Refined Darks -- from Late Summer to Winter

Angie's refined casual MOTG ensemble hit the mark for many of us yesterday. Certainly for me! I was excited because I have many options for a dark blue, black, grey, and white capsule. I thought it might be fun to show how this formula could take me right from late summer into winter. Shopped my closet for the pieces and here are some of my results. 

I was spoiled for choice here. I could have subbed in my navy silk shirt, a denim shirt, denim jacket, plain jeans, the VC tube skirt in navy...you get the idea. But I decided to make it a bit more stringent on myself. Each outfit therefore includes a knit (sweater or dress) and/ or denim (skirt or pants..mine are not actually denim but are cut like jeans). Plus various toppers. This was to keep it more casual and to stay as true as I could to Angie's vision. 

I apologize for the poor light. It had to be artificial today because it is very dark here. 

Moving from late summer into November, here are my outfits! I'll do some explaining below. 

By the way, suggestions welcome! 

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44 Comments

  • texstyle replied 10 years ago

    Yay - I love these capsules and this one is another beautiful one Suz!  Can't stay long so I think I'll come back when I have more time to look in more detail but these all look like fantastic outfits.

  • Ingunn replied 10 years ago

    Suz, you are killing me! I have no suggestions. This is genuinely awesome! Every outfit is stellar. Please pack up this capsule and send it to me. I WANT it. Gorgeous!

  • Suz replied 10 years ago

    Photo 1: 

    In September, the weather is still warm enough for me to go without hose. Here I'm wearing knits, denim skirt, and my Cons, with a white denim jacket as topper. 

    In Pic 3, I have a raincoat (because it rains here late in September -- quite a lot!) along with my Franco Sarto tall boots. Alas!! They are square toed, not current, and how I wish I could update them. BUT -- until I find a replacement they are staying in my closet because they FIT, they are insanely comfortable, and they shine! Plus, they are rainproof. 

    Wearing with Theory trench. Had to take the epaulette off the shoulder (missing one) but the operation was a success -- no holes. 

    Photo 2: 

    By early October, I will need light hose and my leather jacket. 

    Photo 3: 

    Hmmm. I seem to have doubled some pics here - sorry. I think the program doesn't work so well. Anyway...final pic in 3 is maybe a pub night out - sparkly tank with the printed pants and a black jacket. 

    Photo 4: 

    Mid-October I will be bundling more. 

    Photo 5: 

    The pea coat comes out to play in late October or early November! 

  • DizzyLizzy replied 10 years ago

    Fabulous, just absolutely fabulous. I love every single outfit. I've been thinking about adding a denim skirt to my wardrobe and after seeing how well it goes with various toppers I may just have to take the plunge. And I seriously need a white jacket to aid the transition between seasons....who knew?

  • amiable replied 10 years ago

    Absolutely perfect!  I loved the ensemble too, and expect I'll be doing some playing with it in the near future.

  • Peri replied 10 years ago

    What Ingunn said.

  • Raisin replied 10 years ago

    Wow Suz! These are absolute perfection! I love your capsule. Great take on Angie's post.

  • Lantana replied 10 years ago

    Suz these are stellar looks, uncomplicated yet full of drama. Oh, how they speak to my heart.
    The white denim jacket - I've been sniffing around looking for one, only online so far. Any pointers on quality, cut and construction? Penny

  • cobaltblue replied 10 years ago

    Oh most eminently pinnable Suz, these are perfection!

  • Suz replied 10 years ago

    It's so fun to play with Angie's ideas and make them come to life. 

    Penny, my denim jacket is actually from the children's department at Old Navy! Leave no retail stone unturned. I went to look at the grownup version. There were two; one was far too boxy for me and the other was not as cropped as I wanted. Headed over to the kids' section, and voila -- and this one has stretch so it is super comfy. 

    I have seen Angie recommend the American Eagle ones. I'm not sure whether you get that brand in Oz? But if not, I'll bet some kind fabber would be happy to secure and ship for you. (I would myself if we found in Canada.)

  • Beth Ann replied 10 years ago

    I'm in Wardrobe Mistress mode this weekend, and I was thinking about how costume designers use a specific color palette for a show.  Usually this color palette reflects period and location (including indoors and outdoors -- like Act II of La Boheme set on Christmas Eve in Paris.  My costume was HOT under those lights.  Fur muff.  Yeah.)  Sometimes the palette reflects what's going on under the surface psychologically.  I did a Trovatore in french (Il Trouvere) in which the chorus and male singers were all in grey.  Only Leonora and Manrico, and the gypsy Azucena were in color, the gypsy and tenor in Red, and Leonora in brilliant blue silk.  LOVED her dress.  Mine?  Not so much.  They even greyed my makeup (yuck).

    Anyway, a long way of saying that I think making a capsule  might be like designing a production for movie or stage.  It is a unified design, and your capsule achieves this brilliantly!  I'm loving that white jacket.  White on top of black is unexpected and beautiful near your face. On my monitor, it's hard to distinguish the dark blue from black, but I do remember your patterned trousers and they look great here!

