Wardrobe Architect 2015: Planning My Spring/ Summer Capsule Wardrobe

During the first round of the Wardrobe Architect series, I did a lot of work defining my core style, favorite shapes, silhouettes, color palette, and print preferences, culminating in aSpring/ Summer capsule wardrobe plan. Then summer happened, and I never actually got around to sewing anything. All of that thinking did help me make smarter shopping choices, though, and I ended up investing in a few versatile pieces that I wore all summer long.

This year, I created an expanded Spring/ Summer capsule plan that includes several pieces from my current wardrobe. I plan to fill in the gaps with some handmade separates, dresses, and maybe even a Rigel bomber if I'm feeling ambitious. As for the pieces I know I can't make (e.g., the leather jacket and skinny jeans), I plan to hit up my favorite ethical brands like Amour Vert, Everlane, and Adriano Goldschmied. So here it is: the full Spring/ Summer vision above and the detailed plan below, including pattern choices from Colette, Grainline, Papercut, By Hand London, and Simplicity. If some of the "Have" pieces look familiar, it's because they're actual photos of my clothes... which I photographed on a dress form and painstakingly isolated in Photoshop. In other words, I had a rockin' Saturday night.

From top left: Chambray Button-up Shirt, Madewell Denim Jacket, Papercut Rigel Bomber, Everlane Seed Stitch Raglan, Theory Lace Sweatshirt, Veda Leather Jacket, Amour Vert Breton Top, Grainline Tiny Pocket Tank, Simplicity Vintage Halter, Jean Short Cutoffs, Cream Skinny Jeans, Grainline Maritime Shorts, BCBG Sundress, Amanda Uprichard Sundress, By Hand London Georgia Dress, Colette Mabel Skirt, Blue Paisley Skirt, Colette Zinnia Skirt

Sunshine, Cat Eyes, and a Striped Laurel

This weekend has been ridiculous -- a span of warm, sunny days that actually made sleeveless dresses and sandals an option. Good thing I whipped up this sleeveless knit Laurel dress last week (seriously, it was a super quick project)! 

I initially meant for this to be a muslin/ practice round, as it was my first go at a knit and my first time sewing Laurel. I found 3 1/2 yards of this gorgeous fabric in the salvage section of Britex, so I figured I had room to play around. 

...And there certainly is room for improvement here. First of all, I should have sized down; although the dress looks fine with a belt, it's a bit too big in the bust and waist. And I'm jonesing for a serger that will allow me to sew more professional looking knit garments (especially since I'm planning to sew Tilly's Coco pattern and dive into the Colette Guide to Sewing Knits). This time, I improvised by using a zigzag stitch on the sleeves and hem, folding them inside, then finishing by hand. This actually ended up looking fine, and added a nice drape to the neckline, but I'm not sure how well the seams will hold up over time.

So although this wearable muslin will certainly get worn this spring and summer, I can't wait to play around with more knits! I love how easy they are to sew up and how beautifully they drape -- not to mention the fact that they're stupid comfortable. As I move toward sewing more wardrobe staples, I think knits are where it's at.