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Home » Build a Capsule Wardrobe in 12 Months, 12 Outfits – December 2017

Build a Capsule Wardrobe in 12 Months, 12 Outfits – December 2017

December 1, 2017

The last month of these wardrobes! Although these outfits might not be exactly what our assorted heroines most need, we’re going dressy – just because we can…

a bronze metallic sweater with a black pleated skirt

Scarf – Hèrmes Carré en Boucles; sweater – Eileen Fisher; necklace – Virgins Saints & Angels; skirt – Eileen Fisher; bag – Nathalie Trad; ballet flats – Kate Spade

There’s a world of lovely velvet around this year – take advantage of this chance to stock up! I’m particularly taken with the idea of a black velvet skirt – Lands’ End has one that’s lovely…

This wardrobe has a unique character – just those few pieces of that rusty color make so much difference!

a 12-outfit wardrobe in black, grey, white and rust

As always, the new pieces we’ve added work well with what was already in the closet:

3 ways to wear a metallic bronze sweater

3 ways to wear a black pleated skirt

Oh, these pants are SO lovely…. sigh….

a cream sweater with gold brocade trousers

Scarf– Hermes Flanerie a Versailles; earrings – Chan Luu; sweater – J.Crew; bag – Loeffler Randall; shoes – Botkier; pants – Sania Studio

This woman has such a distinctive style; is she blonde, you imagine?

a 12-outfit wardrobe in beige, grey, and pink with cream

The sleeves on this sweater make so much difference…

3 ways to wear a cream sweater

How much fun would it be to sneak in brocade pants with winter boots and a down vest? Why not?

3 ways to wear gold brocade trousers

Yes, you’ve seen these velvet pants before, but TRUST ME, they’re really lovely. They are both comfortable and swishy/soft/elegant. I love a good swish!

a navy sparkly sweater with navy velvet pants

Scarf– Hèrmes Au Bout du Monde; earrings – Alexis Bittar; sweater – Dorothy Perkins; velvet pants – Uniqlo; bag – La Regale; flats – Badgley Mischka

I could live in this with no problems, and I’m generally not smitten with navy for myself…

a 12-outfit wardrobe in navy and grey with shades of red

These pants… trust me…

3 ways to wear navy velvet pants

And the touch of sparkle in the sweater would be such a fun touch when worn with more casual pieces – I like the mix of moods, especially this time of year.

3 ways to wear a navy sparkly sweater

I might have put myself in a pickle here – this is a slightly cooler green than we’ve had in this wardrobe so far… Some women would comfortably mix the various shades of green, but others might find it troubling. Frankly, I just couldn’t resist this silk tunic; the comfort of silk and the ease of a tunic… what’s not to love?

a green silk tunic with green velvet pants

Scarf – Hèrmes Collections Impériales; necklace – Ashley Pittman; silk tunic – Eileen Fisher; velvet pants – LULU the label; bag – Gianni Bini; bronze flats – TJMaxx

This wardrobe really shows a unique personal style, to my eyes. I can almost picture this woman…

a 12-outfit wardrobe in green, with accents of orange, blue and cream

The tunic makes everything dressier, and I’m not really uncomfortable with the mixed shades of green. Your mileage may vary, but mixed shades of the same color can look great, if you are happy with what you’re wearing.

three ways to wear a green silk tunic

3 ways to wear green velvet pants

I searched and SEARCHED for these shoes… Sometimes, you compromise a little bit on quality to get exactly what you have in mind!

a blue sweater with silver satin pants

Scarf – Hèrmes Etude pour un Iris Arc-en-ciel; earrings – Banana Republic; sweater – Uniqlo; satin pants – St. John Collection; bag – Nina; flats – Gap

This wardrobe is so pretty – I would buy this entire thing for my mother if it made any sense at all for her life!

a 12-outfit wardrobe in grey with shades of blue, orchid and white

This sweater is the prettiest shade of blue – it doesn’t need a lot with it.

3 ways to wear a blue sweater

3 ways to wear silver satin pants

An “over the top” ensemble here! But I wanted you to see this blouse – it’s really extraordinary. If you ever choose to splurge on something like this, enjoy it as often as possible.

a beige blouse and beige velvet pants

Scarf – Hèrmes Chemins de Corail; earrings – Heidi Daus; blouse – Marni; velvet pants – Banana Republic; bag – Fendi; flats – Ferragamo

I like both the warmth of the colors here and the variety of red and orange accents. This wardrobe could take you anywhere…

a 12-outfit wardrobe in shades of beige and brown with orange and red accents

It might feel odd to wear a blouse like this with casual pants, but something this special needs to be worn often and in a variety of ways. Even jeans would look completely different when worn with this!

