tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130537499074859934.post8282975836051257408..comments2024-03-28T22:30:17.628+13:00Comments on How to be Chic: My spring capsule wardrobeFiona Ferrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01493105915055099408noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130537499074859934.post-21240383550766002872016-10-19T06:06:51.369+13:002016-10-19T06:06:51.369+13:00Hi Pammie, thanks so much for your comment. We so...Hi Pammie, thanks so much for your comment. We sound very similar in our wardrobe ethos!Fiona Ferrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01493105915055099408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130537499074859934.post-28527042975167526152016-10-13T15:19:41.565+13:002016-10-13T15:19:41.565+13:00I'm so happy that it's becoming fashionabl...I'm so happy that it's becoming fashionable to have a capsule wardrobe of well-made clothing and shoes. Thank you for showing yours, Fiona. Like you, Ive been onto this for years. I don't enjoy shopping so much anymore, so I buy the best I feel I can afford, separates that I can mix and match, and sometimes the same item in different colors. And, if I find a good pair of khaki pants that fit well, I may even buy two of the very same. I adore the way that you dress. To me, it's classy and understated. I'm making a judgement here, but genuine class doesn't require that everything be perfect and new, whether it's a car, home furnishings or clothes. Thank you for another wonderful post. So pleased to have found your blog and books.Pammiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16719546391995977011noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130537499074859934.post-83968589508176877612016-10-05T16:45:29.404+13:002016-10-05T16:45:29.404+13:00Hi L, I know just what you mean about wanting to d...Hi L, I know just what you mean about wanting to do something 'properly' and putting it off when you can't do it perfectly! I am just the same (and trying to be more 'done is better than perfect' about things now).<br /><br />I would have a look on Pinterest with search terms such as you describe - 'casual rural wardrobe' or 'casual workplace wardrobe' etc. Then, see what you already have that fits in and see what you are missing that you could shop for.<br /><br />Think about your favourite work outfits - can you replicate them in other colours, keeping the same silhouette and proportions? Ask yourself 'what would my perfect casual work outfit be?' and also look at what others are wearing, if there is anyone you work with that you admire how they dress.<br /><br />Good luck and let me know how you go!Fiona Ferrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01493105915055099408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130537499074859934.post-14062272190333540322016-10-05T16:41:06.446+13:002016-10-05T16:41:06.446+13:00Hi Cindy, yes, I imagine it could be harder to do ...Hi Cindy, yes, I imagine it could be harder to do Project 333 when you have a separate work and casual wardrobe like many do. I feel fortunate that one wardrobe does me for work and play.<br /><br />Thanks so much for your detailed comment. I am smiling at your naughty puppy. Still, I suppose it's a good excuse to go shopping :) You have no idea how much repeat business we get at our shoe store from puppies and dogs chewing shoes and flip-flops...Fiona Ferrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01493105915055099408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130537499074859934.post-87404175541962270002016-10-05T16:34:34.745+13:002016-10-05T16:34:34.745+13:00So true, Carla. Something just clicked for me wit...So true, Carla. Something just clicked for me with your comment, and it's that scarves can be cyclical in fashion just as clothing is. Thank you for that!Fiona Ferrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01493105915055099408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130537499074859934.post-2463401838033412632016-10-05T16:27:58.156+13:002016-10-05T16:27:58.156+13:00Margaret, I love this: ' I am that young teena...Margaret, I love this: ' I am that young teenager again when I read it.'Fiona Ferrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01493105915055099408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130537499074859934.post-23246575295200683002016-10-05T05:46:45.393+13:002016-10-05T05:46:45.393+13:00Fiona,
Thank you for the great blog post. I have ...Fiona,<br />Thank you for the great blog post. I have been wanting to do Project 333 "properly" for several years now. I live in a very rural place and work from home and in a casual office environment. I like to look pulled together but have a hard time creating a wardrobe that works. Any thoughts about creating a capsule wardrobe for a casual rural environment that is tidy and pulled together?<br /><br />I second the thank you for the kind and simple advice!<br /><br />L.Lnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130537499074859934.post-19866216637959274732016-10-05T05:20:24.554+13:002016-10-05T05:20:24.554+13:00PS My mistake - it wasn't Tuesday Weld in A Su...PS My mistake - it wasn't Tuesday Weld in A Summer Place, but Sandra Dee! Silly me, another senior moment!<br />Margaret P galanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14190356279359463949noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130537499074859934.post-22208995908776598442016-10-05T05:18:16.376+13:002016-10-05T05:18:16.376+13:00I assure you it's a delightful story, Fiona, v...I assure you it's a delightful story, Fiona, very much of it's time - think of the romantic films of that era (the 1950s) such as A Summer Place with Tuesday Weld (who remembers Tuesday Weld ... but why isn't anyone called Monday or Wednesday? And Autumn and Summer are names, but not Spring and Winter, unless anyone else knows differently? Sorry, I've gone off piste again ... but a good story is a good story, whether for young teenagers or adults, and I really enjoyed this when I was 13 or 14. I am that young teenager again when I read it.