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Home » Build a Capsule Wardrobe in 12 Months, 12 Outfits – December 2018

Build a Capsule Wardrobe in 12 Months, 12 Outfits – December 2018

December 3, 2018

Our heroines are getting holiday outfits! It might not be what they most need, but it’s almost December, and in many of our lives, that means parties are coming thick and fast…

When I looked at this first wardrobe, I realized that our heroine didn’t have a black cashmere cardigan! (I know, billions of people make it through life without one, but a wardrobe heroine certainly can make a case for one…)

And yes, I’m going to show you velvet jeans a lot – I am currently wearing a pair, and I’m smitten. They come in eight colors, including emerald green, a stunning bright pink, amethyst, sapphire, and lovely gold. I sized generously but not insanely large, and they fit wonderfully…

This outfit is dressy by virtue of the mix of lovely fabrics, and the “statement” necklace and shoes. You don’t have to be absolutely paved in sequins and beads to be dressed appropriately for most parties – at least you don’t in my world!

1. black dressy outfit for December

Scarf – Hermès Fouets et Badines; silk tee – Equipment; jeans – Lands’ End; necklace – J.Crew; cardigan – Halogen; mules – Madewell

This is what her wardrobe looks like at the end of the year:

2. capsule wardrobe in black, blue, yellow and white

And this is her accessory collection!

3. accessories for a black-based wardrobe

As always, I’m going to be sure that she has some additional ways in which she can wear her new garments. This serves 2 purposes: 1. she can avoid buying something that’s not going to get used often enough to be worth the price, and 2. she can wear her existing garments in a wider variety of ways. It is always wise to think about what other ways you can wear a new outfit…

4. 2 ways to wear a black silk tee from a capsule wardrobe

5. 2 ways to wear a black cashmere cardigan from a capsule wardrobe

6. 2 ways to wear black velvet jeans from a capsule wardrobe

I’ve been looking for a good excuse to show you this sweater for a couple of weeks – I love this knit!With a gold skirt, it is a holiday outfit that will NOT blend into a sea of black!

7. winter dressy outfit in pink and gold

scarf – Hermès The Horsawards; sweater – J.Crew; earrings – Kendra Scott; bag – Tory Burch; pumps – CC Corso Como; lurex skirt – J.Crew

This is such a pretty wardrobe… Her dry-cleaner must love her, or maybe she lives somewhere without constant worries about dirty city things?

8. capsule wardrobe based on beige and pink

And her accessories aren’t bad either, are they?

9. accessories for a mostly beige and pink capsule wardrobe

Her new holiday acquisitions work nicely with the rest of her wardrobe; I can’t imagine her settling for anything that didn’t blend in seamlessly with the rest of her clothes!

10. 2 ways to wear a pink sweater from a capsule wardrobe

11. 2 ways to wear a gold skirt from a capsule wardrobe

I really wanted to include an outfit here that would be festive but still appropriate for something casual – that kind of sledding or skating or caroling excursion with some cocoa afterwards…

12. grey and cranberry winter outfit

scarf – Hermès Les Tresors d’un Artiste; shiny sweater – Uniqlo; brooch – Talbots; wrap – Free People; sneakers – Birkenstock; jeans – Lands’ End

This wardrobe really appeals:

13. capsule wardrobe in navy, grey and cranberry

And I really like these accessories!

14. accessories for a capsule wardrobe based on navy and grey

These additions really can be worn in many more ways than this, but at least having these outfits sketched out in the mind of our heroine can ensure that she’s not buying a bunch of nutty things in a fit of impulsiveness!

