Wardrobe Staples | Spring Edition

Me Made May is halfway over and it’s been a really wonderful experience so far! While I always considered myself to wear something handmade everyday, I didn’t realize that I wear the same couple items over and over again. In order to not make it terribly boring for anyone who watches my Instagram stories, I’ve been trying to avoid too many outfit repeats, although as we hit the halfway mark, I can’t guarantee you won’t start to see repeats.

What is has taught me is the “staples” in my wardrobe and the items that I really am lacking in my wardrobe. I thought it would be nice to start a seasonal review of the staples in my wardrobe and make some plans to fill the holes in my wardrobe.

I work in an office Monday-Friday and usually wear a standard uniform of “work pants” + sleeveless top + sweater. My handmade wardrobe fits the bill for 2 of those items – I have lots of sleeveless tops and some sweaters, but I’m really lacking in the work pants department. So before we talk about bottoms, let’s talk about my favorite tops for spring!

I’m really into peplum tops with circle skirts or gathered skirts this spring. Some of my favorites include the Primrose Peplum, the Molly Top and the Ayda Top from Sew Caroline, the Saiph Tunic from Papercut Patterns, and the Rosa Top from See Kate Sew. When I am opting for a more straight tops, I am loving the Farrah Top from Chalk and Notch and the Silk Cami from Sew Over It always are ones I reach for.

I usually pair these tops with a sweater and my favorites this season include the Julia Cardigan from Mouse House Creations, the Laurelhurst and Phinney Ridge from Straight Stitch Designs and the Blackwood Cardigan from Helen’s Closet.

Now, where I’m lacking on my everyday “uniform” are work pants. I usually wear to work a cropped or ankle length skinny pant similar to these Lilly Pulitzer RTW pants linked here. I’m struggling to find a good replacement pattern. I’m leaning towards the Deer and Doe Safran Pants. I’ve made the Sew Over It Ultimate Trousers and had some fitting issues with them, but have debated trying them with adding a waistband which they did a tutorial for here. Any other patterns that I should look in to?

With Me Made May, I’ve been trying to step out of my comfort zone a bit and try some patterns that don’t fit my “uniform” and am finding that t-shirt dresses and knit dresses are quickly becoming a weekday staple as well. Some of my favorites will be coming to the blog this week and next, but they include the Lodo Dress from True Bias, Panama Tee Dress from Alina Design Co, the Molly Dress from Sew Over It and the Sunny Dress from Friday Pattern Company. I am not usually drawn to dresses, but I thank Me Made May for pushing me outside my comfort zone a bit to try some new styles to me and I think I am turning into a dress convert!

My weekend “uniform” is almost identical to my weekday wardrobe with the exception that I wear jeans! Ginger jeans are my go to and I have three pairs that I rotate through. I have a couple more pairs in the work in colored denim and white denim to fill up my summer wardrobe!

I am most looking forward to these posts as the seasons go on to see how my preferences change and what patterns are common staples season to season.

What are your spring staples? What has Me Made May taught you about any holes in your handmade wardrobe?