March 23, 2020
Let’s all take advantage of having a lot of time indoors to really clean out our closets and be ready for those warm days ahead…
Keep in mind: we’re allowed (encouraged?) to go outdoors and exercise, or just sit under a tree with a book. We’re not forced to stay in our homes! So being ready for warmer weather and long walks might be a good focus right now.
Black denim skirt – Lands’ End
I’m suggesting a skirt, but you know that if you absolutely HATE skirts, there are lots of other possibilities. I personally will probably substitute a simple sleeveless black dress…
Although it feels a little bit like a “spill magnet,” a white skirt always looks so good in warm weather. And EVERYBODY looks at least a little bit tan wearing white, right? (although what difference your skin color makes is lost on me; I don’t tan, and I’m still gorgeous…)
earrings – Kendra Scott; tee shirt – Lands’ End; white cardigan – Eileen Fisher; white denim skirt – J.Crew; sandals – Bueno; straw tote – Sensi
You could wear a white denim skirt all year – just as you would wear white jeans! Imagine a cuddly bulky sweater, warm tights, your white denim skirt and a pair of flat leather boots…
If you can’t face pure white, maybe a softer color that I think of as unbleached…
earrings – Lele Sadoughi; tee shirt – Etro; cotton sweater – Banana Republic; stone cotton skirt – Banana Republic; tote – INC International Concepts; sandals – Blowfish
The balance of this outfit is completely different from what it was with charcoal grey pants. That’s the joy of a print top – lots of different ways to wear it!
earrings – Kendra Scott; tee shirt – Isabel Marant; bone cardigan – Eileen Fisher; cream skirt – Marks and Spencer; bag – Travelon; sandals – Jambu
This skirt is a true indulgence, but it’s SO beautiful…
earrings – Jennifer Behr; tee shirt – H&M; cardigan – Marks & Spencer; skirt – Monique Singh; sandals – Söfft; bag – INC International Concepts
One of the reasons that I can easily forego a spring skirt is that I already have my black pleated skirt that I bought for our anniversary trip. (CANCELLED…) If you’re not inspired by the idea of denim or twill, soft pleats drifting around your calves might be more your style…
earrings – Stephanie Kantis; tee shirt – Lands’ End; cardigan – L.L.Bean; pleated skirt – Marks & Spencer; sandals – Ara; bag – Marks & Spencer
Blending soft neutrals with some gold accents will always give you a timeless outfit:
Earrings – Jenny Bird; olive shirt – Lulus; cardigan – Halogen; skirt – Marks & Spencer; sandals – Franco Sarto; bag – Sonoma Goods for Life
This wardrobe is finally pretty much ready for a warm-weather trip! If I EVER find the perfect pink tee shirt, the red one is going to go away…
white, black and red tees – Lands’ End; floral tee – Lands’ End; linen cardigan – Halogen; shell pink linen shirt – L.L.Bean; striped tee – Banana Republic; striped short-sleeved sweater – Max Mara; pink cotton cardigan – Lands’ End; black cropped pants – L.L.Bean; black cotton pants – L.L.Bean; black denim skirt – Lands’ End; striped sweater dress – Banana Republic
One thing to keep us all optimistic – the days are getting longer! Pay close attention – see if you can feel the gradual shift toward spring and summer.
Is anybody else gradually cleaning out closets during their enforced time at home? I’m moving my winter clothes – one cluster a time – into a huge duffel bag in which they will spend the summer. Anything that doesn’t get “clustered” is going to be analyzed VERY CAREFULLY to see if I really need it.
I’ve got the time!
love,
Janice
p.s. Four years ago, a reader asked for a relaxed but feminine wardrobe in beige, navy, pink and light blue….
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My problem with skirts is finding one that fits my waist and hips ?. I have a small waist and large hips so that I’d always have to get skirts adjusted which adds to the cost and hassle factor. I would love to wear them more but they just don’t work for me.
