Black silk scarf – Kathkath, rose stud earrings – LeiVanKash, pearl stud earrings – Blue Nile, red and pink necklace – Kenneth Jay Lane, hand painted porcelain earrings – Materia Prima, cotton scarf – Givenchy, carved pink jade earrings – toosis, oxidized silver ring – LeiVanKash, silver and pearl floral necklace – Rosalia Tarigan, antique rose print scarf – Feather and Stone
Henley – Uniqlo, v-neck sweater – Uniqlo, cashmere cardigan – Uniqlo, silk blouse – Frame Denim, long-sleeved tee – Tommy Hilfiger, short-sleeved tee – Acne Studios, silk top – Diane von Furstenberg, lace-sleeved top – Kaliko, lace sleeveless top – Diane von Furstenberg, pencil skirt – Diane von Furstenberg, turtleneck – Hallhuber, jeans – Uniqlo, sleeveless dress – Red Valentino, knit shirtdress – Y-3,ankle pants – Uniqlo, pleated skirt – Fausto Puglisi, ballet flats – SoftWalk, ankle boots – Munro,pumps – Taryn Rose, loafers – Munro
love,
Janice
It is really an eye opener how one could pretty much wear the same outfit and make it one's own. Great examples here.
Simply lovely… Could you do one with brights?
This looks interesting though black is not my main color. Shades of gray and blue are my main color choices with the occasional pink and purple thrown in. It would be great to see an ensemble that leans toward the minimalism style (a la Donna Karan/Jill Sanders), perhaps with a gray color base. Trying to create a wardrobe on a budget that is both minimalist in terms of limited and minimalism in style is proving to be difficult.
I am also on this request, exactelly ! Please can you do that for us ?…
Ditto, please, and amen!
Check out the Starting From Scratch posts, where you will find a navy, gray, pink and lavender capsule. It may be just what you requested.
Yesterday's and today's post, taken as a set are one of your most instructive and inspired ever! Sows how black can be hardened 9the silver and angular jewelry) and softened (the pinks and florals). So important when women consider whether they "can wear' black- or any dark neutral.
At the risk of sounding like a harpy, though (again): Boticca is a good source but some of their jewelry and accessories are weirdly pricey for the quality, I would not spend $425 on those rose earrings, pretty as they are. They are silver plated brass and over $425 for that is just not a good use of jewelry kitty. When buying jewelry, a woman should consider the value of materials-not just the design-unless money is no object.
Janice, I think Duchesse would be a great interview on this subject! Just a hint…..
This gives me an idea for a floral scarf I haven't worn in a while… :-)
As a "softer style" woman, I really like how the bits of pink transforms the black. A little bit of floral goes a long way with this wardrobe.
Dear Janice, thank you for adding the sources for your lovely choices. I am in a small urban area so online gives me the quickest shopping but online can also be a black hole for limited shopping time. I'm looking forward to the New Year with my new wardrobe. Thank you again, Julie
Love all of these "black plus accessories" posts. Would also like to see black or gray clothes plus blues, especially periwinkle (my very favorite color). Thanks!
kris
Very inspirational. So for indecisive types like me: one could have several accessory capsules–one, say floral (like today), one edgy (like yesterday), one lacy (like a while ago). You are a good teacher; hope I'm a good student.
Absolutely! As long as you're happy with the multiple capsules, you certainly could do that!
Love these ideas…beautiful!
Janice, this is so helpful. I wear a lot of black, but pink is my favorite color. Because my pink accessories (scarves in particular) tend to be lighter or brighter pinks, it's hard for me to put them together with black. So your suggestions above are lovely (as always) and make a lot of sense — choosing accessories that combine darker shades of pink/rose with darker backgrounds. Just today, I saw an inexpensive scarf that fits nicely into this scheme, so I will likely buy it. Thank you so much for your terrific, thoughtful wardrobe suggestions! Looks like my local retailers will be thanking you as well:) –Susan S.
This is a lovely collection. I'm just starting to incorporate black into my wardrobe, but don't want to loose my love of femininity. Thanks so much.
I love this. I don't do floral, but I am adding some softer pinks to my mortician wardrobe. Inspired tips!!
These posts are great for training the eye, whether or not one wears much black. (I've dialed it back significantly and am deeply grateful that I don't have to wear all black for work!)
Thank you so much Janice for all your visuals, they are very powerful. I am struck by how important accessories are to changing the mood and personality of an outfit. I knew it in my head but seeing it in these recent posts really drives it home.
Thank you very much for all you do. Your blog is powerful. Please do keep up the good work.
I love this series!
I also think that you can make changes within the black wardrobe to make it "softer" or "edgier" : softer with cashmere and cardigans, "edgier" with metallic fabric and a fitted blazer…. great inspiration!
Thanks again for using one of our KathKath scarves. Love what you are doing! Kathryn
I wore all black with silver jewelry for a long time and never had a problem until my hair turned from dark to white. Then all black made me look very washed-out. I discovered softer colors around my face solved the washed-out issue. Pink and turquois with touches of gold are my typical colors now to soften my all black capsule wardrobe. I stay away from orange/coral as it does something funny with my complexion but any shade of rose from dark to light works great. I never really wore scarves before I discovered Vivienne Files, but have learned to love them and match my earrings to the various shades in the scarfs and the gold in earrings and bracelets adds a warm touch. I have learned so much from your blogs and can't wait for my daily feed. You are inspiring, creative and a positive influence to all of us!