A feminine capsule wardrobe: how-to & example

May 12, 2020 | 3 comments

Picture taken by me in Another View – a must visit for anyone into feminine style, if you’re ever in Copenhagen!

Since I’m in the middle of becoming a certified stylecoach through a course I’m taking in Copenhagen, I’ve finally started a new series I’ve been wanting to do for a long time: to show you guys different capsule wardrobe examples within different style directions. In no way are these meant as something you should let yourself dictate by, it’s simply meant as inspiration to show you, that there are many ways in which you can build a versatile wardrobe; no matter what style you prefer.

Of course my platforms are first and foremost a product of me and the things I am aesthetically drawn to – but I am also here to be your stylecoach, so I can help you guys build that lasting wardrobe you’ve always dreamt of. Also if your style is in no way the same as mine. There’s no style that is right or wrong, nor is there any style that is better than another. What works for YOU and makes YOU happy is the way to go! As my stylecoach teacher Tini puts it, stylecoaching is more about undressing people to find out who they are, than dressing them up in some shiny cover they don’t at all relate to.

I forbindelse med at jeg er midt i at læse til stylecoach i København, så har jeg endelig taget hul på en helt ny serie, som jeg længe gerne har villet tage hul på: nemlig at vise jer eksempler på capsule wardrobes indenfor flere forskellige stilarter. Disse skal på ingen måde forstås som værende et facit, eller som en liste man skal lade sig diktere af. De har ganske enkelt til formål at inspirere, og ikke mindst vise jer, at der er mange forskellige måder man kan opbygge en alsidig garderobe på; uanset hvilken stil man foretrækker.

Det er klart at mine platforme især er en afspejling af mig som person, og de ting som jeg rent æstetisk bliver tiltrukket af – men jeg vil også rigtig gerne netop agere stylecoach, og hjælpe dig derude med at opbygge den holdbare garderobe, som du går og drømmer om. Også selvom din stil på ingen måde minder om min. For der er ingen stil der er rigtig eller forkert, og ingen stil der er bedre end andre; det der fungerer for DIG og gør DIG til den bedste version af dig selv er vejen frem! Som min stylecoach underviser Tini siger, så handler stylecoaching mere om at pakke mennesker ud, i stedet for blot at pakke dem flot ind.

Today we’ll be diving into the feminine style. My own style is primarily casual, but I actually do have a few items in my wardrobe that are more feminine (like my vintage silk shirt and a pleated midi skirt). I tend to use these few feminine elements as a secondary style to give my casual outfits some contrast. If you’ve got a feminine style around 80% of your clothing will have some of the following characteristics:

Lace
Broderie anglasie
Crochet 
Ruffles
Peplum
Prints (e.g. cute lille flowers or dots)
Covered buttons
Pearl buttons
Gatherings
Pleats
Silk
Chiffon
Bows
Elegant & soft cuts like rounded collars and A-line shapes

When it comes to colours I would say that you can prefer any colour palette you want: what is the most significant here is the details and cuts mentioned above. So whether you are into a neutral palette or a colourful one is a matter of individual taste. Many people who have a feminine style are probably also more into dresses and skirts rather than pants and shorts, but you can be either. Again, I would say the details and the way you choose to style your looks are what matters most.

I dag skal vi dykke ned i den feminine stil. Min egen stil er primært afslappet, men jeg har faktisk et par enkelte items i garderoben (bl.a. en vintage silkeskjorte og en lang nederdel med læg), som falder indenfor den feminine stil. Jeg bruger dog mere de feminine elementer som en sekundær stilkerne til min primære, for at give mine outfits kontrast. Hvis du har en feminin stil, så opfylder ca. 80 af det tøj du har i din garderobe nogle af følgende karaktertræk:

Blonder
Broderie anglasie
Hæklede materialer (strik fx)
Flæser
Peplum
Print (fx delikate blomsterprint eller prikker)
Stofdækkede knapper
Perler og perleknapper
Pailletter
Læg
Silke
Chiffon
Sløjfer
Elegante og afrundede snit

Når det kommer til farver vil jeg faktisk påstå, at du kan vælge at klæde dig i hvilken som helst farvepalette: det er ofte detaljerne og snittene som er det afgørende. Om du er til den neutrale eller farverige palette er ganske individuelt. Mange mennesker som foretrækker den feminine stil er sikkert også overvejende glade for kjoler og nederdele, men du kan også sagtens være mest til bukser. Her er det igen detaljerne der er det afgørende og selvfølgelig også hvordan du vælger, at sammensætte dine outfits.

A feminine capsule wardrobe

And as promised, an example of what a feminine capsule wardrobe might look like! Use it as a template or guideline if you want, but again – remember it should be a reflection of yourself. I’ve tried putting together a versatile “basic” wardrobe, that fits very well with the feminine style. There are a few items that are more classic or casual though (the blazers and the sneakers for example), but most people have a few items in their wardrobe that might fit within a totally different, secondary style direction. You could also add some edgy elements like a biker jacket or a pair of studded boots, which (in my opinion) would be such a cool way to add some contrast to feminine outfits. Contrasts like these will give your outfits more personality and make them stand out.

