Arabella's Wardrobe Theory 2021, notes 2022

Wardrobe Theory from Design Book (beginning May 24, 2021) and thoughts March 16, 2022

First print April 29, 2022. Final begun October 30, 2025

In this last section of Arabella's Material Creations during the later half of 2021, I am focused on what I would consider an ideal wardrobe and what it would take to start building it. Mending and altering clothes is a constant. Where to source fabrics for quality, price, and accessibility is something I struggle with to this day. Not a lot of actual creation happens around this time.

On page 42, sometime in august 2021 presumably, I begin to define the characteristics of an ideal shirt and ideal shirt Wardrobe Array across seasons. I determine that 3 long sleeve undershirts of basic neutral colors, black, white and grey would be sufficient for general layering. In the summer, these would serve as sun protection, and I the winter, insulation. Two sets of three, six total. Then, find a solution for over shirts, pieces that I am “committed to” (whatever that means) as well as “Match style of shirt + jean combination to length and color” I didn’t have a clear vision though I was onto something. “Over shirt / under-shirt custom combos, replicate favorite shirts and styles” In preparing to create clothes, I determined I would need reference material such as books, fabric, pattern paper and better measuring tools.

From Arabella December 2021, 20 yr/old Page 58 "Sun Protection”

In December 2021 pictured here , I write “I have lots of no good, no protection shirts I have accumulated over the years. Most of my current shirts are “cutesy”, extra-small, almost baby clothes my mom puts me in because she thinks its cute. She like the high waist little shirt look which is characteristic of the lates 2010 early 2020. Many are cheap reproduction 80’s band tees for which if someone asked me I would not know  a niche (or any) song from. They leave me completely exposed and looking innocently slutty” (slutty is scratched out, idea is abandoned there).

From Arabella December 2021, 20 yr/old Page 58b" Sun Protection”

Long Sleeved, collared Shirts, all seasons. Shirts should have the ability to cover well up the neck extending UPF protecting beyond the upper back and chest. At least a few inches above collar bone? It should have its own support structure and not need a closure or elastic to hold itself up. Should some be foldable to provide more cover when needed? Seated within the cuffs of most will be extendable hand covers for when gloves may be inappropriate or inaccessible. “Jugular to Knuckles”  

Materials: Synthetic natural blends

From Arabella December 2021, 20 yr/old Page 59" Sun Protection”

Long Functional Pants for all seasons: full length for various activities and temperatures. Removeable bug liner is a whimsical idea that pops up. Adding pockets to existing pants is a possibility.

Materials: Jeans, “performance” fabric?, "Lightweight Utility" quality?

Long Fashionable yet Casual Pants are a necessity for warm to hot conditions. I'm imagining various billowy and flowy pants that offer UPF through layering of drapey fabrics and natural folding. For this style I would use a cord closure. For casual summer styles, I think its fitting to use tie and button closures. Sundresses and princess cuts catch my eye, with matching shawls and capes. Silk would compliment this style beautifully, though I would begin with cotton or flax blends.

I think that Long Skirts are good for looking good, but short skirts are even better for that. Skirts are probably the easiest thing to make, though not practical day to day. Dresses also fall into this category in my opinion. The skirt portion is what makes a dress a dress. So I believe a dress is a style of skirt (a style of shirt as well).

Skirts and dresses can be layered with thick stockings for cooler weather, so they do offer versatility. I think having a few skirts and dresses is worth the space and time.

Final thoughts and Notes

Sun-Wear and Clothes... those things that absorb the radiation of the sun therefore eliminating strain on the skin. Your clothes become worn out from the elements. Particularly radiation, water, friction, tensile forces from human use. They will fade, fray, tear, fail in general over time and use. The time sacrificed assembling a functional wardrobe and maintaining it as it decays will save the burden of wear on your body, particularly the skin and eyes.

Hats of various shapes and need from cowboy to bucket with an emphasis on wide brimmed.

Materials: Buckram, Hemp, Straw, Leather polyester

Face coverings for all seasons. Full UPF or what’s the point, tight fitting elastic.

Materials: synthetics such as Polyester, Modal, other rayons. Silk blends?

Capes, Shawls, Jackets which match other pieces. This is an important part of creating a cohesive wardrobe, creating an array of accessory and functional pieces that correlate between related groups.

Gloves are another small garment with many uses and applications from leisure to work, driving and biking to name a few. Solely for sun protection as well.

Bags and Cases... bags are external repositories of energy and function. They too with except damage from the sun, the elements, and use with a heavy emphasis on use. They bear considerably more weight and tensile force and rely on strong, stable shapes to withstand their function. Some bags require highly engineered fabrics which can withstand extreme temperatures and abrasion. Fanny Packs, Bike and Camping Bags

Winter Layering: Base layer is always moisture, wicking and insulating, tight fit. Two winter base layers, one thicker.

Shoes are the interface of human to ground and should be treated as architectural sheaths. That said, architecture is the foot itself, the shoe should offer no support? Not sure…