9th blog anniversary - capsule wardrobe pieces then and now

When I started this blog in 2009 I would not have imagined that I'd be carrying it on for nine years .. after all, in how many different ways can show how you wear your scarves? But things change as one goes along and the blog has evolved in so many different ways that I never get bored with it. If anything, I enjoy working on a new post now even more than I did at the beginning. Back then the posts were short and frequent, and consisted of two or three pictures showing the outfit and scarf of the day. Gradually they've become longer and more involved, allowing me to explore a topic in more depth, or to think of a theme or story. I hope you enjoy the monthly updates (I always aim for three weeks but seldom succeed) as much as I enjoy posting them.

It has been interesting to put this anniversary post together, as it made me reflect on the changes in my personal style over the past decade. I think most of the 2008 outfits have passed the test of time very well, proving how timeless the classic capsule wardrobe pieces are. I still own many of them and continue to wear them to this day. With age, however, I find that I've moved away from the crisp white shirts and structured black tops that I loved to wear ten years ago; they just feel a little bit too formal and corporate these days. Instead, I prefer softer colors and silhouettes and wear much more grey and cream rather than black or white for example. With a few accessories however, the less preferred capsule pieces of the 2009 wardrobe can easily be worn in a way that reflects my lifestyle and preferences today. A scarf can soften a structured neckline or the harsh contrast of black or white, and casual drapes can replace more formal knots. Necklaces have become an important additional style element, and I feel so fortunate that the Collection allows me to make my necklace dreams come true... they compliment scarves beautifully and add a playful, modern and refined touch to a classic outfit.

For this post I picked six outfits from 2009 and re-arranged them into 2018 looks:

The most challenging part of this post was to re-unite with some of the old wardrobe staples that l don't wear much these days. To counter balance the crispness of the white shirt,  I'm teaming it with a casually folded, vibrant Tigre Royal silk GM and a Picotin bag, all of which contribute to a more relaxed look.

back in 2008



Spring 2018 variation with a Fleurs Indiennes 90 carré in a reverse basic bias fold



almond tree blossoms - the promise of spring

This simple grey dress is a perfect example of a piece that never goes permanently out of style. I wore it quite a lot around 2009, but in recent years it has spent a rather quiet life in the back of my closet. Having re-discovered it a few months ago I very much enjoy wearing it again, particularly with La Femme aux Semelles de Vent, a favourite in my scarf collection.

Like its white cousins, the black shirt has not had many outings in the last few years, although it was a much loved staple in 2009, which made it a perfect candidate for this post of course! The black and grey graded background of the Les Folies du Ciel 90 carre and it's soft splashes of color tie the outfit perfectly together while adding freshness. 

About the scarf: Ciel means sky and Folie expresses something that is extraordinary or extravagant in a slightly crazy way, like the fanciful and whimsical flying machines depicted in the scarf:

Les Folies du Ciel was of course the perfect scarf to wear while witnessing via webcast an amazing event that took place at Cape Canaveral earlier this month; the launch of the most powerful rocket ever made. The most extraordinary thing to see was the safe return of the rockets to Earth in perfect synch after they had catapulted the dummy payload into deep space. This payload consisted of an astronaut mannequin driving a Tesla roadster (Elon Musk's own) in space, while David Bowie's Space Oddity played on the radio. Les Folies d' Espace! Of course, this Folie was not the main part of the mission, but it certainly was an eye-catching way to simulate a rocket test flight pay-load. Incredible pictures of the car in space followed. The easiest way to appreciate this amazing and inspiring achievement is to watch the animation SpaceX posted a day before the successful Falcon Heavy launch (click here or on the image below):

Photo: spacex.com

(to watch the actual Falcon Heavy test launch click here and fast forward to 17min30sec).

 The following day the navigation screen of my Tesla showed the surface of Mars. Folie en voiture!



Variation with a casual grey sweater instead of the black shirt. It never ceases to amaze me how different a look can become with just one accessory or wardrobe item change. Exploring these changes is probably what I love the most about fashion and blogging.





These checked trousers have been part of my wardrobe forever and I still love wearing them. Teaming them with the same scarf as in 2009, only with a camel sweater instead of the black.

Same dress as above, but with my latest scarf.. the fabulous Space Shopping au Faubourg

Les Folies du Space!

Photo: spacex.com

These last two pictures probably mark most poignantly the passage of time for me.. the 2009 version was taken the day DS went back to school after the long summer holiday. He was eight years old and had only started school a couple of years before. By summer this year he will have finished school and then he'll be off to university in the autumn. I can't believe that I've had these clothes below for his entire school career. I'll be wearing them in an autumn version when he goes abroad for his studies later this year!

For the 2018 version above I'm giving the outfit a spring twist by replacing the darker, early autumn colors of the shirt and scarf below, with a cream tank top and a soft colored Parures des Samourais scarf.

A huge and heartfelt thank you to everyone who reads, shares or follows my posts and to those who leave comments, it means so much to me. Without your wonderful support, there would be no anniversary to celebrate today! 
Mille merci
xx


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