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Help me create a wardrobe capsule...

shiny

Veteran

The CHALLENGE, should you choose to accept it:
Help me develop a wardrobe capsule around the following three dresses -- which I'm keeping from my recent Nordstrom order.

SITUATION:
A business trip, fly from Boston (brrr) to NC (temps average 50 degrees, but could get warmer). Need to dress for first impressions.

PARAMETERS:
- I am told the dress code is business casual. I have no clue if people dress on the dressier side of that spectrum, or the more casual side. Will find out when I get there!
- Flying in Sunday night (i.e., what I wear on the plane probably doesn't matter; I usually opt for a dress with no constricting waistbands and flat shoes).
- Meetings in office for three days. I tend to freeze in the office, even in winter, so propose layers that would work.
- There will be at least one dinner with the new team. It is possible there will be as many as three dinners.
- Fly home Wednesday evening - going straight from office (or dinner, not sure) to the airport - so will need comfy footwear and an option that can span the temperature change.
- Must all fit in a carry on.
- I would like to bring another option, perhaps separates/pants, just in case I end up feeling out of place in a dress. Please propose some ideas here.

I could just toss a bunch of black into the capsule -- black shoes, black bag, black trench, black cardigan, black hose, black blazer -- but that seems so... boring!!! How can I put some "zing" into this capsule?

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Dressing

14 replies

Latest reply was from shiny

retailgirl

Veteran

I think those dresses would provide enough "zing" for your trip. I think some black basics would be fine, maybe a bag in wine/plum to coordinate,and/or shoes in wine/plum. You could add some scarves or jewelry to go with the black. A jacket would go over #2 or# 3, I think #1 has to stand on its own. I would bring black slacks, or bl/wh tweed pants, black blazer, (I usually wear a blazer when I travel for business), a black cardi with some interest, (buttons, texture,etc.), a black tee or shell, a plum-my tee or shell, a scarf or two and maybe a belt, if you wear them. Silver jewelry would be the way to go. Have fun!

shiny

Veteran

Agree #1 stands on its own. I was thinking this is the best choice for Wednesday, when I have to fly home. Will need something warm and this dress is substantial weight & lined. I will likely wear my white puffer on the plane -- it packs up into a tiny pouch so it's great for travel.

I just realized I *do* have a work-appropriate handbag in the perfect shade for this... but it's big and likely too bulky to pack. Unless I don't go too crazy. I guess I could stuff it with underwear... maybe I need to find a work-appropriate clutch in plum? One that can fit in my laptop/carryon bag.

Or do you think a blue-red/cranberry red would "go"?

retailgirl

Veteran

Use the big bag you have in the appropriate color as your personal bag, i.e. handbag. And, yes, pack your undies in it. A clutch in wine or cranberry would go, pack it in your big bag or your carry on. Or is the bag that you carry your lap-top in your carry on?

shiny

Veteran

Yeah, I intend to go carry on for this trip, because if I lost my luggage I would be a total stress monkey. So I get only two bags, my carry-on suitcase and a large nylon (black) tote that will fit my laptop, iPad, 3-1-1 bag, cardigan, scarf, phone, puffer coat pouch, umbrella, paperwork I have to bring with me, etc. The tote is a nice size -- there's definitely room for a clutch, or small cross-over bag, but not my big handbag.

I think a clutch in a coordinating plum color would be a very nice addition to this capsule, and I can always use the big handbag when working locally in the office, or on longer trips when I check my bags.

When I travel for pleasure I frequently bring more than one clutch because they are so easy and useful to pack -- take up no room at all, and can be used to hold jewelry and other items.

retailgirl

Veteran

I think that sounds great! Good point about the versatility of clutches, although I carry too much stuff to use them!

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Lovely dresses & I like the idea of a clutch. I would add a pair of dark pants & a couple of office & dinner appropriate tops maybe a blouse & fluid knit .

rachylou

Veteran

I actually think the dresses provide more than enough zing.

