November 15, 2024
She likes red and green. And purple. And pink. And blue. And yellow…
She’s going away for a long weekend that will be FESTIVE. Not necessarily big splashy parties, but she knows that anywhere she goes, there will be a bit of a holiday fizz in the air! So she decides to travel with her core of black essentials, but to round out her travel capsule wardrobe with four accent colors.
Remember, not every heroine flies to her destination! This lovely lady might be taking the train, or the boat, or driving…
And yes, Vivaia shoes are everything they claim to be; I’ve got two pair, and I live in them. Both will go to Paris next month!
Red turtleneck – Lands’ End; scarf – Echo; earrings – Talbots; black cashmere hoodie – J.Crew; black pants – Lands’ End; ornament brooch – Talbots; dotted bag – J.Crew; knit ballet flats – Vivaia; overnight bag – J.Crew
She reviews her packing… jeans, a skirt, bright but not gaudy or tacky sweaters, some excellent earrings… and a black and white shirt for when she needs a 2nd layer…
multicolored ball earrings – Gem Bazaar; pink quartz earrings – Gem Bazaar; emerald hoop earrings – Valerie Chic; purple cashmere sweater – L.L.Bean; plaid shirt – Lands’ End; true green cotton turtleneck – Lands’ End; scarf – Kargede; pink cashmere v-neck – Charter Club; stars bracelet – Recreation Jewels; gold bag – Talbots; black jeans – L.L.Bean; loafers – Bandolino; patent flats – Cole Haan; black pleated skirt – J.Crew
I’ve got to mention – the pink sweater is under $50. And comes in a stack of colors… Yes, it won’t be the cashmere of your dreams, but I’ll bet it’s not terrible. I have a cardigan from Macy’s that has LASTED!
The night before she leaves – as all wise heroines will do – she puts everything together in one place, and gives it a good, serious look:
I would be pretty happy, if I was packing this! Somehow, this feels like one of my favorite wardrobes EVER.
Is she going to be able to dress appropriately for her aunt’s brunch? What about going to a religious service? Watching her nieces play soccer?
I think yes!
Have you noticed how MANY of the Echo 100 scarves are black with bright accents? I’m sure that means something, but I’m not sure what…
love,
Janice
p.s. Ten years ago, I considered what you want to keep in mind if you’re itching to buy an Etro scarf. FWIW, I still have, and wear, the Etro scarf that I bought over 20 years ago for my honeymoon…
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You are definitely the earring whisperer! This particular group of accessories makes me smile. Like you, I have scarves going back 35 years… more? I think I’ve definitely achieved a satisfactory CPW (cost per wear.)
I have given up on cashmere as every sweater I’ve bought (Lands End, Everlane, Macy’s) pilled so badly they were unwearable. I have a sweater shaver but it seems ridiculous to shave sweaters after every wear.
I agree, however, I still buy cashmere because I’m a sucker for soft, thin sweaters. I have three vintage cashmere sweaters that never pill (one from ThredUp and two from Salvation Army). For the newer ones, I bought a cashmere comb that seems to do better than the shavers.
This is one of my favorite wardrobes! I love the pops of bright colors and that dotted bag is calling my name!
Love the black base with flashy accents! Somehow it reminds me of the outfits of The Nanny, my fashion icon in the nineties.
These days I am trying to reduce my wardrobe to one capsule fitting into one closet per season. And I realized that by combining three of your black-base + accents travel capsules I have all needs covered!
The only thing expanding is my collection of earrings…
WOW! Just wow! This might be one of my favorites of all time…and I’ve been following you since the early days of this blog. I always appreciate your more monochrome wardrobes, because they’re so different from my own. However, this is one I could expand and live with all winter long and not just for travel. I can see expanding this wardrobe with a pair of dark denim jeans, a dark denim shirt a printed puffer vest that pulls in al the colors and just wearing these outfits for months. Way to go, Janice!
I do have one question for you, as well as for your readers: how do you feel about a turtleneck under a V-neck sweater? I have tried it, and I always feel as if it looks like the old Star Trek uniforms. I’m sure it’s just me….
I do that, but I put a scarf over the turtleneck so that the v-neck isn’t so visible. It’s an awkward look, for sure!
love,
Janice
A polo neck under a cowl neck jumper looks OK. Also make sure the top jumper is a slightly looser fit.
I do not need those dotted ornament earrings. I do not need those dotted ornament earrings. I do not need those dotted ornament earrings! It is not fair to show stuff like that to an earring addict! 😊
(And I agree about the current cashmere – I’ve tried all kinds of brands & not one of them does as well as my older stuff (not even close). So far, Lands End is the best of a poor lot, but it does still pill a bit. I’m taking very very good care of my 20+ year old sweaters – some of which have never pilled at all!)
