Summer Wardrobe Capsule Challenge Recap

It’s over! Jane’s fourth Wardrobe Capsule Challenge is complete. I made it through the week with five garments and unlimited accessories. Here are my six looks:


Maryeb asked how I choose the items in a wardrobe capsule. This is my fourth capsule, and I think I’ve got a good process.

1. Choose a dress. The right dress can give you three different outfits when worn as a dress, skirt, and top. The dress I used this time didn’t work well as a top (because of the empire waist), but my faux-Missoni dress from the first Wardrobe Capsule Challenge was super versatile:


2. Choose your color palette. I usually choose the color palette after the dress. Since the dress will be my workhorse, I want to ensure it looks good with most of my other items. I went for a pastel palette, anchored by navy, for the spring challenge:


3. Choose a bottom (or two). I add at least one skirt to my capsule. It can be worn with a top or over the dress. If there is room, add another skirt or slim jeans. (I prefer jeans with a slim/skinny cut so they can be worn under the dress for a fourth outfit.)

4. Choose a top (or two). The tops I choose depend on the time of year…but I use at least one blouse. A blouse can be worn as a simple top or layered under or over a dress. In the winter, I also added a sweater to my capsule. For this summer capsule, I chose a ruffled tank top in addition to my blouse.

5. Choose a cover-up (or two or three or…). Jackets, cardigans, and vests are essential toppers in your capsule. They can hide lumpy layering or competing waistlines. In a pinch, they can double as a top. Adding a topper to a previous outfit can make it look like one you’ve never worn before.

When I follow these guidelines, the result is a capsule that easily clothes me for the time period. I often have “left-over” outfits that I don’t get a chance to wear. You can see previous Wardrobe Capsule Challenges here:

Spring 2010
Fall 2009
Winter 2008

Skirt and Tank

I wore my last two items of clothing properly for the final day of the Summer Wardrobe Capsule Challenge. Accessories were “free” and I’m continually amazed at how a few large accessories (scarf and boots) can totally change the look of garments I wore earlier in the week.


Skirt, Eddie Rodriguez. Tank, Julie’s Closet. Scarf, vintage. Belt, Claire’s. Boots, Dan Post. Bag, World Market. Cuff, Epcot Morroco. Earrings, Urban Oufitters.

Skirt and Tank

I bet you didn’t think I’d do it. Well, here I am, wearing my skirt as a blouse and my tank as a skirt:


Skirt, Eddie Rodriguez. Tank, Julie’s Closet. Shoes, BCBGeneration. Necklace, Wet Seal. Sunnies, Girl Props. Bag, vintage and thrifted.


I suppose that, now, I should come clean and tell you that I only put this on as a lark. This isn’t a great silhouette and the back looked a little wonky. Also, if my “blouse” hem lifted with the breeze, you could see my underpants through the tank’s armholes. If I were desperate to get one more outfit out of my capsule, I might try this option.

Dress and Vest

I retire the dress and vest after today. I’m pretty sure you can figure out what I’ll be wearing tomorrow. But will I do something wacky like wear the skirt as a blousy top and the tank as a tight ruffled bottom? Stay tuned.


Vest, Forever 21. Dress, I Heart Ronson. Pumps, Delicious. Bangles, Body Central. Earrings, Janna’s Designs. Bag, No Boundaries

I refuse to look at my bag. I refuse to look at my bag. I refuse to look at my bag.

Ah, hell.

Skirt and Shirt

I wore the same shirt as yesterday and the skirt from Monday. No one noticed. Then, I rode a train.


Shirt, NY & Co. Skirt, Eddie Rodriguez. Headband, Forever 21. Belt, swap. Bag, Payless. Shoes, Van Eli (thrifted). Cuff, Urban Outfitters.

Well, I’m not sure I was riding the train since it wasn’t moving…but I had fun all the same. I pretended the welded-shut caboose was full of zombies.

Enough train talk. Let us longingly gaze upon my purse…

This was my most worn bag in the third year of my blog. I love it still.

Speaking of wardrobe workhorses, say goodbye to this shirt! It’s done its duty for the week.


Photos by Beefy Muchacho

Dress and Shirt

Today, you see the last two items in my five item capsule. I’ll be re-wearing these things all week. If you want to tune out until Saturday, I understand, but this could be interesting…


Somehow this has also become “the week I stare pensively at my handbag.”
Dress, I Heart Ronson. Shirt, NY & Co. Necklace, gift. Belt, Forever 21. Shoes, Mossimo. Bag, Colini Handbags (thrifted). Hairclip, self-made.


P.S. This is my front yard. It's a jungle.

Skirt and Tank and Vest

Jane has come up with the toughest wardrobe capsule challenge yet: 5 garments for 5 days.* Well, maybe it isn’t SO tough because the rules also allow for unlimited accessories, including shoes.

To keep things simple, I’ll tell you which of the five items I’m wearing each day in the title.


Vest, Forever 21. Tank, Julie’s Closet. Skirt, Eddie Rodriguez. Necklace, Macy’s. Studded bangle, Girl Props. Other bangles, Epcot Morocco. Shoes, Two Lips. Bag, Express.

Honestly, the toughest part of the challenge will be refraining from spilling food on myself. I don’t have time to launder mid-week.


*Okay – so I misread the rules. The challenge is 6/4 – 6/11. That’s 8 days. But I’m sticking with 5. Even that is tough.