Sunday 31 March 2013

CAPSULE WARDROBE

Love the idea?......or hate it?
I've always quite liked it. Not sure if I could ever empty my wardrobe enough to do the 24 pieces only with just seasonal additions as I think I would get bored wearing the same colours. Though truth to tell like many of you I suspect, I do tend to pick the same old favourites time after time. Especially if I am feeling in a not very confident or 'ugly/old' frame of mind that day.
However I do think this works brilliantly for long weekends away and holidays.
The idea of having less to pack and only needing 2 bags and 2/3 pairs of shoes (depending on the style of break) is one I love.
  I found this very true on my recent trip to Scotland. What I needed was warm comfortable clothes with a few smart casual additions for family meals out.
I decided on an orange/ brown/teal theme based around this pretty scarf.......

one of my TK Maxx bargains and this is what I came up with.......

Travelling by train.....

Orange 3/4 coat a CC bargain about 2 years ago, rust knitted tunic top, Peacocks best but oh so comfortable, straight cut jeans, brown boots, teal  tote bag and 'the scarf'.

Shopping, short walks, relaxing and having a good natter......


 Teal sweater, teal jeans, orange vintage necklace,  then orange sweater, light tan chinos, teal necklace with boots and bag and scarf as before plus teal/tan Mary Jane's

Couple of meals out.....


 Yellow/teal tan tweed jacket, brown dress (recent make) natural/orange small shoulder bag, boots and necklace as before....

Teal dress (M & S outlet bargain £9.99) Teal tights, bag, shoes and necklace as before....

So 2 tops/ sweaters, 3 pairs trousers/jeans, 1coat, 1 cropped jacket, 2 dresses,1 pair boots, 1 pair shoes and 1 large and 1 small handbag. Not forgetting the scarf and a few pieces of jewellery. All of which packed into a medium size holdall together with toilet and makeup bag, underwear and hot brush......

And although I sort of knew what I wanted to wear with what, I had several options for every day with just these few clothes..... Some further ideas......




And I know this may seem a bit crazy to some, but I even make a note of the different combinations I can make, so that if I am suddenly invited out I can decide at a moments notice what looks good with what. (Of course I always try on the pieces together first just to check they actually work). A top that may look stunning with one skirt may look awful with another in a different style!

We are only about 4 weeks away from our next break and I have already been toying with my outfits for that. A combination of sightseeing, walking and eating out. I think I will go for navy, grey and chartreuse/lime this time as I have a pretty good selection of clothes in those colours. If this is something that people like to see I may do a post on that too!

Hope you are all enjoying your Easter break, however you celebrate. We have been doing our favourite thing....enjoying an afternoon and tea with our family....

Speak Soon
TTFN
Jenny xx


26 comments:

  1. I love your outfits (and the way you displayed them!). I'd be printing off the photos and sticking them inside my wardrobe as reminders! And I may even try this myself as a way of making sure I don't keep wearing the same old, same old clothes. Have fun picking your next lot...
    x

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    1. What a fab idea. I never thought of that. Right new project for DH, make wardrobe door sized pin board to mount said photos! As he helped make the doors should be no problem. X

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  2. I love the idea that less is more and found my bus pass trip so liberating as I only had what I was wearing plus a clean top and trousers and an extra cardi so choosing what to wear was not a problem! I keep trying to whittle down my wardrobe so that I have less items but those I wear most. Your selection looks lovely.

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    1. Thank you.. I have to admit to not doing the 'less' bit overall, as I have quite a few 'capsules' in varying shades of greens, purples, navy and white etc, but this way I do get to wear more of them. Think you were very brave with your bus pass trip and I call that handbag packing..Amazing!

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  3. I was reading another lady's blog, about how you only needed around 30 items of clothing to see you thru 3 months, although I think hers was thrift based rather than packing light.
    Sitting at the computer, I counted how many items I was actually wearing (many un-co-ordinated layers I'm ashamed to add!) and decided thrift wasn't for me...and I don't think your small holdall weekend would work either as I'd need 4 layers for the train journey alone- a thermal vest, then a heat-tec, then a cashmere and then a cardi...

