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Home » How Can I Accessorize a Column of Black? Chic Sightings to the Rescue!

How Can I Accessorize a Column of Black? Chic Sightings to the Rescue!

February 9, 2017

In the last few days, I noticed a number of women wearing simple black “columns,” – a sweater and pants, or a tee shirt with pants, and at least in one instance, I think she was wearing a black dress with black tights.

But what caught my eye was the way that each woman had put her own very personal spin on the basic black core of their outfit. My eye was caught immediately when I saw this great floral tote:

black outfit with grey and lavender accents

Tee– L.L.Bean; pants – L.L.Bean; coat – Uniqlo; Scarf – Nordstrom; loafers – Adrianna Papell; tote – Ted Baker London

 

This is really clever – the grey and white in the cardigan keep the outfit from looking anything at all like Halloween.

black outfit with orange and silver accents

Tee– L.L.Bean; pants – L.L.Bean; cardigan– Marks & Spencer; scarf – Echo; loafers – Aerosoles; bag – Mulberry

 

And I spotted this tote WAY across the room – I’ve always kind of wanted one of these… and I could love this cardigan to pieces…

black outfit with black and silver accents

Tee– L.L.Bean; pants – L.L.Bean; earrings – Alexander Wang; jacket– Andrew Gn; tote – Bao Bao Issey Miyake; flats – Marc Jacobs

 

Even when you’re doing a lot of waiting someplace not terribly fun, you might get lucky and see some interesting or thought-provoking things. It’s worth keeping your eyes open, certainly!

love,
Janice

How to Accessorize Basic Black in a Capsule Wardrobe

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02.09.17 13 Comments

Tags: accessories, black, cardigans, Chic sighting, grey, lavender, orange, outerwear
<<Chic Sighting!How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe with a Backbone by Starting with Art: Head by Pablo Picasso>>

Comments

  1. Anonymous says

    February 9, 2017 at 9:42 am

    I've been looking out for a floral bag since reading one of your earlier posts, where you build a wardrobe around a navy and red bag. I spotted this one yesterday, I love it but had to dismiss it because those aren't my colours. There are a couple of different bags in the same series, both lovely! I'm glad to have caught up to date, and the clothes you are showing are still available, but miss being able to read several instalments in one go! Linda M

    Reply
  2. Taste of France says

    February 9, 2017 at 10:08 am

    Wonderful examples. I love them all.
    I am leaning toward the idea of just giving up and wearing black (everything goes together! almost everything is available in black!) and having a rainbow of accessories to change things up.

    Reply
    • Anonymous says

      February 9, 2017 at 12:46 pm

      Yes I'm considering the same as I have struggled to find a core of four in navy and as you say, black is easy to match and easy to find. Sharon, U.K.

      Reply
    • Janice Riggs says

      February 9, 2017 at 3:13 pm

      That's pretty much what I'm doing, and I find it very simple, but still interesting and fun. After I look at clothes all day, I don't want to struggle to get dressed!
      hugs,
      Janice

      Reply
  3. Virginia says

    February 9, 2017 at 2:13 pm

    Maybe I'm getting too philosophical here, but what strikes me in the these chic sightings is these women have taken control of a potentially stressful situation. These sightings were at a hospital, correct? By definition, being at a hospital means something stressful (or at least out of routine) has happened. But instead of caving into stress and throwing on whatever is at hand, these women have said: I will dress easily and simply (black column). I will be comfortable (flat shoes and cardigan/jacket). I will be prepared (tote). Is it going too far to say that they have donned their "armor" to meet the challenges of the day?

    Reply
    • Janice Riggs says

      February 9, 2017 at 3:16 pm

      I don't think it's too philosophical at all. And I can add on by sharing that I'm pretty certain that these women worked at the hospital, which is a job where control is almost impossible. And because I was visiting someone in the hospital, and thus lacking any control over things, that might be why these caught my eye!

      Clothing serves all sorts of purposes, not the least of which is to help us prepare for the day ahead.

      hugs,
      Janice

      Reply
  4. Ann Holstrom says

    February 9, 2017 at 2:38 pm

    Since I basically live in black and grey this post definitely speaks to me. I was head over heals in love with the tweed jacket by Andrew Gn until I saw the price tag. No way I'm sneaking that one past the husband. Lol Keep up the great work. I love your blog even when the color schemes are not my cup of tea.

    Reply
    • Janice Riggs says

      February 9, 2017 at 3:17 pm

      OH, I debated with myself about showing that cardigan, but it was the closest thing that I could find to the one that the woman in the hospital was wearing. And it's so beautiful; sometimes, we just need to set our sights high so that when we DO purchase something, we have a really exacting standard in our minds.

      hugs,
      Janice

      Reply
  5. Leah says

    February 9, 2017 at 3:33 pm

    Janice – slightly off topic, but do you plan on doing a write up of your trip to Dublin? We are headed to Ireland at the end of the month, including a few days in Dublin, and I admit I've been very lazy about researching things to do in Dublin (other than having a beer with a local through City of a Thousand Welcomes and then visiting the Little Museum, which sponsors that program) because I've been hoping you might share your favorites! No pressure, just wondering whether I should, you know, start doing the work MYSELF. Ha. :)
    PS love the Adrianna Papell loafers and the Bao Bao tote! Thanks for sharing real life sightings.

    Reply
  6. hostess of the humble bungalow says

    February 9, 2017 at 4:43 pm

    I could use a textured cardigan or a Chanel style inspired jacket…not a need but it would be fun to add some more interest to my black and grey basic wardrobe.

    Reply
  7. Anonymous says

    February 9, 2017 at 8:51 pm

    These do look classy and comfortable – the best kind of chic because appropriate to circumstances. And what lovely bags . . . My own favourite hospital sighting last year came after two days of marvelling at the huge range of comfortable shoes/sneakers/trainers worn by staff. Then, I saw at the nurses station, only from the back, a young doctor in a fitted 3/4 sleeve black dress, pen in her jaunty high ponytail, dark tights, and black patent-leather high heels. Her brisk walk down the corridor relieved any anxiety about her ability to walk in them. Oh, the young!
    Robyn in Tasmania

    Reply
  8. Cornelia Estey says

    February 9, 2017 at 4:47 pm

    I was classified as an autumn with winter influence back in the day, but never wore much black until my hair started to turn gray. It is so easy to warm up black with gold and scarves, and as mentioned upthread, it does not get much easier when travelling. Oh, and that cardigan….

    Reply
  9. Nancy/n.o.e says

    February 10, 2017 at 4:26 am

    I am taking inspiration from how several of these women matched/coordinated their scarf with their bag. So much food for thought here. – nancyo

    Reply

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