When they retired, they had a list of places that they wanted to visit. So, this first year of freedom, they’re going to a new destination EVERY THREE MONTHS! Just for a few days, but they’re going to do as much as they can manage, while they’re still young enough to enjoy it!
When she started planning for all of these trips, she chose this painting as her inspiration. They’re going to visit large cities, somewhat glamorous (to her!). So she’s going to dress up and enjoy every minute!
Street, Berlin by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner
There are quite a few colors in this painting, but she has isolated her wardrobe plan to these:
If you look closely, you can easily find grey, and 2 other shades of blue…
Their destination is warmer than where they live, so she’s dressing in layers that will keep her warm on the trip, but which can be used in a variety of ways during their visit:
Leather beret – Eugenia Kim; earrings – Misho; top – Eileen Fisher; scarf – Eileen Fisher; cardigan – Eileen Fisher; trench – Halogen; pants – Eileen Fisher; ring – Chloé; watch – Tissot; tote – Shinola; oxfords – AGL
Since this first trip after retirement is going to be full of romance, she chose to really focus on the pink-ish shades available in her plan:
Earrings – Isabel Marant; shirtdress – Eileen Fisher; black top – Eileen Fisher; opal pendant – Melinda Maria; opal earrings – Dana Rebecca Designs; cardigan – Lands’ End; envelope clutch bag – Rebecca Minkoff; pink cabled sweater – Lands’ End; square scarf – Ungaro; black skirt – Eileen Fisher; fringed scarf – Nordstrom; white blouse – Club Monaco; black pumps – Kurt Geiger London; flats – Naturalizer
Since they’re only going for a few days, she’s comfortable having 1 pair of pants, 1 skirt, and a dress. She’s willing to have laundry done if necessary!
Only NINE pieces of clothing… She’s not sure she will have enough options…
So let’s find FIFTEEN different ways to wear these pieces for our heroine!
I’m not sure, but I could see these 2 going to April in Paris, eh?
love,
Janice
Both glamour and convenient.
I LOVE the work chosen for this exercise : humoristic, glamour, and so romantic !
Thanks for including the retirees! And in good (close enough) colors for me! Maybe another post could address her day to day wardrobe: mostly casual, with a few combinations that go out to lunch smartly, and another few for ‘occasion’ dressing?
This painting struck me as no other art has yet on this blog – so I Googled the artist and his body of work is stunning! Aside from the beautiful images (Berlin is one of my favorite cities) there is tremendous color inspiration to be found in his paintings. Thanks, Janice!
Please box up and send me this wardrobe! And please suggest to this couple that there is a more environmentally-conscious way to travel by grouping their destinations, if possible: more days, fewer flights, train or bus between destinations. It is one of the most significant actions an individual can take. We can balance the joy of travel with doing our part to preserve the Earth, all in your beautiful wardrobe.
I’d like to think that in reality, my heroine and her partner are thinking this way… but then I don’t get to make up 4 travel wardrobes for her!
Thank heavens for fiction, eh?
hugs,
Janice
Oh I can see this wardrobe is going to be a favorite – it hits all the right colors for me!
I agree!!!
What struck me is how the same outfit can go from casual to formal with just the change of shoes and bag!
…because she is me, when the time comes. She likes travelling in late winter/early spring, when the cold months have dragged on far too long, and most other places are warmer than home anyways. She likes cities, museums, coffee shops and people-watching. No beach-sitting for her. And because she wants to see and do as much as possible, she needs a two-week holiday, with one week in each city. Good city walking shoes are a must. Her days are full, and she arrives home exhausted, always a sign of time well spent. She loves these colors and styles that suit her perfectly. These pieces could take her through two weeks, because she’s like that, but of course she’d add jeans.
I want to live in your head – this is EXACTLY what I would dream of…
hugs,
Janice
You have described my perfect way of travelling!
I absolutely LOVE this painting and the colours used. It would also be my perfect life. My one regret about living in Canada is that we are so far away from Europe. I have friends in Scotland and Ireland and Im always so envious of their 3 or 4 day trips to various cities at the drop of a hat – and so cheaply!
I’m really looking forward to seeing the followup wardrobes for this one!