Eclectic Joy

74 Comments

• Lynn replied 7 years ago

  Agree- doing the same here in Denver! Looks like it was going to be a beautiful outfit. Love the purse. Stay safe. 

• Joy replied 7 years ago

  I just realized that I have not done a current update of 30x30 items:
  Tops: ( all sweaters in this category are pull-overs)
  1: floral mixed media sweat shirt
  2: burgundy merino wool turtleneck
  3: black wool sweater
  4: EF charcoal grey merino sweater
  5: EF bone sweater
  6: Laundry white wool turtleneck
  7: EF light olive merino sweater
  8: EF red merino sweater
  9: plaid shirt
  10: EF black asymmetric merino sweater
  11: light grey cashmere sweater
  12: black/white color block cashmere sweater

  Bottoms:
  13: Jeans, burgundy
  14: jeans, olive
  15: jeans, blue (Paige)
  16: jeans, black skinny
  17: jeans, EF white
  18: EF grey wool pants
  19: EF bone skirt
  20: leather skirt
  21: jeans, grey. (Kut)
  Indoor Toppers:
  22: black/white mixed media vest
  23: red LE vest
  24: EF burgundy wool cardigan
  25: Bobeau taupe topper
  26: EF bone jacket

• kkards replied 7 years ago

  oh...i do hope you get to wear this outfit soon, it looks fab! 

• Joy replied 7 years ago

  I am already thinking of wearing it to a meeting this week unless we are supposed to do a dress rehearsal for a play we are doing at a state meeting next week.

• replied 7 years ago

  I feel your pain.  

  Your list of items is extraordinary.  I was pleased to see all the Eileen Fisher.  It is one of my favorite brands.  You wear it so well.  Do you think that means that Eileen Fisher is really as versitle as the brand advertises???  It certainly seem to be the case based on your challenge.  

  I love that you incorporated so many colors too!  It is a well rounded capsule that would make me happy to see.  It also shows that you don't have to be dull or boring in capsule planning.  You just have sit down and do the actually planning.  

  Do I remember that you built your capsule piece by piece?  That seems to be a very successful method then.  

• Emily K replied 7 years ago

  I really like your scarf and bag combo.  Stay safe out there. :-)

• Katerina replied 7 years ago

  The planned outfit is gorgeous Joy! You have such a beautiful wardrobe. The handbag and scarf are amazing. Hope you will get a chance to wear it this week. Stay safe!  

• Joy replied 7 years ago

  Sterling, I confess that I did have a capsule planned ahead but ended up going piece by piece at the last minute. My most worn items were not part of my plan. Thank you for the kind words about this capsule. I owe any success to Eileen Fisher. I cannot wear all her pieces successfully as many are too big or too much fabric for my frame. So I pick only the ones I can wear, or think I can. I do feel that this brand is very versatile. The colors and shapes work so beautifully together, even from year to year. They are soft, even most of the blacks. By layering I can wear them year round, dress them up or wear casually. They are the major part of any travel capsule. I just sometimes wish I had a taller, more statuesque figure to wear more and better. An older friend who was quite heavy in her later years, wore Eileen Fisher outfits and looked gorgeous. It gives me hope.

• Mainelady replied 7 years ago

  I hope your weather improves soon and you can wear your outfit. I predict it will be stunning!

• Toban replied 7 years ago

  This outfit looks so lovely. I like how the scarf ties together the Burgundy and black/charcoal. I hope you save this idea for another day. Enjoy your quiet afternoon.

• Angie replied 7 years ago

  I hope Maggie is snuggling up with you too. 

• Joy replied 7 years ago

  Angie, Maggie loves the snow. She is out rolling in it now. She would rather go out to eat snow and ice than use her water dish!

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• SarahD8 replied 7 years ago

  THAT NOSE!

  I do hope you get a chance to wear your planned outfit soon. I think the two asymmetrical pieces will look really good together.

• Angie replied 7 years ago

  Hahaha. I love it. How precious. Maggie’s accented her look with snow.

• Joy replied 7 years ago

  Snow is Maggie's favorite accessory, especially on her face and head. Between her toes, not so much.

