Holiday Capsule Wardrobe

I wrote this post for Sugar & Spice back in 2011 and focused on using a few key items from my own existing wardrobe to create a plethora of holiday outfits. What is fascinating to me is that here we are, five years later, and this is still extremely relevant. I'm sure you have similar staple items in your wardrobe that you could mix together so create your own holiday capsule wardrobe for "go-to: outfits so you don't have to worry about what to wear at the last minute. Check it out for some inspiration!

Hi Everyone, I’m Iris from 260 Days, No Repeats! I have challenged myself to wear remixed outfits from my closet… It started out as a one-year thing but, has since evolved and kept on going. During this experience, I have learned that you don’t need all new items of clothes to have a fresh new look. I am constantly finding ways to take the things I wear every day and pair them with completely different items! There are no limits... With the holidays on the horizon, I’m sure everyone’s social calendars are filling up. While you might feel like there is nothing in your closet that is going to work you can take a few key pieces and put together a plethora of fabulous outfits! I chose a great dress, sparkly sweater, sparkly t-shirt, classic pencil skirt, and pinstripe blazer and mixed them into 12 different holiday ready ensembles. What pieces would you pick? How would you put them together?

Lace Yoke Sleeveless Dress – LOFT

Red Embellished Sweater – RED via Loehmanns

Green Sequins Embellished T-shirt – Ellen Tracey via TJ Maxx

Black Pencil Skirt – Old Navy

Black Pinstripe Blazer – Calvin Klein via SYMS

1

1+5

1+2

1+2+5

1+3

1+3+5

1+4

1+4+5

2+4

2+4+5

3+4

3+4+5

Mixed Metal Earrings – ModCloth
Belle Fleur Ring – Stella & Dot
Rhinestone Earrings – New York & Company
Gold/Silver Teardrop Earrings – V’ta Jewelry

Black Pumps – Candies via Kohl’s

Black Belt – Adrienne Vitadinni

Can you see yourself utilizing similar pieces from your own wardrobe in similar fashions? What would you do differently? It doesn’t have to be exact; You could throw a pair of pants or jeans in the mix for more casual gatherings and you are covered for every situation!

Like A Champ

Life happens, motivation gets focused elsewhere momentarily but, not for long! Get ready for ALL the outfits... or just from this week so far.

I am here and ready to go, Monday! Even though I am feeling completely drained from my weekend (ALL the barbecues) and having a less than smooth morning I am still in the mind frame of getting things done. I'm sure getting my morning coffee will just keep that momentum going and I will be the most productive me I can be when I get to the office. Or at least that's what I am focusing on to continue the motivational attitude.

• Top: teal ruffle embellished shirt, LOFT
• Bottom: beige pinstripe skirt, New York & Company
• Shoes & Accessories: bronze gladiator sandals with genuine stone embellishments, bo'em; tigers eye earrings, Citygirl Accessories

I'm linking up with Mix It Mondays, Let It Shine, How I Spring, Monday Mingle, Creative Mondays,and Personal Style Monday

Sandal-foot

This ensemble was another example of me not appropriately judging the season that we are in. It wasn't as serious as "sweater-gate" but, there was a definite disconnect between what I had selected over the weekend based on the weather report and the actual weather. The swap that I made from the original ensemble was sandals for shoes, a simple but, awesome smart move. When else am I going to wear the oodles of sandals that are occupying space in my shoe closet?

• Top: maroon dolman sleeve blouse, Style & Co.
• Bottom: yellow/brown and rainbow plaid skirt, WDNY 
• Shoes & Accessories: bronze gladiator sandals with genuine stone embellishments, bo'em; coin pearl necklace, V'ta Jewelry; coin pearl earrings, gift 

I most recently wore this shirt here.

Don't forget to enter the giveaway for Nailipop manicure strips!

October 3, 2011: Remixing Forever

When the weather man predicted rain (again, see unamused face) I aired on the side of practicality and reached for these pants. When I subsequently reached for this top I couldn't believe that I hadn't put these two pieces together before. It makes me so confident that I could literally remix everything in my closet forever without having to purchase tons of new clothes. At the same time I couldn't believe that it had not occurred to me to make this pairing before now! It's days like these that make me really excited to shop my closet because there is so much potential there... 

