Yesterday, the accents we used in the so-called French 5-Piece wardrobe were all colors in the same range of intensity and saturation – they were somewhat soft, and very clear.This painting takes us in a couple of rather different directions!
In Vaudeville: Dancer with Chorus by Charles Demuth
The accent colors suggested by this painting range from a really elegant neutral taupe to quite a vivid yellow/gold, as well as all shades of warm rose pink.
The base pieces for this wardrobe might rely more than usual on black, as suggested by the tuxedo on the central dancer:
Black tee – L.L.Bean; turtleneck – L.L.Bean; white shirt – L.L.Bean; white tee – L.L.Bean; cashmere cardigan – Lands’ End; shirt – J. Crew; grey pants– L.L.Bean; black pants – L.L.Bean; jeans – L.L.Bean
I love taupe, and it’s terribly difficult to find. But this cardigan is EXACTLY what I was hoping to find – fluid, soft, with movement.
Cardigan – H&M; bracelet – Banana Republic; Wrap – Nordstrom
I wasn’t as successful in finding that kind of “swing” in the shades of rose, although the tassel earrings will have their own movement! And that soft, soft pink scarf… sigh…
Blouse – Isabel Marant Etoile; earrings– BaubleBar; scarf – Forzieri; sweater – Alyki
The yellow was the most difficult color to find! Eileen Fisher has a lovely dark mustard cardigan that I considered, but felt that it was too muted… So I settled with these two pieces, which match perfectly, and which carry the vivid spirit of the painting. Every piece of your wardrobe won’t necessarily be perfect…
Tee – Lands’ End; bracelet – Dannijo; scarf – Versace; cardigan – Lands’ End
It’s so fun to aggregate these pieces and see how they look when they’re together. It would be tempting to find a pink tee shirt to put under that taupe cardigan…
As with all purchases, you can easily wear each of these pieces at least three different ways. With the addition of some of your own accessories (and some shoes!) these would all be great outfits:
Tomorrow I’m going to look at a French 5-Piece Wardrobe in all warm colors…
love,
Janice
p.s. I’ve noticed something… if you’re considering trying out a new color, look at how many pieces in that color are being sold second-hand on places like Ebay or Thredup. That might be an indication of how other women have felt about that chartreuse sweater that was so appealing…
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The Pantone Fashion Color Report for Spring 2016 includes Rose Quartz, Buttercup and Iced Coffee. Looks like it's going to be a lot easier to find today's color palette when the stores bring out the spring lines! Check out the other colors for Spring 2016 at:
http://www.pantone.com/pages/fcr/?season=spring&year=2016&pid=11
Am I the only on who feels the "wardrobe building blocks" are actually the return of the Common Wardobe (which, by the way, I absolutely love)? Only three more tops needed!
These accent colors are lovely, stylish and the yellow adds interest. Women wearing yellow confidently as an accent color are a hard to find, and that makes them even more amazing.
-SaraK-
Absolutely – this is just a slightly smaller version of the Common Wardrobe. And I do wish that I saw more women wearing yellow; it's so unusual, always cheering and bright. A lot of women believe, right or wrong, that it doesn't flatter them, but it would be a good idea to try it from time to time, just to be certain…
hugs,
Janice
It can be hard to find but I think yellow makes a fun colour for accessories. A big resin bangle or a statement bag – what a great way to spread a little sunshine! The online shop at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam is a good resource …
Robyn in Tasmania
Back in the day, I was quite the ballroom dancing nut. Let me tell you, dancers do love clothes that move–mostly thanks to the fabric. Pants that swoosh, skirts that twirl. Very fun and dramatic.
Interesting how what stands out is the colors. You don't look at that and say, "wow, that woman wears a lot of black."
Love this colour combo. A few years ago yellow was around and I bought a cheap ist cardigan and discovered I loved it as it went with black, grey, navy and even brown. The next year I knitted the perfect yellow cardigan and as I bead I made my own accessories. Then a dear friend gave me a lovely soft gauzy scarf with pink and yellow flowers on it that just happens to match perfectly. Also in this past Australian winter I bought a pink jumper! ???
A very lovely combo! I fall in the category of thinking yellow does not look good on me. Especially this bright yellow/gold. I do love the color yellow though! Maybe I will try something to see how I feel about it now. Thanks Janice for these great posts of how to add color to our existing basics!! I always learn something!
Love these accents colours, I would add some more grey and some of the darker cocoa brown from the painting and then you would have… well pretty much my ideal imaginary wardrobe! (my real one is not nearly so co-ordinated). Like Sue I have a cheap yellow cardigan that I have worn with everything. I don't worry so much these days about whether something suits me, so long as I like it!
Alice
I've never worn yellow, but I've heard everyone can wear every color, just as long as it's the right shade or tone of it. I didn't think I could wear taupe/beige until I saw a rosy shade of it. Of course, the pink and gray are my favorites!!
I see all the LLBean. I was just on their website looking for the Perfect Fit pencil skirt they used to carry and it's no where to be seen. Disappointing as that was well fitting and comfortable. xo Deborah
The fabulous black and yellow scarf brought to mind a long forgotten Hermes I bought maybe 30 years ago and rarely wore because I was raising children and feared for its safety! Now it has come into it's own! I will print out the yellow outfits and post them on my closet door! I too have a cheap yellow sweater. I like wearing a scarf so it is not right next to my face, but I have found I wear it quite a bit.Nothing like it on a gray November day!