• jussie replied 7 years ago

  Nice outfit! At least you have it ready to go for the next time weather permits. I like how your capsule has such a range of jean colours. Must make getting dressed easy :)

• Bonnie replied 7 years ago

  We are also having cold weather for the first time this year. I'm finally getting to wear coats. I wore a t neck and warm coat to the symphony and put on gloves and a scarf over tee, flannel shirt, fleece vest, and puffer to go for a walk. Your planned outfit looks great. It will be ready for better weather.

• Joy replied 7 years ago

  Thank you, Jussie and Bonnie. Jussie, I like a variety of jeans because I wear them so much. Not in this capsule are a couple pairs of patterned jeans..plaid and dark blue leopard prints. Maybe the next capsule
  Bonnie, I hope to wear the planned outfit this Tuesday, weather permitting.

• rachylou replied 7 years ago

  Aww. Maggie woogums. I’m amazed the cold snow doesn’t bother the paws.

  The outfit is inspired. You definitely must wear it at some point!

• Brooklyn replied 7 years ago

  Maggie better not get too comfortable because I am still coming over to get that black and white jumper. I’ll take the burgundy skirt too.
  I do hope you get to post a pic of the skirt outfit (before I steal it of course) because it looks like it will be awesome.

• Debbie replied 7 years ago

  I love the pieces you were going to wear today. Maggie looks adorable.

• Joy replied 7 years ago

  Rachylou, Brooklyn and Debbie, Maggie thanks you for thinking of her. I will try to wear the planned outfit this week and get photos. Today I ended up in the burgundy jeans and EF grey wool sweater mostly hanging around the house watching the snow and making soup. It was too icy to take Maggie for a walk. Luckily we have a fenced back yard for these times. She loved chasing squirrels when she was not rolling in a snow drift.

• JAileen replied 7 years ago

  I really like your planned outfit. How lucky to get some snow. We were forecast to get some last Friday but didn’t get any. Your dog is so cute in the snow!

• Joy replied 7 years ago

  Thank you, JAileen. Today (Day 22) is pretty quiet. I am repeating the comfy EF merino charcoal pants, this time with the " pot of chili" pale grey cashmere pullover. Nothing special. I added my necklace of big pale grey lucite links for some interest. Warm and cozy for sitting by the fire so it makes me happy. I will try for some photos.

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• Lynn replied 7 years ago

  I hope 

  I hope the snow is melting off for you as it is here. Today's outfit looks like it would be very comfy and cozy. I am still hoping to see Sunday's outfit one of these days :)

• SarahD8 replied 7 years ago

  So cozy — soft and neutral, but not dull at all.

  I love those oversized lucite link necklaces and yours is an especially nice specimen. As I’m looking at it now it kind of reminds me of plankton (I know that sounds odd but I mean that as a compliment.)

• karen13 replied 7 years ago

  Stay warm, safe and cozy! We got a few inches of snow last night, so it is headed you way. I really like the lucite necklace too. And hopefully you will post these outfits later.

• Joy replied 7 years ago

  Lynn, Sarah and Karen, thank you for your helpful comments. I hope to be able to wear the first outfit tomorrow as I have two meetings to attend. We will see what the snow and ice is like.
  I bought the lucite necklace because it bookends my hair and seems
  to go with everything.

• replied 7 years ago

  Day 22 is PERFECTION.  I love that necklace.  The entire ensemble looks comfortable, yet still stylish.  YAY YOU.  

• Mainelady replied 7 years ago

  Day 22 looks gorgeous! I love the color palate and the lucite necklace.....oh I have a little envy going on. Might that be an Alexis Bittar piece?

• Joy replied 7 years ago

  Day 23: I had planned to wear the outfit planned for Sunday and mostly it is, but could not find the planned scarf.
  2 shows the substitute.
  3/4: close ups to show how assymetrical sweater works with assymetrical skirt. Thoughts?

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• SarahD8 replied 7 years ago

  LOVE.

• Joy replied 7 years ago

  Thank you, Sarah. Your response has kept me from changing before going to a night meeting.

• Toban replied 7 years ago

  Love the scarf and the asymmetric skirt!

• Joy replied 6 years ago

  Day 24: White Out! white/bone EF jeans, bone EF top and jacket. Probably bone SE booties, pale grey tote and a scarf. I need to look back at other outfits from this challenge.
  Rachylou, Maggie has boots for when the snow starts sticking to her feet, probably today. She does not like them.
  Mainelady, I see that Alexis Bittar has many lucite pieces. I bought this one at a department store ( Dillards, I think) and paid less than $100 for it, so I doubt it is one of her's.

