At a loss as to how to choose the colors to use for my capsule wardrobe experiment, I grabbed my brand new color analysis book that I bought it Paris, and I opened it with my eyes closed. Twice!
First, I found peachy, pinky, blush:
The whole feel of this outfit changes completely, with just a different scarf and earrings! Think of the relatively inexpensive possibilities…
Blush scarf – Dorothy Perkins; shoulder bag – Allsaints; cardigan – Simply Be; pearl earrings – Matta; watch – Isabel Marant; tee shirt – J. Crew; pants – J. Crew; suitcase – Longchamp; loafers – Patricia Green
Here, four more pieces are changed: a blouse, a sweater, a scarf and a bracelet. This feels so spring-like to me:
silk shirt – Hugo; bracelet – Pearlustre; silver square earrings – Gurhan; blazer – Nina Ricci; ivory top – Balmain; black skirt – Lands’ End; scarf – Hermes Dragonflies; blush sweater – 81 Hours; tweed skirt – Nina Ricci; pumps – Stuart Weitzman
The second “random book opening” brought me to this turquoise:
Turquoise scarf – Nordstrom; shoulder bag – Allsaints; cardigan – Simply Be; earrings – Jody Coyote; watch – Isabel Marant; tee shirt – J. Crew; pants – J. Crew; suitcase – Longchamp; loafers – Patricia Green
Turquoise silk shirt – Gucci; agate bracelet – Simon Sebbag; silver square earrings – Gurhan; blazer – Nina Ricci; ivory top – Balmain; black skirt – Lands’ End; scarf – Hermes Zebra Pegasus; turquoise sweater – Michael Kors; tweed skirt – Nina Ricci; pumps – Stuart Weitzman
love,
Janice
I think I am going to give up and just stick to black, white (white shirts are a staple) and khaki and rely on scarves and accessories for color. I can't choose. I love the blush. I love the turquoise. I love red. I love lavender. And purple. And Klein blue. And orange. And fuschia……
I agree, Taste of France, for me. I love colour of all kind. But really have to be neutral except for accessories, which may not be so expensive! Chris ??
I seem to wear mostly neutrals together too even though I love color. I have been trying to narrow down my colors but I am unsure as to which look the best on me. Interested in your new color book Janice! I really love the pale peachy blush color!
I like your idea of grouping your colors together Sara K and Lena. First I must get my closet clutter under control!!
oh my! I love color almost all color, I am trying to incorporate black and white. I’m afraid I can’t choose one or two colors to scale down. I have Grey,Black, Navy, Taupes, Brown’s one each in dress pants, but have multiple colors in jeans besides the reg Denim.
Where do I start?
With whatever you wear the most, whatever garners you the most compliments, whatever you love, whatever makes you feel most beautiful. You can own lots of different colors, but it will really cut into the versatility of most of your garments. Maybe read a couple of books on color analysis and see if any of that resonates with you? Or have your colors “done”? In my world, a favorite artist might show the way…
hugs,
Janice
I refined my wardrobe managing system early this year. I designated all in white,black,grey and camel as "basics", and grouped everything else (including jeans) into "color capsules" of varying sizes. Everything that didn't find a family of like-minded items went into recycling pile. I noted that the items that ended up there were also the items I almost never wore.
I feel that what you are doing here is very similar. If one has a good core of basic garments and two or three color capsules, she practically has several different but coordinating wardrobes even though the amount of items in the wardrobe remains relatively small.
Also, I have found that when my things are grouped this way, it's easy to avoid even the most tempting mistake purchases and to know exactly what the missing wardrobe pieces are. If it doesn't fit into one of my capsules seamlessly or if it's a near-duplicate of something I already own, it's not something I should buy. The money I save by better wardrobe management can go fund purchase of delightful things like Hermès scarves that will brighten my days for many years…
-Sara K-
I've also found myself with a core of neutral basics in black, white, navy, grey and camel. I tend to wear neutrals together so my accents come from my "bundles" of color. If the bundle has shoes, bag, scarf, necklace, bracelet, earrings and a top and/or topper in some form (jacket, coat, cardigan) it is ever so useful in so many combinations. Note that I don't wear every bundle item together! But it is great to have the choices available. And yes, it makes shopping (both planning and purchasing) much easier.
Using this system I was able to determine immediately that yes, that beautiful pink wool coat would get a lot of mileage in my wardrobe. I feel incredible wearing it and get many compliments. I think because it's so unusual and because the other bundle items complete the look making me appear pulled together and confident.
I focus on cool core neutrals, especially for travel: black, white, navy, grey, taupe – and denim blue. It's very easy to add accent colors to these. – nancyo
Dear Janice,
very interesting, as always, thanks for the good work.
There is one thing I would like to request – unless you already talked about it and I missed it: How did you feel about your wardrobe planning with just dresses for Paris? Was it a good idea, did it work?
Thanks and greetings!
Sonja
Did you mention this color book you bought in Paris already and I missed it? Could you please give the title and what about seemed different enough to you to encourage you to purchase it?
Janice,
Yes, I also would enjoy hearing about this book ! What you have done in this post is what I do for travel packing, except my black is brown. I use two accent colors and accompanying accents, and sometimes throw in a third accent color cluster, depending upon the length of the trip. However, I don't have anything tweed, about which I am lamenting ! In lieu of the tweed I use khaki, but I would love some subtle pattern on a bottom piece to create some more variety in outfit options !
I'm working on a whole post centered around this book, which, I find, is available in English, at a fraction of the price that I paid for it in Paris.
But I didn't see it here, and I saw it there… sigh…
hugs,
Janice
Shrebee, I find that a subtle glen plaid can provide that texture element, and mixes well with accent colors or even other patterns. – nancyo
I'm glad someone else is curious about this. I too am wondering about the "color analysis book" and what tempted you to purchase it. 🙂
Nancy/n.o.e,
Thank you, I'll be sure to watch for it !
I checked the comments to see if you mentioned the name of the book too, as it immediately piqued my interest! I'm glad to see you'll talk about it. 🙂
That peachy, pinky blush color is all but my signature color. Like others, I also adore a lot of others, but I reach for the peachy, pinky blush most often.
So pretty. I love the pearls.
That first combination is so sophisticated and the right pink works on everyone.
Deb from Vancouver
I would be interested in a post on this concept that "the right pink works on everyone" and perhpas some other colours also which explores the impact of tone and hue etc.
Yes, adding different accent colors to the beautiful basic pieces is magical! I especially am drawn to the turquoise option. Thanks for these different viewpoints.
Hooray for neutral basics! Today's principle applies across all the planning ideas – the core of four, the common wardrobe, travel capsules … Another excellent strategy for our wardrobe planning and organising. Thank you Janice and your inspiring mother!
Robyn in Tasmania