May 5, 2021
This month, we’re finally adding skirts to these wardrobes! (yes, you can easily substitute any other bottom for a skirt if they’re not your thing…)
Some wardrobes are getting pretty coherent outfits with the skirt, and for a couple of wardrobes I filled in some blanks and fell prey to prettiness…
This is a pretty somber outfit, but this heroine did not yet have a black tee shirt – that’s almost heresy in my world!
Chrysalis silk square – Echo; earrings – Brilliance+; tee shirt – L.L.Bean; linen blend cardigan – Halogen; sling back pump – VanEli; black ponte knit skirt – Boden
Not surprisingly, these garments blend in beautifully:
And each new garment lends itself to at least a couple of new outfits – I suspect I could easily find more!
Now, the color palette that just screams Spring – to me at least!
This is a lovely outfit for warming weather – dressy but not fussy…
Patchwork Painted Floral silk square by Echo; heart earrings – Kendra Scott; light ocean tee – L.L.Bean; merino cardigan – J.Crew; skirt – J.Crew; pumps – SoftStyleTwo navy garments bring a practica
Two navy garments bring a practical dose of dark neutral to this wardrobe – always handy if you’re traveling, or need to look serious for some reason…
And as before, these new pieces work easily with the existing wardrobe:
Eventually, a ruana that’s warm like this one will be out of season (although I could have worn it today!). But the colors are seasonless…
What a glorious color I found for us!
Lofty plaid ruana – Echo; earrings – Giani Bernini; fresh lavender tank top – Lands’ End; fresh lavender sweatshirt – Lands’ End; fleece skirt – Express; sandals – Aerosoles
This wardrobe is going to have every shade of purple I can find, by the end of the year!
Again, finding new outfits with older garments was easily done!
I love the warmth and just plain prettiness of these colors!
This could be an outfit – of course! I wasn’t really thinking of it in those terms, and a sweater over a shirt is NOT going to look right with sandals…
But each of these garments just felt right to me, so I jumped in to see what would happen.
Patchwork Painted Floral silk scarf – Echo; earrings – Lonna & Lilly; heather camel merino crewneck – J.Crew; dried wicker poplin shirt – J.Crew; burnished pecan linen skirt – J.Crew; sandals – London Fog
Oh, for reddish hair and freckles…
These outfits weren’t tough – I chose the skirt specifically because it’s supposed to be the same color as the burnished pecan tee shirt; I suspect that “in the fabric,” they’re closer together in color.
Here’s where I’ve gone COMPLETELY off the rails! I thought that using the same patterned scarf – and the same accent colors – as the first scarf would be an interesting experiment. I wasn’t really counting on the degree to which one just can NOT find nice brown clothes…
scarf – Echo
I searched for brown – I promise! And I ended up using grey…
Chrysalis silk square – Echo; earrings – Lalana; cardigan – Caslon; azalea tee shirt – L.L.Bean; cotton jersey skirt – Reiss; sandals – Banana Republic
I am always drawn to the wardrobes that look as if every garment and accessory are singing the same song (so to speak).
This wardrobe is about 80% singing Handel, and a handful of punks in the corner singing The Clash…
But this happens to most of us – if you experiment with an accent color, or an unusual mix of neutrals, you might find that it simply doesn’t work the way you imagined it would.
Maybe in the autumn, I will find enough brown, gold and purple to tie all of this together. Maybe not – I can see it never coming together!
I feel bad about this…
Happily, we close with this lovely, easy, casual, relaxed and just plain GREAT color scheme…
I kept the new outfit very informal, in keeping with the overall feel of things so far:
Mountain View Wrap – Echo; squiggle earrings – Wadarat Supasirisuk; zip-front sweatshirt – Lands’ End; striped linen top – L.L.Bean; denim skirt – Banana Republic; sandals – Jack Rogers
Yes, sandals might not be great with all of these outfits, but I always feel like you have to grab the good sandals early in the season!
I could live with this wardrobe tomorrow, and it couldn’t be more different from my own – it just feels wearable:
Outfits from this are like falling off a log…
Now that there’s a ton of black, I’m back in love with the 1st wardrobe – which is your favorite this month?
love,
Janice
p.s. Seven years, I struggled to assemble a capsule wardrobe based on The Libyan Sibyl by Michelangelo; he was NOT thinking of 21st century clothes when he painted this glorious woman!
