Capsule wardrobes inspired by art and nature
January 15, 2014 I'd never heard of this artist until just a few days ago, but I'm so delighted to have been introduced to his work. This painting made me look for warm textury shades of russet and rust, as well as wavy misty greeny/bluey tan clouds in the sky. Basically I made up some words, but the potential within this painting is amazing.
I love the range of possibilities offered when you look at these outfits as separates, combined into a wardrobe...
love, Janice ... View the Post
January 14, 2014 Okay, under no circumstances would you wear this scarf with the frankly gym-like outfit for August (okay, maybe tied to your bag?), but I show this as an example of how your color preferences can permeate and inform ALL of your wardrobe choices. And yes, I would wear flat loafers with a dress, depending on how much standing/walking is going to be involved in an event. Plus I just couldn't leave out these great shoes...
After establish a core of blues and some khaki, don't forget that this scarf easily supports some accent touches of shades of red!
The best aspect of this sweater is the way it enables you to mix shades of blue with happy abandon, and ... View the Post
January 13, 2014
Hermes Grands Fonds (great depths) isn't available except in the vintage market, but it's worth hunting for one! These shades of blue give you all kinds of possibilities for combining colors that you might have never before considered.Two quick notes:
I love doing these, and doing Start with Art. Please keep sending me suggestions for both, as long as you're not utterly weary of seeing art bought to fashion life. Please do NOT think that I will only work with Hermes scarves - far from it! I'm "in process" on some other scarves, and would welcome any scarf suggestion accompanied with a good photograph, or a link to a clear image!
Love, Janice
The last six ... View the Post
For a while now, I've been smitten with the Maltese Cross motif in jewelry, especially that from Kenneth Jay Lane. (I know there are VASTLY more expensive versions, but I'm not spending a condo down-payment on a bracelet...)
But recently - last since September? - I haven't worn a piece of this jewelry. (the square gizmo in the middle is a mirrored compact) Not once.
Is it time for me to move on? Do I sell them? Hang onto them for a few more months to see if I fall back in love with them?
I firmly believe that one of the most important things that you can do when you're trying to define a personal style is to let yourself identify and really... wallow... in things you love. A personal signature is ... View the Post
January 9, 2014
This, to me, is the most compelling part of the entire project. After spending a year carefully selecting outfits that have a unifying theme (or motif, or scheme...), you begin to see a very versatile and harmonious collection of garments and accessories. A wardrobe, in fact!
love,
Janice ... View the Post
January 8, 2014 Belovedest requested that I work with this scarf - he's always loved orange and blue/green accents!
Yes, I've included three dresses in four months - partly to show the range of colors that are possible when using this scarf as inspiration.
The rest of the year tomorrow!
love, Janice ... View the Post
January 7, 2014 Many readers asked me to work with a Picasso painting, and I happily oblige. These outfits are based on beige, just as the painting is literally on a beige background. Accents of red, orange, yellow, a touch of green, and you're set for almost anything! My guiding adjectives for this project were warm, saturated, and clear, with unexpected bursts of bright against the toasty neutral.
This is a wardrobe that could see someone through much of the summer!
love,
Janice ... View the Post
January 6, 2014 In the hottest of hot weather, your scarf may just be tied around the handles of your bag, or around your ponytail...
Don't let your scarf get wet, but wearing it on a rainy day can brighten things up... And finding a print skirt in the colors of your scarf can be tricky, but when it happens you can have a lot of fun!
Tweeds that meld together the main colors of your scarf are a particularly interesting thing to look for - you can wear your scarf from the most conservative family or professional functions to the dressiest of business outings at the holiday season.
And after a year of using your scarf as the core inspiration for outfits, you have a relatively ... View the Post
January 4, 2014 I was recently asked if it was possible to wear this scarf all year 'round. (the scarf is Hermes Les Clefs - the keys - and it's only available second-hand) This scarf is particularly versatile, because in addition to black and white, you can wear this with camel, gold, or yellow. Camel suits the cooler weather very nicely:
Brighter yellow is perfect for spring - and gold is ideal for dressy activities...
Even when it gets warm, this scarf would make a great belt!
The rest of the year will be here on Monday - have a great weekend! love, Janice ... View the Post
January 3, 2014
This painting is currently at the Art Institute of Chicago, as part of the Celia and David Hilliard Collection exhibit. I'm not sure if it's oil - I suspect it might be pastel - but it captivates me immediately...My impressions from this were of warmth, and simplicity - clear lines and powdery soft colors, with matte finishes.
“A Mysterious Hand Leads to Another Path” – Jan Toorop, blue topaz ring – Zayd Makarim, blue linen tee shirt – Isabel Marant Etoile, natural linen shorts – Comme des Garcons, denim blue sandals – Popet seafoam linen dress – Paul Smith, scarf – U-NI-TY, silver sandals – Dr. Scholl’s
“A Mysterious Hand Leads to Another Path” – Jan ... View the Post
January 2, 2014 I had a few more variations of this floating around my computer, so for those of us who continue to party through the 12 days of Christmas, here are a few more suggestions!
This first look is low-key dressy, with a hint of sparkly cardigan, some serious silver earrings, a wee silver bag and a hint of silver trimming the shoes. All the accessories come from the same general family without being too matchy matchy. The 2nd ensemble features a wonderful ornamented cardigan, so I kept the earrings small, the cross-body bag a bit lacy, and the slingbacks (low-heeled, thank you!) have that touch of white that echoes the pearls.
Silver earrings – Oscar Figueroa, dress – Acne, ... View the Post