<br />Margaret P galanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14190356279359463949noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130537499074859934.post-45156230252012330842016-10-05T03:32:20.802+13:002016-10-05T03:32:20.802+13:00I read the post as soon as it came up, but haven&#...I read the post as soon as it came up, but haven't had a chance to comment. So much going on with this one post! :-)<br /><br />My thoughts on the capsule wardrobe concept is that I'd love to do something like this, and I guess in a way I have but in a very informal way. My basics (pants and skirts) are all neutrals, and my sweaters and tops are where I add colour. I don't wear jackets much, but I have a red, white and black one that go with all my basics. I think I'd have trouble doing 33 items though because my weekend/evening wardrobe is typically jeans based while my work a day wardrobe is business casual and rarely includes jeans but does have a mix of separates and dresses. I think I could manage 33 items for work and a smaller capsule for weekend/evenings. I'll have to investigate how much I actually have for both and actually take some pictures, but for now I'm happy having purged my closet of things that don't fit or I don't love. <br /><br />I love your choices for your spring wardrobe, and how great that you didn't have to buy anything. I am in the process of slowly purchasing those missing pieces (navy skirt, light grey skirt, silk blouse, LBD) and updating my shoes due to my two pairs of basic pumps having a run in with a puppy.<br /><br />Love your videos too. I always try to keep my living room B&B ready (not always easy as it's the dumping ground for the rest of the family when they walk in the door) and I do my best to keep the bedroom the same, although sometimes it gets a little cluttered. The rest of the house is a work in progress! I still have a lot of decluttering to do. Agreed that sometimes the cheaper options are as good or better than more expensive ones. I switched to Garnier's BB cream a couple years ago instead of foundation...I don't need cream plus foundation and my skin looks just as good as when I used both. Dept store brands of skin care for my evening routine have been replaced with some of the newer Olay products which have as much going for them as the more expensive brands. <br /><br />Thanks Fiona for always offering kind and simple advice for living better everyday. Always inspiring.Cindyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15847361999451066963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130537499074859934.post-15623208869275523612016-10-05T03:02:32.051+13:002016-10-05T03:02:32.051+13:00I think with the scarves, it's how you wear th...I think with the scarves, it's how you wear them. For instance a very light weight infinity scarf with a t-shirt is a young look. Or peeking out of a jean jacket. The small square tied at the neck...not so much.Carlanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130537499074859934.post-17877940635941476702016-10-03T10:34:59.219+13:002016-10-03T10:34:59.219+13:00I love hearing about your book memories Margaret a...I love hearing about your book memories Margaret and may look this one up even though it is junior. I used to love Mallory Towers and the Bobbsey Twins when I was that age.Fiona Ferrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01493105915055099408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130537499074859934.post-66788497502113962892016-10-03T10:33:11.066+13:002016-10-03T10:33:11.066+13:00I do like small scarves tied to the handle of my b...I do like small scarves tied to the handle of my bag, or around my hairbun. I've never worn a scarf like the Queen :) I definitely haven't written all scarves off forever, just for now I'm not feeling it!Fiona Ferrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01493105915055099408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130537499074859934.post-63296138375650145652016-10-02T09:07:57.050+13:002016-10-02T09:07:57.050+13:00That's exactly it with boots, Fiona! The heel ...That's exactly it with boots, Fiona! The heel felt to be right at the back and not under the heel at all, the balance was all wrong and very uncomfortable. My most comfy pair of boots was a Sale pair by Bally which are so old I've lost count of the years ... I know I used to wear them to work and I gave up working in 1992, so that makes them over 26 years old now, in the very least. they are black with knitted cuffs, the cuffs are a little ratty but in the deepest part of winter, with black jeans, they are so snug and comfy, I can't bear to part with them even now.<br />Margaret P galanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14190356279359463949noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130537499074859934.post-25896516649221736172016-10-02T08:56:07.348+13:002016-10-02T08:56:07.348+13:00Actually, jeans are meant to look a little 'ti...Actually, jeans are meant to look a little 'tired', they were originally the work horse of workaday clothes, we should not forget that. I remember reading a junior novel when I was 13, long before jeans were de rigeur in the UK (the novel being Look to the New Moon by Frances Fullerton Neilson) when a girl from Georgian goes to stay with her cousin in Maine. Much fun was poked at the country girl from Georgia until she wore her jeans. "How do you get them that wonderful colour?" she is asked (I paraphrase without going to my ancient copy of this lovely book) The sophisticated cousin in Maine says that she gets their servant to 'Clorax' hers but they don't come up like that! It transpires that the Georgian sun bleaches the country cousin's jeans, and they therefore have a worn look which is how they should be. Long live the lived-in look for jeans, I say. <br />Margaret P galanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14190356279359463949noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130537499074859934.post-64619710798873887512016-10-02T08:49:15.975+13:002016-10-02T08:49:15.975+13:00Wearing scarves doesn't come naturally to some...Wearing scarves doesn't come naturally to some people, but there are so many ways of wearing them. Perhaps, if you and Kristi have a simple outfit and feel it needs something extra, but not jewellery, then perhaps you could tie a scarf to your bag? I do this sometimes and provided it's not a wet day so that if you pop the bag down