North Carolina, I'd lean towards the "dressy plain" end of the spectrum (plain being in comparison to wild and wooly California - so sort of low-textured, smoother stuff). No sandals, perhaps not even slingbacks. Low heels, but heels. And also, this is a case where I'd go for something thermal underneath rather than a sweater on top. I'd maybe double-up on hose too (if the office turns out to be really cold). Nude, not black. Heavier blazer. Overcoat. Maybe a pair of pants, just in case, but to travel light I'd be inclined to skip them.

carter

Veteran

Please try to post a WIW for dress #2. I just LOVE that one! How will you wear it...tights, hose, leggings? Have a great trip!

shiny

Veteran

Rachy, why nude and not black hose?? I can't wrap my head around anything but black tights right now, it's so cold and snowy here!

Just did a try-on with my DD (who *finally* woke up) but she was not inclined to take pictures. She did give lots of input. Her favs were #1 and #3, and she proposed another BR dress already in my closet that she thinks goes with the capsule too and should also come along.

She's insisting I bring my existing magenta handbag and we figured out that it can just *barely* be stuffed into my carry-on laptop bag -- handles may poke out but I just need it stuffed in there long enough to get through security and on the plane -- she has a point! And she thinks it makes the outfits; I am inclined to agree.

She likes #2 and #3 best with my charcoal Theory blazer, but I'm leaning towards black AT blazer. If I have room for both I'll bring both-- especially since if I do bring jeans/pants the charcoal is my "go-to" blazer for that.

I like #3 best without the self-belt -- it has just enough shape it doesn't really need a belt (but it does need a cami). She likes it with the self-belt.

Carter, dress #2 is my favorite and I plan on wearing it the first day. It's just so comfy and forgiving and I adore the pattern. I like it best with opaque black tights and black suede tall boots, no jacket. But it also looks pretty good with the black blazer, sleeves scrunched up. It's lined so I think I'll be just fine without a topper. The magenta handbag is perfection with it.

I don't know what it is, but I'm not liking any of the dresses with my black leather booties. They should work, I think it is just my eyes. DD prefers the booties over tall boots, but I don't know. Something is off for me. I prefer with my tall black suede boots, gives a longer, leaner line to my eye. They are very lightweight and I won't overly sweat in them or anything if it's warmer. Actually I rarely wear them here in the winter because of messy weather-- they are more fall boots than winter.

I think I may need to shop for some comfortable black dress pumps. I have some, with kitten heels, wore them on interviews. But I dunno. Jonesing for new ones. It's just so difficult to find comfortable heels these days.

Beth Ann

Veteran

Shiny: These are gorgeous dresses -- I can see why you're drawn to them. I like the idea of taking a black jacket, and perhaps a pair of trousers to go with it, and a simple top to go beneath the jacket --- Even a dressy pair of ponte pants could work in a more casual setting!

I love the idea of a new clutch purse. It will be quite useful beyond the trip.

Anonymous

It sounds like you have things pretty well sorted. If you want to dress down the dresses, you might consider a cardigan as a topper instead of a jacket. To my eye they have a more casual feel.

rachylou

Veteran

Black hose seems "heavy" to me for the dresses. Nude hose is also just a wee bit friendlier. For first meets, my personal rule is always go serious, conventional and conservative to show friendliness.

shiny

Veteran

Thanks Rachy.. I think you may be right about that. My eye right now is accustomed to dark, opaque, thick/ warm tights, not nude, since we have snow on the ground here and it's cold and I'm living in sweater dresses. But now that you mention it and I think about what my eye liked best in the Fall, I think you are exactly right. I really appreciate the tip!

shiny

Veteran

I spent some time today mapping out work wardrobe capsules. This sort of planning is so great, helps me see where my holes are. I have so far the following capsules:

Grey/plum/fuschia with touches of white (as in this thread)

Black and white with a pop of animal print (i.e., animal print shoes or belt or bag)

Purple + neutrals

Cobalt + neutrals and a pop of cranberry surprise

Black + tan + cream + red

Spring Navy + Nude

It's so easy to see what my color preferences are. Heh. And apparently I friggin' love patterns. Sheesh!

I really need a work-quality (i.e., not a cotton tee) white or cream top that is elbow length and maybe boat neck or cowl, or high scoop neck, that can go with dress pants and doesn't need to be tucked. Something with ruching or spandex to smooth over mid-section bumps. (I had one like this from H&M that was sleeveless and absolutely perfect, but as all white tops eventually do, it yellowed and had to be tossed). It would be the top that ties the whole room together!