July 28, 2021
It’s fun to look at cool weather accessories when the upper Midwest of the US is under a heat bubble…
Let’s flash back to Friday, when this wardrobe, for a multi-month trip to Poland, was our focus:
cashmere cardigan – L.L.Bean; Floral shirt – L.L.Bean; tie-dyed cashmere t-shirt – J.Crew; Italian stretch wool pencil skirt – J.Crew; navy cashmere cardigan – Lands’ End; Striped sweatshirt – J.Crew; linen tee shirt – Lands’ End; denim skirt – GAP; Waffle knit cardigan – Goodnight Macaroon; oxford shirt – Lands’ End; cashmere crewneck – J.Crew; sweatshirt skirt – Caslon; reef teal corduroy shirt – L.L.Bean; chambray shirt – J.Crew; Twilight tee shirt – L.L.Bean; corduroy skirt – MUZA; teal cardigan – Benetton; Teal sweater – Paisie; floral tee – Lands’ End; pleated skirt – Ralph Lauren
We were told specifically that our heroine already has silver slip-on sneakers, and intends to pack short boots. The conversation in the Comments made it clear that she would also need warm, waterproof boots…
So to get enough accessories, chosen to go with this wardrobe, let’s look at a bunch of outfits and see what might be pretty with each of them!
Starting – I’m ALWAYS going to suggest a watch. I think it’s not lovely to constantly look at one’s phone – and I’m a big offender at this…
cashmere cardigan – L.L.Bean; Floral shirt – L.L.Bean; Italian stretch wool pencil skirt – J.Crew; earrings – Lalana; watch – Fossil; boots – Blondo
So she has her short boots (these are waterproof!), let’s get her some snazzy silver sneakers!
Waffle knit cardigan – Goodnight Macaroon; Twilight tee shirt – L.L.Bean; sweatshirt skirt – Caslon; abalone earrings – Kohl’s; romantic paisley wrap – Echo; sneakers – Anne Klein
When I travel, I love to have a small but not ridiculously teeny crossbody bag. I’ve seen some that are adorable, but that are so small that they wouldn’t hold a doll’s cell phone! Let’s be practical…
Teal sweater – Paisie; corduroy skirt – MUZA; earrings – Lonna & Lilly; bag – Thacker; boots – Blondo
No, a down jacket is NOT an accessory, but I wanted to get this in here because it’s an important part of travel in cool weather. Uniqlo carries down jackets in a range of colors (it might be a few weeks before they are in stock again!), and they pack down to the size of a paperback book; many of them come with a “stuff sack” into which you can pack your jacket. I have one that’s been a life-saver for me!
teal cardigan – Benetton; oxford shirt – Lands’ End; sweatshirt skirt – Caslon; earrings – Giani Bernini; down jacket – Canadian Down; sneakers – Anne Klein
I think that masks may be with us for a long time… we might as well have nice ones that look good with our clothes, right?
reef teal corduroy shirt – L.L.Bean; floral tee – Lands’ End; pleated skirt – Ralph Lauren; hat – Lands’ End; mask – Sunday Afternoons; boots – Blondo
Fun socks that won’t be seen by anybody but you? Sure!
cashmere crewneck – J.Crew; denim skirt – GAP; cashmere gloves – N.Peal; socks – Katie Victoria; boots – Chooka
I love to pack at least a handful of scarves – they give me a feeling of variety that I won’t get from a limited wardrobe! Same with jewelry – it doesn’t take up much space, but it gives you a feeling of change and just plain prettiness that’s always nice.
navy cashmere cardigan – Lands’ End; linen tee shirt – Lands’ End; Italian stretch wool pencil skirt – J.Crew; scarf – AOB; lapis bracelet – Gorjana; boots – Blondo
Even if you travel in the dead of winter, you need sunglasses! And this necklace is screaming at me… sigh…
cashmere crewneck – J.Crew; chambray shirt – J.Crew; sweatshirt skirt – Caslon; sunglasses – Ray Ban; pearl necklace – Putu Gede Darmawan; boots – Chooka
Nothing new here – just showing that once the core of accessories are together, they should work with everything our heroine packs.
Waffle knit cardigan – Goodnight Macaroon; floral tee – Lands’ End; corduroy skirt – MUZA; earrings – Giani Bernini; bag – Thacker; boots – Blondo
If an outfit is only 2 colors, why not mix patterns with a scarf and mask? And yes, this is a man’s scarf. WHAT distinguishes the gender of a scarf?
