September 15, 2017
THIS IS A SPONSORED POST. You almost never see that from me. Because I don’t show pictures of myself every day, a lot of retailers assume that they don’t ever need to send me clothes or credits of any sort… silliness! Talbots very generously gave me free reign on their site to pick a couple of pieces, and I had great fun choosing…
Belovedest and I leave for Paris on the 20th – we try to go somewhere lovely to celebrate his birthday every year. This seemed like the perfect opportunity to choose a couple of pretty, somewhat romantic pieces that would integrate really easily into my “mostly black” travel plans…
This is what I chose:
cardigan – Talbots; lace top – Talbots
The bow on the cardigan is really a pin – which is great! I’ll probably use the bow somewhere else – on my black cardigan? – and wear this cardigan without a pin. The cardigan is amazing – the four buttonholes on the cuffs are REAL, which is practically unheard of in this day and age!
The lace top has a velvet tie at the neck, and a small velvet band on each sleeve where the sleeve releases into the slightly flared cuff. I love the sleeve length here – I can wear a simple bracelet, and still not be dragging anything through my dinner plate…
When you fly to Europe, you have to be comfortable on the plane, of course (but it’s only about 8 hours – sort of like a normal work day?) but you also have to be prepared to wear the same clothes through most of the following day. Typically, you can’t get into a hotel in most place until mid-afternoon… We’re staying in the Marais neighborhood, where jeans and New Balance sneakers are practically a uniform; I’ll be fine!
scarf – J.Jill; earrings – Majorica; cardigan – Lands’ End; tee shirt – Muji; backpack – Hershel; watch – Timex; silver bag – Bao Bao Issey Miyake; jeans – Dearborn Denim; shoes – New Balance; suitcase – Calpak
I’m packing for this trip with quite a few constraints – we’re staying in an apartment that will be (a) small, and (b) up quite a few flights of stairs, so I’m going with a really small suitcase. Our location is within a block of a “Cinq a Sec” same-day cleaners, so we’ll be able to have things laundered without a lot of effort. B doesn’t want to pack a ton, so we’re both going to deliberately try to keep things to a minimum. I have a desire to see how many different ways I can wear a pretty small number of garments…
So in the interest of small suitcases, I’m wearing BOTH my jeans and my athletic shoes on the plane…
This first cluster is the “dressing pretty” grouping. Ideal for dining out, but still appropriate for museum-ing and cafe sitting. Our vacation is going to be very relaxed, without the break-neck hiking and sight-seeing that sometimes overwhelms us…
Paris scarf – Echo; pearl bracelet – Majorica; black & cream scarf – Hermès; brooch – Kenneth Jay Lane; cardigan – Talbots; tee shirt – Lands’ End; lace top – Talbots; bracelet – Kenneth Jay Lane; necklace – Majorica; skirt – J.Jill; pants – Eddie Bauer; necklace – MOMA; ballet flats – Thierry Rabotin; loafers – Stuart Weitzman
Since the first cluster provided me with a skirt and a pair of pants (as well as the jeans in which I’m flying), I’m going to now add a couple of sweaters and a couple of shirts – all of which can be worn together or on their own…
knot earrings – Pichaya; square earrings – Alexis Bittar; star earrings – Maison Rika; dotted shirt – Lands’ End; gingham shirt – Lands’ End; pendant – J.Jill; striped sweater – D&G; tweed sweater – J. Jill
And finally I’m packing a couple of dresses, as well as a coat that will probably be carefully folded into my backpack (unless I find that I need it before we leave!). These dresses – especially the sleeveless one – are workhorses…
jacket – COS; dress – Eileen Fisher; sleeveless dress – J.Jill
This should all fit easily into my suitcase – I’m going to maybe take 1 outfit for walking a 5K (I’ve been forbidden to run on my bad knee!) while B is running… And I’ll probably take more scarves at the last minute, and a small metric whack-ton of jewelry…
I’ve got options – many more than are shown here!
