August 8, 2018
Remember our friend the educational consultant, who visited schoolrooms to help find ways to make things work better? She traveled for work back in January, and then again in April, wearing her signature navy blue and white wardrobe…
Her wardrobe inspiration, and all-time favorite painting, is this:
Yes, THAT Music Festival…
The really big one. She’s going.
She spends her work life in classrooms, and she always hears students talking about their favorite bands. She’s open-minded, and can tolerate a lot, so she’s decided that she’s going to drive into the city for a couple of days and go to hear just a few of the bands that she has heard about the most.
It’s a relaxed trip into town:
cardigan – 1901; earrings – Mikimoto; scarf – Rag & Bone; tee – Lands’ End; crossbody bag – Tumi; suitcase – Briggs & Riley; pants – J.Crew; watch – Gomesky; shoes – Converse
Of course she’s not going to try to dress like the young people at the festival – that would be absurd! She’s going to wear shorts, a casual top, some athletic shoes and a gallon of sunscreen!
batik top – L.L.Bean; round earrings – Trina Turk; dangle earrings – Hefang; bracelets – Gorjana; polo shirt – L.L.Bean; striped cardigan – 1901; striped pants – Eileen Fisher; crystal-trimmed scarf- Max Mara; clutch bag – Deux Lux; shorts – Uniqlo; dress – Vince Camuto; sandals – Børn; loafers – Trotters
She also has plans to treat herself to really nice dinners while she’s in the city – she’s found that getting a reservation for just 1 person can be easier than trying to take a companion or date with her… And sometimes she gets to sit in the kitchen, or some other seat where her view of the action is unimpeded.
When she unpacks, reviews her travel capsule wardrobe and is pretty delighted with what she sees:
Her outfits are all planned ahead of time – she loves this part of traveling!
She double-checks to make sure that she knows where her earplugs are – loud music without protection is for younger people with no concerns for their long-term hearing!
love,
Janice
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Gosh, Iove the simplicity of a two color wardrobe.
I’ve pretty much lived in black and white for 30 years, and I don’t tire of it. The possibilities with prints and textures keeps my outfits from being dreadfully dull, and if I’m not always dressed to amuse and entertain… well, that’s not my problem!
hugs,
Janice
Blue and white, that’s me! I love the dress!!
Tis thee, of course!
lovelovelove,
Jake
Inspired by the previous posts about this navy/white lady, I took a trip to Toronto with a navy/ecru wardrobe and LOVED it! I felt elegant! The only purchase for the trip was a navy and cream paisley scarf. There are short trips planed this winter and I’m looking for a classic well cut navy pea coat which I’ve always wanted. More navy/cream trips are definitely planned!
Check out L.L.Bean for a pea coat, unless you want to go full on and get a Macintosh from England… THAT’S the quintessential peacoat!
hugs,
Janice
+1
For traveling, this simplicity is so delightful, and at home, so reassuring. I still enjoy color, but the clarity of a short list even when including color has been the biggest shift in my wardrobe since discovering Janice.
You can have color in lots of other places that your closet – I think that’s why we have throw cushions!
hugs,
Janice
I love all shades of blue with white, so I adore this wardrobe. Usually gray seems to be incorporated in a blue/ white wardrobe. So refreshing to see such a clear, crisp, sporty option without the gray- YAH!!
CC
Really love the painting – and the story – and the simplicity of most of the wardrobe.
That printed shirt looks sooooooooo matronly, though. A big miss (for me) in an otherwise lovely combo.
I thought so to, Brenda. If our heroine must wear a polo shirt, a classic stripe would be better IMO.
Even though my full wardrobe pallet include three neutrals, two accents, and white, a two-color wardrobe is how I prefer to pack for short trips. You just get maximum flexibility and ability to re-wear items without looking obviously repetitive.
The first post in this Blue & White series was an absolute revelation for me. I find the series inspiring – love the stories and the choices of clothes. (And with a passion for print and a love of blue, I’d wear that print shirt in a heartbeat.) I’m another one planning a packing capsule on this, or perhaps Paysage de Neige from yesterday. Thank you Janice!
Janice, I love this wardrobe! Since discovering your blog, I’m turning more and more to navy and ivory in my wardrobe, and consequently I’ve rediscovered my love of mother-of-pearl jewelry. Such joy! Have you ever done a “Start with Art” post using The Great Wave off Kanagawa by Hokusai? I did not see one in your archive, though I may have missed it. I had no idea you’d done so many! I have many happy hours ahead of me, exploring those posts! Thank you for what you do.
I’ve not done one with the Hokusai painting, but it would be great fun; I’ll put it on the list!
hugs,
Janice
I too would love to see a wardrobe based on a Hokusai painting. Lots of choices for different colour combinations.
Thank you! I’ll look forward to seeing that post someday.
Janice,
Could we revist the Capsuel from ‘s “The Bathers” with a neutral other than black with the same blue-grey expansion pieces. Everyone loved your blue/grey wardrobes. Loved the aquamarine with grey. I haven’t every thought about aquamarine with your capsules.
Judy
Sorry everyone this posted so quickly and truncated the artist’s name, before I knew it. This is in reference to Paul Cezanne’s “The Bathers”.
I’m a fan of navy and white neutrals. When I need easy outfits, the 2 color option is my go to choice. That said, coral/salmon accessories soften the look, bringing a bit of reflected color to my aging skin and hair, without making getting ready or packing too complicated.
I have just recently discovered your blog and am over the moon! It’s like having my own personal shopper who really gets what I am all about. Thank you so much for the incredible job you are doing.
Love this so much. Navy and white are just perfect to me.
Hard to believe it was four years ago!! I remember this very well and I bought a few pieces like these!!! Wonderful!!!