Style Bee - Late Summer 10x10 Capsule

LATE SUMMER 10×10 CAPSULE RECAP & 22 OUTFITS

08.18.22

Yep, you read that right, I managed to create TWENTY-TWO looks from just 10 pieces. I can barely believe it myself! Sure, a couple of outfits are fairly similar, but I think they’re all unique enough to count.

Read on for a recap of the 10 items that I included in this capsule, the 10 looks I shared on the Style Journal and the 12 looks I’m sharing here today. Plus my main findings from the exercise, including a new item that this capsule convinced me to try.


This post is not produced in partnership with any brands mentioned but does contain affiliate links and previously gifted items. If you see something you like and decide to shop through the links included, I may earn commission on a sale at no additional cost to you. All opinions are always my own and I only share items I love and think you might too. Thanks for supporting Style Bee!


THE 10 ITEMS IN MY LATE SUMMER CAPSULE

/ 1 / COTTON CROPPED CARDIGAN / 2 / RIO SLIP DRESS (LEE15 for 15% Off, similar for less here) / 3 / LINEN BUTTON UP SHIRT / 4 / EMERSON CAFTAN (similar for less here) / 5 / LINEN BOY TROUSER (sold out, similar here) / 6 / ORGANIC LINEN TIERED DRESS / 7 / TASHA TANK / 8 / WILLOW BLOUSE (LEE15 for 15% Off) / 9 / PERFECT VINTAGE STRAIGHT JEAN / 10 / FLIP FLOPS


THE 10 LOOKS I SHARED ON THE STYLE JOURNAL



SHOP EACH ONE ON THE STYLE JOURNAL:

LOOK 1 // LOOK 2 // LOOK 3 // LOOK 4 // LOOK 5 // LOOK 6 // LOOK 7 // LOOK 8 // LOOK 9 // LOOK 10


12 MORE LOOKS I CREATED FROM THIS CAPSULE

As I said at the top, a few of these are similar but I wanted to share as many variations as I could think of in one styling session. Looking at these now I can think of even more!


LOOK 11

This is just LOOK 1 with a cardigan added and a different bag. I love how the white Willow Top peeks out under the knit.


LOOK 12

Here’s a dressy look I created by keeping things intentionally minimal. Hair up and a dainty clutch is all you need to elevate a simple slip dress.


LOOK 13

This it a pretty straight forward combo. Tank, jeans and an open shirt on top. Love this one for an average weekday.


LOOK 14

To make this caftan feel a bit more like a dress I just threw my cardigan over the shoulders. Then I grabbed my beaded tote and a silk scarf for a touch of pattern play.


LOOK 15

This was definitely one of my favourites. I wore this one for coffee with a friend (hi Cass!) while I was visiting my parents and it was just a delight to wear!


LOOK 16

I love the simplicity of this one. Nothing like the combo of bright white linen and summer denim!


LOOK 17

I wanted to try out this dress with the cardigan and added a silk neck scarf to create a bit of a focal point. Genie thought the scarf would suit her better and she’s not wrong.


LOOK 18

I styled this top the same way in LOOK 9 and really like the big knot. It pairs perfectly with a high rise jean.


LOOK 19

This look is the same base as LOOK 4, just a bit more refined with my knit around the shoulders and a proper bag.


LOOK 20

I shared this one as a bonus with LOOK 6 and have to say, it’s probably my most inventive combo from the capsule. I love when these exercises reveal a new way to wear something I’ve had in my closet for a while.


LOOK 21

Here’s another way I styled the Willow Top with these jeans and it was a great reminder that buttoning a shirt to the top always creates a distinctive feel. I also tucked it in fully and love how the light fabric billows out.


LOOK 22

& finally, this is the last look I created. This one has a very “on holiday in Italy” feel. One styling trick I used a lot throughout this capsule was to leave a shirt unbuttoned and then simply knot the tails. It’s casual and I like how it offers a bit of dimension to a simple look.


