August 14, 2019
I’ve been wanting to work on a capsule wardrobe – maybe an occasional series – in which I could completely ignore things like prices, and go whole hog for lovely dressy things… Just a pretty fantasy to share…
The Settlement
It made the news; it was the largest settlement in the history of the industry…
Her very expensive accountant handled all of the donations and endowments, and now she’s catching the train to buy that apartment… A pied a terre in her favorite neighborhood…
Portrait of the Countess de Martel de Janville by Giovanni Boldini
She’s going to channel the confident look of her favorite portrait… She’s been told that she strongly resembles the Countess, which is no mean compliment!
earrings – Monica Vinader; scarf – Image Diary; sunglasses – Alaïa; cardigan – Isabel Marant Étoile; stick pin – Monarc Jewellery; watch – Olivia Burton; crossbody bag – Salvatore Ferragamo; blouse – Eileen Fisher; skirt – Eileen Fisher; boots – Blondo
She will only be there a few days – the lawyers have handled all of the paperwork for the apartment. She just needs to meet with the decorator, and then pick a few things for the kitchen…
pearl earrings – Natasha Schweitzer; cashmere v-neck sweater – J.Crew; pearl necklace – Belpearl; cream silk blouse – Etro; lace scarf – Valentino; pearl brooch – Ben Amun; watch – Michele; floral jacquard cape – Etro; print silk blouse – Anine Bing; mélange cardigan – Eileen Fisher; evening bag – Judith Leiber; bracelet – Konstantino; pumps – Taryn Rose; ankle-strap shoes – Pelle Moda; crimped chiffon dress – Eileen Fisher; silk pants – Eileen Fisher
She will probably leave most of her clothes there; she won’t have to pack as much in the future! Opera, ballet, concerts, dinners!!!
She wants her wardrobe to be… distinctive. Efficient enough, yes, but also something that shows her new-found personal style goals!
I’d love to visit this heroine again from time to time, to see how she’s getting on – would that appeal?
love,
Janice
p.s. Five years ago, I shared a lovely capsule wardrobe in black, grey, camel and ivory…
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I love to indulge in a bit of a fantasy life myself – and your stories are so charming! Happy to come along for the ride…
Often I reject whole lots of in fashion clothes because they are so distinctly “in fashion” with their batwing sleeves or belle sleeves that they will look so terribly out of fasion the next year that I wouldn’t want to wear them again, ever!!These clothes have a bit of gltz and pizzaz but are still classic enough to age well. Nice!!
I’m with you! I’m old enough to have bought (and then donated!) many fashion faux pas over the years. When I started focusing on neutrals with accents that look terrific on me, I developed the ability to resist sales pressure, trendy colors that don’t look good on me, and got a wonderful wardrobe that lasts with an ease for dressing!
Would love to see the wardrobe grow!
I’m currently in the middle of weight loss, so I’m using this time to experiment with what I want my wardrobe to look like when I get to where I want to be. No investment purchases for me right now! Would love to see what it would look like to use this as a springboard ‘inspiration’ wardrobe but translated into more affordable dressing from Belk, Dillards, JCPenney, Kohls. Think of high-end decorator inspiration rooms and then the budget knock-off room.
Hmmm…..I might have just found a project for myself!
That cape is delicious!
I enjoyed this fantasy wardrobe. I love that chiffon dress. For a skilled seamstress many of these garments would be totally achievable at a reasonable cost. Well, the cape would be tough since where in the world would you find a similar fabric?
Speaking of older capsule wardrobes, would you consider revisiting and updating “A 4 by 4 capsule wardrobe in bright gold,tomato red,olive and camel”?
That cape!!! I am so happy it is not in “my” colors, otherwise I fear I would be making a purchase waaay beyond my budget! Would love to hear more about this lady…is it just me, or does she remind anyone else of Olympia Dukakis?? Love the expression the artist captured.
That cardigan! Love, love, love. These are my colours! I can dream away…
I adore this capsule. For those who are looking for more doable clothes, I bought an alpaca cape from Novica earlier this summer that has the same vibe as this cape and is much more in my price range. It is reversible blue to black with the opposite color as a pattern on each side.
