Designing a Monochrome Capsule Wardrobe

Guest blogger Erika “Eri” Nazario used her MyBodyModel croquis to design a 3×3 monochromatic capsule wardrobe collection that’s far from boring. She shares all about her design process, her favorite sketching tools, and her top 9 outfits – along with links to step-by-step videos showing Eri’s fashion illustration process for each look!

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In September I had the opportunity to join a Capsule Wardrobe class where I learned useful tips to create my own capsule collection, while at the same time MyBodyModel started running a challenge to draw a 3×3 capsule wardrobe. 

I excitedly decided to join the challenge. I wanted to put my newly gained knowledge to use and above all I was intrigued by how drawing on my body model croquis would help me build my own capsule wardrobe collection from the bottom up. 

A different fashion drawing experience 

I like to do fashion sketches and have done plenty of them during the years, but when I tried MyBodyModel for the first time I was taken by the innovation, adding my measurements to an app and seeing a small drawing that looked like my body!

I don’t know how to express what it felt like, but I loved how I can see a preview of how the clothes are going to look on myself, how I can style my clothes, or combine them. It’s fun and empowering to be able to draw on your own body shape. 

Choosing a color palette

I decided on an all-black collection using black or mostly black fabrics. Living in Brooklyn NYC, I love to wear all-black outfits even though my favorite colors to work with are greens, yellows like mustard and reds. 

Defining my capsule wardrobe guidelines

I had a great task ahead of me. I wanted to plan a Monochrome Capsule Wardrobe Collection that included pieces I’ve already made or that I already had materials to make, and a collection that is both comfortable and timeless. 

Selecting garments and sewing patterns

With all of these criteria in mind, I selected nine garments for my 3×3 mini-capsule collection: 

• one dress (Huon dress)
• two layers (Blackwood cardigan, Boxy sweater knitting pattern by Joji Locatelli)
• three tops (Huon shirt, Gilbert top, Concord t-shirt)
• three bottoms (Ginger jeans, Estuary skirt, Avery leggings)

Drawing the design flats

When I was preparing to sketch the capsule wardrobe collection, I sharpened my pencils, cleaned my fountain pen, and filled it with waterproof ink. I traced my body model croquis and flats on tracing paper. This was my first time tracing my body model and I decided to draw a bun on my hair since it is the style I wear most at home. Also, I got Dr. Martens boots for my birthday this year and decided to add them to the croquis.

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Coloring my designs

I have gathered through the years a good collection of workhorse tools for drawing and painting. I keep all my essential paints, brushes and sketching tools inside an artist’s tool roll. Normally, I like to carry my artist’s tool roll inside my bag so everything is small and perfect to travel. 

I like to use Travelers Company passport size black notebooks for my final tracing and sketches because of its size, and I like the paper for sketching. I draw the pieces of clothes and style them on the croquis. After I’m done with pencil, I use the pen with waterproof ink and trace adding some final details. I wait for the ink to dry, and then erase the pencil.

Then I look at my fabric swatches so I can use them for color accuracy. After that I start to apply color. 

My preferred method for coloring the croquis is watercolor.  I also use colored pencils and a white ink pen for details. For this collection, I wanted to try an acrylic ink pen to color one piece of every outfit. I liked that it’s a matte black color.

Making outfits

Here are my nine favorite outfits created with my 3×3 monochrome capsule collection. I recorded a video of my fashion illustration process for each outfit, and posted each video to my IGTV channel. A link to each video is included below its corresponding photo.

Outfit 1: Huon Shirt + Ginger Jeans

Outfit 2: Huon Dress + belt + Avery Leggings

Outfit 3: Gilbert Top + Ginger Jeans

Outfit 4: Blackwood Cardigan + Concord Tee + Estuary Skirt

Outfit 5: Boxy Sweater + Avery Leggings

Outfit 6: Huon Dress

Outfit 7: Gilbert Top + Estuary Skirt

Outfit 8: Blackwood Cardigan + Concord Tee + Avery Leggings

Outfit 9: Boxy Sweater + Estuary Skirt

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I’m so inspired and love to continue to sketch more outfits and collections using MyBodyModel. Maybe I’ll try with other mediums like gouache, markers or digital.

Here’s a short video where I flip through each page in my sketchbook. Which outfit is your favorite?

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For more capsule wardrobe planning inspiration, check out these recent posts:

• “#mybodymodel3x3 Capsule Wardrobe Sketch Gallery” by Devon
• “Chic, Easy, & Fun: My Fall Sewing Plans” by Sierra
• “Fall Capsule Wardrobe Planning with my 3×3 Sudoku Grid” by Sarah A.
• “My Fall Capsule Wardrobe from Sketch to Finish,” by Whitney