Not just a trip to Bermuda, but a trip in March, when the weather is still cool, and the crowds aren’t pressing…We’re working with this color palette:
And these are the accessories that our heroine has already chosen to pack for her romantic get-away…
Heart earrings – David Yurman; round earrings – Sarah & Sebastian; watch – Fossil; pink scarf – Ted Baker London; floral scarf– Vince Camuto; tote – Longchamp; clutch – Nina; loafers – Taryn Rose; pumps – Aquatalia
And this is her wardrobe that she’s planning to have with her – 3 pieces to wear and a lucky 13 to pack:
navy cardigan – L.L.Bean; heart print blouse – Rails; skirt – Banana Republic; navy pants – L.L.Bean; sweater – Dreamers by Debut; beige cardigan – Madewell; cropped pants – L.L.Bean; jeans – Lafayette 148 New York; teal tee shirt – Banana Republic; lavender sweater – Banana Republic; blue sweater – Banana Republic; teal sweater – Banana Republic; smocked top – Lands’ End; striped funnel-neck top – L.L.Bean; blue striped shirt – L.L.Bean; navy dress – Lands’ End
Here’s the accessories that she has included with her two core outfits… With the exception of shoes, she could of course travel with just these pieces and manage just fine. But in the interests of fun, let’s expand her options…Please note that I’m not suggesting that this is going to be all of the accessories that one owns – unless you really wanted a structured, disciplined Accessory Wardrobe. It’s more of a guideline for what you might want to pack, and for what you might look for if you want to add something to your wardrobe…
First – earrings and bracelets. I debated back and forth with myself about the heart motif bracelets and earrings. But I decided to go with a bit of whimsy, and a touch of romance. After all – Valentine’s Day is coming soon! And one would not have to have ALL of these in order to carry the romance and the sentiment into one’s luggage…
hooked heart bracelet – SeeMe; pearl bracelet – Lord & Taylor; script heart bracelet – Shaun Leane; flower earrings – Monet; pearl earrings – Gigi & Joux
The first bracelet is made by women in Tunisia who are survivors of violence; SeeMe is a company dedicated to making heart jewelry to both provide employment to these women and to replace violence with love…Those lovely lapels on the navy cardigan will be perfect for a pretty brooch! And while there’s only 1 heart necklace, that last necklace is indeed described as having a “love knots”…
brooch – Monet; heart necklace – Poppy Finch; blue necklace – Anna Beck; love knots necklace – Banana Republic
These additions don’t take up much space at all, but can at least give our heroine the feeling of some changes to her outfits…
Always my favorites – pretty scarves!
navy floral scarf – Salvatore Ferragamo; teal floral scarf – Nordstrom
Scarves are quite a bit like fabric jewelry – they don’t take up much space, but the can change the look of classic clothing a LOT!
My thinking for the next step:
- a simple bag that isn’t an evening clutch;
- light-colored loafers for days when it’s warm-ish, and you want an overall lighter look;
- waterproof boots, for the opposite days, when you want to be out but the weather is WET; and
- navy flats that are dressy but comfortable – they go with everything…
crossbody bag – Longchamp; beige loafers – Taryn Rose; waterproof navy boots – Lemon Jelly; ballet flats – Softwalk
Yes, shoes really add bulk to a travel wardrobe, but I don’t think our heroine was ever thinking that carry-on was an option! When you’re going somewhere for a while, there’s a choice to be made between easy luggage, and options when at your destination. In this particular case, our heroine has chosen options!
These are indeed the same outfits that we just saw yesterday, but the addition of accessories makes them feel much more “finished.” Each top is show with a dressy and a casual choice…
I’m getting in that vacation packing mood… And it’s a good thing, because I’ve got a trip coming up soon!
love,
Janice
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Oh I adore this travel pack, Janice. The combinations are endless and each give your heroine simple elegance each day, perfect for her destination. The jumpers come in a huge colour range too and, as you say, the neckline gives them versatility. To support the Tunisian ladies would be a good act to make today. Great job! Hugs, x.
Hugs back!
Janice
I like the lightness of the necklaces you chose. I am getting tired of chunky everything. My challenge is always to find the right length for the neckline. That's one advantage of scarves–they always work.