In addition to Instagramming lots of scenery, food, and other lovelies, I’m going to try to remember to show my outfit of the day every day… We arrive in Paris on the 21st, so be sure that you’re following me on Instagram if you want to see the sights with us!
love,
Janice
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Lovely as always! Have fun, Happy Birthday to UP from K3. Let us know you made it ok.
Thanks! Watch Instagram – there will be LOTS of lovely things for K3 to see…
xoxoxoxoxo
J&P
Enjoy autumn in Paris! I am looking forward to your Instagram photos (and B's, too). Safe travels.
Both of these items from Talbots are beautiful- & tempting to buy!!
Just curious- are you taking only 7kg carry on or are checking your small suitcase in?
We will carry on, although our bags will certainly exceed 7 kg! Aer Lingus doesn't have a strict policy on international flights… When we get moved to Ireland and are flying Ryan Air all the time, my travel capsules will take on a new and tiny look!
hugs,
Janice
Your choices are perfect. Just one thing: The forecast is for rain and chilly temps, especially at night. Right now, I see a low of 4 Celsius for Sept. 25. That is cold!
Forewarned is forearmed.
Duly noted! That kind of temperature makes my heart sing – I love cool weather. (well, in all fairness, I love bitterly cold blizzards…)
hugs,
Janice
I've had my eye on that cardigan from Talbots. I would love to know the wearabilty/washabilty after you've put it through its paces.
Enjoy the trip!!
Safe travels.
This is the travel capsule I wish I had the nowse to pack! Though I would switch one pair of flatties for little heels as there are such nice dresses and skirts in the bag. I'm off on a trip in October and this looks like the perfect capsule to crib off (it includes a funeral and I am a traditionalist when it comes to burials). Wishing you a fabulous holiday in Paris, lucky you. Will definitely follow you on IG, not least for the novelty of seeing YOU! Hugs, x.
I might pack low heels, but I find that if we walk any distance, I have to be so careful on cobblestones and older streets to avoid damaging my shoes – it's just NOT worth it! But maybe… This is always a work in process!
hugs,
Janice
The Talbot items make such lovely additions. Have a wonderful trip. I look forward to seeing the sights via Instagram!
I LOVE this whole wardrobe – it is so me! And I adore Talbots – I've been eying that cardigan but since I'm not working right now (and I own a ton of sweaters) I've been resisting. But not sure how long my willpower will hold!
Have a wonderful trip.
It is so great to see that you are attracting some sponsors. I know you deserve it and I know you will maintain the integrity of your blog at the same time. Several other bloggers that I read have managed to make the transition quite well so far.
I am so not a black and white person BUT your travel grouping looks so well balanced and chic!!
Nice lace top
Have a marvelous time! That Chanel-like cardigan looks perfect, Janice, and perfect for you. The lace blouse is a bit of a surprise. Have we ever known you to pack lacey outer garments?
Nope – lace is new for me! I've been looking for a lace tee shirt for a while but haven't see anything that really banged my shutters. When Talbots offered me the chance to pick a couple of pieces, I thought it was a good time to try something out of my normal zone. I'm happy with this so far because of the potential to effortlessly make a simple skirt of pair of pants look dressy. I'll report back…
hugs,
Janice
I love when you show what you actually are packing! I am traveling to Ireland/Scotland for two weeks starting on the 23rd. I have followed your travel wardrobe advice and started with a scarf that I love in a brown/blue combo. I will be doing carry-on only as well. One question is on hose/tights/leggings. How do you pull off the dresses in the cooler weather? What have you found to be the best and most comfortable? I am just hoping to pick the perfect clothes to take from Dublin to the Cliffs of Moher and Edinburgh to the Isle of Skye. Happy and safe travels!
Opaque tights – they're absolutely perfect. I get them from Hue (Nordstrom Rack usually has them on sale (http://shopstyle.it/l/hDBz) and I get 4 pair that last me the entire winter. And be warned – the Cliffs of Moher can be amazingly cold and windy – like the windiest place you've ever been in your life! Be prepared with a hood, and with something water-resistant. Boots are never a bad idea, too!
enjoy!
hugs,
Janice
Thank you! I'm going to London in November, and needed just a few things. That Talbots cardigan and the striped LL Bean tunic just went into my shopping cart! Other than collared shirts (12 years of itchy ones in Catholic school have ruined them for me,) you've pretty much given me my packing list:) Bon Voyage!!
