July 4, 2022
My emails tend to come in waves, topic-wise. Recently, it seems that a great many people are concerned about having to return to “real life,” be that an office, or lunch dates that used to be regularly scheduled, or other social gatherings that have been cancelled for the last 2 years.
So this month I think that our heroines are going to all look for a dressy-ish outfit that resembles either a suit or includes a skirt… Good for work, good for social events, good for worship services…
scarf – PJ Studio Accessories
First up, if you have to go to an office, you can pretend that you’re wearing a suit, if your pants and shirt-jacket are made of the same fabric!
Shirt jacket – Eileen Fisher; amethyst earrings – Ross-Simons; violet chalk tee shirt – L.L.Bean; scarf – Vetka; linen pants – Eileen Fisher; pewter ballet flats – SoftWalk
Our heroine now has a 25-piece wardrobe, which makes getting dressed pretty simple:
I’m pretty smitten with her accessories…
As always, 3 new garments should give a smart heroine at LEAST 6 new outfits…
Our heroine who loves green is next…
Ruskin’s Meadow modal/silk scarf – PJ Studio Accessories
She found an AMAZING suede jacket, and then struggled patiently for ages to put together a perfect outfit!
Earrings – Kendra Scott; suede jacket – ZUT London; striped tee – & Other Stories; scarf – Burberry; green chinos – J.Crew; ballet flats – Italeau
Her new clothes bring a bright new shade of green into her life:
And her accessories just keep looking better every month!
This wardrobe really only works for someone who likes to mix shades of green. These people exist!
digression: does anyone remember a book from childhood that included a teacher named Miss Moss? She always dressed in green? I can’t track it down, but I remember the character clearly because of her monochromatic wardrobe…
I’m always thinking of this next scarf, because Chicago is in “full hydrangea” mode these days… Such lovely shades of blue and purple!
Hydrangea modal/silk scarf – PJ Studio Accessories
This heroine feels like someone who MUST go into their office, and who has decided to mix up some prints (and quilted shoes!), in the world’s smallest rebellion against authority…
leather wrapped earrings – Robert Lee Morris; white cardigan – L.L.Bean; bandana – LOFT; striped tee – Caslon; ballet flats – VanEli; navy dotted skirt –Loveappella
Her wardrobe will certainly see her through office visits twice a week…
More accessories with which I am smitten…
This heroine won’t have any trouble dressing appropriately for public life, at least through the end of the summer!
I’m growing to REALLY love turquoise and brown together…
This heroine found THE BEST 2-piece dress imaginable, but she’s still pretty prickly about being required to go into her office… Does the hedgehog deliver the message!
I can vouch for the brooch – these are nicely made!
Brown earrings- Capucine De Wulf; sweater-blazer – J.Crew; hedgehog brooch – Fable England; bronze ballet flats – ARA; top – Knitss; skirt – Knitss
For someone who wears brown a lot, this heroine does NOT have a dark or drab wardrobe:
And she has the BEST accessories… sigh…
Happily, her new clothes work well with what she already owns. In all fairness, one could make a good case for buying this 2-piece dress even if it didn’t go with much of anything else. That happens sometimes…
Did I tell you that the lovely people at PJ Studio Accessories gave me a Tree of Life scarf? It’s much more lovely in person than it is in photographs, but I think that’s often true of scarves…
And wool and silk together in a scarf? A beautiful texture, not wooly and scratchy, nor slippery and hard to tie…
This heroine doesn’t yet have ANY camel in her wardrobe… Time to rectify THAT situation!
Hoop earrings – Kendra Scott; tawny sand bandana – Madewell; cashmere sweater – J.Crew; linen shirt – J.Crew; camel skirt – J.Crew; suede ballet flats – Trotters
These 3 pieces are going to make a lot of difference in this wardrobe!
Even the accessories seem to have a lighter feel:
Yes, cashmere in July. If you’ve ever worked in an office, you know that sweaters are 12 month garments in high-rise air conditioning!
Last but never least, our essence of summer wardrobe!
