July 9, 2025
Yes, this is the image that I had made into a scarf!
There aren’t a million colors here; I chose turquoise, purple and red…
Our heroine today travels frequently for work, and doesn’t visit the same destinations more than ever six months. This is fortunate for her, and makes packing easy; she starts with a core wardrobe and works around it through the autumn and winter:
Cashmere turtleneck – Lands’ End; earrings – Classicharms; black & white tee shirts – L.L.Bean; pants – L.L.Bean; cashmere cardigan – Lands’ End; skirt – Eileen Fisher; loafers – Bandolino; bag – J.Crew; flats – Vivaia
Purple is her favorite color, so she really stocks up here. You can get a look at the one-of-a-kind scarf!
Earrings – Vintouch Italy; bracelet – Harfi; amethyst heather cashmere sweater – L.L.Bean; one-of-a-kind scarf – scafos.com; dusty purple tee – L.L.Bean; rose mini-bag – Naked Wardrobe; gloves – Auralee
Packing just one sweater and a couple of accessories in an accent color can give you all kinds of options; you look different, and you don’t get bored with your wardrobe. (although I have to admit that I have never been bored with my clothes when I travel; maybe this heroine is different?)
Cardigan – Reformation; coral & turquoise earrings – Barse; dusty teal sweater – L.L.Bean; necklace – Smilla Brav; turquoise & pearl bracelet – Saachi; red loafers – Robert Zur; tote – Kurt Geiger
For many of us who don’t dress up very often, this might be plenty of clothes for cold weather dressiness. I think I could manage!
What can she do with this modest assortment? Plenty of outfits for a week! Although I can see the merit of having a second pair of pants, or maybe a simple black dress?
I can picture this for Christmas in Paris. Or November in Dublin. Or lots of places; I’m going to have to do some serious thinking about 10 garments and three accents…
love,
Janice
p.s. Speaking of bright colors, 10 years ago, our painting was Bright Women in Front of the Hat Shop by August Macke. Blue, rose, yellow! I found the perfect cardigan, and it all fell into place…
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This is a very pretty wardrobe for work travel. The colors work together beautifully and these pieces would give a professional, timeless, but interesting look. Plus, adding the bright colors to the all black, keeps the wardrobe from being too grim. I’d love to see some summer pieces thrown in here because I think that summer work wear is tough, especially when you have to appear highly professional. However, I can see this having a wide range of appeal for many women.
My favorite pieces in this wardrobe are the jewelry. I am enchanted by the turquoise and coral jewelry. My birthstone is turquoise, which is one of my favorite colors. However, the vast majority of turquoise jewelry is very southwest or bohemian in style. Since this isn’t wear my very New England preppy vibe goes, it’s tough to find pieces I like. These pieces are perfect! Thank you for discoveirng these great finds!
Brilliantly done! I can see adding a bit more white to the mix to expand the options. Where did you get the scarf made?
Hello! You can find the link to the company Janice used for the custom scarf within this earlier post – https://www.theviviennefiles.com/2025/06/chic-sightings-green-dresses-and-an-amazing-discovery.html/
Good luck! Let us know if you order one and how it turns out.
This is beautiful! I would wear every one of these things. I hope you’re having a great time in Dublin, Janice!
I love the gloves! But I don’t understand how you wear them with long sleeves.
Love this! I am particularly smitten with the earrings and necklace. Then again, my favorite combos lately have been blue or purple with orange. Love the contrast.
Love the red sweater. Does it lean a warm or cool red? Have a fun trip.
Janice,
Love, love, love !
I am packing for 6 days at the New Jersey shore, and as I pack, I first pull out an abundance of mix and match options, and then start putting away the “ too many” pieces , thanks to years of viewing your blog ! I’m having a dopamine hit from the satisfaction of actually packing just right for a change ! Thanks for that !!
I’m still so excited about your self-designed scarf.
I love the colors. 🌈
And that’s a beautiful matching capsule.
Just seven days till I leave for Denver, our first real trip in about 8 years. I’m already packed with only a carry on and a backpack for my hubby and I each. Packing small for six days was so easy after reading this blog for the last several years. Thank you Janice! White and navy with a sprinkle of pink and blue will be perfect for this trip.
A beautiful stained glass window, & I’m sure the scarf is just as beautiful. I like all these accents with the black. This looks like a capsule that would be easy to wear & versatile, and at the same time it maintains the interest of the colourful among us :)
I can almost reproduce the clothes in this post from my closet. I’ll be taking a closer look at the accessories. Love the brights!
In mid April to late May will be on a 7 week holiday as I have recently retired. The holiday includes the following: Miami for 4 days and then a cruise of 14 days that includes a transatlantic crossing stopping in Bermuda, Lisbon, Barcelona and then Rome. We then have 6 days in Rome before heading back to Barcelona for a 2nd cruise of 9 days that goes to Spain, Portugal, Tangier, Mallorca and back to Rome. Then from Rome we are travel via train and stopping twice in France 4 days on our way to Paris then 3 days in Paris before flying home. As we are away for early spring the weather is unlikely to get above 22deg but can get cool in the evening and showers can be expected. Our luggage limit is 23kilo and I really want to save some space in my case for a few new clothes during the traveling. I struggle with trying to keep suitcase packing under control and would appreciate any ideas or tips.
Thanks