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Every month I am liking the Mountain View more and more. As for the grey and brown situation, it is more like my bumbling experience. Not to say you bumble. So I am watching with great interest. At what point will a major adjustment be made, if at all? Is there a brown-like color to sub in? Maybe taupe, although that, too, is rare. No one likes to give up, I don’t. But that’s going to be a lot of grey by September. I don’t say all this to be critical. Challenges are instructive.
Have you tried outdoors/hiking shops for the browns? That’s usually a better bet than more fashiony places. I’m a brown wearer and some of the colour names used can be odd (dry moss, for example, is a nice brown in walking trousers). Many outdoors shops also sell dresses and skirts, so always worth a look.
All things purple and the Mt.View still mine. :)
Don’t know if it’s the casualness of the clothing or the use of the lovely denim shades of blue combined with grays, but Mountain View is really appealing to me. Everything looks so comfy and inviting! I’d like to see more of the neutral-ish green color added. I can see that color working very nicely as late summer gives way to cooler fall temperatures (and also useful for cool spring and summer evenings).
Still love the last one. I just realized that it looks a lot like my own wardrobe (minus the olive green).
My favourites are the Floral Blue, Purple Ruana and Mountain View. These pretty much reflect the contents of my wardrobe. I also like the Floral Orange. Having got a good set of neutrals, I will now introduce more accents and patterns in the tops/2nd layers, plus accent jewellery and an accent bag.
Although I can’t wear orange, beige or olive, my husband does, so I’m playing along with this and improving the contents of his wardrobe instead!
The Chrysalis Black and Brown scarves demonstrate how a different background colour changes the intensity and prominence of the accent colours, even if the pattern is identical.
The overall dearth of brown and olive clothes also extends to men’s clothes but Zaidie is right that companies that specialise in outdoor clothes or casual clothes often have a greater variety of colours across the range.
Ah, but sweater & sandals works here in the Pacific Northwest!
hahahaha indeed it does as I sit here in a sweater, joggers, flowered birkenstocks and striped socks. And yes, I’m at work :)
ps.. students not in building today or the outfit would be a bit different – casual Wednesdays instead of casual Fridays.
Mountain View by a million miles! And purple ruana in a distance second. I expected the blue patchwork to be my favorite, but the soft colors + denim + silver of the last capsule is just so, so lovely.
I agree with all those loving the Mountain View. This wardrobe just captures my casual style and the general colors of my own wardrobe. However, if I had the right coloring, the coral patchwork would snatch my vote for favorite.
I’m digging skirts for this spring/summer and have 1000s (it feels like) to choose from. So glad I never have to do laundry again :-)
The Chrysalis scarf in black is my favorite, but not the accent colors chosen. I would switch out the golden yellow for the emerald green or maybe pull out the tiny bit of cerulean. The Mountain View scarf is far too muted for my coloring, so that leaves me with the ruana. Purple is my favorite! But I would find it hard to live with only one accent all year. This might make a good seasonal capsule.
And as for the brown… what can I say? Chocolate, espresso, darkest brown is my fall neutral and I have been looking for a brown cardigan for a couple of years now. I finally decided to knit one and then nerve issues ensued so it has been sitting here with a body, but only half a sleeve done. Sigh.
Will be interested to see how the brown Chrysalis finally comes out.
Both Patchwork Florals appeal to me, with those warm colors that work with my so-called “spring” coloring. (Or did before lockdown brought forth an abundance of gray hair!) Mountain View would be my next favorite. I just purchased a great chunky cardigan in just that shade of blue from Banana Republic Factory.
Janice,
The patchwork Blue Floral is my choice here with the navy core and the multiple accent colors . The second choice is the patchwork in the warm colors, though I am not a wearer of gray . I’d like to see more ivory garments introduced there . Too much warm is well—- too much and tiresome to my eye .
Now you can see why I cling to any brown pieces that I buy , as well as buying duplicates, because who knows when any selections shall be available in the marketplace again !
Ooops what looks like gray on my monitor is really supposed to be olive green in the warm Patchwork scarf grouping ! Olive works just fine for me then in this module !
For the brown scarf, I recommend you adopt our inner child approach and call a “do over”! How about using the basics of grey, white, and brown (which will be all over the place in a couple of months) combined with orange-marigold, purple-lilac, and/or green for the accents. Kick out the pink! Yes, I said it.
