This painting just makes me sigh…
This color scheme has so many possibilities:
More and more I find that brown leather is a great way to incorporate brown into almost any outfit!
cardigan – L.L.Bean; scarf – Faliero Sarti; earrings – Kate Spade; tee – Lands’ End; watch – Larsson & Jennings; suitcase – Longchamp; pants – L.L.Bean; loafers – Trotters; backpack – Longchamp
I know that it’s possible to just go to Paris for a long weekend (I’ve done it – it was insane…) if you live much closer than those of us in North America. Imagine that our heroine is going there, to spend some time outdoors – maybe photographing sculptures in the many parks?
printed scarf – Faliero Sarti; kite earrings – Alexis Bittar; navy scarf – Hinge; tanks – L.L.Bean; beige cardigan – L.L.Bean; bracelet – Serafina; bag – Brahmin; navy skirt – L.L.Bean; tee shirt – Uniqlo; beige cropped pants – L.L.Bean; ballet flats – Naturalizer; sandals – OluKai
I’m assuming that for this trip, she’s going to neither climb nor crawl, so she doesn’t have to wear absolutely hard-core work clothes. Just a handful (+1) of nice things that will look attractive during the day and not leave her unprepared for a good bistro dinner or two:
If she wants to dine someplace “nice-ish,” she has skirts that will elevate the level of formality just by virtue of being a skirt!
On any day that’s cool-ish, or if she just doesn’t want to expose her legs, her travel pants give her options:
And if she’s feeling more relaxed, her linen cropped pants are perfect:
Should I expand this wardrobe? I suspect our heroine didn’t get everything done that she wanted to in Paris, and may have to return for a longer visit…
love,
Janice
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Taste of France says
April 28, 2017 at 9:01 amIn my single days, I used to go to Paris a couple of weekends a month (I lived in Brussels), and this is indeed how I packed. When in doubt, in Paris, opt for dressy over casual. The risk of doing anything sporty/dirty/athletic are pretty low. While plenty of people dress casually in shops, museums or restaurants, many others are dressed to the nines, and you'll always fit in if you are a little formal. Brussels was the same. By contrast, the smaller towns in both Belgium and France are much more relaxed, and there's also a bigger chance that you'll go for a walk in the countryside or something.
April D. says
April 28, 2017 at 9:54 amThank you for these insights. I have just six nights in Europe next month and I decided that Ghent looked like an interesting place to stay for two of them. I have a very dressed up style by American standards, but will be using such as small carry on that I was worried about being a bit underdressed. I'm flying with wow air and I'm determined not to pay to check a bag, so I basically will be doing a week in a small overnight bag.
Julia says
April 28, 2017 at 6:45 pmGhent is a very under-rated place, sure you will love it. Happy memories of the most delicious hot chocolate!
I was notorious for over packing but I spent a week in Venice with a small carry on bag and that taught me that it really is the best way to go. It sounds boring, but I took nearly everything in navy and spiced things up with scarves and jewellery. After all you aren't seeing the same people everyday, and a big plus for me no lost baggage. And yes, a little formal is so much better than some of the dreadful outfits tourists wear in cities!
Jazz says
April 28, 2017 at 9:48 amThis capsule really appeals. I think the combination of the navy cardigan, sleeveless top, skirt and pants is one that would work well for me, the teal top and brown accessories…. definitely options for me to seriously consider.
What does the object behind the Eiffel Tower in the painting represent? I really must visit Paris and see for myself.
Janice Riggs says
April 28, 2017 at 11:50 amThat's the old Trocadero Palace. (there's a newer building there now) Yes, you really need to go there; start planning!
http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/the-old-palais-du-trocadero-photography-from-the-base-of-news-photo/107708098#the-old-palais-du-trocadero-photography-from-the-base-of-the-eiffel-picture-id107708098
hugs,
Janice
SewingLibrarian says
April 28, 2017 at 12:48 pmIt appears the Eiffel Tower was something of an obsession with Robert Delaunay. He painted it many times, in various styles of painting.
Janice Riggs says
April 28, 2017 at 12:58 pmOh yes! I'm very tempted by at least a couple of his other version; his eye for color was exceptional!
hugs,
Janice
Madame Là-bas says
April 28, 2017 at 10:49 amI love these combinations because I can find all of the pieces within my current wardrobe. I still have good brown shoes and purses and I am always looking for ways to wear them with navy and turquoise. I'm planning time in NYC in September and this wardrobe might do it. Merci.
Tricia says
April 28, 2017 at 11:48 amYes! Please expand this wardrobe! These are my colors — navy and brown are my neutrals for cooler weather. It's hard to find brown for warm weather. I have an ancient brown linen jacket I've worn to death! Turquoise and teal work so well with both those neutrals.
Janice says
April 28, 2017 at 12:04 pmThank you for this. These are my colors for summer. I'm considering that Llbean beige cardigan for another trip to Florida in August when the temps will be almost unbeatable but all restaurants will be freezing. That cardi is made like a little jacket and probably warmer than the usual cotton print cardi. I'm interested Inyoyr use of a back pack. Do you use it for touring around and sightseeing? I've never had one. How do they compare with a cross body?
