Navy linen trousers – Dorothy Perkins, navy cardigan – Jaeger, navy linen tee – Jaeger, white shirt – Dorothy Perkins, navy skirt – Jaeger, turquoise tee – Lauren by Ralph Lauren, hot pink top – French Connection, white blazer – Viyella, dotted skirt – Michael Kors, pink blouse – Uniqlo (sold out), purple blouse – Diane Von Furstenberg, navy linen top – Jaeger, navy linen skirt – Jaeger, turquoise sweater- Ralph Lauren Blue, white cardigan- Oasis, pink cardigan – Dolce and Gabbana (sold out), dress – L.K.Bennett, navy white dress – Hobbs London, dotted cotton cardigan – Joseph, medallion print blouse – Prabal Gurung, white trousers- Viyella, navy and white sweater- Marni Edition, cotton cardigan – Linea, navy shirtdress – Jaeger, White shirt – L.L. Bean, white skirt – Marni, floral skirt – Marni Edition, striped top – Dorothy Perkins, print trousers – Weekend Max Mara, white tee – Dorothy Perkins, navy shirt – Uniqlo, navy & white dot stripe shirt – Lands’ End
Remember this color scheme? A few weeks ago, I showed a very casual summer wardrobe using these colors. Today, they’re going to the office.
In Step 5, I’ve swapped out the summery beach tote for something much more serious. In Step 6, the bright accent tops and bracelet can stay, with the understanding that you’d better cover up those armpits, missy! And in place of the very casual waterfall cardigan and capris in Step 7, a blazer and subtle patterned skirt…
– Allurez, ribbon chain bracelet – Brooks Brothers, bag – Dorothy Perkins, turquoise
tee – Lauren by Ralph Lauren, hot pink top – French Connection, bracelet –
Links of London, white blazer – Viyella, dotted skirt – Michael Kors,
pumps – Trotters
Of course, tank tops aren’t terribly useful in this office! A couple of summery, but much more modest, blouses take their place. The 2-piece navy outfit is still perfect for work – I’ve just substituted a slingback low-heel pumps for the sandals. And Step 10 is usually casual, but we’re going to replicate the “top, jacket, shoe” idea with a short-sleeved sweater, a very useful cardigan, and ballet flats that incorporate your 2 neutral colors. These shoes are particularly practical; any time you mix navy and white garments in an outfit, add these shoes, and the combination automatically looks intentional!
Diane Von Furstenberg, navy linen top – Jaeger, navy linen skirt – Jaeger,
navy slingbacks –J.Renee, turquoise sweater- Ralph Lauren Blue, white cardigan
– Oasis, ballet flats- Dorothy Perkins
Here in Step 11, I’ve kept the patterned dress. Your work environment might consider this a bridge too far, in which case you could look for a printed dress in a more subtle design, or a solid dress in navy. And Step 12 originally had a caftan, sandals and sunglasses! (I DARE you to go to work like that…) A much more appropriate classic dress, and a subtly patterned cardigan will probably excited less comment than a flowing, swirl-printed beach cover-up.
dress – Hobbs London, dotted cotton cardigan – Joseph
No hair bows here! And while you definitely still must own sunglasses, they have no place in your office. However, if you were ever going to break out the big accessory guns (aka an Hermes scarf), this is the time. And a whimsical, but solid navy, boutonniere is a great little touch on the lapel of your white blazer.
– Bhavest, turquoise earrings – Guillermo Arregui,bag – Park House, navy floral
brooch-Ermanno Scervino
In the other version of navy and white that I did, Step 14 was casual outfits! I guess in a conservative office, white pants and a lovely top qualifies as casual. Of course, this blouse and sweater will do wonderful things with all of your navy separates. And Step 15 remains pretty much unchanged – a great dress and cardigan. I just got a longer sleeved cardigan, and a more work-suitable dress…
All of these last steps share the idea that we’re trying to make sure we have a balance between our neutral colors, that we have enough “bridge” garments to link those neutrals, and that our truly “Common Wardrobe” basics are present. No way you’re including a chambray shirt, or a pair of jeans, in this wardrobe, but simple tops in your neutrals should ALWAYS be in your wardrobe. Just make sure you only wear the Step 17 trousers on Fridays!
striped top – Dorothy Perkins, print trousers – Weekend Max Mara, white tee
– Dorothy Perkins, navy shirt – Uniqlo, navy & white dot stripe shirt
– Lands’ End
A recap of the accessories, just for reference purposes:
turquoise earrings – Chen Fuchs, sapphire earrings – Allurez, ribbon chain bracelet – Brooks Brothers, bracelet – Links of London, bag – Dorothy Perkins, square scarf – Hermès, amethyst earrings – Khun Boom, amethyst bracelet – Bhavest, turquoise earrings – Guillermo Arregui,bag – Park House, navy floral brooch-Ermanno Scervino, watch – Daniel Wellington, star scarf – Becksondergaard, navy
ballet flats – Vaneli, white trim ballet flats- Dorothy Perkins, navy slingbacks –J.Renee, pumps – Trotters
Many product links lead you to retailers who pay The Vivienne Files a small commission. This commission has never been, and never will be, a factor in what items I choose to include in these wardrobes!
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I love these posts, especially the accessories page.
Karen
I am so very thankful that my world is casual and relaxed but this is so pretty!
So, a great wardrobe, as always, good work, keep it up! But I'm curious: "Pants only on Fridays" – is there really such a thing? I've never worked in an office or a remotely conservative sector, so I can't even imagine this – how sexist!
Greetings!
