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.
The minute I saw that Eileen Fisher was going to have a polka-dotted skirt this fall, I knew I had to have it. With a grey tunic sweater – easiest outfit ever. A black dress and cardigan will always be in my wardrobe, and I can’t forget the argyle cardigan outfit that I ALWAYS wear when I fly.
Do you plan your dream wardrobe before a new season?
love,
Janice
Totally love 99% of these items – the skirted leggings are too far out of my own comfort range – so I'd probably invest in another pair of jeans ! Thanks for making me take another look at what I already own, and how to be more selective about what I purchase. Sure makes packing for trips easy !
Can you hear me saying NO every time I scroll past that polka dot skirt??? I do love this wardrobe (even the skirted legging is growing on me). Do you dress well every day even though you don't go to an office?
Yep. After I'm back from the gym, I shower and put on something nice. At the end of the work day, I walk across the Loop to meet Belovedest, and we walk home together. I can't always go looking for Chic Sightings unless I try to qualify myself! Plus, I just find it more comfortable to try to be as well-dressed as B…
I purchased the skirted leggings. Thank you Janice. They are wonderful. Totally forgiving. I'm 67 and built a bit like Mrs. Potato Head This item is very elongating and makes me feel fantastic. I highly recommend. Elle
Great combinations. I've never heard of skirted leggings. My 1st thought is negative but I bet they become indispensable.
Brilliant! Can you source the natural and black cable knit pullovers? Thanks!
My black cable sweater is from Lands' End, and it's almost 10 years old (i.e., from back in the day when their cashmere was among the best available). And the natural one is from Levi's – I bought it last year in Paris. It, ironically, was not easily found in Chicago!
I would really like to try the skirted leggings! Love your shoe selections!
I think what I love most about your blog is that it isn't a "shopping blog" – you aren't saying "here are three similar shirts I found on the internet." It's a thinking woman's wardrobe blog -the focus is smart, practical ideas, with plenty of eye candy. I love that shopping is an offshoot, not the focus!
Last night I was laying out my capsule wardrobe for our upcoming trip to London. It (at least colorwise) is so similar to your Autumn wardrobe. You've convinced this Southern woman that black and gray are the way to go in autumn/winter. I need to work on my accessories and I'm going to study yours. I have plenty of scarves, but need to work on some additional earrings and other jewelry to go with my ensembles. I probably own the pieces I need for the most part–but need to try everything on.
About the Eileen Fisher polka dot skirt. It is very cute, but I've seen it at the EF shop and it is VERY short–even too short for me to wear with tights! Perhaps you are shorter and it is longer on you?
Thank you for this post today. It is perfect for my needs and I am pinning all of it on Pinterest. One question–where to find a good looking argyle sweater this season. I've looked, but can't find any as elegant as yours for sale right now.
Thanks for bringing this up (and me to my senses). I am 5'8 and want my skirts to come to the knee at my age.
Cornelia, I just barely under 5'8" tall and this skirt would be substantially above my knees. BUT, if you have an EF store close to you–go in and try it on and wear tights when you go. I'm curious as to what you think. It is a VERY cute skirt!
I am also 5'8" with 1/2 my height from my waist down. Skirt length is the problem I've had with the skirted leggings, too. Some pictures of them actually on women show the skirt barely covering their rears. In others it comes to about mid-thigh. In either case, too short for me.
I'm fearless in the face of really short skirts, so long as I'm wearing tights. I walk 4 to 6 miles a day, and my legs have nothing to hide!
No store anyway near me, but a quick look at the website did the trick. I own both the grey and black skirts featured next to the polka dot, and I am much more comfortable with that length. Still, I have a fond spot for polka dots…
You should be able to find plenty of Argyle sweaters in the UK – try The Scotch House, Harrods (for Pringle), maybe Edinburgh Wollen Mills (it's a chain with branches all over) …………..
I read the reviews for the EF polka dot skirt on the EF site. It appears that most of the positive reviewers were petite. I will wait for reviews from taller people. I don't have an issue with my legs either, but the proportion seems a bit wrong with an ultra short skirt.
Superb! I so love the bit of easy insouciance the polka dot skirt and skirted tights bring to this otherwise classic wardrobe.
I love how you are able to create so many different types of outfits with your wardrobe. I need to start thinking about my own fall wardrobe, it's just hard to do when it's 90 degrees outside!
