August 31, 2020
Yes, these are indeed a day early – I’m going to try this Monday, Wednesday and Friday posting schedule for a while to see if I can regain my strength and energy. If anything is going to be energizing AND exhausting at the same time, it’s these posts!
Yes, more sweatshirts. I’m determined that I’m going to write about how many of us are dressing. Everybody that I talk to regularly agrees that they’re NOT going back to their office this fall – almost certainly not until Spring of 2021. So we’re working from home, and we’re staying warm in the cooler weather, and trying to keep our utility bills down…
And a nice sweatshirt is a wonderful thing!
Also, I’m smitten with corduroy pants – so everybody’s getting cords this month! Three different wardrobes are getting my very favorite antique white pants… They’re absurd to wear out in the slush, but on dry days, and around home, they’re a ton nicer than jeans or sweatpants…
So let’s do this!
Interestingly, this pullover and turtleneck are 2 DIFFERENT COLORS! When will companies quit doing this?
Scarf – Aspinal of London; earrings – Olivia Welles; teal heather pullover – L.L.Bean; rich turquoise turtleneck – L.L.Bean; recycled yarn sneakers – Sperry; corduroy pants – L.L.Bean
While these 2 tops don’t exactly match the other 2 blue accent tops in this wardrobe, that’s not really an issue – unless for some reason you wanted to be able to wear the tee shirt or the tank top under the sweatshirt… In real life, we have to make these compromises sometimes!
Yes, these shoes are partially made of recycled plastic. We should look for these things; if we can help create a market for these kinds of things, we should try…
As always, these new wardrobe additions fit in easily with the existing garments. If they DIDN’T fit in, this would be a quick signal that something is amiss – it’s always wise to consider doing this with any new purchase!
This remains a most alluring color palette, doesn’t it?
scarf – Aspinal of London
There are always exceptions to rules – this particular wardrobe is NOT getting another sweatshirt, because I’m quite smitten with the color of this cardigan!
Scarf – Aspinal of London; blue lace agate earrings – Halogen; raw indigo heather cardigan – L.L.Bean; plaid shirt – L.L.Bean; running shoes – New Balance; antique white corduroy pants – L.L.Bean
This wardrobe doesn’t look like ANYTHING any woman in Chicago is going to wear this winter. That’s good! Being unique is the only thing that each of us is qualified to do…
I love these outfits. If I were blonde…
I finally updated the color wheel for this scarf, and I think I’m going to change it again next month; I’d like to show a range of shades of mustard, and a range of pinks too…
scarf – Aspinal of London
I have a couple of these 1/4 zip tops in fleece that I wear a LOT in cold weather. There’s something comforting about fleece in the dead of winter…
scarf – Aspinal of London; earrings – BP; grey quarter zip pullover – Lands’ End; azalea tee shirt – L.L.Bean; shoes – Nike; corduroy pants – L.L.Bean
Never let it be said that you have to have a conventional color palette for your wardrobe!
I must find this heroine some more pink accessories…
The thing I might like the most about this wardrobe is that our heroine can wear a grey and mustard outfit – very distinctive, or grey and pink – still unusual but much more within the bounds of conventional, or all grey, and be very understated… So many different moods and images!
This palette has worked out much better than I had originally expected. I don’t know why I’m surprised; these are classic colors, that are classics together! Maybe because there’s SO little green clothing in the world…
scarf – GISY
A red sweatshirt is perfect on a dark day… Image having this in your wardrobe as the winter holidays approach!
scarf – GISY; earrings – Kendra Scott; red sweatshirt – Target; ivory Thermaskin turtleneck – Lands’ End; high top sneakers – Converse; antique white corduroy pants – L.L.Bean
This is well-balanced, but I sense that this heroine could use a print garment or two…
I’m still smitten with these necklaces…
Yes indeed, wear your sweatshirt with a skirt!
