November 2, 2020
Oh my, THIS is massive…
Our heroines collectively looked over their growing wardrobes and realized that, if they continued to accumulate clothing 1 outfit at a time, their wardrobes would become more and more unbalanced.
So they went sweater shopping! And for some other tops too…
And some fun socks, because as cold weather sets in in the Northern Hemisphere, we will all be wearing socks frequently. Some of us see our toes only while in the shower for months on end…
This heroine went for 3 well-planned neutral choices, and then a wild-card floral shirt! Heavens yes…
scarf – Aspinal of London; floral shirt – J.Crew; striped turtleneck – J.Crew; navy cashmere sweater – J.Crew; heather brown cardigan – J.Crew; navy socks – Muk Luks; camel socks – Muk Luks
It all fits in well:
And she already has new outfits planned:
This heroine has all kinds of choices right now! I know I mentioned it before, but if you love soft pastel colors, Talbots is doing a wonderful job with them this season…
scarf – Aspinal of London
Such luscious choices…
Scarf – Aspinal of London; turtleneck – J.Crew; crystal mint sweater – J.Crew; tee shirt – Wildfox; canvas shirt – L.L.Bean; mint Fair Isle socks – Talbots; blue snowflake socks – Talbots
Her closet must be absolutely gorgeous…
These kinds of outfits definitely stand out in an autumn crowd!
This heroine has chosen to work with a most unusual palette, and she’s having to do the work to keep it coherent!
scarf – Aspinal of London
She thought that filling in some essential neutral pieces might be her smartest choice:
scarf – Aspinal of London; grey wool crewneck sweater – J.Crew; white oxford shirt – L.L.Bean; charcoal cashmere sweater – J.Crew; flannel shirt – Old Navy; marled socks – Old Navy; mustard socks – Urban Outfitters
She likes having 2 radically different choices for her accent…
Sometimes she struggles to get everything just right, but she hasn’t had to go naked yet, so she still counts this a success!
Our heroine who embraces olive green and beige thought that this would be an easy wardrobe…
Her friends thought she was nuts to grab a short-sleeved tee shirt, not fully understanding how long and hard she has to look for clothes that meet her exacting standards!
scarf – GISY; turtleneck – J.Crew; striped tee – Sonoma Goods; turtleneck – Lou & Grey; floral top – Loveappella; forest Fair Isle socks – Falke; red Fair Isle socks – Cole Haan
She loves the soothing green and beige base of her wardrobe, with the bright pops of red and orange:
Maybe some of her outfits won’t be seen for a few months, but there’s nothing wrong with planning ahead:
Ah yes, she knows that might want to invest in more neutral things, but her heart cries out for pink:
So she splits the difference, and then indulges in amazing floral socks!
scarf – Aspinal of London; white shirt – Lands’ End; sunlit berry turtleneck – J.Crew; marled cashmere sweater – J.Crew; grey Henley – L.L.Bean; floral socks – Stance; Fair Isle socks – Old Navy
What beauty is hidden behind her closet door!
Her neutrals give her lovely options, and her accents work seamlessly with her existing clothes:
It wasn’t a predictable palette – using black as a base for warm accents? But she’s sticking with the plan…
She also decided on a balance of neutrals and accent pieces – it seems logical…
scarf – Aspinal of London; light melon cashmere sweater – J.Crew; Fair Isle sweater – L.L.Bean; black shirt – Lands’ End; ivory tee – Lands’ End; ivory marled wool socks – Smartwool; Fair Isle socks – Sof Sole
Nobody else in the world might have these colors in their closet!
Some days her outfits are soft and muted, and other days strongly based on black:
Does it make sense to just add some tops 1 month? I could see these wardrobes getting more and more “bottom-heavy…”
And yes, I’m still smitten with the pink. Your favorite?
love,
Janice
p.s. 2 years ago, we added winter coats to our “once a month” wardrobes. I remember going outside…
The pink wardrobe is still #1 for me, followed closely by the mint one. Just beautiful! It does make sense to just add tops one month.
