Re-introducing the capsule wardrobe by Susie Faux, who coined the term
Vivienne Files; Starting from scratch
Wardrobe planning: a basic approach
1) create the color palette
If you believe in the different color theories, you probably know - or believe to know - or at least have preferences and hopes - your basic color palette.
If not, I suggest you create your own, personal color palette.
Go to Pinterest and create a board for every color; red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple, and one for neutrals.
Collect at least 20 pictures to each board of the color in question, BUT KEEP IN MIND THAT THE COLOR YOU PIN MUST BE A COLOR YOU LIKE. Be ruthless. There is no "good enough" in this game, it must be 100% perfect.
It is possible that you can't find any pictures with some colors. I don't like purple much. A lot of people hate orange, any hue of it.
It is also possible that you might like a color in combination with other colors, and all your pins are color combinations. It doesn't matter.
When you are done, you have your basic color palette.
It is highly likely that ALL your colors already exist on a "seasonal color analysis" palette. If so, great. You can use that.
It would be wonderful if you could copy the colors in some way, like printing them images (with a good printer that's faithful for the colors. You can also look for the colors in magazines and go to fabric stores etc. and collect "your colors" in a little notebook.
Now, adjust your color palette to the seasons by following this list:
Spring: the lightest and brightest colors from your palette, colors of flowers and butterflies; your yellows, pinks, blues and greens, your pastels
Neutrals: your lightest browns and grays, white
Summer: the lightest soft colors from your palette; your pinks, purples, blues and greens
Neutrals; your greys and whites, your navy, lightest browns
Autumn: the most muted and warm colors from your palette, your browns, oranges, yellows, reds and burgundys
Neutrals: browns and burgundy
Winter: the darkest, purest and strongest colors from your palette, your reds and darkest neutrals
Neutrals: black, grey, white, navy and burgundy, darkest browns
* Choose 1-2 neutrals and 1-3 accent colors
Now, burgundy and navy/teal are considered neutrals, even though they might not be in every situation... it depends totally on the amount of color and combinations.
Also, brown is just muted orange or yellow and orange and yellow are not neutrals, so be careful about when you move from brown to orange, and from neutral to non-neutral. I love cognac colored leather, but in some cases it acts as orange, and is not neutral.
A closet make-under
Tim Gunn's 10 Essential Wardrobe Items
Now, again, adjust this a little to your own personality. Instead of a "classic white shirt", choose a less classic, but nevertheless a white shirt. They come in every style, shape and size, and can be used many different ways.
The trenchcoat might be too "classic" for you, but this means a coat that protects you in every weather and one you can wear to grocery store and to opera.
The "basic black dress" is the "little black dress", which is special, because you really can wear it anywhere, to a cocktail party, wedding, funeral and work. This means that it is not a black cocktail dress.
Vivienne Files; Starting from scratch
Wardrobe planning: a basic approach
While the key pieces in every capsule wardrobe will differ depending on personal tastes and body shape, Gok reckons he has the must-haves sussed:-Developing a colour palette for your wardrobe
White shirt - "A true classic. Like your best friend, you can always depend on it," Gok says. He advises revamping an old shirt with a good brightener to keep it bright white, or change the buttons on your shirt to add designer-like detail. Length is also important. "I'd say err on the long side as you have more fabric to play with," Gok advises.
Jeans - "Don't be quick to keep denims in the comfy bracket," Gok says. "A good pair of fitting jeans are not only considered smart casual but workwear too." Straight leg jeans are Gok's tip for a good all-rounder that never date and give you a "leaner look and dynamic derriere".
Tailoring - "Good tailoring is a key buy because you can mix and match a suit - you don't have to wear the bottom and top together," Gok advises. Up the feminine factor by teaming your suited separates with a girly blouse and sky-high heels. "If you've got a difficult body shape get a dressmaker to re-fit it for you - it costs less money to do that than buying 20 pieces that don't fit properly," Gok says.
Mac - "You can wear it from day to night, from spring through to winter - to 2050 and beyond!" Gok says. Don't be afraid to go a little generous in size as a too-tight style will spoil your entire look. "You need some fabric to gather in at the waist," Gok advises, "or wear it loose and belted at the back for a casual take."
Gok's Guide To Making The Most Of What You've Got
1) create the color palette
If you believe in the different color theories, you probably know - or believe to know - or at least have preferences and hopes - your basic color palette.
If not, I suggest you create your own, personal color palette.
Go to Pinterest and create a board for every color; red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple, and one for neutrals.
Collect at least 20 pictures to each board of the color in question, BUT KEEP IN MIND THAT THE COLOR YOU PIN MUST BE A COLOR YOU LIKE. Be ruthless. There is no "good enough" in this game, it must be 100% perfect.
It is possible that you can't find any pictures with some colors. I don't like purple much. A lot of people hate orange, any hue of it.
It is also possible that you might like a color in combination with other colors, and all your pins are color combinations. It doesn't matter.
When you are done, you have your basic color palette.
It is highly likely that ALL your colors already exist on a "seasonal color analysis" palette. If so, great. You can use that.
It would be wonderful if you could copy the colors in some way, like printing them images (with a good printer that's faithful for the colors. You can also look for the colors in magazines and go to fabric stores etc. and collect "your colors" in a little notebook.
Now, adjust your color palette to the seasons by following this list:
Spring: the lightest and brightest colors from your palette, colors of flowers and butterflies; your yellows, pinks, blues and greens, your pastels
Neutrals: your lightest browns and grays, white
Summer: the lightest soft colors from your palette; your pinks, purples, blues and greens
Neutrals; your greys and whites, your navy, lightest browns
Autumn: the most muted and warm colors from your palette, your browns, oranges, yellows, reds and burgundys
Neutrals: browns and burgundy
Winter: the darkest, purest and strongest colors from your palette, your reds and darkest neutrals
Neutrals: black, grey, white, navy and burgundy, darkest browns
* Choose 1-2 neutrals and 1-3 accent colors
Also, brown is just muted orange or yellow and orange and yellow are not neutrals, so be careful about when you move from brown to orange, and from neutral to non-neutral. I love cognac colored leather, but in some cases it acts as orange, and is not neutral.
A closet make-under
Tim Gunn's 10 Essential Wardrobe Items
Now, again, adjust this a little to your own personality. Instead of a "classic white shirt", choose a less classic, but nevertheless a white shirt. They come in every style, shape and size, and can be used many different ways.
The trenchcoat might be too "classic" for you, but this means a coat that protects you in every weather and one you can wear to grocery store and to opera.
The "basic black dress" is the "little black dress", which is special, because you really can wear it anywhere, to a cocktail party, wedding, funeral and work. This means that it is not a black cocktail dress.
So, the one on the left is NOT a LBD; but the one on the right is.
Imagine yourself wearing loafers and a cardigan with it at your work,
and then with high heels and fancy jewelry at a party.
If it works in both pictures, it's a LBD.
If not, it's not. Even if it's a little, black dress.
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