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Home » Build a Weekend Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: Blue by Kinuko Imai Hoffman

Build a Weekend Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: Blue by Kinuko Imai Hoffman

January 2, 2018
 

The first of the “12 Art Works of Christmas!” wardrobes – not the only time I’m going to look at this painting, though. I think I’ll revisit this one every 3 months or so to expand the wardrobe to all seasons…Frankly, any paintings by this artist would be amazing sources of inspiration for a wardrobe – if you see anything that strikes your fancy, let me know!

Creative Austerity

She’s always believed that the truly creative people were the ones who could do something original within strict guidelines…

This inspires her:

Blue by Kinuko Imai Hoffman

Blue by Kinuko Imai Hoffman

The possibilities are vast, just with these 2 shades, and a bit of texture… Maybe the occasional pattern… Anybody can wear orange tights, a green skirt and a purple sweater and stand on the street corner and shout about how “creative” they are; she’s not that type…Blue by Kinuko Imai Hoffman with style guidelines

They often send her into classrooms that are struggling – disruptive, under-performing, or churning through instructors… She does nothing but sit. Watch. Listen. Sense…

She only stays a day or 2, and she tries to be as unobtrusive as possible. Not invisible, but not attracting any more attention than is normal for a classroom visitor.

cold weather travel outfit in navy

earrings – Jantana; scarf – Closed; tee – Eileen Fisher; jacket – Bernardo; watch – Gomesky; weekender bag – Deux Lux; pants – Eileen Fisher; crossbody bag – MYS Collection; boots – Italeau

She doesn’t get to stay in the poshest of places – some of the towns that she visits don’t have posh! And that wouldn’t be respectful of school budgets, either. So she keeps things simple in every way she can, just to remind herself of why she’s there, and what’s really important:

Tote Bag Travel for cool weather in navy and white

earrings – Shinola; bracelet – Rebecca Minkoff; scarf – Kate Spade New York; white crewneck sweater – L.L.Bean; tassel necklace – Lucky Brand; turtleneck tunic – Eileen Fisher; tweed skirt – Boden; bag – Kara; dotted shirt – Lands’ End; boots – Nine West

After trying to see everything possible during the school day, she’s delighted to get back to her room and find tranquility and order…tote bag travel wardrobe in navy and white, for cool weather

Although she doesn’t have a lot of clothing with her, she’s well-prepared if she has to stay an extra day because of weather or an academic issue that needs to be addressed:

3 outfits from a navy and white cool weather travel capsule wardrobe

3 outfits from a navy and white cool weather travel capsule wardrobe

3 outfits from a navy and white cool weather travel capsule wardrobe

Her recommendations have to be something that can be implemented with the limitations of what can be done within a particular school – you can’t replace all of the teachers, nor can you expel half of the student body!

Happily, she likes working within limitations – real-life genius is to be able to see possibilities that others don’t see…

love,
Janice

Build a Weekend Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art Blue by Kinuko Imai Hoffman

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01.02.18 25 Comments

Tags: cool weather, navy, Start with Art, Tote Bag Travel, white
<<Build a Capsule Wardrobe in 12 Months, 12 Outfits – January 2018Paysage de Neige by Renoir – Start with Art to Assemble a Weekend Capsule Wardrobe>>

Comments

  1. Anonymous says

    January 2, 2018 at 8:24 am

    Lovely idea, re-visiting the same artworks over the course of the year. Will be interesting to see how the wardrobes grow, and more in keeping with the way we all live, ie, not starting from scratch! Looking forward to this. Linda M

    Reply
  2. Luc says

    January 2, 2018 at 9:03 am

    An inspirational story, to go with her lovely wardrobe. Gorgeous, and looking forward to more!

    Reply
  3. Anonymous says

    January 2, 2018 at 10:06 am

    Beautiful and inspiring (both from the wardrobe point of view, and the story).
    Janine

    Reply
  4. Anonymous says

    January 2, 2018 at 10:43 am

    Smitten. This is lovely. And love the little bit of quirky that you added with the boots, the texture of the jacket and skirt. Well done, Janice!! I can hardly wait for more!! Chris from Indy

    Reply
  5. The Bride says

    January 2, 2018 at 12:49 pm

    NIce. I'm happily awaiting more on this. After all the bright colors of the season, this feels serene – a relief. The original white part of the painting reminds me of a white silk blouse with a 'pussy bow' or maybe it could be layers of pearls on silk or a ruffle down the front. That would work well as a dressy option with this wardrobe. I guess I'd like to see what kind of sheen or sparkle you might add.

    Reply
  6. Memee says

    January 2, 2018 at 1:29 pm

    I taught in one of those schools, and I know that the students VERY carefully look at the accessories to judge the person; they respond most to creative, unusual pieces, not gaudy.They also, strangely enough given their often chaotic home life, like classic, understated clothing on teachers or visitors.This is a marvelous wardrobe for the story.

