Key staples for your Spring / Summer wardrobe
This is my go to checklist for creating your Work, Rest and Play capsules during the warmer months
Building your perfect wardrobe is all about understanding your lifestyle, your body shape, your style personality and then choosing garments and outfits which complement.
In this blog I am going to focus on your lifestyle and guide you regarding the key items you should invest in and specifically for each capsule (of work, rest and play), so you can create as many outfits as possible.
I am sure you have said this line before, “I have nothing to wear” alongside a wardrobe already bursting full with clothes. Well let me share how you can banish this phrase for good.
Work capsule
Perhaps self explanatory and should include what you need to wear for commuting. You may even have a work uniform or you are guided by your workplace on what you can or cannot wear.
When I was managing fashion stores, I wore mostly classic business attire. Which is not truly my style personality but it was the persona I wanted to portray.
Rest capsule
This is for when you are at home and when you enjoy being more comfortable and relaxed (and yourself). This includes walking the dog or popping out to food shop. It also includes leisurewear, sports and gym wear.
Play capsule
This is for when you go out and want to dress to impress. For parties and occasions.
Worth noting that certain styles of garment can mix across each capsule. You can also smarten or relax an outfit – simply by the accessories you add – however that’s for a future blog.
Create space for your seasonal wardrobe
Not everyone has the space, however if you can, it’s worthwhile separating all items you wear for the Autumn / Winter months and those you wear during the Spring / Summer period.
I recommend you empty your wardrobe of your Autumn / Winter items by mid April. Store them either by using clear boxes with lids (check Amazon for lots of options) or use vacuum bags, which are a great, space saving alternatives.
This should now leave space in your wardrobe so you can organise your three capsules (Work / Rest / Play) for the season ahead.
Start by picking the capsule that’s most important for you.
“If you have had your colours analysed, follow your seasonal palette. Check out my blog for current fashion colours for the season ahead.”
I recommend you choose two to three colours for each capsule PLUS your best dark neutrals (i.e. one of either Black, Navy, Charcoal or Brown) and your best light neutrals (i.e. one of White, Soft White, Ivory or Cream).
If you have had your colours analysed, follow your seasonal palette. Here is my blog for this Spring / Summer’s trending fashion colours (which you will find in the shops and online) split out by your seasonal palette:
Fashion’s Colour Trends by Seasonal Palette
If you’ve yet to have your colours analysed (hint – you really should), check out my blog on how to do your own DIY colour analysis:
Or if budget and time permits, seek out a colour expert to help you via the link below to my friends at Kettlewell. If you live near Berkshire that could even be me:
“We all have different style personalities and wear certain garment types and styles more than others.”
- 2x Blouses
- 2x Tops
- 2x Camisoles
- 2x Cotton Jumpers
- 1x Waistcoat
- 2x Trousers
- 1x Skirt
- 2x Dresses
- 2x Cardigans
- 2x Blazers/Jackets
- 1x Trench Coat
- 3x Tops
- 3x Sweatshirts/hoodies
- 1x Cotton Jumper
- 3x Jeans
- 1x Skirt
- 2x Dresses
- 2x Cardigans
- 1x Jacket
- 1x Raincoat
- 2x Blouses
- 2x Tops
- 2x Silk Jumpers
- 1x Trousers
- 1x Jeans
- 1x Skirt
- 3x Dresses
- 1x Cardigan
- 2x Blazers/Biker/Denim Jackets
- 1x Trench Coat
Your Spring / Summer checklist
The Spring / Summer season requires less layering than during the colder months, however having cardigans and scarves over tops or blouses and jumpers over blouses is certainly still needed for the cooler mornings and evenings, especially in Spring.
The trick still involves layering as well as choosing the right accessories, including footwear.
So, look out for my new blog on accessories for your Spring / Summer capsules.
Summers in the U.K. are getting warmer, however it’s not always beach weather and you may like to go abroad.
If so, check out my blog below for packing your summer holiday vacation capsule. This is perfect if you travel by air and want to avoid those pesky excess baggage fees:
Find out your Style Personality
When you review the above capsule lists, you may think that you need a few more tops or blouses and more dresses instead of skirts and so on.
This is because we all have different style personalities and that’s why we are drawn to wear certain garment types and styles more than others.
For example, if your style personality is a:
– Natural: You will prefer more tops than blouses and more jeans than trousers.
– Classic: You will prefer more blouses than tops and more trousers than jeans.
– Romantic: You will prefer more dresses than skirts and more blouses than tops.
– Dramatic: You will prefer more dresses than jumpsuits and more skirts than trousers.
– Contemporary: You will prefer more blouses than tops and more dresses than skirts.
– Creative: You will prefer jumpsuits more than trousers and skirts more than jeans.
If you’re intrigued to learn more about style personalities and to understand which one(s) you are, check out my blog:
Find it. Wear it. Love it.
Now you know what to put in your capsules, I recommend you become a member of My Secret Stylist, the UK’s best kept clothes shopping secret.
I’m a little biased, as I’m the founder. However, what’s not biased is my advice to you.
It’s designed to help you quickly find clothes which complement your unique body shape.
Including filters to search by Work, Rest & Play and Style Personality. So, it’s really quick, easy and helpful to use.
See the latest styles you can buy in the shops and online. It’s updated weekly. Across all the popular U.K. brands. All in one place!
It’s fantastic value and less than 75 pence a week to become an annual member.
Cristina Holm
Cristina Holm is one of the UK’s leading personal stylists. She is based and operates from her studio in Warfield, Berkshire (United Kingdom). Cristina serves clients locally and internationally.
Cristina is also the founder of My Secret Stylist, the UK’s clothes shopping ‘best kept’ secret. For only £35.99 per year, you can find and ‘see in seconds’ clothes which complement your body shape. Across all the popular brands, all in one place. For more info, click here: www.mysecretstylist.co.uk