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Home » How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe from Scratch Step 17: A Few Finishing Touches, for now…

How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe from Scratch Step 17: A Few Finishing Touches, for now…

July 15, 2014

Many of you have written to me to ask how this capsule wardrobe compares with my earlier 24-piece wardrobe – excellent question!Just as in the 24-piece wardrobe, this Starting From Scratch includes to two core “Four by Four” assortments in your neutrals, it works with two accent colors and a light neutral, and it includes the concept of the “bridge” garment, which is something that incorporates both of your neutral colors and allows you to wear piece from both neutrals seamlessly.

So I decided to look at each wardrobe one last time (for now – I’m sure we’ll be back to revisit this concept when trench coats hits the stores, and when there are other requests/needs), and see how things stacked up in terms of a 24-piece wardrobe.   I removed outerwear, and leisurewear, from our current collection,  and concentrated on “street” clothes – those things that we wear out of our homes for the full range of life in this world…

Please note that I’m going to update the 24-piece wardrobe worksheet to include references to the Starting From Scratch, so that the updated worksheet will work with both approaches.  Give me a day or two…

Starting with my favorite khaki and olive combination – this looks like a really great wardrobe!  The only real gap that I can see is that there aren’t any warm-weather tops in turquoise…

 

How to build a capsule wardrobe from scratch - step 17 - finishing touches

 

Turquoise tee – Kin by John Lewis, floral shirt – Uniqlo

 
These simple additions give a more seasonal balance to this wardrobe, toss in another fun print, and give you a very versatile turquoise tee shirt that can be worn with any cardigan, any pants or any skirt.
 

How to build a capsule wardrobe from scratch - step 17 - finishing touches

 
I personally really like this wardrobe just as it is – but it coulduse a bit of brightness…
 

How to build a capsule wardrobe from scratch - step 17 - finishing touches

 
One easy shopping trip or mail order…
How to build a capsule wardrobe from scratch - step 17 - finishing touches

Red tee shirt – Oasis, blue tee – Hallhuber

 
And things are much brighter – these two tee shirts give you options with both neutrals, and the red tee shirt gives you a slightly less dressed-up way to wear that great floral skirt!
 

How to build a capsule wardrobe from scratch - step 17 - finishing touches

 
This is just about perfect – but another touch of yellow, in something warmer, would balance things perfectly.
 

How to build a capsule wardrobe from scratch - step 17 - finishing touches

How to build a capsule wardrobe from scratch - step 17 - finishing touches

Yellow sweater – Topshop

How your accent colors are represented in both summer and winter; the yellow sweater on a dreary day would make a world of difference in your outlook!

How to build a capsule wardrobe from scratch - step 17 - finishing touches

The caramel and black wardrobe only has one dress and one skirt – maybe another dress would be helpful?  And another bridge garment is always a good idea.

How to build a capsule wardrobe from scratch - step 17 - finishing touches

 
The vendor also has a tee shirt in this fabric WITHOUT the droopy pocket…
How to build a capsule wardrobe from scratch - step 17 - finishing touches

Black dress – Y.A.S., tee shirt – Kain

 
This just feels right to me….
 

How to build a capsule wardrobe from scratch - step 17 - finishing touches

There are no obvious gaps here, so this kind of opens the door for just finding something versatile and beautiful…

How to build a capsule wardrobe from scratch - step 17 - finishing touches

 
It’s always seemed that this wardrobe was meant for someone who liked florals, so spotting a blouse that incorporates both neutrals colors AND one of our accent colors is an easy choice!
How to build a capsule wardrobe from scratch - step 17 - finishing touches

Blouse – Sugarhill Boutique

There’s really nothing you couldn’t do in this wardrobe!

How to build a capsule wardrobe from scratch - step 17 - finishing touches
 
A pair of casual, dark pants!!!  And maybe one more dress in the 2nd neutral – this has always been a dressy, office-y kind of wardrobe, so a dress seems appropriate.
 

How to build a capsule wardrobe from scratch - step 17 - finishing touches

How to build a capsule wardrobe from scratch - step 17 - finishing touches

Navy jeans – Valentino, grey dress – Diane von Furstenberg

 
 I love the softness of this…
 

How to build a capsule wardrobe from scratch - step 17 - finishing touches

 
If anything here makes no sense, please bear in mind that I’ve spent most of the day heavily sedated, and might have done something really boneheaded in my delirium.  Please leave a comment pointing out any silliness and I’ll fix it pronto pronto.
 
love,
Janice
 
How to build a capsule wardrobe from scratch - step 17 - finishing touches

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07.15.14 18 Comments

Tags: 24-Piece Wardrobe, beige, black, blue, brown, burgundy, camel, green, grey, khaki, navy, olive, Starting from Scratch, turquoise
<<How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe from Scratch Step 16: Evaluating and Balancing our NeutralsI built us another worksheet…>>

Comments

  1. Karen says

    July 15, 2014 at 10:34 am

    I've been loving these wardrobes, especially the black/red combo followed by the gray. However, I don't do skirts or dresses. How about a "pants only" wardrobe with the same versatility? A summer, breezy maxi dress is an option though.