• Angie replied 6 years ago

  LOVE the tall boots outfit. KILLER. 

• Joy replied 6 years ago

  Wow, Angie.  Your KILLER made my day.  Thank you for sharing your wisdom about boot fit and finding these boots for those of us with small calves.

• Joy replied 6 years ago

  Update for Day 24: I was freezing and craving color. I recklessly added 2 pieces from my Cold Spring collection because the big cozy sweater was just what I needed today. I think I still
  have room in the 30 for 2 more. Anyway, this stuff is not new...dark blush jeans from Cosco last spring and chunky knit blush sweater from Steinmart a couple of years ago. It is so warm that I need a cold day to wear it.
  I welcome your comments. This may be a fail of my 30x30, but if I don't wear that sweater now, when?

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• Joy replied 6 years ago

  Silver sneakers are for walking on ice when I get out of class later tonight.

• Katerina replied 6 years ago

  The day 24 outfit is AWESOME. The sweater is so beautiful and it suits you so well. It is such a soft gentle outfit. You look stunning. The metallic shoes and bag are perfect! I want your sneakers.   

• SarahD8 replied 6 years ago

  Oh, funny — your planned outfit was monochrome and what you ended up wearing is too! I like this look a lot and agree that the sweater deserves a turn to come out and play.

  I’m tickled by your matching sneakers and bag — usually matching shoes and bag is such a traditional, ladylike look but your casual take is really cheeky. Have a good class!

• Deborah replied 6 years ago

  I am late but Day 23... wow!  I just love that combination.  It's so chic with a bit of edge.  I also note how well EF works for you.  

• Mainelady replied 6 years ago

  I so wish I had every piece of 23 in my closet. I would shamelessly copy your outfit. Sigh....dreaming of Joy’s style......

• Elizabeth P replied 6 years ago

  Great outfits joy! Please don’t consider 24 a fail, as you said, if you can’t wear something warm and cozy now, when can you? If you reached for it, it has a place. LOVE your assymetrucal skirt outfit.

• Joy replied 6 years ago

  Thank you, Katerina, Sarah, Deborah, Mainlady and Elizabeth, for the kind words. My happiness factor was high with the leather skirt and black, a combination I probably would not have put together without the challenge. The blush outfit is also high on the happiness register.

• Joy replied 6 years ago

  Day 25: nothing added to the 30. Inspired by those showing black and taupe together, that is what I put together from my capsule. Black jeans, black long -sleeved tee, taupe Bobeau topper and taupe/black EF suede loafers. Scarf with taupe and black in the pattern, taupe bag, olive coat.

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• Katerina replied 6 years ago

  Lovely combination, I can picture the outfit put together - chic, sophisticated and comfortable! I am sure it suits you wonderfully. Adorable scarf and bag.

• replied 6 years ago

  Hi Joy -- I'm catching up on these posts.  Day 24 is my absolute favorite of this lot.  It just looks so comfortable and yet so stylish.  You needed to take the opportunity to wear it while you can.  I applaud your decision.  

  I love that scarf in Day 25.  It combines all the colors so elegantly.  I laughed when I saw you underpinnings.  I thought you were influenced by Angie's recent posts.  Yours are very pretty.  Mine are hidden away.  Perhaps I should think about updating my lingerie capsule.  

• Joy replied 6 years ago

  Thank you, Sterling. I was inspired by Angie's post to add my underwear. This outfit was ok, but not outstanding. It worked well for shopping and brunch with some friends. The layers made trying on clothes pretty easy. I just added some poor photos of the outfit. They do not do justice to the scarf.

• SarahD8 replied 6 years ago

  The scarf is amazing!

• Beth Ann replied 6 years ago

  I've not had much forum time recently, so I loved this post with multiple outfits all at once!  Love the skirt with the asymmetrical sweater, and the way you adapted to a weather-induced change in plans.

  Are you enjoying the capsule approach?  I do informal capsules, which means I borrow from other portions of my closet whenever I feel like it, but I also have a focused plan.  I've lacked the mental energy for planning recently, though, so my capsules have been short lived -- lasting 2-3 weeks at a time, and focused on weather and mood.  You're getting excellent results, partly because you've thought everything through so well.

