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Home » How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe from Scratch Step 12: A Winter Coat, Boots and Scarf

How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe from Scratch Step 12: A Winter Coat, Boots and Scarf

July 8, 2015
 
For many of us, a really SERIOUS winter coat is a necessity in the capsule wardrobe.  Realistically, I couldn’t get through the winter without my parka that sort of resembles a cross between a sleeping bag and a wee portable padded room…
 
But let’s focus on getting a more attractive, more widely useful winter coat.  I’ve chosen a mixture of accent colors and neutrals, and tossed in yet another scarf because it’s difficult to have too many scarves!
 
My friend in black and brights wants a statement coat to stand out in the crowd of black – and this blue should do the trick, eh?
 
How to build a capsule wardrobe from scratch - step 11 - a winter coat, boots, and scarf

coat – Sportmax, boots – Aquatalia by Marvin K., scarf – Jimmy Choo

How to build a capsule wardrobe from scratch - step 11 - a winter coat, boots, and scarf

coat – Sportmax, boots – Aquatalia by Marvin K., scarf – Jimmy Choo, Skirt – Desigual, black v-neck sweater – Vince, red scarf – Isabel Marant Etoile,black denim jacket – J. Brand, red loafers – Robert Zur, abstract tee shirt – Balenciaga, earrings – Toosis, nautical scarf – Brooks Brothers, striped top– Malene Birger,black white red scarf – Vince Camuto, black tee – Hallhuber, blue shirt – Uniqlo, black cotton and cashmere cardigan – 10 Crosby Derek Lam, watch – DKNY, bracelet – Simon Sebbag, white cotton shirt – Diane von Furstenberg, grey tee– T by Alexander Wang , black sweater – Hobbs London; necklace– Lamprini, red blouse – Cutie, grey cardigan – Mango, black linen trousers – Viyella, black jeans – Current/Elliott,  grey pleated trousers – Alberto Biani, skirt – Joseph, bag – Gregory Sylvia,  pumps – Trotters, grey ballet flats – Café Noir, pointed toe loafers – Kelsi Dagger Brooklyn

 
My lady in navy is looking for a dark neutral coat, but some pretty flowers for an accessory.  This coat has lovely flaired sleeves, and the snap at the neckline is designed to resemble a flower! The boots will be ideal with khaki, and will be a classic accent with navy.
 
How to build a capsule wardrobe from scratch - step 11 - a winter coat, boots, and scarf

Coat – Marella, boots – Attilio Giusti Leombruni, scarf – Dickins and Jones

How to build a capsule wardrobe from scratch - step 11 - a winter coat, boots, and scarf

Coat – Marella, boots – Attilio Giusti Leombruni, scarf – Dickins and Jones, dress – Sea, cardigan – Labo Art, tank top – Oasis, navy and tan jacket – Madewell, canvas shoes – Wanted, floral tee – MSGM, earrings – Dorothy Perkins, yellow sweater– Woolrich, pastel scarf – Collection Weekend, navy silk tee – Theory, aqua tee – Reiss, navy wool cardigan – Miu Miu, bracelet – Brooks Brothers, watch – Anne Klein, beige and navy checked scarf – Aquascutum, green shirt– Silvian Heach, navy blouse – Vince, tan pants – Uniqlo, skirt – Hobbs London,  white silk blouse – Nic + Zoe, silk necklace– Saako Design, yellow tee – Warehouse, beige cardigan – Marella, navy trousers – Viyella, navy jeans – Uniqlo, bag – Halogen, pumps – Jimmy Choo,  ballet flats – Me Too, black penny loafers – Cole Haan

 
If you have a lot of patience, you can find a winter coat that includes both of your neutrals!  (Actually, if you have enough patience, you can find anything.  I spend 8 hours a day looking at clothes and accessories, and I swear that there’s nothing imaginable that’s not being manufactured somewhere…) While this lovely woman strongly considered a dark neutral scarf, when she spotted the perfect blue of her favorite accent color, she grabbed it and ran!
 
How to build a capsule wardrobe from scratch - step 11 - a winter coat, boots, and scarf

Coat – Tomaso, boots – Frye, scarf – Nordstrom

How to build a capsule wardrobe from scratch - step 11 - a winter coat, boots, and scarf

Coat – Tomaso, boots – Frye, scarf – Nordstrom, light blue sweater – Dear Cashmere, khaki skirt – Merona, shirt – Equipment, tan jacket – Lands’ End, suede oxfords – G.H. Bass and Co., brown patchwork tee – Szen, earrings – Kasturjewels, brown blouse – Alberto Biani, square scarf – Radical Chic, brown cotton tee – Uniqlo, yellow top – Uniqlo, chocolate brown fleece cardigan – L.L.Bean, necklace– Givenchy, floral blouse – Topshop, light blue tee– Velvet, watch – Timex, beaded bracelet – Chan Luu,  blue and brown scarf – Paola Pecora, blue blouse – Uniqlo,beige pants – The Row,skirt – Precis,  ivory silk blouse – Jaeger, tote – Coet, pumps – Vaneli, tan marled cardigan – Junarose, brown twill trousers – Lands’ End, brown jeans – Viyella, tan ballet flats – Michael Michael Kors, tassel loafers – The Flexx

 
It might take months to find an accent color coat, but when you find one, it’s meant for you!
 
