Capsule Wardrobe - Fall 2014

As of September 1, my first capsule wardrobe is officially underway! I'm extremely excited to get this adventure started and share my journey with all of you.

Now I want to be completely honest here... This whole process took even more planning and preparation than I ever anticipated. I thought 37 pieces would be a piece of cake, but it became much more complicated when I came to the realization that I'm still a working professional five days a week. My workplace requires "business casual" attire - aka no jeans. I also have a few personal rules in the workplace - no open toes, bare shoulders, short skirts, or cleavage.  All of those "rules" seem pretty straight-forward, but I quickly found out that stylish and professional are not the best of friends. On top of that, I often have to dress "business professional" meaning suit jackets and the like. I don't know about you, but I don't often wear a suit jacket to run to the hardware store.

All of that being said, I had a lot of details to keep in mind as I planned for the next three months. As a reminder, my fall capsule of 37 items will have to last me through September, October and November. Would it be possible to find jackets that weren't stuffy? What about dresses that I can wear to work and then to a local pumpkin patch? Can I find pieces that are cohesive but not boring? What about pieces that are cool enough for the possible 90 degree weather in early September but the chance for snow by the end of November? Indiana is one finicky state when it comes to weather!! Layers, layers and more layers was going to be a key here. So let's see what I picked!

tops : 18 pieces

                  

contrast edge / embroidered lace / eyelet tee (old - Gap) / cream cardigan (old - Gap) / trench coat (old - Ellie Tahari)/ blush blouse / army green button up  (old - Madewell) / olive army jacket (old - Banana Republic) / chambray button up / denim jacket (old - iT Jeans) / light gray sweater / gray blazer / gray tee (old - Fossil) / black stripe tee / black&white blazer / muted black tee / swiss dot tee / black cardigan (old - Gap)

bottoms: 12 pieces

           

green chino short (old - J.Crew) / high waist shorts (old - Madewell) / boyfriend jeans (old - Joe's Jeans) / toothpick jeans (old - J.Crew) / dark skinny jeans / gray martin trousers (old - Banana Republic) / silk dress / wavelength skirt / pencil skirt (old - Banana Republic) / minnie pants (old - J.Crew) / black dot dress (old - J.Crew) / shift dress

shoes: 7 pieces

       

 nude heels / black heels (old - Ralph Lauren) / leopard heels (old - Nine West) / olive suede booties (old - Madewell)/ natural sandals / cognac sandals (old - Cole Haan) / sneakers (old - J.Crew)

Well it was a lot of work, but I feel pretty darn confident about my picks. What do you think? Are you surprised by my choices? What would you have done differently? Is anyone inspired to give it a shot??? :)