It does make sense to add tops… the Robin Scarf just does it for me. I came within an inch of ordering the teal version a year ago (?)… but resisted… BTW I ordered the tourmaline bracelet featured a few weeks ago. Sadly, due to the variation of natural stones, mine looks more like a black and white bracelet. I thought they’d sent me the wrong one! Someone else mentioned her bracelet being dark, but others here have loved loved bracelets they’ve ordered. Luck of the draw. I started moving into pale pink last summer, and have moved into the more vibrant pink just this last fall. Still trying to make up my mind if its the right color for me or not? You’d think at 65 I’d be able to tell if I look good in a particular color…. and it all depends on the light, doesn’t it? And the fact I’m not wearing makeup routinely probably doesn’t help. oh! and yes, Talbots has really beautiful pastels right now… thank you Janice! These wardrobes must get really challenging by this point in the year – I can barely manage my own, much less six!
These posts are such fun! I certainly couldn’t have predicted it at the start, but the mustard, pink, & grey set is shaping up to be my favorite. The combo that I didn’t think could work I am finding the most interesting.
Signature Shield is currently my favourite.
Yes, it definitely makes sense to just add some tops. I’m finding during this pandemic, I am getting through the week without about 4 pairs of pants, but I definitely need a few more tops and layering pieces. My favourite is the wardrobe where the heroine can choose between mustard or pink as her accent colour.
It’s interesting how much 2 accent colors can change the entire feel of a wardrobe. Now that I’m obsessed with the 21-piece “Garde-Robe du Mois” I like to start with 12 “neutral” Common Wardrobe garments, and then add 2 accents. So many things to enjoy!
hugs,
Janice
You’ve got me back to disciplined. Packing for trips has never been easier. The one thing I wish fashion retailers would do is push two piece “dresses.” If they built a display around the dress- accents, accessories, etc. I’d probably buy a few more items. The other thing that’s so bizarre in retail- so many dresses that look like you’re headed out to a cocktail party in the mistaken belief that everyone goes wayyyy over the top. I NEVER see those dresses at events, clubs or parties. Ok..wait, I won’t off topic. Lol. But, I’m loving the way you find my favorite neutrals and the prettiest accents.
Janice,
I am looking forward to your development of more of the 21 piece wardrobes ! I have been reviewing your various templates with “ Whatever’s Clean 13 “, “ The Common Wardrobe”, 4×4’s , 4×5 ‘s and 4×6 , as well as the consideration of 2 different but coordinating 4×4’s . I think the first two are good places to start , along with “ Starting from Scratch” and then develop the number of pieces that fit your lifestyle or split it into the various segments of that lifestyle with different or the same numbers of garments within those different categories . Even after following you for a bunch of years, I am still working on deciding a flexible number of pieces to fit a certain aspect of my daily needs , but attempting to make that a reduced number from what I have been storing .
I am still thinking about how many tops per bottom do I want to have — 2 tops per bottom or 3 ? One post that I have read recently suggested taking a pair of pants and to create outfits with 5 tops to harmonize with it. Those same tops could also work with some of the other pants in the wardrobe . Hmmm, I need to noodle on this !
The options are truly endless – and finding one that fits you can take a long time. I keep changing my favorite; right now since I can’t leave the apartment for another 6 days, I’m loving the Garde-Robe du Mois, but I’m sure when I get to travel again I’ll be back to some other plan!
hugs,
Janice
Thank you so much for this Janice – you’ve helped clarified so much for me.
I’ve started this month with a 21-piece(-ish) capsule but I’ve decided not to limit myself to specific garments, but rather to a particular palette as you’ve done with the scarves. I’ve picked two core colours and two accent colours and having fun putting together outfits based on that ‘limited’ palette and has broken me out of reaching for a familiar combination.
I’ve already had a compliments on my outfit at work today and it’s down to you!
Well these are all shaping up nicely. It certainly is a good idea to concentrate on a balance of tops because they are memorable. One can get away with wearing a small number of bottoms in rotation.
I feel that the accessories seem to be a bit summery and the footwear lightweight. Though the socks are excellent! I’ve just put away my summer footwear and I shall wear ankle or full length boots until February. My court shoes are for indoor use only.
So, I like the idea of the look back to include a winter coat, sturdy footwear and winter accessories – perhaps in December? I’ve seen some great coloured coats that would go with all these wardrobes. This year, we all need to feel a bit brighter.
The Robin wardrobe is my favourite for this time of year, particularly the shades of magenta, though I wear a deep fuschia. The Peppermint A, would be for spring – it brings to mind the light green of new leaves against a blue sky. The azure and turquoise of the Lion and Peacock, I wear in the heat of summer. Let’s hope that we will be able to make the most of Spring and Summer next year.