  • Caro in Oz replied 10 years ago

    I LOVE how you've used Angie's ideas & fashioned them into you. Angie is right about the white too - it makes everything sing :)

  • velvetychocolate replied 10 years ago

    I love this colour palette/formula for you! Just fabulous, and I love every outfit you've chosen. What an inspiration - thank you for sharing these with us! 

  • Eliza replied 10 years ago

    Just stunning, Suz. Every look simultaneously evokes comfort and refinement. Bravo.

    And for the record, I am tempted to head north just for a white leather jacket. Perfection!

  • replied 10 years ago

    Love your capsule! It is so awesome to see someone take Angie's ideas and run with them.

  • Gaylene replied 10 years ago

    You get an A for this exercise, Suz! This is an inspiring capsule that hits all the right notes for our Canadian fall. But given our crazy weather (yesterday was the hottest temperature that we've had all year), I'm figuring we could be wearing all those outfits within a single week this year!

  • Nicole D replied 10 years ago

    Well done!  It's really interesting how the white pieces look so right even into late fall. Great choice of colour palette.

  • Suz replied 10 years ago

    I am so sorry this is terrifically dark in all the wrong ways...truly, there is more colour (mostly blue) than meets the eye. 

    Here's a rundown of the items: 

    1. BR striped top, ON white denim jacket, ON denim skirt, Hi-Ness Cons, Danier bag. 
    2. Ralph Lauren navy sweater dress, ON jacket, Danier bag, Cons. 
    3. BR navy and white sweater, denim skirt, Franco Sarto boots, black Theory trench, Danier bag. 
    4. Land's End navy layering turtleneck, denim skirt, ON white denim jacket, Michael Kors belt, Petty snakeskin booties. 
    Pic 2: 

    1. Danier leather jacket & bag, ON denim skirt, sheer black hose, Stuart Weitzman almond-toe but almost pointy toe chelsea boots, BR sweater. 
    2. Ann Taylor leopard print pants with black, blue, taupey-mauve pattern; Theory navy turtleneck; Danier jacket & bag, SW booties. 
    3. Same with just pants and sweater. 
    4. Ditto but with Theory trench over top. 
    Pic 3: 

    Duplicates - sorry - I seem to have lost some photos in the process of transfer, oh well.

    • Last pic: Marilyn Anselm for Hobbs vintage black jacket, GAP sequined grey tank, AT pants, SW booties, MK belt. 
    Pic  4: 

    1. Pettys, AT print pants, Theory sweater, Danier jacket, random scarf. 
    2. Add black Theory trench. 
    3. Ralph Lauren sweater dress, Theory navy turtleneck, silk scarf, Danier, SW booties, opaque navy hose. 
    4. AT pants, SW booties, GAP grey cable sweater. 
    Pic 5: 

    1. Ralph Lauren navy sweater dress, tights, SW booties, GAP sweater. 
    2. AT pants, Gap sweater, Vince Camuto military colourblock peacoat. 
    3. RL dress with sweater and peacoat. 
    4. Bundled with Danier jacket beneath and scarf....
  • catgirl replied 10 years ago

    Suz, you are the queen of this capsule/look!  I have narrowed my work colors down to these shades, with some room for my bright sweaters and Equipment shirts.  Totally inspired now.

  • pil replied 10 years ago

    Just incredible, Suz. Comfort and oozing class and the color combination in spectacular. Seeing your gray Gap sweater finds me wishing I went with that rather than the cream. But, the cream still got tons of wear!

  • Jaime replied 10 years ago

    Hey you stole my bag! Just kidding but I am on the (slow moving) hunt for a black and white bag of yet to be known specifications. Anyway, the only think I don't like about these pictures is they are a bit too dark to make out every tiny detail. I am already regretting not getting the Gap sweater in grey also though. Lots to love with this capsule!

  • Mo replied 10 years ago

    Kudos for putting in the hard legwork! Looks great - I will have to examine more closely tomorrow.  I was worried my FL winter capsule didn't have enough color, but this shows it may not matter.

  • Suz replied 10 years ago

    Yeah, I am so sorry they are so dark. I think putting the pics into the collage makes them even darker and they were already dark because of the incredibly grey weather and artificial light. But...if you imagine navy, grey, taupe, more navy...the black trench and colourblocked pea coat...you kind of get the drift. 

    You can also see why I crave colour in the summer! This is essentially the winter wardrobe! And it is a great capsule, but sheesh. It is so dark. 

    Problem being: It's pretty much my only way to wear skirts and dresses in winter. Going dark, I mean. For the hose. 

  • Karie replied 10 years ago

    Suz, this is another fantastic capsule! You have impeccable taste and style. I love how you take Angie's ideas and make them your own. Well done!

  • nancylee replied 10 years ago

    I'm so impressed (always) by how you can take a suggestion and run with it, Suz.  This is a great capsule.  You look fab!

