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Home » Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: The Blue Pool by Augustus John

Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: The Blue Pool by Augustus John

July 1, 2015
 
Wow…
 
 
A color scheme that just cries out for some cotton khaki, and some turquoise…
 
This felt to me like a quick weekend away to the lake – leaving the office early, and doing nothing more strenuous than maybe rowing a canoe… The prevailing feeling that I was looking for was outdoors, active, sunny and relaxed.
 

Cardigan – Viyella, loafers – Minnetonka Moccasins, shattered fragment earrings – Gina Melosi, tee shirt – Title 9,  trousers – Michael Kors, watch – Nixon, tote bag – Big Buddha

The jewelry looks great with your outfits, but isn’t terribly expensive, so you can wear it without being obsessive about it. A little clutch is handy in case you dash into town for drinks or dinner.

Turquoise top – Anneclaire, clutch bag – Harpreet Kaur, earrings – Saks Fifth Avenue, culottes – Kai-Aakmann, curry top – Dorothy Perkins,  necklace – Natasha, tan shorts – Engineered Garments, sandals – Jack Rogers

If it’s cool, you have your cardigan and trousers from work; if you want to be “dressy-ish”, you have your culottes, and if you’re going to get wet, you have shorts! This should give you all of the options you need, without having an overabundance of unnecessary clutter.

 
 
It strikes me that this would be a great way to “test-drive” an accent color. Say you already have a solid core wardrobe in beige, khaki or brown, and you decide that, for warm weather, you’re going to give turquoise a try. A cardigan and two tee shirts, a couple of inexpensive pieces of jewelry, and a pair of shoes OR sandals (you wouldn’t really have to have both, at first).  If you really didn’t care for your experiment, by the end of the summer you could get rid of these few items without a brutal guilt trip.
 
Or maybe this is how to incorporate that new “color of the year”, without going overboard?
 
love,
Janice
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07.01.15 21 Comments

Tags: Four Pack, khaki, Start with Art, travel wardrobe, turquoise, warm weather
<<Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: Carnation Lily Lily Rose by John Singer SargentDo me a big favor…>>

Comments

  1. Anonymous says

    July 1, 2015 at 10:19 am

    so summer…love it!!

    Reply
  2. Cornelia says

    July 1, 2015 at 10:54 am

    Agreed. So summery and relaxed. Now if I could only get away for a weekend like that.

    Reply
  3. Gail says

    July 1, 2015 at 11:46 am

    Oh, wow! I love this–especially the way those turquoise-colored moccasins make the summer show.

    Reply
  4. Throckmorzog says

    July 1, 2015 at 11:53 am

    Ahhhh. Easy, fun group. Love it.

    I impulsively bought a pair of Jack Rogers in a wacky colour a long time ago that I constantly debate about donating or keeping…but the colour!!! I have nothing else like it, but I love it.

    Your takeaway about incorporating a new colour at low cost/low risk is so simple and adaptable! A topper, 2 tees, and a couple of accessories in similar tones. For under $20 at the thrift store I can integrate the shoes with beachywear I already own, confidently pack for the upcoming holiday weekend, and enjoy a fashion experiment to boot! if I like it, I'm dressed for August, too. Win, win, win.
    Sue G

    Reply
  5. Pam @ over50feeling40 says

    July 1, 2015 at 12:52 pm

    Love that Big Buddha tote!

    Reply
  6. Virginia says

    July 1, 2015 at 1:25 pm

    Thank you for showing that casual and sporty can be stylish, too! I have a very casual lifestyle, but don't want to go around wearing the same items as my sons (tee shirts and shorts). Some colorful shoes and simple jewelry makes me look like a stylish, active mom!

    Reply
  7. Rhonda Buss says

    July 1, 2015 at 1:38 pm

    Such a perfect summer travel wardrobe. All I would need to add is a pair of heels. I have a yellow pair that would fit right in. Thanks for the inspiration :)

    Reply
    • Janice Riggs says

      July 1, 2015 at 7:22 pm

      Of course you need heels – it wouldn't be YOU with a pair! That's what's such fun about all of this – the little adjustments that we make to individualize our wardrobes.
      big hug,
      Janice

      Reply
  8. Anonymous says

    July 1, 2015 at 2:33 pm

    Have thought about the how flexible it is with your wardrobes to add a new color for a long time. I also see how trying a new neutral would be easy too. Four, or perhaps less pieces, in a new neutral. The possibilities with your "formula" are endless. Thank you for all you do.

    Reply
  9. Anonymous says

    July 1, 2015 at 2:38 pm

    I stumbled on your site a few months ago and LOVE it. Before this I would buy and sew things that fit (I am tall and thin) and were colors I liked. No plan to speak of — so I had a closet full of items that didn't necessarily work with each other. Your blog has helped me revise my thinking! Now I have several "cores of four" —and best of all, a plan! Saving time, money and energy is liberating. THANK YOU for your wisdom, creativity and sparkling humor.

    Reply
  10. Anonymous says

    July 1, 2015 at 2:43 pm

    This is a fabulous painting both for its colour inspiration but just as a perfectly beautiful image, one for my inspiration board. The Minnetonka's are great, will look for them here in Vancouver as Nordstrom's won't ship them , probably a cross border thing. Love the mix of blue's with the neutral base.

    Deb from Vancouver

    Reply
  11. Cheryl Scott says

    July 1, 2015 at 4:09 pm

    I got my planner! Thanks so much!! I shared this post with my 'Blue Girl' BFF. Thanks, again!

    Reply
  12. Madame Là-bas says

    July 1, 2015 at 6:33 pm

    Turquoise top, khaki skirt, sea glass blue earrings and turquoise sandals for Canada Day pool party. I dressed before reading your blog.
    Thank you for so many great ideas.

    Reply
    • Janice Riggs says

      July 1, 2015 at 7:22 pm

      That's almost eerie, but I'll just assume that we both have brilliantly good taste!
      hugs,
      Janice

      Reply
  13. experimentsinstyle says

    July 1, 2015 at 8:36 pm

    Yellow with turquoise is so unexpected yet refreshing! Thanks for the inspiration.

    Reply
  14. Scottie says

    July 1, 2015 at 9:31 pm

    WANT both pair of turquoise shoes! WOW!

    Reply
  15. Kelly Roy says

    July 2, 2015 at 10:20 am

    A great board, yet again. Tan and turquoise blend so elegantly. One can never look cheap in these colors!

    Reply
  16. Lisa says

    July 2, 2015 at 1:17 pm

    Swap the black for navy and this is exactly what I've been looking for to update my summer wardrobe. Thank you Janice x

    Reply
  17. Gina Melosi says

    July 2, 2015 at 3:15 pm

    Thanks for featuring Gina Melosi Jewellery!

    Reply
  18. lrlincks says

    July 7, 2015 at 3:21 am

    Very pretty color combo!

    Reply
  19. Ellen says

    July 7, 2015 at 8:23 am

    This is very lovely, my favourite colour!

    Also I almost squealed when I saw the painting I suggested. Thanks for your wonderful site!

    Reply

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