October 14, 2024
I realized in New York that few people gets dressed up for everyday life – at least not in Chicago or New York! Sneakers and sweatpants are practically a uniform…
Today’s heroine is going for a weekend sporting event. It could be a track meet or something else that goes on for a couple of days, or it could just be a single sporting event, like a football game. Or rugby. Or American football. You get the drift!
She wants to look like she had a clue getting dressed, but also like she acknowledges the inherently relaxed and somewhat cold nature of the environment into which she is plunging herself. Supporting family, friends, or just your favorite team is always interesting…
Her inspiration:
She’s sticking with these colors – warm cream with black is eye-catching, but not gaudy:
She starts with her favorite outfit, which is always a smart way to begin a travel capsule wardrobe:
Cashmere beanie – Alex Mill; stud earrings – Donatello Gian; scarf – Delinor; Heritage red sweatshirt – J.Crew; black shirt – Alex Mill; jeans – Alex Mill; weekender bag –Baggallini; sneakers – Naturalizer
The first things she adds are sweatpants, gloves and another hat! And a down vest – they pack TINY, and can be the smartest thing you bring along…
Cashmere hat – Hannah Rose; earrings – Eliou Benjie; moon & stars brooch – Latelita; black turtleneck – Lands’ End; corduroy jacket – Alex Mill; shirt – Alex Mill; Tan Nomad silk & cashmere scarf – Nordstrom; apricot tee – Banana Republic Factory; sneakers – Vionic; black sweatpants – Lands’ End; vest – Zella; gloves – Talbots
This isn’t a wardrobe that will stun her family and friends – unless they see her traveling with just a small carry-on sized bag!
You can tell just from looking at this travel capsule wardrobe that she’s not going to have any problems getting ready each morning. But as we are wont to do, we check complete outfits to be certain that she’s not missing anything vital!
Did she pack socks? You’ve GOT to remember socks…
In retrospect, I could have EASILY packed like this for New York, and just added in my outfit to wear to the wedding. (sequined tee shirt, velvet pants…)
Travel is easier now that the world seems to be uniformly “sporty casual,” but I still feel like something’s missing when we don’t all dress just a bit nicer.
love,
Janice
p.s. Ten years ago, we started with a 12-piece “Common Wardrobe,” and added a “French 5-Piece Wardrobe” to it, just to see how things worked out… This could be a neat way to assemble a large-ish travel capsule wardrobe.
Like this wardrobe? Save it to Pinterest!
You seem to be feeling at least a little bit better. I’m glad! Also, love the scarf here.
I like this!
Gorgeous; inspiration and colours are beautiful. Options that are warm and cozy for the footy or the track meet, but can be dressy enough for the cool wine bar later, after your team has won, or lost, in which case an extra glass of wine!
Southern hemisphere here, so going into Summer, but I would happily expand this to a week’s Winter getaway.
Thanks so much for your good work, your heroines are an inspiration
It’s sporty yet chic due to lovely colors. Stay healthy and strong, I wish You a speedy recovery!
Janice, I hope this post means you’re feeling better. This has been a rough year for so many.
I agree with justyna, sporty yet chic. Blue jeans just wouldn’t pack the punch the black ones do. And the corduroy jacket is a perfect combination of elegant and relaxed. I love the crescent moon pin. I am very tempted.
Now that our second hurricane has passed, the weather is finally cooling off a bit. I can look at cool weather clothes without breaking a sweat.
The look back reminded me that a French five doesn’t have to be five pieces in the same color. I’m afraid I get too regimented in my thinking about how to assemble my own wardrobe.
Happy Monday, ladies. May we all have a great week!
I just love that you’ve included a puffer vest with this casual wardrobe. I am a puffer vest addict and just love them. Honestly, the variety of vests today can be dressed up or down and this pretty black one is both stylish and practical.
I hope you’re feeling better…but I know that broken ribs just take time. {gentle hug}
I just returned from a 2 week European river boat cruise, and this wardrobe would have worked perfect for daytime. I was disappointed that people didn’t put a little more effort into dressing nicer for dinner. It doesn’t take much to elevate your daytime look with shoes, jewelry and a scarf. I appreciate when someone looks put together, and your posts are always spot on!!
I’m always glad to see that someone besides me misses the (at least slight) desire to dress up. I am not a fan of tee shirts hanging out of oversized sweaters and sweatpants dragging on the floor.
I think our energy is spent on our jobs. After work, maybe it doesn’t matter how we are perceived.
Fall is my favorite opportunity to put some real outfits together, layers and all.
Diane
I agree. We leave for one in 2 weeks. I added a piece of jewelry or a scarf and changed into ballet flats every night. Hubby changed shirts. People commented each night how nice it was that we took time to dress (maybe 5 minutes) and how many outfits we had. Always surprised to hear we only do carry-on luggage. I’ve learned my TVF well.
The sequined tee that you packed for the wedding is **chef’s kiss** perfection!
I hope you feel better soon! Broken ribs are nothing to sneeze at (ouch!!)
I am leaving this morning for a driving tour around Lake Michigan (up through Wisconsin, through the UP and down the west coast of Michigan. This is the kind of wardrobe I’ve packed, though expanded because we’ll be ten days. I loved the line, “You’ve got to remember socks.” I said to my spouse yesterday, “Why do such small things take up so much room?”
