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Home » A Four by Four Whatever’s Clean Capsule Wardrobe in Black, Beige, Marsala and Natural

A Four by Four Whatever’s Clean Capsule Wardrobe in Black, Beige, Marsala and Natural

April 18, 2015
 
As soon as I launched the newest Pantone Spring and Summer 2015 color scheme file, someone asked me to do some work with the color of the year – Marsala. She had honed in on the black and khaki, and after a bit of discussion we agreed that the best 2nd accent color would be an unbleached linen/natural color.  This is the palette we finally chose for a capsule wardrobe.
 
 
I started with black, of course! Sleeveless and short-sleeved, cropped pants and “normal” pants, and all from 3.1 Phillip Lim, just for ease of matchy-matchedness.  You can, of course, find your four pieces from a different, less pricey, company, or mix them from a few different places.
 

Sleeveless top – 3.1 Phillip Lim, cropped trousers – 3.1 Phillip Lim, tee shirt – 3.1 Phillip Lim, trousers – 3.1 Phillip Lim

In fact, in order to find four pieces in khaki, I went to a couple of different sources. Once you’ve chosen a color scheme, you sometimes have to do some digging, or just be patient, in order to get the items you really want!

Short-sleeved blouse – Uniqlo,  cropped pants – Uniqlo, cardigan – Chinti and Parker, skirt – Celine Vintage

This is the part of this wardrobe that feels particularly summery to me. And a lacy top can be worn with jeans – don’t let anybody tell you otherwise!

Crinkled tee – A.P.C., off-white jeans – Uniqlo, sleeveless lace top – Dorothy Perkins, sweat skirt – Uniqlo

But HERE’S where things got difficult – if Marsala is really the color of the year, it’s doing a heck of a time hiding from the general public! I finally remembered that Lands’ End always carries a really good assortment that they call burgundy – for school uniforms! But these pieces are as close as I could find to the slightly more brown/less purple Marsala… And one thing you know – these will ALL go together, they aren’t going out of style, and they’re well made. So if you’re interested in this color, try looking for burgundy, maroon, oxblood, dark red…

Tee shirt – Lands’ End, long-sleeved tee – Lands’ End, cardigan – Lands’ End, short-sleeved twill shirt – Lands’ End

This wardrobe is great for jewelry – just keep thinking “garnet, onyx, pearl, gold” and you’re in safe territory. Not too many scarves, this time of year, though…

Cotton striped and checked scarf – Krama Heritage, ruby crystal earrings – YooLa, black crystal earrings – H. Azeem, pearl earrings – Militza Ortiz, onyx and mother of pearl bracelet – Frieda Rothman,red agate bracelet – Argento Vivo, Initial disc necklace – Nashelle, pearl necklace – Judith Jack, square scarf – Hermes De la Mer au Ciel

These are your sixteen pieces of clothing.  This would make a smashing, simple suitcase, or an easy wardrobe for a summer spent in a location not terribly hot, and where you occasionally are going to dress up. Substitute a pair of shorts for a skirt, or a tank top for a long-sleeved tee, as needed…

 
I was going to show a handful of outfits with accessories, but I felt strongly that it was important to show the enormous number of possibilities available from just a small selection of well-chosen pieces of clothing. By my calculations, this ensemble should give you at least 100 different options! Add in a black cardigan, a couple of pair of shorts and a tank top or two – you’d be set for the entire summer.
 
 
I imagine packing a bag like this and then just taking the train from place to place, all over Europe, from now until the cold weather sets in…
 
sigh…
 
love,
Janice
 
Looking Back:
 
2014: 2 dozen = 12 dozen, at least
 
2013: A Simple Black, White and Bright Blue wardrobe, with accessories
 
2012: Imaginary shopping: basics, in blue
 
2011: A different criteria for my possessions
Neiman Marcus Last Call (Neiman Marcus)
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04.18.15 12 Comments

Tags: accessories, beige, black, burgundy, capsule wardrobe, casual, color palettes, cream, Four by Four, ivory, jewelry, packing, red, Whatever's Clean Summer Wardrobe
<<It’s Time to Quit Lying to Myself about What I Wear…A Clothing Diary Week 9>>

Comments

  1. Beckie says

    April 18, 2015 at 12:48 pm

    I have been looking for *wine* pieces for ages. The burgundy, while stunning (I do so love anything in that color family paired with khaki!), is on the "blue" side for me. That true wine/marsala color is like Unicorn pee.

    Beautiful collection!

    Reply
  2. Anonymous says

    April 18, 2015 at 2:57 pm

    Now there is a saying I have never heard before!! Very apt. Marsala when right is a beautiful colour BUT it can go "off" so easily.

    Deb from Vancouver

    Reply
  3. SusanG says

    April 18, 2015 at 6:16 pm

    Although I don't care to wear that wine shade personally, you've done a great job putting all these elements together, Janice.

    Reply
  4. Jazz says

    April 18, 2015 at 9:04 pm

    Having decided that I would invest in burgundy for the next 3 years, I found the red shoes first, quickly followed by a handbag, ear rings and necklace, then a scarf and a plaid shirt. It's been good that I sew as I then created a beautiful shawl top from some fabric that I purchased years ago for the princely sum of $2 at a fair and I have bought some black and burgundy fabric to make a summer top. It has been challenging to find items that will work together, but I feel pleased with the end result. It has followed the accessories route that you have sometimes demonstrated well Janice, which allows me to participate in this space without investing too heavily in it.

    Reply
  5. lrlincks says

    April 19, 2015 at 2:47 am

    I really enjoy these 4×4 wardrobes. Such great ideas!!

    Reply
  6. DrLeonesse says

    April 19, 2015 at 8:16 am

    I totally love the Four by Fours. It is what started me reading your blog and how I organize my closet. Thank you! It has simplified my life.

    Reply
  7. Loren Thomas says

    April 19, 2015 at 11:28 pm

    What color shoes/sandals would you recommend? Thanks for these great ideas!

    Reply
    • Janice Riggs says

      April 19, 2015 at 11:50 pm

      Depending on the balance of the outfit and the weight of the fabric, you could wear shoes or sandals in any of these four colors! Cordovan leather is so beautiful…

      Should I do an update to this wardrobe, with shoes???

      Reply
  8. oekmama says

    April 20, 2015 at 9:11 am

    It's funny you chose this palette, as I was thinking along those lines this morning… I find it difficult at times to find the right khaki/beige/natural tones, so I've lumped them together as one neutral and grab em where I can find them. I absolutely love this wine colour and am relieved that the marsala is close enough, that I can find it this year in the shops!

    I was thinking of navy instead of black and a golderrod yellow as an accent.

    Reply
  9. Sue Straw says

    July 23, 2015 at 8:52 pm

    I can't wear beige (it just doesn't work with my coloring), but I love this combination of colors!

    Reply
  10. Susan says

    November 10, 2022 at 7:56 pm

    What do you think about substituting teal for the marsala red? I’m planning a May trip to Italy. Thanks.

    Reply
    • Janice says

      November 11, 2022 at 11:15 am

      Absolutely! That would be lovely…
      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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