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How to Pack for Paris, again!

August 29, 2014  

Yes, there are lots more Four by Four Wardrobes on the way, but I like to mix things up a bit!

I don't leave for Paris and Amsterdam for 20 days, but I'm already starting to think this one through. This is a particularly interesting packing adventure, because I'm currently living in hot summer weather (well, hot, cool, stormy, and just plain strange...), but I know that it's going to be more comfortable in Europe. Unless it's not. Sigh...

As usual, I'm planning to dress in layers, so worst case cold weather means more layers, and worst case warm weather means just a shirt rather than a shirt and sweater. If it gets too extreme, I go shopping, or I stay in the hotel. One can't pack for every eventuality, ... View the Post

The Perfect Clothing/Slot Machine /Backpack

April 26, 2014  

I've been in the live-in caretaker role for quite a while now - since we got back from Paris, I've only been home a handful of days... In order to uncomplicate my life, I just put some clothes into a backpack and hopped on the train, hoping for the best. Turns out that my instincts were great - I was wearing three garments, I packed six, and there was literally NO combination that wasn't wearable. I felt like my clothes were a perfectly weighed slot machine upon which I couldn't lose...

These were the clothes that I had with me: (okay, these aren't exactly the same garments. My cardigans are from Lands' End, and are years old. My denim shirt is from J. Jill and is no longer available. Everything else is Eileen ... View the Post

I Worry too Much about Packing, Especially for Paris…

March 7, 2014   Do you worry too much about what to pack? Anticipation is a lot of the fun, but it's possible to reach a point in preparation where you drive yourself slightly nuts; I have reached that point with preparing for Paris next week.  For a while, I would just wear something that I really loved, and then (after laundering) hang it onto the rack designated for Paris packing.   Okay, so now about 50% of my closet is ready to pack.  Clearly not going to work out, eh?   And then I get panicky - what should I take?  What if I forget something I really love?  Will it all fit in my suitcase?  You would think that I'd never done this before, or that what I pack will be the most important thing ... View the Post

How to Pack for Slushy Streets

February 14, 2014   Lucky me - I'm going to New York for a few days next week!  Belovedest has to go to a series of meetings there, and we had a free plane ticket, and so...   But this is a particularly dicey time of year to travel - there's no telling what I'm going to find for weather.  So the first thing we have to always plan is what the "drop dead" plan is for cancellations, i.e., at what point do we go back home after a number of delays. But once that's settled, I also have to face that fact that I'm not going to be happy slopping around Manhattan unless I have serious footwear - specifically, my Bogs.  And they're... bulky... really, really bulky...   I could wear them on the plane, but I'm going ... View the Post

Is It The End of the Affair?

For a while now, I've been smitten with the Maltese Cross motif in jewelry, especially that from Kenneth Jay Lane.  (I know there are VASTLY more expensive versions, but I'm not spending a condo down-payment on a bracelet...)

But recently - last since September? - I haven't worn a piece of this jewelry. (the square gizmo in the middle is a mirrored compact)  Not once.

Is it time for me to move on?  Do I sell them?  Hang onto them for a few more months to see if I fall back in love with them? 

I firmly believe that one of the most important things that you can do when you're trying to define a personal style is to let yourself identify and really... wallow... in things you love.  A personal signature is ... View the Post

My Dream Wardrobe, Autumn 2013

September 4, 2013  

Dream Wardrobe - DONE!  I chose my twelve favorite outfits, and then broke out the various pieces into a total wardrobe.I know I want jeans, and I KNOW I want my black turtleneck.  Last winter's favorite outfit of the black and white cardigan, black top and skirt, and pearl jewelry is definitely still going to be here.  And I've got a new grey dress, that will be amazing with my luscious feather-print scarf from Paris.

 

  My denim shirt is going nowhere!  With a velvet skirt and my natural cable sweater, I'll wear it all winter.  And my new loves - the skirted leggings - will be great for autumn with a long-sleeved black tee and my asymmetric Eileen Fisher sweater. ... View the Post

Dream SPECIFIC Wardrobe Dreams!