• Joy replied 6 years ago

  Thank you, Sarah and Beth Ann. Beth Ann, this time I have been building the capsule as I went, limiting tops, bottoms, and indoor toppers to 30. I did have a list of what I thought I would use, but have diviated from it.
  Sarah, that scarf is a favorite but is slippery and needs to be fussed with sometimes.

• Joy replied 6 years ago

  Day 26: babysitting and casual stuff. To keep warm I am wearing the dark blush jeans that I added this week and the light grey cashmere sweater from the capsule, silver sneakers and a dark blush scarf. In the photos I am wearing slippers. I welcome your thoughts and suggestions. The outfit worked well for my day and cold weather but is not exciting. The blush color and being warm enough made me happy.

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• tanstaafl replied 6 years ago

  It looks lovely. I like those pants with the light top. I had meant to comment on your blush outfit that I thought those pieces might work well with the bone pieces.

• Joy replied 6 years ago

  Tanstaafl, thank you for commenting. I will probably end up wearing these jeans with the bone pieces. You are right, they should work together.

• Mainelady replied 6 years ago

  Joy, I love your black and taupe outfit and THAT SCARF!
  Personally, I love your day 26 outfit. You look stylish and the excitement factor is undoubtedly baby joy. IMO little ones enhance every outfit. ❤️

• Joy replied 6 years ago

  Day 27: most of the day I was in an 1890 costume for skit. No photo. Then I changed into the white jeans and charcoal grey pullover sweater ( both EF) for floor play with DGS racing cars and turning a large toy fire truck into a car carrier for Hot Wheels. The back is feeling it tonight and still need to get the little guy to bed ( staying the night while his parents host a board game evening.). Happiness factor: I get to play and read books with a sweet toddler.
  Tomorrow, church which means I want to wear one of the 2 skirts in the 30x30 capsule. Bone or dark burgundy leather? Weather will be cold with snow/ice on the ground. Any suggestions for a different styling for either skirt using tops and indoor toppers from the capsule? Or should I repeat something?

• Katerina replied 6 years ago

  Your day 26 outfit is lovely and sweet. You are so polished and put together in any outfit I have seen. Really stylish whatever you are doing.

  Day 27 - it sounds you have such a great time with your DGS, happy for you! And your outfit is fabulous again! Charcoal grey and white is such a fresh and crisp combination and the pearls are a perfect accessory. You have a very beatiful wardrobe.

  Both you skirts are beatiful, I love them equally, but since it will be cold - perhaps the burgundy with the tall boots and some opaque tights? I LOVE the combination in outfit from day 23 with the asymmetrical black sweater and a scarf. But if you wouldn’t want to repeat - would the tall boots work with the bone skirt and the same black sweater for a sort of a black and white combo + a scarf? Or the black tall boots with the outfit from day 14? In any case - you always look beatiful in your outfits.

• Mainelady replied 6 years ago

  What a great outfit you wore when playing with your DGS. You must have had so much fun! Playtime with definite polish! I admire you for wearing white pants! I am not that brave when playing with my DGS.....dark bottoms only! Hahaha!

• Elizabeth P replied 6 years ago

  Joy, I would never ever guess you were on a "restricted" capsule by what you post.  You have chosen pieces across such a variety of colours and silhouettes.  Impressive.  I guess I did go into this thinking of Jan/Feb as my ink/navy/black period, so I shouldn't start being envious of your capsule, but you do do this well.

• Lynn replied 6 years ago

  Joy- I agree with Elizabeth. I am amazed at the variety of different outfits you have created with your capsule. You have a fabulous style. 

• Joy replied 6 years ago

  Thank you, Mainelady, Katerina, Elizabeth and Lynn.
  Your words give me such a boost. I ended up wearing the leather skirt, dark brown tights and tall boots, red-orange assemetrical EF merino sweater and scarf, brown leather coat was my topper. I forgot to check if I had worn the skirt/sweater combination already, but know I have not worn the sweater for awhile. After brunch I left the sweater on and changed from skirt to olive jeans for dog walking. I plan to wear all olive from the capsule tomorrow. Thank you for your ideas. I plan to continue using the 30x30 capsule through at least Tuesday, which will be 30 days.
  The Ecco boots in Finds I have in both brown and black and wore the brown.

