Featuring Me-Made Garments
Cap-sleeved top…Bondi Top from Sew to Grow
Capsule Wardrobe
One of my goals for this year’s Me-Made May celebration was to create a summer capsule wardrobe ( a limited selection of interchangeable clothing pieces that complement each other) featuring handsewn garments I’d made over the past few years. I wanted to eliminate the “I have a closet full of clothes with nothing to wear” syndrome that would usually lead me on a shopping spree. Don’t get me wrong, I love to go shopping, but this year I was curious to see if I could get by with less. With the addition of a few non-handsewn items that I already had, and three new sewing projects this month, I was able to come up with a 15 piece capsule wardrobe that should meet my needs all summer long!
Getting Started
I had read that the key to a good capsule wardrobe begins with a foundation of neutral colors. Going through my closet, I found that I already had some pants and shorts in black, beige. Sticking with these basic colors, I added in some denim, white, and printed tops. Nothing was thrown out, but the items that didn’t make the cut went into a box in the spare bedroom (my emergency stash in case I discovered I couldn’t really live with 15 items!!) I did not purchase any new clothing pieces, but I bought fabric to make 2 white tees in different sleeve lenghts and a pair of denim shorts. Here are my 15 items:
The Bottoms
The Tops
Finishing Touches
Pop of Color
Just in case I get bored with my neutrals, at the last minute I added these wide-legged pants in Goldenrod linen to my capsule wardrobe.
So there you have it! My 15 piece summer capsule wardrobe!
..as an added bonus, my capsule wardrobe fits into a carry-on…just in case…..
Threads of Thought
Even if you don’t sew, check out what you already have and create a summer wardrobe of your own! You might just surprise yourself!
When I’m not sewing, I’m writing! Read more in Out of the Crayon Box: Thoughts on Teaching, Retirement and Life http://amazon.com/author/debravandeventer
Love your 15 items, you clever woman. I want to make more time to sew now!
Yes!! But remember, I didn’t make these all in one month! Spread out over the course of a year. And I work with simple, pull-on-and-go styles, nothing fancy.
Love your 15 items. I just need more time to sew now!
You are so talented. I love your capsule wardrobe. I usually wear the same things over and over. I could put everything else in a box and see how it goes. You inspired me to make my first dress. I bought some silk knit fabric. I need to get the proper needles and thread and I will begin.
Yay! I’m so glad you are inspired. The silk knit sounds beautiful!