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Home » A Four by Four Capsule Wardrobe in Berry, Beige, Navy and Brown

A Four by Four Capsule Wardrobe in Berry, Beige, Navy and Brown

August 22, 2014
 
I was going to save this post for during my Paris vacation (September 18 – 28!!!), but I really like it, and I think it shows two great accent colors that many of us could consider incorporating (at least in small doses) in our capsule wardrobes.  The fact that the berry red is going to be pretty flattering for many people is worth remembering…
 
Color scheme of Berry, Beige, Navy and Brown

The same starting four in brown, with a really brown skirt…

Core of Four garments in brown: corduroy pants, tee shirt, skirt and sweater

Corduroy pants – Viyella, tee shirt – J. Crew, skirt –  Precis Petite, sweater – Dear Cashmere

And navy separates that look familiar too!

Core of Four navy garments: tee shirt, skirt, silk shirt and twill trousers

Navy tee – Lands’ End, skirt – Uniqlo, silk shirt – Lands’ End, twill trousers – Lands’ End

And these guys have been around too…I think the most amazing thing about the clothing from The Row – aside from their prices – is that they’re designed by the Olsen twins.  From Full House. I don’t see that they have any fashion design, nor textile manufacturing, experience…  but they make some lovely things.
Expansion Four garments in navy and brown - color blocked sweater, plaid blouse, cardigan and turtleneck

sweater – The Row, asymmetric plaid blouse – Isabel Marant Etoile, cardigan – Uniqlo, turtleneck – Aniye By

Tell me that this berry red sweater wouldn’t brighten up virtually any dreary day!

 
Mileage Four garments in berry and beige: sweater, tee shirt, plaid shirt and blouse

Bright berry sweater – L.L.Bean, beige tee – Uniqlo, flannel shirt – Uniqlo, silk blouse – Stella McCartney

The plaid scarf is from the men’s department.  I don’t for the life of me know why – it’s not like women can’t wear wool, or plaid, but I couldn’t find anything comparable in the women’s department.  Always remember, some of the most lovely scarves can be found in the men’s department – and they will almost certainly be less expensive than a similar scarf made specifically for women.  Especially if you’re looking at colors that are common in menswear, break on through to the other side once in a while.

 
The Integration Four + accessories: shoes, jewelry, scarves and a bag

Square silk scarf – Brooks Brothers, smoky quartz earrings – Ippolita, brown suede pumps –  Trotters, gold bracelet – Lauren Ralph Lauren,  tote bag – Marni, plaid wool scarf – Brooks Brothers,  gold pyramid stud earrings – Lauren Ralph Lauren, riding boots – Enzo Angiolini

This just looks warm and autumn-like…
 
Four by Four Wardrobe, with accessories, in Berry, Beige, Navy and Brown

Square silk scarf – Brooks Brothers, smoky quartz earrings – Ippolita, brown suede pumps – Trotters,  gold bracelet – Lauren Ralph Lauren,  tote bag – Marni, plaid wool scarf – Brooks Brothers, gold  pyramid stud earrings – Lauren Ralph Lauren, riding boots – Enzo Angiolini, bright berry sweater –  L.L.Bean, beige tee – Uniqlo, flannel shirt – Uniqlo, silk blouse – Stella McCartney, sweater –  The Row, asymmetric plaid blouse – Isabel Marant Etoile, cardigan – Uniqlo, turtleneck – Aniye By,  Navy tee – Lands’ End, skirt – Uniqlo, silk shirt – Lands’ End, twill trousers – Lands’ End, corduroy  pants – Viyella, tee shirt – J. Crew, skirt –  Precis Petite, sweater – Dear Cashmere

 
love,
Janice
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08.22.14 12 Comments

Tags: beige, brown, burgundy, color palettes, cool weather, Four by Four, navy
<<A Four by Four Capsule Wardrobe in Mint Green, Grey, Denim and BrownAnother Milestone – 10 million pageviews?!!!>>

Comments

  1. Beckie says

    August 22, 2014 at 11:49 am

    Lovely! Thank you for expanding my horizons! I adore both brown & navy but have never worn them together. That is about to change!

    Reply
    • Nita Johnson says

      December 4, 2018 at 6:55 pm

      I love brown with a dark dusty pink , or a rose pink ! I love navy with yellow ! Teal with beige and brown ! I really love some of your pins !

      Reply
  2. Gail says

    August 22, 2014 at 12:26 pm

    Amazing how that (menswear) plaid scarf ties this wardrobe together! Speaking of anticipating the warmth of autumn, I still re-visit at least weekly my all-time favorite (and that's really saying something!) of your posts, Janice–the two posts using amber accessories. No posts have influenced my own wardrobe and accessorizing more or given me more delight. I'd love to see another autumn post sometime inspired by amber accessories!

    Reply
  3. Pam @ over50feeling40 says

    August 22, 2014 at 12:46 pm

    This is beautiful…I just love brown and you are showing all of us how to wear it!

    Reply
  4. Anonymous says

    August 22, 2014 at 2:02 pm

    Hi, I love blues and browns together, they have a richness no matter which hues, I too will be in Paris the same time as you! I will say hello If I see you! Bon journee!

    Reply
  5. Cornelia says

    August 22, 2014 at 2:10 pm

    The brown in your color swatch looks like something we would call 'tobacco' in German. It is such a classic combination in men's wear.

    Reply
  6. Amy says

    August 22, 2014 at 2:56 pm

    I arrive in Paris the morning of the 27th and immediately head for the train to Lyon. I'll be spending a few days in Paris around Oct 5-10 on my way back to the US.

    I'm already trying to come up with my travel wardrobe as I've never been to Europe in the fall. Looks like cool-ish weather.

    Reply
  7. Marta says

    August 22, 2014 at 3:14 pm

    I like this very much … a tweak would be to substitute rust for the berry, which could be done with two tops and two scarves. Your system is so brilliant that way — you can refresh your wardrobe with very little investment, once you have the neutral cores in place. Thank you!

    Reply
  8. Babsox says

    August 22, 2014 at 10:54 pm

    I really love your work. I'm avid for it! Would you ever consider doing a piece using these same colors but with berry/maroon/claret as the main focus and cream as the second focus with the accents being navy and brown. Or would that be just too top heavy and out of balance?

    Out of curiosity, a question. I looked up the Land's End silk shirt. The description says 10% silk, 90% jersey. Jersey is not a fiber in North America – it is a knitted fabric. So that description really doesn't tell us what the shirt is made of. The question is: can you with your influential blog keep these sellers on their toes with correct descriptions of their products? The online purchaser requires integrity from the seller.
    Thank you.

    Reply
  9. Sharon says

    August 23, 2014 at 12:46 am

    Oh I really love the berry and this could be a great combination for Autumn next year!

    Reply
  10. Anonymous says

    August 23, 2014 at 11:11 am

    Thank you for all your work. I have been using your Starting from Scratch worksheets to create my wardrobe. I find the four by four very useful. My neutrals are chocolate brown and denim (the fabric only). My accents are golden yellow and olive green. I also have cognac accessories (shoes and bags) and amber jewellery. I am recently retired so my wardrobe is becoming more relaxed.

    I just came back from a shopping trip using your worksheets and what a difference it made!!!! I bought what fit into my overall plan and elegantly refused what did not. Thank you!!!!!

    Janet

    Reply
  11. SewRuthie says

    August 26, 2014 at 7:48 pm

    Now this one i could actually see myself wearing….

    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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