Some of you know that I have been trying since May to put a strategy together for my winter wardrobe. I was feeling overwhelmed with my clothes. Claire's move to the 10 item wardrobe really pushed me over the edge ( in a very positive way ) . I had to look at myself and be very honest. I too want to have a wardrobe that was easier to manage. I wanted one that didn't require a lot of daily thinking. But one thing that I knew for sure is that I didn't want a 10 piece wardrobe. One thing that I learned here is to really look at the details and not just the overall "picture". I started doing that here and I started a Pinterest board. I noticed that I kept pinning the same things over and over. I noticed that I kept focusing on the same colors. But when I tried to actually put a plan together, I just didn't have the language for the colors. For example, for a couple of years now I kept using the word "purple" to describe one of my favorites but if I googled "purple sweater" , it wasn't what I really liked. I spent a couple of months trying to learn about color and color theory. I bought a little color wheel that I play with and I fell in love with a monochromatic ensemble that Angie put together in cranberries. But I couldn't do it. I spent time on the vivienne files and into mind and actually sketched out some plans.

Then one day I ran across a coat that was THE color ( it is also the color of my Le Pliage - billed "bilberry" ) - it was labeled as "auburgine" or "eggplant". Then I researched it and found that it isn't really purple that I love, it is a violet-blue - like eggplant ! Anyway, after really looking at color and playing with my wheel it hit me : I LOVE colors with blue and grey undertones ( "cool colors" ) . I have always said that I love "milk" colors...not knowing another way to explain it.

I am telling you all this because this will be the basis of my main colors/my expanders for my everyday capsule. The picture below perfectly describes the colors that I love. Eureka ! The bottom ones, the cools are it . Why has this taken me 50 years to figure out ?

In case you are still hanging in there, here is the plan :

The essentials right now are 13 pieces of black, grey and denim.

The expanders are going to be maybe 5-6 pieces in my deep, cool berry colors and navy . This number may change.

The statements or add-ons are going to be something a little unexpected, like my zebra striped sneakers. This will also include scarves and jewelry. They may not be very exciting to other people but they will be to me.

I plan all finishing this all up this weekend and will start posting the actual items this week, if anyone is interested.

Thank you soooooo much for reading my sartorial screed. : )

The pic below describes beautifully the colors that I prefer; the ones to the rightmost. I can tell the difference. Finally ! ( pic 2 gradations of eggplant )