Thank you for the look back which took me to two more look backs – Coup de Couer and Project 333. Please would you revisit these posts as they were instructional and very useful as always.
Coup de Couer (or Love at First Sight) – please update with advice for online shopping. A lot of us have used lockdowns and relaxed dressing to review our wardrobes, get rid of the dross and keep those items we love. Now that we are going back to work and socialising, we can go shopping to fill gaps or update our wardrobes. However, many clothes shops have permanently closed (particularly in the UK). Online shopping has boomed and it’s easy to click on stuff that may be OK rather than loving it. Having just read in a fashion article that a lot of people order too much (at great expense), keep one or two items and return the rest which is often not resold, that seems very wasteful for the companies, delivery drivers and us, the consumer. How can we fall in love with items we can only see online (often on tall, slim models) and make the best choices? I also read in a fashion article that unless you will wear an item at least 30 times, don’t buy it, though it didn’t say what the time span was – a month, six months, a year, five years?
Project 333 – so many companies are going to have some element of home or flexible working going forward. I will be looking for a new job or voluntary work soon but know that my wardrobe needs to be more flexible to cover a new work ethic whilst including more relaxed dressing for social events. I have always struggled with the concept of smart-casual. Some women can carry it off with ease. If I put a jacket on, even over jeans, people remark upon it. Yet a jacket gives me more structure and broadens my narrow shoulders.
Also what constitutes ‘a gap in your wardrobe’? I thought after my mammoth efforts to get to grips with my wardrobe, this idea of ‘gaps’ is still a stumblimg block. I was discussing this with my daughter. Apparently my idea of a gap is to buy the same item or style of garment in all the colours or patterns available that suit me, whether they will go with anything else or not. I have more than enough clothes but can’t resist buying more to fill unreal ‘gaps’. Help.
Beth T,
For me , filling a gap would mean shopping for any missing pieces in a planned and well thought out given cluster or module . For instance , maybe I am working on a cluster using the color scheme of beige as my neutral with a beige topper , an off white top, a print top that introduces two accent colors but also includes the beige in the print , and then the two accent colored tops. A gap for me is one of those missing elements , which just happened this week. I bought a print top with an off white background and a deep beige that matches my pant, but I lack the accent color topper, which could be a shirt jacket or a cardigan . I am always a 3 piece wearer, so I need to start looking ! The point here is that filling a gap for me is not just randomly picking up pieces that I like . Or it could be that if my former pieces are in need of replacement, but always keeping a color scheme in mind of what core color pieces they shall then be working with . I know — I ended the last sentence with a dangling participle !
Oh and by the way, Beth, I used to shop with the idea of randomly picking up one of “ my colors” when I saw it in the marketplace, because they are so seldom offered, but I ended up with tops that were a bit “ off” color wise to be worn with a similar , but not the same, topper. I have now gotten a clearer idea of how I want to make my purchases and have narrowed my spending to only what works together , reducing both excess spending, and reducing cramming my closet with unworn , non matching items . It is so easy now to grab a top and coordinating topper to go with one of my neutral bottoms. I tend to like exact matches in colors, unless it’s a tonal look with the topper or the top being a different value of the same hue . And I am enjoying this outcome so much more !
It just occurred to me that a gap in my thinking here is that I need to come up with a second bottom for this cluster !
My experience with on-line shopping is to stick with the brands and styles that work for you. I order clothing exclusively from 4 retailers and rarely feel the need to return anything. My wardrobe is rather small and I have been refining it using this monthly scarf series. Granted, I wear very few color variations and tend to stick with a tonal color scheme with low contrast limiting the amount of garments I feel compelled to acquire. I do this because I have low contrast coloring, but it might be a plan for someone wanting to prune their closet!
Thanks Cindy. I think my problem is that I’ve not been brand loyal since the 1980’s when I wore a lot of Laura Ashley. Finding clothes and shoes that fit is a never ending struggle due to my short stature, pear shaped figure and very wide feet. There are a few stores where I know I will find particular garments that fit but it is often trial and error. However, I do have a good idea of the styles and colours that suit me, so I can sift through images only picking out ones that punch a few buttons. Like you, I prefer tonal dressing as long as I have patterns or accessories that pull the look together.
