August 3, 2022
Have any of you done enough shopping that you can see the trends for this autumn?
I’ve seen tons of clogs. Literally tons. I know that they’re very comfortable for people who work in hospitals, so I would assume that everybody might find them comfortable… Maybe if you need shoes, they are worth trying?
And someone, somewhere, put together a million miles of smocked fabric! Not the traditional smocking, like we used to do on gingham fabrics, where you would join together certain squares in the print with stitching to create beautiful patterns…
Nope – this smocking is machine stitched fabric that is gathered with elastic thread. There’s nothing inherently wrong with this fabric, except that you can’t swing a dead cat these days without running into racks and racks of tops and dresses (and occasionally skirts) that use it. I’m quite afraid that this stuff is going to look very dated in a couple of years!
So let’s stick with more classic garments…
Ruskin’s Meadow modal/silk scarf – PJ Studio Accessories
I keep hoping that someone will show up in the retail world with a whole BUNCH of duck egg blue sweaters…
hat – Maison Michel; brooch – The Met Store; olive cashmere cardigan – L.L.Bean; scarf – Bravery Co.; cashmere crewneck – L.L.Bean; chinos – Orvis; boots – Bogs
I’m not sure how many among us would wear head-to-toe olive green, or head-to-toe ANY color! But I have to admit that today I saw a striking number of people on the street in Chicago wearing solid black – much more than I normally would.
But investing in a couple of classic cashmere sweaters is a good idea if you live in a place where you can wear them for half the year!
This wardrobe has both variety and coherence!
Her new brooch might be surprising – the pink is unexpected – but her new scarf has some almost-pink in it. And of course everything doesn’t have to match EVERYTHING else – that would be impossible, and really boring…
A good hat can change everything:
Your pants or skirt can certainly be lighter in color than you sweater, right?
And this cardigan can probably be worn over almost anything in this wardrobe – that’s the kind of handy thing that you pack at the past minute, and then end up wearing every day of your trip.
I love this next scarf, although the color palette has proven to be…challenging!
Happily, I was able to find some lovely warm neutrals, with another wonderful beret. A beret is another of those things that makes sense to always pack – you can smash it down until it’s about as thick as a piece of cardboard, and if the weather turns cold, you will feel like a genius!
Blazer – Madewell; bee brooch – Joanna Buchanan; beret – Myssy; cashmere sweater – L.L.Bean; waterproof boots – UGG; scarf – The Tartan Blanket Co.; twill pants – J.Crew
I know that the new additions to a wardrobe fit in when I can’t easily pick them out of the full-wardrobe image!
These might be my favorite accessories…
And all 3 new garments bring a lot of new possibilities to this wardrobe; the ivory pants are genius…
So what is your shopping plan for this autumn/winter? Is anybody buying ONLY accessories? Or maybe just 1 garment? or just 1 color?
I’m buying scarves. It’s become an illness, but I keep telling myself that I will wear them with my black dress this fall…
love,
Janice
p.s. Seven years ago, our heroine built a “casual luxe” wardrobe around the colors in her Hermes scarf.
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I just purchased a French Five in a deep red as my accent color for Fall. It’s the first time I’ve selected all five pieces at once and I have to say shopping with a plan made me feel confident the purchases will be a great addition to my core capsule.
What five types of items did you buy?
I bought slim pants, a long sleeve fitted t-shirt, a tunic top, a boyfriend style cardigan, and a patterned long sleeve t-shirt that includes my two neutral colors (navy and olive) as well as the deep red. This gives me an inside column, an outside column (psuedo-suit), and a print to wear with either. I already own garnet jewelry: earrings (both stud and drop), a long necklace and a short statement necklace, a bracelet, and several scarves that have deep red so it was easy to just focus on clothing rather than accessories. If I didn’t already own the accessories, I would buy earrings and either a necklace or a scarf and forgo the tunic top and one of the t-shirts. Hard to say which one though – having an inside column that matches exactly is so useful, but the patterned t-shirt works with everything. So I’d probably buy the patterned t-shirt since it would be harder to find something like it in the future.
Wow. These collections and palettes are gorgeous! I just found this blog and I’m blown away by your creativity and vision. I can see I have a lot to learn!
My shopping plan for A/W is suits – I’m going back to full time work so I need suits that are well made, ethically sourced and fit me: getting rid of the “I can wear it just not overly comfortably” clothes has been a priority over the last few years.
As I refuse to wear black, and only wear blue or navy for about a quarter of the year, this is going to be a fun challenge.