    Reply
  7. Anonymous says

    January 2, 2018 at 1:38 pm

    I once was on a fashion blog where a the personal stylist was tasked with finding a wardrobe for a sign language translator, who was usually next to the person that was speaking, and needed clothing that was demure and blended in, but allowed her hands and motions to stand out so people in the audience could read her gestures. This wardrobe and the story reminds me of that. I could see this idea – simple colors, interesting textures, important but in the background – being easily translatable, so to speak. Thank you!

    Reply
  8. Suzyn says

    January 2, 2018 at 2:31 pm

    Yes, as a commenter noted above, the word here is serene!!! I love it. I would love to see her with a couple of crisp white shirts.

    Reply
  9. Sharon says

    January 2, 2018 at 2:40 pm

    Of all of the wardrobes you have done I think this is going to be my favourite.

    Reply
  10. Deb from Vancouver says

    January 2, 2018 at 4:07 pm

    Yes, I join my thoughts with those above. Lovely and it is so nice not to have any black. Love laced boots and the pouchy cross body bag. I love interesting shapes in accessories.

    Reply
  11. Gail Finke says

    January 2, 2018 at 6:23 pm

    Beautiful, chic, and restful!

    Reply
  12. Mama Squirrel says

    January 2, 2018 at 6:36 pm

    I like "Solace!"

    https://www.kinuart.com/works-on-paper?lightbox=image_19pv

    Reply
  13. Anonymous says

    January 2, 2018 at 8:19 pm

    I'm another fan! Excellent scenario for this capsule, and what lovely choices. I'm smitten too. I'm pleased to have inspiration for stepping down from the busy patterns that I love. They can have a place elsewhere in my life, I don't have to wear them. Or at least, not two or three at once! And looking forward to future visits back to this exquisite work.
    Robyn in Tasmania

    Reply
  14. Vancouver Barbara says

    January 2, 2018 at 8:32 pm

    I LOVE the simplicity and variety. It makes me sigh and get very calm and satisfied inside. Great story too. Thank you. And a very Happy New Year to you and all your readers.

    Reply
  15. Nancy/n.o.e says

    January 2, 2018 at 9:40 pm

    This is just perfect!! And I love the star theme that you have woven into the wardrobe. – nancyo

    Reply
    • Janice Riggs says

      January 2, 2018 at 9:47 pm

      It just seemed to be handy – I'm always a sucker for a good star!
      hugs,
      Janice

      Reply
    • Nancy/n.o.e says

      January 2, 2018 at 10:11 pm

      btw, the link for the Italeau boots seems to be broken. thanks! – nancyo

      Reply
  16. Nancy/n.o.e says

    January 2, 2018 at 10:14 pm

    Also, I would love to see a wardrobe for the painting "Affinity" – gray, denim blue, and charcoal. thanks! – nancyo

    Reply
  17. Anonymous says

    January 2, 2018 at 11:01 pm

    Thank you so much! This is excellent!
    May I ask for a casual wardrobe based on the Kokoro painting?

    Happy 2018!

    Francesca

    Reply
  18. Sue Braun says

    January 2, 2018 at 6:42 pm

    I love this idea of two colors and texture. You've put together a beautiful combo of clothes that I'd wear. I just found your blog in the fall of 2017 and love your concept of 4 x 4. I've used it to put together a navy, grey, and pink capsule with things I already had and some new things I bought. I've got a ways to go, but I love this idea! Thanks!

    Reply
  19. Anonymous says

    January 3, 2018 at 1:55 am

    "Tomo" works on paper makes me feel warm on this blustery night. I'd love to see a wardrobe based on it. Love the unexpected Mix of Neutrals.

    Reply
  20. celkalee says

    January 3, 2018 at 1:29 pm

    Bravo! I totally agree that the simplicity of this collection makes it speak to me. I am planning warm weather clothing as we speak (Since I am a Sewist, I am on a Ready to Wear Fast and making everything.) and my neutral dark is blue (many shades) and white. You have jump started my thought process for this project!

    Reply
  21. Duchesse says

    January 3, 2018 at 1:39 pm

    Has to be one of my favourite posts ever, I adore this wardrobe. It is a whole other thing to dress this way, restrained yet with interest, versus the strenuous "pops of colour" (oh please kill this term!) one sees somewhere like InStyle. It's just exactly the way I want to dress, and easy to make more casual by swapping jeans or knit trousers for the skirt. Mmmmwah!

    Reply
  22. Anonymous says

    January 4, 2018 at 9:55 pm

    Maybe this is not how I want to compose my next capsule, but it is definitly how I want to look! E.g. I can have more colors in my closet but not wear them all at the same time. So refreshing. So elegant.
    Sania from Zagreb

    Reply
  23. Anonymous says

    January 9, 2018 at 4:38 am

    This a amazing, love this very much

    Reply

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