November 11, 2019
Ah, now that some of us have been snowed upon, it’s time to swap out a warm-weather cardigan for something a bit more cozy…
charcoal cotton-blend cardigan – Lucky Brand
Since this cardigan is a pivotal part of your wardrobe, you want to choose carefully!
I’ve kept quite a few garments from last week, to illustrate how all of these pieces might go together in your wardrobe…
brown cardigan – Dreamers by Debut; tiger eye earrings – Beck Jewels; natural denim shirt – Lands’ End; bracelet – Jean Claude; boots – Pikolinos; caramel wool pants – BOSS
Sometimes, all you need for an accent color is a tee shirt and some socks! (maybe earrings…)
sapphire earrings – Bony Levy; cashmere cardigan – Lands’ End; bright lapis tee – Lands’ End; metallic socks – And Other Stories; oxfords – Vionic; black ponte pants – Vince Camuto
You might stumble on a new accent color that you really like!
recycled cashmere cardigan- Eileen Fisher; earrings – Kendra Scott; amber yellow tee shirt – Lands’ End; socks – Calzedonia; boots – Naturalizer; dark grey herringbone pants – Boden
Twin-sets don’t have to be purchased together; you can find garments that look perfect together…
garnet earrings – Narinee; burgundy cardigan – Halogen; deep mulberry turtleneck – Lands’ End; black cherry suede boots – Nine West; backpack – Vera Bradley; ash wool pants – Eileen Fisher
The simplest outfit can come together perfectly with a scarf, or the right necklace…
silk scarf – Purdey; cardigan – Ganni; shirt – Banana Republic; socks – Hue; loafers – David Tate; army green wool pants – Envelope1976
Those accent socks can start you into a whole new wardrobe direction…
malachite earrings – Missoma; cashmere cardigan – Nordstrom Signature; green shirt – H&M; socks – Johnstons; navy suede loafers – Me Too; navy flannel pants – J.Crew
This wardrobe doesn’t look AT ALL different from last week, but switching out a cotton cardigan for a cashmere one makes all the difference when the weather turns nippy…
white, black, and red cotton turtlenecks – Lands’ End; “snow” cotton turtleneck – Lands’ End; black cashmere cardigan – Lands’ End; white shirt – Lands’ End; cabled sweater – L.L.Bean; striped sweater – Madewell; floral cardigan – Lands’ End; black corduroy jeans – L.L.Bean; black stretch wool pants – BOSS; tweed skirt – J.Crew; black dress – Lands’ End
I can’t believe that we’re already TWENTY weeks into this project…
Are you finding your way through this project in your OWN way? You do understand that these are guidelines…
love,
Janice
p.s. 4 years ago, I went through a step-by-step process of building a wardrobe, based on the painting Echo and Narcissus by John William Waterhouse.
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I … do not understand pop-of-color accent socks. They chop up the leg line and yell for attention. A subtle tweak, sure, gray with black, dark purple with gray, dark green with brown, etc, but loud accent socks are so aggressive. Perhaps this is only a problem for the stumpy-legged (such as myself)? Otherwise, yes, to long cardigans with color-matched trousers for a more casual, suit-like effect!
Because I live in cashmere at least 5 months/year and so have been buying it for many decades, would not pay $280 for a “wool blend” cardigan (Ganni) that is 30% poly and (they say) requires dry cleaning. I’d choose your other appealing options such as the cashmere from Lands’ End (not the quality it once was, but still decent), or wait for a sale at Eric Bompard, or spend an extra $100 or so and be snuggly in a washable fibre.
70% Cashmere/30% silk is also a good blend, especially for those too hot in cashmere.
H Janice – I love warm, snuggly cardigans. Thank you so much for the chart – I have a really clear idea of where I’m going now – and I really like the new symbols. For me, they’re easier to follow than the first graphic.
You’re doing an amazing job with this – love it!
Cardigans with pockets…bad idea for my hips.
Janice, quick question. I just moved from Oklahoma to South Dakota. Any recommendations for a work-type weatherproof boot? I have the Sorel Joan of Arctic, but looking for something I can wear w/ leggings or jeans. Thanks in advance. Love your ideas!! Suzanne
Oooh, this is maybe outside my area of expertise. Any readers who can help Suzanne with her search for boots?
love,
Janice
@ Suzanne: I live in Montréal. Easy to find attractive boots for winter here, but nearly all have inadequate soles on wet and dry ice. So I buy Icebug boots online; see their Facebook page for US distributors: https://www.facebook.com/IcebugUSA/
Icebug models with the BUGrip soles have saved my neck!
