If you read this previous “Capsule by 5” post, or you follow me on instagram, then you know that I came up with a mini capsule wardrobe challenge a while back.

It’s called the “Capsule by 5” or #capsulex5 challenge and the premise is to take 5 clothing items and to create as many outfits as possible with them.

I am writing this post in the hopes that you will feel inspired to grab 5 items from your wardrobe and see how many outfits you can make with them. Then you’ll have an extra tool in your toolbox to help you “style instead of shop”.

A mini capsule wardrobe is a great practice in living with less, either because you would like to minimize the amount of clothing that you own or you want to learn to pack lightly for your next trip.

It’s also a great way to get out of a style rut or to encourage styling over shopping.

I’ve been in a bit of a style rut lately. Honestly, this happens every summer. I tend to get bored when I can’t layer. And with temperatures in the 90s (30s for my celsius friends), there is very little layering going on these days.

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The 5 items that I chose for my “Capsule x 5” mini capsule wardrobe

Most of the items that I chose for my mini capsule are ones that I’ve had for a while. But this post is the debut for a dress that I recently made and I’ve been looking for the perfect time to wear it!

The items include:

1. A pair of white Ozma of California pants (similar) that I purchased a few summers ago.

2. A white Ozma of California tank top that I recently altered (you can read about it in this post).

3. A pink Eileen Fisher slip dress that I purchased last summer.

4. A vintage tan tunic that I found at a local vintage shop.

5. A sheer dress that I recently made.

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How I selected these items

I’ve made quite a few capsule wardrobes, big and small, by this point. As a result, I’ve come up with certain formulas that work for selecting a few items that lead to the creation of a lot of outfits. You can read about some of those combinations in this post on how to build your first capsule wardrobe.

For a mini capsule with only 5 items, I knew that including 1 top, 1 pair of pants, 1 layering piece that could be worn open or closed, and at least 1 dress would provide the most variability. The 5th item, a sheer dress, was added as a fun layering piece.

Including a different item that wasn’t see through (another top, pants, layering piece, or dress) would have enabled me to get even more outfits. So that’s something to consider if you’re looking to create more outfits.

Other things I considered:

• A neutral color palettel.
• I chose 1 accent color – blush pink.
• Incorporating different textures with the clothing fabric (silks and tencels).
• Special elements such as a ruffled waist, puffy sleeves and wooden buttons make the small number of items seem like more.
• I played with color and print in the shoes and handbags to add more visual interest.

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The Outfits

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1: Pink slip dress, classic shoes

A simple, minimalist look to wear to a wedding or out for a nice dinner. This tencel slip dress has been a great addition to my wardrobe. With the appropriate layering, I have been able to wear it through all seasons.

I kept the accessories simple here with a small gold necklace and a leather watch. I added a little fun with a printed grey bag and I chose a pair of comfy, simple slingbacks.

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2: Pink slip dress + tan tunic (look 1) + leopard print mules

For the second outfit, I added a tan tunic on top of the slip dress. I left it open and tied it at the waist. I love how this tunic lets me layer without a lot of bulk. It’s made from a tencel rayon blend and it is very light and breathable for a warm day.

Again, I kept the accessories light and the leopard print mules add visual interest to an otherwise neutral outfit.

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3: Pink slip dress + tan tunic (look 2)

Simply unknotting the tunic and buttoning up the front gives this outfit an entirely different vibe. I love how the side slits of the tunic mimic those of the dress. This outfit felt fun and playful and would be perfect for a stroll through a park.

I kept the accessories and shoes the same as look 1 to put the focus on the tunic.

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4: Pink slip dress + tan tunic (look 3)

For this outfit, I layered the tunic under the dress. Both materials are tencel so they drape nicely and slide over each other without bunching up. Material composition is very important when layering with closer fitting dresses and especially when layering during summer.

I added a pair of brown oxfords for easy walking and a matching brown handbag to complete the outfit.

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5: White tank top + pink slip dress

When I altered this tank top, one of the things that guided how short I made it was how it would wear over dresses. And I love that it worked out the way that I was picturing it in my head! I love how the cream and pink look together. This outfit feels soft and serene.

I added a pair of tan heeled sandals and a matching tan handbag. I could have worn my white slingbacks and a dressier handbag but I love how the little metal details on the shoes and bowler shape of the bag is a little unexpected.

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6: Pink slip dress + white dress

I am obsessed with this outfit. This is a dress that I recently made using some silk organza fabric that I had purchased a while ago. I knew that I wanted to make a layering piece and this style of dress was perfect. It’s a very “pretty” fabric but I didn’t want the outfit to be too delicate so I added some black elements to make the look seem heavier.

My black belt bag and black sneakers were perfect for achieving the look that I was going for. I think Claire definitely agrees as she let me pick her up and was quite relaxed for a few pictures 😉

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7: White pants + white tank top

As soon as I pulled these 2 items, I knew that they would make an outfit. They’re both from the same company and I purchased them around the same time. They have been worn together before on a few separate occasions.

I always love how a monochromatic outfit looks. It’s simple and it feels elegant but without having to put a lot of effort into it. I kept the accessories simple and added my tan heeled sandals with a vintage tan bag to complete the look.

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8: White pants + tan tunic (look 1)

This is such an easy, comfy combo. A loose top paired with a pair of relaxed pants feels chic but in a pajama kinda way!

I know that there is a “rule” that it you wear something loose on top, you should wear something form fitting on the bottom, and vice versa. But I think that loose on loose is a silhouette worth trying if you feel comfortable with it. I’ve only been experimenting with this silhouette for a while but I really enjoy it.

I used my leopard print mules again for some fun print and added a tan leather bag. I added 2 wooden bangles that I used to hold the sleeves of the tunic up.

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9: White pants + tan tunic (look 2)

Similar to when I paired the tan tunic with the pink slip dress, I knotted the tunic (this time buttoned all the way up) at the waist with the white pants. These pants have a tie waistband so I tucked the string inside the pants so that there wouldn’t be too much going on at the waist.

I added a bright red lip to this outfit. I don’t normally wear red lipstick but it felt right for this look.

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10: White pants + white tank top + white dress

It’s official! This is my favorite look of the capsule! I was a little unsure of this combo when I thought of it. I was worried that it would be a bit too much…but it’s just the right amount of too much!

As I was traipsing around my office in this getup, all I could think is that THIS would be the outfit that I would wear if I ever got invited to a cool sustainable fashion-y thing. It’s the perfect amount of elegant (I think the monochrome helps) and fun (those shoes, that purse and the volume of the dress of course).

Yup, this is my favorite!

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What do you think of the 10 outfits that I made with this mini capsule?

What are your top 3 outfits?

Can you think of any more combos that I missed?

And if you liked this post, let me know below. And share it with your friends and family if you think they would enjoy it too 🙂

Until next time,

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