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    1. I certainly find I wear more layers now than I used to so tend to go for things like fine merino sweaters. But the odd thermal and definitely thick socks do creep into my bag as well. I even pop a full petticoat under lined dresses! But this of course was a snippet of me dressed for visiting, today at home it is more likely to be jeans, long sleeved tee, fleece sweatshirt and thermal socks....and I'll be chasing the grandsons around! X

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  4. Love those colours together. I'm a terrible packer,I either have far too much or not enough and have to buy something while I'm away.
    Gillx

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    1. I am much better now. When we used to holiday abroad I always exceeded my baggage allowance!

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  5. You have such a natural flair for style Jenny. I loved this post and would love to see your new lot of packing!
    A really lovely combination of colours and so many options.
    Happy Easter.
    Lisa x

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    1. Thank you. That is very kind. I don't think I would make it as a stylist, a bit too safe, but it works for me.

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  6. I think you have a really god eye for putting outfits together. It;s not something I'm terribly good at - but I do like the thought of planning outfits ahead so I know what to put with what. Might give that a go!

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    1. It is only something I've taken to doing over these past couple of years, but it has saved some wardrobe dilemmas!

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  7. You did really well with your outfits, some great combinations there.
    I couldn't live with the capsule wardrobe, but agree with you that it is a good idea for trips and holidays.

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    1. I have to agree on a day to day basis, and sometimes I do like to tear up the manual and wear something completely random. It is the trips away where we are all a bit restricted to what we can take/carry where I think it works best.

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  8. What a good idea. I am terrible for saving things for best and never wearing them 1
    sue x

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    1. Now that is something I have cured myself of. I may be guilty of having far too many clothes, but if I love it I wear it and that includes 'posh frocks' when I'm cleaning. Well you never know who might drop in do you!!

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  9. I would love to have less in my wardrobe, and I'm currently having a clear out, but it's so hard to let stuff go - even if I don't wear it!

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  10. I can feel for you, I recently got rid of 2 dresses which I had bought over five years ago and kept purely because I adored the pattern on the fabric. They didn't fit properly and I had only worn them a couple of times but it was still a wrench. Sometimes we have to be ruthless! If you have a really honest girl friend have a night in and try on everything in front of her. When she says its not you...get rid!

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  11. Beautifully co-ordinated outfits in my favourite colours.

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  12. I wouldn't be able to manage Jenny! It is a good idea. Your outfits looks very pretty!

    Madelief x

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  13. Just found and am now following your blog... & love your inspiring pictures.

    I guess just taking the pictures of outfits makes you think about all the possibilities. I'm a terrible one for just buying/making what I like, and not thinking about what it might coordinate with!

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    1. Hi Sally
      Lovely to meet you. You are so right. I had ideas in my head when I put together my original travel wardrobe and then the number of other combinations that came to mind were a surprise even to me. Used to bees idea of printing off the photos is so good I intend to use it as I would never remember half of them without some reference.. Hope you enjoy reading my very varied waffle and glad to have you aboard.

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  14. Hi Jenny!

    I really need to refresh my wardrobe...And now since we are building a walk in closet it's really a good time :))

    I like your outfits!

    Big swedish hug
    Mia

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  15. Just found your lovely blog over at Rosey Tinted Spectacles. I love that teal dress and what a bargain too. My wardrobe is full of blues, purples and burgundy's I need to add more colours for spring. Sarah x

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  16. Hi, Jenny, and thanks so much for stopping by my blog. I think you fell off my blogroll maybe when Google made those changes months ago. Anyway, I'm back on track and just in time for an interesting post!

    I like how you have made organized and creative choices for your traveling wardrobe. I have seen the magazine articles where you switch out one or two pieces to make several looks. I remember seeing a spread on Pippa Middleton on her visit to NYC, and she had 2 pairs of shoes, 2 purses, red pants and a navy blazer that kept popping up in different variations! Genius. I wish I were that good. Rounding pieces up by colors is a fantastic way to go about it. See, I've learned something and hopefully I'll be traveling lighter in the future!

    XO,
    Jane

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  17. Hello Jane:
    What a nice blog you have. I just stumbled across you and have enjoyed scrolling and reading. You sound like a very down to earth person and some talent there on the sewing machine. I have enjoyed very much reading some of your posts and shall come back for a visit. Have a wonderful day.

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Hi thanks for stopping by, but even better say hello. I love to read your comments and its also a way for me to meet you. I do read every coment but don't always have the time to find your email or web, so do pop back if you have asked a question as I will answer it here.xx