15. 2 ways to wear a grey sweater from a capsule wardrobe

16. 2 ways to wear a cranberry poncho from a capsule wardrobe

17. 2 ways to wear cranberry velvet jeans from a capsule wardrobe

I labored over what to offer to this heroine – I thought about more olive green, or pink…

But then I studied the scarf some more, and realized that I was missing that edging in tan/khaki/camel. And camel in cold weather is gorgeous! (no, the colors don’t have to be matched at a microscopic level – that’s one of the beauties of wearing garments in different fabrics and textures)

18. camel and gold relaxed holiday outfit

Scarf – Hèrmes Merveilleuses Lanternes; earrings – Kendra Scott; sweater – Halogen; scarf – Eileen Fisher; loafers – Kelsi Dagger Brooklyn; corduroy pants – Lands’ End

19. capsule wardrobe in olive, green, beige and pink

20. accessories for a capsule wardrobe based on olive and beige

Even though this heroine doesn’t have a lot of beige or camel in her wardrobe, she will still be able to get a lot of use out of her new sweater and pants:

21. 2 ways to wear a camel sweater from a capsule wardrobe

22. 2 ways to wear camel pants from a capsule wardrobe

I couldn’t resist a silver skirt! Paired with some cashmere, a sparkly necklace and the cutest little flat shoes, this outfit could go lots of places…

23. grey and silver holiday outfit

Scarf – Hèrmes Jardin a Sintra; cardigan – Lands’ End; necklace – Nordstrom; short-sleeved cashmere sweater – Lands’ End; skirt – Banana Republic; flats – Jewel Badgley Mischka

This wardrobe all works so well together – I swear you could get dressed in the dark from these clothes:

24. capsule wardrobe in shades of grey and blue

And I think she has all of the essential accessories here…

25. accessories for a grey and blue capsule wardrobe

It doesn’t surprise our heroine that her new outfit is going to be easily integrated into her existing wardrobe:

26. 2 ways to wear a grey cashmere cardigan from a capsule wardrobe

27. 2 ways to wear a grey cashmere tee from a capsule wardrobe

28. 2 ways to wear a silver pleated skirt from a capsule wardrobe

For this last, most amazing heroine and her equally amazing wardrobe, I again struggled a little bit. And then I realized that she could certainly use a pair of black pants… Her ability to wear black and brown together is unparalleled!

I looked and looked and scarves for her, and finally decided to see what Hermes could offer. This purchase of a second scarf in the same design isn’t as odd as it might seem; there are some really unusual scarf collectors who will find a “grail” design which they try to buy in EVERY color. I can’t imagine it, but everybody gets to live their own life, eh?

29. green and black holiday outfit

Silk scarf – Hermès Ndop; earrings – & Other Stories; sweater – Halogen; jeans – Lands’ End; mostly green silk scarf – Hermès Ndop; loafers – Etienne Aigner

Her wardrobe includes a range of neutrals – black, brown and grey – but it all works pretty nicely together!

30. capsule wardrobe in brown, black, green, grey and white

And I think her accessories are amazing – varied, but all invoking the “feel” or the colors of the scarf:

31. accessories for a capsule wardrobe based on brown and black

The new sweater and jeans bring a different feel to things, and offer her options that she really didn’t have up until now:

32. 2 ways to wear a green sweater from a capsule wardrobe

33. 2 ways to wear black velvet jeans from a capsule wardrobe

Imagine that you were starting COMPLETELY from scratch – absolutely no clothes or jewelry except for core sentimental jewelry. Which would you choose?

I’m shocking myself – I think I’d go blue and grey… I think…

love,

Janice

BUILD A CAPSULE WARDROBE IN 12 MONTHS, 12 OUTFITS – DECEMBER 2018

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12.03.18 31 Comments

Tags: 12 Months - 12 Outfits
<<Evaluating a Wardrobe: A Year of “Study in Verticals” by Frantisek KupkaAccenting Black with 3 Pantone Spring 2019 Colors>>

Comments

  1. Ansi says

    December 3, 2018 at 3:25 am

    I can’t decide. Love both the navy/burgundy and the grey/blue wardrobe. I am swedish with a medium blonde hair and eyes in shades of bluegrey. I am clearing out the black clothes I once purchased and navy is my new neutral, with both a little grey, a little burgundy and some pink.

