linen jacket – Eileen Fisher; kimono top – Eileen Fisher; cardigan – Eileen Fisher; black tee – Eileen Fisher; white tee – Eileen Fisher; striped long-sleeved top – Eileen Fisher; striped short-sleeved top – Eileen Fisher; slouch pants – Eileen Fisher; striped skirt – Eileen Fisher; slim pants – Eileen Fisher
Of course, when you look at this wardrobe for a few minutes, you realize that you don’t need to buy ALL 10 pieces to get the desired effect – maybe just 2 or 3 of the real signature pieces (that marled cardigan – sigh, and the striped skirt?) and add them to black and white pieces you already have…It’s worth remembering that these pieces would result in more outfits if all of the printed or patterned garments were clustered in 1 “layer” of the wardrobe – i.e. if there was a solid black skirt, and the only printed pieces were tee shirts… But when you get to the point of having a dozen outfits from only 10 garments, you’re in pretty good shape in terms of versatility, I’d say!
Now let’s get to the things that add the spice – the salsa of your wardrobe, since this bright red puts me in the mood for chips and salsa…
I’m going to look at the Pantone 2018 colors, laboring with the hope that these colors will be readily available in stores. That doesn’t always seem to hold true, but it’s as good a way as any to choose accent colors…
A note about the whole “French 5-Piece Wardrobe” thing; some writers would have you think that French women only own 5 pieces of clothing, or that they only buy 5 things a year, or some other such odd interpretation of French life. I’ve swiped the term and re-defined it in a more realistic “buy 5 things that go together, and that will reinvigorate your current wardrobe.”
earrings – Oscar de la Renta; scarf – Marzoline Milano; tee shirt – Eileen Fisher; cardigan – Eileen Fisher; loafers – Naturalizer
If I were to buy a pair of bright shoes, I would look for something pretty timeless, and maybe even something that could be worn with both skirts and pants. This is the sort of thing that you’d want to wear frequently (and get your money’s worth from) while you’re in the mood…With these additions, you’ve got at least another 8 outfits… At this point – you could easily wear/pack these 12 pieces of clothing and be beautifully equipped for travel!
I’m going to be playing with this idea for at least a few more days – I’m really determined to help us all focus our spring and summer shopping and not waste money and resources…
love,
Janice
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With that basic wardrobe, you could do the five pieces in a couple of colors and seem to have a huge wardrobe.
Janice,
When I travel I do like to take a “ wild card “ of a printed item in a layer or level other than the other printed items, paired with other solid items. While this gives fewer total outfit possibilities, only so many are needed anyway for the duration of the trip and in my mind, it breaks up the condition of “ sameness” in outfit creation.
Hope you are starting to regain your strength and energy and are back on the road to health !
If you wore the red short sleeve tee shirt with the marled sweater and solid black pants , how would you repeat the red ? With shoes and/or a bag, or perhaps earrings and a bracelet ? Or with a scarf that just picks up the red and black, and maybe gray ?
This is such a great idea for people like me who are fickle about accent colors. For me, it's a seasonal thing. So I am trying to put together little 5 or 6 piece accent capsules in several favorite colors that I can pull out and use over and over, but just for a month or so at a time until I'm tired of that color.
YES! Me too! I love this idea of buying 5 pieces of an accent color. I especially like seeing the accessories and a tee. You can put a little pop of color without a big financial investment.
LOVE this!!! Janine
Thank you! While losing weight, I only want a limited number of clothes, knowing that in the next season whatever fits now won't then and will need to be replaced. This strategy helps tremendously to cover my current needs while providing lots of great options.
All explorations of buying five pieces in a great color are appreciated. I've solidified my selection of basics (for me, grey, navy and natural/oatmeal) and am now ready to add a few carefully selected pieces. I do love having fewer clothes.
I'm in for this series too. A great concept!!!
The daffodils yesterday and the tomato red today!? Spring is almost here!! That red is so fresh – love the deeply saturated colors. I agree with Taste of France – you’ve taught me, Janice, that it’s all in having the core pieces and riffing off them.
OMG, that striped EF skirt. I may just have to stop by and try it on….
I love this! I don't love red OR "black and white" as a wardrobe, but I LOVE how the wardrobe could work with any 1 extra color, and then it doesn't "read" as "black-and-white" ugh French-maid or in-a-convent but instead reads as "Wow! What a bright look today!" yet is still conservative!! THANK YOU! This is great!!
Janice, I’m super excited to see the upcoming related posts using the 5 piece French Wardrobe philosophy! I’d love to see many different options, as well as using different neutrals, such as navy, grey, camel, etc! There is no end to how many of these you can put together…as you are always so talented in doing!! Thanks for the inspiration!!
I agree with the comment about buying shoes that go with both skirts and pants. I bought a buckled shoe that I was assured by the salesperson would look great with skirts. But somehow it never looks quite right to me, so I land up using those shoes so much less than I would like.
I like this lesson, Janice. We all have items that can be used as this core and just a couple of other pieces is all it takes to inject big changes for the coming months. Thanks for this. Hugs, x.
To echo others, I love this too! (And share your fantasy about an all-new wardrobe from Eileen Fisher . . . . ) Again, as others have said, would love to see this wardrobe with accents in a different color. Both cobalt blue and purple come to mind.
Love this!!! Thanks for the inspiration. I had been fairly good about not buying many new things until recently, have been excited for Spring… so I appreciate the encouragement to keep focused and shop wisely!
OMG!!! I have the same dream. This is perfect. I'd love to see your Eileen Fisher Dream for every season. Spring Summer Fall and Winter. My tomato red is blush though. Keep up the dreamy work.
I have been following your blog and love everyone of them! I think this is my favorite because Eileen Fisher is my go to brand and I have many of these pieces. The striped skirt is a wow and I think I’ll have to give it a try. I have been wondering how to ‘spring up’ a primarily black, white, gray wardrobe and this gave me great ideas. Would love to see softer accent colors like soft pink or blue. Thank you!,,