1. Normcore style – what is it?
Normcore style is about embracing the banality of plainness, it is about originality, rejection of any sign of edginess and opulence. But make no mistake, the people who decide to embrace the normcore style are very much aware of their attire, they do not randomly choose garments in their closet, but they decide to dress simple and unfashionable even though they are fashionable people.
2. How to create a normcore style wardrobe capsule?
In this blog, I am going to show you how I created a normcore style interchangeable wardrobe capsule for a lady with a summer typology and a rectangular body.
2.1 Four key elements for a wardrobe capsule
In terms of body proportions (1), her hips and shoulders are narrow, the waistline, compared to the hips and shoulders, is not defined and she has a small to medium bust.
This detail was important in order to choose the design of the pieces in the new wardrobe capsule. But another essential element was her chromatics typology (2). My client had already went through a colour analysis so we need she has a summer typology.
The goal we had was to build at least 40 interchangeable outfits, all comfortable outfits, to easily cycle to her work (where she can wear casual clothes), but also during the leisure time. She spends her weekends either with her friends going out or in nature, walking or cycling. Why did I choose the normcore style for her? Because this is a style that suits her lifestyle (3) and style personality (4) as well.
2.2. The research process of the personal stylist
a) Choosing the colours
In order to meet the requirements: at least 40 interchangeable outfits, I started looking for at least 5 bottoms and at least 5 tops. In this case, in order to stay within the normcore aesthetics, I had to tame a little bit my love for colors and look mainly for garments in neutral colors (1). I of course sticked to the neutral colours that would suit a summer typology, and for this particular wardrobe I decided that cadet navy, light grey, faded denim and soft white (remember summer typology has a love story with soft white but not with pure white?!).
In addition, to have some contrast to the neutrals that we choose, I dared to add a little color.
b) Choosing the design
Then I moved to the designs (2) to match her body proportions. And during my research I found a nice pair of mom jeans in that faded denim grey blue color because there is nothing more comfortable and versatile than a pair of mum jeans that usually flatter any type of silhouette. Plus a pair of jeans will always be a part of a normcorer’s wardrobe. But a pair that does not seek to affirm its individuality, so the plainer the better.
Then I found a soft white straight cut jeans from a sustainable brand that I love, this is again a piece that is extremely versatile and easy to match. In terms of tops, I found a light short sleeves grey shirt that can be worn as it is, preferably not tucked in in order to avoid highlighting the waist. Remember that the rectangular body has a waist that is not so well defined, so the clothes that we will choose will follow the same guidelines: they will not define and not highlight the waist.This shirt can also be worn on top of the cadet navy top.
The light and cold grey dress (you can see the cold nuance, it has a blue tint if you look closer) it has also a loose design, so again it will not highlight the waist of my client. And the last piece in neutral colour for my summer typology lady, is a puffer light jacket in soft white again for the chilly summer evenings that we are experiencing in the Netherlands.
For the pants, I choose for large patch pockets towards the size, you will see that both the captain blue’s pants but also the jumpsuit have the same type of pockets (to create the illusion of a larger hip) because my client has an athletic figure with narrow hips so in order to create that symmetry that we want, we will add the illusion of width at the level of the hips.
For the same reason, to create the illusion of a wider hip, I chose a gathered dress which again creates fullness around the hips and even though it has an elastic around the waist, it can be worn also more loose so it will not necessarily define the waist. Of if worn tight on the waist, the pleats will widen the hips.
c) First check of the garments with the client
After sending these first items that I found for my client with just a little splash of colour added, theroyal blue and just a bit of clolour in the plum dress, my client decided to add some color. And I think this is the beauty of our wardrobe capsules because it allows us to move a little bit from the initial style that we decided to go for. So we don’t have to stay within the rigid lines of a style, we can own that style because we created a wardrobe in a style that represent us and it is unique (3).
So following this discussion, I came with some options of pastel colors: a muted lavender tshirt, a light blue shirt with soft white stripes and linen shorts in the same color and light lemon yellow top.
My intention with the pleat front blue shorts was again to visually widen the hip. A pleat is a fold in the cloth made by doubling the material over on itself and this gives the illusion of width around the hip. The long oversized blue shirt has that length that allows it to be worn on top of the pants as it is and it is recommendable for a rectangular body, but also on top of the light grey and loose dress.
Having seen before my client’s wardrobe and her preference for stripes patterns, I decided to be a bit daring and also include in this interchangeable wardrobe capsule a pair of striped pants. In the normcore style, we rarely find any patterns. But adding just one element, the capsule still stays within the normcore aesthetics.
d) Defining the normcore style accessories
I added as well some accessories (4), one bag and one backpack. Usually the normcorers will change the designer bags with merely utilitarian type of bags.
e) Adding the normcore style shoes
In terms of shoes (5), I also added two pairs, tone of sandals and one of sneakers. the normcorers will usually choose for chunky type of shoes, either the sneakers of the sandals. in this case I decided to go for a black pair of chunky sandals.
3. Final result
So with this garments I managed to create 44 intechangeable outfits.
My summer typology lady for whom I created the capsule has now 44 outfits to choose from when she wakes up in the morning. I am pretty pleased with the palette of this capsule. It is not limited to the same rotating pieces, but it actually has a personality. It does stay within the normcore aesthetics,
but it is not boring. The stripes print I choose is at the border between normcore and hipster, but still you can have a normcore vibe when worn with the lavender unbranded t-shirt.
but it is not boring. The stripes print I choose is at the border between normcore and hipster, but still you can have a normcore vibe when worn with the lavender unbranded t-shirt.
My impression is that this normcore style has conquered the new generation. Especially in a country like the Netherlands, where the lifestyle of pretty much every individual is connected to a bicycle. But in addition to that, I think more and more young people are aware of the climate change issues and they are also raising awareness with regard to the subject. This is very much in connection with the business model that the sustainable fashion brands have because they only create a few pieces, they prefer to create more simple cuts than complex ones. The colour palette of these few pieces is pretty limited and in this way it still allows people to create a unique wardrobe, but at the same time it gravitate more towards simple pieces, not on trend designs.
Here it is also the video I created more than a year ago. This is one of my first YouTube video so the sound quality is not the best, but now I improved it considerably in case you want to see other videos. 🙂
Keep it colourful!
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