• Windchime replied 6 years ago

  You look wonderful in your leather skirt; great that you can create very different outfits using it. I love your tall boots with the skirt, too, and that colorful bag definitely qualifies as "fun!" A funny aside--I bought an inexpensive faux leather skirt a couple years ago and discovered I couldn't slide around on the organ bench when wearing it. I'll need to enjoy leather skirts vicariously. :)

• Joy replied 6 years ago

  Thank you, Windchime. Could you sit on an inexpensive scarf?

• Katerina replied 6 years ago

  Your Sunday outfit is beatiful, Joy. Colourful, sophisticated and modern chic. I so admire your style, you always make your outfits so put together.. It must have looked amazing with a brown leather topper. The clutch with the scarf is a brilliant combo.
  You have several EF sweaters - they are great, the brand seems to do some really interesting and flattering knitted pieces. EF is new to me, I wonder if we have it here in Scandinavia.

• Joy replied 6 years ago

  Katerina, Eileen Fisher pieces look better on than on a hangar, an exception for me. Usually I can look at something on the hangar and see how it will look on me. I love the fabrics and colors but many of the brand's pieces overwhelm me. I also like the brand's ethics and that many pieces are made in the US. I look for what I want on clearance or at second hand stores or EBay. Size can be hard to judge but, in general, pieces run large. Cotton knit tees run more true to size, as do jeans, in my experience. Practically everything is washable.

• Brooklyn replied 6 years ago

  Just catching up on this thread Joy. You are always fab. But day 23... wow! Like it. Want it. Pack it up and send it over ASAP.

• replied 6 years ago

  Also just catching up.  You do look fabulous, but it is the discussions on the thread that interest me the most.  

  Joy taught me to love and appreciate Eileen Fisher.  She also instructed me to seek the brand second hand.  I personally have little choice due to its expense.  I have had luck on eBay.  I have never found it thrifting.  

• Mainelady replied 6 years ago

  Joy, your EF sweaters look amazing on you. I have often found EF to be too voluminous on me. Your posts have encouraged me to give her another try....especially her asymmetric sweaters!

• Joy replied 6 years ago

  Thank you, Brooklyn, Sterling and Mainelady.
  Mainelady, the EF pieces I like the best are tanks and slim pants in her signature knit blend ( I especially wear these in transitional and hot weather), dresses, the assymetrical tops and some jackets, some of which I have had altered to fit. An XS or XXS fit me best, usually. The petites sometimes fit but I usually stick to regular sizing. Her pull-on black jewel-neck dress is a treasure of a LBD and repeated through the years. A friend practically lives in this dress and is on her 3rd or 4th one. Perfect for work in a law office and travel, it can be dressed up or down.

• Lynn replied 6 years ago

  The red-orange sweater with both the maroon skirt and olive pants- just killer! Love the color combinations.

  I have always loved the aesthetic of EF clothes, and her fabrics are fabulous.  I never purchased her clothing in the past because I felt they were too expensive to wear while working. I worked with children (including sick children), and never wore clothing that it would upset me to ruin. For some reason I never thought about buying secondhand.  Her fit is not the best for me but would work with some minor alterations. I will have to try on several sizes in the store to see what size fits the best. Might have to start stalking eBay. Thanks for giving me a new options!

• Joy replied 6 years ago

  Lynn, for a long time I felt that my EF things were too precious to wear. I finally realized that I should be wearing the heck out of them. So I am. Most of my recent things are from Dillards or The Rack sales, but I have used EBay and have several pieces from consignment or thrift stores. A few years ago I treated myself to a navy dress and matching cardi for a class reunion. The outfit has had lots of wear since. I hand wash and hang to dry, so not having to dry clean helps. If I paid more, I probably would go the dry cleaning route as we have a local $2 per item place.

• SarahD8 replied 6 years ago

  Catching up on your thread — loving all these color combos! I especially like the sophisticated take on pink and gray from your evening with your grandson.

  I’m also amazed by the versatility you wring from asymmetrical garments! I’m not drawn to asymmetry for myself and I guess I always assumed such items would be hard to mix and match. How wrong I was!

• Joy replied 6 years ago

  The merino EF assymetrical sweaters and tops are easy to tuck in for more versatility. I did that today with the olive one, tucking it into olive jeans, and it did not create lumps.