November 8, 2021
Before we plunge headlong into 24/7 sweaters (at least in Chicago!), we need to pause and make certain that we have an essential light neutral top to layer UNDER all of these warm things!
Sherpa-lined plaid shirt – L.L.Bean; earrings – Luv Aj; natural waffle tee – L.L.Bean; knit cords – L.L.Bean; teddy blanket wrap – Echo; boots – Aerosoles
I can personally vouch for the usefulness of waffle-fabric tops – I’m currently alternating between my grey one and my black one every few days. They’re perfect on their own when I’m in the (quite warm) apartment, but then they are nice and warm under a cardigan or flannel shirt…
Even for those of us who don’t do all that well with things that button down the front, I think it’s worth the effort to scare up at least a couple of tops with buttons. This next one would be great fun for dressing up just a bit through the upcoming winter holidays. The black buttons and bib styling make it dressy, even if you wear it with jeans!
A very light chambray shirt is infinitely versatile – look for one that comes in Petites if you struggle with sleeve length. And always be certain that you’re not looking at one with a “slim” fit, or darts, if you want to avoid gaping buttons…
Grey sweater-blazer – J.Crew; snowflake earrings – Talbots; ivory corduroy pants – J.Crew; chambray shirt – J.Crew; scarf– Lands’ End; boots – Revitalign
I bought this following top in black a couple of weeks ago, and I really like it. YES, it has the dreaded “puffy sleeves” but it’s comfortable, has 3/4 sleeves so I’m not dragging them through stuff, and is nice and roomy for a big, long dinner…
Earrings – Freida Rothman; headband – Tasha; white tunic – Uniqlo; jeans – L.L.Bean; triple strand bracelet – Meshmerize; gold ballet flats – Vince Camuto
This week’s look at “what would a Common Wardrobe or Weekly Timeless Wardrobe look like…” addresses grey with pastels. Grey hair and soft coloring? Blonde and quite fair? Here’s your wardrobe!
Rose petal and white tee shirts – J.Crew; gray heather tee – Lands’ End; striped oxford shirt – L.L.Bean; pink cashmere sweater – Nordstrom; yellow cotton sweater – L.L.Bean; yellow tee shirt – L.L.Bean; gray v-neck sweater – Caslon; gray cashmere cardigan – L.L.Bean; gray jeans – Gap; gray knit cords – L.L.Bean; skirt – Tommy Hilfiger
I’m within days of getting a “Common Wardrobe Template” straight in my mind; I will of course share it when it takes form!
This wardrobe is both lovely and versatile – of course. When you isolate a color palette, you automatically expand your versatility A TON…
I still don’t feel really ready for cold weather – and I have no idea WHY I feel that way. Maybe because I was out so very little for the last 2 winters? The early months of 2020 were spent indoors, as was the entire winter of 20/21…
Maybe I just need to get out and about and see what happens, eh?
love,
Janice
p.s. Three years ago, I evaluated a wardrobe based on the painting Trojan Gates by Helen Frankenthaler. Our heroine was a translator who had a burgeoning love-affair on her hands…
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Honestly, I’m not a big fan of button down shirts overall – I prefer tshirts and softer knits. That being said, I have more than a few similar items in my wardrobe I could easily make up this entire wardrobe. Subbing pants for a skirt as well. I find myself more and more drawn to the softer colors as I age.
I have similar preferences and only buy button downs in soft knit fabrics. Makes a world of difference!
Lena, I was unaware that was even a thing. Something to keep my eyes open for!
Oh Janice – I jumped on that chambray shirt and ordered it immediately! I have been looking for just that item for months! I have very few button down shirts – but a chambray shirt is a must for me. I usually manage to get around a full button by looking for “popover” shirts/blouses that have a collar and a few buttons. They are cut looser – but can provide a dressier look under sweaters when needed or I layer a tank top underneath and leave the buttons undone when it’s warmer out.
Can’t wait to see the Common Wardrobe Template! You always have such great ideas!! Happy Monday all.
You’ve got some great boots in this collection. I like the skinny headband too. After many years of following you, I think I’m set for light neutral tops. We are below freezing every morning here so I’m having no problem gearing up for sweater+ weather. I’m a new turtleneck fan too. They’re great for video calls ?