3 ways to wear a beige blouse

3 ways to wear velvet pants

I’m already scouting out next year’s scarves – can I assume that I should engage in this exercise again?

And I will, in the next few days, analyze each of these wardrobes to see how successful they are, according to a variety of arbitrary standards. The only true measure of a good wardrobe is the happiness and confidence of the heroine wearing the clothes, of course!

love,
Janice

For more in the 2017 “Build a Capsule Wardrobe – 12 months, 12 outfits” series, check out the following articles:

  • January
  • February
  • March
  • April
  • May
  • June
  • July
  • August
  • September
  • October
  • November
  • December
  • Evaluating our 2017 wardrobes…

Looking for more ideas? Follow along as we build a new capsule wardrobe in 2018.

Build a Capsule Wardrobe in 12 Months, 12 Outfits - December 2017

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12.01.17 28 Comments

Tags: 12 Months - 12 Outfits, accessories, capsule wardrobe, Dream wardrobes, evening wear, Hermes scarf
<<December’s Birthstone is either Turquoise or Tanzanite – They Go with EVERYTHING…Do Accessories Really Make a Difference?>>

Comments

  1. Cheryl K says

    December 1, 2017 at 12:53 pm

    Yes! I vote to do this every year!

    Reply
  2. Gail says

    December 1, 2017 at 1:13 pm

    I love all your gala December choices–and, yes, by all means, new scarves for the new year!

    Reply
  3. Shrebee says

    December 1, 2017 at 1:52 pm

    Janice,
    Oh that Marni blouse ! Now maybe I can find something similar in a thrift shop ! Yes, miracles can happen ! Your December choices are both festive and lush — I’m in the mood for a velvet long skirt or trouser — in brown — wish me success ! Or a velvet jacket — might be easier to find .

    Reply
  4. Margie says

    December 1, 2017 at 2:42 pm

    Are you taking votes for next year? Favorite series on your blog, so I hope it continues.

    https://www.hermes.com/us/en/product/les-tresors-d-un-artiste-scarf-90-H003119Sv05/
    https://www.hermes.com/us/en/product/appaloosa-des-steppes-pocket-square-45-H893067Sv03/
    https://www.hermes.com/us/en/product/suite-et-poursuite-scarf-140-H672892Sv08/

    Reply
    • Nancy/n.o.e says

      December 1, 2017 at 2:55 pm

      oooh, that Appaloosa de steppes scarf in the dark red, black, and white (with a touch of gray)! Yes please! – nancyo

      Reply
    • Janice Riggs says

      December 1, 2017 at 3:22 pm

      It's only a pocket square – not that there's anything inherently wrong with a pocket square, but I've always used to 90cm squares. I could just do a separate post with that scarf, though…
      hugs (Margie & Nancy!),
      Janice

      Reply
    • Nancy/n.o.e says

      December 2, 2017 at 12:38 am

      I would love to see it as the basis of a wardrobe!! And will be eager to see if the scarf for next year's black-based wardrobe will have that great garnet/bordeaux color. Or the gray wardrobe, for that matter (love that dark red as an accent!) Thanks for all you do, nancyo

      Reply
    • Margie says

      December 2, 2017 at 8:22 pm

      I noticed it was small, but loved it. You pick whatever you want, as you are the one who has to look at it all year. We just get to enjoy the results.

      Reply
  5. Lena says

    December 1, 2017 at 3:33 pm

    Yes, please keep this an annual exercise!

    Do you think KathKath or ImageDiary would be interested in creating a scarf specifically for this series? Women supporting women in business is big on my radar.

    Examples from these small women-owned businesses:
    http://kathkath.com/product/vintage-rose-luxury-square-scarf/
    https://imagediary.com/shop/46i2guvdi395h0m00w9573gau8xm8e

    Reply
    • Janice Riggs says

      December 1, 2017 at 3:38 pm

      I'm afraid that it's too late for either of them to get a scarf into the series next year, but I will definitely ask both of them. (Image Diary is a friend of mine…)

      What a great idea – maybe for 2019 we could find six scarves from women-owned companies?

      hugs,
      Janice

      Reply
    • Scottie says

      December 1, 2017 at 6:01 pm

      I love being a friend of yours AND an avid follower of this fabulous blog.

