June is almost over, which means that I need to start acting on my June Challenge.
My challenge to myself was to photo what I'm wearing, rate the items and outfits (I did this very informally), purge what doesn't work and make capsules from what does.
I've decided that my analysis and ideas should be focused on summer dressing, since we're just beginning the hot parts of summer and that will be the most useful to me in the next couple of months.
My lifestyle and wardrobe needs
Dressing for summer is especially casual for me. I'm inside and outside, and need to play with the kids and sometimes climb trees or scaffolding (to pick fruit). I generally dress for the heat, because we rarely run our air conditioner. Sometimes I need to dress smart casually (and those situations generally have A/C), and sometimes the weather is milder. I'll address those needs in separate posts, because it'll get long enough as is.
Here's my hot weather casual outfits and items so far that I think have worked:
#1: This gingham shirt only works tucked, but sleeves rolled, it's reasonably cool.
#1: These shorts are my go-to summer denim shorts now.
#2: This splotch shirt is easy breezy, and just a bit more interesting than basic. The culottes in this pic are purged.
#3: This dress is a little short for my comfort level, but it fits well and is also easy breezy. I have two others about this length that I haven't yet worn because they feel short. I'm currently thinking that with a pair of cotton shorts for underneath, this can stay, and the others can be judged based on other merits than length.
#4: This print top is a little heavy for summer, but with sleeves rolled, I like it. Same shorts as in #1.
#5: Lime shorts, black tee shirt. Basics, but they both work for me.
#6: olive shirt (still trying to decide if this is a good color for me?), black and white striped skirt. Both work for me and stay, though the skirt may be more "mild" than "hot" weather, and really isn't appropriate for some outdoor summer activities (like climbing trees to pick fruit).
#7: chambray shirt (it's rumpled in the pic) - also cool for summer. There's the shorts from #1 again.
#8: gray pixel-print tee. This is out of my normal style a bit with the drapeyness, but I've worn it twice this week, and I like how it works, at least with pants. I haven't tried it with shorts yet.
I have other outfits and items in the "acceptable" range, and several that are "mild weather" favorites.
I also still have several (4-5) tops and two dresses that I haven't worn to decide whether to keep or toss for this summer.
My current favorite items then are:
- 2 shorts (apple green and dark denim)
- 1 dress
- 7 shirts (7 woven, 2 tees)
That's not quite enough to meet my hot weather casual needs. I want to add:
- a pair of light denim shorts
- a casual skirt,
- a pair of "under-skirt" shorts
- maybe another top or two?
I have a few not-favorite-status shirts that are staying around to potentially get added in to the mix too, and the mentioned unworn items to try out yet.
Capsules:
I'm planning on four capsules for summer: hot-casual, mild, smart-casual, and wedding guest. This post covers my hot-casual, and except for the olive top with the apple shorts (which now I want to try just to see), I think that everything can be mixed and matched.
Conclusions:
Obviously I have a summer FFBO formula: breezy buttondown with rolled sleeves over long shorts. I think I'm happy with that.
What do you see that I'm missing? Any of these items that really shouldn't be invited to stay?
(Note: pants, cropped pants and mesh sweaters will be covered when I think about a "mild weather" capsule. There will be lots of overlap, but those items aren't "hot weather casual" to me.)
