Eclectic Joy

A small casual fall capsule (Photo heavy)

September 2, 2013

Using Angie's blog post on creating a small casual fall capsule as a template, I came up with several outfits to wear around home or running casual errands.
I used some red for color but would like to add more. Neutrals are denim, khaki, black, navy, and white. Everything was already in my closet.
Bottoms: (photo 1)
Red NYDJ jeans
Khaki Merona slim cargo pants
Dark denim Hudson skinny jeans

Tops: (Photo 3)
H&M open weave white pullover (in Photo 5)
White polkadot buttondown
Striped tee ( grey or navy?)
Black Eileen Fisher long sleeved tee
White doggy graphic tee
Leopard silk buttondown
Linen white with red and black paisley print tunic

Toppers: (Photos 4&5)
Black twill moto jacket
Faded cropped denim jacket OR
Linen blend navy blazer

Accessories: (Photo 2 and some in 6)
Footwear:
Rockport grey suede athletic flats
Pikolinos peep toe booties

Belt: Calvin Klein distressed silvery metallic
Reversible black/snake
Scarf: Tomato red rayon
Bag: Grey quilted crossbody with chain

I subbed the red jeans for a print, and attempted a variety of tops, some of which can be layered. I also used a white cami for layering. I couldn't decide between the grey and the navy striped tops and even then ended up with an extra top.
Toppers were tricky for proportions with the tops. The black moto jacket worked pretty well with everything. Although trying for variety, the denim jacket may be just too short and the navy blazer also shorter than ideal.
I tried for different heel heights on shoes and added extra pairs to keep feet happy.
Photo 6 has other possible tops and shoes.
The rest of the photos are some possible outfits. I'm sorry I don't know how to combine photos.
If you get this far, I'd appreciate you input as to what works and what doesn't and what changes you would make.
ETA: I learned so much from this exercise. Not much here can fit into Angie's list of fall trends, probably because these are old pieces. I can do black footwear. Wardrobe holes are a modern refined sweatshirt, a tomato red tote, casual pants in a print, a better navy blazer for this look.
It is still warm here for long pants. The plan is to move out summer and install early fall in my closet around September 15th, when it usually starts cooling down some here. Cold weather for sweaters doesn't usually get here until the end of November.

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Posted in the Dressing category
This post is also published in the youlookfab forum. You can read and reply to it in either place. All replies will appear in both places.

19 Comments

  • Debbie replied 11 years ago

    First I have to say I love your Dylan tee.

    I think every thing works. I like the length of the moto the best and I love the red scarf. It adds the right touch. 11, 13, 19 and 22 are my favorites.
    That belt with 22 makes the whole outfit.

    I need to do this. I think it definitely would help me utilize my clothes more functionally.

  • Caro in Oz replied 11 years ago

    Great job Joy.  I love #7, 11 & 16.

    These are just my personal preferences :) I really like you in the shorter jackets rather than the longer shirt. The only other thing I would suggest is a darker or slightly weightier shoe or bootie to give it all a more autumnal feel. 

  • Suz replied 11 years ago

    It's a surprisingly tricky exercise, isn't it? You ran up against some of the same issues I did: how to inject enough colour but still have versatility; what do to about proportions, especially of toppers; how to find footwear that works with it all. 

    I really love your capsule, and wow, what a FAB collection of tops. The doggie and Dylan tees are sensational and really add to the fun quotient. I need to copy you and get a fun graphic tee for my capsule! 

    My favourites here are 7, 8, 11, and 16. 

    A question for you: now that you have done this, do you think you would wear your less-favourite options? Or would you be able to stick to a closet this limited (apart from a trip, perhaps)? Of course, Angie never said we had to stick to one capsule -- she is all for overlapping interwoven capsules, which is how I realize my wardrobe already works. 

    Still, it helps to focus me to put it together in a set of outfits like this and consider the actual versatility (or lack thereof) as opposed to what is in my imagination. 

  • Suz replied 11 years ago

    ETA: I answered the collage question on my thread: CollageIt. But there are others, too -- and I have no idea how they compare. I just tried the first free program I saw! 

  • Nova replied 11 years ago

    Love your capsule.  I like the moto jacket a lot and you mixed them all wonderfully. 

  • Joy replied 11 years ago

    Suz, this was harder than I thought it would be but I learned a lot. I've had an eye out for what I hope are age appropriate graphic tees since Angie used one with a blazer years ago. The Dylan tee is a small from Target's men's department washed dried on hot to shrink it a bit. It's now what I think is perfectly oversized for a semi tuck or tucked.
    To answer your question, I think I could be pretty happy just wearing this capsule for the weeks in fall that I planned. The secret is Angie's suggestion of a wide variety of tops as well as variety in bottoms, still being casual, and footwear. She also has more variety in color and that's what my capsule probably needs for me to be completely happy with it.
    After seeing your use of white jeans, those could be used to expand this capsule, as could adding black Ponte pants to the mix.
    I missed the Collegelt link info and will try it.
    Debbie and Caro, that you for your comments and favorites. Debbie, the belt on that tunic was experimental for proportions. I'm glad that you think it works.
    Caro, that's a good idea with the heavier/darker shoe. I can sub in black or brown booties for the Pikolinos. They have the same heel height. I want some Beetle boots like Angie shows to update older flat ankle boots.
    Thank you, Nova, for your kind words.

