Fall Capsule Wardrobe Planning with my 3×3 Sudoku Grid

As August draws to a close and cooler autumn months loom near, I’ve begun thinking of my wardrobe for the fall. Normally, I would be considering fashion pieces for the many events and gatherings that the fall months bring as I head back to college. This year is different – instead of campus events, club meetings, and gatherings with friends on the quad, the fall will bring more time spent in my apartment with roommates, completing online courses from my living room or a coffee shop, and socially distanced picnics with friends.

Planning my fall capsule wardrobe has allowed for me to recognize these changes, and consider the types of clothes I’ll be most comfortable and productive in. Using my personalized fashion croquis template from MyBodyModel, I planned my mini capsule wardrobe paper doll style. This helped me to “try on” the outfits I’d planned to make sure they were right for me.

I planned these outfits using a 3×3 sudoku-inspired grid, starting out with 9 different outfit combinations (3 tops x 3 bottoms), and adding three layers to make 27 more outfit combos!

3x3 Capsule Wardrobe Sudoku Grid  shows the outfit combinations that can be made with 3 tops, 3 bottoms, and 3 layers!
3×3 Sudoku Capsule Wardrobe Grid! Click here for a free printable 3×3 capsule planning worksheet. The idea behind the wardrobe grid is that you start with 9 different garments (3 tops x 3 bottoms x 3 layers) and then use the rows, columns, diagonal, edges, etc. to make outfit combinations. A total of 27 outfit combos can be made with this grid (not to mention the original 9 outfits without layers!)

My Step-by-Step Process, Paper Doll Style

Choosing Tops

To begin planning my fall capsule wardrobe, I started by choosing tops. I decided to focus on neutral, minimalist tops so that I could show personality through color in the bottoms. For my first top, I picked the Orlando fitted t-shirt from Seamwork because it is super simple. My goal was to dress cute and comfy this fall, and the Orlando top is so versatile it can go with almost any bottom.

Fall Capsule Wardrobe Planning Paper Doll Style with MyBodyModel custom fashion croquis! Here's the Orlando top along with Joss pants from Seamwork.com
The Orlando Top and Joss Pants from Seamwork

Next, I chose the Seamwork Angela bodysuit, specifically for cooler days in October and November. With 3/4 length sleeves, this bodysuit features a blouson surplice bodice that creates an effortless tucked-in look when worn with any pants or shorts. Because of where the bodysuit falls, just below the waist, it is perfect for mid or high-rise bottoms. Using my paper doll, I could tell this top would look great on me, and also complement many of the high-rise pieces already part of my closet.

Fall Capsule Wardrobe Planning Paper Doll Style with MyBodyModel custom fashion croquis! Here's the Seamwork Angela bodysuit paired with Seamwork Manila leggings.
Angela bodysuit paired with Manila leggings

For my last top, I knew I wanted to add another bodysuit for the perfect fall layering. I chose the Seamwork Ariane bodysuit, which features fold-over elastic finishing, lined cups, and crotch snaps. Sketching out the bodysuit and seeing it on my body made me think about all the ways I could dress it up with existing layers from my closet.

Fall Capsule Wardrobe Planning Paper Doll Style with MyBodyModel custom fashion croquis! Here's the Seamwork Ariane bodysuit surrounded by coordinating garments to wear with it.
Ariane bodysuit from Seamwork

Adding Bottoms

After having chosen the 3 neutral tops I would include in my fall capsule wardrobe, I looked for colorful bottoms that would pair well with the tops and add some personality to my closet. I first chose the Joss pant from Seamwork. These pants are light and airy and feature trendy wide legs, a high rise elastic waist, and pockets. They can easily be dressed up with a jacket and bodysuit, and dressed down with a t-shirt. Using my paper doll, I tested the Joss pants with the tops I had chosen and was able to determine that these pants fit well with the minimalist style I was going for.

Next, I had to include my beloved high waisted jean shorts from my existing closet. These shorts feature frayed edges, a button-up enclosure, and land about halfway up my thigh. For warmer days in September and October, they go well with a jacket or cardigan as well as my favorite leather boots.

Fall capsule wardrobe outfit combos -high waisted jean shorts paired with the Ariane bodysuit from Seamwork, on MyBodyModel paper doll (custom fashion croquis).
Testing top x bottom outfit combos with my paper doll – high-waisted jean shorts paired with the Ariane top from Seamwork

I debated for a bit on which bottoms to include last. Normally, I would have chosen a skirt or dress for social occasions. However, knowing what my fall semester was going to look like, I went the opposite direction and chose some casual leggings. The Seamwork Manila leggings are perfect for lounging, yoga, and the occasional run, and will be my go-to for cozy days spent at home and for keeping active. Plus, they can be made in fun contrasting patterns to add some pizazz to my neutral wardrobe!