And now for a little rant…
…I went to take a closer look at that super pretty Isabel Marant cardigan, as the style is very me (out of my price range, but still). First, I was taken aback by the sizes ending in US10 -that seems so silly since average woman in US is larger than that -including myself. And that’s just average- at least as many people are above average than below. One might think that designers had noticed and liked money especially in a highly competed industry like fashion…
What was even more disturbing was, that the cardigan contained almost 30% acrylic (typically used because it is cheap, but otherwise a poor material for knitwear), and was over 50% man-made fibres. At that price, one should get decent wool-alpaca blend and not something half plastic. A small amount of polyester increasses durability, but there’s really no reason except cheaper production cost for a combination of fibers like this. Heck, the 100% cashmere cardiganI have my eye on right now costs half less…it’s not a famous label like Isabel Marant, but I’ve always been happy with their quality…
As for your question, yes, I’d love to see a fantasy wardrobe every now and then! We can always dream, and be inspired even though exact items are beyond our means. This is a lovely wardrobe, and often, though not always, one still gets what she pays for. This wardrobe, for one, definitely reads rich and elegant…
I love this painting; what a wonderful expression the artist has captured! I picture the sitter to be confident, witty and worldly. The wardrobe you have created matches that personality! Well done.
It is fun to dive into the pool that is high fashion. I watch fashion shows on line and enjoy the beautiful artistry of well made clothing and the imaginative presentation. Even though it is well beyond my means, we can dream. That Valentino scarf! I can imagine a very expensive wafting behind this woman.
This is simply gorgeous and yet timeless. A bit ethereal, a bit grounded, a little bit of everything. Would love to see more like this.
I love the expression on the face of the Countess. So sweet! And her eyebrows are not meant for real life. Was this portrait part of the John Singer Sargent show at the Chicago Institute of Art in 2018.
The cape is marvelous. I’d buy it to take along when visiting my apartment on Ile de Le Cite. We’ve had one there since the 1990s- in our imaginations.
This wardrobe shows the basics vary in quality, yet basics are required for any closest. Sometimes I think I’ll follow Joan Rivers example and wear black tops and slacks and a variety of toppers. It’d be “very French.”
Thanks for the trip!
What really struck me about this wardrobe was that not only did the colours match the painting but that I could imagine the woman wearing each and every piece. Lovely
These subtle grays and silvers are lovely… but, speaking of fantasy clothes, I would be happiest if the Guest Lecturer (the famous art historian with her gorgeous wardrobe of red, green, black and gold) would agree to be our guest again :-)
https://www.theviviennefiles.com/2016/04/start-with-art-saints-genevieve-and.html/
Oh yeah! I wonder what she’s been up to….
hugs,
Janice
Yes, one of my all-time favorite heroines too!
Yes!!! – nancyo
You really captured my imagination today! Not only would I have loved to have known the Countess (doesn’t she look like a character!), but the woman whose wardrobe THIS is – all right up my alley!
I so enjoy our little vicarious trips through clothes with you.
Yes! Fantasy! Love this idea. And your stories. ???
This luxe wardrobe is truly an inspiration! I love everything about it and would love to hear about the adventures of his heroine with a windfall.
This, not his, heroine, of course I meant. This person is clearly her own woman!
Janice, what a COOL post and fantasy. I’m adding it to my long list of fantasy lives. :)
Gorgeous clothes, too. Lovely wardrobe.
Ann
I love everything about this! And yes, I’m open to more fantasy too.
I’m in love with that cape! Being 4’8” it isn’t an option for me, but someone please buy it and wear it with aplomb!
This is lovely! And I really hope that she adds a statement choker to her wardrobe. – nancyo
Janice, this is a lovely wardrobe! It is nice to have some fantasy every once in awhile! I was immediately drawn to the lovely ivory bow blouse and the gray print blouse with the ruffled cuffs. Softer blouses like these appeal to my personality more than cotton shirts and I find them more comfortable to wear. It would be lovely to see you feature more of them from time to time. I think a bow, or small ruffle, or bit of lace gives a bit of lift to otherwise basic clothes. :-) My life is casual, even my job, but I like to dress up my jeans and casual bottoms with dressier tops and nice jackets. I wonder if you would consider building a capsule wardrobe for those of us that like dressing up a bit even in our every day clothes. Finding that perfect mix of casual and glamour is tricky! I would also love to see you tackle one of Ana Maria Edulescu’s works, such as this one: https://edulescu-ana-maria.pixels.com/featured/blue-domes-in-oia-santorini-greece-original-impasto-palette-knife-oil-painting-by-ana-maria-edulescu-ana-maria-edulescu.html. Or perhaps this one: https://edulescu-ana-maria.pixels.com/featured/table-for-two-in-santorini-greece-ana-maria-edulescu.html. As a Spring, her vibrant color schemes suit my coloring and I was thinking about trying to pull bright navy/dark wash denim and warm creamy beige/sand, plus ivory, out as neutrals.