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Capsule wardrobes inspired by art and nature

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3-Dress Packing for a Business Trip

You asked, you get!

Packing a business travel wardrobe with 3 dresses

Pants – J. Crew; blouse – Carven; earrings – Ippolita; 
briefcase – Lodis; shoes – Patricia Green; cardigan – L.L.Bean; 
scarf – Nordstrom; watch – Movado; carry-on garment bag – Travelpro


I Felt Like the Secret Weapon…

Packing a business travel wardrobe with 3 dresses

Blue print dress – Austin Reed; pumps – Calvin Klein; necklace – Majorica; 
earrings – Jude Frances; black dress – Lands’ End; black print dress – Austin Reed;
star earrings – Salvador Jouhayerk; clutch bag – Whiting and Davis;  
strap pumps – Trotters; cardigan – Lands’ End; tee shirt – Uniqlo



Everybody else traveling for the presentation was male. Wearing a suit, white shirt, and a tie… I felt a little bit conspicuous, but since I knew that I was key to the success of the enterprise, I didn’t really mind! (let’s not even mention that I was carrying exactly the same amount of luggage as everyone else in the group, despite what they expected…)

 

Packing a business travel wardrobe with 3 dresses

The first part of every presentation to potential clients is always the same story – the whole “background, boiler-plate” part of our presentation, which couldn’t really be left out, but was certain NOT interesting. Nor was it convincing…

2 outfits in a travel wardrobe for business with dresses

During this first part of things, nobody in the room seemed to even notice me…

2 outfits in a travel wardrobe for business with dresses

Then I presented the consumer research. What the customers loved, what they wanted more of, what they thought was absolutely WONDERFUL about the potential client.

2 outfits in a travel wardrobe for business with dresses

And it never failed…

So yes, I wore a tee shirt covered with stars for the trip home – who was going to criticize?

love,
Janice

A travel wardrobe including 3 dresses for business travel
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Comments

  1. Your stories are always so entertaining. I wish I could have done this for my trip to Dubai in March, but my wardrobe tends to look like the dresses shown, and I needed dresses that went below the knee and covered my arms, but that weren't winter sweaters. Plus, on a stage, I felt safer with pants (and it was a good thing, because the panel of speakers sat, rather than stood). But not all business trips pose that extra layer of complication.

    Reply

  2. So black and white are the neutrals with red and blue as the accents. Hmmmm- each of the prints create quite a different look- very versatile, very chic

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  3. Hi Janice. I am relatively new to the Vivienne Files and I decided it would be good to read your posts starting from the beginning. I read through all the 2011 posts this past weekend and thoroughly enjoyed them. As always I learn so much. I plan on starting the 2012 posts next weekend.

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  4. Janice,
    I am appreciating your play with color here. The three dresses are like cable cars linked progressively by color — first solid black, then black and white, followed by blue, black and white. The red scarf changes up the looks, as does both a dark and a light cardigan, but what I really noted was how the black clutch varied with the red briefcase makes a ton of difference in the outfits !, Well done, as always !

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    • Thank you, Shrebee for opening my eyes (and brain) to going beyond the co-ordination of just what I see. The red scarf has a purpose with the briefcase. I like to travel with dresses and today, I learned another tip regarding choice of accessories.
      It's wonderful learning, sharing, with this great group of women supporting women.
      Pat

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    • Pat,
      I am so glad that something that I said might be helpful ! I, too, have learned so much from Janice's other readers, as well as from Janice ! When selecting multiple coordinating outfits, I tend to be very analytical as to what makes it all work together. The multiplicity of outfits that are possible with a few well thought out pieces and varied accessories sometimes boggles my mind ! I like the approach that Janice often uses of four ways to use a given item, even though more may be possible. Otherwise, it can get overwhelming !

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    • Shrebee – Your comment shed light where I needed it! Such a simple explanation to define what now seems incredibly obvious – but wasn't! until you posted. I wish I had a reason to pack a suitcase, I'm pretty sure I'd get it right this time. Thank you for sharing.

      Reply

  6. I love dresses and love this post. The colors and styles a very beautiful and feminine while still strong and confident enough for business.

    If you are still doing start with art I'd love to see something based on Van Gogh's Noon rest from work. I love the golden browns and the subtle shifting blues and green. Perhaps something casual for us artistic work at home types.

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    • It's on the list! Remember, if I'm going to get my book written, I'm going to need 50 (!!!) works of arts to use, as well as all of the pieces that I use on The Vivienne Files. So suggestions are always welcome!
      happy Monday hugs,
      Janice

      Reply

    • Hi Janice
      First of all: THANK YOU SO MUCH for your work!!!!
      I follow your blog since a couple of months. And I have to admit that I am kind of addicted to it. I often ask myself why this is so…
      In your interview you said your work has the purpose to get women more time for the essential things i life…
      For me your blog is kind of distraction but also like looking picturebooks what I liked to do very much when my children were in that age. With your stories this comes even closer to this idea… also I like the idea of getting something you desire (but can't have) by choosing its colours and wearing them so like this have a substitute for it and get its vibrations…
      So thank you once again and hugs for you and your great followers.
      Cordula (from Switzerland, swiss german speaking, sorry for the mistakes)
      So actually I don't save time for better things but have a high quality of free time ( wich maybe gives a better quality of workingtime

      Reply

  7. We really want your book to be completed and published, so we can promote it for you. And meet you when you do your book promotion tour!!! Please take a look at Emily Carr's Forest or any of her other work. Another great Canadian painter is Ed Hughes. and of course Bill Reid and Robert Morrison and Unity Bainbridge.

    Deb from Vancouver

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  8. I love the concept of three dresses. I just don't think it would work for me personally. I could apply the theory to blouses I guess. : ) That red briefcase is fabulous!!

    I really like the story line! As usual!!

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  9. Thank you, Thank You, Thank YOU! This is exactly what I have been looking for. I often travel for work (in a male-dominated profession) and love wearing dresses. Mine are not quite so bold -I'm a neutrals kind of woman for now but this is a great inspiration. The accessories add significant versatility.

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  10. The 3 dresses posts have been a revelation for me, esp that beach one! I am currently packing for 10 days in Amalfi this summer. My summer clothes are so old, and I only own one pair of shorts which I wear to the beach over my bathing suit. I live in Scotland so I don't get the opportunity to buy or wear many summer/warm weather clothes, and I really didn't fancy buying a whole new wardrobe either. But I can bring dresses, which I have quite a few!! How many do you think would cover 10 days, about 4-5? We are only going to be sight seeing, going to beach, lying on beach/or by pool, eating and drinking. Nothing very active or dressy planned. I don't know why I never thought of it, but I'm so glad I found this post!! Thank you Janice.

    Reply

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