Capsule Wardrobe Operating Plan
This is the current operating plan for my capsule wardrobe project that I will be starting in 2023, but will likely carry into 2024 and possibly beyond. The operating plan includes the colors I will be using in my wardrobe, as well as the garments I intend to make. Some of the garments are fully planned out down to the fabric and pattern I will be using, while others still have some decisions that need to be made. However, this is the generally finalized list of garments that I will be working from and crossing off as I go. Additionally, because I am also a historical costumer who frequently incorporates garments from my historical costuming into my regular wardrobe, I'm giving myself the freedom to let a historical costuming piece satisfy a capsule wardrobe requirement if I so choose. And with that, let the sewing begin!
Colors
The colors are based both off of what is already prominent in my current wardrobe, and the colors that work best for my warm autumn coloring.
Neutrals:
Brown - particularly warm browns that vary from light to dark; coffee, cognac, camel
Cream - warm off-whites that go well with the warm browns
Colors:
Green - again, warm greens with mid to rich saturation; nothing too light or pastel, nothing cool or “minty"; fern, olive, forest, etc.
Orange - earthy to vibrant; no neon and again no pastels; terracotta, rust, true orange
Red - anything from scarlet to burgundy; use carefully so as not to contrast too much with green
Garments
These are broken down into different garment categories. While several garments are fully finalized, others are subject to some change and will be updated accordingly
Foundation Garments:
One "every day" corset - will use 1860s corset pattern from RedThreaded; have fabric for
One to two additional petticoats - white cotton, possibly one silk for winter
Several linen shifts
Dresses:
Cold weather dresses
Red wool dress - full skirt, large bishop sleeves, long cuff with buttons, v-cut bodice; have fabric for
Dark green wool pinafore - square neck, bodice with buttons on both sides, moderately fully skirt; have fabric for
Brown wool pinafore - style uncertain; have fabric for
Warm weather dresses
Linen wrap dress - will likely use the HubaDing wrap dress pattern from etsy, color unknown
Green linen dress - possibly a more muted green such as olive or a warmer moss, maybe sleeveless
Blouses
One long-sleeved linen blouse appropriate for warm weather - something with big, floating sleeves, color tbd
One short-sleeved linen blouse appropriate for warm weather - possibly self-draft a milkmaid blouse style top, color tbd
Brown silk blouse - a rich, warm brown; probably a crepe or a charmeuse; use the 1930s blouse with a pussy bow tie from Etsy
Cream silk blouse - possibly the Vampire blouse pattern from The Closet Historian or 1930s pussy bow blouse
Mossy green silk blouse - TCH Vampire blouse or 1930s blouse with pussy bow
Skirts
Brown corduroy skirt - more structured like a pencil skirt/A-line
Brown wool skirt - Edith Skirt pattern; have fabric for
Green wool skirt - 1890s walking skirt; have fabric for
Orange linen skirt - likely an earthy terracotta color; similar to the skirts with buttons down the front and a flounce at the bottom possibly with a belt tie
Brown linen(?) skirt - A warm, rich brown; maybe the Edith Skirt pattern again; this is the least thought out, probably something more structured that would be suitable for warmer weather
Misc.
A suit - most likely in a suiting wool, maybe brown or green; something vintage-inspired (30s, 40s, or 50s) but suitable for modern wear
A fancy dress for fancy occasions - in a silk; color and style tbd