BTW, with the incessantly rainy weather in France this winter, I am posting today about how to deal with wet weather when traveling–some things to pack and some things to do.
I can't do chunky necklaces very well – it makes it feel like… the balcony is overcrowded! I'm just too short-waisted for them. A variety of styles should always be available, with no trend crowding out the classics.
hugs,
Janice
Straight skirts are one of the styles that are most flattering for my figure. However, I tend to think of it as a more formal work wear style. I'm just curious to know how many of you would wear a straight skirt like this on your holidays? Maybe I need to re-think this attitude……..
I wouldn’t hesitate if I was going on a city break, especially to Europe and Asia where people dress more formally and conservatively in general. I wouldn’t take it on a beach holiday or anywhere in the USA, but if the cut is particularly flattering I’d find versions in lighter, less structured fabrics like stretch jersey, cotton, or linen and pack those happily.
I thought the exact same thing Jazz and would never wear a formal structured skirt on holiday. Having said that, if the colour and shape really suited my figure I would change the fabrication to something lighter and more fluid (e.g. a silk blend) and perhaps add some ruching or other textural detail. In preference, I would opt for a plain dressy top and a bold floral/oriental patterned skirt. Sharon, U.K.
Ideally this skirt would be an easy pull-on silk… And if I could have found such a thing, I would have shown it! Sometimes I have to settle, and it drives me crazy!
hugs,
Janice
I, too, am doubtful about the navy pencil skirt and pumps–which say business lunch to me instead of Bermuda. I don't think, no matter the weather, I've ever taken a pair of pumps on a beach vacation!
@Jazz there used to be a straight skirt styled on the look of a board short…the waist band, the tie closure, the pockets, the trim, the fabric…and I think it could be a feminine alternative for beach, relaxed, casual holidays…
One of my favorite vacation activities is to purchase accessories! Usually you can find items that you don't see at home and afterward, they serve as a lovely memory. So, I would go to my destination with some of the squares on this template empty! It would serve as a guide for my vacation accessory shopping!
Thanks again, Janice!
I adore this approach of simple outfits graced with delicate accessories. (And gorgeous scarves!)
The 6×4 grid is as helpful for analysis as the 4×4 wardrobe; I've never been of an analytical mind and I'm eternally grateful to be able to coast on/learn from your skills. (Which is to say, sometimes I just do what you show! But sometimes I try to work through the exercises myself.) (The Starting from Scratch posts are very good for that, too.)
Enough parentheses, on with the day. Thanks again!
I LOVE the inclusion of the bracelet and information about the women of Tunisia. Thank for reminding me to be on the look out of how I can support others whose lives are not advanced cushy as my own.
On another note, I think she CAN pack all that into a carry on suitcase. So much less hassle! Beautiful outfits. I like seeing the dressy and casual options.
Not “advanced.” What a strange autocorrect! I was saying “not as cushy”.
That Nordstrom floral scarf is gorgeous, but why do they make them so big?! It's borderline too big on the model and you know she is a beautiful, tall, thin thing. I always feel invisible under all that fabric.
I always think navy and pink go together in a lovely way and are very wearable colors for me. I have a little double heart necklace from my sweetheart that I wear all the time. He has planned a trip for us to Paris during March, and I am thrilled, as neither of us has ever visited Europe! I would love to see what you would put together for a romantic travel capsule wardrobe for Paris in early spring!
I'm on the lookout for a good boot for this crazy Indiana winter weather. Has anyone tried those boots she showed? Or have a favorite all-weather boot that works well in the snow?
Look at Bogs. I have an older pair (called Valerie) that is still going strong after years of constant wear. They are comfortable, warm in the cold weather, waterproof, and stylish. I wore them almost daily on a trip to Ireland last May and couldn't have been happier traipsing over grassy fields or walking the rainy streets of Dublin. They are my go to winter boots that carry over into wet spring weather.
Bogs – definitely! I have a pair that I can wear in the wettest, coldest winter weather and stay warm and dry. http://bit.ly/2rUqv1a takes you to a bunch of possibilities…
hugs,
Janice
Bermuda is the perfect place if you like pastel colours, the sky, see and sand, which is pink make for wonderful design inspirations.