A Tale of Two Closets
This is not a new subject on this blog, but I think it is important to have a small, perfect wardrobe and to use your creativity to make it seem larger. A from My French Corner does this so well and when she suggested this dual post (our second!) I jumped on the idea.
We both have similar styles and own many similar clothing items, as some of you know from reading the Sweater Project on my blog a while back. We also pretty much stick to the same color palette: grays, blacks and navy.
I am slowly adding beige into this mix and during the warmer months wear my signature color: turquoise.
Anyway, I’ve mentioned this before, but my love of a minimalist wardrobe was sparked by my European friends. I saw how chic they looked with only a few clothes in their wardrobe.
I have found that the secret to style — for me at least — is less is more.
I also love the challenge of creating a chic wardrobe without spending a lot of money. I may splurge on some items, such as boots, a huge cashmere scarf, perfume, lingerie, high-heel sandals, whatever, but more often I try to find what I need secondhand.
This week, A and I have each chosen a number of items from our closets that we will mix up and try to make work each day of the week without drawing on other items. I hope you enjoy it.
Information about the clothes:
Sweaters:
I found the light gray cashmere sweater in the men’s extra large section at my local consignment shop. I had credit there for items I had sold so it was free.
The black turtleneck sweater is from Gap but I found it at the neighborhood thrift store with the tags still on. I think I paid about $10 for it, but can’t remember right now.
The charcoal sweater was my husband’s friends. He was visiting one day and I commented that I wanted to find a sweater just like his for myself, so he took it off on the spot and gave it to me.
Bottoms:
I bought the black cords (Union Bay) at Macy’s on sale for $14 or $19, I think.
I found the Banana Republic skirt at the thrift store for about $5
The jeans were also from the thrift store, think I paid a few bucks for those as well
Scarves:
The black one is my husbands. I think my brother gave it to him as a hand-me-down
Actually, come to think about it, that’s how we got the gray one, as well!
The navy one is a special gift I bought for myself in the fall from Banana Republic. I spent way too much money, but I did get it on sale and I adore it. It makes me happy everytime I see it.
Boots:
The mod looking boots I found at the consignment store. They are Liz Claiborne. Again, I either paid next to nothing because I had credit, or I paid nothing at all, can’t remember.
The high-heeled Etienne Aigner boots I bought at Macy’s in the fall of 2008, I believe. I probably paid less than $100, but don’t remember.






My closet basically has exactly the same items!
Andi,
great minds think alike!
I love this idea of a minimalist wardrobe – in fact after reading your site – I think the best way is to take everything out of my closet and then only put back in the few items that I chose for my new winter wardrobe.
Do you think that these colours will work equally well for a blue eyed blonde – or is there another colour I could add to give a lift to my more sallow complexion.
Dianne,
If you look at Clemence Poesy, she is a blonde and wears almost all the same colors as I do, but a lot more beige which looks great with her hair. She wears mainly navy, gray, black and beige ….
Thank you kristi – I have looked online and yes! Clemence looks lovely in beige
I will search out a nice beige scarf and also she looked great in all black with a beige jacket.
Dianne
Love your scarves! I love wearing them too!! They are so fun! I have to be careful around my kitty. He jumped up one day and grabbed my scarf and almost choked me! LOL Stopping in and saying HI from ThePRPlace!! Come visit me at Scraps of Life!!
Thanks for all the well wishes everyone.
Susie, I just dropped by and copied your Lidia’s recipe for scallopine. Yum.
Also, I have no idea what to do with the PPRP yet … I was hoping to be able to review some products of my own choosing and/or get some items to giveaway to my readers, but not sure that’s how it works …. have to check it out more …