April 16, 2021
Who doesn’t love this painting?
Our heroine from Wednesday has assembled a really lovely, warm-toned and warm-weather travel capsule wardrobe:
Earrings – Talbots; sailcloth linen-blend cardigan – L.L.Bean; tee shirt – Alex Mill; wool scarf – Treasure & Bond (sold out but she could have worn this one…); bracelet – Fierce Lynx Designs; espadrilles – Sam Edelman; pale sienna canvas pants – L.L.Bean; Linen-blend short-sleeve shirt – Uniqlo; Short-sleeve dress – Uniqlo; Shorts – L.L.Bean; Butter tee shirt – L.L.Bean; Cashmere cardigan – J.Crew; Twig-colored cropped chinos – L.L.Bean; Tank top – Treasure & Bond; Tee shirt – Madewell; Skirt – Maison Hotel; Dress – Rails
Now she needs accessories! She knows that her color palette for her accessories will be the same as for her clothes, with the addition of gold for anything metallic:
She takes a look at the 24-piece accessory wardrobe that has been used before on The Vivienne Files; it seems like a LOT of things for a trip…
And she also looks at the suggestions that I made once upon a time:
And then she realized that if building her wardrobe 1 piece at a time worked so well, it might be a sensible way to assemble her accessories too!
She started with an outfit, assembled the accessories that she already knew were included for her trip, and THEN made her choices:
When she saw an outfit that was chosen for a cooler day, she knew that she wanted shoes that could be worn as loafers or as mules, and a scarf:
Sandals to wear with her skirt (and her white dress!) are essential, and yellow sunglasses just felt right with this tee shirt and skirt:
She loves her leather earrings! And her tote bag will probably be carried in transit, but she wants to be certain that it comes along!
She hasn’t yet packed simple gold earrings???? And another bracelet is always a nice idea – small, but can pack a big punch:
Our heroine doesn’t wear a lot of necklaces in warmer weather, but this dress just cries out for something delicate and pretty. And if she’s going to dine out, why not pack a pretty clutch bag? (the bag will be perfect for packing jewelry…)
These are neatly arranged on her bed right now – she’s quite happy with her choices!
I realize more and more as I travel (well, back WHEN I traveled) that I am happier with a ton of accessories and a handful of garments…
love,
Janice
p.s. Six years ago, I was asked for help in choosing a green Hermes scarf; I can DO THIS!!!
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Wonderful suggestions and selections!
Good Morning Everyone! This color combination had me at hello. I have come to appreciate the tonal variations of camel/tan/beige/cream, and this combination also includes my signature accent color (rust/sienna spectrum).
I was just thinking today about travel baggage and pursewear. My considerations are usually based on how it’s worn (over shoulder, by hand, or on wrist), how it stays closed, and will my cell phone fit in it.
Have a lovely weekend Janice, and thanks again for all of your hard work.
All my bags/purses/clutches must hold my cell and a pair of readers !!!
This is gorgeous and makes me love this wardrobe even more. I wish I could wear it but it is totally wrong for my colouring. The only thing that I would add is a medium crossbody bag. Our heroine may get tired of lugging around a big leather tote all day.
Makes me wish I could wear these colors as well Absolutely gorgeous! I am encouraged to work on my accessories though.
I TOTALLY agree with the fewer-clothes-and-more-accessories travel strategy! Part of the game of travel for me (as I recall) is aiming to wear each piece in as many ways as possible by changing accessories while still feeling appropriate and pretty. And I feel so smug as I swish through the airport or city centre with my small, light carry-on bag that contains everything I need.
The colours of this capsule are so serene and sophisticated! Lovely!
I love that smug feeling; taking the train from CDG into Paris without falling down the escalators over-balanced by too many bags, able to sprint up the stairs when the train arrives at the Luxembourg Gardens… My dream!
hugs,
Janice
This capsule could just as well have been inspired by the colors in a photo or painting of a spectacular river canyon in the American southwest. It’s beautiful.
Or a beautiful bouquet of dahlias in the fall – nature is wonderful that way!
hugs,
Janice
The principle of adding accessories one at a time beginning with shoes is very helpful. Apart from considering the bottoms and dresses you might wear, I try to think of the activities we’ve planned and have a variety of footwear that can be interchanged depending on the weather. It is nice to take a fancy pair just in case we go out for dinner. Though the loafers with the turned down heel look uncomfortable.
I usually take far too much jewellery. A word to the wise about triple string necklaces – don’t take one unless you have a separate box to keep it flat and untangled. I took one on holiday and it got so twisted and tangled that it had to be dismantled with jewellery pliers. I made it into separate necklaces. So, if I want to layer necklaces and beads, I take three separate necklaces that can be worn together or on their own, which often proves to be more versatile.
I always take a long strap handbag that can be worn cross body, a shopping bag and a backpack as a minimum. A smaller bag is a nice touch and useful for the jewellery too.
The look back is great for demonstrating how to choose accent accessories which look intentional and go well together.
A great way to keep your necklaces from tangling is to put it through two straws. One on each side of the necklace and then do the clasp up. They’re light and your necklace won’t tangle. I have found that big straws work the best. It won’t work for chunky necklaces but for finer ones it does.
Today I wore a dress and jacket for the first time since Christmas. My daughter didn’t recognise me, at first, when I popped into her shop. It was nice to feel a bit more glamourous and ‘put together’. I’ve thus decided to get dressed up at least once a week. I’ve got a whole wardrobe of dresses and jackets standing by.
Good afternoon Ladies! A change of some of these fabrics to dressier ones and these accessories ithout the butterfly earrings. They feel too young to me! I ould also do dressier shoes!! The colors are fabulous!!!
This posting and the one on Wednesday are wonderful. I love the way everything blends and looks so effortless and stylish. Would you consider doing this same idea with navy and/or gray? I’ve tried to substitute but I just can’t get the beauty and style you always show?