What's your dream wardrobe?

Be specific. Imagine that the first cool fall day has arrived (if you're in the Northern Hemisphere), and that you open your closet/armoire/cupboard door and you see it: the Dream Wardrobe.

How many outfits?

What are they? A grey mini-skirt with a grey tunic sweater, grey tights, and silver flats? A simple black wool dress with an amazing paisley scarf and low-heeled black suede pumps? Dream specific dreams.

And then write them down, or draw them...

Now distill these various outfits down to their necessary component parts and pieces.

Now figure out what you already own...

Your shopping list then looks like this:

For me, personally, my autumn purchase plan is the ... View the Post

Packing for an Emergency from Capsule Wardrobe Project 333 – warm weather

Realistically, Project 333 makes packing a snap - you don't have terribly much from which to choose, and if your garments were wisely chosen, most of them should go together pretty well.  But I always find it comforting to have a plan in mind, when those phone calls arrive.  I've had a few near misses recently with having to travel at the last minute, so I'm happy to have the following plan for the balance of the warm weather.   Travelling for me almost always involves flying - my relatives are scattered about the planet. Even on the hottest summer days, airplanes are cold (it's always WAAAY below zero at 35,000 feet), so a cardigan, a light wrap, and SENSIBLE shoes are always appropriate.

  In these clothes, I ... View the Post

Capsule Wardrobe Project 333 continues, with 3 substitutions

July 11, 2013  

Now that I'm home during the day, I've found that I don't need to dress like a serious business executive all of the time, and I'm able to indulge my fondness for ballet-ish garments, and a lot of dark neutral colors.  I find that being able to have a simple, monochromatic wardrobe makes sense for me...   This month's additions: the most excellent Preloved tee shirt that I bought in Toronto, a charcoal tank top from Eileen Fisher, and a pair of black skirted leggings.  You either LOVE, or HATE, skirted leggings.  I've found that I love them - they're comfortable, flattering, and just unusual enough that they make me happy.  

  This was what I was using for Project 333.  I ... View the Post

Capsule Wardrobe Project 333: The Uniform gets MORE Uniform

I may have mentioned recently that I had problems with the striped tee shirt that I had included in my spring and summer project 333.  Bottom line - I didn't try it on when I was pulling summer clothes out of storage, and I found that it fit poorly when I finally went to wear it.  I blame weight lifting...So one swap I've made is to donate the shirt that is now so unflattering, and replace it with a looser striped tee shirt that's designed to layer over things - in my wardrobe that will be tank tops or a simple dress. 

More and more, I find that I'm very happy wearing monochromatic outfits - everything black and grey is starting to suit me well. I particularly found my green tee shirt to be... awkward - mentally. ... View the Post

Capsule Wardrobe Project 333: Another week, with travel, work, and the gym

Last week I experienced another small hitch in my Project 333- my striped tee shirt is NOT going to be wearable for the summer, so I've replaced it. (Yes, with another striped tee shirt...)   Otherwise, I have been delighted with my choices, so far.My travel wardrobe, based on two pair of black pants - one silk, one cotton twill - worked out well too.  It was warm enough that I didn't need to wear my scarves, and one day I pulled off my sweater mid-day, but that was part of the plan. Layering makes it possible to pile on, or peel off, depending on what you encounter.

So Monday and Tuesday I dressed out of my suitcase - Monday, I did some gardening, and Tuesday we flew back to Chicago. (yes, on Monday I borrowed casual shoes ... View the Post

Capsule Wardrobe Packing from the 33 for a long weekend

I'm out of town right now - actually, I've been out of town since Thursday afternoon; the magic of the internet means that I can schedule blog posts ahead of time!  I'm visiting a number of my relatives, which is the easiest packing; laundry is available, and borrowing clothes is always possible.  I'm carrying the huge suitcase because belovedest and I are sharing the bag, and his clothes and shoes take up a LOT of space...

       

  ... View the Post