  • JulieJohn replied 10 years ago

    Super Suz! You show us a great progression into winter, and lots of great inspiration. The white "statement neutral" is always welcome. Maybe you need a white peacoat for the darkest days of winter? Or is there such a thing as a silver coat?

    BethAnn - you made me think of an unforgettable opera scene in LA - it was La Traviata, the scene where she meets her special man in a brothel, I believe. The whole brothel was red, everyone was wearing red, except the main couple who were in black ~ and boy, did they stand out! A pop of non-color. It was luscious.

  • jurocha replied 10 years ago

    Grey heavy weight sweater: check. Black heavy weight sweater: check. Striped sweater: check. Dark grey tee with long sleeves: check. Black pencil: check. Black coated jeans: check. White leather jacket: check. Black wool coat: check. Black booties: check. Black tall boots: check. Perfect! I can copy a whole capsule from super stylish @Suz! That's like scoring double on my book: I get to have Suz style, plus I spare time putting a capsule together myself. Many, may thanks... and our outfits are gorgeous, of course!

  • Lyn D. replied 10 years ago

    Love the grey polo-neck sweater!
    A navy one is on my list for next Winter.

  • Lantana replied 10 years ago

    Thanks for your suggestions Suz, you are a sweetheart.  I've had a look at both sites, ON and AE, but stocks are low at this end of the season and there is nothing left in my size. I'll wait and see what turns up in Oz this spring/summer. Penny

  • Angie replied 10 years ago

    I echo Ingunn's words. This is so YOU, Suz. Well done and rock on.

  • Suz replied 10 years ago

    Thank you, Angie. I so wish the colours were more visible. I picked an awful day to photograph. Oh well. 

    But you are right. It does feel very true to me in all ways and the phrase "refined casual" is going to be one that I carry with me in my shopping along with "urban prince." Thank you!

  • CocoLion replied 10 years ago

    Dear Suz,
    Will you please fly out to California and do this for me?
    TIA,
    Denise

  • replied 10 years ago

    What a fabulous capsule Suz. You've totally nailed it!
    I think on the day of Angies' blog I must have been the only one with reservations about the dark capsule for me as I would just look ill in dark colours. I would imagine trying a lighter range of shade would just spoil the kudos of the look. Oh well, I can enjoy it on others :)

  • replied 10 years ago

    These are great. You are so organised. Can you come and do mine too? ; )

  • Suz replied 10 years ago

    Diane, if you did a capsule like this in your own best neutrals, it would be just as sophisticated and great. So -- maybe olive greens? Not sure what works best on you, but whatever it is, it would look wonderful! 

  • texstyle replied 10 years ago

    I love how nearly every outfit is unique and uniquely you too!  I think it's especially helpful to see how just a clothing shape can impact the entire outfit when sticking to a very limited color palette like this.  YLF!

  • lyn67 replied 10 years ago

    Allways so inspiring to see transitional outfits, very very educational, thanx for sharing, Suz, YLF in all your outfits, and all are so you, indeed!

  • Mona replied 10 years ago

    THis is definitely one of your best capsules so far. I love the drama and brightness added by white items. As the photos are too dark, and already people love it, can you take pictures when you wear these outfits everyday to post on YLF? May be you will get better light. This is just a suggestion, off course.

  • krishnidoux replied 10 years ago

    Wow! Suz, you look so good!
    Is your hair a bit shorter, too? It suits you adorably! 
    This definitively is your palette. 

  • Joy replied 10 years ago

    I've looked at your wonderful capsule several times and am so inspired by your results. Like others I'm mentally checking off items similar to yours that I already own. You and Angie have done the ground work for many of us. I'm grateful and will be trying my own versions if summer heat ever leaves (100F yesterday).
    You look wonderful in everything.

  • Suz replied 10 years ago

    Thanks, everyone! Krish, I don't think my hair's shorter but I did recently get it trimmed. 

    Mona -- great idea. I will do exactly that so people can see the outfits as I wear them. 

  • Janet replied 10 years ago

    I admire the effort and applaud the results! Your wardrobe really is serving you well when you can do this so seamlessly. You always look amazing, and I'm stealing some of these white jacket looks as soon as our weather cools off. :-)

  • Transcona Shannon replied 10 years ago

    Ridiculously late to this thread but had to chime in and say that this capsule is positively inspirational and actually gave me much thought over the weekend as I peered into my own closet. My wardrobe for fall/winter is primarily black, navy, grey and some white (I'd love more white if possible) so these outfits you are showing are serving well in terms of giving me fabulous ideas.

    You are one stylish woman Suz!

  • Linda replied 10 years ago

    Love, love, love your capsule.  All of your pieces work so well together, and look great on you!  I'm hoping to do something similar, with the injection of some cobalt into the mix.  I'm contemplating the purchase of a Danier cobalt blue jacket, that's on sale from the summer, but need to work out the logistics.  It's supposed to cool off here this weekend, so you'll be my inspiration to get planning! 

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