November 21, 2025
After all of this traveling, our heroine is starting to realize that she has a LOT more clothing than she needs. She’s already quite disciplined, in that she makes all of her purchases within this color palette:
Our heroine’s first trip this fall was to see her alma mater play women’s basketball:
floral earrings – Pat’s Jewelry; scarf – Silk&Soul; merino cardigan – L.L.Bean; bag – Deux Mains; rich ginger brown tee – Lands’ End; corduroy pants – J.Crew; boots – Revitalign; Acorns brooch – Talbots; long narrow scarf – Lost Pattern NYC; gold link earrings – J.Crew; floral top – Boden; pair of necklaces – Talbots; rust v-neck sweater – Macy’s; floral scarf – Talbots; cardigan – L.L.Bean; cream jeans – Lauren Ralph Lauren; Ivory tee – GAP; corduroy pants – J.Crew; loafers – G.H.Bass
Her second trip was to an office that she’d never visited before! It’s always a challenge to pack for these kinds of unknowns…
Earrings – Pat’s Jewelry; Acorns brooch – Talbots; rich ginger brown tee – Lands’ End; black velvet blazer – J.Crew; boots – Comfortview; tote bag – Radley; black jeans – J.Crew; Scarf – Echo; gold link earrings – J.Crew; pair of necklaces – Talbots; tiger’s eye earrings – Talbots; black cardigan – Alex Mill; rust turtleneck – L.L.Bean; brown sweater – J.Crew; brown skirt – J.Crew; acorn scarf – Talbots; paisley blouse – Lauren Ralph Lauren; tuxedo pants – J.Crew; dress shoes – Comfortview; brown tights – J.Crew; small black bag – J.Crew; black loafers – J.Crew
Her third trip was also for work. For many of us, the majority of our travel is for work – at least mine was, for years! It gets to the point that if you’re in the office for too long, you feel like something’s gone wrong.
Silk shirt – Boden; carnelian earrings – The Met Store; black velvet blazer – J.Crew; silk scarf – Emily Carter; tote – Longchamp; socks – Jenni Kayne; black jeans – J.Crew; boots – Gentle Souls; gold link earrings – J.Crew; carnelian earrings – Bounkit; black floral scarf – Echo; black stud earrings – Lutiro; ivory cardigan – L.L.Bean; rust cardigan – Alex Mill; floral top – Caslon; ivory cords – J.Crew; dotted scarf – Echo; black silk shirt – Alex Mill; tuxedo pants – J.Crew; sneakers – Dolce Vita; small black bag – J.Crew; black loafers – J.Crew
And her final trip this year was for the THREE business-related holidays parties that they attended over one weekend:
Earrings – 1928; brooch – Farra; necklace – NEST Jewelry; black cashmere cardigan – Lands’ End; brown blouse – J.Crew; black velvet pants – J.Crew; tote – Longchamp; ballet flats – Vionic; Necklaces – J.Crew; pearl snowflake brooch – Talbots; link earrings – Talbots; pearl stud earrings – The Met Store; brown flower earrings – Damapreziosa; bone cabled cashmere sweater – Alex Mill; black sequined wrap – Lauren Ralph Lauren; sequined top – Me & Thee; bow blouse – Lauren Ralph Lauren; black bias-cut skirt – Alex Mill; brown satin pants – J.Crew; ruched top – Banana Republic; black flats – Naturalizer; brown bag – Dune London; black bag – J.Crew; brown slingbacks – Donna Karan New York
Our heroine decided one quiet Saturday afternoon to pull all of the clothes that she’s packed recently out of her closet and assemble them all together, just to see what how it looks:
She took out all of her accessories too; sometimes accessory drawers, shelves and bins need to be cleared out and refreshed a bit!
It didn’t take our heroine long to realize that – even though this wardrobe is pretty great – there are still things that she could use…
Pearl stud earrings – Bloomingdale’s; onyx and white topaz earrings – Nasi Silver; necklace – J.Crew; narrow scarf – Kueen; crossbody bag – Baggallini; leather sneakers – K-Swiss; snow boots – Sorel
And it only takes a hot second to realize that she could easily use a few more tops! I can’t image getting through the winter without a couple of turtlenecks to wear under sweaters, unless you live somewhere WITHOUT a winter…
Black tee – Lands’ End; black & ivory turtlenecks – Lands’ End; tipped cardigan – Alex Mill; hooded sweatshirt – J.Crew
Just in the interest of being really thorough, let’s look at how our heroine can wear her five additional tops:
She doesn’t have any REALLY casual clothes in this wardrobe – nothing for garage cleaning! But for many people (certainly for me!) this wardrobe would see one through cold weather quite nicely.
love,
Janice
p.s. Ten years ago, I attended a lovely “business elegant” event…
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My first thought was how coordinated this wardrobe is. How nice to have only 30 pieces, or 35 with the additions, for the season. Your first foray into this idea with The Lady in Black inspired my last monthly wardrobe for our visit to Atlanta. It made it so easy.
