11.26.2012
My Ten-Item Wardrobe: Extras
Wow! Thank you all for your great response to the last two Ten-Item Wardrobe posts and videos. This clearly is a topic that resonates with a lot of people. It is one of the biggest lifestyle changes I made after living in Paris. It takes a while to pare down to a capsule wardrobe, but once you do, you really can't go back. It makes your life so much simpler and it propels you to use your 'best' on a daily basis.
I received many questions from viewers wondering how on earth do I get by with so few clothes? And do I really only have ten items?? Well don't forget about the extras as written about in Lessons from Madame Chic. Extras are things like tee shirts, camisoles, blazers, jackets, coats, cocktail or special occasion dresses, cardigans, scarves, shoes, etc. These things help round out your wardrobe. They are not considered your core items. And while I wear my core items in heavy rotation, you will also find me wearing a tee shirt and jeans many days of the week as well. It is just what works with my lifestyle, having two small children.
Please watch my video to see a few examples of the extras I have in my wardrobe. If you are unable to see the video, click here, look in the sidebar of this blog, or visit my channel: www.youtube.com/TheDailyConnoisseur
Items featured in this video:
(Please note: many of the clothing items in this video I've had for years and are not available in stores. I am providing links to the websites below where I can.)
White tee by Michael Stars
Grey sweater blazer by Banana Republic
Black jersey tee by Velvet
Black velvet blazer by J Crew
Pirouette red croc ballet flats by London Sole (I received many questions about my London Sole ballet flat collection from last week's video. They do not run true to size. For example, I wear a size 7 and in these Pirouettes I wear a 38. If you have any confusion when ordering size, check out the size chart on their website, or give the shop a call. The sales assistants are very helpful).
Red scarf by Love Quotes
Black wool trench coat by J Crew
Fuschia dress by Adrianna Papell
Tan suede heels by Jimmy Choo
Chat With Women Radio Show
This Tuesday, November 27th at 12:45 PST, I will be a guest on the Chat With Women radio show, hosted by Pam Gray and Rochelle Alhadeff for Seattle Talk Radio KKNW-AM. We will be discussing Lessons from Madame Chic and my tips for holiday style! Be sure to tune in!
Writers Tribe Book Club
This Sunday, December 2nd, at 5pm PST, I will be doing a live teleconference interview for the LA Writers Lab on Lessons from Madame Chic! During the call I will read an excerpt from the book, have a discussion about the writing process and answer reader questions. Interviewing me will be the lovely mystery author and Daily Connoisseur reader Kristi Belcamino. To learn more, visit the Writers Tribe Book Club home page. To join the call dial: 1-218-936-4700 and enter the access code 38574.
Australia and New Zealand
Lessons from Madame Chic comes out this Tuesday, November 27th! I am so happy to have my book represented down under. I would love to one day visit both of your beautiful countries to meet readers. One can hope!
Visit my Author Website
Like my Facebook Page
Follow me on Twitter
Sign up for my Seasonal Author Newsletter
Oh I love this post!
ReplyDeleteRed ballet flats, a white Tee and jeans would be my uniform if I did not have to dress up for work!
I love wearing scarves and cardigans in cashmere.
The two blazers I own that I use to dress up jeans are Chanel tweedy types.
Your black coat is sumptuous and my goodness you look so fabulous Jennifer!
NOW I understand why you like the London Soles. They look really good on your feet!
ReplyDeleteI think this video post is a very fun one and I enjoyed seeing your t-shirt and blazer combinations, and your smile!
I have a question about holiday gifts. I want to keep to the Madame Chic philosophy, so less things of higher quality. But if I really adhere to this than each family member would only get one gift. Like one JCREW sweater would use up the whole budget. How can I do quality and still manage to give a few things?
Hi Jennifer,
ReplyDeleteJust love this post and love the jeans and t shirt look. As we are heading into summer, I would love a look at your summer 10 item wardrobe!
Oh, and by the way, I've been hunting and hunting for your book on the shelves here in Melbourne. None of the book sellers I contacted were even aware of the book and the Australian Simon and Schuster website hasn't go it listed as a new release. Any ideas?
Thank you Hostess!
ReplyDeleteWriteinSeattle thank you for the request... I plan on doing some holiday themed posts in December!
Camomile- the book is published by HarperCollins Australia... they will have a list of stockists. But it comes out today!
What a fun video! I enjoyed watching this. Your tip re: blazers is very helpful, because your blazers look polished without looking too formal or bulky.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes~d
Great video! I adore both of those blazers and how they transform the outfit. Also great example of the color pop. I am in the process of building my wardrobe and these are great examples for me and my casual style, thanks!
ReplyDeleteJennifer your fleeting comments about dressing gowns - haunting me. Must be this is where I have a hole in my wardrobe. I'm sure it's considered an extra ~ what do you have to share before I purchase one?
ReplyDeleteI too look forward to some holiday gift-themed posts!
ReplyDeleteThis is a question which you may have already answered, implicitly or explicitly, but what is your at-home, day-to-day wardrobe like? Do you revert to the jeans and tees? I also stay home with my two little ones. I find myself changing clothes multiple times a day depending on what needs to be done (running errands=one outfit; playing tag in the yard=another outfit; pulling weeds out of the flower beds=another outfit; scrubbing the bathroom=another outfit...feed the toddler=another outfit that almost always has to be changed because I wind up messy....and so on!).
I find this quite challenging. Maybe I should just commit to wearing a uniform of great jeans, flats and tee shirts for the next few years?!
You are 100% correct. I grew up in a household where my mom always had on makeup and was always dressed nicely. My sister and I do the same. My friends have commented - "You always look so put together!" I loved your blazer over tee shirt tip the other day - did same!
ReplyDeleteI love your book! I simply can not put it down! Could you tell me the specific color of your scarf? I would love to order the one that matches the red croc London Soles. Is it the "Beaujolais" or the "True Love"? I must purchase online so any help is greatly appreciated! Thanks so much! R
ReplyDeleteThank you Richelle! I am not sure what exact color the scarf is as it is a few years old. Here is a video showing the scarf in closer detail. Hopefully that will help. Glad you are getting the London Sole shoes!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlrurGubg-U