Green 10 items capsule wardrobe outfits (10×10 challenge) | + April One Year Wardrobe Count Update

Dear readers, it’s May again and that time of the year when the sewing community is celebrating the self-made wardrobe. I’m not officially taking part this year, but it so happens that I still have a bit of sewn inspiration ready for you.

At the end of March/beginning of April, I embarked on my minimalistic capsule exercises, and style a combination of 10 hand-made and RTW wardrobe staples in 10 different outfits. You can read more about it in this post.

Today I’m sharing these outfits and will also do a quick update of the April Wardrobe count stats as well, to keep me on my toes and counting. Yes, I do need the blog posting accountability.

So, let’s dig in. Outfits first, but please hang on for the end for the April numbers.

Disclaimer:  I made or bought all the items included in this post, but it may contain affiliate links, marked with *. Please read my Reader Disclosure Policy for what that means exactly.

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Green 10 items capsule wardrobe outfits (10×10 challenge)

As I mentioned in the post listing the outfits, this capsule contains a 50-50 ratio of me-mades and RTW (all very old), plus two pairs of shoes, a small handbag and a backpack. I wore it mostly during a 6 days trip to the Netherlands, but finished the remaining 4 days early April in the UK (mostly for wearing in the office).

The weather was still quite cold, so there was a lot of layering going on. I posted images of both base laters and well as with jackets and coat, so you can get the full picture.

So let’s get started with the 10 outfits from the Green 10 items capsule wardrobe.

DAY 1

I’m wearing: I Am Patterns Artemis Coat; Me-made jersey turtleneck (underneath the jumper); RTW jumper, Skinny jeans (*Uniqlo similar); suede ankle boots (*Office shoes); Backpack (Lamonza, old).

Thoughts: This was my plane travel outfit on my way to the Netherlands. With an early start, I was feeling really cold and so I wanted to layer up for all eventualities. Once I got to the Hague, it was a beautifully warm day, so I ended up taking off the jumper. Overall, a solid travel and casual wear outfit.

Day 2

I’m wearing: Skinny jeans (*Uniqlo similar); suede ankle boots (*Office shoes); Seamwork Astoria jumper; me-made scarf; (below incl. Artemis coat).

Thoughts: This was the outfit for a very long day of sightseeing. I was glad for the very stretchy jeans, they are very old and therefore worn in and very comfortable. I really liked the combo of blue and green, especially with my green scarf. As an aside, this is from a piece of flannel leftover that I picked up in 2016 in Lisbon, so it will always make me think of a great trip as well as keeping me warm. The day ended up being very warm in the sun, but in the evening I was glad to have my trusty coat and scarf as well.

Day 3

I’m wearing: RTW jumper (old), Me-made grey wool culottes, suede knee boots (from *Marks & Spencer), small bag (*from H&M)

Thoughts: On the third day in the Netherlands, we headed to Amsterdam. If you’ve been to the Dutch capital, you might remember that it’s windy as it is beautiful. So I was really glad to have my warm jumper and wool culottes to keep me warm. You might remember that I presented this outfit in one of my favourite of the month, and it continued to be a staple. I’m so glad that this really old jumper that I’ve had since about 2006 is still going strong. 30 wears indeed!

Day 4

I’m wearing: Flounce jacket (old, from *Marks & Spencer), jersey turtleneck (me-made); scarf (me-made), skinny jeans (*Uniqlo similar); suede ankle boots (*Office shoes); small bag (*from H&M)

Thoughts: I was visiting a recycling centre and then had a few supplier meetings, so I was trying to hit a good balance between comfortable and smart casual. Also, it had to go with hi-viz vests (joking, of course, nothing can ever go with luminous yellow). I love this very old jacket that I have incorporated in countless looks over the years. I got it in a sample sale and it was definitely worth every penny. It’s polyester and so it travels really well, plus so easy to wash in the washing machine. The to care for jacket ever! Plus definitely #30wears!

DAY 5

I’m wearing: flounce jacket (old, from *Marks & Spencer), ribbed shift dress (me-made, Burda Style), suede ankle boots (*Office shoes).

