Transition: Black & Grey with Accessories

earrings- Chen Fuchs,   bag -  Mei Vintage, black, white and grey scarf - Esther Bonte,  grey and white scarf - Fusekata Hana,  star anise seed necklace- Justine Brooks,  flutter leaf necklace - Cynthia Jones Jewelry,  leaf bracelet- Lei Van Kash,  cap toe flats - Naturalizer, oxfords - Munro

In the interest of full disclosure, if your click on any link to Boticca and purchase something, they give me a (very) small commission.  That's not why I use their accessories on The Vivienne Files; I use them because they're timeless, elegant, classic, and unique, just like us!

Transition: Phasing out a secondary neutral

I repeatedly make the questionable choice of including beige or khaki in my summer wardrobe... sigh...  it's not a great color for me.  So here, in addition to addressing the idea of moving toward warmer clothes, and buying with a purpose, I'm also showing a move from one color in a wardrobe to a different one.

Remember, this was the summer Whatever's Clean wardrobe:

all clothes - L.L.Bean

 First, because I'm starting to really feel like beige isn't working well, the 2 beige pieces are going to take a back seat. And of course white linen pants aren't going to go too far into the fall...

all clothes - L.L.Bean

 Here's where grey takes the place of beige, and a pair of jeans will replace the white linen pants.

all clothes - L.L.Bean

 Second step:  the sleeveless black dress, and the two white tops, and due for a vacation...

all clothes - L.L.Bean

The easiest possible swaps - a sleeveless dress replaced by a long-sleeved dress, and a white long-sleeved shirt will take the place of the tee shirt.  And instead of a casual white top, a casual grey top... 

all clothes - L.L.Bean

 Solid black garments can easily be worn 12 months... but for the sake of illustration we'll give a vacation to the cotton tank top, the cotton cardigan/button front top, and the black capris.

all clothes - L.L.Bean

 I can't say enough positive about this striped top... And a grey cashmere cardigan- but zip-front instead of the more expected buttoned.  Grey knit pants put us in a very good position for cooler weather.

all clothes - L.L.Bean

 The beige pieces do look uncomfortable in this ensemble, but since all wardrobes are a work in process, and are always in transition, this is not an unusual thing to see in a well-planned closet.

all clothes - L.L.Bean

Transition Summer to Fall: Tan and Brown Accessories

 A few simple accessories will help you get into the autumn mood...  While the tote bag I show is technically supposed to be a beach bag, it's so incredibly well designed that I wanted you to see it!  It could easily be used through most of the year - where did we get the idea that we could only use certain materials at certain times of the year?  If you're not a scarf person, you might want another necklace or two; if jewelry isn't your thing, then you can go nuts with scarves...  To each her own very personal and beautiful preferences!

bag - Mary and Marie, scarf - Kirsten Gilder, scarf - Alva-Norge,  boots - Kickers, necklace - Maria-Xuan, bracelet - Vivienne Frank Designs, earrings - LeJu, flats - Born

Transition: Whatever's Clean in Brown and Beige

Quite a few people have asked me to show how to move from a beige and brown wardrobe into something with more brown. So let's start with this Whatever's Clean summer wardrobe:

all garments - L.L.Bean

The first three garments to phase out are the sleeveless beige linen top, white linen pants, and the shorts.  Remember, you can do these in whatever order you prefer, and that "phase out" does not have to mean "put in some inaccessible place for the next six months".

all garments - L.L.Bean

 The new dark brown top is dual-purpose - it can be worn as either a cardigan or a button-front top.  Brown jeans accomplish two changes - warmer fabric for light, and a darker neutral color replaces the lightest neutral color. A pair of medium brown pants blend well with all of the beige and white, while still giving a more autumn feel to your outfits.

all garments - L.L.Bean

In October, we can choose to find replacements for the white tee shirt, the beige linen dress, and the beige linen skirt.

all garments - L.L.Bean

The white tee shirt becomes a cream-colored long-sleeved tee shirt, the linen skirt is now tweed, and the dress eases out of rotation to make room for a soft ivory turtleneck.

all garments - L.L.Bean

And in November, the last of the linen "bottoms" are due for a rest, and the white tunic is ready to take a back seat for a few months:

all garments - L.L.Bean

A delicious camel cashmere turtleneck will be a welcome wardrobe addition as winter approaches. Corduroy pants always feel like fall, and trading a heavier twill skirt into your wardrobe to replace linen is logical, but keeps your personal style consistent.

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You're now working with this 22-piece wardrobe.  So very many options!

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Tomorrow - some accessories, and some outfits, will bring some lift to this capsule wardrobe.

Transition from Summer to Fall: Pink & Navy Accessories

 Accessories are an important part of shifting your wardrobe from summer to autumn.  While you can get by indefinitely without any jewelry or scarves, at a minimum, you're going to need a pair of shoes...

floral silk bag - Uroco, pearl necklace - Orchira, navy flats - Tods, scarf - milleneufcentqquatrevingtquatre, pink cord bracelet - Lilla Balas, scarf- Alex Suh, woven earrings - Ayako Kanari, wedge pumps - Softspots

all garments - L.L.Bean

all garments - L.L.Bean

all garments - L.L.Bean

all garments - L.L.Bean

all garments - L.L.Bean

all garments - L.L.Bean

all garments - L.L.Bean

all garments - L.L.Bean

all garments - L.L.Bean