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Capsule wardrobes inspired by art and nature

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12 Months, 12 Outfits in 6 Capsule Wardrobes: February

Although the marketing types will urge us all to dress up in lace and frills and all sorts of dainties for Valentine’s Day, I think it more likely that many of us will consider it a big night out if it requires a dress of any sort! So for February, I looked for dresses – simple, classic, versatile, timeless dresses that will be as useful for you in July as they are in February…

As before, I tried to keep the “parts” as consistent as possible across the six color palettes, so that the impact of the changing colors will be shown to better effect.

Remember, these are the six scarves around which I’m building these “month by month” capsule wardrobes. Any beautiful item can serve this function – painting, ceramic, photograph, bag, fabric swatch, decorative cushion etc…

Navy– Hermes Voyage en Etoffes; camel – Hermes Tyger Tyger;
beige –  

A dress, a wrap, some shoes, a bracelet, and a bag with a strap – enough to be dressed up…

navy dress with accessories

Dress – Lands’ End; stole – Marc Cain;
bracelet – Chuleekorn; 
bag
– Neiman Marcus; pumps – A2 by Aerosoles



Yes, a suede dress might be considered a little bit over the top, but this is so beautiful, I didn’t even try to resist!

camel dress with accessories

Suede dress – Vince; wrap – Nordstrom; bracelet – Siriporn; 
bag – b.o.c.; pumps – Aerosoles



 I did pick up one rather dressy iteration here, in keeping with the feminine and delicate nature of the scarf; can’t you imagine the swish of that skirt around your legs?

beige dress with accessories

Dress – Chi Chi London; wrap – Nordstrom; cuff – Sonal Bhaskaran; 
bag – Sonia Rykiel; pumps – Journee Collection



This feels like the eccentric aunt’s version of getting dressed up – I could do this so happily…

beige dress with accessories

Dress – IDLF Uniqlo;
wrap – Antonia Zander; cuff – Chuleekorn; 
bag – Open Sky; flats – Trotters



The bracelet… sigh… If you don’t look at Novica for jewelry, you’re missing some really unique and glorious pieces… 

blue dress with accessories

Dress – J. Crew; wrap – Nordstrom; cuff – Achara; 



Yes, more red shoes! It could become a signature.

black dress with accessories

Dress – Lands’ End; wrap – Nordstrom; cuff – Wayan Asmana; 
bag – Halogen; pumps –
Heavenly Soles



After two months, this is what everything looks like, pictured together. You’d be okay for an overnight if you had these pieces, I suspect!

The next installment is March 1st – I’m already eager to work on it!

love,
Janice

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Comments

  3. At the moment I'm in love with the Navy capsule, followed closely by the Grey. This is a great way of demonstrating how to build a capsule based on neutrals and accent colours without the trend bias or 'must have' items. Inspired work Janice!
    Sharon.

    Reply

  6. So far I like the colours of both 1 and 2, and the style of 1 – I might need both, would that be greedy? (120 items by the end of the year..oops)
    Alice

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  7. I always love your creative ideas on wardrobe planning, and this is one of the best. As a person who needs warm colors, and also thinks life is too short to wear black – always and forever connected to mourning for me – I'm following the camel amd olive plans closely.

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  11. I am thoroughly enjoying this so far. It will give us a bit of something to look forward to with the changing of the months. Some of these have more mix and match potential than the others. I counted 10 different looks possible with the first one when combining both months if you include variations in scarves.

    The suede dress is pretty, but doesn't seem very versatile for layering. The eccentric aunt's dress, on the other hand, would work as a third layer/jacket. Maybe you could work up some outfits with the Jan/Feb offerings to tide us over until March. 🙂

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  12. Agree with all of the other comments! Brilliant. (Also eagerly awaiting March 1 for installment no. 3.)

    And Janice, you mention that "After two months . . . You'd be okay for an overnight if you had [only] these pieces, I suspect!" The only thing that I might want to add would be another top, probably a short-sleeve tee. Perfect.

    Reply

  14. Love the oportunity to look at 6 wardrobes developing like this. It's amazing how quickly they each take on thier own personality. Just wondering though, given your often mentioned issue, that it can be useful to buy a set of the basics together to ensure that the colour matches well. I've had challenges buying shades of navy blue in the past that "like" each other so am interested to see how well this monthly method will work in this regard.

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  15. So, this is a fun game to play each month – can I create this outfit from my current wardrobe?? Last post was easy, if you swap a v-neck sweater for a cardigan – that's what I wear most days! This month… Well, it'll be fun to try to pull it together tonight!

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  16. I agree with Jazz's comments about seeing how the basics, especially the Navy, come together on building the wardrobe on a monthly basis. I am doing a year of no shopping for 2016 just to get a handle on my wardrobe and my style. I was thinking of using this as a guide for next year in helping me to rebuild a more functional wardrobe. Since you will be done with the series, I can get all of the basic neutrals at the same time, and spread out the rest of it, using some things from my existing wardrobe. That also gives me a whole year to find my inspiration. I have had hard time settling on a color palette.

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  17. Fabulous! And a slow build to December … Could you be helping me towards patience, Janice?
    I'm another one having a shop-free year and agree that this series will be perfect for thinking and planning.
    Robyn in Tasmania

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    • After Janice featured one of these Land's End dresses a couple of months ago, I ordered a few and have been very happy with the fit and value! A versatile basic that can stand on its own or be paired with a jacket, scarf, wrap, or cardigan.

      Reply

  19. I am enjoying the subtle variations in the different wardrobes – how in some you chose the dress in the neutral and in others the dress is in an accent color and the wrap in the neutral! After spoiling us with two quick installments, it is going to be a L O N G wait until March's outfit!

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  20. This series will be great for sewing readers who will have a whole month to turn out the garments that are featured. As for me, I'll be looking in my closet for the navy and black pieces. 😉

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  21. Janice, I just want to say thanks. I just came back from a 3-day trip, and fit everything in a small tote, more like a large purse. No bulky carry-on, no checked bag. It was freeing to have all I needed right with me, no extra stuff weighing me down. I have learned so much from you. Thanks!

    Reply

  23. This is going to be a fun experiment! Building a wardrobe with outfits instead of capsules. Curious to see where you go with this! March will take forever to get here!

    Reply

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