Janice Riggs says
April 28, 2017 at 12:57 pmI carry a backpack a lot when I'm hiking around Chicago – as much to put some additional weight on my workout as for carrying things! But I was thinking of the backpack for our heroine to carry an extra lens or two, a cloth to wipe off dust from her camera etc. Plus it keeps her hands free when she's photographing!
hugs,
Janice
Virginia says
April 28, 2017 at 1:17 pmThank you for pairing brown shoes with navy. Navy is now my core neutral, but I have some brown shoes lingering in my closet. Currently I'm experiencing some foot/shoe issues and I can't find the right pair of navy shoes. So, thank you. Now I can wear my brown shoes with my navy skirts and pants with confidence.
And completely, totally unrelated, in January my niece got engaged at the top of the Eiffel Tower. Has nothing to do with fashion or packing, but I thought it was THE most romantic thing. 🙂
Rebecca says
April 28, 2017 at 4:42 pmNavy and brown have been a classic pairing for men for what feels like years (the salesman where we got my husband's suit for our wedding tried to hard to convince him of the wisdom of brown vs. black shoes with his navy suit!), so yes! Wear them together with pride!! Hope you're able to find countless amazing shoes, and that any resolvable food/shoe issues get easier as time goes by 🙂
And congratulations to you and your niece!
Shrebee says
April 28, 2017 at 1:22 pmJanice,
What is the current feeling about wearing nylon stockings with a skirt ? It's been so long since I've worn a skirt in warm weather. In the Winter, if I wear one at all, which is quite seldom, I wear a skirt with knee high boots.
LadyGreyFox says
April 28, 2017 at 8:13 pmShrebee, I think it comes down to your age group and weather, and more importantly, where you work and live, (regional cultural differences). Millennials wear tights in the cooler months and bare leg it in the warmer ones. As one who falls in the 50 plus set (in Los Angeles), I wear tights or nylons during the cooler months and nylons during the warmer months. Though I wouldn't wear nylons with the sandals pictured above.
Lena says
May 1, 2017 at 12:50 pmHere in central New York women of all ages wear tights or leggings in cooler months and bare legs in warmer months. I'm also in the 50 plus set and wear a lot of skirts and dresses in the summer. It took awhile to get used to going with bare legs but after discovering Jergens Natural Glow 3 Days to Glow Moisturizer I feel confident and my legs don't look ghastly white. At first I use it every day until the color is built up, then every second or third day to keep the color consistent. The only trick – be careful around knees, ankles and elbows – the color builds up much faster in those areas.
Murphy says
April 28, 2017 at 1:27 pmI love brown and navy together, and especially love my brown and brown-trimmed Longchamp bags, so thank you for this! I love beige/tan pants, but look sickly if I wear beige near my face. So would you substitute more white/off white or is there a better solution ?
Nancy/n.o.e says
April 28, 2017 at 2:07 pmI am the same way – in this wardrobe I would substitute white for the tank and the T shirt, and probably a teal cardigan for the beige one. – nancyo
Murphy says
April 28, 2017 at 4:35 pmOoh, I like that idea!
Doré Way says
April 28, 2017 at 1:32 pmExpand, please! Thank you!
Pam @ over50feeling40 says
April 28, 2017 at 1:35 pmI have never seen this painting before and I want it! The colors are perfect for my home! I think this is the first time I have been most excited about the artwork you highlighted…awesome, Janice!
Nancy/n.o.e says
April 28, 2017 at 1:57 pmI love the tight perfection of this travel wardrobe. The Faliero Sarti scarf goes with everything and the Kate Spade earrings really mirror the artwork. I cannot wear all of the creams and beiges, but would happily welcome an expanded version. – nancyo
Nancy/n.o.e says
April 28, 2017 at 2:03 pmAlso, we have done a long weekend in London/Oxfordshire and it was so much fun. – nancyo
Rebecca says
April 28, 2017 at 2:25 pmMy husband and I are going off to Paris for 10 days in July— this was a perfect thing to see today! I'm already thinking about what I'll bring, so this gives me loads of ideas. I'd love to see an expansion of this!
Dawn says
April 28, 2017 at 2:37 pmI really like this wardrobe. I like that as small as it is it provides inner and outer columns in both neutrals. I like to wear navy, but need warming influences. The brown and teal do that nicely. I just love the travel scarf.
Kelly says
April 28, 2017 at 3:45 pmOh, yes, do expand! I wear lots of navy and denim, plus a range of browns from beige and linen to chocolate, nearly all my leather goods are brown, and teal is my favorite color. The only difference is I prefer silver to gold, though I like mixing them.
Sue Walker says
April 29, 2017 at 11:37 amAnother vote for expanding this wardrobe! I'm going to London, Paris, Milan and Venice at the beginning of September as part of my 70th birthday celebrations. I plan to have a case in the hold, however don't want to take too many clothes as I may have a birthday present or two to bring back with me!
Anonymous says
April 30, 2017 at 2:43 pmI love your packing combinations even when I am not planning on travel. Because I like to keep my closet simple a spare "suitcase" approach works for me. I also figure that if these ideas are suitable for Paris, they are suitable for whatever local outings my days bring.