These next eight garments are things that I wear almost the entire year – maybe not the dog days of August, or the teeth of a bitter blizzard (not that I really remember what that’s like), but month in, month out, these clothes never go into storage.And the accessories – same thing. They are my standby goodies, over and over again.
Both striped tops – L.L.Bean
bot tee shirts – Lands’ End
both dresses – Lands’ End
both pair of pants – Eddie Bauer
Scarves – Hermes Flacons, and Jardins des Metamorphoses
earrings – Cartier
Stone necklace – J. Jill
pearls – Etsy
gold penny loafers – Cole Haan
cross-body bag – Osgoode Marley
Tote bag – Tumi
If I were to pack the eight solid black garments I chose for my last wardrobe iteration, and take also these eight (and all 16 accessories), I would be set for any autumn/winter/early spring jaunt that might present itself…
I really like the Hermes scarf! I will always like my black looks and never give them up.
Please come by and register to win the $100 gift card I am giving away and helping women in India!!
It's amazing how far a few well fitted basics will go. We need much less than we believe (and are told).
Again, such an inspiration! You have become my morning go to (with a cup of coffee). I love it that the wardrobe is beautiful and from shops most of us can afford. Thank you, again. Susan (Mpls)
This is great! I so look forward to your 'put togethers' definitely inspires me. SInce I am very warmed toned could I throw camel in the mix and would it seem as sophisticated?
Well thought out basics and like you I love accessories…
especially Hermes scarves!
I love my cashmere cardigan from Lands End and would pop that into my basics. In summer on a breezy evening slipping it over my shoulders makes all the difference.
I echo anonymous #2. I search for you daily and am disappointed when your schedule doesn't permit you to post :)
What style are those Eddie Bauer pants? They ship to Canada but I am curvy and unsure of the fit.
The Eddie Bauer pants are Bremerton cut – no pockets, no waistband, and a side zip. They fit me tremendously well, and I wish they made them in more fabrics (they used to make corduroy pants in this cut, and I'm hoarding my pair!).
thanks for being here,
Vivienne
Gosh, that makes me think of my wardrobe differently and start putting things together differently. thanks for the tips and inspiration. Love your blog!!
Your wardrobe is so very well coordinated. Was this a learning process or have you always been this organized? I am getting so many ideas here using pieces that are in my wadrobe which are mostly in neutrals (being from Europe, that is what we do). Thank you so much.
OK, either your blizzard remark is tongue-in-cheek, or you moved to Chicago AFTER Feb. 2, 2011! As for me, I went through the Blizzard of 1967 in Chicagoland, which really dates me. BTW, I'm assembling a navy and yellow capsule based on your April in Paris ideas. Having trouble finding a moderately-priced print cardigan, though. Can't afford the Erdem, unfortunately!
Actually, I remember that one well – we didn't even miss work the next day. I live downtown, and they clear the snow before it even lands; there's a huge paranoia about snow-removal in Chicago!
And aren't those Erdem things gorgeous? Happily, I've seen similar sweaters at Garnet Hill and Talbot's, for those of us who live in the real world.
thanks for being here,
Vivienne
Vivienne,
I need to spend some time on your blog planning what to take with me on an upcoming trip. This looks like a great travel wardrobe to work with. I will start with some of my black basics and work my way out from there.
Thank goodness for your wonderful blog. I may actually impress my husband with my packing skills this time around. His poor back with be so happy!
Thanks, I'll check out those websites! Also meant to say I love the Jardin des Metamorphoses. I'm on the hunt for a gray/white scarf. I missed the L'Art de Temari in those colors, but I still hope to find something in the future. The neutral Hermes scarves seem to sell out fast! OT, Chicago mayors are paranoid about snow removal because one of them was removed himself for failing to get the job done quickly. I think it was Bilandic.
Very practical wardrobe. Do you mind if I ask what kind of fabric the pants are made of? I have a hard time trying to find something between a jean and a dress pant. Something that can be worn casually, without looking too casual. I often dress too far the other way, and would love to find the happy medium.
The pants are kind of a cotton twill blended with some synthetic – they shed wrinkles really well, and are relatively wearable out of the dryer, but still have a look and feel of the natural fiber which is the majority of the content. I've been wearing them for years…
Eileen Fisher also makes an ankle pant that has a very narrow elastic waist, side zip, and a notched ankle that's very versatile and… I guess neutral would be a good description. Especially in the warm weather, when the shortish length and notched ankle is appropriate, they are good basics.
thanks for being here,
Vivienne
I found your blog this weekend and I found it quite useful and inspiriting! Right away, I put together a mix and match wardrobe of my spring clothes. I plan to use your suggestions to pack for a long weekend trip to D.C. (attending a college graduation) this spring. How do you find the items you use as examples? Do you visit individual websites (J.Crew, APC, Net-a-Porter, etc.) or do you have a another means to quickly find pieces from so many different brands?
p.s. I just bought my first Hermes scarf this year, and I am thrilled to see so many of your examples include a scarf.
So inspiring. I love grey and black as my neutrals. As always, your blog is wonderful.
Do bra straps show under the long sleeve t-shirts? Boatneck is flattering, so I tend to go for them & then have a hard time finding the right thing to go underneath. Adding little snaps to hold the bra strap isn't an option, though I guess I could the tailor at the dry cleaner's.
Another thing I've fallen for is random tissue t-shirts. I grab them when find a deal, but then I don't have things that work work under or over. A t-shirt that's the right shape will have an edge on the neckline that clashes with the longer sleeve tissue I want to wear on top. Anyone have thoughts about this? Actually I should probably do a search on layering and foundation garments.
Thanks for this. And everything.
I have to be a little bit aware of where my bra straps are when I wear the striped tops, but nothing terribly obsessive. And there are striped tops aplenty that have more of a round neckline, and less of the boat-neck thing…
And I don't layer tee shirts. I think it's cute on some people, but it would only work (just as you seem to be finding) if I specifically bought the tops to wear together, and I just can't be bothered with having tee shirts that can only be worn in certain combinations. Plus, I'm very skeptical about how durable those tissue tees are going to be; I suspect that after a few times through the wash, they will start to develop those pernicious little holes that plague tee shirts…
thanks for being here!
Vivienne
Thanks so much.