Sampler modal/silk scarf – PJ Studio Accessories
This heroine needs some new things to wear when going out with friends – something cheery… and yes, she would absolutely wear white moccasins with a skirt, if she just wasn’t in the mood for sandals or ballet flats…
Daisy earrings – Dower & Hall; necklace – By Alona; posy pink sweater – Boden; green tee – Komodo; pink floral skirt – Boden; moccasins – Minnetonka
I have to feel like this heroine doesn’t live someplace where there’s a lot of snow…
When in doubt about what color leather goods to wear, don’t forget the possibilities of metallics. This heroine would be at a loss without gold shoes!
She’s able to wear her new clothes in all sorts of ways, which is as it should be…
I think I should warn you that if you need anything for summer, you’d better get shopping for it RIGHT NOW!
We are already being inundated with autumn things – lots and lots of boots (clogs are going to be a big thing this year…), plenty of winter clothes, TONS of wool scarves are already available…
If you’re hard to fit – any part of your body – and there’s something you want for colder weather, NOW IS THE TIME TO LOOK!
I’m getting new wool pants, and maybe a coat…
And yes, I’m probably still most fond of the navy wardrobe, although thank heavens I don’t have to choose!
love,
Janice
p.s. Six years ago, I was back from a trip to Florida, and eager to share my thoughts about packing and travel…
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I am really loving the Ruskin’s Meadow, and do wish I’d purchased the scarf while still available. I had intended on adding more neutrals to my wardrobe this year, and was gong to follow the Tree of Life, but I just can’t seem to make myself do it. Someone mentioned being a “walking box of crayons” the other day. My husband lovingly refers to my closet as a “clown closet” because of all the colors. I actually do stick to a few main accent colors, but in varying shades, so compared to his staid navy, hunter green, and maroon wardrobe, well, you get the picture… I do have a common core of basics in both black and navy. Leaving for road trip tomorrow, packing in yellow, navy, and light blue. I am not getting as bored with these colors as I got after wearing purple/black/white for a couple of years. Always love these posts and look forward to the first of every month. I can’t even imagine how much work you put into these. Thank you! and Happy Fourth!
I love your description of your wardrobe as “a walking box of crayons!” Mine is similar, with so many shades, shapes, lengths, dressiness quota to choose from. My husband’s wardrobe is quite narrow in colour. His attitude is I’ve got one pair of (insert colour) trousers/jumper why do I need another? He does have more shirts. His style is semi formal and his idea of casual is not to wear a tie and wear a jumper instead of a jacket! I’d prefer to be a peacock than drab bird.
I have a lot of colors, too, but the idea of having a collection of 5 has really helped me use them all. And I have a very solid base of black, with grey for winter and stone for summer. I do have a pretty full closet, but mostly because I’m easy on clothes and they last me forever—some sweaters are easily 20-30 years old (cashmere cardigans, etc.). Also, most are very basic shapes (like Eileen Fisher) and if I’ve sewn or knitted them, are bomb-proof. Seeing everything in my closet lined up by color makes me very happy.
I can relate to the full closet comment. I have a lot of clothes that are at least 40 years old. Classics and they still fit so why discard them? I do donate more trendy items after a couple of years. Of course, there are always the mistake purchases but luckily, they tend to be fairly inexpensive. I know I’ll never be a minimalist and I’m OK with that.
These wardrobes are so beautiful and cohesive. I especially love the Burberry scarf and the knit skirt and top set.
The only things missing for me are necklaces and a few patterned garments in some of the wardrobes.
Could the book/series be written by Mairi MacKinnon – I searched and found one title – A Bus for Miss Moss – which is part of the Usbourne Very First Reader series. I don’t remember the title, but perhaps this is one?
I’m pretty sure that the book I’m looking for is a LOT older than this – certainly written before 1969? But I really like the book that you suggested – it’s charming! Now, to find children young enough to give this to them!
hugs,
Janice
I did a lot of hunting for the book and couldn’t find it, but sent the info to my 15 year old son and he’s going to do some looking too! We are book lovers here. :) I am in love with the ginko scarf outfit this month. I would take all of it in a heartbeat!