SHOP MY CAPSULE ITEMS:

/ 1 / COTTON CROPPED CARDIGAN / 2 / RIO SLIP DRESS (LEE15 for 15% Off, similar for less here) / 3 / LINEN BUTTON UP SHIRT / 4 / EMERSON CAFTAN (similar for less here) / 5 / LINEN BOY TROUSER (sold out, similar here) / 6 / ORGANIC LINEN TIERED DRESS / 7 / TASHA TANK / 8 / WILLOW BLOUSE (LEE15 for 15% Off) / 9 / PERFECT VINTAGE STRAIGHT JEAN / 10 / FLIP FLOPS


SHOP MY ACCESSORIES:


SHOP MY MINIMAL JEWELRY CAPSULE HERE


MY TOP FINDINGS FROM THIS CAPSULE


MOST WORN PIECE: This is a toss up between my Perfect Vintage Straight Jeans and Cotton Anna Cardigan. Comfy jeans are my pant of choice across the board and we had slightly cooler weather than was forecast when I planned my capsule. A good reminder that layering options are always essential here in Ontario.

MOST VERSATILE PIECE: I’m giving the MVP award to the Willow Blouse. I was perfect for very hot and cooler temps alike and this capsule revealed just how much of a chameleon it is. Definitely a summer staple for me.

LEAST WORN PIECE: As lovely as it is, the Riviera Slip Dress wasn’t as practical for my lifestyle during this capsule. I LOVE how it feels and the cut but the cupro fabric is a bit high maintenance. It wrinkles and marks easily (which my spot cleaning only made worse) and I didn’t find it was as breathable as I’d like on humid days. I think next time, I’d opt for the Rio Dress, which has the same shape in a raw silk material.

HOW DID ONE PAIR OF SHOES WORK OUT? To my surprise, brilliantly! I used to not even include shoes in my 10×10 capsules for fear of missing out on options. As it turns out however, it made life way easier and resulted it many more outfit combinations thanks to only giving up one spot for footwear. That said…

THE PIECE I’M GOING TO TRY NEXT SUMMER: I love my nude flip flops, but at times I did want a sandal with more visual presence and overall support. I don’t count this as a failure, instead I consider it a win because now I know how something a bit more substantial but in the same nude colour way would integrate into my closet really well.

I’m currently eyeing down a couple of Birkenstock styles: Option 1 (love the light sole and tonal buckle), Option 2 (same upper with the classic dark sole), and Option 3 has a dark sole and light upper but in leather instead of suede.

GENERAL STYLE FINDINGS:

  • Shirts are the most versatile style in a closet because they can be worn a myriad of ways – Fully buttoned, partially buttoned, open, knotted, tucked, and the list goes on. Have two shirts in this capsule is a huge part of why it was so easy to create so many looks.
  • Hats make a huge difference to a look. A baseball cap can steer a look more sporty, whereas a bucket hat can give a more casual camper vibe and a straw hat instantly elevates.
  • This colour palette is my summer sweet spot – Lots of white, a touch of black, soft neutrals, light denim and a bit of muted green.
  • Small changes have a big impact. Never underestimate subtlety. A simple hairstyle change or bag swap can make a big difference.
  • Contrast comes in many forms beyond colour. Use it through textures, fits, shapes, and style categories (ie: tailored with sporty).
  • Summer knitwear may be a novel concept in many places, but not at the lake!

SURPRISE FINDING: I really enjoyed sharing this capsule on my IG Stories. It led to some lovely chats with folks and helped me show up more on the platform in a way that feels aligned with the content I want to create/share over there.



& THERE YOU HAVE IT FOLKS!

Proof that a summer capsule can be both small and mighty!

I hope you enjoyed following along and may have been inspired by an idea or two as we near the end of summer {insert crying emoji}. I’m working on a REEL that shows all 22 of these looks in action so stay tuned for that on my Instagram.

Leave me a comment here!

  1. Kimberly Baker says:

    Hi Lee,

    We’re you charged Canadian duty on the EMERSON CAFTAN because it is over $150.?

    Thanks, Kimberly

  2. Carol says:

    Love this post! Can you share your technique for tying your shirts? Thanks!