She’s an art director. Well, she’s a color savant – she can identify a Pantone shade at 20 paces… and when she gets dressed, she doesn’t want to even THINK about colors!
Striped scarf – Soaked in Luxury, watch & jewelry –
Georg Jensen, tote – Jil
Sander,
Georg Jensen, tote – Jil
Sander,
checked scarf – Sonia Rykiel, high-tops – Converse, pom pom
scarf – Diane von Furstenberg,
string knot
belt – SPACE, boots
– Acne
all clothes – J. Crew
The series is going to wind down at the end of the week, as I move on the start planning for my trip to Paris (2 weeks from today!). But the Common Wardrobe will reappear maybe once a week for a while, until I feel I’ve exhausted my creativity in this framework.
I love this series! Thank you for continuing it.
Much enjoying this series, as I do your other clever posts.
My only complaint is that this kind of simple, affordable "classic" style doesn't suit anyone carrying weight, especially if like me, you aren't very tall. Jeans and denim shirts look scruffy, plain t-shirts look as if no effort is made (boobs!! jellyrolls), and don't get me started on button-down shirts – with broad shoulders, a short neck and no waist, they just look butch and horrible. Not to mention roll-necks, a disaster if you're my shape!!
So much as I'd adore to have this kind of simple wardrobe, it's not for me. What about a wardrobe that would suit my kind of short, dumpy figure without resorting to tents (another thing I detest!) that make me look totally legless…?! ;)
As someone pointed out to me when I first commented on this series, the thing is not so much to copy exactly the items that Janice uses in her Common Wardrobe, but to find items that would look good on you and fit YOUR style. I happen to be plus-size myself, yes, with boobs and "jellyrolls" and I've done my own set using items from my own wardrobe and items I would like to purchase. You can use Polyvore to put together a similar set of your own, with items you already own or are planning to purchase, and you can mix and match to see how different items would look together, and add accessories as well, so you can whether they're versatile or not. One person who worked on her similar set added a denim jacket instead of a denim shirt, because denim shirts don't look good on her. You can use dark-rinse dressier denim jeans, and dressier well-made t-shirts, perhaps with an embellishment at the neck, and a lower neckline to draw the eye upward. Hey, if you have boobs, you might as well flaunt them, right? I don't wear turtlenecks, either (turtlenecks and boobs don't mix), but you could substitute a long-sleeve scoop neck or v-neck t-shirt. Coldwater Creek has some lovely options. You might also consider a cami or tank underneath a long cardigan, or boyfriend cardigan. You could match the cardigan to your bottoms, and voila! You look tall and thin.
Don't give up – fashion can be fun and enjoyable. Also, don't put your body down. There is no such thing as a "bad" body – just bad clothes!
Also, if clothes don't fit you properly, you might want to consider having them tailored to fit – or if you can sew, even better!
Janice- these vignettes should truly be part of a book. Almost everyone owns wardrobe staples that would benefit from your pairings. After I return from Ireland (going next week), I am going to pull my staples out and use your marcasite, silver, and black and white examples to set up some pairings. Then I will try utilizing these for a week's worth of outfits. It should be fun.
Maybe I am looking at this too simplistic, but in my minds eye, I replace the slouchy khaki with a more tailored khaki trouser, and the holey jean with a dark wash and more tailored jean. No denim shirt in my wardrobe either, but plenty of nice solid cotton shirts that do the trick. I get a lot out of these pairings by adopting the idea presented and change it to what looks good on me. No high top sneakers, ever. :-)
Looking at these edgy and fun options I feel that I could get more creative when I stick with the black white ad grey palette that i am so married to. You've inspired me yet again :-)
As I commented yesterday, this has been the best series ever. While not all of the outfits would suit or be flattering on me, I've gleaned ideas from every single pairing. I look forward to the continuation of this series this week and I am so glad you will come back to it often! Thank you!
Thank you so much for continuing despite the slight controversy. You have given me so many ideas for extending my wardrobe. I appreciate the use of "humble" base items because it makes the impact of the accessories stand out even more.
Hi Janice, enjoy your trip to Paris, hope you post about chic sightings after your visit. best wishes Mme UK (Hilary)x
This looks just like my wardrobe! How fun. I'm looking forward to what comes next, as every thing is either educational, inspirational, or both on this blog. Thanks for not letting the Negative Nancys get you down.
http://www.aspireinspireblog.blogspot.com
I think a wardrobe like this can be adapted for short/round women–dark stretch jeans, black ponte straight leg pants, longish dark tees, etc.
What I really want to know: details about your Paris trip!!!
Isn't it interesting….i was thinking to myself "come on Janice, get this series finished…we're so over it" and then i read the comments on the last post. I realised that I had been viewing these posts very superficially, without appreciating the versatility of the common essentials forming the base of every post…..how easy it would be to swap any of the 12 basics to suit my style (in fact I probably already have most of them in my wardrobe) and start to concentrate on building capsules of accessories to TOTALLY change the look. What an easy and cost effective way to update your look each season. I totally get it now! Thanks to Janice and all the comments posters for opening my eyes. So much more valuable than bailing out of your blog….
Hi, I am a short, dumpy person writing from New Zealand, I love the recent blogs, I can easily adapt them for my wardrobe, I just devour everything you post, you are amazing. Thank-you for sharing your creativity, I figure we have to wear clothes every day so why not have fun with them. Since I have found your blog I have been having heaps of fun!!!
I love color, but I think this is my favorite so far!
Janice, yet another great set, as always! I hope you will continue to refer back to this concept after you've "exhausted your creativity" (is that even possible?), because I find it truly useful! So many people who write articles and books about fashion talk about the "Top Ten Key Pieces" or "Must Have Items," etc., but seeing the way you put that concept into practice really made it click for me! I think the Common Wardrobe forms the basis of a truly practical, versatile and attractive style. And one can always adapt it to suit one's own lifestyle, figure, coloring, budget, etc.
Personally, I think this has been brilliantly done. Judging from most of the comments, you've helped many women by sharing this concept.
Janice – this series was wonderful!! Don't worry about the negativity. As much as I would LOVE to see everyone dressing like Audrey Hepburn in Charade (pillbox hat and gloves to go to the park!!) the world is not like that anymore. I travel a lot, and see people on airplanes literally in pajama bottoms!! I still work, and almost every single workplace is very casual, with the common wardrobe very common in most workplaces. I've had criticisms of "why are you so dressed up?" for putting on a scarf or jewelry. Thank you Janice for helping us to be creative and make this individual.
YOU are the colour savant.
I Iove this, sheer genius! So stylish and wearable. This and the one for blue eyes are my favourites.
Think I should try to pull a wardrobe like this together and see if it works for me. Brilliant inspiration.