Why yes, I think that this is still my favorite scarf, and my favorite color palette. I’m stunned at how thoroughly I’ve fallen for pink…
Dear oh dear… I sense a sweatshirt could be in my future!
scarf – Aspinal of London; earrings – 1928 Jewelry; striped sweatshirt – Old Navy; azalea turtleneck – L.L.Bean; sneakers – Ecco; black corduroy pants – L.L.Bean
I searched for the right pair of pink jeans or cords for this heroine… I will continue to search!
If I wasn’t convinced that this is the right wardrobe for me, these accessories would convince me! Heck, that floral handbag would convince me, all on its own…
I would wear any of these outfits any cool day. And it’s worth bearing in mind that sleeveless tops CAN be worn in cold weather, under a sweatshirt or sweater…
One last, timeless scarf…
Another great hoodie, and a chance to finally get this heroine a black turtleneck…
scarf – Aspinal of London; earrings – Julie Vos; striped hoodie – J.Crew; black cotton turtleneck – L.L.Bean; sneakers – Naturalizer; antique white corduroy pants – L.L.Bean
Prints! I need to look for prints! I wear a LOT of black and white prints – I need to find some prints for all of our heroines too…
These accessories feel very warm and rich to me… And the earrings that I just added? They’re called “Fleur de Lis,” although there’s not a lily, nor a fleur de lis in sight… Designers are an interesting tribe!
Lots more outfits for this heroine:
So what’s your favorite – is it changing or have you stayed true to the first one you chose?
And are you dressing more casually this year than you did last year? If you’re not, HOW are you managing? And why….
love,
Janice
p.s. Five years ago, a scarf from the shop at the Metropolitan Museum of Art inspired a camel-based wardrobe.
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I’m definitely dressing more casually now that I’m working remotely so a sweatshirt and antique white pants is a perfect combination for my new work from home lifestyle. I’ve noticed that pockets have become more important to me as more time is available for daily walks (not commuting equals an extra 90 minutes a day – yay!). It’s much more convenient to stash a credit card, some cash or other small items in a pocket rather than carry a handbag when walking to local shops. I wish more companies would include pockets in knit/Ponte pants, leggings and dresses.
I’m with you on the pockets! These are such uplifting sets of clothing!! I agree about the floral purse…mine languishes as going out to dinner just isn’t happening…..
I need to replace my everyday handbag which is getting very tatty, having been used everyday for the past five years, at least. It is very roomy but it can get quite heavy. Now I just need to carry my purse to the shops so a smaller cross body bag would do.
I will be WFH for the foreseeable future as well. I recently invested in some gear-ish clothes to round out my at-home options (as my business casual clothes languish.)
I’ve included some merino wool tee shirts – they are completely awesome for all but the hottest of days. I love the fact that they stay stink-free…
The other items I’ve purchased are at-home shoes. Birkenstock’s in the summer, Harlinger wool clogs in the winter – it seems like all I need.
I love the way the ivory pants freshen up the darker neutrals. That might be a good addition!
I’ve been soooooo tempted to try merino wool t-shirts! And Birks are all I wear as well :-)
I have one, which I love! I just can’t justify another one. Yet.
xoxo,
J
At first I was into Peppermint and Aspinal, but now Mandala and Aspinal is very appealing. Probably in prep for the cooler weather I am being drawn to warmer colours….
I’m fortunate in that my work clothing has always been able to be on the casual side, and I’ve continued working (we officially go back to school tomorrow) so I’ve been able to wear my wardrobe as is. My main challenge has been wearing my “work” clothing at home – even though they are casual, for some reason my brain thinks they are just for work. That first sweatshirt comes in Purple Heather as well. Oh my!
Same here and I have become very lazy. I’m still in my pyjamas at 4.45pm….
I’m hoping to go back to the office towards the end of September so I shall have to get dressed! ?
I feel like the rest of the world has come around to my casual dress habits – and I love it! For fall, I love my fleece zip cardigans, or for colder days, a fleece hoodie with kangaroo pocket. Comfortable, presentable, what more do we need?