Regarding the styling you can layer up if the weather is chilly – use the knitwear with your dresses or skirts, or strip the outfits down during the summer if the weather is hot. It’s also a wardrobe which you can use both for everyday and special occasions, and pretty much everything can be mixed and matched. That is the essence of a versatile capsule wardrobe. So if you think this wardrobe is missing more dresses; try going after those which are not only great on their own, but that you would also be able to wear with different tops and jackets, so you can create different outfits like that. In general I’m a huge fan of two-piece outfits (pants or skirt with a top), because then you are able to create many more different outfit combinations even using a few items. But if you follow my before-mentioned advice, you will still be able to make lots of different outfit combinations even with dresses, and in that way renew your wardrobe and outfits without buying anything new.

Og hermed et eksempel på en feminin capsule wardrobe! Brug den som template eller som guideline hvis du synes, men igen – husk at have dig selv med. Jeg har forsøgt at sammensætte en alsidig “basis” garderobe, som falder rigtig fint indenfor den feminine stil. Der er dog også et par enkelte items der er mere klassiske eller afslappede (blazerne eller sneakers’ne fx), men de fleste har ofte et par ting i garderoben som falder inden for en lidt anden og sekundær stil art. Man kunne også tilføje nogle rå elementer som en bikerjakke eller et par støvler med nitter, som er noget jeg synes er super cool til et feminint outfit. Kontraster som disse giver dine outfits kant, og gør dem mere personlige.

I forhold til styling så kan du gøre brug af lag på lag hvis vejret er køligt – brug striktrøjerne uden på dine kjoler eller sammen med nederdelene, eller “strip” sættet ned om sommeren hvis det er varmt. Der er ligeledes tilføjet lidt forskellige ting som både kan bruges til hverdag og fest, og så kan stort set alt sammensættes på kryds og tværs. Det er essensen af en alsidig capsule wardrobe. Så hvis du nu synes der mangler kjoler, så husk at tænke på stylingen; gå efter nogle kjoler som ikke kun fungerer alene, men som du også nemt ville kunne sætte sammen med dine forskellige overdele og jakker, så du kan skabe forskellige looks på den måde. Generelt er jeg kæmpe fan af 2-delte sæt (nederdel eller bukser sat sammen med en top), da der giver flere kombinationsmuligheder. Men følger du mit førnævnte råd kan du dog også sagtens få masser af kombinationsmuligheder ud af dine kjoler, og på den måde forny dine outfits uden at købe nyt!

An example of how I’m personally using feminine style as a secondary style direction to my casual primary style: a pleated skirt gives my otherwise casual outfit contrast!

Feminine brands

Typically I like going for sustainable brands, but the following might not be 100% perfect. They are a great place to start though, if you need some inspiration! Remember, what determines whether something is a sustainable purchase or not is not only about going for ethical production. It’s just as much about how you handle the clothing once you bring it home, and how long you choose to stick with it for. So in general, do your best to go for good quality clothing that you know you’ll love and reach for again and again – preferably for several years. Here’s a list of nice, feminine brands to look out for:

Sézane*
Arket* (they have several style directions represented)
People Tree*
Vintage (Vestiaire Collective or Asos Marketplace for example)

Jeg går typisk efter de bæredygtige brands, men det skal siges at følgende på ingen måde er perfekte. De er dog et rigtig godt sted at starte, hvis du mangler lidt inspiration! Husk på, at det som afgør hvorvidt et stykke tøj er bæredygtigt eller ej ikke kun har noget med købsprocessen at gøre. Det handler mindst ligeså meget om, hvordan du behandler tøjet hjemme hos dig selv. Så sørg som hovedregel at gå efter tøj som du véd du kommer til at elske og bruge igen og igen – helst i flere år. Her kommer en liste med fine, feminine brands:

Sézane*
Arket* (de har mange stilarter repræsenteret)
People Tree*
Reformation*
Vintage (fx Vestiaire Collective eller Asos Marketplace)

3 Comments

  1. Every Extra Dollar

    I’m glad to find your blog, I have been searching for a while now for a sustainable fashion tips that can help me quickly put together a catchy and simple piece while saving lots of money and your blog out-performed.

    I can’t wait for other useful fashion lessons that you will be sharing in here after your training.
    I love your blog, I love your style sense and I certainly love your fashion tips.

    Reply
  2. Sandy

    Hello Signe !
    Do you know the brand balzac-paris. The pieces are feminine and the brand is maybe more sustainable as Sézane. The style is a little bit different, perhaps more casual.
    Thank you for your nice blog and videos.

    Reply
    • signeh24

      Thanks for the tip, I will check it out! Signe x

      Reply

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