Some people just don’t feel comfortable wearing bright colors, or colors that extend much beyond their chosen neutrals, and they’ve been despairing that there was no way for them to be sufficiently dressy for after-work activities. My suggestion – don’t underestimate the effect that a metallic colored or finished top can bring to your everyday clothes!These, again, are three of the “suit-like” looks that I used a few days ago. (I am NOT doing this because I’m lazy – I’m trying to show the inherent versatility in neutral basics. Some people think I’m taking the easy way out…)
Starting with the cardigan or jacket, and the pants, a neutral pair of comfortable work shoes are all you need for day. To switch to evening, add some eye-catching earrings, a cross-body bag that leaves your hands free for drinking/nibbling/hand-shaking, and some pretty shoes, still in your neutral. Nothing flashy, still nicely neutral, but unquestionably dressed up for the event!
Even khakis can go out to dinner with some pretty silk and some dressy earrings.
Cardigan – A La Fois, oxfords – Franco Sarto, gold tee shirt – Aula Aila, stone jeans – CC Fashions, peacock earrings – Giuliana Valz-Gen, crossbody bag – Cesca, metallic flats – Walking Cradles
Blazer- MaxMara, black loafers – Walking Cradles, velvet pants – L’Agence, bronze tee shirt – Harvey Faircloth, smoky quartz earrings – Khun Boom, black mesh cross-body bag – Whiting and Davis, jeweled flats – Bandolino
Love this little velvet bag….
Knit blazer – BARK, loafers – Aravon, metallic tee – Tia Cibani, grey trousers – Boss Hugo Boss, teardrop earrings – Gianluca Anzani, velvet cross-body bag – IngeChristopher, jeweled flats – David Tutera
love,
Janice
LOVE those! Would happily wear them all (well, not the oatmeal cardigan at the top left – I think that's a bit too apologetic).
Anyway, lovely stuff, thanks for the inspiration!
My personal favorite is the middle – the long-sleeved tee – it's VERY workable for day and night, even here in E TX where we're experiencing roller-coaster weather this year – thanks for the inspiration !
Ex-CUSE me? You're producing free, valuable content on a daily basis, and people are accusing you of being lazy? Ignore those trolls, Janice! We appreciate your hard work AND your insights.
I agree completely!! Can't imagine the time it takes to produce a high quality blog with so much inspiration on a daily basis. Thank you Janice!
I second this!
I third this!
Oh my goodness. Has there ever been a blog or blogger less lazy?!!!!
(I am secretly convinced that "Janice" is a pseudonym for a ten or twelve-person committee; I have absolutely no idea how you have the creative energy that you do!)
This could never be accomplished by a committee!! It would take at least 5 meetings for each post and then still be a weird mass of compromise.
Deb from Vancouver
Well said!
Hilarious and oh-so-true!
Thanks, Janice, for all that you do…
I agree!!! Janice, I never miss a post…NEVER!! You keep me fascinated week in and week out. I love how your mind works. Thanks for your brilliance.
Whomever is saying that is just being cheaply offensive. I thought the point of this blog WAS how to make a gracious capsule wardrobe of basics adaptable to any situation: Janice, you do that brilliantly. I wouldn't worry about if someone likes your style or manner of posting, they can just 'shop' for ideas in their own closet. Please accept my apologies on behalf of everyone who is here because they admire your taste and advice. Merry Christmas! ~ Mare
Enjoying your recent post. These ideas can also be applied to a travel wardrobe where you need some more dressy options. Thx!
I have loved these posts. And although I no longer work, I can apply the principles to my everyday wardrobe without needing to go out and buy a dressy outfit that will just sit in my closet the other 364 days.
My favourite is the bottom option and I agree with Kristien about those of us who no longer work still finding these posts helpful. You won't be surprised to hear though that I would probably wear a red or blue bracelet for the dinner party!
I like that second grouping a lot, Janice. I wore more metallics this year than I have in a while…I like it! That's for your hard and inspiring works!
It's a good teaching technique to repeat the same concept in multiple ways so that people (and by 'people', I mean me) have ample opportunity to learn it. I appreciate your blog so much. I'm almost 50, and I'm just now learning how to dress!!
I, too am almost 50 and only now am I learning how to dress for my now no waist figure, and how to build a capsule, when to buy or not, how to work with what I have, how to handle trends etc……….
Thank you for your brilliance!!!
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Good Health to all
I
Love, love, love these!
I appreciate all your posts! Merry Christmas!
I love metallics and that silver top is to die for. Unfortunately, I probably would die if I ever paid that much for any single garment. But the look is great and I even have a similar top which I got for less than $25 on sale. I'm thrilled to see these combinations.
Beautiful. Thank you.
Hi, Janice,
Here's a dilemma — Is it TOO over-the-top to take the metallic look and apply it to SEQUINS? I have a black, sequened Anne Klein tank. I could wear it with a matte black jacket. But, aren't sequins at work always tacky?
Jora
"But, aren't sequins at work always tacky?"
Unless you're a circus performer.
Jora