Interchangeable Wardrobe Capsule?
This interchangeable wardrobe capsule for spring typology gives me so much energy! It’s spring again in the Southern Hemisphere and while everything comes back to life, so should the ladies living here! And they can achieve this by wearing vibrant colors suitable to their natural color palette!
This interchangeable wardrobe capsule is not only suitable for spring weather in terms of fabrics and garments and shoes, but also suitable for a lady with a spring typology. It can be the capsule of any spring lady out there, working from home or having no dress code when in the office or for a lady who is enjoying a work break.
What was the request of the client?
My spring lady who commissioned this interchangeable wardrobe capsule had 3 words in mind when we started working together:
a) comfortable (because she is working from home)
b) vibrant (in terms of colour to help her lift her spirits) and
c) feminine (because this is her style personality)
And in addition, we discussed that this should be a small or medium capsule. This means around 20-30 outfits. But please bear in mind that this is how she defines a small to medium capsule, your definition and need in terms of outfits may be very different.
My client’s intention was to create one capsule for each season, this is why she decided we should stick to a small to medium capsule, these outfits will be covering her needs during a period of 3 months only. During the 3 months of spring, she will only repeat one outfit 2 or maximum 3 times.
How did I work for this interchangeable wardrobe capsule?
Color inspiration
My inspiration for this capsule came this time from one of my favourite painters, Georgia O’Keeffe, specifically from her painting Light of Iris (1924). I found it perfect for colour inspiration for a spring typology lady. It’s vibrant, isn’t it?
Her requirements translated into garments
To achieve both the comfortable and feminine look in one, I knew I have to split the garments I will include in this wardrobe in these two categories. Both comfort and feminine elements come from the design of the garments, the fabric the garment is made of and the patterns.
Casual style garments to meet the comfortable requirement
So I decided to put into my comfortable basket the following items: elastic waistband lyocell pants in captain’s blue color, grey elastic dress made of cotton, light green yellow sweatshirt, an ivory cotton t-shirt with an abstract print and a pair of soft white jeans.
Romantic style to meet the feminine requirement
In the second basket, I choose garments that either due to their design or their fabric or print would add that feminine element my client wanted. I translate feminine in romantic style garments. So I choose this A-line yellow skirt (that due to its design would create space around the belly an hips) so very easy to be worn at home, a slim-fit mint green top and the slim fit purple top, both made from a stretchy fabric as, the floral print waist length jacket and a yellow top that flows its way into a room with thin straps on the shoulders. In addition the silky fabric yellow-green long dress and a more formal dress with geomentric patterns.
When I found the floral jacket, I totally knew my client will like it a lot. This is because I saw here wardrobe before starting the capsule and I knew floral are some of her favorites.
The floral jacket had to be this length because unlike other wardrobe capsule you may have seen, this one incorporates more long dresses or medium dresses and skirts. The best length for a jacket when wearing a medium length or long dress like these ones is one that hits at your waist.
Finally because spring can be moody, the rainy jacket is an item I could not forget, but I decided to go for a vibrant color so that even if it rains, my client gets that vibe of colourful spring that helps her with her mood and productivity!
And because spring can be moody, the rainy jacket is an item I could not forget, but in a vibrant color so that even if it rains, you get that vibe of colourful spring.
I also paid attention to the length of the trso that the skirt and the dresses I chose are not longer than the trench coat, otherwise it looks a bit out of place when you can see the hemline of the skirts or dresses showing beneath a coat.
How to determine your natural color palette?
I draped my client in different colors, very close to her face so that I can determine the light those colors reflect on her face and which ones are flattering for her. It’s true that the eye of a color expert is formed and the moment my client reach out to meet and sent me some pictures of her, I could see that the characteristics of her features (color of the eyes, eyebrows, skin undertone and hair) are rather warm, bright and light, clear indication that she is a spring typology. So the draping process was in addition and confirmed my initial guess.
This is an exercise that you could also try at home, however sometimes you have limited colors in your wardrobe. I would advise you to get to a color expert. But if you do not have a budget for that, get together with your friends and make sure you have as many colors from this list I share with you to try on.
My client has a spring typology because her natural hair is golden blonde, she has blue-green eyes and peachy skin tone. But this is just one of the many characteristics a spring typology can have. Another example of spring typology is vivid red hair and fair ivory skin and pale blue eyes.
These are very specific features and at the same time very limited, because you can have a spring typology even if your eyes are not necessarily blue or green or blue-green, they can be hazel or amber as well. And your hair can darken with age.
It can be a complex exercise that only an expert can help you. If you need my help, here you can find me: fashionsensitve@gmail.com