Oh to be this disciplined at home!
This hangs so beautifully! Without being my colors (navy is my neutral and I limit brown to leather accessories), I admire this dressier but very wearable capsule. That acorn scarf and the brooches (!!!) bring perfection to the whole ensemble. Thank you Janice!
I just got back from shoveling snow… (wearing jeans and an old coat)
I like this wardrobe even better overall. These cardigans are especially lovely. And for anyone who wants to wear red for the holidays, this goes perfectly.
I haven’t worn turtlenecks in ages, so I wear a burgundy top (or two) instead.
And this great selection of accessories! ✨️
Brrr!
I really like this method. I like dressing in neutrals, although I know some ladies here need accent colors. And the clothes in this wardrobe all work together so beautifully. I see nothing that is not perfect. Nothing that jars the eye. And the accessories complement the wardrobe really well. If Janice is looking for inspiration for another colorway, I would love to see something in navy, grey or charcoal, ivory or white, and camel or beige. At some point in the future, when the warm weather clothes start to show up. Just my little idea…
Seconding! Charcoal, ivory, camel, navy.
You can easily pull out this palette for spring’s transition and summer heat. Some of the cardis, pants and skirts could stay for spring while you add some short sleeved tees. Then she can bring in some shorts, sleeveless tops, sundresses and sandals.
While I don’t wear rust or black, I always remember to check a style I like for colors that would fit my own palette. I’ve been disciplined with neutrals to the extent I can dress for nearly any occasion in my neutral core. Still looking for the appropriate-for-banquets & funeral dress or pantsuit in summer weight.
Lovely, but too many clothes for someone with a small closet. I’d love to see this wardrobe paired down to 3 dozen items (not counting accessories). Carrol
I agree my closet space is limited even when I store out of season clothing
Interesting….I was just thinking how *few* clothes this was compared to my closet! I believe that, when you really narrow the field of your color palette, you do end up with fewer clothes.
Before my daughter and son in law bought their house, their lovely, historic, but tiny apartment had teeny closets. They bought a free standing clothing organizer that they set up in the space. It truly allowed them to have their clothes out without smooshing. This was the unit they bought. They actually now have it set up in their basement for ski apparel, but it’s really come in handy.
amazon.com/VIPEK-Garment-Rack-Heavy-Metal/dp/B07VFRPKBK/ref=sr_1_3_sspa?crid=3GSMFPXGEZHAF&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.35tr6goiflZw66F4qMkCZ4Wz0Jzfg1JczSWTUKBfQil5GMgIyef5i1gh7DNrFhMWsfMUgGkOMswcqSdfVZHQkCbgrv_qYmoCN2XEiowGXGI7EyC-r1giRAa0BjMVK4CLtyz2VeRGVU4yCoOUeNaFYug2jhs2v5N0fpGlFcAllCUHD-o0Gy9teVBRkEtsZ1wUfS8fiT6fOfefX90FVJckm5rDMeWSGloqDyHovZFoXlWgBRm44KESzYnlCVUzksMecoCI54zTYqSeZtl2I9oy91COAph-n1-HnvKkF1oiN2A.9vgrYPdas4aatqos3WjthHcW8q5J4YdMu2bphFKwfYE&dib_tag=se&keywords=clothing+organizer+free+standing&qid=1763748771&sprefix=clothing+organizer+free+standing%2Caps%2C136&sr=8-3-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1
Even with the additions, the items of clothing come to 35, in my count: under three dozen.
Where are the dresses?
Would you substitute dresses for some of these pieces
If so which or how?
Asking because I have dresses that are not getting worn enough
Sue, I’d substitute in (or just add in) a printed brown dress, a basic black dress and an ivory dress that has the other colors in it in a print. I’d sub dresses in any place you see a “column” of one color, such as a black top and black pants…just sub in the black dress. You can always layer over it and under it.
Assuming the heroine already has a winter coat, hats and gloves for winter wear.
This series has been a fun exercise, and seeing all four capsules combined highlights the cohesiveness of this wardrobe. I would enjoy another series like this featuring four colors in four palettes each using three of those colors. Could do one each season.