Hi Janice and everyone: I am (still) drawn to the Aspinal Shield combination, but I see some orphans of mine in the other capsules, so this gives me new ways to wear them.
Well, it is Day 2 of the 21 pack of ‘Garde-Robe du Mois’ in a brown and cream color capsule. I could go for a nice cream/ivory t-shirt or two. I could also go for a well-made well-fitted sweatshirt in any shade of brown when I feel like a slouch on the couch.
My favorite is still the Lion and Peacock. I never tire of wardrobes with a navy and camel base, the lion was my high school mascot, and the turquoise and cobalt are some of my favorite accent colors. I really should indulge my desire to splurge on that scarf. My second favorite is the Peppermint A, but mainly because of the ivory, camel, and beige neutrals and the mint green. I could see myself creating a wardrobe with parts of both of these! I also love the melon cashmere you brought in to the black and warm tone wardrobe. Peach is one of my favorites, too. And yes, I think wardrobes need more tops and toppers. I generally wear the same bottoms week after week, but I would want enough tops to feel like I didn’t have to necessarily wear the same pieces or combos every week.
My favorites are also #1 Lion and Peacock, #2 Peppermint A. I would take the navy and blues from the first and mix with the second, adding in more denim and reducing the amount of beige.
I think my comment got eaten, so I will try again! I agree with Beth T. that the accessories lean summery. For heroines in colder climates, a second pair of boots is a must…and I would personally add a neutral quilted vest to each wardrobe because I live in them in the winter. I would second the recommendation for colorful winter coats also.
In addition to the above, I picked a (conceptual) set of items for each wardrobe that I would add. 2 pragmatic tops/toppers, 1 fun garment, 1 accessory, and 1 pandemic-compatible luxurious-feeling holiday pick. I will be curious to see how my selections compare to Janice’s additions in December!
Of course I enjoyed the lion and mint wardrobe additions, but the set that made the biggest difference to me was the softer blush pink/coral that was brought into the mandala wardrobe! That poppy orange-red has always been striking but ultimately just too bright for my eyes…the lighter color is truly wonderful and lets the neutrals stand their ground better. Perfect for the days when you want color, but not an overwhelming sort.
I am not a fan of how turtlenecks feel on me, but I do like the look of the turtleneck sweaters that are working hard in the November wardrobe additions. The olive one is particularly great and I love it with the beige jeans.
I’m not sure if its US v UK terminology but turtle necks are those necklines that almost seem to grow up from the garment but end about half way up your neck. They suited my mother who had a long neck and broad shoulders. Same with my daughter. However, I have a short neck and narrow shoulders. So that neckline makes me look hunched and emphasises my narrow shoulders.
I live in polonecks (ending just under my chin), soft roll-necks and cowl necks from October till Easter! Although, I can’t cope with polo-necks that are constricting. I’m becoming a fan of cowl necks with a little drawer-string to close it up round my neck.
Hi Beth,
Here in Canada, we call those “half-ways” a mockneck, and those all-the-way-to-the-chins a turtleneck.
Hugs from Canada, west coast
Yes I believe what you call a polo neck in the UK is called a turtleneck in Canada/US—it goes all the way up the neck and then folds over.
And the Canada/US mock neck is the shorter one that doesn’t fold—what you in the UK call a turtle neck. “Separated by a common language” indeed! ?
? Thanks Aurora and Lisa P. It’s good to know that even with different terminology, we can understand each other. I’ve not heard of a ‘mock-neck’ . So now I’ve learnt something.
I think the full “name” of the shorter version is mock turtle neck. – nancyo
My favorite is the pink and grey wardrobe. I like the pink and mustard set as well, although I could never wear that mustard color near my face. For the person with the right complexion, it would be stunning!
I agree with Janice and commenters that adding tops is a good decision at this point. Janice, once again I’m awed at the amount of work this monthly post must require. Thank you!
Upon double checking, Brenda Kinsel said to take a given pair of pants and create 5 different outfits with them, not necessarily with 5 different tops, as I expressed in my above post . Egg on my face time !
The Robin scarf is still my favourite. I’m searching for pink socks now. I actually have a pair of pink waterproof boots so I am happy. I was tempted by a pink long cardigan in one of last week’s post but I already have two long cardigans. It is so difficult to resist online purchases in a pandemic.
The Lion & Peacock is my favorite.