How about a skater or circle skirt? I also have a smaller waist and larger hips, and those are the skirts I turn to. I’ve been dreaming of finding such a skirt in denim/chambray for a looong time.
You can always have one custom sewn. It really isn’t as expensive as most people assume. Just google custom clothiers or professional clothiers for your area. The national associations also have lists of members for each region.
Very good suggestion!
hugs,
Janice
You can ask your local fabric store to suggest a seamstress. I have had clothes custom made for years and, quite often, it is less expensive than ready made and altered.
I’m finding a growing number of brands make skirts with elastic waists, which can be taken in at the waist at home if you have a sewing machine, or relatively cheaply by a professional when compared with the cost of altering a tailored skirt. You probably wouldn’t want to tuck in a top without a belt to cover the elastic, but I can live with that.
I have a similar problem. Try wrap skirts, a-line skirts in softer fabrics and pleated or bias-cut skirts.
This is where I would add in my black wide leg flowy cropped pants (culottes?) You mentioned your cluster system and I would love to go back and read that post again, but I can’t find it in your archives. Could you provide the link? Thank you
Nevermind, found them in Dec ’18 and Jan ’19 posts.
I’m also adding in my culottes in thinner materials into my summer wardrobe.
Why culottes look better on me than a plain skirt in the same material and length is a mystery. Also, maxi skirts in plain materials are fine. Perhaps it’s because these garments are in flowing softer materials which drape? Floral cotton skirts of midi and maxi length are also OK. Is it my pear-shape with short legs which means that stiff materials emphasises the lack of height?
Something to ponder as we while away the time…
The navy outif is the one I like most. I found out that I wear a lot of navy and beige in the summer and spring. Beige and brown in the autumn and black and beige in the winter. The accents also change. In spring I wear yellow and green (influenced by you I think). In the summer I wear deep red and blue and in the autumn season I wear orange and olive. In winter I wear (things I owned by a long time, this clothes never end) pink and blue (almost teal blue). I read your posts since 2014. I’ve been a lot influenced by you, Janice. I think my style have evolved a lot after all these years and I see people staring at what I wear frequently. Thank you for all you’ve done to us, sharing your sense of style and making people like me (zero sense of fashion) dress really pretty even at quarantine.
Aline,
I have just implemented a similar strategy, though I wear brown and a taupey tan in both Autumn and Winter plus olive green in the Fall, navy and tan and olive in Spring, and stone and tans in Summer as my neutrals . Denim is year round, with lighter denim blue in the warmest months. I no longer wear black — too draining for my light coloring. I also rotate my seasonal accent colors so that it feels like a fresh wardrobe with each color change !
Janice,
This nutty weather variation has me still hanging onto turtlenecks before the great “ put away for the season “ begins here ! And yes, I am doing a closet review, implementing an idea from some other readers in a recent prior post of dividing my accent colors into 2 month rotated groupings, as I have quite a few that I am not ready to donate , based upon the season, so that I am sure that they all get worn ! I love your idea of putting away one cluster of clothes at a time, ! More “ cluster” type posts please !
Hubby and I took a lovely walk yesterday in the chilly sunshine on a nearby paved trail ——we are so blessed to have that available and also may yet get outdoors to delay cabin fever ! Pretty much going out for only groceries, walks, and checking out the little bit of landscape we have around our cottage, seeing what is blooming, looking for weeds, Winter kill, and what new plants to introduce ! Life goes on in the soil !
Skirts — I think that I just need to be brave and plunge into a purchase eventually, when trying on in a store can happen once again, and the stock market recovers, that is ! I am pear shaped and have not so attractive calves as well, so I’ve been “ hiding” behind pants. I had purchased a wonderful LLBean twill khaki skirt a few years ago and It made look like a solid lower block of color, so I sent it back. Perhaps some tapering would have helped .
