January 2, 2023
Well THAT was weird to type…
Our six heroines all decided that they wanted to go shopping to augment the TWO garments with which they started our year-long adventure.
If you have something specific in mind that you want to buy, this is a difficult time of year to shop; lots of stores are sold out of all of the really nice things, and much of what’s left is only available in a limited number of sizes.
But our heroines know that places like L.L.Bean will ALWAYS have a good assortment of timeless, classic garments. When you have very few clothes, buying trendy things is silly!
Let’s visit our heroines and see what’s up!
First up she thought that a black jacket would make sense. Being the iconoclast that she is, she really wants WHITE jeans. Yes, for winter. Sure she can’t wear them when it’s slushy, but she doesn’t care!
A matching tee shirt and loafers? Why not?
Jacket – J.Crew; onyx earrings – Gemondo; white jeans – L.L.Bean; scarf – Susi Bellamy; azalea tee – L.L.Bean; loafers – Jack Rogers
Here’s what she already had:
Black cashmere crewneck sweater – J.Crew; earrings – Gemondo; purple silk scarf – Elizabetta; tote – Dagne Dover; velvet loafers – Birdies; black pants – L.L.Bean
At this point, her 5 garments are a tidy capsule; with the addition of a tee shirt or 2, one could travel for a long weekend with no trouble with this wardrobe!
Our next heroine sticks to softly blended warm shades of brown, café au lait and ivory:
How often can you find a sweater, scarf and loafers that go together SO well? And yes, this is the same jacket as her friend above bought…
Earrings – Banana Republic; ivory jacket – J.Crew; café latte sweater – J.Crew; scarf – Talbots; natural jeans – L.L.Bean; loafers – Talbots
She started with an ivory sweater and café latte velvet pants:
Natural cashmere sweater – J.Crew; earrings – Gather Brooklyn; camel scarf – J.Crew; weekender – Paravel; loafers – Nine West; café latte velvet pants – J.Crew
This is already wonderful!
What a softly evocative painting, and color palette:
This heroine could go NO further in her wardrobe planning until she got some denim!
Blue charm earrings – The Met Store; cardigan – L.L.Bean; denim shirt – L.L.Bean; Chinese cloud scarf – The Met Store; boots – Munro; faded indigo jeans – L.L.Bean
Her starter core of grey is perfect with her new additions!
Grey cashmere crewneck – J.Crew; earrings – Pure Crystal Jewelry; grey scarf – Nordstrom; tote – Dagne Dover; silver loafers – Cole Haan; pants – L.L.Bean
This is clearly the wardrobe of a heroine who is casual, but has a clear vision of what she loves:
Our next heroine is inspired by this painting – it IS inspiring!
Warm navy and a shirt in a color they call “barley.” I’ve never seen barley this color, but whatever…
Gold leaf earrings – Smilla Brav; barley denim shirt – L.L.Bean; navy quilted top – L.L.Bean; plaid scarf – Double RL; boots – UGG; navy twill pants – L.L.Bean
She had started her wardrobe with rust and natural, and the BEST weekender bag you’ve ever seen…
Redwood cotton sweater – Orvis; glass earrings – Lala Salama; ivory cloud scarf – Nordstrom; bag – OSTWALD Finest Couture Bags; loafers – Sofft; stone twill pants – L.L.Bean
This just feels like walking into her favorite painting, doesn’t it?
Our next heroine is an interesting woman… Not everybody would find their style inspiration in a Rothko painting!
Her shopping didn’t result in a clear-cut outfit; she doesn’t care!
Peridot earrings – Jane Basch Designs; navy Donegal cardigan – L.L.Bean; yellow sweatshirt – L.L.Bean; olive scarf – Tuckernuck; faded indigo jeans – L.L.Bean; boots – Camper
The few items with which she started will get lots of use when combined with her new purchases:
Navy cashmere crewneck – J.Crew; lapis earrings – Margot Fox; scarf – Paul Smith; expandable weekender bag – Longchamp; loafers – Jack Rogers; navy twill pants – L.L.Bean
You can just tell that this is going to be a wardrobe like we haven’t seen before!
Our next heroine is inspired by the subtle softness of this:
When she found all kinds of pink things available, she was thrilled!
Especially the loafers, eh?
Pearl earrings – ninemoo; rose tee shirt – L.L.Bean; rose cardigan – L.L.Bean; Vanessa scarf – Elizabetta; natural jeans – L.L.Bean; loafers – Steve Madden
We can already get the feeling that this heroine doesn’t worry about laundry…
Ivory cashmere sweater – Lands’ End; earrings – Pebble and Loop; light blue scarf – Nordstrom; bag – Belle & Bloom; loafers – Lifestride; antique alabaster cords – Lands’ End
Ah, such prettiness!