I definitely need some more corduroy trousers for winter. They are so warm. I only have two pairs – navy and damson but the damson pair I use for walking and are pull-on rugby style with a drawstring. They are very old but SOOO comfy. Now that I’m in late fifties, I’d like some more – grey, teal or purple would be great.
I don’t suit sweatshirts as the elasticated hem is in the wrong place and cuts me in two. I prefer fleeces or chunky jumpers.
My first favourite scarf set is the Peppermint A. The blue and green accents are perfect. Absolutely love the blue agate earrings and the delicate and floral accessories. My other favourite is the Robin scarf – such a pretty wardrobe.
All the wardrobes are looking nicely balanced though i would like to see a patterned (not striped) top in each one that brings all the colours together and adds extra mileage. That would certainly work if you could find a mustard/gold and pink patterned top for the other A scarf which would bring the two accents together. That wardrobe is distinctive but its growing on me. I know someone who would wear those bold colours and look fabulous.
Have you considered selecting scarves other than these six? I’ve been to the Aspinal shop on Regent Street and tried all six, and only the “Robin” scarf suits my coloring. It would be nice, for me, to have some new variety.
That said, I do use your posts for gift shopping! Thank you!
This collection feels like what we really wear, for better or worse. Here in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, it’s always cool enough to warrant this type of Cozy wardrobe.
As for colours, I am using a mix of the Lion and Peacock,Floral Peppermint and the Mandala they all have a green and or blue that I wear for different season. Love them all.
I’m a bit afraid to try on my corduroy pants and find out just how tight they have become over the covid summer. ?♀️
My favorites are the Ombre A Dark Mustard (but without the mustard, lol) and the Robin scarf. But really what I’d do is combine the gray and pink from the mustard Ombre with the wardrobe from the Robin scarf, and be all set with black, gray, white, and pink!
For me as a dog owner, I prefer sweatshirts to fleece because I find that my dog/s’ hair gets imbedded in the fleece – eeww.
And yes to more prints in these wardrobes, especially the ones with all solids now. -nancyo
I like your thinking on combining those two styles!
So great combinations of pastel colours! Everything looks so pretty <3
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With each set of additions, the wardrobes get better and better. But I still favor #1 the lion group and #2 the peppermint group.
The lion wardrobe now has TWO high-whappage sweatshirts I would buy this very second…except they don’t sell them in plus size. Because clearly making a sweatshirt larger is an arcane art known only to the adepti. Sigh. Come on, LL Bean, if you can’t make a *sweatshirt* of all things larger, what is wrong with you? I am reaching the point with Bean that even if I did want one of the few things they bother to make in plus size, I’m not sure I want to support them with my dollars when there are size inclusive stores/brands I could be supporting instead.
My pandemic style is virtually unchanged from pre-pandemic. I’m still dressing in my usual business casual to work from home, complete with a pair of non-stretchy pants or a pencil skirt with a zipper and normal waistband as often as before. I have a closet full of lovely things and I am just continuing to wear them, even if my husband (who notices almost nothing about outfits unless I point them out to him) is the only person who sees me. (I have taken to frequently texting an outfit of the day photo to my mom and best friend during the pandemic.) I also like outfit planning, so I have a nice list of pre-planned, seasonally-appropriate outfits to work from…and really, it’s easier to pull from that list (tweaking it a bit if desired) than to stare into my closet every morning to figure out a dressed-down outfit. Right now I’m wearing pearls, a silk scarf, and calf hair wedges along with my tank top, waterfall cardigan, and button up crop pants. I look and feel terrific!
The one change I have made is adding a pair of navy floral Keds and two pairs of the Lands End Starfish slim leg pants that fit me closer to leggings than pants to my WFH rotation. Going to the office, I wouldn’t wear sneakers, and I would only wear those pants under a long top layer (as though they were leggings). But even so, I wear them in the same kind of fully developed outfits as I would wear to work usually. I’m enjoying style as much as I ever did, and I continue to like to look and feel like “me” every single day.