      Reply
  6. Rainbowsandglories says

    December 1, 2017 at 6:23 pm

    Love the idea of 6 scarves produced by woman owned businesses!
    I purchased the KathKath vintage rose scarf when I first saw it here. I then stole your wardrobe building technique & applied it quite successfully. I have a curated weekday wardrobe that pleases me every time I enter my closet.
    I am in the process of paring down my play clothes using the "joy" pallette.
    Thank you for sharing all you do so generously.

    Reply
  7. Laura says

    December 1, 2017 at 6:27 pm

    Yes definitely do again. This series has been great fun!

    Reply
  8. Susanne Chandler says

    December 1, 2017 at 1:04 pm

    Love this series! Please repeat next year! Have a lovely weekend.

    Reply
  9. Anonymous says

    December 1, 2017 at 8:32 pm

    I'll add my voice to the "Yes please!" call. This is such a fun way to watch and learn about the wardrobe-building process. I have imagined the pink and beige wardrobe as belonging to a youthful white- or grey-haired lady. Wishful thinking, perhaps.
    Robyn in Tasmania

    Reply
  10. Laura says

    December 1, 2017 at 2:36 pm

    Different pieces catch my eye every time you post one of these. Please continue!

    Reply
  11. Anonymous says

    December 2, 2017 at 12:08 am

    I, too, am voting for you continuing this series. Love to see what you pick each month. I could live in the beige, orange and red wardrobe and be one happy woman!!!!

    Reply
  12. lrlincks says

    December 2, 2017 at 4:23 am

    I vote yes please! Love this series! Supporting women owned companies is a great idea for the future too!

    Reply
  13. Kay dancingbrushpainting.blogspot.com says

    December 2, 2017 at 4:35 am

    Yes, please! next year for sure. I've loved these posts.

    Love from the warm tones-greens-browns-and golds wearer.

    Reply
  14. Caz says

    December 2, 2017 at 9:12 pm

    I think the second one is my favourite for me, it is how my summer wardrobe colours are shaping up now I have some plan for what I am doing thanks to you.

    I look forward to the scarf based wardrobes every month so yes please for more again next year.

    Reply
  15. missmayflower says

    December 4, 2017 at 3:43 am

    What a delightful project! I've totally enjoyed following it. I sure got a shock, though, when I followed a link to those satin pants and found they were $937 CAD! We can dream.

    Reply
  16. Beri says

    December 4, 2017 at 11:29 am

    I really love this series and hope you'll do it again next year. It shows a simple way to build a cohesive wardrobe that doesn't take loads of planning.

    Reply
  17. SewingLibrarian says

    December 4, 2017 at 1:15 pm

    I add my voice to those who would like this series to continue next year, and as a lover of Hermes scarves, I'd like to see you use them again in the coming year. As for this year, my heart was with number three all the way through.

    Reply
  18. cheryl :) says

    December 4, 2017 at 4:02 pm

    Keep it coming! I love it!

    Reply
  19. Rebecca says

    December 4, 2017 at 9:00 pm

    I love the Hermes scarves you choose, but I wondered if you have ever considered starting a wardrobe with a Karen Mabon scarf? I find her scarves so whimsical and fun. I've never bought anything from her, but I'm always tempted to do so.

    Reply
  20. io games says

    December 5, 2017 at 10:18 am

    How long does it take to complete this article? I have read through other blogs, but they are cumbersome and confusing. I hope you continue to have such quality articles to share with everyone! I believe a lot of people will be surprised to read this article!
    happy wheels

    Reply
  21. Brita Graham says

    December 22, 2017 at 6:28 am

    Ditto! I’ve really enjoyed these. ???

    Reply
  22. Anonymous says

    December 23, 2017 at 10:55 am

    Dear Janice, this is true tesaurus of ideas! I will be returning to these many times, I can already see that. More I look an individual wadrobe, the more and more I discover how valuable it is. Thank you for including the links at the bottom of each article. I must admit that it would be more convenient if you could make the whole wadrobe on one page, I find it impossible to navigate between 12 pages to find the specific part of each page so I took print screens of pictures into a power point presentations to be able to study (and replicate) the whole wadrobe, but I lost descriptions in the process. Please could you copy each wadrobe into its separate article?
    Sania from Zagreb

    Reply

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The Vivienne Files is a unique personal style blog with carefully-selected capsule wardrobes based on color palettes drawn from works of art, nature, and more. It helps women buy less clothing, and to love what they buy. Read more...
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