January 10, 2022
I have finally realized (for the millionth time, actually) that winter is NOT a good time to buy winter clothes. My goal for this week was to show you nice lightweight cotton turtlenecks in stripes, or paisleys, or some whimsical prints, that brighten up your winter outfits.
I could show you swimwear more easily…
So? I’m not a martyr to my lists, nor am I completely nuts; we’re going to look at more options for turtlenecks in pretty accent colors. For those among us who crave colors, there’s really no limit to how many different color bottom layers you can have in the dead of deep, dark winter!
For example – if you have a beautiful scarf that you adore, you should definitely be looking for a tee shirt or turtleneck that looks perfect with that scarf:
Deep lagoon turtleneck – L.L.Bean; earrings – Tishavi; navy cotton cardigan – L.L.Bean; jeans – L.L.Bean; scarf – ImageDiary; slippers – Minnetonka
If you love pink, hop to it!
Maybe you need to be looking for a top that is the same color as the background of your favorite scarf; the scarf can be the real center of attention:
Heather oat tissue turtleneck – J.Crew; earrings – Savvy Cie; quilted jacket – Madewell; chino pants – Lands’ End; scarf – Nordstrom; waterproof boots – Italeau
Maybe you’re really smitten with a scarf (or necklace) that has a touch of a color in it that you don’t often wear – now is your chance!
Burnished barn turtleneck – J.Crew; earrings – American West; cashmere cardigan – L.L.Bean; scarf – Fetolia; knit pants – Liverpool; boots – Softwalk
You might not be the person who would wear a traditional twin-set, but matching a cardigan and turtleneck or tee shirt isn’t quite the same thing… And your pretty neckerchief really stands out now! (I think finding nail polish in this warm pinkish peach wouldn’t be the wrong thing to do!)
Lake blue turtleneck – L.L.Bean; earrings – Lois Hill; small scarf – Talbots; lake blue cardigan – L.L.Bean; charcoal knit corduroy pants – Lands’ End; boots – Munro
If you are lucky to have an Etro scarf, you would be crazy NOT to grab tops in any and all of the colors you can see there… And yes, you can wear a gorgeous scarf with high-tops. You can do whatever you want!
Teal shadow turtleneck – Lands’ End; earrings – Sorrelli; twig corduroy pants – L.L.Bean; scarf – Etro; oatmeal heather cardigan – L.L.Bean; sneakers – J.Crew
Maybe you have to look like an adult these days, but you still want to stay warm. A turtleneck with a cashmere cardigan in the same color is both warm AND elegant:
Cloudy blue turtleneck – Lands’ End; earrings – Samuel B.; navy knit cords – L.L.Bean; cloudy blue cardigan – Lands’ End; scarf – Talbots; loafers – Marc Joseph
Right now, we’re spending pretty much ALL of our time indoors – I don’t even feel comfortable getting into elevators right now! So we layer up, and take advantage of the sun that streams in our windows (for half the day..). Even if nobody sees you but your family, you can still be beautiful…
love,
Janice
p.s. Nine years ago, one of the big Pantone colors was Nectarine. We explored how this lovely color looked with tan, beige and brown. You could still wear this today!
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HA! After being somewhat lazy in my clothes choices – going for comfort and warmth over any sort of style – most of last week, I decided going forward I’d work on trying to get back to my old self. Which still makes a priority of comfort, but maybe not sweats and flannel shirts every day to work! ? Today I laid out a skirt and shirt, jacket and scarf. Comfort and warmth can meet style ( I”ll have tights and boots on with the skirt). Timely post for me for sure! Have a good day everyone.
Finally realized? For the millionth time? Me too! Found a jacket (coat) online that I loved and wanted to place an order. Nope. My size in the two best colors for me were no longer available. Probably should have shopped for coats in August or September. At this point, I’m pretty sure I’ll never learn…..or I would have by now. I’m always missing out. So frustrating. But as always, I’m loving your weekly timeless wardrobe posts. Love, love, love these “tutorials” on how to slowly and purposefully build a great wardrobe. Thank you!
