February 2, 2017
Groundhog Day! (in the US – does anybody else depend upon rodents for long-term weather forecasts?)
And you might feel like Groundhog Day, The Movie, because this idea looks really familiar. Remember the Dandelion Cardigan capsule wardrobe you just saw on Tuesday? Well, someone went wandering on the Lands’ End website, and discovered this:
She was particularly interested in seeing how this worked with navy, so I thought another trip or two through this concept might be helpful…
First up, her preferred navy (which is indeed present in small doses in the cardigan) and ivory are the core neutrals, and then the vivid red (which I wouldn’t have called burgundy in about 5 years, unless it’s a really cheap screw-cap supermarket burgundy…), the pink and that nice aqua-ish shade for accents. One bright, one soft, one… green!
For choosing these six outfits, I thought that I would pick 2 outfits emphasizing each of the 3 neutral colors. If you vary the outfits you assemble in this way, you can be pretty confident that you’re not favoring one accent color over the others.
Unless you really WANT to favor one accent color – you could certainly do that here…
This wardrobe is a wee bit dressier than others, but I’m never going to miss the chance to give someone a good pair of jeans… and I thought that the dots with the flowers would be today’s “out there” selection; what do you think?
And frankly, you’d be daft if you didn’t grab a navy cardigan too… Wouldn’t these outfits work well for an office job? (yes, the blouse has a bit of a stripe – we’ve got to have some fun, right?)
As before, let’s look at all of the pieces together – a pretty nice capsule wardrobe that would be great for a relatively dressed-up trip:
And the accessories! Yes, 3 bags might be over the top, but they would all get used, and they’re all classic and timeless:
Just to emphasize the versatility of this little capsule wardrobe, I pulled six MORE outfits out of the pieces. That’s 12 outfits (at least) from 13 pieces of clothes…
There’s one last cardigan that I’m going to address tomorrow. There’s some concern that the colors are too “autumn-ish,” so it might be a challenge!
love,
Janice
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This is great–the ensembles feel so different, depending on whether they are with warm or cool tones. A wonderful way to have choices.
Gorgeous cardigan and great colors. A bit dressy for me so I would just replace the skirt with pants/jeans, capris or shorts and be good to go. I would also probably replace the neutral bag with something bright and be happy as can be. :) As always, you rock!
I have a short sleeve top similar to this – pink, red, and blue flowers, plus green leaves, on a white/very pale cream background. Works great with brown, black, gray, olive, and denim, plus is happy with my pink cardigan or my red jacket.
– Kaci
In answer to your groundhog question: we have at least two famous weather-predicting rodents in Canada: Shubenacadie Sam and Wiarton Willie. http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/shubenacadie-sam-predicts-an-early-spring-1.3267629
I've heard that in Europe they use a badger. Here in Virginia we prefer the traditional English poem:
If Candlemas be clear and bright
Winter has another flight.
If Candlemas brings clouds and rain
Winter will not come again.
It all works out the same, either way.
:-D
Janice,
That red skirt placed in there opened up some options along with the white and navy for the bottoms , and I'm so glad that you didn't force either the aqua or the pink to be worn with the red skirt. Many travel blogs say to make sure everything goes with everything, and that's prudent, but in my real world closet, not everything does. Thank you for the permission to use just what I already have !
Love the color palette and how much variety there is with this capsule. And I agree that adding a navy cardigan to the mix is a no-brainer! For fun, I'd probably also add an aqua bag.
The reader who asked me about this cardigan is literally ON HER WAY to buy an aqua/turquoise bag! She's been saving for one, and now she's going to have it!
hugs,
Janice
Wow! Saw this sweater yesterday, too, and was wondering how it would work with navy. Thanks for your suggestions!
Those cardigans are a real find. There is literally at least one for almost anyone.It also reminded me that when I was a teenager, it was the style to wear cardigans backwards!!
Deb from Vancouver
That shorts and dot tee shirt outfit is the freshest look I've seen for casual wear anywhere this season! Kudos. This collection is wonderful for the variety obtained with just a few well-chosen pieces. Fantastic.
At the risk of repeating myself (HA!), I have this cardigan in the Bavarian Creme Tossed Floral print. It struck me as quite "autumn-y", so I reluctantly put it away in December. Well, after seeing your post yesterday, I pulled it out last night, and am wearing it today with my wine ponte knit dress (quite similar to the one on Lands End, actually). With navy tights and ankle boots, I think it is working out quite well today. I won't pack it away again! Thank you, Janice, for your eye openers.
Well, tomorrow's cardigan is the Bavarian Creme Tossed Floral! I'm eager to see what you think of how I handled it!
hugs,
Janice
Enchanting, thank you.
Robyn in Tasmania
I am from Germany and had never heard about this scientific approach to long term weather forecasting until I moved here. Other European countries may differ… :))
With regards your 'autumnish' ensemble for tomorrow, I for one am looking forward to it, since these are my colors year around. Another one of those American things, I had to get used to. :))
Oh Cornelia, I have to warn you that the cardigan turned out to be cream, black, and pink/orange/red – nothing at all autumnish about it! Except maybe the cream is a darker shade than today's sweater… I was surprised that our friend had so much trouble with the sweater, but it happens sometimes; I'm hopeful that tomorrow's post will show her how truly seasonless her chosen sweater really is!
hugs,
Janice
Oh Janice, are you saying this cardigan has black instead of navy? I was very much considering it for the Spring. but I wear navy as my dark neutral. This sweater is beautiful and I've been looking for a bright or "cheerful" printed cardi and this seemed to fit the bill. Would it fit anyway with navy? love this wardrobe although I would not purchase red or burgundy but I have plenty of cream, navy and Aqua.
Janice Collins, Washington DC
I blew up the image and it looked like navy to me, but I could easily be mistaken! The amount of the color is very modest…
Tomorrow's cardigan has black in it though, guaranteed!
hugs,
Janice
Maybe it's my monitor – or my eyes! – but both of the cardigans look like they have navy and not black. – nancyo
This is my favorite wardrobe you've done so far – for entirely selfish reasons! I love a patterned cardigan, print mixing (hurrah for having fun), and this color scheme, which overlaps with a good deal of my wardrobe. Oh and those red earrings! Delightful. Can't wait for tomorrow's post too.
Ps I got a full ride to seminary based on an essay I wrote about Augustine and Groundhog Day the movie, so I always tip my hat to our odd habit of consulting a rodent meteorologist on this day :)
Hi Janice…would you be willing to do a post on how I can wear these beautiful and comfortable shoes? I've had them for 2 or 3 years now, and can't quite decide what to do with them! I wear a "winter" color palette…black, white, blue-red, cobalt, fuschia…I'm wanting to wear them this spring and summer. Here is a link:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/KATE-SPADE-black-white-leather-oxfords-shoes-sz-7-M-NEW-/132084111511?_trksid=p2385738.m2548.l4275
And maybe this tidbit will help, too? I also purchased this trenchcoat in the last couple of years….
https://www.google.com/search?q=image+johnston+and+murphy+reversible+black+and+white+trenchcoat&rlz=1C1CHYD_enUS578US586&espv=2&biw=1366&bih=662&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwibgp-4j_TRAhVGMyYKHXNaCHMQsAQIIw&dpr=1#tbm=isch&q=image+johnston+and+murphy+womens+reversible+black+and+white+trenchcoat&imgrc=JuqXDAa2ZFHSAM:
Please help! I so appreciate your work!
Thank you,
Toni Marie