My 3-dress capsule wardrobe worked so well in Paris that I thought I would experiment with some different ways to pack with dresses as the primary garments…Imagine, if you will, someone who buys a cardigan that they love. Bright colors, a print she adores, and excellent quality. So when she’s invited to a wedding weekend out of town, it only makes sense to build EVERYTHING around this sweater:
Earrings – Sam Edelman; tee – L.L.Bean; pants – Uniqlo; handbag – Patricia Nash; cardigan – Blumarine; scarf – Nordstrom; shoes – Ecco; watch – Skagen; suitcase – Samsonite
She knows that there will be a dinner party 2 days before the wedding, and then the rehearsal dinner (to which she is invited), and the the wedding and reception. THREE days of events which have been described to her as “dressy.”
Red dress – MSGM; earrings – Freida Rothman; small bag – Menbur; black dress – Lands’ End; fuchsia dress – Pleats Please by Issey Miyake; bracelets – Freida Rothman; necklace – Carolee; lace wrap – Glint; black sleeveless top – Dorothy Perkins; slingbacks – Trotters; sandals – Donald & Lisa Signature
She’s a bit uneasy about just exactly what is meant by “dressy”, but she packs in such a way that she’s got options…
Each of the 3 dress can be accessorized in a variety of ways that either dial down or ramp up the “dressiness factor.”
Does she care that her friends and family might see the same cardigan repeatedly? Not particularly… they have more important things to think about, and if she loves what she’s wearing (and she’s not wearing flat-out dirty clothes), that’s what’s most important.
I’ve got another variation of this in mind for tomorrow…
love,
Janice
It's brilliant to have a single, multicolored cardigan/jacket to use with completely different colored outfits. So much zestier than going with black. And the jacket/cardigan is less likely to get sweaty/dirty, so it can stand multiple wearings better than the dresses.
Something I see in France: women have a stole or pashmina, and wear it either over one shoulder, laced through the elbows behind the back (glam) or around the neck, depending on how cold they are. It's so versatile.
Lovely cardigan and very versatile. I think I would still be tempted to toss in a black cardigan though- the ultra cautious part of me peeking through……
Believe me, if I were going to bump this up to 6 pieces to pack, a black cardigan would be the next piece up! And another top – maybe red or fuchsia? But that would break up the strong vertical line… hmmm….
hugs,
Janice
I agree Jazz. I had a look at the cardigan and mixes and it's lovely, but I think a light black cashmere cardigan would do well with red or purple. On the same note as Taste of France, I have had for years a Didier jacket that I've grown too small for…pardon the grammar…in a similar vein as the cardigan. It goes with everything. I can't bear to give it away!
Dear Janice, I love dresses and cardigans. An excellent idea. My only other thought was the casual events but I guess they're catered for with traveling clothes. Take care. Chris Australia x
I was sort of envisioning that she's hanging out at a hotel during the day, either at the pool, the spa, or sitting in her (silk)robe eating room service…
hugs,
Janice
I have a black background multicolored cardigan which is the workhorse of my warm weather travel capsules. I can pretty much wear it with any (and every) color solids, with dresses and slacks (which is not always the case for me). We have a similar wedding weekend coming up in June, with at least three occasions for dresses, so you have gotten me thinking about packing. There will be daytime events as well, though, so I will be bringing a few more pieces… nancyo
I love this, Janice! A multi colored cardigan is going to the top of my shopping list. I also use EF jersey 3/4 tees, belted, over my dresses. Add a cardigan or jacket and a totally different look. Slim turtlenecks under a dress is just one more layering piece and a visual change up. Scarves, jewelry, unusual wraps, on and on and on. A leather moto jacket always looks chic with most dress styles for a fun day look. Just can't wait for tomorrow!!
a faithful fan,
Pat
I love this idea and was happy to hear about your Paris dress experiment. I wear dresses almost everyday at home & work. The ones I see & wear are so comfortable and can be easily layered with tights /camisole/sweater, etc. so they are warm enough year round. Thank you for exploring this option!
Yes, I also like this idea and wear a lot of shift style dresses with tights and boots in the winter and bare legs and sandals/casual shoes in the summer. I really like the red dress in this selection and it could be worn with a white t shirt and converse for a casual look.
Deb from Vancouver
Love the surprising detail of the back of the MSGM red dress!
I am a fairly recent convert to dresses, but due to some surgery, this was truly the only comfortable way to heal and still look dressed for the office. Now I wear one at least twice a week, and I like the examples to get more wear and different looks from them.
Oh my! How did you know that I have a Memorial Day weekend wedding trip! This is a perfect plan and going to make my packing so much simpler.
I'm actually planning a 3-dress trip, and I have way too many cardigans! Maybe I need to find just one stunning one. Thanks for the idea Janice.
Very chic! I like the solid dresses with the patterned sweater. You always give us a lot to think about!
Lovely post. I think the cardigan has a warm and a cool side to it and perhaps even a dark and a light side to it. Incredibly versatile. Thanks Carol S
Love this post, Janice. The power of the dress to dress up or down has popped up in my world several times lately, the latest being this morning at breakfast with my step daughter. Spooky that I read this post today too.
BTW.I selected my 18 items yesterday and started Day 1 today!
Love this post, Janice. The power of the dress to dress up or down has popped up in my world several times lately, the latest being this morning at breakfast with my step daughter. Spooky that I read this post today too.
BTW.I selected my 18 items yesterday and started Day 1 today!
i love that multicoloured cardigan but $700 !!!!!!!
It's madness, yes. I'd love to see it in person… I have a hunch that it's very gorgeous…
hugs,
Janice