How to build a capsule wardrobe from scratch - step 11 - a winter coat, boots, and scarf

Coat – Jil Sander, boots – BP, scarf – B.A. Printed Artworks

How to build a capsule wardrobe from scratch - step 11 - a winter coat, boots, and scarf

Coat – Jil Sander, boots – BP, scarf – B.A. Printed Artworks, leather jacket – Jaeger, black turtleneck – Uniqlo, black jeans – R13, black jacket – Minimal, canvas shoes – A2 by Aerosoles, floral tee – Jason Wu, earrings – Max and Chloe, blouse – Closet, dark scarf – Erfurt, caramel tee – Hallhuber, blue tee – Majestic Filatures, coral tee shirt – Warehouse, caramel wool and cashmere cardigan – Customer Lovers, bracelet – Tiraphan Hasub, watch – Fossil, light scarf – Play Mantero, ivory silk top – Jaeger, black trousers – Mint Velvet, skirt – French Connection, bag – Dorothy Perkins, black cardigan – Michael Michael Kors, carnelian, quartz, amethyst, lapis necklace– Ritu, blue linen shirt – Jaeger, coral silk blouse– Equipment, copper twill trousers – Lands’ End, caramel jeans – Toast, pumps – Sole Society, black ballet flats – Armani, brown ballet flats – Frye

 
Ms. Navy and Grey has shown a fondness for sweatshirty, soft and snuggly, so this is the obvious coat to capture her heart.  Another pretty but warm scarf is perfect with this coat, but will also look great with lots of the wardrobe already in place.
 
How to build a capsule wardrobe from scratch - step 11 - a winter coat, boots, and scarf

Coat – T by Alexander Wang, boots – Roberto del Carlo, scarf – Nina Ricci

How to build a capsule wardrobe from scratch - step 11 - a winter coat, boots, and scarf

Coat – T by Alexander Wang, boots – Roberto del Carlo, scarf – Nina Ricci, cardigan – Joseph, white tee – Majestic, navy skirt – Nina Ricci, grey hoodie – Uniqlo, shoes – Reebok, floral blouse – Parker, earrings – Majorica, sweater – Dear Cashmere, navy and grey scarf – Hinge, lavender blouse– Marni Edition, pastel scarf – Twisted Muse, silver grey tee – Hallhuber, pink top– Velvet,  lilac tee shirt – Nougat London, grey cashmere cardigan – Jaeger, watch – Fossil, bracelet – Majorica, navy cardigan – Dorothy Perkins, white cotton shirt – Diane von Furstenberg, necklace– Saako Design, pink shirt – Fenn Wright Manson, silver grey trousers – Viyella, grey jeans – Rebecca Taylor, navy trousers – Jacques Vert, skirt – Marc Jacobs, bag – CK Calvin Klein, wedge pumps – Trotters, navy ballet flats – Geox, tasseled flats – Trotters

 
An olive or khaki coat would be obvious with this wardrobe, but this stunningly simple maroon beauty caught my eye, and I couldn’t find anything that chased this one from my mind.  Again, while this is a great scarf for winter, it can also be worn with the cardigans, tee shirts, blouses, etc…
 
How to build a capsule wardrobe from scratch - step 11 - a winter coat, boots, and scarf

Coat – Mary Portas, boots – Cobb Hill, scarf – Mosaique

How to build a capsule wardrobe from scratch - step 11 - a winter coat, boots, and scarf

Coat – Mary Portas, boots – Cobb Hill, scarf – Mosaique, cardigan – Distante, floral blouse – Zanetti 1965,  jeans – J. Brand, beige hoodie – Uniqlo, canvas booties – Matisse, floral sleeveless top – Dorothy Perkins, wooden earrings – Hring eftir hring, zigzag infinity scarf – Brazen, Turquoise angora sweater– Roberto Collina, khaki tee – Target, jasper and pyrite necklace– Nangara by Julia Fusinato, turquoise blouse – Ralph Lauren Black Label, tan cashmere cardigan – La Garconne, watch – Armani Exchange, bracelet – Chan Luu, ivory silk blouse – Jaeger, striped scarf – Missoni, olive tee – Shu Moriyama, olive cardigan – Merona, tan trousers – Hallhuber, beige jeans – Morgan, olive trousers – Isabel Marant Etoile, skirt – Vicky Tiel, bag –  Longchamp, maroon tee shirt – Linea Weekend, blouse – French Connection, penny loafers – Cole Haan, wedge pumps – French Sole, olive ballet flats – Chloe