Striped sweatshirt – J.Crew; pleated skirt – Ralph Lauren; dotted scarf – Fiorio; foulard mask – Ted Baker London; boots – Chooka
Except for the boots, these accessories won’t take up all that much space in a suitcase. Carefully wrapped jewelry can be slid down into your boots, of course; check around for extremely inexpensive fabric drawstring bags to pack things that might scratch or tangle…
These images might be my favorites that I ever do!
I have no travel in my future, but I can certainly enjoy thinking about our heroine wearing these as she becomes familiar with Poland!
love,
Janice
p.s. Seven years ago, we considered the merits of teal as an accent color for The Common Wardrobe. We still love teal; we will ALWAYS love teal!
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This is a splendid selection of accessories. I could shop my wardrobe with this one. A watch is the first thing I put on in the morning (even before I get dressed) and the last to take off at night. Love the silver and pearl necklace, though I prefer a shorter length.
I love the idea of a winter jacket that can be stuffed into a small bag. I think it was me that suggested a coat could be viewed as an ‘accessory’. When you asked the question about the ten items that defined personal style, I asked my husband and he put my coats second on his list. I wear them to coordinate with my underlying outfit, just as I choose jewellery or a scarf. In fact, I change my coat more than I change my bag (deliberately neutral). He is always amazed at the number of coats women seem to have! He thinks I have too many – I have in mind to add a plum coloured coat to my winter wardrobe. The seasons are all awry in the UK this year. We’ll be into autumn before we know it.
I am very surprised to see rainboots – they are heavy, do not breathe well and provide little support for long walks.
Accessories posts always help me visualize how to work a capsule. These, with silver and black are perfect for these clothes. I have those Blondo boots here before. Agree it’s good to prep for cold and wet.
I couldn’t get the throw back link to work, by the way.
Seen those boots! Typo. Do not have
You can find the throw back by searching “teal common wardrobe” It was posted 26 July 2014 and still looks good.
Thanks!
I fixed the link – I would lose my head etc. etc….
hugs,
Janice
Thank you, Janice, for so thoughtfully addressing the practical needs of my upcoming adventure in such a beautiful way! So many items in this post reflect my taste (how did you know that paisley is my favourite pattern?) and it’s so helpful to visualize how the colours will work together. My hair hates hats so I will be popping my grey knit ear muffs into my suitcase – maybe inside my tall black winter boots. For a shot of colour, I’m taking my red leather gloves and a red pashmina with silver maple leaves woven into it. A black crossbody purse is going too, although mine is less elegant than the one here… it’s one of the travel types (made by Tracker) with several built-in safety features. We’re one month away from “wheels up!” so I truly appreciate everyone’s understanding of discussing a fall and winter wardrobe in July. You’re such a lovely community!!!
I think it’s marvelous that you are having this wonderful opportunity – it’s fun to be a part of it!
I agree. Europe is a far off dream for me at the moment, but oh how I dream ?✈️??
love the outfits. i hope i am able to take my cancelled trip to ireland, england and spain in september, although it is not looking promising. one thing i watched on youtube from a lady associated with rick steves is to weigh your items as you decide what to pack. i got a new scale today for mailing packages and i thought why don’t i do that..what kills you is the weight of electronics.
Many thanks for this excellent suggestion!
My husband came up with an idea to check the weight of our suitcases. We use ebag packing cubes which have a handle so we use one of those luggage scales that you hang your luggage on. Then we weigh each bag and put a post-it note on it with the weight. We mix and match our ebags to get to 50 lbs in each suitcase. Since his cubes are gray and mine are aqua, it is easy to know which is ours. We take the scale with us as it is so small and repeat the process on the return trip.
50 lbs! I have traveled for weeks with a small bag (1 lb empty) and 12 lbs. of clothes. I use a scale and packing cubes too. While I like this wardrobe, I’d scale it back so I could carry it.
Brilliant!!
So what stockings would you wear with the clothes in the third picture (the one with the silver puffer coat)? Surely you can’t go bare legged! This always stumps me with light colors. I can’t wear black tights with everything!