As usual, I check to see which other colors are available for items I like, just in case there’s one that works better in my own wardrobe. The tan boots are from Nordstrom and also come in black and “beige.” At least that’s how someone described them. My aging eyes MUST be playing tricks on me, because those “beige” boots sure look olive or sage to me! I mention this because olive really is a workhorse and lovely neutral for many of you and this is a great year to grab as much of your favorite neutral as you can. Some colors become VERY on trend for a year or two and then become scarce for awhile.
Also, this grey & pastel wardrobe is so very pretty and functional. Aren’t we all envisioning the brooches, necklaces, earrings and scarves we own that would change up the mood of each outfit two or three times over? THAT is the genius of this wardrobe.
I thought they looked like olive too! I swear I don’t know what colors are named…
hugs,
Janice
I have an amazing useful pair of ankle boots that looked olive to me… until I wore them with an olive suede jacket. Then they looked mushroom/beige. (which was PERFECT). Today I’m wearing them with grey trousers and they look like a taupe-y grey/beige (again, PERFECT). Chameleon boots!!! I’m very pleased….
I love light grey and light blue outfit.. Cosy but cool. Just right for the weather we’re having. I do like your look back stories that take the heroine through different seasons. Your posts are a tonic to my soul.
Janice, I simply LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your Capsule Wardrobes based on the Trojan Gate!! I so wish you would do a similarly dressier wardrobe in Navy, Ivory, Teal and Coral or Peach or even Blush!! I would also like to see a Capsule Wardrobe that’s similarly dressy using Chocolate brown, Ivory, Camel and even Red as a accent color!! Please consider doing these Capsule Wardrobes in the future!!! Thank you so very much!! I love your work!! P.S. Had a hard weekend and I’m having to get ready to go to dialysis this morning. HARD. But then I saw you in my e-mail and you brightened my day!! Thank you!!
OH Natalie – how horrid for you! Take good care, and remember how many friends you have here…
hugs,
Janice
While I like layering a button up shirt under a pullover sweater *in theory*, it feels constricting and begs for futzing with all day long, as often than not. (I have yet to isolate what variables predict an OK layering situation with an annoying one.) Layering under a cardigan or jacket with a button up feels easier. Layering a long-sleeved T under a pullover is not something I’ve tried…except when wearing a tech fabric or thermal T for outdoor activity. But it seems worth experimenting with!
I have been indoors so long now that I feel like I’ve lost all ability to adapt to “weather” and warm or cold temperatures. But last winter, I can’t say I minded staying in (or going out on the balcony) and looking out at the cold weather without having to fight through it. We’ll see what I think about this winter.
I find loose or stretchy sleeves the most accommodating over 1st layer sleeves.
I don’t layer over blouses or buttoned shirts at all; it just feels constricting. Unless the sweater is big and sloppy, I don’t even wear pullovers on top of T-shirts. If I need a layer over shirts, it’s always a cardigan.
In winter, I’ll do a Cuddl Dud (very thin, so no bulk), a thin pullover, and then a cardigan over that if necessary. Since the menopause fairy arrived, I’m all about thin layers I can whip off as quickly as possible.
When everything was on sale last spring, I bought a navy cashmere cardigan from Land’s End along with both the matching long-sleeve pullover AND the short sleeve sweater. I don’t know if it’s technically still a twin set (triplet set?) but it’s freaking brilliant; I get loads of wear out of all three pieces.
I’m another that likes button ups only in theory, not in comfort. For layering under pullovers, I have found some sleeveless summer ones work better. They tend not to have breast pockets, so no lumps under sweaters, and you are not fighting to find the sleeves.
Love the grey and pastel wardrobe, so pretty.
I “love” these looks with the “blazer-sweater” as you call them I have several “boiled wool” jackets (knitted wool fabric that is heat shrunk) that I loved growing up, and kept up as an adult. It might be scary to say some of these are older that most of the population. (One a creamy off white is nearly 65 years old, passed down to me!) I wear them with nearly everything from dresses to jeans, inside and outside.
You were sharing the J Crew ones, (very trendy) but the online store “Appleseeds” often has these as a staple item in their autumn offerings.
Perhaps sometime you might consider taking a common wardrobe and adding accessories or perhaps a statement piece that would dress it up enough for a mother of the bride/groom? I hate to buy an entire, very expensive outfit for a single day. It is much more “me” to take what I normally wear (perhaps for a dressier occasion like church) and add what might constitute “enough” for that occasion? Thank you so much for your consideration.