SWAP and capsule wardrobe thoughts

I'm still plugging away with my basic day wear pieces for the SWAP.


Having done classic SWAP so many times before I struggle to get away from the idea that everything in a collection must coordinate. Ie every top can be worn with every bottom. 

As far as I can see this year that's not the case. Each 3 pack must work alone and the combo items need to work with the 3 packs, but the wildcards are another 3 pack again which work together but not necessarily all with something or everything else?

I was also trying to make enough outfits for a week as a personal challenge but seem low on tops for that plus have 2 denim bottoms which I would only wear Friday or weekend.
And I would like to add some more prints but then things have fewer combos that work.
On the plus side I have some great red shoes for the photos when I get to that point!
Perhaps I am over analysing things?

The SWAP rules this year say

1 "3 pack" of Color(s) A (3 garments)
1 "3 pack" of Color(s) B (3 garments)
1 "Combo Pack" of Colors A & B (2 garments)
1 "3 pack" of Wild Cards 

A "3 pack" will be:

2 tops + 1 bottom 
or
1 top + 1 bottom + 1 outer layer 
or 
1 dress + 1 top + 1 bottom
or 
2 bottoms + 1 top
or 
Two dresses & one layer.
or 
The final 3 pack option is 1 dress + 1 top OR bottom + 1 layer. 


The "Combo Pack" can be just about anything, but they must be garments, not accessories (scarves, belts, bags, etc).  The "Wild Cards" can also be any color, or any color combination,  but for this to work they will need to follow the format of one of the other "3 packs".  That is, you'll need more tops, bottoms, or dresses to make the wardrobe work.

For this to work for you, the "combo pack" may need to be both tops, or both bottoms, but two more dresses is allowable for those of you who wear them.  If you're in the colder climes or need business attire, a jacket can be either a part of the combo pack or a wild card, whichever will work for you best. 

My interpretation of this has been

1 "3 pack" of Color(s) A (3 garments) - navy long cardigan, navy drape neck top, navy denim slim leg trousers

1 "3 pack" of Color(s) B (3 garments) - long taupe skirt, an ivory or taupe top, then either the cream skirt or another top

1 "Combo Pack" of Colors A & B (2 garments) - currently the navy and ivory check check and skirt (is it too much having two items in the same fabric?)

1 "3 pack" of Wild Cards - red top, navy denim skirt, red dress (top and dress are previously made)

Now the limitations of this are

• its not generally a good look to wear a long cardigan over a long skirt, so the navy cardigan only goes with the denim bottoms.
• this set is generally short on tops
• the navy top is quite dressy but the navy bottoms are casual
• the red top is almost off the shoulder so is not really work suitable
• the denim bottoms are not work suitable
• the ivory skirt is very light and I'm not sure I really like it
• it might be too much having a check skirt and a check jacket

However given that there are less than 3 weeks to go on SWAP sewing there is not much time to go too much down an alternative route.
I have fabric for 4 tops/layers as follows

• plain taupe jersey (as seen yesterday)
• ivory/taupe/red print (as seen yesterday)
• plain ivory jersey (with slight marl, goes with absolutely everything)
• navy and ivory print (goes with everything except the taupe tops)