April 24, 2023
Why yes, I’ve completely lost track of time; you should HEAR what I did to my mother, getting confused about an appointment and wandering around the city for HOURS… Sigh…
But let’s visit this season, literally a day before I get to THE NEXT season. It’s a good thing that I work for myself, eh?
Here in Chicago, we’re betwixt and between – some VERY warm days were followed immediately by snow… It’s hard to know what one will need from week to week…
Pearl & pink tourmaline earrings – Mounir London; cardigan – J.Crew; white gauze top – J.Crew; scarf – Elizabetta; white gauze pants – J.Crew; sandals – Bernardo Footwear
But I think that (once your warm weather clothes are sorted through and ready to go) many of us might be wise to purchase just ONE complete outfit to wear through the spring and summer.
Dress – Boden; earrings – Kendra Scott; cardigan – Boden; bracelet – Double Bone Bracelets; bag – Sinbono; sandals – Jeffrey Campbell
After you’ve taken a good hard look at what you DO have to wear this summer, you might find that there’s a gap in your wardrobe. Nothing to wear to a wedding? That big “picnic” that your boss throws every summer? Maybe something to wear for a day in the city at museums?
Maybe just to celebrate warm weather?
Although this Japanese season is described as “Clear and Bright,” you might prefer an outfit in charcoal, with gold trim…
Embroidered tee – Orvis; earrings – Matr Boomie; bracelet – Harbour UK Bracelets; carbon linen pants – Orvis; hooded sweatshirt – Orvis; gold espadrilles – Paul Green
Maybe you can stock up on useful neutrals, punctuated by a pretty shirt and some garnet earrings…
Linen sweater – L.L.Bean; garnet earrings – Gemondo; floral shirt – L.L.Bean; shorts – L.L.Bean; bag – Sensi; modern ivory sandals – Sam Edelman
Can you smell these through your screen?
It’s always efficient to buy a couple of tops to wear with new summer capris…
Washed mulberry marl cardigan – Lands’ End; earrings – Classicharms; pendant – Classicharms; linen cropped pants – Lands’ End; linen tunic – Lands’ End; sandals – VanEli
And even if you love brown, you can find something that’s perfect for warm weather!
Allspice tank top – Lands’ End; earrings – Matr Boomie; linen tunic – Lands’ End; allspice linen pants – Lands’ End; scarf – Susi Bellamy; sandals – Sam Edelman
Maybe you’re not going to do anything more strenuous than walk around and admire flowers – you still have to wear clothing!
love,
Janice
p.s. Six years ago, our heroine packed black, white and pink for a lazy weekend!
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That weird weather pattern seems to be hitting most regions in North American.
Layers! A pretty raincoat or jacket is nice to have right now.
Interesting that brown is showing up again. It can look really nice with turquoise or aqua, apple green, bright blue, salmon, bright apricot, bright warn pink, and lovely cream or ivory. I like it with a pretty orange red.
Now, I’ve got to scurry off to check out the brown pieces and that Biden dress you linked. 😍
So agree that brown is a versatile color to have for above listed colors as well!! I try to also keep in mind that our Fall’s are generally warm here in the desert of Arizona so I will be able to wear the browns then and it will at least feel Fall like!!!
That first outfit is just beautiful. I was thinking about Japanese Seasons just the other day and how it seemed like we hadn’t seen one in awhile. Still in warm winter clothes/layers here. Maybe by the end of the week? We are supposed to have some really nice weather. We are ready, let me tell you! I”m trying to sort out a packing list to Minot ND to see the boy first of July – figuring out holes as I know it will be warm there…… Happy Monday everyone!
I was just mentioning that we are in second winter here in southeast Michigan. I want to wear my green/white/black (wish it was navy!) Michael Kors trenchcoat, but, alas, it was the winter parka again today.
Love the Lands End linen outfit in brown but disappointed to learn that the shirt runs so large that even the X-Small chest measurement of the garment is 42. Had it been available in 40 inches, I would have purchased the exact outfit in both the Allspice and white. Also beware the armholes on the tank for size medium are measured at 10 1/2 inches from top of shoulder seam to bottom seam! I don’t know what’s going on at Lands End, but thank goodness you can always ask for measurements prior to making purchasing decisions. I love the look of the outfit so much I will continue to search for a nice linen shirt, sleeveless top, and wide leg pant.
It’s so rainy here all week….hopefully the last of it before the ‘clear and bright’ of May. So it’s still my black raincoat with a bright umbrella and rose gold rain boots.
This time of year I’m starting to break out the linen. Right now it would be regular pants like chinos, a linen tank, and a cotton/linen cardigan, but on the hottest days ahead it will be head to toe linen. And yes, bring on the color!
I’m just beginning to move into cotton trousers from cords and long sleeve tees/shirts from polo necks. The weather is very changeable in my part of the UK. It starts out nice – sunny and warm but yesterday we had heavy rain with thunder and lightning. The temperature dropped too.
I love the pink and lilac outfits. It’s nice to see a floral dress and cardigan. Such an easy outfit to wear. The lilac bush in my garden is beginning to bloom and all the tulips are out. I love spring.
Beth T, I am preparing for a trip to London in a month, will be there for 8 days, with a variety of activities. Can you please advise me about what to expect from the weather and what people wear?
Hi Laurie.
It’s usually getting warmer by the end of May. The weather in England is always changeable. Even the Met Office Long Range Forecast is vague! Pack a jumper, a light mac and an umbrella plus sunglasses, sun hat and suncream! Comfortable shoes for sightseeing/shopping – for some reason London streets are hard on the feet.
British style of dressing seems to get more casual with every passing year. People hardly ever dress up (which is a shame) but it might be different if you’re going somewhere really smart or posh like the Ritz. If in doubt – smart/casual.
Hope you have a good trip. 🤗
Beth T, I am preparing for a trip to London in a month, will be there for 8 days, with a variety of activities. Can you please advise me about what to expect from the weather and what people wear?
See my reply above.