Definitely no black for me either! Or olive, though I’d advise women who look fabulous in it to stock up. We are in year two of olive obsession in retail so it’s about time for the fashion arbiters to declare it passe’. Perhaps the next color craze will be duck egg blue! We can only hope the smocking will be mercifully short-lived. And please tell me this smocking binge won’t be paired with precious little puffed sleeves! 🙀
As for shopping strategy? Keep filling my neutral gaps in bright navy (not the one so dark you can barely distinguish it from black) and warm, chocolate brown and dove grey. Maybe I’ll knit a beret or two in bright colors I love. (Geranium red, flamingo pink, apple green, aqua) if I cannot find them in stores. I mean, wearing a beret in olive would be just a touch on the militant side, yes?
And head to toe black? Very chic on women with the perfect coloring for it, but in this heat?????? Gahhhhhhh.
Oh I forgot to mention – the smocked tops OFTEN have those little puffed sleeves! I would look like a buxom woman pretending to be a 3-year old girl if I dressed like that!
xoxo,
J
I just started on a physician directed weight loss journey… so I am focused on shoes and accessories for now. I seem to remember you did a post on a transitional capsule wardrobe, but I can’t find it now… can you post a link? Or update it for fall?
P.S. I also wish you could find some wonderful items in Robin’s Egg, particularly shoes!
I also was hoping for some blue shoes. I just bought these boots for my daughter and I think they would go perfectly with the second scarf, and possibly with the first, depending on how cool/warm they are in person. https://www.bornshoes.com/en/cove-11383.html?dwvar_11383_color=Turquoise%20Old%20Ford&dwvar_11383_width=M
These are so pretty!
Mrsrba, I think you are looking for this post. I will add a link. I hope. I searched for temporary wardrobe. Hope this helps and good luck!
https://www.theviviennefiles.com/2022/03/what-is-a-temporary-wardrobe-and-how-might-one-assemble-such-a-thing.html/
I am challenging myself this fall to a) buy no more than one item per week, b) item must replace something I wear often and c) item must be a neutral color. I am starting with a replacement pair of black sneakers with white details. I have worn my most recent pair into the ground while searching for the perfect accent shoes (which I never end up wearing). I am learning that it is more than ok to like what I like.
I am doing “nothing new in ’22” but have hit the wall. None of my clothes “suit”, so to speak, but I am holding strong! I am starting to plan what I will purchase in ’23 – I want to be very deliberate going forward (better late than never, right?). I do love your posts, Janice-thank you for all of your hard work!
You are certainly wise to recommend shopping now for fall, but it is hard to do when the days are sultry and I can pop out the door without boots and a jacket. In an effort to move away from navy as a neutral to a taupe, I have a pair of trousers in my cart,and might need to purchase them before they disappear.
I am enjoying the brooches and wondered if anyone has recommendation for a place to see how they can be worn. Also, is there a way to stabilize a brooch on lighter weight fabrics? Thank you
Check out Pinterest for “how to wear a brooch” or “brooch styling”. I have a huge collection of brooches, many of them rhinestone variations from the 30s through the 50s. The ones I get the most compliments on are a grouping (one or two of which look like snowflakes) across my shoulder on a white or grey cashmere sweater—it’s a great winter look.
Queen Elizabeth is a famous brooch-wearer and I believe an extra piece of fabric is placed underneath lightweight garments where the brooch will be pinned. Hers are loaded with gems so they must be quite heavy. I don’t know what type of fabric is used underneath for reinforcement but I would try something woven (not a knit) or felt.
Still loving the Ruskin’s Meadow. I bought a pair of army green chinos yesterday which will work very well as a neutral pant for me. I’ve added four blue pieces, a color which I’ve been working on incorporating for awhile now – two tops and two cardigans. Still mulling over a couple of tops in green, and a couple of neutral pieces I can’t quite decide on (including a ruana that has gold, beige, and gray). Green does amazing things for my eyes, but do I really need any more? And do I need a dark gray cardigan if I have a light gray cardigan?
I actually love REAL smocking, with embroidery, on linen, flax, or chambray but you’re only going to get that if you make it yourself. The horrible elastic stuff stretches out with only a few washes, so that is going to be trashed in a season or two.
Janice – thanks so much for all your creative solutions!
For your duck egg blue – try http://www.onequince.com. Almost all their tops come in pale blue. The quality and prices are Great! Love the $50 cashmere.
