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Home » Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with a Scarf: Dark Pool version 2

Building a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with a Scarf: Dark Pool version 2

May 8, 2014
 
Maybe, when you first saw this painting (or scarf) you saw the end of it with the black and red accents, and not the pastels…
 
Dark Pond Alhambra Granada by Elizabeth Blackadder, with focus color graphic

Dark Pond Alhambra Granada by Elizabeth Blackadder

The way you fold a scarf can make a huge difference in what’s shown or concealed – the beautiful Mai Tai is a master at showing you how this works (and just, in general, how to wear a scarf to brilliant effect.)

 
So if you’re more drawn to the high-contrast interpretation, here are some very different ways to approach the same neutral garments that I used yesterday.  (I know, I’m lazy…)
 
Using black or white instead of a pastel immediately changes the whole feel of the capsule.
 
 

outfits using olive green

Scarf – Elizabeth Blackadder’s Dark Pond, sweater – Uniqlo, skirt – Eastex, perforated flat – Chloe,  sleeveless top – Dorothy Perkins, capris – Lafayette 148 New York

 

 

Red and white works beautifully with olive accents.  And if you want to look for perfect jewelry in this color range, look for the stone labradorite – it often shows glorious greens and greys.

Scarf – Elizabeth Blackadder’s Dark Pond, shirtdress- Hartford, bracelet- Nest, sandals – Chaco,  jacket – Isabel Marant Etoile, tee shirt – French Connection, jeans –  Kaliko, flats- Chloe
 

And now your shirtdress is red, rather than soft blue…

Scarf – Elizabeth Blackadder’s Dark Pond, top – Mossimo, jeans – J Brand, canvas shoes – Cloud9, cardigan – Heritage, red shirtdress – Mango, sandals – Fitflop
 
This blouse is sort of preposterously expensive, but looking for something similar (especially with that red detail) is a good thought.  And while I don’t generally adore obvious “logo” scarves, this one struck me as sufficiently subtle, and ideally colored.
 

Scarf – Elizabeth Blackadder’s Dark Pond,  wrap top – Ann Demeulemeester, necklace –  Caipora Jewellery, sweater – J.Crew, bag – Dareen Hakim, scarf – Burberry
 

What a great ensemble!

 

necklace – Caipora Jewellery, top – Mossimo, jacket – Isabel Marant Etoile, sleeveless top – Dorothy Perkins, bracelet- Nest, sweater- J.Crew, wrap top – Ann Demeulemeester, tee shirt  – French Connection, sweater – Uniqlo,  cardigan – Heritage, canvas shoes – Cloud9, sandals – Chaco,  bag – Dareen Hakim, red shirtdress – Mango, jeans – J Brand, perforated flat – Chloe, shirtdress- Hartford,  skirt – Eastex, sandals – Fitflop,  jeans –  Kaliko, capris – Lafayette 148 New York, scarf – Burberry, flats- Chloe

 
Giving you, again, a wealth of options…
 
 
Maybe, if you currently have a high-contrast wardrobe, and you want to migrate to softer colors, some greyish olive green might be a new neutral to consider.
 
love,
Janice
 
Looking Back:
 
2012: A Chic Sighting in the Burlington, Massachusetts Mall.
 
2013: A different look at yesterday’s scarf: Turquoise & Orange: A Packing Capsule based on Hermes Fleuri de Provence.
 
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05.08.14 11 Comments

Tags: black, olive, red, Start With a Scarf, white
<<Start With a Scarf: Dark Pool by Elizabeth BlackadderChic Sightings: Black Cardigans – Great Dresses>>

Comments

  1. Gail says

    May 8, 2014 at 10:48 am

    With these garments in a suitcase, one could go anywhere–for weeks. One of my favorite posts ever, Janice. I especially love the way that this orangey-red and gray looks so much fresher than the old stand-by black and red.

    Reply
  2. Cornelia says

    May 8, 2014 at 11:15 am

    I agree with Gail. This is wonderful. After my shopping fast is over, I think I might veer to my beloved mud colors again.

    Reply
  3. Anonymous says

    May 8, 2014 at 11:52 am

    love love love love thanks!

    Reply
  4. Anonymous says

    May 8, 2014 at 1:04 pm

    Even though I would look absolutely horrendous in this capsule, I love it, and think it looks HUGELY wearable and it's just so pretty.

    Reply
  5. Anonymous says

    May 8, 2014 at 1:57 pm

    I liked yesterday's post showing pastels with the olive gray neutrals, although I rarely wear pastels, but today's post simply reinforces my original thought – this is a GOOD TO GO capsule for ALL seasons. AWESOME posts. . . thanks so much !

    Reply
  6. cheryl :) says

    May 8, 2014 at 2:12 pm

    Lovely and you are not lazy. You are a master of showing us just how versatile items can be. For someone on a budget its much better to see just how far you can stretch an item if need be.

    Reply
  7. Sarah says

    May 8, 2014 at 3:13 pm

    I don't think using the same neutrals is lazy, I think these two posts show how a good set of basics can be changed up across the seasons with different accent colors (yesterday's capsule seemed perfect for spring, and today's seems more like autumn, with the scarf as a bridge between the two). This is a strategy I'm playing with in my own wardrobe, I'm hoping that shifting my color palette with the seasons will help fill my need for variety without making me overwhelmed by options at any one time.

    Reply
  8. librarian2020 says

    May 8, 2014 at 3:52 pm

    Not lazy at all! Eminently sensible, actually, to plan a year-round wardrobe using a neutral base, with the accent colors changing with the seasons. Thank you for all the work you put into sharing your knowledge with us.

    Reply
  9. Eleanorjane says

    May 8, 2014 at 6:41 pm

    Nice options there. Some of the outfits are a bit dull in colour for me, but if you actually added the scarf (instead of just using it for inspiration), you'd be away laughing.

    I'm not sure about the olivey-grey. I'm a 'cool winter' in the old colour descriptions so I think olive is probably not my friend. Cool greys are all good, though.

    Reply
  10. Shreddie says

    May 8, 2014 at 11:42 pm

    This one is magnificent! I have always loved the combination of olive and red, and it all works so perfectly here. I once had a number of olive pieces, but they seemed to disappear when gray began sneaking into my wardrobe. I am now rethinking the whole thing.

    Reply
  11. Anonymous says

    May 10, 2014 at 4:59 pm

    I've been trying to get away from black, but this makes me rethink that stance! Thank you for the inspiration!

    Reply

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The Vivienne Files is a unique personal style blog with carefully-selected capsule wardrobes based on color palettes drawn from works of art, nature, and more. It helps women buy less clothing, and to love what they buy. Read more...
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