I could dress more casually, but I’m not sure why I would. I like putting the same level of thought and effort into my outfits as before (I know some people don’t have the bandwidth to deal). And I simply don’t buy or wear clothing that isn’t comfortable enough to wear for a full 8 hour work day in an office chair to begin with, so I don’t have a need to seek out new levels of comfort. Of course, many people have gained a bit of weight during the pandemic, so I can see that putting on a pencil skirt or even a pair of jeans could be fraught. This hasn’t been an issue for me…I just started out fat and have stayed that same amount of fat throughout. :)
For me, wearing pajamas or a random pair of yoga pants and sweatshirt or whatever way dressed down pandemic outfit would just not work at all. That’s how I dress when I’m very sick…too sick to shower and dress and style myself. So when I’m feeling OK, I would not be at all happy to remind myself of such negative experiences. When it comes down to it, I probably get comfort from dressing “normally” in a time when many things are definitely NOT normal…from not demarcating this extended pandemic time as somehow separate from my “real” life. However, my best friend, for example, feels much more herself in her pandemic WFH uniform of a t-shirt (often a plain red T or a graphic T), knit drawstring lounge pants, and a pair of socks than when she was wearing a pair of black pants, a nice top, and black Oxfords to the office.
Well said, Sally – thank you.
You’ve given me the nudge to address why I’,m not bothered to get dressed, as I usually would. You are right – night wear is for sleeping or when I’m very sick – it was one of the basic tenets I’ve always stood by. What went wrong?
I think the root of the problem is that I fed up with not being at work. I’m also feeling a lack of structure and purpose. So why get dressed? I’ve always
Insisted that my kids get dressed though now they are adults, they do as they please.
Tonight, we went to a proper restaurant with my in-laws. It’s the first time that I’ve ‘dressed up’ to go out for a meal in the past six months. My son kept saying “Wow, Mum”. My daughter said I looked great and even my husband noticed. What did I wear? Plum jersey trousers, pink-plum tee shirt. Over the tee was a blush pink wrap-a-round blouse with purple and plum flowers on it and 3/4 sleeves. I also wore a pair of black stretch velvet patterned ankle boots and a light plum mock-croc bag.
I’m now planning my holiday wardrobe – navy and grey core with cameo pink and teal accents. When I come back, I’ll hopefully be starting back at work.
Thank you Sally for the ‘wake-up’ call. I should take more pride in my ‘at home’ appearance.
I also added a pearl and garnet bead necklace, pearl bracelet (set of three) and a garnet ring.
I felt just the right level of smart-casual with enough room for expansion for the meal!
Sally – I love it! As I said above, my work wardrobe is casual anyway (it IS a middle school) and so I’ve also made the effort to be wearing my work clothes on a daily basis. I often think of my mother – who always dressed nicely and put on makeup – my dad was always so proud of being seen with her. While I’m not great in the makeup department, I have a lot of nice casual clothes – all washable – so no reason not to wear them whether at home or work. As I opened a drawer the other day to put something away it dawned on my I can’t remember the last time I wore my sweats – maybe I’m actually up styling my wardrobe!
Your outfit sounds fabulous…and very “you” from what I’ve read of your style on this blog. Good luck with getting your holiday wardrobe together!
I mean absolutely no judgment toward those who have embraced a more casual or even daily PJs uniform if that’s what they love or if they are in need of a break from the effort of getting dressed. But getting dressed daily works better for me, and it sounds like it might for you too!
Sorry, a bit of a nesting fail. The earlier comment was a response to Beth T.
Sheila, middle school wardrobes are a bit of a unique beast, aren’t they? (My dad taught at middle school, mostly 6th graders, before retiring.) I also have a mostly machine washable wardrobe, which definitely makes it easier to just keep dressing as usual. I don’t think I would be feeling like wearing a business professional suit and blouse every day at home!
Schools start here in St Paul, MN in 100% remote mode next week. It’s such a strange time!