    Reply
  2. Zaidie Brown says

    December 3, 2018 at 4:31 am

    I love the final wardrobe… although I’d change the black and white for brown and a warmer white or cream. If I were to start from scratch I think I’d use browns and creams, with olive, gold and a blush pink. I still have a lot of blues, orange and dove grey in my wardrobe along with the other colours so I will need to keep my plan in mind when clothes wear out.

    Reply
  3. Kim says

    December 3, 2018 at 7:11 am

    If I had to choose one of these wardrobes, I’d go with the grey and blue. In real life if I were starting from scratch, I’d choose navy and grey neutrals plus cool purples and greens.

    Reply
  4. Sharon says

    December 3, 2018 at 7:32 am

    I am naturally drawn to the navy and grey wardrobes, but if I had to choose just one, it would be the navy. Two things Janice: Firstly, did you get your velvet jeans one size bigger for a relaxed fit or are they made a little larger? Secondly, the camel ‘all the clothes’ and ‘all the accessories’ slides are missing.

    Reply
  5. TinaD says

    December 3, 2018 at 8:02 am

    After years of allegiance to a black-white-grey(-denim, because I can’t seem to think of blue jeans as a color) wardrobe, I broke the mold recently and bought, not only camel, but olive green, and love them. I think your palette experiments are what gave me the push—thanks!

    Reply
  6. DBQMart says

    December 3, 2018 at 8:05 am

    Each month I look forward to the 12 Months, 12 Outfits post. There is something for everyone! I hope you continue the tradition in 2019. I have already decided to purchase a Hermes scarf and build a wardrobe around it in the new year. As with this year, I am sure that I will be able to pull some items from my closet but look forward to inspiration for new purchases. Thank you and happiest of holidays.

    Reply
  7. Erin Roy says

    December 3, 2018 at 8:51 am

    Yay! The monthly wardrobes are my FAVORITE posts. You ended the year well!! I still think my favorite is the red, white and blue. It is closest to my colors. I have been studying the 13 month wardrobes as a game plan for the next year. I am a homeschool mom but am adding a day of work to my part time job at our church. I need comfortable but “smart” looking outfits to go back and forth.
    Thank you for giving me the tools to tackle this challenge. Teach a woman to fish! ?
    I can’t wait for the next year!!!! Both in terms of my wardrobe and your next sets of 12 month wardrobes!!!!
    Thank you, Janice!!!

    Reply
  8. MarieP says

    December 3, 2018 at 9:02 am

    I don’t buy all the colors but I confess to two H Jardin a Sintra (neither the grey you featured) and I am deeply tempted by the Tresors d’un Artiste in that beautiful burgundy. If I were starting over, I’d plummet into that navy/burgundy/red wardrobe for fall/winter. I loooove this year-long series! Can’t wait to see your H scarf picks for 2019!

    Reply
  9. Virginia Gehrig says

    December 3, 2018 at 9:03 am

    Thank you for including more casual holiday outfits! Not all of us live a fancy lifestyle, but we still like to look festive during the holidays. :)

    Reply
  10. Jacqueline Scott says

    December 3, 2018 at 9:03 am

    I especially love the pink wardrobe and the grey one, too!
    I’ve been curious on how you wear the Hermes scarves. (the ones displayed as a square in your your clothes layouts). For example, how would you wear both the lovely Hermes scarf AND the statement necklace in your first wardrobe above?

    Reply
    • Janice says

      December 3, 2018 at 11:09 am

      You can wear a lighter-weight silk scarf (like the Hermes scarves) wrapped around your neck and tucked into a sweater – sort of like a surrogate blouse or shirt, and then wear the larger woolier scarf over the sweater as normal. I once got in a real wardrobe travel pinch and wore one of my scarves under a cardigan as a kind of blouse-like garment. I couldn’t take off my cardigan because my back was entirely bare, but it worked really well otherwise!
      hugs,
      Janice

      Reply
      • Sania from Zagreb says

        December 13, 2018 at 7:35 am

        That is awesome idea, Janice!