Hmm, I still love the ginko scarf for the colours. My shopping plan has been fluid, so more an outline of items that I want to find than a strict list. I finally found a pretty 40s a-line chambray dress to replace the one I wore until it got holes. Since I was shopping and had been waiting to buy more vintage style pieces that are work suitable, I added 4 blouses, a skirt and a pair of slacks. Once they arrive from England, my vintage work capsule will be 5 long sleeve blouses (cream, yellow, green, teal), 4 short sleeve blouses (mint, teal, blue, green), 2 sweater vests (moss, mustard), 3 skirts (mustard, terracotta, British khaki), a pair of slacks (teal) and the dress (denim). I can’t think of anything else to add now except the proper vintage style undergarments (camisole, slip, half slip, girdle). Have I forgotten anything that should be added?
A really nice lipstick in your favorite color- that’s all you need. Your work capsule sounds divine!
Depending on your era, maybe a scarf or two for your hair? Your wardrobe sounds divine!
When I went shopping a couple of days ago I felt like all the clothes were very warm colored (and I am a cool summer color type). There was very little I felt like I could wear. I know that is probably normal in Autumn, but a lot of these were summer clothes! If these are your colors, stock up!
I feel your pain. As a spring, these overly deep, greyed colors now offered just won’t cut it for me, either.
Same! I went shopping today and have received a lot of catalogues and web site notifications of new styles. Very few are in colors I can wear… which is good for my pocket but no fun! I particularly noticed a lot of rust/burnt orange and orangey-reds.
I just worked out my fall project 333 and evaluated my current summer 333. Filled some gaps all online at LLBean. I’m done shopping for another 3 months.
I ordered 2 winter weight pants in black- I need replacements for 2 that are ok but getting near their time
3 winter tops;
A sage green pullover in “dusty pine”
A long sleeve T-shirt in “vintage indigo” aka periwinkle blue
A 3/4 sleeve T-shirt in “sea pine” which looks close to duck egg blue if anyone needs to find that shade.
I replaced a summer top that’s wearing out in what they call “nautical aqua” which is definitely a duck egg blue shade but very much a summer sleeveless top. It’s my only sale buy & I am confident because I bought 1 in rose 2 months ago for my summer capsule and really got a lot of wear out of it.
The blessing and curse of a smaller capsule is that stuff wears out faster so I shop seasonally- great for the budget actually- even at full price I’m saving money over my previous buying pattern- I am buying less but I’m more accurate. The sizes & colours are available then.
I really get to know why 1 or 2 items get passed over in each capsule- eg a polo/golf shirt in my favourite shade of blush pink from my spring & summer capsules. I realized I don’t like golf/polo style knit shirts with the collar and placket. I was reaching for my blush pink scoop neck T-shirt every time. I’m donating it and making a mental note not to buy that type again.
I agree with your comment about getting to know “why” you pass over one item and choose a different item consistently. This information is key to making selections that you truly love to wear. It takes more time (as in many seasons) to learn what works best for you, but there is a real payoff in spending less money overall (even when spending more on individual items) and being able to hone in on the right items more quickly. And, of course, being happier with how you look and feel!
I’ve noticed a lot of clogs and smocking available as well. I like mules because I have narrow heels and they tend to get blisters when I wear loafers/ballet flats. But clogs seem kind of clunky for me.
Smocking is a hard no for me. I think it’s beautiful on younger girls or very thing but not flattering on me at all.
I am focusing on shoes and scarves for fall and plan on adding only 2 sweaters this season. I’m on the look out for a textured but not bulky sweater in ivory/beige/camel color (any reccomendations ?) and an olive green donegal sweater.
Curating your wardrobe seems to be an ongoing project but I’ve been working at it for almost a year now and it’s finally getting closer to my goal.
Thank you Janice for all of your insight and suggestions. You have been a tremendous help in this journey!
PS – Any thoughts on buying summer items on sale now for next year? I recently bought two tops for next summer but it kind of threw my budget out of whack.
I need to get shopping for Fall because it’s the one season I easily need a good bit!!! It is hot here in Tucson, AZ. during most of our Fall weather so I need Fall outfits in lightweight fabrics!! I’m really set for Winter!!! My goal is to buy nothing for winter unless it’s something really unforgettable special!!!
Wonderful selections today as well. My plan is to buy a couple of pieces to complete my common wardrobe and add variety. I’ve been dressing with such a small capsule due to weight loss (intentional), and I am ready to see new clothes. My colors are… difficult. Overall because I love brown and grey, but it is challenging to make them work together… In the future I will focus on getting more brown and beige, and will try to take a rest from gray. I do have a core of gray and more 2nd layers so I will distance myself from it to see how I do.