It’s hard to reach any conclusions when you’ve only got 5 garments and 7 accessories, but I suspect that our heroines’ personal styles will become more and more clear as time passes…
love,
Janice
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These are all good outfits idea! All loafers look good and high quality!
♥️ I love them all.
Happy New Year, Vivienne!
I love that you are using some of our favorite paintings from past wardrobes. I think this is the first time there are 3 I could see myself having as my own wardrobe. I always enjoy this series, but this year is going to be especially fun.
You must have read my mind from Chicago to Boise! I have been coveting a pair of natural jeans and just spotted those tan loafers at Talbots. When the weather gets slushy, we can always tuck the jeans into our boots!
The caffe velvet pants will be the base for something dressier, won’t they?
Linda, I’m right there with you – I have four I could be quite happy with.. jheez. I kept scrolling down thinking, “I like this one, oohhh I like this one….” Going to be delightful to see how they progress.
I felt exactly the same way. None of them are exactly my colors, but the styles are definitely me. Looking forward to 2023!
The Renoir group looks like it fits well with last years Tree of Life scarf which was my fave. I’m also loving the Degas browns and creams . Happy New Year .
I laughed when I saw “This heroine could go NO further in her wardrobe planning until she got some denim!” That is so true for me. I can hardly wait to see how this wardrobe develops.
I just adore Paysage Algerienby Renoir and the wardrobe you are doing in browns, ivory’s, navy’s and moss greens!!! You’ve started with some beautiful outfits!!! I’m so excited to see what you do with all these wardrobes but especially with this one I talked about above!!! Happy New Year!!!
The Nordstrom site is down. Here is a Dillard’s link for the pink loafers.
https://www.dillards.com/p/jack-rogers-dolce-nubuck-drivers/515526254?googleShop=Y&cm_mmc=GooglePLAs-_-Category+-+Categories+-+Performance+Max-_-Jack+Rogers-_-Cj0KCQiAnsqdBhCGARIsAAyjYjSpHgIBh57C7lwSbnqLDFgwBNnEoXHGCMZjI2Uwj_tiMdjXMB7LF3kaAn2PEALw_wcB&gclid=Cj0KCQiAnsqdBhCGARIsAAyjYjSpHgIBh57C7lwSbnqLDFgwBNnEoXHGCMZjI2Uwj_tiMdjXMB7LF3kaAn2PEALw_wcB
Site is back up, so disregard post above.
I agree that I could easily live with 3 or 4 of these collections. Maybe it’s because they are softer, a little more neutral. For those who want/need brighter colors ( Sally in St Paul) it would be simple to add. Really looking forward to this series this year!
Amanda, and your observation is precisely why only number one works for me. I need clear, cool colors. Even in – ahem- old age, I’m a classic Winter. But no worries, I’m happy to read along, and I like the evolution of number one so far.
I could definitely work with the softer neutrals like the grey + denim or navy + olive and add some brightness to them. I’m loving the black, white, and bright pink so far too. Lots of great things in these wardrobes already!
The Renoir and Degas wardrobes are really speaking to me. Such lovely warm colors! Look forward to seeing how they evolve.
So glad you’re over your bout with Covid. Happy New Year!
These all look wonderful! I’m really looking forward to seeing how these wardrobes develop. Surprisingly, the all-tan/beige wardrobe is especially interesting to me even though I cannot wear that colour palette.
The casual “Normandy Train” wardrobe will be fun to follow. I’m hoping that heroine sees the comfort of a denim skirt and explores its possibilities. I know many “casual” real life heroines who basically live in denim skirts.
The “Paysage Algerian” is also calling to me; I think it’s the navy in tandem with the deep rusty colour. We humans are funny. I lived with a rust/orange/gold- fatigue for decades – a carryover from my mother’s exuberant love for those colours in the Seventies. But, I’ve moved on and really appreciate those colours now, even though I can’t wear many of them near my face.
I just wish that painting had used a forest green rather than sage/moss. But, that’s what Renoir chose so who am I to argue with HIM? 🤷♀️
2023……here we go!
LOVING these posts this year! The scarf series have been fun, but this one seems more exciting somehow. And, despite my love for color, I am swooning over the Degas wardrobe. Looking forward to more!
I, as many others, really love four of the wardrobes. I can see myself wearing any of the items. I think, “Barley,” refers to the color of the grain before it is harvested. My closest neighbor, Dr. Newman, researched the growing of barley. He and his wife, Dr. Rosemary Newman, traveled extensively lecturing and teaching the nutritional and medicinal benefits of barley. Also, my father grew barley, among many other grains. Happy New Year, Amy
Fascinating! Thanks for taking the time to share – I learn something new every day!
hugs,
Janice
I am a classic winter with a black core. I am drawn to the bright colors. However, as I have aged and my hair is mostly silver (looks like mink!) I find the black to be too stark especially near my face. I do love my black jeans though. Would it be better for me to have a core of gray instead?
