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!

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.

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

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

Erika Nazario

Originally from Puerto Rico, Erika “Eri” Nazario moved to New York City to pursue a degree in fashion design. She currently lives in Brooklyn NYC with her husband and kids, a boy and twin girls. Eri’s grandmother taught her to sew when she was little. Eri likes to always be busy making things, especially knitting, sewing and painting. She loves to learn new skills. She also has a Biology degree and naturally loves plants, animals and nature. You can find Eri on Instagram @sketchknitsew.