Another way to dress up your Starting from Scratch Capsule Wardrobe is to find a blouse, tee shirt, sweater, or even a sweatshirt that has something dressy going on. There’s a world of options around this time of year: lace, sequins, beads, jewels and embroidery are all possibilities. 
If you want to see all of the garments and accessories from the original Starting From Scratch Wardrobe, check here.
Grey lace
top – Dolce and Gabbana, yellow sweatshirt- Noshua, houndstooth sequined tee – Michael Michael Kors,
striped top – Mother of Pearl, sequined sweater – Kaos,
bone sequined sweater- Max Mara
top – Dolce and Gabbana, yellow sweatshirt- Noshua, houndstooth sequined tee – Michael Michael Kors,
striped top – Mother of Pearl, sequined sweater – Kaos,
bone sequined sweater- Max Mara
If you want to see all of the garments and accessories from the original Starting From Scratch Wardrobe, check here.
- The Navy and Grey Starting From Scratch Wardrobe
The lace top is beautiful with everything in your wardrobe; you could even wear it under your cardigan during the day, and then pop off the sweater at night in order to be more dressy. A pair of silvery grey dress shoes would amp up the look another bit, but you really wouldn’t want to hang a necklace over the lovely lace – a bracelet would be sufficient.
- The Navy and Beige Starting From Scratch Wardrobe
For this, I chose an accent color from the wardrobe, and got really casual by using a sweatshirt. While some of us might not find wearing a sweatshirt with a skirt comfortable, others might; this is something to consider if you find a dressy sweatshirt you like…
- The Black and Grey Starting From Scratch Wardrobe
I love this top – it includes both of the core colors of the wardrobe, and has a great menswear pattern too!
- The Caramel and Black Starting From Scratch Wardrobe
This was a fun top to stumble upon – an accent color from the wardrobe, decorated with one of the core wardrobe colors. Here’s a case where you might want to find a nice bracelet or pair of earrings in solid black, because the Match Makers in caramel and black that are part of the Starting From Scratch Wardrobe won’t really work here. Happily, this time of year, it’s easy to find a pair of dressy earrings for a pittance..
- The Brown and Beige Starting From Scratch Wardrobe
This is low-key dressiness – a bit of shimmer with tone-on-tone sequins. I have a similar sweater in black, and it’s a work-horse in my wardrobe. Shimmer is dressy without being over the top.
- The Khaki and Olive Starting From Scratch Wardrobe
Another sweater in one of your accent colors, but in a very neutral accent. (if that makes any sense?) The short-sleeves gives you the option to wear almost 12 months – on a moderately warm evening, this would be lovely with beige linen trousers.
I’m also going to look into the possibility of using accessories and/or shoes to dress up these wardrobes; is that something you’d like to see?
love,
Janice
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I love the idea of wearing the first grey lace top but it would not work with my body type. The low key camel sweater is more my style and a very good price. I really appreciate how you mix it up with all price points.
Deb from Vancouver
I have enjoyed seeing how you have dressed up the wardrobes for the holidays. I would also enjoy seeing how you add shoes and jewelry as an option. Thanks for all you do.
These dressy tops really perk up a basic outfit without too much effort. I have a lace top from that summer which I think I will wear over the holidays. I do own a dressy St John black top with some sparkle details which could take me out on New Years Eve with my dress pants.
Your accessory choices are always perfect….you have a great eye fie detail.
I would be interested in seeing how to dress these outfits up using shoes and jewelry. I don't wear scarves, or turtlenecks (but live in a temperate climate) so I'd be interested in seeing what you can do with other accessories.
Love so many of these tops – especially the first one! Thanks, Janice, for endless inventivity!
Love this sort of idea and would like to see it developed more since you do such a beautiful job. I am retired and now spend most of my time in casual or gym clothes. Recently my husband has surprised me with two semi-formal events. What would be helpful would be a "core wardrobe" of "dress up" for a variety of special occasions. I tend toward black, white, silver/grey. People generally love me in magenta.
Janice,I've been admiring lacey garments for months but not sure how I'd fit them into my fairly casual wardrobe (retired 60+). Now……a lovely top to go with my basic black microfibre pants for Christmas-time dinners will be quite 'do-able'!! THANKS!!