So beautiful:
Noon – Rest from Work by Vincent van Gogh
And a color scheme that includes extremely warm and very cool colors, with enough neutral off-white to give a base to everything:
Why yes, you DID see this travel outfit (with a few tweaks) just a few days ago, here. I didn’t include it just to be lazy – I wanted to show that there’s a lot of versatility in just a few pieces of clothing, and that you could easily merge a couple of different color-schemes to design your perfect capsule wardrobe.
Earrings – BP.; pants – Boden; henley – L.L.Bean; bracelet – The Black Bow; cardigan – L.L.Bean; scarf – Hermes Under the Waves; loafers – Cole Haan; bag – Halogen; suitcase – Briggs & Riley
Everything here from a sun hat to warm scarves! But when you expect to go out in sunny warm temperatures during the day, and then sit around a fire after dark when the temperatures dip, you have to be prepared…
So while the suitcase and the travel outfit look somewhat different, when they’re all spread out on the bed together, you can see that they will play nicely together. (that plaid scarf, and the Hermes print, make quite a bit of difference, don’t they?):
One might need to change some pieces during the day, but there’s a lot of range that can be conjured from these very few pieces of clothing:
It all feels very much like a golden sun in a clear sky, to me!
love,
Janice
This is just lovely, but it illustrates well a flaw with capsule dressing. In hot weather, one's outfits get plainer as one gets less willing to wear the completer pieces — like multi-color scarves — that add interest and tie things together. It can lead to the condition of having one's clothing look prettier all together in the closet than they do on oneself. This isn't insurmountable, but it takes thought and truly accepting, in my case, the reality of how important comfort is to me in the heat and what I'll truly be willing to wear.
Lori,
Just a structural variation in the garment can create interest — especially in varying the collar area looks, such as a keyhole top instead of just a plain crew collar, or just having a collar, as in a polo shirt, or a v-neck with perhaps some added satin trim around the v. Small built in embellishments or raised textural details can make enough interest without having to add a scarf or even a necklace. I agree that in the hot summer days when the temps are in the 90's, I also want to wear as few extras as possible, but this post is showing a more transitional concept from warm days to cool nights, which is often the condition if traveling seaside.
A couple of items with prints could liven up the warmer weather options.
Have a great selection of hats and sunglasses!
Lori, I understand what you are saying as I bought a beautiful linen scarf just yesterday – and even though it is very lightweight linen in lovely summery shades (pink/white/gold) I will find it a bit too warm to wear come August. However, that's when I rely more on necklaces and earrings – plus, it's when I actually wear some prints (I tend to stick to plain) but a few lovely summer prints in a few tops helps to brighten things and keep it from being too plain.
I think having some prints are key to a successful summer wardrobe, Margie. I've been moving toward wearing print skirts with my plain tops in the summer, and I've also added a couple of easy print dresses.
I agree about using prints. I wear a lot of dresses in the summer to keep cooler and they are almost all prints. They work very well with the solid cardigans and other toppers in my wardrobe to stave off the brutal AC in most buildings. Added bonus, all those colors in the prints let me choose from 2 or 3 or more different color toppers so I don't feel like I'm always wearing the same outfit, adding much needed perceived variety on a week to week basis. And if available, it's fun to coordinate shoes or maybe bag with the color of the topper.
Absolutely beautiful!
@Lori…. I think the white pants and capris in the summer outfits are problematic. They give kind of a scrubs or pajamas vibe to me when worn with such plain footwear. My lifestyle tends towards the athletic, so I add sporty bold accessories like windbreaker in bright red or sneakers in bright aqua to liven up the look. I do agree that if the look is too plain, I physically start to feel like I'm dissolving, vanishing, not present, however you want to put it, and that feels really uncomfortable. I need to always be wearing something that makes me feel present. Which is not to say that it has to make a statement, just that I have to feel connected to a sense of purpose. If you read Carol Tuttle about energy types or David Zyla about energy colors it will explain it far better than I can do in a quick post.
I love this painting! I think your choices capture the vibe. : ) I agree that things can get rather plain on those hot summer days when you want to wear as little as possible. This is an example of a travel wardrobe though so it is only for a short time. For my regular wardrobe I too rely on prints to jazz things up. I do not find necklaces or bracelets too hot so those help me too. Great post for those traveling to the seashore! Wish I was one of them!
I love the rich vibrant colours that van Gogh uses. One recurring comment in posts with white colothing is the challenges of keeping it clean. In this painting it seems to me that grey is also used as an anchor colour. Vivienne, would you be interested in doing a variation of this wardrobe using soft grey rather than white as the base colour- perhaps also with the addition of one or two prints?
Thank you for doing more posts about layering and working with variable temperatures during the day and evening!
In the layering department, I like to use my fleece jacket as a bathrobe when our room is cold. A full bathrobe is too bulky and this can be used outside as well.
My best traveling tip from a friend: always carry a fan and a scarf in your purse. I have always used both on trips, even when I didn't expect to do so. A folding fan is small and lightweight, but you have to look for pretty ones. The best ones are in Spain.I find nice ones at museum shops also, with painting prints on the paper.
Beautiful – the yellow/ blue /white combo just makes me happy and that Hermes scarf is delicious. You are making me consider LLBean in a whole new way.
This is the second time today that I've seen that picture. Someone sent me this link to the very amusing Gluten Free Museum, which has a 'gluten free version' of the picture.
http://glutenimage.tumblr.com/
Beautiful – the yellow/ blue /white combo just makes me happy and that Hermes scarf is delicious. You are making me consider LLBean in a whole new way.
This is the second time today that I've seen that picture. Someone sent me this link to the very amusing Gluten Free Museum, which has a 'gluten free version' of the picture.
http://glutenimage.tumblr.com/
Its winter here in southern Australia. I am off to a city appointment latter in the week. It will be coldish travelling from the suburbs by public transport but hopefully warmer in the building. In the summer the temperatures are sort of reversed – hot outside and cooler in the air-conditioned building. I am now thinking of wearing a warm polar fleece topper and some sort of co-ordinated long-sleeved top. Mitts, warm scarf and beanie are my accessories. Wonderful colour scheme. Thanks Carol S
Ps from me… I have only recently (last year) realised the power of the neutral. I have a rainbow of colour in my wardrobe. If I come across an item in a shop in a neutral that suits me I now give myself the freedom to buy it. Patterns and texture can add interest to neutrals. Carol S
Such a striking colour scheme with both cool and warm colours.
Love this – so summery and versatile! I'm that person who is dying to turn one of those bottoms into blue denim… nancyo
This makes me very happy. I have warm colouring and hair with blue eyes so the combo really appeals
Deb from Vancouver
Such pretty shades of these lovely colours – these are excellent combos that really do suggest happy, relaxed, sunny days. I think that the hat would add glamour and wit to just about any outfit, it's fabulous!
Robyn in Tasmania
A beautiful capsule Janice. I love those goldens, caramels, and blues. This wardrobe looks so relaxed and comfortable. Right up my alley. Thanks for doing this one. In the fall and winter you could add in the subtle blue greens and more caramel nuetrals. Lovely. : )