• Top: dark teal ruffle embellished t-shirt, LOFT (same shirt different color here and here); brown houndstooth jacket, LOFT 
• Bottom: gray pants, New York & Company
• Shoes & Accessories: bronze flats, Me Too via DSW; mixed metal earrings, gift from Natalia/ModCloth; brown woven tote, Loeffler Randall for Target

Items from this outfit are previously seen and remixed here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.

April 8, 2011: Colorblind Again?

This is where things get totally bonkers; I was really reaching for thing that I have not worn in the parameters of what I wanted to wear today. Does that make sense? I think so... In other words I didn't want to force myself to wear something just because it had never been worn if I wasn't feeling it. This outfit took some stretching but, in the end I like the color combination and it's comfy. I can't say that this dress works as well as a skirt compared to others but, it gets the job done. This outfit isn't that crazy right?

• Top: navy boatneck sweater, LOFT; khaki safari jacket, LOFT (same jacket different color here, here, and here)
• Bottom: coral sundress as skirt, LOFT
• Shoes & Accessories: bronze flats, Me Too via DSW; rainbow beaded earrings, Moxie Bee; rainbow beaded necklace, Moxie Bee; gold chain necklace, V'ta Jewelry; purple tote bag, Coach

Items from this outfit are previously seen and remixed here, here, and here.

Night Out: New Years House Party

What did you end up doing for New Years? I was performing in a chorus line... no wait, that's not right. One of my friends had a house party and heading over there before the ball dropped was a no brainer. BF took this picture at 4 in the morning when we got home; I just had to bring down the house with my assorted performing arts skills but, I digress... What to wear took a little more thought. I knew I wanted to keep it casual and wear jeans but, just any old jeans wouldn't do! Thankfully I found these chic trouser jeans while I was exchanging/returning some Christmas gifts at LOFT. These pants had some weird buttons on the pockets that I removed and I hemmed them because apparently I am shrinking but, other than that perfect! I should just quit my day job and become a tailor or a dancer, decisions decisions...

I also knew even though I wasn't going to be super fancy I still wanted to shine and/or sparkle (dancer for sure.) I had this shirt waiting in the wings but, was hoping to come across something else. My fashion prayers were answered when I stopped into TJ Maxx to pick up the last part of the awesome gift my brother I and myself got our mom. Thankfully I still had a little bit of cash left over from the shopping errands I ran for my dad and this glitzy number was on super sale. Mission accomplished now let's dance!

• Top: green t-shirt with sequins embellishment, Ellen Tracy via TJ Maxx/gift from Dad; white tank top, New York and Company
• Bottom: double waistband denim trouser tailored by me, LOFT Christmas Gift
• Shoes & Accessories: leopard print flats, New York and Company; Swarovski crystal teardrop earrings, V'ta jewelry; purple tote bag, Coach (not pictured)

August 27, 2010: Third Time's A Charm

I was hoping to keep the outdoor picture thing going but, BF woke up late and had to rush out the door leaving me photographer-less. I'm all for independence and doing it myself but, traipsing downstairs with my tripod during the morning rush seems like a bit much or, maybe I'm just lazy... Either way, back to the hallway! I am so ready for the weekend, can't you tell?

• Top: teal zipper trim top, Mossimo via Target/gift from BF. I think it's a little long but, I couldn't resist the zipper detail! It reminds me of one of my fav Project Runway looks... Jeffrey where did you go?; tank top underneath for the modesty
• Bottom: denim jeggings, LOFT birthday gift from Mom
• Shoes & Accessories: bronze sandals with genuine stone embellishments, bo'em via DSW; tiger's eye earrings, Citygirl Accessories; yellow alley bag

Items from this outfit are previously seen here and here:

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August 24, 2010: Grayness Go Away

I have nothing against the rain but, I really don't like the gray cloudyness it brings. It is so unmotivating! I am completely a morning person but, when I look out my window and see that hot mess in the sky all I want to do is go back to bed. I'll admit it I woke up a little later than planned this morning so posting was out of the question, here's the late edition! Now that I'm looking at the outfit the pants look like PJ's, no?