  • replied 11 years ago

    Love this collection of outfits Joy. I think the red is a perfect choice for colour and I feel that the proportions work with the moto really well. You have some great outfits with jeans rolled up and I like how the belt works in the last pic. Fab graphic tees too.

  • Krista replied 11 years ago

    Joy, you have knocked these outfits out of the park! I love all of the outfits with the red jeans and #17-19 are so chic! I personally find the proportions of the jackets with the cargo pants (#9,10) a little off, almost too much of a juxtaposition. But everything else is awesome. Those graphic tees are so fab and I love how you found the Dylan tee at Target in the men's dept. Leave no retail stone unturned, indeed!

  • replied 11 years ago

    Joy, you are blowing me away! I know you said you didn't have many things on Angie's Fall trend list, but trust me, these outfits look very on-trend and fresh to me! It would take too long to list my favorites (since almost all of them would make my list). The only not-so-favorite is the long shirt belted, as I prefer the other ways you've styled it. Also are the red jeans too long? I can't quite tell how they are lying at the ankle. You have some really nice clothes, and good job on all your hard work!

  • cobaltblue replied 11 years ago

    I love that doggie tee! You really did a great job with this exercise, and I really like the outfits you created. I prefer the grey striped top for this capsule.

  • Angie replied 11 years ago

    Well done Joy, and thanks Suz for reiterating the point that we have many, many capsules in our wardrobe.

    Joy, I love the red and blue jeans. I wonder if your white jeans would have been a better sub for the cargos, as well as subbing a more fashionable top for the printed paisley shirt. Did you try wearing your striped tee over your polka dot shirt?

    You have the best panel printed tee. I hereby crown you Queen Graphic Tee. xo

  • donnat replied 11 years ago

    Wow, I just love it! This is much harder than it looks, I have been trying to make my capsule, and failing miserably . I actually didn't realize I have no print tops. You have done an excellent job.

  • Joy replied 11 years ago

    It has been interesting and enlightening to read your comments. Thank you so much!
    Diane and Krista, I struggle with proportions.
    Claire, the red jeans are too long. I was going to hack them off for clams but it never got done. I need to turn them under for flats. They are getting a bit faded, which is why they are in this casual capsule for their last hurrah. Do you think I should get new red jeans?
    Cobalt blue and Donnat, it was work, especially as these clothes were too warm for trying to style on a hot day. I ended up not trying every variation.
    Angie, never would I have thought to be crowned Queen Graphic tee! Wow, it pays to be picky :)
    I think I will sub the white Catherine bf jeans for the cargo pants and put them in the gardening capsule. White would work with everything the cargos go with. I did try the darker striped tee with the polkadot shirt. It looks wrinkled but I did this in a hurry. The paisley shirt was the only print I had, so I have a hole. Maybe a modern sweatshirt can be found to take its place, or a chambray shirt that I have.

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  • Jjsloane replied 11 years ago

    How did I miss this fabulous exercise the first time around? Joy you've done a great job especially using what you had and identifying what you are missing. I especially love the Dylan tee! You have a nice mix of items and nothing says "old" either in style or age. 

  • Lisa replied 11 years ago

    Fab capsule here.  My favorite pieces are the doggy printed t, red jeans, and moto jacket.  They really inject some fun paired with the other classic pieces here.  I also found toppers tricky with these capsule posts.  I am currently sporting all my capsule outfits, with a different blazer than the one I originally picked for my capsule.  And I learned that prints can really help mix up a look, so now I am trying to be more aware of the power of a print.

  • texstyle replied 11 years ago

    Somehow I missed this post before so I am SO glad Angie included it in the blog today. I LOVE your capsule - esp. the fun tees. And #8 and 9 in particular are different than what I usually see you post but I really like them a lot. Great job Joy!

  • Geraldine replied 10 years ago

    Love the tee shirt!

  • t replied 10 years ago

    Thank you for inspiring me Joy! I recently cleaned out my closet, but I have been feeling less than inspired when choosing outfits. I will be putting together some capsules this week.

    July is actually my favorite time of the year to shop, as Fall is just around the corner and I am inspired by new looks online and in the stores. I plan on using most of what I already have, but I'll fill a few holes here and there.

  • replied 10 years ago

    I am not sure what blog you are referring to.  Did I miss something or are you using an older blog from last year?  

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