Thoughts: On the 5th day, I headed to my conference, so I had to dress up a bit. The green dress is one that travels very well, it does not wrinkle too much, it’s warm and can be dressed up or down. This jacket is also very versatile and helps elevate the outfit for a more formal setting. Plus helped keep me warm during an awful rainy day.

Day 6

I’m wearing: flounce jacket (old, from *Marks & Spencer); Me-made grey wool culottes, RTW chiffon shirt (old, from *Marks & Spencer), suede knee boots (from *Marks & Spencer).

Thoughts: Another conference outfit for the second day. I also wore this on the plane flying back home. I have had this shirt in my wardrobe for many years and although I don’t wear it very often, it always managed to resist the culling process. It’s polyester so it travels very well, though it does tend to get a lot of static. I like that it’s high-low and has a nice pleat detail in the back (which I forgot to photograph), so I like to tuck it in the front and let the back loose. With the jacket on, I think it looks very business-like!

Day 7

I’m wearing: Me-made Sahara shirt dress (unblogged, but coming soon); Me-made grey wool culottes, suede ankle boots (*Office shoes).

Thoughts: This was my major outfit brain wave of this capsule! I love this oversized shirt dress so very much and I wear it loads. Of course, same goes for the wool culottes. How I never thought to combine the two, I really don’t know. This is the awesome thing about these exercises, that it makes you think a bit out of the box and try all sorts of combinations that I might not have considered. I wore this to work when I got back from the Netherlands, but I can think of several other occasions where this can also work really well. As this was my fav outfit, I’m giving you two pics instead of one :).

Day 8

I’m wearing: Me-made grey wool culottes, suede ankle boots (*Office shoes), Seamwork Astoria jumper ; me-made scarf.

Thoughts: Another new outfit idea. I can’t believe I’ve never paired these two before! They are both such staples in my wardrobe that I wear very often in the cold and transitional season. This was another office wear, comfortable and bright.

Bonus: outfit incl. coat

Day 9

I’m wearing: Me-made Sahara shirt dress; skinny jeans (*Uniqlo similar); suede ankle boots (*Office shoes).

Thoughts: Another Sahara based outfit. I really like the way the blue of the denim sets off the olive of the shirt dress. Also, I am a big fan of the dress/shirtdress over trousers look. A very comfy and fun outfit for a few drinks out with friends.

Day 10

I’m wearing: Skinny jeans (*Uniqlo similar); suede ankle boots (*Office shoes); RTW chiffon shirt (old, from *Marks & Spencer), small bag (*from H&M).

Thoughts: Yes, I know, this is a 100% RTW outfit, but I did want to include it for inspiration. You could try this with a pair of Ginger Jeans, a shirt and a waterfall front jacket or cardigan, like the Moris Blazer. I wore this for a casual Friday at work.

BONUS:

More Sahara ideas for you, just to see how it can also be worn as a dress. I really like the layering with a light turtleneck. It can also be worn with a belt or a belt-bag. I will be posting a full review very soon.

The April numbers

A very quick note on the numbers, as this is looking like a very long post anyway.

MY MOST WORN ITEMS (EXCL. FOOTWEAR)

1| Oversized colour block coat: Me-made, I am Patterns Artemis | 18 times

2| Skinny blue jeans: RTW, old, from *Uniqlo (similar) | 9 times

3| Wool pinstripe culottes | Me-made, Simplicity | 5 times

TOTAL INDIVIDUAL ITEMS WORN:  54 (LAST MONTH 59), OUT OF WHICH SHOES: 10 (LAST MONTH 9)

TOTAL INDIVIDUAL ME-MADE ITEMS WORN: 18 (LAST MONTH 17)

ME-MADE: 41% (LAST MONTH 33%); RTW: 57% (LAST MONTH 61%); REFASHIONED: 1% (LAST MONTH 6%)

DAYS WITH NO ME-MADE ITEMS: 4 (LAST MONTH 4)

LOUNGEWEAR DAYS: 1 (LAST MONTH 1)

TOTAL INDIVIDUAL ITEMS WORN since the start: 136 (incl. shoes)

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I really enjoyed this capsule, especially since it doubled up as a travel capsule which made my life so much easier in terms of both packing, but also thinking about what to wear every day. I’m super glad I discovered a few new outfit ideas and I’m looking forward to exploring my wardrobe even further.

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVOURITE OUTFITS?

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