Wardrobe Capsule Challenge

On Monday, I will begin participation in Work That Wardrobe’s Wardrobe Capsule Challenge. I initially misunderstood the challenge to be 5 days wearing 10 wardrobe items, to include major clothing items, shoes, and accessories. I had already planned my week when I learned that the 10 items includes major clothing and shoes only. In addition, we are allowed 5 accessories and one “free” coat. (I was planning on wearing a coat anyway and not counting it.) After learning of the extra room, I added two bags to my capsule.

Major wardrobe items (7):

Turtleneck sweater, Charlotte Russe. Skirt, Moda International. Blouse, Forever 21. Dress, Lipstick. Cardigan, Wet Seal. Boots, White Mountain. Lace-up pumps, Isaac Mizrahi for Target.
Accessories (5):

Feather earrings, Claire's. Scarf, stolen from a play. Brooch, swap. Purse, thrifted and vintage. Tote, Tommy Hilfiger.
I chose a color palette of gray, navy, and black so that all the pieces would mix and match. I wanted to be able to wear each piece at least twice. I also thought it would be novel to layer a dress under a skirt, so I chose those two items with that use in mind. Finally, I wanted the experiment to be inexpensive (the priciest item is the skirt, which is half of a suit set I bought for around $70) and I wanted to utilize things I’ve gotten from swaps or the thrift store.

The challenge truly is one for me. I have a lot of clothes, and I love to rotate through my closet. It was a little painful to not line up something different to wear each day. However, I think it is a good exercise in thrift and in packing light. Stay tuned for a week of doing more with less!

The Flirt

Sweater, I Doll. Tee, Forever 21. Corduroy trousers, Old Navy. Wedge loafers, AE for Payless. Tartan socks, Charlotte Russe.

I didn’t intend to shop at Old Navy on Black Friday. I only went there because Mikey needed some pants. I pulled these navy corduroy trousers out for him, but he pointed out that they were misplaced from the ladies’ section. Instead, I tried them on and loved the cut. It is “the flirt.” The style makes my butt look amazing and still allows ease of movement…

Black Friday

Denim jacket, Forever 21. Sweater, Merona. Tank, No Boundaries. Corduroy miniskirt, London Jean. Leggings, Danskin. Wedge loafers, AE for Payless. Scarf, Images (gift from Londyn).

Another black Friday. Funny, I wore this skirt last black Friday. And I paired it with navy, brown, green, and yellow then, too. Oh, and same pose. I’m nothing if not consistent.

Happy Thanksgiving

Cardigan, Sparrow. Tank, Mossimo, Skirt, vintage, thrifted, shortened, and embellished. Wedge loafers, AE for Payless. Hair clip, self made.

Happy Thanksgiving! We had brined turkey, crockpot stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, roasted asparagus, and dark chocolate cheesecake. And it was just the two of us. Thank goodness the kitties helped us out with the turkey. Then we all collapsed into tryptophan comas.

Homecoming

Cardigan, Bitten. Turtleneck sweater, Express. Jeans, Lucky. Moccasins, AE for Payless. Necklace, Kenneth Cole Reaction.

Mike is coming home today after being away for work. I’m excited.


I love the swingy shape of this cardigan.


I bought this necklace last weekend. The tag read $55, but it rang up at $13.75. Score!

Barbarella

Sweater, H&M. Trousers, Forever 21. Belt, Luxury Divas. Earrings, Nine West. Booties, Sigerson Morrison for Target.

I feel like Barbarella (a modest Barbarella) today. I think it’s the black, the hair, and the belt:


I tried to watch Barbarella once, but lost interest at the climactic (pun somewhat intended) fight scene with the lesbian queen. I was surprised to look up the run time and find the movie is only 98 minutes long. I guess my attention span is even shorter than I knew.

Melton

Blouse, Merona. Sweaterdress, Melton. Lace-up pumps, Isaac Mizrahi for Target. Bracelets, Forever 21. Hair clip, self made.



I love this dress. It has such a fun shape and pretty embroidery. And it cost only 500 yen. (Less than $5 at the exchange rate few years ago.) Here’s how I’ve worn it (and not nearly enough!):



I’m going to try it with a sheer blouse beneath more often. I think my Bebe blouse creation would look great layered underneath.

Not So Much

Vest, H&M. Blouse, Express. Skirt, from my USMC service uniform, embellished by me. Pumps, Charlotte Russe. Earrings, Claire’s.


This outfit isn’t doing it for me. It was a forced attempt to incorporate this blouse. In theory, the blouse is good: ruffles, satin, cherry red color. In practice, I have trouble styling it in a flattering way.


This last photo is particularly bad. I look like a Shar Pei.
I’m not even bothering to put this one on trial. It’s going straight to the swap bag!

Bowed

Dress, vintage, swapped, and shortened. Sweater, Moda International. Headband, Forever 21. Bangles, Body Central. Purple tights, We Love Colors (layered over a black Danskin pair). Maryjanes, Two Lips.

I always feel a bit gift wrapped with a bow at my neck.

Oven Man

Sweater, The Limited. Blouse, Bebe (altered). Jeans, Express. Wedge loafers, AE for Payless. Earrings, girlshop.com.

I stayed home today to wait for the oven man*. I had intended to wear the top of this ensemble with my gray bubble skirt and mustard pumps, but changed my plans when I needed to spend the day working from home. Jeans and loafers were more practical for a day in my 62** degree house and bicycling to and from the coffee shop. You think 62 is cold? It’s 35 outside!



*Our oven has been broken since December 2007. I decided to fix it now so I can make a turkey for Thanksgiving.

**On special occasions, we turn the thermostat up to 64! Today, I had to put a heater under the kitchen table (where I was working on my laptop) to keep my toes from turning to popsicles.

Familiar

Jacket, Odds ‘n Evens (thrifted). Dress, Bitten (shortened). Lace blouse, Newport News. Lace-up pumps, Isaac Mizrahi for Target. Hair clip, self-made. Bag, Payless. Cameo earrings, thrifted. Cameo ring, gift from my MIL.

Does this outfit look familiar? It’s similar to the tartan madness I wore for my Bus Bundling post. I’m wearing the same dress and jacket, but ditched the plaid pumps and purse. Do you really think I’d wear that much plaid at once?


Plaidtastic goodness
But back to today’s outfit…

I actually wore the jacket buttoned, as pictured below. (I just wanted to show off the dress a little in the lead picture.) I also carried my mustard yellow bag.