Fantastic choices. I love your skirted leggings and have been looking for some in a price range I can afford. All I seem to come across is one size fits all and I'm not willing to try that lol.
Love this Janice, but I'm a little fearful of velvet. I did have a wonderful pair of velvet cigarette pants that I wore often. A small bare spot developed at the top of the thigh where I crossed my legs and rubbed against my desk. I was very sad to have to let those go.
The quality of fabric is key I think. I've seen some really bad velvet. My personal wardrobe staples are brown, grey and blue (all in the right shade for me).
For the person who wants skirted leggings cheaply. I have a "free" set–leggings plus a short sport skirt. Already had both. DIY Eileen.
Hi Janice, I love your blog… first time commenting but read it every day!
Where did you get your skirted leggings? I actually had the same reaction, negative at first but now I am intrigued. Jill
They're from Eileen Fisher. I was VERY skeptical, but my friend who manages the store on State Street convinced me to try them. She's a genius – they're now probably my favorite garments in my entire wardrobe!
Thanks Janice!
Haven't put together my dream wardrobe yet, but you do inspire me. I, unfortunately, fell off the non-shopping wagon last week, seduced by fall colors and a pair of dark plum jeans. I also bought two other pieces in colors totally out of my capsule colors. Now the challenge will be to make the pieces play well with others besides being just one outfit. The buyer's remorse was terrible! Janice, what have you done to me!
Thank you for showing those heeled oxfords with the wide(r) leg velvet pants – I have a pair of Eileen Fisher velvet pants I thrifted last year and I have never loved my shoe options with them other than a ballet flat, and if it's cold – I want to have something I could wear at least a trouser sock with – I'll have to try!
I'd need a few more light weight tops for layering. Sometimes a sweater is just too warm in a heated room or a sheltered and sunny outdoor spot. Other than that, I love the whole concept and plan to duplicate much of it.
It is nice that you haven't created yet another shopping blog. I enjoy thinking about how your choices fit for me and how I can tweak your concepts. I loved your post a while back on personal style–something about costuming?–and wish you'd do more of those. Not long ago I would have scoffed at the idea of "authentic" dressing. Now I think it's a very very smart idea.
I love seeing how your choices are so "you." I'm finally getting confident enough to look at these and love them….for you! Black – not for me, thanks. Vive la difference! :-)
Hugs!
Love the grey striped scarf!!!! Actually, loved everything but the scarf most of all.
Hi Janice- thanks for (another) great post. Almost perfect for me – and would you consider "funking it up" a little for those who want a little more edge? Could you include an EF moto jacket or????
Velvet love! It's my favorite fabric for everything from pants to sofas. I do wish I could find something velvet to wear in midnight blue.
Great post. Could you please show us numerous styling ideas for the skirted leggings, where you would wear them – and I do like the suggestion of "funking it up"! Thanks for all you do! Di
Eewww… can't be doing with skirted leggings! I'm immune after going through the 'skirts over trousers' thing in the early 90s. Also, I have a personal vendetta against leggings.
Otherwise, lots of luscious items there. I love the soft greys, quality wools and beautiful accessories.
Love this post. I am considering the EF skirted leggings–can you tell me how the size runs? Is the fabric really stretchy? I don't want to order wrong. I think they would be a great addition to the fall wardrobe. THANKS!
Her clothes are very consistently sized – if you've ever had anything from her, you can confidently order the size you're used to. And the fabric is WONDERFUL – opaque, stretchy, and very flattering.
I love all the shoes – can you tell me who made each of them? I, especially, love the brogues!
who is the grey tunic (with the front pockets)by? Thanks!
A late comment/question here: I'm looking for a long black cardigan that will cover my butt and can be worn buttoned up/down, by itself, or over a mock turtle. I got one last year from Ulla Popken, called an empire cardigan. Alas, my rabbit chewed a hole in the sleeve, and they seem to have discontinued the item. I tried ebay; no dice.
I loved this sweater as it had a tab closure at the top and mother of pearl buttons. It oversized b/c Ulla P is for big ladies, but I got the smallest size they had.
Any idea where I might find something similar? It should be cotton and/or acrylic; I can't wear wool next to my skin.
Thank you!
I did a little thinking on this and sadly my dream wardrobe goes with my dream life not my real one. I am a personal care attendant so my clothes have to be pretty hard wearing and allow for physical movement. I can wear a skirt or dress or dressy pants maybe 3 times in a good week. and one of those is probably running errands.