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Home » 18=216, in a really big, perfect wardrobe slot machine…

18=216, in a really big, perfect wardrobe slot machine…

April 28, 2014
 

I said on Saturday that the idea of a wardrobe slot machine could be expanded, and one of my dearest friends was eager to see how this would play out.  For some of us, the idea of getting dressed for work every day is just plain annoying – nobody is going to pay much attention to what we’re wearing, as long as we’re appropriately dressed.  

 

So I promised her that I would show an example that would give her more than a week’s worth of shirts or blouses (i.e. six), and then show how it could be expanded.  Six top layers x six shirts or blouses x six pants or skirts =216 combinations.

 

She could literally shop once a year and then forget about work clothing for a long time…  In the hottest weather, it might be wise to substitute out some short-sleeved tops for the heavier things, and a lighter skirt for the leather, but the concept remains solid. (and let’s remember, the executives where she works wear long-sleeved shirts, WITH UNDERSHIRTS, 12 months out of the year)

 

(I lust mightily for this leather skirt, and I so UTTERLY do not need another piece of clothing…)  But imagine, if one only had 18 pieces of fall/winter clothing, what excellent pieces could be justifiably purchased…

 

18 garments make 216 outfits! 18 perfectly interchangeable pieces of clothing in black, white, grey and denim

argyle cardigan – Apt. 9, chambray shirt – Nili Lotan, black jeans-  Eileen Fisher ,black cardigan – Jaeger, tee shirt –  Mint Velvet,  black pants – Eileen Fisher, grey sweater- Marc by Marc Jacobs,  turtleneck – Majestic Filatures, black skirted leggings – Eileen Fisher, grey cardigan – Tess Giberson, grey tee shirt – Mary Portas, grey trousers – Acne, black sweater – Burberry Brit , white shirt – Dolce and Gabbana, leather skirt – Theory, black blazer- Mango, white turtleneck – Velvet , pinstripe pants – Jaeger

 

This is what 216 outfits look like.  Please note that this is the same outfit shown repeatedly – even with my super-long attention span, I was NOT going to put together all of the possibilities.

a visual representation of just how many outfits 216 REALLY is - it's a big number!
love,
Janice
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04.28.14 15 Comments

Tags: black, chambray, grey, packing, shopping, Wardrobe Slot Machines
<<The Perfect Clothing/Slot Machine /BackpackA Spring Capsule Wardrobe, from “Ma To-Do List : Dressing”>>

Comments

  1. Theresa says

    April 28, 2014 at 2:09 pm

    I try to have a "slot machine" or "whatever is clean" wardrobe, also. I like more colors in my wardrobe, for tops at least. I think you can have colors in your tops (and dresses), and still have this work. I have stone and black as my neutrals, and am using lemon yellow and sky blue as my accent colors. I think I can get pretty close to this versatility and expandability with those. I do live in a climate that is cold in the winter, and VERY hot in the summer, so wouldn't want to use the turtlenecks, and thick sweaters past, oh, March or April depending on how the weather goes. I would definitely want them again starting about November.

    Reply
  2. Indigo Dragonfly says

    April 28, 2014 at 3:50 pm

    I've been lurking here for a while, but wanted to say THIS is the way I will go from now on.
    I agree with Theresa above, using black as my neutral & red, eggplant, olive & gray-blue as my colors.
    And like Theresa, I live in a cold-winter VERY hot summer climate (Texas), so some of the weights/textures would need to change. Also love the 9-piece travel wardrobe you did in earlier post. Very versatile & practical!
    Love the blog & have taken many lessons from it!

    Reply
  3. Kate Budacki says

    April 28, 2014 at 4:55 pm

    Janice, I have tried, honestly I have, but I just don't get the EF skirt leggings thing. I know it must be a character fault, but I just don't get it. Otherwise, you are pretty much right on.

    Reply
    • Eleanorjane says

      April 29, 2014 at 7:50 pm

      Don't worry Kate, you're not the only one who doesn't get on with those things!

      Reply
    • Janice Riggs says

      April 29, 2014 at 7:54 pm

      There's no garment that works for everybody – I think that skirted leggings might be the single items that most proves this!

      Reply
  4. Anonymous says

    April 28, 2014 at 7:54 pm

    I tried the EF skirt leggings on after reading about them here.I am thin and tall and wanted to love them. They are super comfortable, but I couldn't imagine wearing them anywhere but to a yoga class or in the house. But out doing errands or grocery shopping- no way :)

    Reply
    • Janice Riggs says

      April 28, 2014 at 7:57 pm

      For me, it's just like wearing a skirt with tights under it, only everything's all connected. They're certainly not for everybody, but for me they've become a true wardrobe staple. I'm sure that won't last forever, but its handy right now to have them to fall back on – they don't wrinkle, they pack in a nutshell, and they go with everything.

      Reply
    • ripple says

      May 2, 2014 at 8:14 am

      I got a pair after reading about them here, and I love them. Too bad it's getting too warm to wear them.

      Reply
  5. Mette Balslev Greve says

    April 29, 2014 at 6:55 am

    You really know how to stretch a wardrobe :-) I built my own slot machine that picks out random items (I'm a programmer at heart) – maybe you'll like it? http://theyogasticshoppingplanner.blogspot.dk/search/label/random-list

    Reply
  6. versatilestylebytracey.com says

    April 29, 2014 at 12:44 pm

    Wow, for a maximalist like myself I can't even imagine the number of combinations in my closet!!!! A great idea for packing for a trip!

    Reply
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  11. Melinda says

    May 27, 2021 at 6:47 pm

    I really love this slot machine concept. After 7 years, would you change it? Include less 2nd layer cardigans/sweaters? More tops/blouses?
    The slot-machine has helped me a lot recently, because I have realised I don’t need so many clothes to cover the times when one item is in the wash.
    I am enjoying the process of limiting my choices and recording how many wears each item gets. At the start of Autumn, here in Tasmania, I could hardly believe that I could be happy with only 8 bottoms, with several tops to match each bottom. But after recording what I wore, and looking in the wardrobe each morning, I can’t believe I thought I needed so many. I am going for even less next Autumn, mainly because it eases the decision paralysis each morning, and also because I really do want more than 4 wears for each item.

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The Vivienne Files is a unique personal style blog with carefully-selected capsule wardrobes based on color palettes drawn from works of art, nature, and more. It helps women buy less clothing, and to love what they buy. Read more...
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