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Home » Adding Just Enough Accessories

Adding Just Enough Accessories

February 21, 2018
 
Yesterday she managed to wrestle her wardrobe into shape,
so today she want to be certain that she has enough accessories. She’s not mad about having tons of stuff, but it is pretty important to have at least some appropriate shoes! Her color palette looked like this when she was finished:

wardrobe color palette in beige, white, navy and shades of teal and green

She thought for a bit, and chose gold as the metal color for her jewelry (maybe just for this season – who knows?)

And she’s going to rely a bit on navy as a “cooling” influence on her
wardrobe, as she moves away from those warm olive-ish greens that made her feel drab. So she drafted a 2nd color palette, like this:

a clothing color palette with an accompanying accessory palette

Now
that her colors are all settled, she things for a minute about what
she’s going to look for in her closet, and then buy if she comes up
empty-handed at home…

planning accessory shopping using a color palette

For reference purposes, this is her spring wardrobe:

Spring wardrobe in beige and blue, with shades of green

beige cardigan – L.L.Bean; plaid shirt – L.L.Bean; beige sweater – L.L.Bean; striped polo shirt – Lands’ End; floral shirt – L.L.Bean; green cardigan – L.L.Bean; white tee – L.L.Bean; beige tunic – L.L.Bean; green sweater – L.L.Bean; aqua 3/4 sleeve tee – L.L.Bean; mint tee – L.L.Bean; ocean tunic- L.L.Bean; chambray shirt – L.L.Bean; navy pants – L.L.Bean; jeans – L.L.Bean; beige shorts – L.L.Bean; white shorts – Lands’ End; beige pants – L.L.Bean; striped dress – Lands’ End

After a bit of digging, and a little bit of patient shopping, she was able to assemble this:

Spring accessory wardrobe in navy and beige with green accents

peridot earrings – Emma Chapman Jewels; beaded hoop earrings – Gas Bijoux; knot earrings – Lord & Taylor; malachite earrings –Wild Lilies Jewelry; peridot necklace – Article22; sunglasses – Ray-Ban; square scarf – Dalliance & Noble; plaid scarf – Gisbi Trendy; watch  – Breda; crossbody bag – Longchamp; 2 necklaces – Gas Bijoux; tote – L.L.Bean; beige boots – Børn; sandals – Børn; gold loafers – G.H.Bass & Co.; navy booties – Dansko; espadrilles – Me Too

 

Just to make sure that she’s okay with her newly assembled accessory wardrobe, she collects her Spring wardrobe into “clusters” and then accessorizes them:

wardrobe cluster with accessories
wardrobe cluster with accessories
wardrobe cluster with accessories
wardrobe cluster with accessories
wardrobe cluster with accessories
spring dress with accessories

Now she’s truly prepared for the coolest days, or a warm and sunny spell – if only Spring would get here SOON!!!

love,
Janice

Adding Just Enough Accessories

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02.21.18 9 Comments

Tags: accessories, bags, boots, capsule wardrobe, casual, cool weather, jewelry, peridot, scarves
<<Another Wardrobe Disaster…Revisiting the Red Tulip Scarf, and some Unpredictable Navy>>

Comments

  1. Jazz says

    February 21, 2018 at 9:49 am

    Beautifully chosen accessories. I'm always amazed at the impact that such accessories add to the overall look.

    Reply
  2. Taste of France says

    February 21, 2018 at 9:51 am

    I like how you emphasize shoes rather than jewelry as accessories. It depends on the person, of course, but simple jewelry seems most appropriate for a casual wardrobe.

    Reply
  3. The Bride says

    February 21, 2018 at 11:48 am

    This is a thank-you note.

    Yesterday, I had what I've been calling a 'Vivienne Moment' for which you deserve much of the credit. I was in a hurry to get to the grocery store, so I threw on some clothes without thinking at all about what I was putting on. I was in the cat food aisle (seafood paste or chicken chunks?) when a total stranger came up to me and said she loved my 'outfit' and that I looked 'so cute' (I'm 71). I was taken aback because I had put no thought or effort into looking nice. I must have looked shocked because she then said that I should be very proud. It was lovely of her, but I was mostly bewildered. It's one thing to be complimented when you have made an effort, but quite another to receive a compliment out of the blue.

    When I got home and thought about it, I realized that what I was wearing did look coordinated and intentional. That was completely due to my diligently studying your blog and editing my wardrobe so that everything in it is easy and comfortable, but it all works together. So that when that moment arrived at the grocery store yesterday morning, I looked quite put together without any effort or thought, in complete contrast to my former mismatched bag lady style. My sister compared the incident to Stefon Diggs miraculous football catch – he had been working hard toward that catch for many years, but when it happened it seemed like a miracle. (I am asportal and I had to look the catch up, but it's a good metaphor so I'm keeping it. )

    Therefore thank you. I find there's always something to be learned by studying your blog. Even when the colors/styles/ lifestyle needs etc. are different than my own, I can always extrapolate your ideas to my own life and wardrobe. Keep up the good work!

    Reply
    • Kathy Eimers Chandler says

      February 21, 2018 at 1:55 pm

      Wow, this is inspirational, The Bride! I'd love to know what the heck you were wearing in that cat food aisle… (and of course, which won out–seafood paste or chicken chunks??) I think you can now call yourself "Vivienne"! :-)

      Reply
  4. Anonymous says

    February 21, 2018 at 1:01 pm

    Blog posts like this remind me that even casual looks are greatly improved by putting some thought into accessorizing. Big things are big things, but it's the details like jewelry, scarves and color coordination that make some people's outfits look polished and intentional. I hope to be one of those people…on most days, anyway.

    -Sara K.-

    Reply
  5. Shrebee says

    February 21, 2018 at 1:45 pm

    Janice,
    I was not aware of the impact of accessories until you came into my life ! The difference is all on the details ! I’ve always thought that belts add to a look of polish, but sometimes it’s hard to find garments with belt loops anymore . I’ll have to look for the stretchy kind — maybe at Chico’s ?

    Reply
  6. Jennifer says

    February 21, 2018 at 2:00 pm

    I hope you’re feeling better, Janice.
    Like an above commenter, I have learned much about organizing my clothes into a cohesive wardrobe. Its funny how different our climates are. I live in South Carolina, and this “spring” wardrobe reflects “winter” wear to me! ?. February is the beginning of spring for us- temperatures in the 80s. I know we will still have a few cold days here and there, but I am ready to chuck my long sleeves. ?

    Reply
    • Jennifer says

      February 21, 2018 at 2:03 pm

      On a second study, I see plenty of warm weather clothes in this wardrobe. I think my eyes saw the long sleeves and I had a sweaty reaction. ?

      Reply
  7. busyme says

    February 22, 2018 at 11:44 am

    Janice, I really love how nicely you illustrated the color scheme and identified target color(s) for various accessories before digging in to 'the search'. Well done!

    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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