AS I am 76 and retired years ago the clothes I have been wearing during the pandemic haven’t changed from normal. I don’t like fleeces and avoid anything with collars and cuffs. All year round I wear non cotton tops that hang loose with open long line cardigans when it’s cold. I am not a fan of sweat pants or anything with elastic or drawstring waist as it’s too easy to gain weight around the middle without noticing and I am fat enough as it is. I wear jeans in different colours and smart trousers for going out when I would probably swop the cardigan with a smart jacket.
It’s hard to choose just one of the wardrobes above but the Lion one and the Mint one are probably my favourites but I also like a black and white element so a bit of all of them really.
I’m partial to the Robin scarf and all that goes with it. And now, I need to find the link to the floral bag as I’m still drawn to it. I have a question that you or the readers may or may not be able to answer. Janice, you always provide such beautiful earrings with all the outfits. My question is how does one find out if the earrings are nickel free? I have an allergy to nickel and thus, do not wear earrings after discovering my allergy.
Hi Mimi, I do not have a nickel allergy, but I have heard good things about finding nickel free earrings on Etsy. You can search for nickel free earrings and get a lot of options. It’s also easy to message sellers to confirm that they are nickel free, and I have seen reviews from customers that attest that they do not irritate them. Again, I can’t vouch for this personally, but I thought I’d pass on what I had heard in case it helps.
I’m 74, retired and have dressed “nice casual” or gym attire since retirement. Unfortunately I’m still in the process of donating “work clothes”. The Robin scarf wardrobe best suits my coloring and I all ready have similar items. However, I love the Mandala wardrobe and wish I didn’t look dead in olive.
Lastly the Shield scarf wardrobe appeals to me but I can’t wear the accent color so would have to do a black, white, taupe/bone combo. Love your blog and have put together a travel wardrobe for this October based on one of your 4X4 combos (you substituted the olive for denim. Thanks.
Some years I struggle to pick my favorite wardrobe; not this year! I love -love-love the Robin wardrobe. I don’t know why I don’t have more pink in my closet; it’s a good color for me. But it’s also the only wardrobe that doesn’t have some shade of tan…which I can’t wear very well. So every month I especially look to see what has been added to the Robin wardrobe! :-D
Hi Janice,
Hope you feel much better and regain your strength very soon.
The Robin scarf is my favourite this year, however, one of your 2017 scarfs (the one in navy, red and grey, with shades of blue) was my absolute favourite wardrobe. I began to wear some pink recently, but black looks too harsh for me.
Healing hugs,
Loving the navy/teal and have since the beginning of the series! It just keeps getting better.
I work in a very casual environment, so this type of wardrobe is completely doable. Have always loved cords, even when they were harder to find, since they are warmer in the fall and winter than other pants, and a step up from casual jeans for the office. Keep up the good work Janice!
The accessories really pull together the looks. Note to self… must stick closer to the goal.
I am *this close* to buying myself the lion scarf — so fabulous!! Since I’m on so many Zoom meetings while working from home, my wardrobe is sort of the opposite of this: I’m wearing nice tops and then sweatpants on the bottom. As the weather’s getting cooler I finally invested in some LL Bean shearling-lined slippers to wear around the house.
Dear Janice,
First and foremost. take care of yourself. I’m 71, retired, have loved clothes all my life, but reading your posts over the last year and a half got me to rethink my wardrobe habits. It started with a black turtle neck, which I wanted for years, but never came across while shopping. So I searched for one online. Found a perfect one on sale at Talbots, have since bought more blouses at great prices, and now think carefully about what I want to add. I have learned a lot from you, and really appreciate your attractive, well-written work.
Thanks for adding fashionable masks. As for covid wear, I’ve gotten more casual. I go to school and teach online (University for Seniors) and on Zoom I dispense with a bra, wear sweat pants and slippers, but wear my regular tops.
Thanks for your tremendous work!