somewhere it's not dragging in a puddle, then it can look rather chic. Of course, there are also many ways of tying a scarf so that it doesn't look old-lady-ish (tied under the chin like the Queen is OK for the Queen, but it does make other people look like a washer-woman, I'm afraid so if you've not tried a variety of ways, then perhaps you might like to try again? Of course, much also depends on the style of scarf - there is the little neckerchief, died a la Bardo, or the long stole-shaped scarf, or the heavy silk Hermes-style head square. Don't write them all off just yet, have another go, I say. <br />Margaret P galanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14190356279359463949noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130537499074859934.post-60494934272329975552016-10-01T12:40:57.097+13:002016-10-01T12:40:57.097+13:00I tried scarves, I felt old and dumpy in them (lik...I tried scarves, I felt old and dumpy in them (like Kristi said above), maybe I'll wear them in the future, maybe I won't. Simple!<br /><br />No huge fly-eyes for you then, Carla? :)Fiona Ferrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01493105915055099408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130537499074859934.post-88024179220026557572016-10-01T12:37:50.801+13:002016-10-01T12:37:50.801+13:00I think so too, Stephanie, and especially the quad...I think so too, Stephanie, and especially the quad picture on my Instagram of all four photos together. I can instantly see good combos/new combos.Fiona Ferrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01493105915055099408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130537499074859934.post-12906654241341603372016-10-01T12:34:37.426+13:002016-10-01T12:34:37.426+13:00I'd love to hear how Opposite Project 333 goes...I'd love to hear how Opposite Project 333 goes, Kristien :)<br /><br />I know what you mean about post-holiday goodies to look forward to.Fiona Ferrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01493105915055099408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130537499074859934.post-28621419310180769702016-10-01T12:31:33.918+13:002016-10-01T12:31:33.918+13:00It's just out now in paperback, Carrie. Both ...It's just out now in paperback, Carrie. Both versions are on Amazon: http://amzn.to/2dGirGn<br /><br />Yay for classics and separates!Fiona Ferrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01493105915055099408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130537499074859934.post-85365187056073866132016-10-01T12:29:57.126+13:002016-10-01T12:29:57.126+13:00Bonjour Princess, exactly: you can have one year-r...Bonjour Princess, exactly: you can have one year-round wardrobe :)Fiona Ferrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01493105915055099408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130537499074859934.post-73826251603398171062016-10-01T08:00:19.695+13:002016-10-01T08:00:19.695+13:00Courtney Carver is the original 'inventor'...Courtney Carver is the original 'inventor' of the official Project 333, I believe, but the capsule clothing concept has been around forever, of course.<br /><br />I love that you are having fun with your wardrobe and the colours you are putting together sound divine.<br /><br />You make a great point at the end of your comment too. It's not that you will declutter all the rest of your wardrobe (unless you decide to), it's that you will give them a rest and come back to them next time around. It's a great way to re-appreciate them, 'old friends' as you say. I love that.Fiona Ferrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01493105915055099408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130537499074859934.post-46913976469889881742016-10-01T07:57:15.327+13:002016-10-01T07:57:15.327+13:00The more distressed the jeans, the more expensive ...The more distressed the jeans, the more expensive they are :) And it all comes down to each person's invididual style. I love having a pair of distressed jeans, plus my grey/green pants which were faded looking from the first day. It adds texture to my outfit.<br /><br />I love Greg Lauren's Instagram feed and find it really inspiring to do different things with fabric or repurposing clothing. https://www.instagram.com/greglauren/<br /><br />I agree about the LV too, Kristi! I love leather goods with character.Fiona Ferrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01493105915055099408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130537499074859934.post-72530578402850805942016-10-01T07:53:41.915+13:002016-10-01T07:53:41.915+13:00G, yes, it depends where you live and work as to h...G, yes, it depends where you live and work as to how dressy or casual your clothing is. New Zealand is very casual overall, not to say that I use that as an excuse to dress shabbily; I dress to please myself.<br /><br />It's such a European sensibility to enjoy your good-quality items for years and years.<br /><br />I think of the old English upper class too - they would routinely leather-patch the elbows of tweed jackets and wear all their clothing until is in in threads. Having everything all new, bright and shiny is the opposite to their style.Fiona Ferrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01493105915055099408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130537499074859934.post-26925154892822245462016-10-01T07:49:41.439+13:002016-10-01T07:49:41.439+13:00D, I never noticed that about Mireille's shoes...D, I never noticed that about Mireille's shoes! I'll have to go back and take a look. Here's the link in case anyone else is interested to see :) http://www.howtobechic.com/2014/02/an-evening-with-mireille.html<br /><br />'Patina' is one of my favourite words and equally applies to leather, fabrics such as linen, timber furniture, stone floors etc. Love it!<br /><br />I'm also very mindful of being respectful of resources by buying well and looking after my possessions. I've said it before that I probably do keep clothes longer than others, downgrading them to homewear if appropriate.<br /><br />Some items get better with age too, for example, jeans, leather jackets and belts, soft cotton shirts.Fiona Ferrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01493105915055099408noreply@blogger.com