It all depends on what you like! My hair is quite grey, with purple highlights, and I still wear tons of black because I am a black-wearing person. For me, it’s a question of personality! But there really are no rules…
love,
Janice
I just love how you always say “there are no rules”
I hear from people ALL THE TIME who are absolutely paralyzed by all of the “rules” that we’re told must control how we dress. Humbug. One of my favorite people on Instagram is a man with a full beard and mustache who wears vintage dresses… Rules aren’t necessary if you know what you like!
hugs,
Janice
I would sub the black for navy in the first wardrobe.
Deb, I see gray in the topcoat of the man in the foreground of the painting. I think gray, black, or, as Beth T suggested, navy would all work with the accent colors.
I’m doing the first one but with navy instead of black. I ordered the azalea tee and I threw in a purple one as well, thinking this capsule will need it eventually. I have a very similar scarf already and I am not a white pants wearer (too clumsy) so will have to think of an alternative. Looking around for a smart navy teddy coat now, and sad that the pink loafers (the best part!) are sold out in my size.
Check down through the comments; someone posted a link to the loafers in a different store!
hugs,
Janice
Thanks! I just checked there too and they max out at 9.5. I’m a 10! But I put my name on the nordstrom notify me list – I know people return things all the time, so I’ll keep my fingers crossed!
I’d naturally be drawn to the first painting as pink, blue and purple form my favourite colour combinations. However, if the are going to be bright, I shall have to tone it down. My favourite is the train waiting at the station. Green, blue and grey are such restful colours.
I have a number of celebrations this year – significant wedding anniversary, 60th birthday and a wedding in the autumn
I shall be reviewing my evening and occasion wear throighout this year. A pair of black velvet trousers or a velvet skirt is on the list of gaps.
What a great start to a new year! I am drawn to the Degas and Renoir wardrobes which are similar to my own wardrobe. I am looking forward to the spring and summer items you add to these wardrobes, because I need help lightening my wardrobe for warmer weather.
Janice,
The Degas Peasant Woman would be my starting core , but I would love for you to add and develop some balancing cooler tones, such as in the curtain behind the woman. with what appears to be a sage green on my monitor .
Hope you are feeling rested and fully healed ! I had to go to an emergency care today for a non Covid reason, but there were many people checking in with Covid type symptoms !
Everything is lovely. I hope you and your family are feeling better, and wish you all the good things this year.
This series is my favorite, I love seeing the process of building a wardrobe based on a color scheme and intelligent decision making, thank you. My favorite so far is the brown and ivory one. Brown is one of my neutrals, but it has been hard to find. I needed a few things this winter but the stores didn’t have the color, so I had to choose pink instead, which is an accent in my chosen palette. It works, but I still would like brown to make a more subdued, monochrome look. I’ll be patient…
Street, Berlin has always been a favorite post. Happy to do it this year. Thank You.
This blog is just so much fun! Stumbled across it a couple of months ago. It makes getting dressed in the morning a much more interesting and creative endevour, using combinations I never tried before. Thank you so much for giving links to all the stuff; bought a pair of pants, already. I usually read while I dress…book on counter, anchored with a weight…now I spend more time imagining what will look nice with what.
I love ALL of these, even the ones with colours I wouldn’t wear. Rosa Silber, Normandy Train and Berlin all have colours I love so I look forward to inspiration from each one, including the 3 with colours I wouldn’t wear. The textures, the casual ease of all of them really feels good! Thank you Janice!
These are lovely so far. I like how already we have different colors of bottoms in each set and more jeans! (thanks for listening Janice! :)) I would happily wear the four middle ones (just not the black or white) even if they aren’t quite my colors and sub navy for the others.
The Monet and Klee paintings/wardrobes are, combined, my wardrobe! I use neutrals of navy/denim, white, and a little grey, with soft to medium pinks, purples and blues. (Once in a great while I forray into a softer olive or a soft red on a whim, but that’s a different story for a different day.) So I’m so excited to follow these outfits. I never wear black, or super-saturated colors, so I’m so happy to have two wardrobes that I resonate with this year.
I always enjoy this series and am really excited to see how all of the wardrobes develop using the paintings. Like many others, I’m drawn strongly to the Renoir and Degas, as I need predominantly warm colors. However, I would love to see the possibility of bringing in a bit of the gray in the background of the Degas, as I’m continually fascinated by the idea of combining warm and cool colors. I also love the Monet painting and will be following that wardrobe closely because it is so easy to blend those soft muted shades. I appreciate that you started with a cluster of 5 items (1 topper, 2 tops, and 2 bottoms) for most of these wardrobes, as I tend to think of wardrobe building in this way, too.
I am following the Rothco painting. I love the colors and the painting.
Am I a lone ranger here? I alsofind this a great start to the year. Lots of ideas here