 
Tomorrow, more accessories!  Woman does not live by one pair of earrings…
 
love,
Janice
 
How to build a capsule wardrobe from scratch - step 11 - a winter coat, boots, and scarf

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07.08.14 16 Comments

Tags: beige, black, boots, brown, burgundy, cool weather, coral, grey, navy, olive, Starting from Scratch, tan
<<A Question about Building a Capsule Wardrobe from ScratchHow to Build a Capsule Wardrobe from Scratch Step 13: More Accessories!>>

Comments

  1. Cornelia says

    July 8, 2014 at 12:01 pm

    That Jill Sander coat is a thing of beauty! In my dream life, she would be my outfitter of choice. :)

    Reply
  2. Anonymous says

    July 8, 2014 at 12:42 pm

    I love the blue coat! It is just perfect with the other items in the group!
    Thank you Janice, for your 8 hours a day of searching for exactly the right color and style. I like to look at clothing on line also, but after 45 minutes, I'm exhausted!

    Reply
  3. Anonymous says

    July 8, 2014 at 12:52 pm

    Here's my attempt to start from scratch: http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?id=127740482
    Similar to the olive and khaki set, but I deepened the khaki to cognac, and swapped the teal for purple. -ERanft

    Reply
    • Anonymous says

      July 9, 2014 at 3:58 am

      Beautiful!

      Reply
    • Luna says

      July 10, 2014 at 5:58 pm

      nice harmony, love the color of the short trench : )

      Reply
  4. Luna says

    July 8, 2014 at 1:21 pm

    Janice, I find your creativity and dedication to your readers moving. And these capsules, just some 20 pieces at this point plus accessories, and a person would be beautifully dressed and ready for any occasion. Just goes to show it really isn't quantity…

    Reply
  5. Anonymous says

    July 8, 2014 at 2:31 pm

    I have to agree with Luna. Thank you somich Janice. You've even shown me that Olive, together with the colours I love isn't so drab as I once thought! I love that coat, though.

    Reply
  6. Anonymous says

    July 8, 2014 at 5:15 pm

    You've outdone yourself this time. I am swept away. So much gorgeousness to look at and dream about.
    Thank you always
    Vancouver Barbara

    Reply
  7. the happy forgiver says

    July 8, 2014 at 6:28 pm

    I commented previously that I had tentatively started to change my neutrals over to olive and khaki (although they sometimes seem to drift toward camel and stone, too) but it had seemed like a weird idea to me. As I watch you develop it more and more with each posting I am happier with my decision. I played in my wardrobe yesterday and put together some really nice outfits with these neutrals and aqua/teal/turquoise accents.

    I am feeling excited about it for my life in Lake Tahoe, but still feel that I would stick out like neon wearing these colors in New York or Paris. On the other hand, wearing all black in Tahoe where most people are vacationing and dressed in resort or athletic clothes looks like you might be a member of a dark arts cult.

    Reply
  8. Swissy says

    July 8, 2014 at 7:43 pm

    This series is really wonderful. And today's post is, if anything, the most wonderful of all. I know you spend huge amounts of time finding these treasures, but still… It's all about your eye. And your mathematical mind. More comments soon, as life has event out a bit. I still try to follow each day. Thanks, as ever.

    Reply
  9. Anonymous says

    July 9, 2014 at 1:36 am

    It is interesting how all of these wardrobes are using the same item list and yet each one has its own distinct personality. If one knew each of these "women" in real life, you would never guess that they were all following the same formula.

    This series has been so helpful. Thanks for all your time and effort in creating these wardrobe plans.

    Reply
  10. Duchesse says

    July 9, 2014 at 1:53 pm

    A sonata! Just beautiful.
    Here in Montréal, the "boots" shown could only serve as indoor footwear one the snow falls, unless you are proceeding strictly from garage to garage. Once you head for our streets you have to locate boots with insulation, grip soles, and absolutely not suede: functional deep winter footwear. Even fashiony women are seen in Sorels.

    Reply
    • Janice Riggs says

      July 9, 2014 at 8:07 pm

      I'm a big fan of serious boots – any woman wearing her own personal padded room has to be dedicated to warmth!

      Reply
  11. lrlincks says

    July 13, 2014 at 5:01 am

    I so love this series! Thank you so much for all the time you have spent on this!

    Reply
  12. A. says

    April 26, 2019 at 7:36 am

    Hi Janice, I loved the series and I’m trying to put it in practice, but I’m having a really hard time figuring out a colour scheme that makes sense for me. I thought about emailing you to ask for advice (I’m horrible at describing colours, so I’d have to show you), but I wouldn’t want to disturb – would it be too much trouble?

    Reply
    • Janice says

      April 26, 2019 at 8:15 am

      Send things over – pictures are always helpful!
      hugs,
      Janice

      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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