Hi Beth T, your comment about jackets/blazers (I’m assuming your definition of jacket includes blazers, based on the line about adding structure and broadening shoulders) hit a chord with me. I need a bit of structure too, but it always feels too “formal” on me, no good for “relaxed dressing for social events”. I feel your pain. I think the fabric choice can make a big difference. Think: tailored navy blazer = too formal, but has the structure and shoulder line. Sub with: tailored cardigan blazer? (soft material so flows a little, less harsh lines. still provides shoulder line) Soft suede ‘jacket’? (again, a little flow, less harsh lines.) Stiffer fabric but NO lapels, no collars? (structure and shoulder, but not the “fancy” look of a blazer). Jean jacket? (all the structure and shoulder line, but by virtue of being denim, relegated automatically to the casual family).
Just a few thoughts! (now, where to FIND these pieces? no clue…)
That first scarf wardrobe, the yellow shirt sticks out! The rest of them look more cohesive.
I love looking at these every month. I even think about reorganizing my wardrobe like these. But my basics are based on a scarf – blush, white, and olive. And it wouldn’t be me if there wasn’t navy added too. :-)
For next year, could you think about making one scarf a teacher wardrobe? My dress code is written really oblique – look professional. They did come out this year and say jeans are ok, no tennis shoes, no t-shirts (although I’m seeing a lot of t’s right now!) And then said make sure you don’t look like you are coming from the gym.
Thanks!
The patchork floral in the arm colors (my Spring Colors!). Love the pleated navy skirt …I have one! BUT, I ould pair this ith a dressier turquoise blouse. I’m feeling adventurous today…maybe short-sleeved!
I am puzzled that the two scarves offering the most glorious colours have such bland wardrobes. The first scarf has literally only three tops with colour..two pink and the lone yellow tee shirt. Everything is black or grey. The brown version has a few more pops of colour and but may well be the dark horse of the pack come Autumn and I might just pull all the lovely accents from that wardrobe into the black one. I own the black scarf..The ruana wardrobe is lovely but as mentioned previously living with one accent colour is not for me even with many variations but a great idea for pulling a travel wardrobe together. The patchwork scarves have, to my eye, the most cohesive wardrobes with a good mix of neutral vs accent and both could travel far and wide and to most occasions. The Mountain View is not my style but good for those who favour more muted colour and or wear jeans a lot. With my own strong contrast colouring I was hoping for so much more from the first scarf wardrobe. I see many colours in the scarf that would be so pretty. I loath pale pink on myself and need more punch like fuchsia, emerald, amethyst or even pure white. It’s a lot to do and you work hard at it Thank you. Looking forward to the coming months!
Janice,
My favorite posts of yours are the analytical ones as in “ Evaluating Your Wardrobe” or as in “ Something Doesn’t Feel Right”. I especially like that one because it reminds me to put a shot of whiskey into my tea so that I can then think in a relaxed manner while evaluating my closet choices ! So—- more of these, Pretty Please ? ? ? I refer primarily to the post on February 5 of 2018 .
Janice – did you see this brown skirt at Hobbs? https://www.hobbs.com/us/product/josephine-linen-skirt/0121-7179-2961L00-BROWN.html#navAjax=true&is=false&cgid=clothing&sz=60&start=0&isSecondPage=false&prefn1=refinementColor&prefv1=Brown&pid=0121-7179-2961L00-BROWN&pos=0
I think it would be perfect for this wardrobe, though I myself am not quite enjoying the brown and grey combination. To my eyes its just not a fit, but I always wait until the last month to really assess things!
Janice – did you see this brown skirt at Hobbs? https://www.hobbs.com/us/product/josephine-linen-skirt/0121-7179-2961L00-BROWN.html#navAjax=true&is=false&cgid=clothing&sz=60&start=0&isSecondPage=false&prefn1=refinementColor&prefv1=Brown&pid=0121-7179-2961L00-BROWN&pos=0
I myself don’t like the brown/grey combination but I always wait until the last month to really assess everything together!
I am still in love with the Purple Ruana wardrobe, followed closely by Mtn. View. I am actually wearing the Lands End fresh lavender “sweatshirt” right now. It is not actually a sweatshirt. More like a long sleeved tee. I guess they call it a sweatshirt due to the shape of it but when I think sweatshirt, I think thicker, cozier material. This is a thin cotton pique material.
WOW, nice outfits