  11. Erin Roy says

    December 3, 2018 at 9:08 am

    Sorry! That should be 12 month!

    Reply
  12. Book Goddess says

    December 3, 2018 at 10:04 am

    I find myself wanting to build a mini holiday capsule around that (fabulous!) newly introduced Hermès scarf in the last wardrobe. Lovely deep reds and blue-greens with gold accents. All the wardrobes are lovely for the right person. Thank you so much for sharing your gifts with us!

    Reply
  13. Lea says

    December 3, 2018 at 10:10 am

    All year I couldn’t decide which I like best. But the additions of the Ndop scarf in colors and the black jeans put the last one over the top for me–because most similar now in color and style to what I have.

    I’ve spent the last two years honing my wardrobe according to principles learned here–small wardrobe, whatever’s clean and color themes–and now have a fall/winter palette of neutrals of black/brown/cream/gray leavened with soft autumn or brighter tones including wheat (soft golds), berry reds, greens, teals and indigo. (In spring/summer everything lightens up–lighter jeans, brighter colors, navy instead of black.) I love color but in general want a neutral base. Love those velvet jeans!

    I’m so happy with with my current status quo I don’t think I’d start over, ’cause I already did that. Now I can evolve and replace in a coherent manner.

    Reply
  14. Janice Collins Coyle says

    December 3, 2018 at 1:56 pm

    I love live this 12 month series and can’t wait for 2019. I’m still smitten by the grey-blue and gradually culling my wardrobe to that pallet. I would keep my nice navy items and it still would be a “whatever’s clean”wardrobe as that blue, I’ve found, and other shades of French bkue are great with navy. I still get compliments every time I wear light grey neat my face. I’m gradually adding more and more of it. It seems more available in fall- winter than in summer so I will have to search. All of these wardrobes are beautiful and would be gorgeous in the right lady. Janice Collins Coyle, Washington DC

    Reply
  15. Lisa Ham says

    December 3, 2018 at 2:48 pm

    These are beautiful, Janice! Thank you for this series. I especially love the navy and red wardrobe and the gray and light blue wardrobe. It’s wonderful how many light blue items are available right now. For a while I could find oodles of turqoise/aqua, but not much light blue! I need to get it while I can, I guess.

    Reply
  16. Lily says

    December 3, 2018 at 4:43 pm

    After much consideration, I choose the brown/black/forest green capsule. I find the silhouette to be the most tailored, which I prefer. Having both brown and black shoes would be very versatile and that green is gorgeous!

    Reply
  17. Janet Goeke-Cronin says

    December 3, 2018 at 7:26 pm

    Hèrmes Merveilleuses Lanternes is the wardrobe I’d pick even though the “everything” slides for both clothes and accessories aren’t included in this post.
    Works for Northern and Southern lifestyles and different than everyone else you’ll see.

    Reply
    • Sharon says

      December 4, 2018 at 7:55 am

      At last! Somebody else noticed the missing pages – I was beginning to think it was my eyes playing tricks on me as Janice is usually quick to respond to comments, but didn’t on this occasion.

      Reply
      • Janice says

        December 4, 2018 at 8:24 am

        I was taking a dancing lesson with Belovedest and didn’t check comments the rest of the evening! I’m so happy that you caught this – I don’t know WHAT I was doing…
        hugs,
        Janice

  18. BeeeBeee says

    December 3, 2018 at 9:36 pm

    I would so love to have a pink wardrobe, but I fear it will be hard to find a smoky shade that doesn’t wash me out since my hair has become increasingly white and silver. For now, I have it as an accent color in my tops (including a jacket) to coordinate with my cool brown and warm gray, but someday I would like so much more. I supplement the pink with cool and warm burgundy, either seems to work well at the moment as well as some mauve in medium tones.