We’re planning a trip to Scotland next year at this time. Might be a good starting point for that packing list, too.
Welcome back! Glad you’re on the mend enough to get back to what you love doing.
Yes to this wardrobe, would definitely wear this. The Forain painting as inspiration and the Delinor scarf for pattern are lovely. Would be easy to re-create a similar weekend travel wardrobe in your own colors with two neutrals and two accents. For longer travel, just add a third bottom and you’re on your way!
One of your very best!!!
September Alaska cruise ready.
I like the simplicity of this sporty chic wardrobe. Different colours for me – navy and grey with lilac and pink.accents. It is a pity that folk don’t ‘dress up’ to go out, even just for a coffee. I recently did see a very chic elderly lady in my local cafe. She was wearing a blue/pink floral dress with a pink fleece jacket and pewter grey shoes and bag. She looked lovely and had apparently made some of the cakes that we were eating. Sadly, I was wearing PE kit having just been to the gym!
Glad you are feeling better. This is just lovely. Your wardrobes are just amazing. Even if they aren’t colors I would wear I always appreciate the aesthetic of them. Love the scarf. Have a good day and take care.
So glad that you are feeling well enough to give us a gorgeous posting today. That is such an inspiring painting and I love the way you have used it. What a wearable collection.
Surprised and pleased to see a post today; Janice, I hope you are feeling okay, I know mending will be a long process.
A very practical capsule that’s appropriate for the setting and just a bit nicer than we’d usually see without being “off.” I admit that I was somewhat baffled that she’s starting this capsule with artwork rather than team colors, but I guess as long as these aren’t the opposing team’s colors, it will be fine :D
And I understand no one wants to buy a whole wardrobe for a one-off event, but an inexpensive beanie/gloves/scarf/etc. in the right color(s) would go a long way. For example, were I to find myself forced to attend a Vikings (American football) game, I would feel quite comfortable wearing mostly black (a non-registering neutral) with a purple beanie (team color) and my long blonde hair in braids (100% optional but a nod to the mascot I couldn’t resist because it’s so easy for me to do).
Love this casual sporty look. The best part is no leggings, Jeggings or other such tight “pants”. The outfits shown today may not be my colors, but they are very much my style. Thank you for posting when you can during your recovery. You are always a bright spot to start the day!
Janice, it’s good to see you back. You are one tough lady!!
I really like the soft salmon-y orange sweater/sweatshirt. The color gives a splash of pizazz to an informal top.
Did you know that Alex Mill does not do returns or exchanges for its Canadian customers? I found this out the hard way after purchasing a $400 jacket that you featured on your site. This information is not readily apparent on their website and their clothes aren’t cheap. It would be helpful for those of us who live north of the border if you mentioned this in one of your posts.
It is rather frustrating in general to order from many American companies when you are Canadian. The exchange rate, duties, shipping, difficulty with returns and exchanges… the clothes look lovely but just aren’t worth it in the end. E
Thanks for listening.
That’s shocking! I love their clothes, and I’ve had great luck with them, but that’s no consolation to you! They’re going to have to do something amazing to get back onto The Vivienne Files.
Thanks so much for letting me know…
love,
Janice
So glad to see you back, but please dont overdo. Recovery takes time. I too love this simple comfy wardrobe. As a warm, light and bright person i would just change the colours up a bit. Hope you heal quickly. Happy Thanksgiving to all my country Canadians.
Lovely wardrobe and very wearable. I particularly like the cord jacket :)
This wardrobe is great! :) I admit, as always I saw the bit of blue and would add worn in blue denim jeans to this capsule because I love them! But I think it would coordinate with what you already have. I have added black in this year and it is working pretty nicely. It just always looks a little nicer. Especially for work. I am fortunate that my kids’ schools and the two that I teach at have very similar colors so I can just wear something in those colors to fit in at sporting events! Although I do have some logo’d things as well.
This wardrobe is absolutely gorgeous. I live in a sweats and sneakers environment and I have decided that I need to figure out a way to dress up for myself (a little more tailored and luxe fabrics) without particularly being overdressed … I love the idea of wearing cashmere hats when everyone else is wearing carhartt along with several other items in this wardrobe.
This is a lovely ensemble. The heroine has definitely given thought to being warm, comfortable, and “put together”. There is the case of being too casual/informal. Why do people go to the grocery store in flannel pajama bottoms, slippers and a halter top? I have a photo of my aunt and uncle at Wrigley field in the 1930s. My uncle in a full suit and dress shoes looking dapper; my aunt in a lovely dress/coat ensemble with gloves. Not saying I want to return that level of formality to watch a baseball game, but the way some people run in ripped jeans with all sorts of body parts hanging out is beyond me. It is refreshing to see women dress smartly for the occasion and give some thought to how they present themselves.
I really like this wardrobe, I’ll keep it in mind the next time I pack to visit daughter and grandkids. It’s usually a weekend of watching sports (lacrosse and soccer), going for walks with the dog, and cooking! Casual yet put together.
And finding sweatpants that don’t bag at the knee after wearing for a few hours is a bonus. Maintaining a smooth silhouette goes a long way to looking casual/chic.