MY CAPSULE WARDROBE

Hi everyone,

If you are a regular reader of my blog, you would recall my telling you that my husband and I are great aficionados of classical music and quite often spend our Saturday evenings at the Sydney Opera House attending a concert, an opera or the ballet.   We always looking forward to these evenings when you can leave the real world behind and just relax and enjoy the music and let it work its magic.

We have tremendous respect for art and in a tribute art and the people who make it possible for us to enjoy, we always make an effort to dress for the occasion to the point that, if during our travels, we plan to attend a concert, we pack appropriate attire just for that.  Call me a snob but I cringe when I see people wearing shorts and sandals inside the opera house or a concert hall.

You would not believe me but I spend far less time choosing what I will wear to the Opera than to the gym, I am kidding, of course.  On a serious note, I know exactly what I am going to wear on the night.  The secret to this phenomenon is the presence of what I call "A capsule wardrobe" consisting of pieces of clothing that are not subject to a current trend or fab and don't belong to any particular style or era but to quote Susie Faux who first coined this phrase: "A collection of a few essential items of clothing that don't go out of fashion, such as skirts, trousers, and coats, which can then be augmented with seasonal pieces".

Think about a classic black tuxedo jacket, a white silk blouse or a simple but oh so chic LBD or simple black cashmere sweater.  As for accessories, a string of white natural or faux pearls is all you need.

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A CAPSULE WARDROBE IS A COLLECTION OF A FEW ESSENTIAL ITEMS OF CLOTHING THAT DON'T GO OUT OF FASHION

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It is worth investing in a pair of good quality black pants, preferably with a straight or slightly slim leg shape that you can wear time and time again without ever looking out of style.

Add to the list, a classical jacket or blazer in black or navy.  Quite a while ago I bought myself a navy jacket with silk lapels from Zara which I have worn numerous times to all sorts of events and it always looks good.

If you click on this link, you will see me wearing it to the Opera House few months ago paired with  a lace black top and the pair of black pants which I mentioned earlier.

A black slim cut or pencil skirt is another great staple to have in your wardrobe.  Not only does it look very elegant but it can be worn with almost any kind of a shirt, blouse or cami, a pencil skirt tends to make us look a few inches slimmer and a few inches taller, more so when worn with heels, which is great, right?

And that brings me to the last but definitely not least item on my list, shoes.  In fact, I should have made them item number one.  As I always say, never underestimate the power of shoes, they will either make your outfit or break it.

If you only want to spend money on one good pair of shoes, I suggest a pair of black elegant shoes which will let you get away with almost anything you wear.   Sometimes, if I feel like wearing black from head to toe is too much I would wear shoes in some other colour.

You don't have to have all of the above, invest in pieces that you would enjoy wearing time and time again and in which you look your best and feel comfortable.  It is so much easier to come up with a good outfit when you already have the key elements in your wardrobe.  Certainly, you don't have to have them all, choose the pieces that you suit you best and that you would feel comfortable wearing time and time again.

I am wearing:  skirt - Alexander Wang, sweater - Cos, shoes - Bali, coat - Beck&Bridge, jewellery - Georg Jensen

Do you own a capsule wardrobe and if yes, what it is consist of?

Anna
XO

Linking up with Posh Classy Mom, Fashion Should be Fun, Nancy's Fashion Style, Tina Spink Friday, Not Dead Yet Style

NAVY IS THE NEW BLACK OR WHAT I WORE TO THE OPERA

Hello everyone and welcome to my blog.

I had to do a double take when I came to the office this morning and saw that it was the 1st of May on my calendar.  Unbelievable, how fast time flies.

My husband and I are big lovers of classical operas and ballet and are quite regular patrons of the Sydney Opera House.  We went there last Saturdays to listen to Elgar's cello concerto performed by the extremely talented lady named Harriet Krijgh. When I read in the program that she was playing the instrument which was made in 17th century and when her bow touched the strings, the hair on my neck stood up in admiration because that cello sounded heavenly.  I am sure it could also be attributed to the skills of a performer, no doubt.

We are so lucky in respect that both of us love classical music and are able to enjoy it together.  During our travels to Europe, we always try to book tickets for a classical performance at a local opera house.   

"I LOVE THE WAY HOW EUROPEANS GED DRESSED FOR THE OPERA"

I love the way how Europeans get dressed for the theatre, no jeans and sneakers, it is all about old school - silk dresses and pearls on women and tuxedos for men and that is another reason why I was looking forward to experiencing again the magic of the theatre with great anticipation.

When I was a little girl growing up in Ukraine, there was not much to watch on TV except educational or art shows and it was then that my passion for ballet was fostered.  My parents were extremely supportive and made sure that I wouldn't miss a premiere of a new ballet at our Opera and Ballet Theatre.  I had an auntie who lived in Moscow and every time I visited her, she would manage to score me a ticket to the Bolshoi.  

I still feel nostalgic remembering the grandeur of the building's architecture, the red carpet covering the marble staircases, the deep plush chairs upholstered in the deep red velvet, the gilded woodwork running along the balustrades and colonnades and the burgundy colour and gilded tassels of the stage curtain.  

I love our Sydney Opera House, it is one of the most iconic buildings in the world but I find it slightly too modern for me and although most people make an effort and dress nicely, the others simply don't care.  As for my husband and myself, we belong to the former and dress smartly for the occasion, which brings me to today's outfit which I wore to the cello concert I mentioned earlier.  

 

Although it looks like a suit, both pants and the jacket are separates with a common thread that ties them together.  If you look closer, you might see a satin stripe running over the side seam of the trousers (previously worn here).  The same satin fabric is used for a pleated belt simulating the classic cummerbund of a tuxedo.   

I wanted to step away from the traditional black and wore a dark navy jacket instead for a colour injection into the black monotone and making the whole outfit not look overly formal (you might remember seeing me wearing it previously here) but The other reason I chose it was that the lapels are covered in the same black satin as the stripes of the pants thus making them look like an easy version of a tux suit.

The top I wore is from Zara, just a simple sleeveless lace top that I tucked in to show off the belt.

My shoes are classic black patent LV pumps worn previously here.

And I couldn't help but add the red lipstick for a colour-pop.

Have a great week

Until then

Anna

xo

Linking up with A Pocketful of Polka Dots, Style Splash, The Pleated Poppy, Nancy Fashion Style