Sonja
Yes, there are even NO PANTS EVER offices. Conservative workplaces still exist – I know people who work in them!
The very pretty navy/white dress from Hobbs London is also sold out 🙁
I would never work in an office where they didn't allow pants on women. Sexist. And they can stick it… 🙂
What a pretty, lovely, grown up wardrobe. Is there a link for the wedge heeled sling back shoes?
yep – they're from J. Renee.
Thank you for the ideas how to stay visible and particular in the official enviroment.In our office on Friday we are allowed to wear jeans,but on other days the majority wears neutral tailored clothes.
I live in Florida and have a collection of light cashmere cardigans that I wear in the office year-round. Plus a small heater under my desk!
As always, your accessory choices absolutely make the wardrobe!
I can't help but believe that those strictures are self-imposed/don't-rock-the-boat rules. Even in a conservative office, they can't fire a woman for wearing an appropriate pants suit.
Of course they can. They can also require that female staff wear hose. I even know a judge who will not "allow" a female attorney to come to court in slacks; they must wear dresses or a skirt suit.
If your dress code is part of the terms of your work, they can require you to wear anything they deem "necessary" for your job. Hosiery is definitely still required in lots of places, and knees are utterly forbidden in a lot of places too… Their explanation is that clients are conservative, and thus people working with those clients must also be conservative.
I noticed the pink Uniqlo blouse, which is now sold out. I actually bought it when we were in London in July and love it. The only problem is I think it's a bit see-through for over 60s like me – what would you advise wearing under it? I have a white camisole but it's not quite right! I think this capsule would make anyone who is unfortunate enough to work in a stuffy office feel a lot better about their work outfits.
Shapewear as close to your skin color as possible, with wide straps that cover the bra strap…or something similarly opaque and shaped to the body well enough that it is hard to tell what's going on under the blouse.
Hi, Janice:
I wanted to ask you a couple of things, but I can't find an email address for you here. Is it on the blog and I'm just not seeing it?
My questions are: 1. How do you store your scarves? I don't have many, but I'm looking for a good, safe way to store them.
2. Would you ever consider doing a "boho" capsule? I'm in love with Gudrun Sjoden right now, but I wouldn't want to buy their whole line. What do you think?
Thank you! And congrats on your 1,000th post!
Dear Sandra,
My scarves are all kept in a couple of drawers of the Elfa shelving that's in my closet that is as close as I get to a dresser. I pull them out and organize them from time to time, as they do get rumpled when I dig through them.
I'll work on boho. I'm not really sure what qualifies as boho – someone want to give me some specific style or detail suggestions?
thanks,
Janice
I hope someone else will jump in here, but when I think boho, I think gypsy skirts, shawls, layered look, loose and unstructured. As I mentioned above, Gudrun Sjoden, and possibly Blue Fish artwear.
Anyone else?
I second the idea of a boho capsule–for work, if there is such a thing. I'd love to express my naturally boho personality while still looking professional.
A belated congratulations on your 1000th post!
Wishing you joy and happiness!
Thank you for all the hard work!!
Irene
Sydney
As always, a lovely selection. I'm going to go against the tide here: I love formality. Jackets, structure, good fabrics, great accessories. I'm still sorry its mostly gone from daily life as I just look sloppy in casual clothes.
Yesterday I had a meeting at the bank and wore a new jacket, pencil skirt, silk scarf…Now I'm back to figuring out how not to look like a slobby blob while I walk the dog…
BTW I loved the section in the Dress Doctors relating how people wanted to wear luxury clothes at home to relax in during the 1930's. Begone stained jeans for at home wear!
Love your work.
Susan
Vancouver, Can
This is the perfect wardrobe for me – the colors and the styles (and yes, there are still some of us out there that prefer a more covered up look). I am retired so no office rules, but my lifestyle is either extreme – super casual during the week, (although not sloppy, I like to have fun with clothes and look nice even if I am at home) yet professional dressy on Sundays. Even though I don't have a 'need' for lots of dressy clothes, I love dressing up and am willing to have a few more dressy clothes than my lifestyle circle graph would call for.
wow! I prefer oranges, greens and cobalt blue for my accents, but this is really helpful………
Gorgeous capsule!
Another great post. I am working on a navy and grey capsule wardrobe and found THE perfect necklace. It also has shades of brown and so I can wear it with brown and black. It is my idea of a piece of jewelry to build a wardrobe around. She has several variations, many in solid colors but this is the one that struck my eye. Diana Broussard Nate necklace in baby seal. You can zoom in on these two websites, but I don't believe they truly capture it. I am only including the websites so that you can see it. Might you do a post on this necklace?
http://www.jewelsthatrock.com/nate-chain-necklace-baby-seal.html
http://www.paire.us/shop/index.php/designers-a-z/diana-broussard/marbled-grey-nate.html
I love this wardrobe. I've never got over a colleague who wore flipflops, a skirt like a sarong, and a lowcut t shirt and wondered why the men never took her seriously! If you want to challenge for the managerial jobs you HAVE to dress like a manager. That's the corporate world.
I have a request Janice, if I may… I love this particular post, because it incorporates MY colours. I work with a palette that is based on neutrals of black, navy and white. My colours are pure, bold and saturated. It is rare that you do an outfit combination that does not incorporate grey, beiges, or brown. Not that the colours you choose aren't gorgeous together! They just aren't for me. So is there any chance that every once and a while you could base your combinations on these neutrals? I'd love to see a "starting from scratch" for example, that I could more closely follow – I LOVE playing with these capsule wardrobe ideas.
Thanks!