So what outfit does she wear to the niece’s soccer? I can’t picture any of those shoes in a field.
The first outfit in the bottom section – the sweatshirt, jeans, and plaid shirt. Maybe she should have less “nice” shoes…
love,
Janice
I was definitely thinking she could sub the black Adidas sneakers Janice featured a while ago (which I bought and highly recommend) for one of the fancier pairs of shoes and be quite ready for more casual events.
Janice,
I recently ordered a mohair cashmere long sleeved sweater from Quince to be worn at my granddaughters wedding in March , under a dressy jacket. I won’t wear it until then for fear of pilling, but after it has been worn several times, I’ll let you know about the pilling factor . Has anyone else here tried this brand ? I’ve been seeing it advertised a lot recently .
I’ve had great success buying from Quince. They are currently my favorite retailer.
Mary,
Thanks for the confirmation ! !
I have a few things from Quince, and they’re nice quality – certainly for the price! Regarding pilling – I shave my sweaters after every wear, because all of my sweaters pill at least a little bit. Super-expensive ones, super-cheap ones – it doesn’t seem to matter.
So I’m taking it as part of what one does when one wears sweaters!
love,
Janice
Thanks, Janice !
I just went to the look back, then went looking for Etro scarves. They’re $650+! I don’t think I have a long enough lifespan left to get that cost per wear into reasonable territory for a scarf.
Watch for them used – they crop up all the time on the reseller websites. Sometimes they’re shocking low priced!
love,
Janice
Fun wardrobe! I’m doing something similar for an upcoming cruise – black and white neutrals, coral and periwinkle accents.
Probably the first scarf I bought was an Echo – small square, navy background with red dots. Purchased as I was heading off to college in 1969. Still one of my favorites.
This may also be my favorite wardrobe so far. I love the combination of colors set against the black base.
Absolutely love this wardrobe as it is pretty much what I have in my own wardrobe. I am a big fan of bright pops of colour. I have never owned a cashmere sweater as I am allergic to wool, but the cotton ones still keep me warm.
I love this module! So similar to what I packed for my long weekend in the Sierra Nevada last spring. My base is navy, but I took bright tops and one of the 100 Echo scarves. I was comfortable, appropriately clothed, and everything fit in my carry on bag. I do like the cashmere sweaters from Macy’s.
I love different colors. I was commenting to a friend this morning that I feel it might be “easier” if I were to commit to one color. Then I remember several years ago (6?) when I wore all purple all the time and finally couldn’t stand the sight of it. Must have variety. Am also enjoying the sweater discussion. My best sweater is an old one of my husbands I stole from him (he had two just alike) bought many many many years ago and is still the nicest sweater I have. Laughing because today I have a wool cardigan on and it’s pilling like crazy. Yes, I have a sweater shaver – one Janice recommended as a matter of fact – but I shouldn’t have to shave a sweater every time I wear it! Have a fabulous weekend ladies.
Black plus a few bright accent colors is 100% how I pack when I travel at the winter holidays. It’s very easy to get a cohesive set of items that can run the gamut of casual to a bit fancy in this color palette and it gives me the sense of color variety that I need. I think we have a very easy time interpreting any given item in black as “dressier” than the same item in a different color so it makes a good base for a festive capsule.
I am not much of a pin/brooch wearer but that ornament pin is a stunner!
Such a beautiful capsule and these accessories.
💎Great jewelry and I have a weakness for scarves anyway, including a few that I’ve owned for decades. I first choose the cloth and use it to create my capsule.
I would combine red, pink, nougat, curry with black. 😆
I’m just back from a Danube River cruise and three days in Prague. For 13 days I packed 3 pairs of pants, black jeans, burgundy cords and gray ponte knit. I had sweaters/shirts in all 3 colors plus 2 striped shirts and a cream blouse and cream turtleneck. I also had 2 l/s merino tees in black and cream. 3 scarves and I had plenty of options. It was quite a bit colder in Prague than predicted so my leather tennis shoes were not worn as much as usual. Leather boots were warmer. We always carry on and check bags coming home. I am amazed at the amount and sizes of luggage some people travel with! I do wish my sweet husband had not tipped his red wine on my cream blouse lol! Way too much for a Tide pen
Your travel wardrobe sounds lovely and cohesive.
This has my name all over it since black is my winter neutral and I need many colours to keep me happy. The pieces are spot on and the jewelry is wonderful! I would rethink the black shoes of course, sub out something comfier. Well done Janice!
I like this easy packing idea. The purple outfit is the one for me and I love the cute bauble brooch.