Kristy, I have learned over the years to look for winter items BEFORE Christmas and go ahead and pay the price if you absolutely love it!! It’s truly worth it!! You’ll get years of joy from wearing these items!! Then if you do find something you love at the end of the season then great!! But you haven’t missed out on other items you really loved!!
I always buy clothing out of season. I have found great deals on sweaters and coats in the middle of summer, and on shorts and t-shirts in the middle of winter.
Hi Janice and Everyone! As always I love the color combinations, esp the olive/cream, which I don’t think I have ever paired together.
Have you visited Lands End for print turtlenecks-? I do not know if these are the patterns you are looking for, but they are on SALE! Of course, size/availability may vary, which is the gamble one takes when buying clothes off-season.
I love today’s outfits and scarves. The teal and light blue would be perfect for me.
So far, I am proving not to be a scarf person and yet I am mightily tempted by this post to add a couple more to my languishing collection.
I have not considered myself to be a scarf person so imagine my surprise when I discovered during a recent closet cleanse that I have accumulated 25 silk and satin scarves, 3 woolen scarves and several pashminas over the years! You see I love colour and texture but I have a classic neutral vibe. How fortuitous that I have discovered the Vivienne Files and can now learn to integrate these scarves into my everyday dressing. Its quite a fun activity during the pandemic
Perfect inspiration post for me today! Now that I’m ready to admit I pretty much do have a uniform: jeans or pants (or a skirt), long-sleeved tee (no turtlenecks for this sensitive neck!), cardigan, scarf or necklace, I am eager to add color with those tees. The pink is scrumptious, but I will also be looking for my clear, cool jewel tones: purple, berries, royal blue, aqua.
Adding to my list of great Janice-isms: yes, you CAN wear a lovely scarf with high tops! (And western boots and trainers and hiking boots.)
I don’t usually wear scarves in the house. So if my neck feels cool, I have several chunky knit jumpers with high necks to put on over my top. Currently wearing a deep fuschia pink long sleeve tee under a deep fuschia pink chunky knit polo neck jumper with purple cords. Perfect for cutting out the cold East wind coming through a double glazed window!
Beth T,
It sounds like both a pretty combination and a warm one ! Yes, during these very cold times I seek out my fleece collared 1/4 zip pullovers or collared cardigans to wear over tops . Sometimes even resorting to wearing a cotton turtleneck top under the cardigan, as opposed to a crew neck top , though in general, I don’t like that sense of neck restriction when worn around the house .
I had not commented for a time, but I had been lurking in the shadows during December ! Thanks for your welcoming comment !
My family know that it is really cold when I get out my thick fleece wraps, Borg lined cardigan and fleece floor length poncho!
It’s only the second week of January and we have another “atmospheric river” warning on the cold and wet west coast. Our covid numbers are mounting rapidly so I too am looking out the apartment window (in my case at the bird feeders.) I just decided to buy the heather blue cashmere sweater (really good sale price). It will brighten my inside days (with a scarf) and I can add it to my soft blue/lavender summer wardrobe. I keep telling my husband (who does not share my sartorial interests) that if you feel that you look colourful and you wear the accessories, even dark plague-ridden days can be a bit brighter.
Joanne, I absolutely agree. Bright colors can make all the difference!
I could wear those cable sweaters all winter long!
Enjoyed today’s run through of various ways to easily pair a T/turtleneck and scarf! The first outfit with the deep teal + navy/dark denim was my favorite. I love the subtlety of a monochromatic (or nearly monochromatic) print or ombre/watercolor scarf with a top in a highly similar color, and the mix of textures in the outfit is lovely.
The first was my favourite too: what a lovely scarf! I have earrings similar to those (from a flea market), and a navy cardigan, so now I know what I want to wear tomorrow. With a different scarf, of course…