July 14, 2014 BIG BIG BIG EDIT: THIS IS ONLY STEP SIXTEEN... If you are going to make a typo, make a really big one! I had medical tests this a.m., and have been asleep all afternoon; I am so sorry for the delay in fixing this inexcusable error! We're very close to wrapping up our capsule wardrobes, but there are a couple more things we need to do to make sure that our choices will work as well for us as possible. So far, we've added pieces within our color scheme, but we've not been particularly rigorous in making sure that we have a balance between our neutrals. To address this, I've looked at each wardrobe and tried to find the "Core of Four" (two tops and two bottoms, that will ... View the Post
from Scratch Archives - Page 12 of 15
How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe from Scratch Step 15: A Versatile Dress and an Accent Cardigan
July 11, 2014
Many of you have pointed out that we really need something dressy in the capsule wardrobe that can be worn in warmer weather, and many of you have asked specifically for a dress, so that's what we're doing today! These dresses are paired with accent cardigans, which dramatically pull together all sorts of looks... Very neutral, comfortable sandals will be wardrobe workhorses - make sure that they're appropriate for more than just one dressy occasion...Can you see turquoise jewelry here? And this dress with the simple beige cardigan and gold necklace would be lovely.
If you're not mad for sleeveless, just look for a dress with an elbow or bracelet sleeve.
No, this dress and ... View the Post
How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe from Scratch Step 14: Leisure Wear
July 10, 2014 As much as it's fun to dress up and go out into the world, sometimes we just want to stay close to home. This does NOT mean that we shouldn't still be elegant, comfortable and beautiful... Please, if you choose to wear leggings (and don't get me wrong, I wear leggings very often and adore them), bear in mind the extremely revealing nature of such garments around your... more... private... areas. (ahem...) Easily the most shocking and unattractive things that I see on my daily city hikes involve inappropriate and immodest ensembles including leggings. You know what I mean...
As with everything else that goes into your well-considered wardrobe, your leisure apparel will be ... View the Post
How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe from Scratch Step 13: More Accessories!
July 9, 2014
In my one-woman crusade to encourage the wearing of jewelry, today we'll look at some possible additions to various Starting From Scratch capsule wardrobes.
This addition doesn't necessarily mean shopping; it's entirely possible that these beauties are already lurking in jewelry boxes or dresser drawers. Let's bring them into the light!
And you all know that I'm a firm opponent of the "it bag" phenomenon, but I do believe that having more than one bag is entirely reasonable. A bag in one of your accent colors, or in each of your neutrals, isn't outrageous, especially if the bags serve different purposes, or if they make you really happy! (which, after all, is the whole point of your ... View the Post
How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe from Scratch Step 12: A Winter Coat, Boots and Scarf
July 8, 2015 For many of us, a really SERIOUS winter coat is a necessity in the capsule wardrobe. Realistically, I couldn't get through the winter without my parka that sort of resembles a cross between a sleeping bag and a wee portable padded room... But let's focus on getting a more attractive, more widely useful winter coat. I've chosen a mixture of accent colors and neutrals, and tossed in yet another scarf because it's difficult to have too many scarves! My friend in black and brights wants a statement coat to stand out in the crowd of black - and this blue should do the trick, eh?
My lady in navy is looking for a dark neutral coat, but some pretty flowers for an ... View the Post
How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe from Scratch Step 11: A Complete Outfit, for Balance and Accent
July 4 2014 This is the step in which each capsule wardrobe is going to start taking on a distinct personality, based on personal needs, preferences, and desires. I'm adding a complete outfit to each of the various wardrobes, based on a variety of scenarios that might be possible. Starting with Madame Grey and Navy - she's starting to feel that navy is under-represented in her wardrobe, and moreover, she'd like to get a gorgeous, versatile cardigan and a luxury skirt into the mix. Nothing overly dressy; simple and beautiful are what she wants...
