I’m trying on a small set of color-coordinated clothes which will see me through from now to September. I’m in France and I have a simple casual lifestyle. My summer capsule wardrobe reflects this. I’m short, overweight and don’t want to spend a lot on new clothes. So these images show the real me, not retouched to look slimmer (tempting though that is!). I’m wearing a few new items but mainly clothes I’ve had for a while.
I believe, whatever our changing figure as we age, it is always worth dressing with intention and planning. It’s so easy to just pop on the same thing most days, especially, if like me, you live alone. I don’t want to be invisible just because I don’t look like the retailer’s model. I want to feel good about myself, knowing I’m looking the very best I can. I want to find something I enjoy wearing every morning when I look in my closet so I start my day in a great mood.
The color palette I’ve selected for this summer is based on a blouse I bought at Primark in the Spring. You can see the blouse with its large collar and Matisse-style gathered sleeves in one of the photos below. It is white, pink and olive green. I bought it very inexpensively to go with my olive green wide linen pants for a special lunch with my daughter.
So the base color of this summer capsule wardrobe is white/ivory. The secondary color is pink. And the third color to add a bit of drama (!) is olive green. You can read about the method I use to make a seasonal capsule in the very first one I photographed for this blog, several years ago.
For my lower half I’ve chosen four pairs of trousers and a pair of capris (I’m not adding links to these clothes as most of them are no longer in stock but I’ll add the retailer’s name – whenever I can recall it!):
- Olive wide linen pants, purchased a few months ago from Marks and Spencer’s
- Ivory lightweight straight cords, purchased last summer.
- Pink cotton straight chinos, purchased a couple of years ago from M&S
- White wide linen trousers, purchased several years ago
- Pink, white and grey cotton stretch capri pants bought new this summer from Primark
Apart from the capris I can make each of these pants very casual or smarter, depending on the tops I wear and the accessories.
For my top half I’ve chosen:
- Two white linen tops, one sleeveless and one short sleeves (not shown), purchased a couple of years ago from Boden
- Two large white tee shirts in cotton ( one new, one from last year)
- A pink striped tee shirt purchased a couple of years ago from M&S
- A plain pink tee shirt (not shown) purchased a couple of years ago from John Lewis UK
- A large boyfriend style pink and white striped cotton button-down shirt purchased last year from M&S
- A feminine blouse in white, pink and olive (new) from Primark
I can’t wear tees with even a slight waist as I carry a lot of excess fat around my middle. I like the white linen tops because they stand away from my waist, making them cool but also disguising my exact waistline. The striped shirt also doubles as a cover-up layer, especially if it’s warm – If I’m with people of my age I’m fine with a sleeveless top but if I go somewhere with younger people the shirt is a godsend!
My try-on video
For top layers I have chosen four items:
- A pale olive short jacket, purchased last year from M&S
- An unstructured ivory cotton jacket from two years ago from Poetry (UK)
- A pink cashmere cropped cardigan from a couple of years or more ago from Boden
- A pale olive and yellow shirtdress purchased years and years ago from my local French supermarket.
The short jacket makes most outfits look smart enough for an evening drink or a day of city sightseeing. The other layers, including the striped shirt, are more about covering arms or a little extra protection on very sunny days, cloudy days or very cold aircon.
As accessories I’ve chosen:
- Ivory open-toe leather sandals, new from M&S
- Ivory flat-bed leather sandals, from two summers ago from M&S
- Ivory and black retro-style leather sneakers, new from M&S
- Pink cross-body bag from last year – Primark?
- Black and cream woven straw bag from two years ago
- Straw-colored small circular bag from several years ago
- A large sand-colored necklace from two years ago plus a gold chain
- Various gold-tone hoop earrings (not all shown)
I’ve also got some pretty summer dresses that don’t fit into the coordinated capsule wardrobe. As a dress is really a full outfit, it doesn’t matter what color it is. And there’s no point getting too hung up about every single item having to fit the capsule rules. If there’s something you love to wear in summer – just wear it! Hopefully it will go with your accessories and shoes. I see dresses and the occasional must-wear outfit as things which hang straight after my capsule wardrobe clothes in the closet. I’d put beachwear in that category for example.