What a pretty, useful, and versatile packing wardrobe! I'm surprised though by the number of clothes. In Australia we're restricted to 7kg for carry-on luggage domestically, and those of us who have to fly to an international airport are stuck with that. On the other hand, I wouldn't want to be lifting any more than 7kg up and down stairs in accommodation or stations, over cobblestones, on and off buses and trains, or in and out of overhead lockers.
So my default travel wardrobe is always just two outfits (one to wear, one in the bag), with 4 or 5 tops. And your advice has been invaluable in achieving this, thank you always!
Susan, I think navy and black is a great combination that looks sophisticated. You can always zhoosh things up with scarves or jewellery.
Robyn
Thanks, Robyn!
G'day Robyn…lol…nice to see another Australian here. I don't know how you do it…7kg…*hats off to you*
I pack a weeks worth of clothes and I do miss the 10kg cabin limit because I have tried to minimise to the now 7kg cabin limit but it's not happening…yet? I have decreased my checked bag to the [American] large cabin bag and still have aspirations of going lighter. Sweetie does 7kg but I don't swap with him and let him take my bag…1: he has a bung knee; 2: he is a bit of a careless handler; 3: I 'need' to be independent so I know how much I can realistically handle because domestically I travel solo more often than not.
I'll never forget reading an elegant traveler statement that she only took what she could carry because she couldn't rely on the chivalry of the taxi drivers or passersby any more.
Love it!
Perhaps…Skip the long sleeve black dress. With a black skirt and ooohh oooh Try the lace shirt over your sleeveless black dress it just might make a fabulous long lace sleeved lbd. Forget what I just said, on second look the long sleeve black dress looks significantly different in style and cut to justify but why 2 striped tees please?
It's a great wardrobe–and I'm wearing almost the exact same thing on my flight to Paris the 5th!! Luckily our apartment has a washer so I can pack a bit more, I've done your 4×4 wardrobe for travel with navy and black as my neutrals, and a bit of wine red to liven things up…supposedly it's ok to wear navy and black together. I'll find out!
What do you use to carry your jewelry ? Any recommendations ?
I love the new collection from Talbot's! I have two pieces from it and it so compliments my wardrobe and you always help us to see the possibilities for more, Janice!!
What a nicely handled sponsored post! I really want that cardigan. You know what would be awesome? Post a followup for these items again after several washings and wearings.
Talbots has long been the store with whom I have a love/hate thing. Their jeans fit me perfectly-not low cut, yet not dowdy. Their double-faced wool is lovely. You really have to pick and choose and quality has dropped. (I too would stick with black and other neutrals.) And my friends who wear Women's sizes can get the same clothes and most important the same fabrics as Misses' sizes, which is a godsend! Also, Paris-themed anything worn •in Paris• is regarded by many Parisiennes as naff to the max, however lofty its provenance. But they would admire your jacket with a Blackhawks insignia…chacun à son goût?
Have a fabulous time in Paris, Janice. I know you always do. The Talbots picks are great. I love Talbots for classics and basics, and even the occasional piece that kicks up a classic ensemble a few notches. I so wish I could have packed lightly for my trip to Bayreuth last month for the Wagner festival, but we both needed formal wear and I needed four formal dresses w/all the trimmings, so packing light was not on the menu for this trip. But, it was a once in a lifetime experience.
I love the Marais district. So much to love about it. Will be following closely.
Cheers, my friend,
M-T
I am going to Paris at the same time as you and I just checked the weather last night. While it has been cooler there lately, now they are calling for a high of 70 so my outfits have changed. Out came the down vest and the extra scarf. You may want to rethink the sweaters and bring a lighter coat.
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Hi Janice! I’m late to the party!! I love the Talbot’s cardigan with the bow and what a great idea to use the bow on other garments!
I have luggage envy and would love to know more about the backpack you show here. The link is no longer live…I realize the piece may no longer be available either.
Longing for my trip to Paris – next year!
Thank you!
Susan