What appeals is a softer and lighter fabric in a printed flowy skirt look for Summer, to break up that solid block of color . But not pleats. Something that skims the hips, and then flows gently around my thighs. To be worn with wedge shoes, like espadrilles, perhaps , or something with a low vamp .
I just want to thank you, Janice, not only for your wonderful inspiring and instructive posts, but for you also having this section where your readers can also exchange ideas ! I continue to learn from both !
I keep a couple of light neutral polo neck tops in my drawer just in case we have a spell of windy weather during the summer. In the UK, the temperature can go swing wildly by 10 to 15 degrees overnight, even in summer.
I would like to see a column about what to wear while working from home. When I started working from home with my husband, he insisted on a routine and clothing that was casual, but not sloppy (no pajamas or workout clothes). Would like to know what you think.
Janet,
As I am using this time to closet curate and reorganize, this is what I have decided to hang together for my “ at home” wardrobe. Worn, but not torn ( yuck for that distressed style) blue jeans, along with some new form fitting navy sweat pants that are not bulky. Old worn khakis are also being used . I am saving my nicer jeans and khakis for wear outside of the house. Along with the worn jeans at home, I am wearing tops and toppers that coordinate with the denim and navy, and that are also worn, but not at the level of being used for painting nor gardening. While grouping these clusters together, it dawned on me that I have very few tops that “ go” with the denim and the navy. And yes, people treat denim as a neutral, but I treat it as a color and like to coordinate it with blue or accent patterned tops and toppers . So I have to bear that in mind for future casual top shopping. For footwear — loafers or sneakers. And earrings — always earrings. And cheek color, lipstick, and mascara . This is still my life and I want to go through it feeling as good as I can !
This sounds pretty much perfect! I’m living in faded blue jeans, black cotton turtlenecks, and a sweater over the turtleneck if I’m going out. (once every day, we go to the lakefront for a long walk)…
hugs,
Janice
Thanks for the “what to wear at home” wardrobe tips. If I knew I was going out (in the old days), I would dress in nice/fun/stylish/me clothes. Now that I don’t get to go out, I’m afraid I’m being [gasp] slovenly – sweats and PJ bottoms #thehorrorofitall
I dress decently because I’m home all day with Belovedest, and HE gets up every morning, showers and dresses nicely because he’s on video conference calls all day. I have to be at least as presentable as he is, right?
Miss you, lovely…
xoxo,
J
Awww this is so nice, real eye candy, and so uplifting! Thank you, Janice, so much…. Xoxo
What a great range of styles! This post is a bit like the scarf posts, I keep being beguiled by the styles/clothes so the colour schemes become hard to choose between. And that half-circle tote keeps calling to me. Upside down at the other end of the earth, I’ve just changed over from summer to winter, as the nights are colder and we have calm golden autumn days. It was a delight to discover that if I turned a couple of dress-up skirts into every-day wear by putting them with boxy casual jumpers, I have a complete wardrobe for the next few months with no shopping needed. (Of course, eventually there will be some when i get bored …) Thanks to what I’ve learnt here the wardrobe feels coherent and complete. Now off for a walk before settling down with the latest Hilary Mantel.
Try as I might, denim or cotton twill skirts just don’t suit me – They are too stiff. It’s strange that one can wear trousers in a plain neutral like navy or denim jeans, yet try a plain navy or denim skirt and it looks all wrong. Probably why I prefer printed cotton skirts in the summer. I love that pink tee and fortunately I have a pink polka-dot in the same colour already!
Your look back to the navy, pale blue, pink and beige wardrobe is right up my street. I could create a 4×4 without any trouble. Great reminder – thanks.
Here in the UK, we have just gone into lockdown for the next three weeks, apart from permitted trips and limited outside exercise. Luckily, there is a lake at the bottom of our road with signs of spring emerging, ideal for a walk. If when we deliver food to the parents, we can also go for a walk in the woods.
Thanks Janice – your blog will perk me up during this isolation.