No accesories right now, my budget is dedicated to getting these workhorse pieces so everything can be more fucntional. Thanks of course to everything I’ve learnt here and to dressing with only a few items for almost 6 months, I have learnt what I like, what I reach for, and can finally have a plan. Thanks for all the formulas, templates and advice you give, Janice, where would I be without all this knowledge.
That first wardrobe is a dream. I’m that person can’t get enough olive — in fact, I’m hoping to find a ponte knit (or similar fabric) dress in that color for fall as well as one in a caramel brown.
Clogs … alas, not for these double-wide feet. I’m all for comfort but I stay away from anything that is clunky. It’s difficult to find ‘pretty’ shoes in my width. However, I’m with you on the scarves. I wear them all year and have quite the collection. I’m sure I’ll pick one or two up this fall.
I love the head to toe olive outfit…particularly with that gorgeous scarf! Seeing that scarf and brooch reminds me how much I would like that wardrobe with pink instead of gold (which is my nemesis color). I absolutely like combining darker and lighter olives in an outfit such as the darker sweater and lighter skirt.
I have plenty of clothes and am planning on continuing to shop my closet at least until the end of 2022, though I am still making upcycled magazine/catalog paper jewelry and am looking into ways to make upcycled fabric jewelry from my leftover fabric stash.
Thanks Mimi. The Besame line has everything a vintage girl could want for great lipcolour. TK, pre-purchase on sale for next year sounds frugal to me.
Thanks for today’s “look back.” 😉 I still love that scarf! As for this fall I’m replacing some pants that I’ve worn out, but I haven’t seen much to tempt me otherwise. I might just live with what I already own.
Janice,
As I am finally starting to get rid of my Covid era weight gain, I am holding off on all purchases until I start to look like Orphan Annie in too loose clothes and shall then be forced to thrift shop , which is tough, as I am 5’2 and really need petite sizes for true fit. Maybe become a true minimalist until I finish shrinking down ? Not really my nature , but we’ll see !
What is wonderful is that by next Summer I’ll be doing a LOT of fun shopping, starting with my neutrals , and maybe by then some smaller patterned garments in my colors shall be in the marketplace , I hope !
At my son’s university graduation last week (UK uni), my daughter and I were trend spotting from the vantage point of the Students Union balcony. I can report that the overriding trend for females of all ages were midi/ankle length loose dresses, soft and flowing or tiered, sometimes fitted with a frill (like my daughter’s dress). There were some puff sleeves but mostly balloon sleeves sitting at elbow or 3/4 length. Some ladies wore their dresses with a short, cropped jacket which looked chic and elegant. I wore an ankle length navy crepe skirt, a navy and white floral patterned top and a white short lace-knitted cardigan with elbow length sleeves.
I bought an orchid pink tiered dress with puffy sleeves (smocked at the back) in May and could have worn it, but as we were having a family photo, we tried to make sure that our clothes were colour co-ordinated. Navy and white is classic. My son had a navy suit with his black gown and red hood, hubbie wore navy blazer and cream trousers with his navy and red University tie and daughter had cream dress with polka dots.
I’m enjoying seeing these wardrobes, two at a time. Two of my favourites – the chrysanthemum and sampler scarves were last week. I did have a look at them but had no time to comment. I do agree that it can be difficult to find paler accents in autumn so I buy when I see and often charity shops come up trumps. I’m not looking to add to my wardrobe in any specific way apart from a pair of thick navy ponte or cord trousers. I have far too many autumn/winter clothes anyway.
Accessories yes – a pewter handbag to replace my tatty one, vintage jewellery will always be purchased. Scarves? I have too many but I keep a look out for particular colour combinations.
I don’t really need anything, but I am keeping an eye out for the new A/W clothes at Emmy Design. I love their vintage style. If I see a cardigan I love, maybe I’ll splurge there. https://www.emmydesign.se/en/
I really hope that no one is “swinging a dead cat these days” or at any other time. Perhaps better to retire this gruesome expression–particularly on what has otherwise been such a lovely, classy, helpful blog!
Hi Janice: The Ginkgo scarf is a particular favourite of mine – the colours are perfect for a dull, cloudy day! I can’t seem to find retailer information about another scarf in this blog post – the yellow, blue, brown landscape design; can you help? Many thanks, Jill