July 15, 2014
Many of you have written to me to ask how this capsule wardrobe compares with my earlier 24-piece wardrobe – excellent question!Just as in the 24-piece wardrobe, this Starting From Scratch includes to two core “Four by Four” assortments in your neutrals, it works with two accent colors and a light neutral, and it includes the concept of the “bridge” garment, which is something that incorporates both of your neutral colors and allows you to wear piece from both neutrals seamlessly.
So I decided to look at each wardrobe one last time (for now – I’m sure we’ll be back to revisit this concept when trench coats hits the stores, and when there are other requests/needs), and see how things stacked up in terms of a 24-piece wardrobe. I removed outerwear, and leisurewear, from our current collection, and concentrated on “street” clothes – those things that we wear out of our homes for the full range of life in this world…
Please note that I’m going to update the 24-piece wardrobe worksheet to include references to the Starting From Scratch, so that the updated worksheet will work with both approaches. Give me a day or two…
Starting with my favorite khaki and olive combination – this looks like a really great wardrobe! The only real gap that I can see is that there aren’t any warm-weather tops in turquoise…
Turquoise tee – Kin by John Lewis, floral shirt – Uniqlo
Red tee shirt – Oasis, blue tee – Hallhuber
Yellow sweater – Topshop
How your accent colors are represented in both summer and winter; the yellow sweater on a dreary day would make a world of difference in your outlook!
The caramel and black wardrobe only has one dress and one skirt – maybe another dress would be helpful? And another bridge garment is always a good idea.
Black dress – Y.A.S., tee shirt – Kain
There are no obvious gaps here, so this kind of opens the door for just finding something versatile and beautiful…
Blouse – Sugarhill Boutique
There’s really nothing you couldn’t do in this wardrobe!
Navy jeans – Valentino, grey dress – Diane von Furstenberg
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I've been loving these wardrobes, especially the black/red combo followed by the gray. However, I don't do skirts or dresses. How about a "pants only" wardrobe with the same versatility? A summer, breezy maxi dress is an option though.
I keep coming back to the colour wheels to come up with new ways to put my old clothes together. Great ideas. Hope you are well soon. All the best.
Yesterday the wardrobes had 26-28 pieces. Today they ended with 23-24. Maybe some went out to the laundry while you were sedated? Hope you feel better soon.
I removed outerwear and leisure wear, in order to conform more closely to our old 24-piece wardrobe idea. The 24 piece was oriented strictly to "outside of home" wear, and never included coats. Basically, I'm trying to show that a wide variety of "wardrobe building" approaches are all compatible!
I agree with all the others – this has been a wonderful series.
And I do have a question. Fast forward to next year. Where do I go from here? Do I keep building with the same colors, or do I choose one or two new accent colors? What happens if the tones of the colors in the marketplace change so they no longer harmonize?
You can just assume that colors in the marketplace will change – it's their job to convince you that you need more clothes even when you have a full closet and can beautifully attire yourself for any event! I would suggest finding two or three really amazing accent pieces, and maybe replacing any core items that have passed their best useful life. Really focus on buying just a literal handful of pieces of the very nicest quality you can manage… And of course, repair all footwear (and anything else that needs fixed!), and upgrade your lingerie…
It's at times like these, when I have a full closet and can attire myself for anything, when I replace bras and panties, socks and tights, and other worn-out essentials. Because I already have my other clothes, it gives me a whole season's budget to upgrade such items to the very best standard I can afford.
Thank you so much for this wonderful series!
I have learned so much from it.
I am now ready to start from scratch building my new wardrobe after losing 17 kilos since the New Year.
Thank you for all your hard work.
Take care of yourself Janice..You are working too hard! Thank you for all the inspiration. When fall arrives…as it will here in the upper south..I plan to be very careful about what I put back into my closet. Meanwhile, I'll try to decide are my favorite black and gray or black and tan? Maybe three neutrals!
Now that I'm home from a longish trip–wearing only a handful of items!–I'm going to try to create a from scarach wardrobe by subtraction FROM my current closet, rather than starting from scratch. Thanks as always for the inspiration.
fantastic idea!
I really thrilled with this series and I have found it so helpful! Thank you so much Janice!
I'm working with the caramel/black wardrobe and I wonder if I can switch from black to dark brown? I look really bad in black and I don't want that much in my wardrobe.
The only other question I have is why there is so little pattern in this wardrobe, in the clothes.
Thanks!
Dear Janice,
I am enjoying this series immensely! And the shoe selection approach/thought plan, for me, is very helpful as I find shoes a challenge.
Please look after yourself!
If you miss a day- we will still be here eagerly awaiting your next lesson/creation.
thanks
Irene
"Just as in the 24-piece wardrobe" – dear Janice, I can't find it anywhere. I browsed, I downloaded both lists. Please help me find what you are referencing to. It is nowhere to be found. At least "24-piece wardrobe" would be helpfull.
Sanja from Zagreb
I've put links into the 2 first references to the 24-piece wardrobe – one will take you to the first time I worked with it, and the other takes you to the 2nd time. Thanks for letting me make this more workable!
regards,
Janice
At least "24-piece wardrobe" TAG or even better, the tag would be helpfull.
You're right – I need to do that. Thanks for helping me keep things as useful as possible.
regards,
Janice
I only wear skirts for dress and casual areas of my life. Would you please give us some varying skirt designs. Thank you!