And now her wardrobe is this:
Conversely, our Lady Caramel and Black is longing for something edgier - a leather jacket? A simple ... View the Post
How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe from Scratch Step 10: A Casual Jacket, Top and Shoes
July 3, 2014 So after we've prepared ourselves for those unavoidable formal occasions that crop up, let's have a bit more fun and pick up a few things for our capsule wardrobe to make us more "casual-worthy". First off - a jacket. This could be a hooded sweatshirt (one of my favorites), a denim jacket, leather jacket, or whatever strikes your fancy. Add in a relaxed top, and a pair of casual shoes (maybe in one of your accent colors?) and you've got a LOT more options...
love, Janice
... View the Post
How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe from Scratch Step 9: A Skirt, and Essential Accompaniments
July 2, 2014 Somehow, one of the great mysteries of the internet, this post vanished, and was replaced in its entirety by a post from two years earlier! Happily, I have all of my images saved on my computer, and in the cloud, so I'm able to recreate the look of the original post. I think that my explanation will be much as it was, because I'm still working with essentially the same brain! Any time you notice things that look complete bizarre or inexplicable here on The Vivienne Files, please send me a note: [email protected]. Your assistance is deeply appreciated! Next step in the Starting From Scratch Capsule Wardrobe - you don't own a skirt or dress yet! A skirt is the more versatile of the two, because ... View the Post
How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe from Scratch Step 8: Two Tops, and a Necklace
July 1, 2014
One thing that I've noticed after many years of wearing clothes is that I feel like my capsule wardrobe is better balanced if I have more "tops" than "bottoms". Two to one seems a pretty workable ratio for me, and so in search of this it's time to grab a couple more blouses, tee shirts, or sweaters. This is an ideal time to introduce a pattern, if you wish, or to bring in more of your accent colors. If you found that you really preferred wearing light neutral blouses, those are perfect for this step. And a necklace... Some days when I'm walking in downtown Chicago, I make a point of looking specifically for necklaces, and I'm always kind of shocked that I don't see very many. A semi-precious stone or ... View the Post
How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe from Scratch: Clarifying Our Preferences
June 29, 2014 As we take a pause in our capsule wardrobe building, it's a good time to begin to isolate some of our personal style preferences, and to focus on what kinds of color combinations make us most comfortable. These aren't choices that MUST be made - you can have as much variety in your wardrobe as suits you, but for some of us, making the choice to (for example) eliminate button-front shirts can be liberating and clarifying. I thought of these choices that could be made - what other decisions can be made at this point in wardrobe building?
white cotton shirt – Diane von Furstenberg, white silk blouse – Nic + Zoe, blue blouse – Uniqlo, lilac tee shirt – Nougat London, aqua ... View the Post
How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe from Scratch: A Brief Pause to Check the Map
June 27, 2014
This seems like a good time to stop for a moment and assess what we've accomplished so far with our capsule wardrobes, and make sure that we're happy with the direction in which we're moving. The items that we've brought into the capsule wardrobe so far give us over a dozen outfit options (I'm showing 2 dozen, but if you take off the cardigans, there are additional outfits). Some of these outfits work better than others, but none of them are unwearable. What might be reasonable to do right now would be to stop and look at each of these outfits, and decide if we're comfortable with most of them. Certainly some are going to be... not to our taste... but if your choice of colors has been ... View the Post
How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe from Scratch Step 7: A Base in the 2nd Neutral
July 26, 2014 Today's step will bring our second neutral color more fully into our capsule wardrobes, by the addition of another "suit-like ensemble" in this color. Please note that you can choose a really different cardigan style from your first one, or you could choose a jacket - even a denim jacket! And I'm opting for ballet flats for this color - no matter what shoes I choose, someone somewhere is going to detest them and want something very different. I'm including these in a really neutral style mostly for illustrative purposes - I want to focus on the role that a second pair of shoes, in a different color, will play. Tomorrow, when I show outfit options, this 2nd pair of shoes will make a big ... View the Post
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