December 5, 2018
Of course I wanted to see how a couple of these colors would look with black! I also really wanted to revisit that cool Turmeric color, so I got a different scarf for that little wardrobe…
First, let’s start with the world’s simplest 4-piece cluster of clothes – the absolute most neutral, versatile clothes for a holiday season:

black tee shirt – Equipment; earrings – Freida Rothman; white silk blouse – Vince; silk pants – Eileen Fisher; glittery bag – Mali and Lili; silk skirt – Eileen Fisher; loafers – Geox; pumps – 1901
With these 4 pieces, our holiday heroine has 4 basic outfits, that she can then use as a base for any kind of scarf, cardigan, jacket…
First up, how will this Jester Red look with black? (seriously, as if we haven’t all seen a million red and black outfits…)
sweater – BP.; necklace – Kendra Scott; bracelet – Treasure & Bond; scarf – The Met Store; boots – Sole Society
The boots really make a difference, if you can manage the “accent shoe” thing…
Any of us who lived (and bought clothing) during the ’80s know full well that bright blue is great with black. I’m still working to get past that memory – there’s a world full of people who do NOT remember blue and black, and I shouldn’t avoid a color combination just because I wore it right after college…
sweater – Topshop; earrings – Sorrelli; scarf – Pam Weinstock London; bracelet – Monica Vinader; bag – Medea
I do like these…
And this color would be so much fun for the holidays – you would stand out in any crowd!
jacket – Pleats Please Issey Miyake; earrings – Loewe; scarf – Etro; bag – Catzorange; mules – Malone Souliers
I’m not sure I could wear this, but I do like the look!
So many people wear black – a nice accent color helps you stand out a bit! Maybe some day I’ll find the one I like the most…
love,
Janice
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That tumeric/mustard color also had a moment in the late 80s, right alongside the “jewel” shades of lapis lazuli, teal and fuchsia. Any of them works fine alone, but when a few of them get together, it starts looking like a rerun of “Designing Women.”
OTOH, I just discovered the podcast “You Must Remember This,” which is fantastic, and I listened to the episode about Audrey Hepburn. Turns out she was her own stylist. When she arrived, poor, in NY (or was it London?), she owned only a few pieces of clothing, all black except for a white blouse, but she also had 14 scarves and managed to always look chic and different.
Love the Jester Red and black combo – so appropriate for the holidays! Not so much the Princess Blue and Turmeric. But I do remember having bright blue suit in the late 80s (also red and emerald green).
The ’80s were interesting, in fashion. If we had been able to rein in those shoulder pads, we would have been in great shape. I love how strong we looked (in our own minds, maybe, but we FELT strong…)
hugs,
Janice
I remember the cobalt blues combined with black in the ’80s. It was a great combination. I had a dress in those colors that I could wear anywhere. The jester red is also a beautiful color, although the boots in that color look a bit Robin Hood-ish to me. I’m always interested in seeing how you put clothes and colors together, Janice. You really do have a good eye for color combinations.
I liked these sets, interesting and varied, and at the same time it is a lot to take in. A rant: has anyone noticed that J. Crew sweaters keep getting shorter (except for tunics)? 22-23 inches is now that norm and that will not work on tall torsos and even looks skimpy on average ones. I don’t want to wear a shirt hanging out of a sweater so that my stomach is covered.
I guess that is how they can produce $100 cashmere sweaters. Also a lot more acrylic and other synthetics in their wools.
All of these colors would be spectacular with a long black sweater. Except I am in love with the turmeric jacket and couldn’t bear to cover it up for any reason!.
I’m short waisted, so shorter sweaters are very much welcomed – I think they’re aiming for cropped,to go with high-waisted jeans, but they are a normal length for me, lol! Also, I like wearing a shorter length sweater with a skirt. -nancyo
One would have to be very bold stylistically to avoid looking like a tamale in the turmeric pleats. It would be seasonally appropriate in the Southwest, however.
I love all of these colour combinations with personal variations. I wear my turmeric blouse under a black jacket with long black jet necklaces.