Also check LL Bean, and if you can find the brand there or online, Pajar- excellent boots.
I don’t know if you’d call them “work type” but I recently picked up a pair of Oboz 8″ Sapphire insulated hiking boots and I’m loving them. Not so good indoors or in warmer temps. I’m finding they work well from the low 40s F. and down. Daughter and I sat outside sketching yesterday at those temps and my feet were cozy. And I like how they look with leggings.
Thanks ladies! Appreciate the guidance. And yes, I think it gets icy here…as in tomorrow. Have a wonderful week. Thank you Janice. Love your blog.
These women are THE BEST…
hugs,
Janice
I REALLY love my Fry boots. Mine look great with jeans and leggings whether worn with the leggings/jeans tucked in or with a boot cut pant or a pair of straight legged trousers over the boots. Fry boots are pretty substantial, unlike the very thin leather of a fancier fashion boot. I also love my Fry boots with a skirt/tights or a simple ponte or sweater dress. You’ll want to be aggressive at waterproofing them and possibly ask a shoe repair place to put a grippier sole on your boots since S. Dakota might get a little icy in the winter. Fry boots can be pricy, but a good work boot is truly an investment and the many ways you’ll wear this comfortable boot will make it a work horse for at least a decade if you take good care of the boots!!! Good luck!
Aquatalia has good looking waterproof options
Baffin boots for the win. You can always change at the office if a more polished look is needed, but SoDak weather is no place for half measures. (I used to visit our offices out there… in January…). And don’t forget superwarm hiking socks!
I love this feature. Not only is it an excellent guide for putting things together seasonally, your links get me to pieces I might be searching for. (A recent weight loss has me replacing and rebuilding a bit!) I hope you’ll keep doing it so we can stay up on new looks/colors -and people can jump right in where they need to.
What does it mean for a cardi to “play nicely” with a top?
They look like they belong together. They don’t clash. You feel good when you wear them at the same time. It’s an idiom for compatibility and harmony…
hugs,
Janice
Love this series! And especially appreciate the chart — I love to “see where I’m going”. This is truly helping me plan wisely. Thank you, Janice.
For the woman who moved and is in need of boot recommendations, I like my Rockport waterproof booties that I bought three years ago. They are extremely comfortable and look good, too. I have walked all over Dublin, Scotland, New York City in December, and plan to wear them in Chicago next month. We will be there only for three days and will stay at a hotel on the river so we will walk or take public transportation. We lived there in the mid 70s (the decade, not the temperature) and have returned a few times but want to visit at Christmas. Any must-see suggestions for us?
Janice,
Are you OK ? It’s Wednesday, and I was looking forward to your post. Big hugs !
OH, it’s a mess. I was supposed to go to Paris, but instead I’ve got back spasms… The post should be here in just a second!
I love you for caring so – you are the best!
hugs,
Janice
So sorry about your back and your trip! Loved the Paris post!! Take care of yourself!
I have just discovered The Vivienne Files and I love this site!
Welcome! Don’t forget to read the comments – the readers here are the BEST and most helpful women imaginable…
hugs,
Janice
So sorry to hear about your back. Just before a trip?!? So sad. I hope you get an opportunity to make another trip soon. I adore your posts. Thank you.
Belovedest and I are leaving the 7th of December…
I’m a lucky woman!
hugs,
Janice
Nothing beats a good twinset or twinset alternative. A reliable combination worn together or separately.
I’m moving away from structured jacket layers lately and more into cardigan type layers with a little structure— not too loose and baggy but with the fluid softer lines of knits.
It’s a real win if I have a top that goes perfectly as a twinset whether in my neutrals or a pop of colour.
Janice so glad you’re still going to Paris later and sorry about the missed trip due to back spasms. Hoping those settle down and quit interfering with your life.
I just got the Lucky charcoal cardigan from Nordstrom. It is so soft and warm. And pockets! Thanks for finding it!
Good to know – thanks for the feedback!
hugs,
Janice