If you like florals, I can’t encourage you enough to look at products from Ted Baker London. While not inexpensive, they are SO beautiful, and you really only need 1 piece to be the starting point, and the lynch pin, of a beautiful wardrobe.
While my first inclination was to buy the sweater to match the cardigan, I thought that instead I’d invest in another piece in grey. These pieces, although they are 3 different greys, all work well together.
Introducing another grey piece gives you that sort of “suit-like” idea that you get when a cardigan or jacket matches a pair of pants or skirt. Because the fabrics are different, the colors just need to go well together, but not necessarily be a perfect “dye-lot matched” pair.
Basic pants in your darkest neutral color are always important, so I chose to introduce them pretty early in this wardrobe.
Irresistible…
It’s fun to mix up the cuts of your cardigans or jackets, so long as you stick with silhouettes that you like, and that you feel comfortable wearing.
Another piece with real whappage, but I have to rant for just a minute: would it be SO difficult for vendors to include just ONE photograph of the garment, all by itself, so we can really see what we’re getting? On a model, you’re never sure what’s happening behind the scenes. Still, this skirt was so perfect that I made an exception… however, we’re stuck with this tilty photograph. Sigh…
I know I’ve said it before, but it’s always a good idea to get these kinds of pieces that match ones that you already own, even if you’ll never wear them as a twinset. I could easily see this worn as a vest over the grey shirt, or a cream blouse.
Ah, let’s tackle that 2nd accent color. Lilac is so lovely for spring…
This is a case of whappage gone almost haywire. This is a blindingly expensive skirt, and I think there are only a few of them still available. But I wanted to show it because (a) it’s lovely, and (b) it shows the kinds of items that are available if you keep your eyes open. When you have a specific, short shopping list, these kinds of items will jump off the page at you when they are available. Just check your favorite stores, or favorite websites, monthly (really, a lot of places only update their inventory once a month) and look at “What’s New.”
With all of the printed garments we have, a nice workhorse black top, in silk, should be wildly useful!
Yes, this is the same color as the cardigan. It serves a similar role in your wardrobe as the cardigan, but has a rather different feeling. I’m not sure if the cardigan or the sweater is more dressy…
It’s the same color, but a lighter shade! Keep these kinds of choices in mind when you’re building your wardrobe. I think mixing shades is an interesting way to use an accent color.
This is a great skirt! I have it in black, and when I was in Florida a few weeks ago, I wore it every other day. Comfortable, but still a skirt, and the diametric opposite of the floral skirt already in this wardrobe – why not?
Skirt – Uniqlo
This turned out well – not too many prints, and enough variety to allow you to dress in solid black one day and then put on a pastel blouse and floral skirt the next day. That’s a wide range of mood for a 16-piece capsule wardrobe!
love,
Janice
Pretty colors! I would add a soft green to go with the tilty skirt. Thanks
Sue
I am not crazy about the tilty skirt, even though it looks a lot like the Sterling fabrics in Raf Simons' first Dior collaction.
I have a resolution to have two elegant business outfits, appropriate for any season. Three-quarter sleeves, for example, are perect. I am at a conference in Dubai, at an insanely expensive hotel. Observing the women, I see one with slim chinos and a short coral boucle jacket. Most of the others were like me, with dark pant suits. good, but boring. I think the thing with black is it looks and feels heavy in summer. Maybe gray, like you have here. Gray with a vibrant color. Silks and high-quality fabrics. Not a lot of items–they wouldn't get worn much. But a couple. I am partial to dresses and skirts, because they are more forgiving of weight fluctuations (thinking long-term….)
The slim pants + boucle jacket outfit sounds delightful. I wonder if that lady is one of the heroines from a Janice story – stylish and imaginative.
Love that scarf it would go with so much.
This is so pretty. I am hoping women will choose to wear these colours again. They were so common a few decades ago and then disappeared. People watching in Dubai, how fascinating.
Deb from Vancouver
I forgot to mention that I really like the idea of a sweat skirt. I am now planning to make one with a matching bomber jacket.
Deb from Vancouver again
I never cease to be amazed at how you find the perfect "piece"! The gray patterned tee shirt and the black patterned skirt are amazing. The colors of the scarf pull everything together. Another satisfying morning "read". Thank you for making our world beautiful and full of order, lovely yet practical.
I love how you combine really high end items with a $20 skirt from Uniqlo and it all looks great.
So pretty! Looks like spring! I love the mix of high and low end items too. Something for everyone! Proves you don't have to spend a lot to look put together! Thanks Janice!!
Beautiful colors! I loved the drawstring Uniqlo skirt and your recommendation of it- it looks perfect for my casual style. Can you comment on fit? I did take a look at the product measurements but is it a fitted silhouette? I'm more pear shaped and need a bit more hip/thigh room. Thank you!
When you show a print skirt that I want in a higher price point, I keep an eye out for something similar at Goodwill.
The sweatskirt is a pretty comfortable fit – plenty of room, since the drawstring waist helps adjust the fit. Honestly, I'm really happy with mine, and plan to pack it for most of my trips for quite a while. If something makes the "suitcase," then you know it's a favorite!
Simply beautiful!
Oh, this is truly lovely! The soft hues of your pieces (apart from the black, of course) and the elegant floral pieces are feminine and sophisticated. It is always a joy to see your "creations", but this one is stunning! Thank you for sharing it with us.
This is so pretty! Thanks for the great ideas.
Such pretty colours. The floral printed black skirt is just lovely.
Beautifully done Janice. I love these colors, and they are so pretty for spring. In a future post could you please show the shoes that would work with this? Thank you so much for the inspiration! Mary