• Top: coral embellished tank top, LOFT via Mom
• Bottom: brown herringbone pants, New York and Company. That's right, I finally finished lengthening the pants (with a little help from Mom) I love that you can't even tell that they used to be cuffed!
• Shoes & Accessories: bronze sandals with genuine stone embellishments, bo'em via DSW; mixed metal earrings, gift from my co-worker Natalia/ModCloth; gray Balenciaga Le-Dix/motorcycle bag

Items from this outfit are previsouly seen here and here:

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July 20, 2010: Thrown Together

One might think an extra day added to their weekend would be relaxing but,  they would be mistaken if they thought that I had experienced that yesterday. When I woke up this morning I had so much trouble getting out of bed which is normally not the case, I am one of those crazy morning people. I pulled this outfit together because it was comfy and easy but, I'm not quite sure that everything really goes together. What do you think? All I know is since this will see me through work and the meeting I have afterward I am ok!

• Top: orange dolman sleeve top, Xhiliration via Target
• Bottom: khaki green skirt, Merona via Target
• Shoes & Accessories: bronze sandals with genuine stone embellishments, bo'em via DSW, coin pearl necklace, V'ta; coin pearl earrings, borrowed from mom then altered; vintage Louis Vuitton Speedy, eBay

Items from this outfit are previoulsy seen and remixed here, here, here, and here:

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Don't forget to enter the giveaway!

June 18, 2010: Free At Last!

It might sound dramatic but, even though I went out Thursday night I was at work early and stayed late. I didn't take the picture until the end of the day which explains why I've got no earrings and my hair is being CRAZY! It also explains why the lighting in the picture is all off, thanks BF AKA evening photographer. Dedication? Maybe. Lots of things to do? Definitely! You can't blame me for feeling trapped! That's why I didn't have a chance to post Friday's outfit until now. Here's a pic of BF and me at the event...

• Top: green sleeveless shirt with bronze embellishment, Ann Taylor Loft
• Bottom: Marisa jeans, Ann Taylor Loft
• Shoes & Accessories: brown flip flops (shhh don't tell they're not really allowed in the office), Rocket Dog via DSW: Purchase here at 30% off; Louis Vuitton Speedy via eBay

Items from this outfit are previously seen here, here, here and here.



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June 4th, 2010

Yesterday was a rough day for me... While I was using my old laptop to update, check e-mails, and everything, including a clock, I was unaware of the fact that the time in Windows was an hour BEHIND the actual time so... I ended up having to run out the door 40 minutes late to work. Suffice it to say I boycotted all computer activities when I got home but, am ready to share my last "You've Got This" Week outfit.

I've got a denim skirt and gladiator(ish) sandals! I suppose I could have been more exciting with all the great options but, I needed to throw something together in a hurry. BF took the picture after work, he is relentless in making me laugh! O, and that is our cat, The Fuzz...

• Top: red short sleeve embellished t-shirt with a tank top underneath for the modesty
• Bottom: denim skirt, GAP via Melissa
• Shoes & Accessories: bronze sandals with genuine stone embellishments, bo'em via DSW, gray Balenciaga Le-Dix/motorcycle bag (not pictured)

May 21, 2010

This is the last day of floral week and the sun has finally been coaxed completely out of hiding! I am not sure how I'm going to pick out my outfits for work next week without some sort of theme. If I did a new theme week what would you like to see? I can make a cool banner and everyone can join in on the fun!

• Top: ivory t-shirt with beaded rosette detail, Merona for Target
• Bottom: dark denim capris, Macy's
• Shoes & Accessories: bronze sandals with genuine stone embellishments, bo'em via DSW; tiger's eye earrings, local jewelry store; gray Balenciaga Le-Dix/motorcycle bag

April 28, 2010

Do you like the new picture background? I moved to another spot in my hallway, super exciting!!! It's still a work in progress... One day I will take fantastic pictures but, practice makes perfect and today is not that day.

The sun is peeking it's head out and even though it's still cold I'm feeling excited about not being head to toe covered up. Time for capris! Sadly, I think part of the reason that my outfit doesn't look ah-mazing in this mediocre picture is because the items of clothes are a little big on me, especially the shirt. I thought I weeded all those items out of my closet... I guess not. This shirt might need to go in the donation bag when I get home.

I am trying to find similar and affordable versions of what I am wearing because not many items from my wardrobe are currently in stores now since the whole point of this is to not buy (a ton) of new clothes. Is that something that interests you? Leave me a comment and let me know.

• Top: aqua wrap shirt, New York and Company with white tank top under (for the modesty)
• Bottom: brown plaid capris, New York and Company (similar-ish here)
• Shoes & Accesories: bronze ballet flats, Me Too via DSW (similar here); chunky multi stone necklace, picked up at a local jewelry store (similar here); yellow alley bag (similar *vegan option* here)