The morning after the board meeting, they called her into the Manager’s office for a conversation…An hour later, she was the first, and only, Commercial Relationship Coordinator in the entire company. It is a position with a somewhat nebulous job description, but one which is going to be PERFECT for showing her diplomatic skills to their best advantage!
Remember, this was her work wardrobe:

Turtleneck – Polo Ralph Lauren; fossilized coral earrings – Pamela Huizenga; tweed sweater – Ermanno Scervino; bakelite and peridot bracelet- Mark Davis; orange cardigan- L.K.Bennett; green cardigan – White Stuff; green crystal earrings – Slane; orange bag- Marni; orange ring – Roberto Coin; hot pink Flamingo Party Hermes scarf; pleated panel blouse – Schumacher; navy cashmere cardigan – J. Crew;fire opal pendant – Cathy Waterman; print blouse – See by Chloe; navy silk blouse – L’Agence; navy dress – Planet; orange sweater – Joseph; navy pleated skirt – J. Crew; peridot ring – Michael Aram; paisley scarf – Ralph Lauren; orange blouse – Stella McCartney; navy fluted skirt – Tibi;grey dress – FennWrightManson; suede wedges – Tod’s; grey wrap skirt – Joseph; navy patent pumps – Jimmy Choo; fluted skirt – Iris and Ink;anthracite suede pumps – Prada; navy sling backs – L’Autre Chose
Which was based on this painting and color scheme:
She finally felt that this was the right time to break out a new, and heretofore unseen, facet of her personality. Within her there was a brightness, and a strength, which she had downplayed in the past, in order to fit into the organization. Glimpses of it had been allowed to shine through, but never before had she felt comfortable enough to really unleash that light inside of her that she KNEW would make her a success in her new position.
So, some careful, deliberate, slow, and meticulously planned shopping was in order; I’m surprised that she didn’t buy more pieces from the earring designer, who made a handful of pieces in this gorgeous blue. (her credit cards are in tatters…)
Cardigan – Ermanno Scervino; brooch – Swarovski; scarf – Hermes Flamingo Party; earrings – Anna Beck; blouse – Derek Lam; orange print blouose – Thakoon Addition; handbag – Florian London; skirt – Cacharel; pumps – Bella Vita; dress – J. Crew; tile print skirt – Dolce & Gabbana; white blouse – Kai-Aakmann
Her much larger managerial wardrobe now looked like this:
And she had, with seven garments and a few accessories, added literally dozens of new outfit options to her work life. This is just a sample of her new possibilities:
If anybody ever caught her without her glasses, it was going to be blindingly apparent that she had extraordinarily blue eyes… If they thought she was distracting before…
love,
Janice
So many pieces here I love…plus I love her story!
I love her story too! Also, I really like the warm/cool balance in this selection. I'd add the whole lot to the Warm Summer Common Wardrobe, which would give a fabulous capsule of 34 pieces.
Alice
I love imagining this woman in a sea of non-descript suits!
This is absolutely adorable in every way. You are such a master, Janice, and I think this is my favorite of everything you have posted. I try to never use the word "love" for inanimate objects, but I do love, Love, LOVE this capsule and story. Brilliant! Deb in KY
I "love' the fact that this bright confident woman has no jackets and no pants. Yet her wardrobe provides her with everything she needs for power in the workplace. All due to her own abilities and personal style.
Deb from Vancouver
Ah, the blue eyes have it!
This is so great! I love the idea that strategic purchases can make such a huge impact. Thanks for your ideas and fun stories.
Great story . . . I always go off shopping online for quite some time after I visit your blog!
WOW!
WOW!
Chapter 2 is brilliant!! Bravo!!
So happy to see the intense cobalt from the painting make an entrance here! I ADORE that delft tile skirt – I may have to knit myself something inspired by delft tile now!