10X10 Wardrobe Challenge – Autumn Edition

As I try to make the most of what I already have before considering to add something new to my wardrobe, I’m more and more drawn to the idea of pushing the boundaries of my style, and experimenting with new silhouettes. For me, the simplest way to get some extra mileage out of my wardrobe, is to give myself some limitations. So with that in mind, and a new season upon us, I thought it’d be fun to create a 10X10 Wardrobe Challenge edit for autumn.

The 10X10 Wardrobe Challenge

If you aren’t familiar with the 10X10 Wardrobe Challenge, it was created by Lee Vosburgh and Caroline Joy back in 2017 I believe it was. It’s a way to stretch what you have, and is a great crash course in capsule wardrobes for those wanting to dip their toe in the water. I gave up on capsule wardrobes some time ago, but I’ve always loved this mini-challenge. It’s a big reminder that we need very little to do a lot, and I always end up coming away with new ways to wear my wardrobe.

Essentially the rules of the 10X10 Wardrobe Challenge are 10 items worn across 10 days. It’s pretty simple and you can tailor it to make it work best for you and your needs, whether that’s only doing the challenge on weekdays or weekends, or omitting items like your handbag or coat.

I decided to focus my ten items on clothing and shoes only; opting to select one outerwear piece and a handbag as ‘extras’. So, let’s dive into it, shall we?

My 10 Items

Uniqlo white cotton shirt | I decided to pick this shirt because as a styling piece, this is as basic as it gets. It can be dressed up or down, worn loose or tucked in, or you could tie it at the waist. I love how having the sleeves buttoned up is also more of a formal look, whereas you can get a relaxed vibe by rolling them up. Versatility was what I was after, and this shirt delivers.

Joseph ivory roll neck sweater (also here) | I seem to find it really hard to create any kind of autumn or winter edit without mentioning this roll neck sweater from Joseph. This was a splurge for me last year but has proven to be a great investment, and I’m so excited about wearing it again all winter long. Being an ivory hue, it’s a bit of a blank canvas and will go with anything and everything.

Kate Sylvester black merino turtleneck (old but similar here) | I decided to choose this piece because it’s a great layering item. I could wear it under a sweater, a dress, or on its own. It fits pretty close to my body which I like, and I’ve never not found a reason to wear this.

Grana olive cashmere crew sweater (old but similar here) | Okay so let’s get into a bit of colour. I like to choose a relatively neutral palette and stick in a couple of more ‘unexpected’ options, first one being this olive coloured crew neck from Grana. This is actually a men’s jumper in the XS so I like this it’s a more slouchy fit while still having the silhouette of a classic crew sweater.

Rag & Bone black blazer (old but similar here) | Blazers have started to become a core part of my personal style, coming full circle from my early twenties, and I love how simple and minimal this one from Rag & Bone is. It’s quite thin too, so it isn’t going to add too much bulk to my frame when I’m wearing it.

SABA black sleeveless blazer dress (old but similar here) | Probably one of my most versatile purchases of 2018 was a sleeveless blazer dress from SABA. Sadly, it’s an old style now but I spotted this one which looks pretty similar. I love this as it’s tailored so can be worn as a dress, with a shirt or turtleneck underneath, or worn open more like a sleeveless trench to add an extra layer and elevate more relaxed outfits.

Leopard print slip skirt | As far as I’m concerned, the leopard print skirt moment is far from over, so I wanted to throw this in as my second ‘unexpected’ piece. Autumn in Sydney can be pretty mild so I know I won’t need to wear tights, and I liked that this works with all four tops that I picked out, while still seeming slightly conservative given the midi length.

Everlane faded black straight leg jeans | The final clothing item I picked were a straight leg pair of jeans from Everlane. These have some stretch so are super comfortable, and I like the way that they look with a boot slipping just under the hem at the ankle.

Loeffler Randall tan suede boots | Cowboy boots are a pretty big trend this season, though I tend to find they can look a little costume-y so I thought these boots were a happy medium when I purchased them late last year. I love the pointed toe, and these are very narrow around the leg which I find has a super-flattering effect.

Everlane black day heels | Finally, I decided to throw in my day heels as a more professional shoe option, that’s still comfortable. I’ve had these shoes almost two years now and they’re still going strong. The rounded toe has more of a relaxed feel to it, which I find works well for me given I work from home.

The Extras

Mute by JL coat | I don’t tend to alternate my coats too often so I wanted to pick one that would go with everything. I’m still enjoying this belted style that I got last year, and I find it’s a lovely complement to the champagne hue of the leopard skirt, and the olive green cashmere sweater.

Cuyana leather tote bag | I’ve been getting a lot more adventurous with my bag choices day to day, but I always come back to my leather tote from Cuyana. It’s a staple classic and I love the unstructured nature of it.

Belts | I really love adding a belt into my outfits as I find it’s a great finishing piece, so I included two for this 10X10 Wardrobe Challenge: my Isabel Marant ‘zap’ belt, and my Sarah van Oosterom chocolate brown belt.

The Outfits

The key to nailing the 10X10 Wardrobe Challenge is to really carefully select items that are not only versatile, but will also pair well together. My trick is add items in one by one, starting with an item that I know will work with anything, and then adding in the items I’m excited to wear. I was able to come up with more than 16 outfits with these 10 items, and I’ve shared most of the looks in one of my latest videos which I’ve embedded below. Would love to know if you have a favourite look! x