If you like looking at simple capsules for the older woman why not take a look at a previous one, for example:
A British take on the Coastal Grandmother look, summer 2023
A minimalist summer capsule in the French chic vibe, summer 2024
I love love love this color combination. I also love your wanting to feel good about yourself, looking the very best you can. This from a short, overweight 74-year old.
Hi Marilyn. We’re on the same wavelength (and possibly also hip width!)
I absolutely agree with you, your attitude is so fresh and forward looking….thank you!
“I believe, whatever our changing figure as we age, it is always worth dressing with intention and planning. It’s so easy to just pop on the same thing most days, especially, if like me, you live alone. I don’t want to be invisible just because I don’t look like the retailer’s model. I want to feel good about myself, knowing I’m looking the very best I can. I want to find something I enjoy wearing every morning when I look in my closet so I start my day in a great mood.”
Hi Michelle. Good to hear you find the blog interesting. Thanks for your positive comment! Joni
Hi, Joni –
I’m not seeing a link to the video. Is it just me? 🙂 Great job on these outfits!
Hi Julia. The video should be the second one on the page and you just click on it I think. There may be a short ad before it starts. The other video is a relook at previous ones I’ve made. I haven’t put this latest video on my YouTube channel yet (I’m Mother of the Bride) I’ll put it on by the weekend. Massive toothache problems at the moment so in and out of the dentist chair!!! Joni
I am also a short/wide and approaching 70. I’d say I am full on coastal grandmama I even have the coastal summer home! I love your style..pink and olive really are beautiful together and your Primark blouse is so pretty! I avoid the front tuck as I feel it does no favours for my belly fluff. On you it looks sophisticated! I must try again with different tops. I am not so concerned about my upper arms showing but I wear a CG monitor and don’t like people asking about it or risking it catching and coming off. Covering with a linen shirt or light jacket is an option. I also consider my shoes for the summer I need sneakers for cooler days so have opted for metallic which can dress up a look. My usual hiking boots and mucking about Birkenstocks I don’t include in my capsule, like underwear they are always needed! Have a great summer in France, I am envious! I’ll wave to you across the Atlantic!!
Hi Allison. How lovely to hear your take on a summer capsule. I love to know what readers wear and feel good in. Very envious that you are full-on coastal including the house. I spend winters by the sea (Med) to avoid the damp cold of much of France – plus it’s quieter and much much cheaper then too!! Waving back. Joni
Joni, you look very smart in all of your summer choices! I especially love the pink on you. It brings out your complexion. I love pink as well. I have a tee like your striped one and wear mine with white linen blend pants. Crops re full length on me as I’m only 5’1” and 135 pounds. How many pounds are in a stone? I read a lot of cozy mysteries and I watch Britbox especially them Marple series. I dress more like you than her. Our styles have really changed since the 1950s. But I remember them. I think your capsule will serve you very well right through September and as long as the weather stays so warm, October. My capsule is pink, pale blue and white. I also wear natural flax colored linen pants. Can’t wear it near my face unless I want to look jaundiced! Enjoy your summer in France Joni!
Sydney Haskell from Colorado, USA
Hi Sydney. I thought I might have overdone the pink this summer so thanks for putting my mind at rest. I agree natural flax colour does us paler women no favours these days but I like its gentle calm tones too and wear it away from my face. BTW there are 14 pounds in a stone (UK). So I’m 146lbs or in the UK we’d say 10st 6lbs. Joni
Hi Joni your capsuel looks amazing this year with the pink I also love pink but have been floundering this year as I have put on to much wieght and now 12 stone and only 5 foot trying really
Hard to loose some but not so easy with a very bad back surgery failure but I still like to look nice your lovely clothes don’t look so good on me being very fat now.I love marks and Spencer’s and sea salt so have bought pink chinos from M and S
And a lovely dress with pink in from sea salt with navy cardigan and white one. You inspire me me to do a new capsuel for the autum and will be looking forward to yours regards Sue Byford.
Hi Sue. Great to hear from you. Yes, the weight thing is annoying isn’t it. I’m afraid I’ve rather given up these days. As soon as I eat normally again anything I lose just goes back on. But even so, I still believe it’s worth selecting attractive clothes. It does my self esteem good to feel I am looking the best I can despite not having a great figure or slim legs anymore. Joni