This is really inspiring. I have so many clothes now it is overwhelming me. I realized that I was buying them in the wrong colors–I thought that, with age, I had become a Winter and accumulated a really nice, mostly black wardrobe over a couple of years. But this summer I realized different colors actually looked much better on me. On top of that, I’ve gained a few pounds and went up a size. So even though I got rid of most of the wrong colored-stuff and nearly all the black things except for a few pieces that were extra nice (I don’t care, I’ll wear them!!!) and/or to keep on hand for funerals, I still have some AND a lot of wrong-size clothes I’m keeping in hopes of losing the weight again. And right now we’re in between seasons, veering between sweater and t-shirt weather every few days, so I keep getting things out after putting them away. I really hate it. I hate the overwhelmed feeling I get when I look at my overflowing drawers and storage, but I’ve given away so many things to other people or to charity that I feel guilty that I still have so much left. I buy a lot of second-hand and year-end things, and many of them are several years old (to me) but they’re good quality and I feel stupid for ever buying so much.
I think I just talked myself into taking all the rest to St. Vincent de Paul… someone else can use them!!! Someone with nothing who needs clothes, or who (like me) is on a budget but thrilled to get wool sweaters for $5. They’re just things, not a moral judgment on my character. And many of the things still crowding my closet and drawers are the “wrong” colors — to wear in case I need that sort of garment before I have the chance to get one in the right color. So they’re not “extra” in the sense of HAVING another one but keeping this one.
Dear Gail, take it easy! The worst thing is feeling pressure over getting to the ‘perfect wardrobe’, so give some grace to yourself and your clothes.
When I was in a similar situation, I started by removing little by little, the items that I felt uncomfortable with. Not throwing or getting rid of them (unless you find something in poor conditions), just keeping them out of sight. You can cluster the ones that don’t fit but you’d like to keep, the ones that are not really you and the ones that you don’t like and don’t fit. Bottom line is keeping in the drawers and hangers the clothes you’re currently using with cheer. The rest, went to zipper bags under the bed. Then, when you get to your desired weight (no pressure again!), you start to revisit those items and take care of them by cathegory, starting with the last one.
I hope it helps lower the wardrobe stress 💕.
Blessings dear!
I agree with Arwen7 that your closet (and drawers etc.) that you dress from need to hold the items that fit you right now. When your closet contains a mish mash of things that fit and don’t, it’s like trying to find a set of coordinating needles in a haystack every day. Before eliminating based on color etc., I would get all the items that fit – which is your functional wardrobe today – together. That will make it much easier to make decisions about items based on color because you can see how they relate to your other pieces. That pair of black pants that fit well might have new value in your eyes when you see how it could look with a sweater in your best color, etc. This will also allow you to identify wardrobe holes and shop with intention. If there are pieces that are outliers – not in your favored colors, doesn’t fit so well you feel great, not worth shopping to make it make sense in your wardrobe – you can send it on for someone else to wear WITHOUT GUILT OR REGRET.
With the clothes that don’t fit right now…It can feel SO GOOD to just purge everything, and obviously you can choose to donate anything you want. I would urge a bit of caution that you’re sure that’s what you really want to do. I like Arwen7’s idea of sorting through the things that don’t fit and deciding what you’d be thrilled to wear at that size vs. things you’re meh or nope about even if they fit.
My observation is that people are too fast to purge too-large clothes from their wardrobe and too slow to purge too-small clothes from their wardrobe because they are conflating their feelings about the body weight/size/shape the clothes represent with their feelings about the clothes themselves. It’s also very easy to believe what we want to believe – that when we gain weight, it’s temporary, but when we lose weight, it’s forever.
Some people are very stable in their clothing size, while others have a range they move around in. It’s worth observing whether you are a person whose weight just fluctuates between sizes. Instead of guilt, desperation, and drama when you’re at the higher end of that range vs. happiness and overconfidence when you’re at the lower end of the range, you can take the fluctuations as just a function of nature and not get too emotionally charged about your wardrobe in the context of weight. This allows you (how much depending on storage space) to stock your closet with clothes in the size you currently are and store away clothes in the size you currently are not (but that you still like/would wear) without so much emotional angst. I think heroines whose weight/size fluctuates can really set themselves up for feeling bad about themselves and for engaging in the personally and environmentally destruction buy->purge-> buy cycle.
