corona Virus) world because you could wear this for day and then just take off the jumper and add some fancy shoes for the evening. Now our evenings just involve a walk from one room to another and if you’re hanging out with friends, they can only see you from the waist up anyway.
1. H&M Black Sweatshirt
2. Rayban Original Wayfarer Sunglasses
3. Hush Kensington Leopard Print Dress
4. Mango Leather Shopper Bag
5. Vans Checkerboard Slip Ons
OUTFIT 6.
Finally, and this is groundbreaking stuff here, jeans and sweatshirt. I would add some layered gold necklaces to this one. Check out the Small Brands Jewellery blog for options on those. My current favourite jeans are these straight leg ones from Top Shop. There is a little bit of stretch to them, which is needed when at home all day. More jeans options are available over on my previous big High Street jeans blog. I tied a hanky in my hair because I don’t have any fancy hairbands…
1. H&M Black Sweatshirtt
2. Claires Knotted Bandana Headband
3. Boden Breton Top
4. Top Shop Considered Straight Leg Jeans
5. You Know What These Are By Now
Maybe next weeks blog should be ‘dressing for dinner from the waist up’ ? Or how to make yourself feel better with colour? Let me know if you liked this Capsule Wardrobe idea. If so, I will do it again in few weeks with other items you should already own.
Stay safe
Kate x