Hi Janice and Everyone! Thank you for putting all the capsules together. Yes that is quite an a-maz-ing suede jacket. I appreciate the inclusion of lower heels/flats.
Now can somebody tell me where I can find –brown– shorts?!
House of Foxy has quite a few shades of brown for shorts
https://www.thehouseoffoxy.com/search?q=Shorts
I have no affiliation with them. Hope it helps.
Julie in Melbourne
My favourites are now the first three and the final one.
So many lovely wardrobes to choose from. You are excelling yourself!
I’d like to see a dress or two piece in an accent colour or pattern in each wardrobe. Patterned tops would also be good additions.
I would vary the shades of grey and navy in the Chrysanthemum and Hydrangea scarves. I feel that the darker shades seem to overpower the delicate accents.
My favourite this month us the pink and green. I’m experimenting with this combination, though light grey is my neutral though plum or burgundy are darker neutral options.
Hello everyone,
Just an idea on carrying change when you wallet doesn’t have a compartment for it.
In Ireland we ladies call a wallet a purse and to add to the confusion of others, we call a purse a handbag.
I use a wallet with a change section. However, I have friends who don’t carry a wallet (purse) and keep their cards currenciy (paper money) and change in the small zippered pocket in their purse (handbag). That zipped pocket is where I keep my keys so I can find them easily.
Best regards,
Susan from Dublin, Ireland
I was given a wallet/mobile phone wallet with a cross body strap. It also has a zip pocket for cash. Its very useful for quick trips to the shops or gym when you don’t want to take your handbag. The only downside is that the zip pocket isn’t expandable to take my bulky car key.
Just loving the brown, turquoise & Yellow wardrobe!! Beautiful brown leather goods!! Thank you for all your hard work for us!!!
My earlier comment must look out of place here as I was reading the “look back article” about the trip to Florida and the wallet Janice showed.
Sorry about that.
I am loving the black wardrobe with warm accents. I have always paired black with denim in the past and this is a nice change. When I used to dye my hair blonde, I avoided beige— I felt it was too similar. Now that my hair is it’s natural brown, I might give it another go. There might be enough contrast there.
Building with Tree of Life. I can claim a few of the camel items from my closet. But it’s 102 today. I just can’t do cashmere in July. I am loving my fabulous neutrals, though. Maybe I can substitute a linen blend cardigan… It’s so amazing to see all wardrobes this month. (Are we 1/2 way done? No!) I love the details and personalities in each one.
Happy 4th!
I’m so sorry for the Chicago area on a day of community celebration :(
My family stays off most media and I did not know there had been tragic event. I’m just so sad today.
I always enjoy these posts – you are the queen of wardrobe coordination!
I hope that next year you might include some more cool, vivid colors as they suit a lot of us. Even though I admire all the wardrobes, the olive, brown, and black wardrobe are too warm for me. The gray and navy are cool, but too subtle. Weirdly, I’m most attracted to the deeper tones of pink and green in the beige capsule.
I would also love a black and white wardrobe!
Will we see black and white in ’23? How soon do you start searching for the 2023 journeys? I do review previous years often. The year that you merged WTW and Annual Scarves… what a labor of love for us!
It was a busy weekend, so just now reading this. I wanted to second Julie’s comment re brown shorts at House of Foxy. Currently I own 2 of their skirts and 5 tops. I’m a UK 12 for bottoms, but depending on cut tops are 8-12. The shorts are similar fabric to my skirts, so would say pick according to what will fit your waist as the skirts have a teeny bit of stretch, but not much. Hand wash in cold with line dry works well on the skirts. Cool iron touch up is perfect. As for the wardrobes, I am still solidly loving the greens, turquoise and yellow, even if they aren’t in the same capsule. Those are just my colours. Thanks Janice for including something for the warmies. Last, but not least, wanted to say my thoughts are with those in Chicago. Such a stupid, tragic event.
That green suede jacket was to die for!
It will instantly make the person look polished and fun.
LOL. Here’s the last group I’ve got ready to go; need to make a little hat to finish the August set, but I’m not sure when I’ll get to it…
https://sewrandom.blogspot.com/2022/11/start-with-scarf-2022-july-set.html