Casual Spring Capsule Wardrobe

What is a capsule wardrobe:

It is supposed to be a small number of coordinated items of clothing which can all be mixed and matched to create a number of outfits.

Usually, I shop for clothes with my eyes and I, usually, instantly like or dislike an item of clothing. This has left me with a number of things that do not necessarily coordinate with each other, meaning I have a rather eclectic mix of smaller capsules.

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I have started, probably for the first time in my life, to look at the upcoming runway fashions and trends. For example, wide-legged trousers feature heavily on the Spring/Summer 2021 catwalk, they suit a wide range of body shapes and I don't think they will date too quickly. I don't like buying clothes without trying them on. In a shop, you walk in knowing that pretty much all the clothes are the current style or trend. Now with all the shops being shut, I have been exploring what is fashionable.

HKMX high waisted sport leggings Wild Bloom

Even before COVID, I liked to be comfortable at home or in the garden, often opting for an old scruffy tracksuit in colder weather and a scruffy t-shirt or crop top and shorts for digging and weeding in the garden. I do also like to wear Jeans and a hoodie or t-shirt if I go to town or the garden centre, and it is some of these that now needs replacing. I am sure that most other people now find themselves in the same position. So let's start sewing and let's start shopping!

I think it's logical to ease into the idea of a capsule wardrobe by starting with what we wear off duty.

A casual spring capsule wardrobe for when you are off duty, I think should have these, minimally:

1 or even 2 pairs of Jeans

1 Pair of Joggers

Hoodie or Cardigan

3 T-shirts

I am not yet confident enough to sew my own jeans, so I will definitely buy a new pair. I normally buy my favourite jeans from Next, only because their range of Slim and Lift just fit me. I used to buy all my jeans at M and S, but they changed the cut. Buying new jeans is an absolute pain if I don't have a 'go to'. At some point I will try sewing my own and hopefully fit won't be an issue.

I don't know about you, but I need a few t-shirts, some casual blouses, shorts and possibly a couple of long summer dresses.

Make vs Buy

If I was confident enough, I would definitely try this pattern, it gives a few different styles to sew, so it shouldn't go out of date.

Make

vs.

Buy

I recently made my first pair of joggers, I will definitely be making more.

Buy vs. Make

As you can see, the pink one is my Stella Hoodie with an added zip. So, one box ticked.

Buy vs. Make

I really like the feminine styling of Superdry, I have a few of their sparkly shirts.

I really like the ruffle detail on this 'make' shirt, too. Tilly has a frill similar to this in her Stretch! book.

If you just can't be bothered to make any, you could buy a few plain ones instead.

I used this pink hoodie fabric for my Stella Hoodie shown above:

Jersey fabric can also be used to add patch pockets to joggers or to a hoodie. I am considering making a lighter-weight hoodie in Jersey fabric for warm spring days. The Tilly and The Buttons one was so easy to make. I have a few different styles of hoodie to try sew from the Burdastyle magazine. I will keep you posted.

I am currently making the sleeveless version of this McCalls pattern, it will be my first stand-up collar. Fingers crossed I won't need to unpick anything and I can actually wear it....