Capsule wardrobes inspired by art and nature
February 14, 2015
It's so easy to do - you see a bag you adore, and the next thing you know, you're struggling to use it...
Bag - Estellon
love, Janice
PS - For more in the Maximize Your ROI series, check out the following articles:
Maximize Your ROI: Orange Boots Maximize Your ROI: Black and White Houndstooth Check Flats Maximize Your ROI: Leopard Flats Maximize Your ROI: Estellon Striped Handbag Maximize Your ROI: St. John Collection scarf ... View the Post
February 13, 2015
You clamored for leopard shoes - I hasten to respond! If these shoes were mine, I'd be seriously looking at one of these bags - there are LOTS of options...
As I so often find, these items look particularly nice when aggregated. Toss in a white shirt and maybe a black dress (as well as another pair of shoes!) and you'd be well outfitted for travel!
love, Janice
PS - For more in the Maximize Your ROI series, check out the following articles:
Maximize Your ROI: Orange Boots Maximize Your ROI: Black and White Houndstooth Check Flats Maximize Your ROI: Leopard Flats Maximize Your ROI: Estellon Striped Handbag Maximize Your ROI: St. John Collection scarf ... View the Post
February 12, 2015 From the very first moment I launched the original post about this painting, I KNEW that I was going to have to look at this again, and pay full attention to the beautiful blue and green at the top of the canvas.
I decided to make this really simple, and concentrate on the opulent feel of the painting as much as the luscious colors.
I pictured this as someone who has to travel overnight for a quite formal event, and then make their way home the morning after. This whole capsule is all about velvet, brocade, cabled cashmere, and ornate jewelry. Sigh...
It wasn't at all easy to find these colors and textures, but I'm ... View the Post
February 11, 2015
As I mentioned before, I've received a couple of questions about what to wear with a special pair of shoes. When I saw these, I KNEW I was going to have fun, given my abiding love of all things black and white:
A little fearless mixing of stripes is the perfect foil for these simple flats. And a classic black dress with just a hint of white would be madly useful through the summer.
Putting dots with the houndstooth of the shoes seemed like a fun idea, and the pleated shorts are a lot more forgiving than the super-short shorts that seem to be everywhere! The red dress is easy with the black and white shoes - and a bag in a MUCH larger houndstooth pattern keeps things amusing.
Any bright color works ... View the Post
February 9, 2015
Yes, three DIFFERENT readers sent me links to three different paintings about ice skating. What are the odds? (100%...) Some people have mentioned that they (a) don't wear cardigans, (b) want to have as many outfit options as possible from a 4-Pack, and (c) have to wear a skirt or dress for travel because they go directly to their work obligation upon arrival. I've tried to address all three of these concerns here, while at the same time giving a feeling of coziness to help with the inherent chill of winter business travel.
Square scarf – Hermes, earrings – Giuliana Valz-Gen, turtleneck – Brunello Cucinelli, skirt – Tulchan, watch – Skagen, tote bag – ... View the Post
February 7, 2015
It might be the request I receive most frequently: "I just bought ______ and I don't know how to wear it!"
As much as I'm a big fan of planning purchases and having a deliberate wardrobe scheme, I'm not immune to the reality of the "coup de coeur" - that French kick in the heart that screams to you and will not be denied. And I think that these impulses that overwhelm can be a good way to indulge in an accent color, or a change of wardrobe direction.
Take, for example, these stunning boots:
These are oh so NOT my style, but I can see the appeal. And one of you, dear friend, fell for their charms.
Now what to do? I have a plan. Of COURSE I have a plan!
Consider, while you're still carrying these ... View the Post
February 2, 2015 Today, our heroine needs a Four-Pack for a quick business trip. These few garments give her a couple of options for work days, as well as including a dressy dress for the inevitable cocktail party that seems to be included in these outings...
love, Janice ... View the Post
January 30, 2015 I love winter, and sometimes a perfect photograph will convey what my feeble words never can about the beauty to be found in this austere, crisp and bracing time of year.
I strongly suspect that either of these button-front shirt would look quite nice under the grey dress. It's a look that a little bit gamine for some women, but for others it can be charming.
love, Janice ... View the Post
January 29, 2015 When this painting was suggested, I wasn't sure it would even be possible to build a wardrobe, because I thought the painting was drab and monochromatic. Shows what I know, eh?
love, Janice ... View the Post
July 27, 2015
The reader who requested this was particularly interested in the black, olive and camel parts of the painting, so I've taken the liberty of cropping the top third in order to focus on the colors in question. I'm sure Moreau will forgive me, since I'm such a big fan!
Any Moreau painting cries out for an exotic and Byzantine wardrobe, but I wanted to keep things in the realms of the wearable, so I've opted for velvet, silk and cashmere in order to express the more exotic and sensuous aspects of the painting.
Accessories are where you can really express the ornate impulses that seem to spring from this painting (and what that character in the painting is wearing!) - ... View the Post
January 24, 2015 For now, I'm finishing up this idea of monochromatic outfits and "accessory families" with some summery white linen items. (yes, they look sort of beige or ivory on the page, because white on white would be an incomprehensible blizzard...) Since the available linen white shoes are limited in January, I decided to grab some shoes that match or tone with the accessories - always a fun option! And for the elusive celadon, I chose some gold sandals; metallic are always worth remembering when you're struggling with a shoe color choices.
I'm starting to work on some more "Start With Art" wardrobes - anybody have some ... View the Post
January 23, 2015
Brown can be so beautiful, and surprisingly versatile...And speaking of versatile, I find that I keep using and using the bright accessories. When I assembled that family of items, I didn't honestly expect that I would get so very much mileage from them!
love, Janice ... View the Post
