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Home » How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe in Brown, Camel, Cream and Turquoise: 1 Piece at a Time

How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe in Brown, Camel, Cream and Turquoise: 1 Piece at a Time

March 2, 2016
 
 
I decided to pull a scarf into this one, in order to illustrate the color scheme a bit – I think that adding the scarf lends a bit of validity to the possibility that this outfit could be someone’s favorite:
 
How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe in a Brown, Camel, Cream and Turquoise color palette

 

Shell – J. Crew; cardigan – J. Crew; scarf – St Petersburg Global Trade; pants – J. Crew

 

 

I love the possibilities – dark chocolate, caramel, whipped cream, and…. I do NOT have anything except ugly artificially-colored sprinkles to offer in turquoise!

How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe in a Brown, Camel, Cream and Turquoise color palette

Shell – J. Crew; cardigan – J. Crew; scarf – St Petersburg Global Trade; pants – J. Crew

 

Normally, I try to start building a wardrobe with solid garments, because they feel more versatile. But sometimes, you see something that’s just perfect, and you grab it!

How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe in a Brown, Camel, Cream and Turquoise color palette

Blouse – H&M

 

Here’s a case of “I love it in chocolate, I will probably love it in caramel.” That’s not at all a bad strategy for expanding your wardrobe with taking huge risks!

How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe in a Brown, Camel, Cream and Turquoise color palette

cardigan – J. Crew

 

These trousers give you a… sort of… suit look. Again, I normally wouldn’t introduce plaid pants as the 6th item in a wardrobe, but they’re perfect, and they had “whappage.” Thus, here they are!

I indulge myself in these sorts of wandering from the system in order to show you that you don’t have to march in lock-step with me in order to build a functional wardrobe. If you stick to your colors, and you choose pieces that you love, a little bit of variation will do no harm, and will let you build a wardrobe you really like. Getting the “right” things doesn’t help you at all if you don’t want to wear them frequently.

How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe in a Brown, Camel, Cream and Turquoise color palette

Pants – L.L.Bean

 

A shell, or a sweater vest? A cream blouse or shirt (which I don’t include) could be a handy 17th piece of this wardrobe!

How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe in a Brown, Camel, Cream and Turquoise color palette

Shell – J. Crew

 

It’s pretty important to settle on a shade, or range, or turquoise when you start this wardrobe; blending these pieces is an important part of owning a wardrobe that gives you plenty of options.

How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe in a Brown, Camel, Cream and Turquoise color palette

Cardigan – Miu Miu

 

If you don’t want a skirt, look for a 2nd pair of pants, in a different fabric – suede, leather, denim, corduroy, flannel…

How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe in a Brown, Camel, Cream and Turquoise color palette

Skirt – IDLF

 

Love at first sight here:

How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe in a Brown, Camel, Cream and Turquoise color palette

Tee – Angelo Marani

 

The 3rd neutral makes an appearance:

How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe in a Brown, Camel, Cream and Turquoise color palette

Cardigan – L.L.Bean

 

How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe in a Brown, Camel, Cream and Turquoise color palette

Pants – River Island

 

It might be “un-fascinating” to build up your supply of neutral pieces like this, but you’ll be grateful you have them, some early Monday morning…

How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe in a Brown, Camel, Cream and Turquoise color palette

Tee shirt – Isabel Marant

 

Woman does not live by cardigans alone! As long as your colors blend nicely, your fabrics do NOT have to match.

How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe in a Brown, Camel, Cream and Turquoise color palette

Jacket – Seventy

 

Yes, you’ve seen some of these pieces before. I do this deliberately (and not out of some inherent laziness) to show you how versatile some items can be if they work well with your chosen neutrals.

How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe in a Brown, Camel, Cream and Turquoise color palette

Tee shirt – Dorothy Perkins

 

One last “bottom.” Depending on the season, this could be shorts, culottes, a skirt, or another pair of trousers. A brown, camel and cream print skirt could be pretty… But I’m offering up a pair of jeans, just for relaxation and variety.

How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe in a Brown, Camel, Cream and Turquoise color palette

Cords – Prana

 

Everything works well together, and there are lots of clear possibilities for the next few purchases, too!