Gail. I agree with Sally and Arwen. Get the not fitting and wrong color clothes out of sight! Then relax. Maybe have a calming beverage, lol. Seeing these things contributes to stress, if you are like me. I went through this and after removing, but not purging, the unusable clothes I had just a few pair of jeans and less than a dozen T shirts. All navy. Since these are my go-to clothes, I wore the heck out of this smaall capsule. I also have made the mistake of donating clothes, only to find I actually could have used them. And, as Sally notes, hang onto nice things in different sizes; weight will fluctuate. And when I donate, I try to think about someone who really needs clothes to wear, and not feel guilty or judge myself harshly because I made a mistake in the purchasing department. Personally, the bane of my sartorial life has been color analysis. I will say here that I have never had it professionally done. I know it works for some ladies. Anyway, good luck!
Totally agree with arwen7 Gail. Few of us have the perfect wardrobe. That said would love to revist this to see what can be added for summer😉
I’d like to see navy, gray, ivory and denim! This series has been fantastic! Thanks.
Wait…your introductory paragraph says she realizes she has more clothing than she needs. Then the rest of your post goes on to add more clothing and more accessories to her already too-large wardrobe. Admittedly. I’m in the midst of a major decluttering project, but this does seem like it’s over the top.
I also noticed this disconnect, but how I interpret it in the context of this heroine is…
(1) She doesn’t need to be in a general shopping-to-build-a-wardrobe mode any more because her wardrobe’s overall size is enough. It’s a mindset shift that changes how/if you shop. For example, she might have been in more of a scarcity mindset before, and now that she has “enough,” she would want to remind herself that it’s different now. For some heroines, this may be more automatic; for others, it’s worth recognizing and encouraging a mindset that has caught up with the reality.
(2) She still identified a few wardrobe holes, which is not surprising for an actual person or for the way that Janice built out these 4 travel capsules one by one. So is now analyzing the wardrobe in its entirety for daily life, which is different from creating 4 individual travel capsules. (It’s unclear how common it would be in real life to create 4 travel capsules, then put them together and that’s your wardrobe, but it makes sense in terms of how Janice set up this for her particular heroine and for how she wants to present us, the real life heroines, with choices.)
(3) In categories where she may have “too many” items, it doesn’t really make sense to purge things that fit, that she likes, that work well in her wardrobe, etc., just to hit some magic number. Depending on her closet/storage constraints, she might keep all of the things in category X in her closet and rotate through them, she might split category X up seasonally and store the out-of-seasons ones, she might keep in her active closet the ones she is happiest to wear right now and store the others for later to either add variety back in or to replace items that wear out. If she truly does not have space in her home for what she’s bought in the 4 travel capsules, she does have some difficult decisions to make. Of course, she is welcome to get rid of things in an area that she views as excessive, even if she has storage space.
(4) I believe that it is OK to have more clothes than you “need.” I mean, what we truly “need” is much smaller than probably anyone reading TVF would be happy with. This doesn’t mean “buy whatever you want and trash it in 3 weeks when you’re done” but it’s also OK to say “I don’t NEED a second rust and ivory print long-sleeved top but I like having it.” A critical but sometimes under-appreciated point is that the analysis of “do I keep this?” is very, very different from “do I buy this?”
(5) Her clothes really will wear out eventually, and she might find something that’s perfect for her now is no longer so perfect in the future, so starting from “more than I need” and not continuing to add to it, natural attrition will bring the wardrobe’s size down over time, if that’s her goal.
A quote I have at the top of my shopping spreadsheet is “There’s no rush to go shopping nor to purge things from your closet” by our wise friend Janice. (The other one is “We can’t own everything that could work for us” from Rebecca at Seven2Seven8.)
I was VERY UNCLEAR on what I was thinking. I envisioned our heroine packing these suitcases from a closet that held a LOT more clothing that we never see – maybe a closet of 70, 80, or more items. It was unseen things that she realized she didn’t need, and thus was going to get rid of (sell or donate, we hope!) a lot of clothes that she hadn’t packed…
That wasn’t one of my best writing adventures, eh?
love
Janice
I adore this wardrobe! But, I’d have to add in some denim pieces to mix in…a pair of jeans, a denim shirt, a denim shirt-dress and a denim jacket. I think these four additions would stretch this look even further.
I organize my closet by type of clothing and by color. This would be a snap to organize!
A number of heartfelt thank yous from me today.
To Janice, for the lovely capsules. This has been veeerrry useful. And I admire how well it turned out as a full wardrobe.
To those who suggested a different colour palette! As I don’t wear black, brown or rust, I admired them, then had already mentally substituted Navy, Charcoal & Silver, along with the Ivory. Gorgeous.
To Sally, Arwen & Sandy, for wise, compassionate and encouraging comments.
To Gail, for her honest and courageous share about a widespread issue in our wardrobes.
Warmest best wishes to all, Vicki