I’m using a nice warm light brown as my first neutral. You don’t see that much of this color in the summer, and I never understand why – it’s lovely…
And white linen, for summer! Nothing cooler…
Here’s where the real fun starts! These more muted colors are difficult to find, but once you spot one, it’s love at first sight.
A couple of pair of earrings, a life-investment tote bag, and some simple flats are all you really need to get through a couple of weeks of summer travel in beautiful style.
Here are a few of the MANY possible combinations:
Now that this is all pulled together, I see that it makes me think of sand, sky, clouds and seafoam. Did anybody else notice that?
love,
Janice
Looking Back:
2014: Start with Art/Scarf: Dark Pool by Elizabeth Blackadder
2013: Turquoise and Orange: A Packing Capsule based on Hermes Fleuri de Provence (part of one of my favorite series of posts, where I use one scarf to build a trio of color combination wardrobes)
2012: Mother of the Betrothed in Paris – a guest post at tishjett.com
Maja says
Please give another color scheme using some red and purple or violet tones, with white… If I would be in position, I will certainly by this scarf.. I adore it.. but not with this color scheme, not for me, if you post with my colors, I would be grateful
Maja, Serbia
Janice Riggs says
Tomorrow, just for you Maja, I will have purple and violet, with grey and white!
thank you, so much,
Janice
Maja says
Super, I am expecting.. as every morning I first open your post to smell new ideas and to incorporate them here over the ocean.
My thanks to you Janice, Maja
suzynjgonzalez.com says
Love it! Now (to echo Maja), can you please do the crimson rose and hydrangea purple, maybe with the blue-grey as a neutral? Those were the colors that called out to me from this scarf!
Janice Riggs says
Okay, it's for Maja and for you, dear Suzy…
CK says
I love this wardrobe. I agree with you about that natural linen color. I am a plus size and I have a particularly hard time finding pieces. I love the combo of that with white.
Virginia says
I adore this scarf, and these are my colors (and yes, that lovely light brown is very difficult to find). I would add a multi-strand beaded necklace with the same colors as the scarf. Today's fantasy vacation is this wardrobe and a train journey through Europe on the Orient Express. *sigh*
Madame Là-bas says
I can see so many possibilities with the sea foam and blue tops. I own a pair of light brown linen pants and a sea foam linen dress that I bought in Paris. Whenever I read your blog, I realize that I have what I need already. It really is all about the accessories. My sea glass earrings would finish off the outfit. Merci.
Swissy says
Yes, I noticed! And loved, loved. Muted shades are very hard to find, especially in less expensive basics (which tend to be "pops"). I have some new ideas here for incorporating soft brown into my summer wardrobe. Thanks, as ever.
Anonymous says
I like Virginia's vision of taking this collection with her on the Orient Express. I also say thank you for reminding me that you can make a different outfit by adding a pullover sweater over a sleeveless dress. Such a simple concept but one I neglect.
Deb from Vancouver
Janice Riggs says
I have to admit that this was something that I NEVER did until a couple of years go, in Paris, I saw younger women (college students, I think) who were doing this to add some mileage to their summer dresses. They juxtaposed summery dresses (well, visible skirts) with bulky sweaters, and the effect was charming. I'm not sure I could mix seasons with the success they had, but staying within season is an easy option for more wardrobe usage.
Anonymous says
I also love that light brown, which reminds me of chocolate milk, and would use it as one of my basic neutrals were it not so hard to find. That is a beautiful scarf Janice, and a lovely wardrobe. Mary
Shrebee says
What a soft, cool feeling, muted color scheme —right up my alley ! However, finding off-white anything is Summer has been a real challenge for me, as I have soft muted Autumn personal coloring. Stone is as close as I can come to it, and finding it in Summer tops has been close to impossible. Why don't the manufacturers take into consideration that we're not all color clones ? After all, isn't their objective to sell clothes ?
Amy says
I looked at this post earlier this morning and all day my mind keeps drifting to a trip to somewhere warm and breezy where I could wear all of these lovely outfits. I love all the muted colors.
Anonymous says
Looking forward to going on the fantasy train trip with everyone. We could all have the same clothes but everyone (every outfit) would look different. The clothes are cool and breezy in style as well. I particularly like the warm light brown as I am suited to light, warm and muted colors (Muted Spring – this doesn't exist but should!)). I know from experience too, that this color can be hard to find (agrees with Virginia, Mary and Shebee). Thanks yet again. Carol S
Maja says
Why all of you do not buy tickets for the ship and come to Serbia through the Danube river. You can visit so many places and cities, among them Wien, Budapest and of course my beautiful Belgrade. There are a lot of guests from USA and Canada visiting us. Charming linen clothes and flourish scarf on your had when you sit on open double decker to visit our historical places… come, You will be astonished, as so many people are… we have great places, excellent food and pleasant people.
Warm regards, Maja