How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe in a Brown, Camel, Cream and Turquoise color palette

love,
Janice

How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe in a Brown, Camel, Cream and Turquoise color palette

 

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03.02.16 13 Comments

Tags: 1 Piece at a Time, beige, brown, camel, capsule wardrobe, cardigans, casual, cream, Four by Four, packing, turquoise
<<12 Months, 12 Outfits in 6 Capsule Wardrobes: MarchBuilding a Capsule Wardrobe by Starting with Art: Galaxy by Ibe Kyoko>>

Comments

  1. Taste of France says

    March 2, 2016 at 11:20 am

    Gorgeous! I cannot get over how much I love this.
    That jacket is fabulous. I could see that cute full-skirted beige/khaki dress from yesterday in this wardrobe, too.

    Reply
  2. Anonymous says

    March 2, 2016 at 11:59 am

    Agree, this is just fabulous! Plus, it would be easy to swap the turquoise for just about any bright highlight colour such as green or yellow, giving masses of options. I love the wider pants, they are so elegant.
    Alice

    Reply
  3. Anonymous says

    March 2, 2016 at 1:00 pm

    This series is really enjoyable. I'm currently updating my wardrobe after some major changes in my life (new climate, new finances, physical changes) and have to do it slowly. I have chosen colors and know my style, but was still having trouble implementing my ideas. This has given me a sense of direction.
    Gwendolynn

    Reply
  4. busyme says

    March 2, 2016 at 2:43 pm

    I am soooo in LOVE with this silk jacket. They also have it in cocoa…swoon.

    Reply
  5. Anonymous says

    March 2, 2016 at 3:52 pm

    I am still thinking about the food connection to this colour palette, so we could add a turquoise macaron couldn't we? I also belong to the silk jacket love tribe.

    Deb from Vancouver

    Reply
    • Coco Colmani says

      March 2, 2016 at 8:34 pm

      Clever Deb! I had been thinking of Curacao for the turquoise but I'd much rather have a macaron!
      I'm in the silk jacket team too.
      This whole colour scheme is perfect for me and I just love the selection of garments.

      Robyn in Tasmania

      Reply
  6. Anonymous says

    March 2, 2016 at 4:15 pm

    Can we call this a dark chocolate, caramel, and whipped cream parfait eaten while looking over the Mediterranean?
    -From Suzyn – frustrated as ever with this commenting system!

    Reply
  7. Katie Quattro says

    March 2, 2016 at 12:21 pm

    I can see myself wearing every single thing! The jacket is scrumptious!

    Reply
  8. Nancy/n.o.e says

    March 2, 2016 at 6:58 pm

    I was imagining dark chocolate, caramel, and whipped cream on a turquoise plate! Lovely wardrobe. – nancyo

    Reply
  9. Anonymous says

    March 2, 2016 at 7:06 pm

    Not that anyone would want to pass up those delicious dessert combinations, but I'm also reminded of my favorite (not too well known) butterfly, the Mourning-Cloak: http://www.laspilitas.com/butterflies/Butterflies_and_Moths/mourning_cloak_butterfly/mourning_cloak_butterfly.html (Geek effusion over now. Thanks everybody.)

    Reply
  10. lrlincks says

    March 2, 2016 at 7:19 pm

    This is gorgeous! I LOVE it! Swap the dark brown for black and this is what I am working on! I can't find cream pants anywhere yet but maybe as the weather warms.I have white but would prefer a cream color. I love some of your examples, but being a size 16 leaves me out of most of your picks. I'm too fat for all these stores! LOL! I just ordered a shell and cardigan in a turquoise color from J Jill. Can't wait for spring!!

    Reply
    • Janice Riggs says

      March 2, 2016 at 10:29 pm

      I expect we'll see cream trousers from J.Jill later in the spring – they rarely disappoint when it comes to good trousers!
      hugs,
      Janice

      Reply
  11. Kay dancingbrushpainting.blogspot.com says

    March 3, 2016 at 5:42 am

    Love LOVE this one Janice! That Angelo Marani tee is to die for.
    Kay

    Reply

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The Vivienne Files is a unique personal style blog with carefully-selected capsule wardrobes based on color palettes drawn from works of art, nature, and more. It helps women buy less clothing, and to love what they buy. Read more...
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