summer clothes Archives - Seams Like a Story

Featuring Me-Made Garments

Denim shorts…Emerson Pant and Short Pattern from True Bias,
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

Emerson Pant and Short Pattern by True Bias

Wide- legged pants in black stretch denim Emmerson Pant and Short pattern by True Bias

The Tops

Willow Tank Pattern by Grainline Studios in Rayon floral print and polka dot cotton

Black cap-sleeved tee (not handsewn) and white Bondi Top Patten by Sew to Grow

3/4 sleeve striped tee from Old Navy and white tee (made my own patten for this)

Finishing Touches

New Look Pattern N6651 out of navy blue rayon

My live-in cotton sweater(several years old) from TJ Maxx

well worn, but still functional Vans and sandals (didn’t count these in the 15 items…)

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

Tag: summer clothes

15 Piece Summer Capsule Wardrobe