I usually wear skin-toned pantyhose all fall and even on many winter days. I’m investigating getting some leggings to wear as stockings for the truly cold days.
wendy, I strongly suggest you bring a pair of good waterproof snow boots (that are made for walking!) instead of the rain boots. It’s also a good idea to bring leggings for under your skirts for warmth because some times you just don’t feel like wearing your long john’s (but you will need those as well!).
Fleece lined orvwool tights will keep your legs and feet cosy.
A beautiful selection…the stand-out for me is the Echo paisley wrap. With only one accent color in the capsule, I would use lightweight scarves and jewelry as an opportunity to add some additional colors because I would definitely get bored with just one. Wendy mentioned that she’s bringing a couple red accessories, which sounds great. Teal coordinates well with so many different colors.
I agree, Sally. I would like a bit more color in my accessories. I am finding as I age that a little color around my face (like some colorful earrings or scarf) really perks me up.
For Natalie K (for some reason I couldn’t reply directly to your comment)… I will be taking tall black winter boots. They work in the winters we have in Eastern Canada so I’m guessing they’ll do the trick in Poland! Thank you for your concern for my comfort!!!
I should have posted this last week with the skirts. I’m in love with my teal lightweight sweatshirt skirt. It’s Tek Brand from Kohl’s. I’m wearing it with a teal or blue tee shirt this time of year. For accessories, I worn it with Peacock black Tahitian pearls or enameled tri-color peacock feather earrings. It’ll be fun to accessorize as the year goes on. Turquoise will be lovely; Leggings in black or gray; black or even red booties, a charcoal or red fleece vest. Teal is easy. I also bought the skirt in charcoal.
While we are on travel, I have a question or two. Has anyone been on a river cruise and how dressy is dinner. Fingers crossed we will be on one in mid to late October, through the French wine country. I am really a pretty concise packer but want to make sure I’m “stylish” enough for dinner. We will be traveling for 18 days total which is slightly more than usual but I still know I can do a carry-on. I have a wonderful scarf/wrap that has red, dark pink, cream taupe, and black. Everything I take will match it.
The cruise company probably has a page on their website about what to wear. Relatives and friends who go regularly, say that dress is a lot more casual on river cruises. In the evenings, the ladies wear a nice dress or trousers/skirt and a top. Something you might wear for a family party. This is on the Riviera Travel website https://www.rivieratravel.co.uk/blog/2019/04/07/what-to-wear-on-a-cruise-in-europe/
My grandparents did a lot of sea cruising in the 60’s and I still have one of her evening gowns. Back then, the ladies wore glamourous cocktail or evening dresses and the men in black or white tie. That’s seen as over dressing these days – a shame.
Thanks for the website!!
Amanda Hudson,
I have done river cruising on the Rhine River and also on the Rhone River with Viking. The dinner attire is “ smart casual”. No blue jeans after 6 PM. A nice pair of slacks or a skirt with a pretty top , and a scarf or necklace suffice. I don’t recall if there is a Captain’s night , suggesting more formal attire. Even then, I still wore the same dark slacks and used a dressier blouse or top with a bit of shine or sparkle. You should have that info in your travel materials or find it by Googling the tour agency .
Enjoy your trip !
I appreciate the work it took to find winter things and links especially with a packable down type jacket. It’s exactly what I need for our next winter cruise from Florida or the Alaskan cruises in the summer.
I’m thinking ahead for my own fall winter capsule at home anyway and this post and the other one are very helpful.
I find for me a watch is essential when I travel. I prefer not to dig up my phone and possibly drop it if my hands get shaky under stress. I do use my phone to set timers for alerts but to stay on track I need my watch. Same with port excursions on cruises. My watch is set to ship time so I don’t miss the boat.
Your comment about using the timer on a cell phone is perfect for airports. Thank you for the inspiration! My husband and I travelled two years ago and nearly missed a flight from Brussels. We had arrived nice and early at the airport – so early that no gate was yet marked for our flight. We lost track of time and then had to run the full length of that portion of the airport. Of course, our flight was at the very last gate. That wouldn’t have happened if I had thought of using a timer. I just love the helpful tips folks share in the comments!
I HATE airports that don’t tell you your gate ’til the last minute! I’m perfectly happy to sit at the gate for as long as it takes, just so I don’t have to run at the last minute…
Not that I expect to be in an airport again for a long time!
hugs,
Janice
Thank you for the answers to my river cruise questions. I think I’ll be good to go. Hope Covid co-operates!!!