    The blue gray is also very lovely, but I doubt I will ever be able to wear such a cool color palette even when my hair is completely white. I think my mother could wear this very well, though sadly, she doesn’t think her lifestyle warrants much investment in clothing.

    So for now, the last wardrobe in a new shade of the Hermes Ndop is still the one that most closely aligns with my preferred color palette.

    I feel like there is something here for everyone, you choose so well. Thank you! Each new post is such a treat :-).

    Reply
  19. nancyo says

    December 3, 2018 at 11:18 pm

    I love wearing velvet jeans in the winter. I have some in a wonderful hot pink, and some in black, that I have worn for several years, often with a simple sweater or a silky blouse. This year I bought some burgundy velvet slacks and I can’t wait to wear them! I’m taking a weekend trip this month and am thinking of packing all neutral tops (possibly all black) and all colored/statement pants!

    As for the wardrobes, the navy finished really strong – I love that dark red. And the gray is quite appealing, too, although I’m pretty sure I’d crave a little more color and variety! The brown is striking, but I’d have to swap colors too much. Thanks for doing this – so much fun!! – nancyo

    Reply
  20. Bee says

    December 4, 2018 at 8:38 am

    The colors of Tresors d’un Artiste appeal to me. I especially like the variety of colors in the wardrobe, with a little green and gray with the navy and burgundy. But… the blue and gray Jardin a Sintra is a close second for me. Why not some of both!

    Reply
  21. Vicki Cook says

    December 4, 2018 at 8:47 am

    The blue/gray wardrobe was my favorite throughout the year, but now I think the pink/camel is my favorite. It’s so pretty!

    Reply
  22. Cindy says

    December 4, 2018 at 9:21 am

    I cannot say I have a favorite. I like the blues in the gray/blue ensemble, but gray just feels old to me:(. I like the crispness of navy, but the red is too dark for my coloring I gravitate to blues in general with my white hair and pale complexion with light gray eyes. Whenever I can find a grayed blue, it is magical on me.

    Reply
  23. Sharon says

    December 4, 2018 at 11:11 am

    Janice, regarding the velvet jeans, I re-read my earlier e-mail and it sounded as if I was implying that you needed to buy larger jeans – not so. Just needed clarification on your comment regarding the generous sizing – many thanks.

    Reply
  24. Robyn says

    December 4, 2018 at 2:46 pm

    I thought hard about starting from scratch but couldn’t better your grey and blue wardrobe. I stopped having my hair dyed brown three years ago, so now have cool grey – but kept my green eyes :). With your help, my wardrobe has changed to suit and I’m happy with it. My only variation is to include navy/denim and black for pants because I’m pear-shaped (couldn’t change that bit) and so prefer really dark bottoms. Soft grey, light blue and sage green are working well as accents. But all these wardrobes have been interesting to watch develop. You always get me thinking!

    Reply
  25. Ivy says

    December 6, 2018 at 4:38 pm

    It’s Tresors d’un Artiste for me, still. And those velvet jeans have been in my shopping cart for weeks (the blue). I think you may have just pushed me over the edge — especially since there’s a 50% off coupon so they are very affordable!

    Reply
  26. Margery says

    December 9, 2018 at 11:12 am

    The blue and silver was my favourite this year but I was really drawn to the pinks and beige shades.

    The biggest of my accent colour mini capsules is blush pink and I use ivory thru white as my pale neutrals. I wear them with my grey, navy and black core wardrobe a lot.

    I don’t wear much blue beyond navy, periwinkle & aqua but that made me want to try those shades again.

    Reply
  27. Emma says

    December 19, 2018 at 10:17 am

    Still not sure which one is my favourite overall but I would love a wardrobe based on the scarf that was added to the last wardrobe!

    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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