Using my Body Model to Preview Outfits

Combining the 3 tops and 3 bottoms I had chosen into 9 different outfit combinations was so much fun! Seeing the results of my planning come to life was rewarding and gave me a vision for the 3 layers I would add to the mini capsule next.

Fall Capsule Wardrobe Planning with 3x3 sudoku grid. 9 different outfit combos paper doll style! I used MyBodyModel (custom fashion croquis) for my personalized paper doll.
My 3×3 Sudoku board of 9 outfit combinations made paper doll style (3 tops x 3 bottoms). Fall Capsule Wardrobe planning made easy with MyBodyModel fashion sketch templates.

Adding Layers!

Now that I had 3 tops, 3 bottoms, and 9 different outfit combos, it was time to choose some layers that would enhance my fall mini capsule wardrobe. Firstly, I made sure to include my treasured leather jacket from my current closet. I bought the jacket at a vintage thrift store and the leather is perfectly worn with soft creases, making it roomy and comfortable. Though I was initially unsure if the jacket would go with some of the items I had already picked out, playing around with my paper doll helped me realize that it could be paired with almost anything.

Fall capsule wardrobe outfit combos with my thrifted leather jacket. I used MyBodyModel (custom fashion croquis) for my personalized paper doll.
#MyBodyModel3x3 outfits 10-18! Fall capsule wardrobe outfit combos with my thrifted leather jacket

The second jacket I chose was the Audrey jacket, a classic jean jacket pattern from Seamwork. A denim jacket will be a wardrobe workhorse, particularly in the fall months when I’ll be needing a light layer to put on in the evening. It pairs well with a scarf, and can even work with my jean shorts for a full jean look. 

Fall capsule wardrobe outfit pairings sudoku and paper doll style with the Audrey jacket from Seamwork. I used MyBodyModel (custom fashion croquis) for my personalized paper doll.
#MyBodyModel3x3 outfits 19-27! Outfit pairings with the Audrey jacket from Seamwork

Finally, I had to include a cardigan for cozy, cool fall days. The Blackwood Cardigan by Helen’s Closet is specifically designed for layering: it has a fitted shape with long sleeves and can be made to extend all the way to the mid thigh with patch pockets. Sketching out this cardigan and using my paper doll allowed for me to be certain it would look good with the pieces I’d already chosen.

Fall capsule wardrobe outfit pairings with Blackwood Cardigan from Helen's Closet. I used MyBodyModel (custom fashion croquis) for my personalized paper doll.
#MyBodyModel 3×3 outfits 28-36! Outfit pairings with the Blackwood Cardigan from Helen’s Closet

Here are all 9 garments in my 3×3 sudoku fall capsule wardrobe:

9 garments in my 3x3 sudoku fall capsule wardrobe!  From top left across - Orlando top, Audrey Jacket, High-waisted jean shorts, Joss pants, Ariane bodysuit, Vintage leather jacket, Blackwood Cardigan, Manila leggings, and Angela bodysuit. I drew these by tracing over my MyBodyModel (custom fashion croquis) personalized paper doll.
The 9 garments I used to create 36 outfit combinations! From top left across – Orlando top, Audrey Jacket, High-waisted jean shorts, Joss pants, Ariane bodysuit, Vintage leather jacket, Blackwood Cardigan, Manila leggings, and Angela bodysuit.

Want to try your own 3×3 capsule?

Join the #mybodymodel3x3 community challenge! Use your body model croquis and this free planning worksheet to plan your own 3×3 mini-capsule. Share & tag #mybodymodel3x3 on Instagram to play along, and stay tuned for more information about the upcoming September challenge (and PRIZES)!


For more capsule wardrobe and paper doll inspiration, check out these posts:


Want to learn more about sudoku-inspired capsule wardrobe planning? Check out these posts on the Curvy Sewing Collective, Melly Sews, and Elizabeth Made This.


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See how Sarah designed 36 outfits with 9 garments, paper doll style. Plan your 3x3 fall capsule wardrobe with MyBodyModel fashion croquis templates.

4 thoughts on “Fall Capsule Wardrobe Planning with my 3×3 Sudoku Grid”

    1. Hi Tatiana, great question! Sarah placed blank paper over her MyBodyModel croquis to trace the garments over the body outline. She used the pattern technical illustrations and also the modeled garment photos as references for drawing. We have a beginner drawing tutorial video on YouTube that shows how to do this step by step. If you sign up for our email list you will get links to our beginner drawing videos, and a free printable of 24 sample hairstyle drawings. I hope these are helpful!

  1. Louise Johnson

    This is great! My husband and I are both mathematicians. If we tried to directly use math principles to present these ideas, most people would say “What?” People are not afraid of or rather are much more comfortable with Sudoku. Both of us are very impressed with the presentation. Keep up the great work!!!

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