Monday 6 May 2013

Wardrobe Update - The Reveal - Autumn Capsule Wardrobe

Wow, what a busy week!  I cleaned out my closet, listed lots on ebay (and made abut $300 if I don't count the horse gear I sold) and worked out my 'capsule' wardrobe.
This was last week (plus another half metre of my husband's hanging space on the other side of the walk in robe):
before
This is now:

After (blurry, sorry)

       

And it fits into two suitcases!

Working from my 1930s plan I set out last week, this is the list of what was suggested and what I have for Autumn/Spring wear - not really vintage, but often a vintage feel and often thrifted. You'll see the colour scheme is black, white, grey, brown and orange. (I have put what each item cost me in brackets).


The Wardrobe

Dresses
Suggested:
2 cotton, for summer street wear
4 rayon, 3 fair quality, one inexpensive house dress
1 wool dress
1 rayon party dress

Actual:
2 cotton dresses (black and white, 1 bought new 2011, 1 op shop 2011 total - $50)
2 rayon work dresses (black and white and leopard print, 1 new this year, sale $20, 1 op shop $2)
1 rayon party dress (op shop this year, $2)
1 pair long pants (black, op shop last year $2)
1 pair long wide leg silky pants (brown, new this year, sale $5)
1 pair 3/4 pant (grey, new last year, sale $10)
1 pair shorts (black, this summer, $30)

    
     
  


Other (buy every other year)

Suggested:
1 wool skirt
1 sweater
1 blouse
1 smock (to wear over dresses while at home)

Actual:
I wool skirt (gored, lined, brown, thrifted last year $2)
1 orange short sleeve cardigan (new this year, sale $35)
1 Short sleeve silver sweater (thrifted this year $2)
1 gold knit shrug (new 2010, $30)
2 blouses (I black with white spots, one leopard print, both new 2011, $20)
1 orange knit top with bow (thrifted last year, $2)
3 T-shirts - black, leopard, orange sleeveless (various total $20)


       

Shoes

Suggested:
2 pairs medium quality street shoes
1 pair medium quality dress shoes
1 pair evening slippers, every other year
1 pair inexpensive white shoes
Rubbers/sand shoes 1 pair every other year
House slippers

Actual:

2 pairs medium quality street shoes (one brown, one grey, new 2012 sale $30 total)
1 pair medium quality dress shoes (leopard print wedges, new this year, sale $20)
1 pair good dress shoes (black peep toes, new in 2011, $120)
1 pair evening slippers (silver and bag, shoes new 2011 and vintage bag total $50)
1 pair inexpensive sandals (orange, new this year, sale $12)
I pair dressy flats (gold thongs, gifted)
Sand shoes (orange,new this year $15)
Pair orthopaedic thongs (black, not shown, new, $35)


      

 
 


Accessories :

Suggested
3 handbags at $1 each (or fewer and better)

3 pairs gloves, 1 leather, 2 fabric
Umbrella, every other year
3 handbags at $1 each (or fewer and better)
4 felt hats, two heavy, two light
3 pairs gloves, 1 leather, 2 fabric
handkerchiefs, dozen per year

Actual
2 satchell bags (new, orange, Myer sale $70, black thrifted $5)
1 large handbag(vintage, snake skin, bought 2010, thrifted $5)
1 evening bag (vintage, black, bought 2010, $10)
2 small bags with straps (1 gold, vintage, 1 leopard print, bought 2009 total $20)
1 tiny evening bag (vintage, silver, bought 2012, $15)
1 Umbrella (black, not shown)
2 sun hats (1 black wide brim, 1 orange narrow brim, one new this year, sale $15)
1 beret (new, black, this year sale, $20)

   

 




Underwear

Suggested:
2 under-vests, rayon or knitted
3 knit rayon bloomers
2 panties, 1 rayon, 1 silk
4 slips, 3 rayon, 1 silk
2 corsets or girdles
3 brassières
3 nightgowns, 1 cotton, 1 rayon, 1 cotton flannel
Flannel bathrobe (every 3 yrs.)
Rayon kimono, every other year
20 pairs medium silk stockings


Underwear Actual - (won't show these!)
2 pairs body shapers ($40)
2 slips, (1 black 1 white, vintage, op shop $3)
6 brassières (2011, 2012 total $200)
2 nightgowns, 1 cotton, 1 rayon (gifts)
Cotton kimono (vintage, op shop $5)
6 pairs stockings/pantihose (op shop new in packets $10 and gift)


Need to unpack coats from storage for winter - suggested:

Medium quality fur-trimmed coat, every 3 years
Wool spring coat, every other year
Raincoat, every 3 years


Need to buy:
Comfy Black dres/swork shoes (the pair I have hurt my feet, for dress only) - estimated $160
Another hat/beret - estimated $20
dozen handkerchiefs - estimated $20
stockings as needed- estimated $20
slippers (gift)

Would love:
30s style suit
Felt hat
Black wool skirt

In total my wardrobe has cost me about $902 , that is $232 for clothes, $258 for underwear, $252 for shoes and $160 for accessories.  Not bad really. Under $1,000!

I worked out last week that my budget would be $3,400 for the year in 2013 (with $850 for personal care).  That means you could expect to spend about $284 for clothes per month (and $70.85 for personal care). I think I am doing pretty well on my budget, don't you think. I may be able to afford that suit after all!

Next I have to go through my stored winter clothes. Our winter here is short, only about two months (June , July), so we don't need many warmer clothes.  I had a suede jacket and boots my first few years here, but I haven't bother to update these lately.

Deb xx

2 comments:

  1. Great job! I love the pieces you kept. Good luck finding the perfect suit.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you! I have found the perfect suit - 30s inspired and made to measure from England. Still saving though.

    ReplyDelete

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