    Reply
  2. Cornelia says

    July 15, 2014 at 11:20 am

    I keep coming back to the colour wheels to come up with new ways to put my old clothes together. Great ideas. Hope you are well soon. All the best.

    Reply
  3. Anonymous says

    July 15, 2014 at 12:27 pm

    Yesterday the wardrobes had 26-28 pieces. Today they ended with 23-24. Maybe some went out to the laundry while you were sedated? Hope you feel better soon.

    Reply
    • Janice Riggs says

      July 15, 2014 at 12:32 pm

      I removed outerwear and leisure wear, in order to conform more closely to our old 24-piece wardrobe idea. The 24 piece was oriented strictly to "outside of home" wear, and never included coats. Basically, I'm trying to show that a wide variety of "wardrobe building" approaches are all compatible!

      Reply
  4. Anonymous says

    July 15, 2014 at 12:47 pm

    I agree with all the others – this has been a wonderful series.

    And I do have a question. Fast forward to next year. Where do I go from here? Do I keep building with the same colors, or do I choose one or two new accent colors? What happens if the tones of the colors in the marketplace change so they no longer harmonize?

    Reply
    • Janice Riggs says

      July 15, 2014 at 12:52 pm

      You can just assume that colors in the marketplace will change – it's their job to convince you that you need more clothes even when you have a full closet and can beautifully attire yourself for any event! I would suggest finding two or three really amazing accent pieces, and maybe replacing any core items that have passed their best useful life. Really focus on buying just a literal handful of pieces of the very nicest quality you can manage… And of course, repair all footwear (and anything else that needs fixed!), and upgrade your lingerie…

      Reply
    • Anonymous says

      July 15, 2014 at 3:29 pm

      It's at times like these, when I have a full closet and can attire myself for anything, when I replace bras and panties, socks and tights, and other worn-out essentials. Because I already have my other clothes, it gives me a whole season's budget to upgrade such items to the very best standard I can afford.

      Reply
  5. Anonymous says

    July 15, 2014 at 2:35 pm

    Thank you so much for this wonderful series!
    I have learned so much from it.
    I am now ready to start from scratch building my new wardrobe after losing 17 kilos since the New Year.
    Thank you for all your hard work.

    Reply
  6. Anonymous says

    July 15, 2014 at 3:41 pm

    Take care of yourself Janice..You are working too hard! Thank you for all the inspiration. When fall arrives…as it will here in the upper south..I plan to be very careful about what I put back into my closet. Meanwhile, I'll try to decide are my favorite black and gray or black and tan? Maybe three neutrals!

    Reply
  7. frugalscholar says

    July 15, 2014 at 5:38 pm

    Now that I'm home from a longish trip–wearing only a handful of items!–I'm going to try to create a from scarach wardrobe by subtraction FROM my current closet, rather than starting from scratch. Thanks as always for the inspiration.

    Reply
    • Jean Shaw says

      July 15, 2014 at 6:28 pm

      fantastic idea!

      Reply
  8. Anonymous says

    July 15, 2014 at 7:09 pm

    I really thrilled with this series and I have found it so helpful! Thank you so much Janice!

    I'm working with the caramel/black wardrobe and I wonder if I can switch from black to dark brown? I look really bad in black and I don't want that much in my wardrobe.

    The only other question I have is why there is so little pattern in this wardrobe, in the clothes.

    Thanks!

    Reply
  9. Anonymous says

    July 15, 2014 at 10:44 pm

    Dear Janice,
    I am enjoying this series immensely! And the shoe selection approach/thought plan, for me, is very helpful as I find shoes a challenge.
    Please look after yourself!
    If you miss a day- we will still be here eagerly awaiting your next lesson/creation.
    thanks
    Irene

    Reply
  10. Anonymous says

    July 15, 2016 at 3:37 pm

    "Just as in the 24-piece wardrobe" – dear Janice, I can't find it anywhere. I browsed, I downloaded both lists. Please help me find what you are referencing to. It is nowhere to be found. At least "24-piece wardrobe" would be helpfull.
    Sanja from Zagreb

    Reply
    • Janice Riggs says

      July 15, 2016 at 3:53 pm

      I've put links into the 2 first references to the 24-piece wardrobe – one will take you to the first time I worked with it, and the other takes you to the 2nd time. Thanks for letting me make this more workable!
      regards,
      Janice

      Reply
  11. 7 of 9 says

    July 15, 2016 at 3:38 pm

    At least "24-piece wardrobe" TAG or even better, the tag would be helpfull.

    Reply
    • Janice Riggs says

      July 15, 2016 at 3:53 pm

      You're right – I need to do that. Thanks for helping me keep things as useful as possible.
      regards,
      Janice

      Reply
  12. NATALIE says

    August 9, 2020 at 12:06 am

    I only wear skirts for dress and casual areas of my life. Would you please give us some varying skirt designs. Thank you!

    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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