August 26, 2019
This week’s addition to our Weekly Timeless Wardrobe could be either a shirt, blouse or sweater, depending on what you feel will be most useful for you. What I envision being included in your wardrobe will be something with some texture or pattern to it – a striped tee in your neutral colors, or a cabled sweater. Maybe a neutral shirt with a small, discreet print….
navy sweater – J.Crew
These guidelines provide a reminder of what to consider when you make this purchase (or choose something from your existing wardrobe!):
A subtly patterned shirt with a background in your dark neutral is really versatile:
earrings – Gorjana; sweater – L.L.Bean; shirt – L.L.Bean; bag – Nordstrom; watch – Daniel Wellington; boots – Franco Sarto; jeans – L.L.Bean
A sweater with a bit of depth or texture gives you something with a little bit of interest to wear with printed skirts or pants:
earrings – Lizzie Fortunato; sweater – L.L.Bean; bag – Marge Sherwood; slides – Jslides; skirt – Modcloth
You can easily wear a shirt with a tiny pattern along with a sweater with cables or other knit textures…
pearl earrings – Talbots; shirt – L.L.Bean; sweater – J.Crew; bag – Demellier; loafers – Minnetonka Moccasins; pants – L.L.Bean
A striped tee shirt that includes your dark and light neutrals might prove to be incredibly useful!
earrings – Argento Vivo; black cardigan – Eileen Fisher; tee shirt – Banana Republic; handbag – Talbots; scarf – Talbots; loafers – Clarks; jeans – NYDJ
Some sweaters have a bit of metallic thread in them, which can bring some life to a classic:
scarf – Nordstrom; grey metallic sweater – Blumarine; bag – Frye; watch – Movado; loafers – Vince; corduroy pants – J.Crew
A sweater that has 2 neutral colors “marled” together worn with a dressy skirt give you a less formal ensemble…
earrings – Talbots; sweater – Madewell; bag – Sole Society; bracelets – Asha by Ashley McCormick; boots – Johnston & Murphy; skirt – 4SI3NNA
I think texture is an underappreciated way to bring interest to your wardrobe; what do you think?
love,
Janice
p.s. 4 years ago, I explored a bunch of ways to wear a dark grey dress…
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Texture is definitely underrated! And all of the ivory garments are so lovely, even if that color is death on me. – nancyo
I discovered your blog in the middle of the night over the weekend after being awakened by a storm and a child. I have spent hours pouring over posts and pinning things and confirming I really do love grey. (Give me all the shades of grey cable-knit sweaters there are!!) Trying to set my style as I enter my mid-life years and your posts are helping me do that. Really enjoying and appreciating your work.
I am following this series faithfully, thank you for doing this
I second that. I am seeing that doing things outside my comfort zone can work really well. I am no longer winging my wardrobe. I have expert advice! Thanks
Yes to texture! In warm climates, it’s a great way to add visual interest to a simple two piece outfit. I have two textured navy blue tops from J. Jill that I love. And since my dominant accessory is usually one of my own necklace creations, I like the fact that texture doesn’t compete with them in the same way that a print would.
Thank you for your brilliant blog!
Tina
Even though I live in a mostly hot, hot, hot zone, when I read your posts, I can ooooh and aaaaaah over the lovely choices that you ferret out for us to enjoy. Having stayed relatively the same size for ~the last 55 years, I have a lot of clothes that I look at lovingly as they sit in drawers and closets waiting to appear for those brief moments in the late fall and winter. On the rare occasion of necessity, you give me great inspiration about how to choose a completely elegant outfit from what I have squirreled away.
Your narratives bring back memories of my time in the corporate world of being away from one’s own closet to make unlimited choices.
Virtual hugs,
Judie
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A more casual (and less hot!) alternative for this piece might be a graphic tee that uses your neutral colors rather than your accents. I have one in grey and denim blue that I reach for every time it’s clean, even though the shirt itself is nothing special. I’ve realized over time that I pick it because the colors are so easy to wear rather than for the graphic itself.
The Weekly Timeless Wardrobe series is brilliant. Each week I pull things out of my closet to put into my Fall WTW collection. This week’s textured neutral top has had me pulling out several options in differently weighted fabrics and neutrals. I’m basically based on navy and denim blue but ivory is a big neutral for me too (except for bottoms). Olive and Plum are my Fall accents (for now). I love so many colours and prints! It’s still difficult for me to whittle down and home in on MY neutrals, basics and solids. I can’t wait until the Accessories part begins ?