The Common Wardrobe Archives

Foolproof Packing in Warm Colors? Start With The Common Wardrobe

November 20, 2024

Let's suppose that you really like what I'm packing for Paris, but you wear coffee brown, cream, toffee... (oh my that sounds tasty!)

Let's start with the "old school" Common Wardrobe, and see what I can do. For those of you who weren't here when I first realized the existence of The Common Wardrobe, you can look here to find out what it's all about. I truly was in a big room full of creative people, and virtually every person was wearing at least one piece...

This is where I started:

This is how I picture replicating the above wardrobe, only with warmer colors, and with long-sleeved tee shirts, since it is getting close to winter! (in the Northern Hemisphere, of course! I don't forget my friends in the ... View the Post

How Can I Find My Own, Personal, Basic Wardrobe?

November 12, 2021

Ah, I'm going to need a second to remind you of the origins of The Common Wardrobe, and why I was so taken with the idea...

I'm sitting on the sidelines of a big party - about 200 people. These lovely young people (mostly) are my co-workers at an international advertising agency. We are in Madrid, or Berlin, or Chicago - it doesn't matter.

These people are creative. In big bright letters, they are the brightest, most imaginative people I've ever known. And when you look at them, you can tell; they wear sweaters that they knit in their spare time, or shoes made by a friend, or a jacket covered with wee patches that they did to cover holes...

But under all of this amazing color, pattern and print, they were ... View the Post

Accessorizing a Navy, Ivory and Pale Pink Capsule Wardrobe

October 27, 2021

As nifty and attractive as this wardrobe is, it's really the accessories that make it work!

You may remember from last week that when I chose 2 pink garments to add to this wardrobe, I also added these accessories:

Lovely as these are, they will NOT be enough for any normal person!

For years, I've been trying to come up with a "Master List of Accessories" that everyone should have; for years, I have not succeeded!

And I think this is okay - accessories are far too personal to be structured in this way. One of my closest friends wear a TON of jewelry - literally at least 10 pieces at any one time. Another of my friends wear earrings - maybe - every now and then. I'm not going to give either of ... View the Post

How Do I Make Wardrobe Guidelines Work for Me?

October 15, 2021

Maybe it's because I'm home almost all the time. Maybe it's because almost all of us have been home most of the time for MONTHS AND MONTHS...

But I'm looking at the essentials of a wardrobe. The core; the base; the springboard for all of the bright, memorable, snazzy things that we really love to wear...

And thus, I'm back to thinking about The Common Wardrobe - those 12 garments that I realized almost all of my co-workers owned, about 20 years ago.

These garments haven't gone out of style because they really aren't ever in style. They're available everywhere, at almost any price, and in styles that suit a lot of us.

And if you have these in your closet, you can get dressed. In an emergency, you can pack. You ... View the Post