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How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe from Scratch Step 3: A cardigan and tee

June 20, 2014  

After much consideration, I decided NOT to start our capsule wardrobes with a suit, but I'm going to now pull in a second layer garment that can give you "suit-like" utility if you want it to. These two pieces could certainly be purchased as a true twinset (I personally adore twinsets), or you can find pieces that are closely related in color but not matchy-matchy.

You can buy a cardigan without any buttons - a waterfall style - but make sure that it's nice quality, and doesn't look like "the cardigan that I keep on my desk chair all the time in case it gets cold in the office". And do bear in mind that a cardigan that buttons can be worn without anything under it - as a sweater in its own right.  A handy ... View the Post

Chic Sightings: Black Cardigans – Great Dresses

May 9, 2014   Now that summer has arrived with crashing suddenness in Chicago, the quality of Chic Sightings has changed completely.  At lunch time today, it seemed that half the women walked out of their cubicles wearing a black cardigan...  As soon as they got into the sunlight, the sweaters came off, and beautiful dresses, lovely shoes, and perfectly-chosen jewelry took center stage.  

  love, Janice

Looking back:

2012: One of my readers asked me about how to use a monochromatic scarf, in What to Wear With an Hermes Scarf: Peinture Fraiche.

2013: Balancing concerns about coverage and climate can be a challenge, and I tried to address this concern about Dressing modestly in a hot ... View the Post

Breaking All the Usual Packing Rules: Navy and Green

January 18, 2014

Normally, I've always suggested that you pack around a great travel outfit, and then a carefully selected travel capsule wardrobe of separates, chosen separately, all working together.

But what if you decided to pack outfits?  If you work from a unifying theme around which you choose all of your outfits, this is a very effective idea, which also has the benefit of helping you remember all of your important accessories!

For this example, I'm packing for someone who LOVES the combination of blue and green, and who has a variety of clothes and accessories which reflect this.  The trip starts somewhere relatively cool, but will include some warmer weather activities, and a dressy dinner for a special ... View the Post

More “Dressing Up” A Simple Dress

January 2, 2014   I had a few more variations of this floating around my computer, so for those of us who continue to party through the 12 days of Christmas, here are a few more suggestions!

  This first look is low-key dressy, with a hint of sparkly cardigan, some serious silver earrings, a wee silver bag and a hint of silver trimming the shoes.  All the accessories come from the same general family without being too matchy matchy.   The 2nd ensemble features a wonderful ornamented cardigan, so I kept the earrings small, the cross-body bag a bit lacy, and the slingbacks (low-heeled, thank you!) have that touch of white that echoes the pearls.  

Silver earrings – Oscar Figueroa, dress – Acne, ... View the Post

“Dressing Up” A Simple Dress

December 31, 2013   Sometimes we're confronted with an invitation that strongly suggests that we get super dressed up.  EEEEEK....   If you're sure that it's absolutely obligatory that you dress to the teeth, just brace yourself and go shopping.  But if you are pretty certain that you just need to be dressy, maybe a simple dress with some well-chosen accessories might be just the ticket!  

  love, Janice ... View the Post

From Desk to Dinner Party: Cardigans go Solo

December 24, 2013   Sometimes, the easiest way to prepare for an evening out is to take a moment behind closed doors, slip out of your blouse or tee shirt, and button your cardigan (not quite all the way up!) over bare skin.  If your cardigan is lightweight, not at ALL scratchy, and buttons up far enough for you to be comfortable, it's a great option to consider wearing it on it's own.  Add more festive footwear, and some beautiful jewelry, push up your sleeves a bit, and smile!  

  Even if you are a VERY casual person, sparkly shoes and a serious necklace will elevate your jeans to an evening-appropriate ensemble.  

  love, Janice ... View the Post

Chic Sightings: A Simple Black Dress, a Cardigan, and SNAZZY shoes

October 2, 2013

 

Cardigan – Chinti and Parker,  Grey pumps – Everybody,  teal cardigan – House of Fraser, teal-trimmed pumps – Carolinna Espinosa    

Black & brown pumps – Softspots, brown cardigan – Paul & Joe Sister, camel cardigan – Burberry,  Camel and black pumps – Enzo Angiolini  

Grey cardigan – Massimo Alba, Floral slingback – J. Renee,  maroon cardigan – Sonia Rykiel, pumps – Marvin K.  

Dress – Stefanel   ... View the Post

Customizing the Classics: The Navy Blazer

Navy blazer – Armani Jeans    

Biker – Dorothy Perkins, silk twill – Jil Sander, wool – Balenciaga, silk tussah – Stella McCartney, waterfall – John Lewis    

Double-breasted cardigan – Marc by Marc Jacobs, self-belted cardigan – Steffen Schraut, leather belted cardigan – Michael Michael Kors, silk cardigan with pockets – Marc Jacobs    

Grey, black and taupe blazers – Topshop, brown blazer – Jil Sander    

Navy merino cardigan – J. Crew, black cardigan – Zadig et Voltaire, beige belted cardigan- Schumacher, white drawstring cardigan – Hugo Boss     ... View the Post

A Travel Capsule Wardrobe based upon a cardigan

A lot of people were very intrigued by my absolute addiction to flying in an argyle cardigan - I got lots of emails asking for variations on the patterned cardigan theme for travel.   My travel policies:  

no jeans, no sweatpants, no pajamas, no yoga pants.  I don't find jeans comfortable for sitting for hours.  You have to remember, when flying from the US to Europe, that you may be wearing the same outfit for the entire day of your arrival.  I don't like to spend my first day in Paris wandering about in pajama pants, no matter how comfortable they were on the plane.  It's not like I'm going to sleep that much on the plane anyway... Small earrings, so I can lean on things and rest during the ... View the Post

Prepare to Party: Beaded cardigans

One of the most irksome aspects of this time of year, fashion-wise, is being inundated with glitter, beads, sequins and other shiny baubles that we are supposed to desperately need for our fabulously busy holiday party season.  I'm always either intimidated, or feel inferior, because (a) I don't get invited  to that many parties, and (b) the ones I go to aren't all that splashy!

But it's easy to get sucked into the idea that one should invest in a half-dozen party outfits...

My antidote: I bought a (used) beaded cardigan.  These are readily available, at all price points, and are quite versatile.  See some ideas below.

Cardigan – Steffen Schraut, earrings – Miriam Salat, tee shirt – Donna Karan, jeans – ... View the Post