A well-groomed look: I always admired that in my mother-in-law. No matter when we visited her unexpectedly, she was always neatly dressed and coiffed, and that at 89…
I also work much less at the moment. My new aquired solution for structure: daily piano playing. Well, actually I should rather do sports every day. If the situation stays as it is even THAT might come :-)
I’m loving the ombre mustard/pink collection, I’m drawn back to it every time and feel it reflects my wardrobe. I feel like I’m stuck in a skinny jean rut, so I need to be brave and try some new trouser shapes and styles. I particularly love this post,as a home based childminder these are the kind of clothes I wear and I am so happy to get some new inspiration from My favourite pinterest page
Hi Janice and all:
Have finally committed to a black/white/pink ensemble which has been waiting all summer for me to wear. Still need to remind myself to wear my black&white chevron midi-skirt.
I must share with you some wonderful bargains I found over the past week! Grasshoppers slip on looow heel espadrilles (sp?) in gold (!) in my size (10!!). I absolutely blew out my gold-sequined slippers after many years of hard work so these are a fabulous substitute. (used store refund gift card)
Next, multi-functional cross-body / shoulder bag by the Sak in ‘Aspinal Signature Shield ‘ colors. The adjustable strap is part chain and part leather. It actually looks quite sleek. (used store coupon)
And finally, a wide-brimmed summer hat that keeps its shape, similar to the one in the ‘Ombre’ scarf but in a dark coral…for $12 US! (area tourist shop closeout sale).
Maybe it’s a generational thing but I remember my Mum changing her clothes several times a day, depending on her activities and who she was going to be with.
Even when she wore her ‘housework clothes’ she always looked put together. Just before my Dad came home from work, she would get changed, put on some make-up to look nice for him.
If she went out during the day or in the evening she would change. As we lived in a village, that meant different outfits in one day. She had her hair done once a week at the hairdressers. My hair is cut in a straight bob that I wash and dry with a hairdryer but I do like going to get it cut every six weeks.
She would have been 81 now. She always wore skirts and tops or dresses. She had one pair of trousers for hiking. She had long legs so most trousers were too short.
My Mum knew the colours that suited her and loved to be colour co-ordinated. At least I take after her in that respect, though I didn’t inherit her height of 5’8″. I loved it when they went to dinner dances and she pulled out all the stops.
My former neighbour was the same, always impeccably dressed with hair done and make-up on, even when she was gardening.
I now look at my mother-in-law of 83 – always well-dressed and elegant.
We owe it to our mothers to ‘up our game’!
Interestingly, I’m dressing up more now than I used to when I went to work. I am a high school theater teacher, and when I was in the building I was always digging around in dusty storage closets or climbing on ladders or teaching very interactive, physical classes, so I lived in basic jeans or leggings and t-shirts or tunics. Now that I’m stuck behind a computer screen, I find that dressing up a little helps me feel more energized and focused during my work hours. I joined one of those trunk services that sends clothes once a month as a pick-me-up over the summer, and I’ve been enjoying reading back through your blog and using it to help me hone my choices and be very thoughtful about what I keep and what I send back each time. I’ve taken to wearing ballet flats with skirts and Oxfords with jeans, both with nicer blouses that I’ve had sitting in my closet for a “one of these days, I’ll wear this” occasion. I’ve even invested in a blazer! Thank you for all the inspiration. I’m looking forward to seeing October’s wardrobe ideas.
I expect you keep well abreast of this sort of thing but the first thing I though of when I looked at the “New Arrivals” page at Talbots this morning was how well these colours would go with the Ombre A scarf! Colour names like Frosty Mint, and Celadon in a number of cosy looking items-Coats, sweater dresses etc.
I’ve been trying to find good photographs of their things – it MADDENS me that they do NOT show images of just the garment, not on a model. I’m quite sure that when models put on those clothes, there’s a bit of pinning and clothes-pinning going on behind her back! I think if we’re going to give them our hard-earned money in exchange for their lovely things, we deserve to see exactly what we’re getting… Maybe I’m just old-fashioned?
hugs,
Janice
p.s. NEVER assume that I’ve seen something – there’s a world full of clothing and accessories that changes daily, and I’m sure I don’t keep up with all of it!