June 23, 2023
Now that summer is finally here, it seems that many of us are being called upon to get gussied up!
Yes, the term “gussied” always makes me laugh…
It’s always more challenging to find warm weather clothes in warmer shades…
It might be a wedding weekend, but it might also be a graduation, or an anniversary celebration – there are plenty of reasons to get dressed up and party in the summertime!
Cardigan – Alex Mill; earrings – Talbots; bracelet – Talbots; scarf- Aventura Clothing; tee shirt – L.L.Bean; chinos – Alex Mill; loafers – Talbots; weekender bag – Stoney Clover Lane
Our heroine isn’t at all sure what she wants to wear when, so she’s bringing an assortment of dresses with her, as well as a couple of tops and pair of bright jeans. Once she arrives, she can check with the organizers of things to see what will be most appropriate when.
And then she will wear what makes her most comfortable! Being appropriate is always important for comfort, but there are always those intangible things that can make you want to wear flatter shoes, or smaller earrings…
Dress – Caslon; scarf – Etro; pearl earrings – Spero London; green earrings – Adiba; green dress – Lygia & Nanny; roasted cocoa top – J.Crew; floral dress – Lavaand; round raffia bag – Betsy & Floss; topaz earrings – The Pink Reef; gold clutch bag – Nina; copper top – OFF>GRID; espadrilles – Softwalk; sandals – Talbots; yellow jeans – Madewell
She isn’t packing all that much, really, but she chose things that will give her options…
She knows that she shouldn’t obsess quite so much about what she’s going to wear – it’s not like she is going to be the center of attention! – but she knows the comfort that comes from being dressed JUST RIGHT…
And so, she has choices!
Are you traveling this summer?
love,
Janice
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I love Mucha paintings. I’ve been celebrating my 60th birthday, so I bought a new dress. Our daughter gets married at the end of the year so I’m assembling my outfit for that.
I’ve not heard the phrase “gussied up”. It sounds quaint and almost disapproving. A phrase perhaps used by older women when they see a young woman who is a bit too dressed up for the occasion so that she draws attention to herself. I found something online that suggested the first known use of the phrase was 1906 but no source was given. That figures.
I love the colours of this though they are not mine. Although the cardigan looks cosy comfy to travel in, it’s a bit to casual for dressing.up. perhaps swap it for a linen blazer or duster coat?
Beth, I remember my Mother saying it, in a self deprecating sort of way, back in the sixties. Gussied up to go into town sort of thing. I guess it could be judgemental.
“Gussied up” wasn’t really negative- it was more jocular, sort of self-mocking, but not in a self-loathing way!
Also, Beth, Happy Birthday! Sixties are, in my experience, one of the Best decades! Best wishes.
Happy Birthday, Beth t!
I love birthdays.
Happy birthday, Beth T! I was born exactly three months before you and my mother gave “Beth” to me as my middle name.
I hope you have a wonderful day!!
This is my absolute favorite so far. I love warm colors and I’m never quite sure how to wear them outside of autumn. Thank you for this beautiful capsule wardrobe!
Lovely feminine wordrobe.
Oh I adore this. My colours and with the exception of how that cardigan looks as if it might hang not quite right, I like the items. The mustard pants with the dark brown top and the mustard dress are very tempting.
Really wonderful capsule….for an autumn pallet what we call indian summer here in Canada….as the days are hot and cool nights….
Always love your work❤️❤️
Regina
Although I have this cardigan in a different color and love it, I agree it’s a little casual for the dresses, but would be ok with the pants. For some reason I just can’t work up any enthusiasm for this wardrobe – and I do wear brown, and orange, and olive. Perhaps it’s the dressing up part! Have a great day and weekend ladies.
I love dresses for summer! Cool and easy and can be dressed up or down with accessories.
By the way, “gussied up” isn’t judgemental at all. It’s just a cute way to say getting dressed up.
Yes, that’s how we use it, also.
Please update the cruise wardrobe from 2011 inspired by this painting!
I, too, would love to see Janice’s ideas for the cruise wardrobe inspired by this painting!
I also love Mucha and would love you to do more posts based on his work. Art nouveau and art deco are some of my favorite design inspirations. Ps I’m also in an arm splint and you don’t realize how much you take for granted until your mobility is limited. Laura
I love this wardrobe!!! I wore those colors before going gray. You were right, Janice about it being a challenge to shop for warm colors during warmer months. Oh how I struggled with that!!! There were MANY years I bought absolutely nothing during those seasons and would wait until Fall. Later, sometimes that would be challenging too. That is why I still never get rid of brown clothing unless it is stained or worn out. I keep it stored under my bed and still find myself pulling it out when the weather cools. I have a friend with similar coloring who does the same thing.
Now that my hair is graying, shopping is much easier with my cooler coloring! I’m now able to wear some slate-blues and some of the lighter shades of blue if they have warm undertones. My biggest challenge is to find muted flattering shades. Fit is still as big a problem as it ever was, though. I hate women’s non-standard sizing.
These were my mother’s colors. With her brown hair, brown eyes and creamy skin she rocked this pallette. She would have added some creamy whites, I think, for summer. She loved scarves, and might have added some smaller ones. She would have approved the sweater, except this one does not have pockets for her gold cigarette case.
As for summer travel I plan to stay close to home. I recently moved to a small city across the bay from San Francisco and am having a wonderful time exploring the area’s rich history and great food! Just decided, based on Janice’s question, that i will spend the summer taking the ferry to every destination on the bay. Dressing for the ferry ride plus lunch in different locations will be an interesting challenge. If you have any ideas, Janice……??
Take good care of yourselves, and have a lovely weekend.
Thank you for including warm colors. I can’t wear any of your other wardrobes and was about to delete your site.
My grandma would use the phrase “gussied up”. I never took it as derogatory; just my beloved wacky grandma and one of her signature sayings! I love this wardrobe for all life’s summer events. I like to wear easy-care dresses in the summer, so this really appeals. I would have to use a cool, predominantly blue palette, but this is so inspiring. I anticipate your posts each time, Janice as I never know what will capture my attention. Thank you for what you do!
My mother always used the expression “gussied up” in a fun way. “Let’s get gussied up for the Christmas party!”
Replying to Janice’s question… I have no big travel plans this summer. Hubby and I may make day jaunts to favourite spots. I dream of getting away to Prince Edward Island 🇨🇦 (one province away from me); we’ll see if it materializes.
You must come to PEI! Sitting in my cottage now watching the (windy) Northumberland Strait at the end of our property after an afternoon visiting a favourite tea room and doing some exploring and beach combing! The Island never disappoints, very blessed to own a tiny piece of it. I suggest a fall visit. Fewer crowds, everything is still open and Fall Flavours is a not to be missed experience! The first two weeks in September are an amazing time here…the weather is lovely, best swimming time too.
Ally, Your spot sounds heavenly as does your day’s agenda! Island tea rooms and beach combing….bliss! I will keep your suggestions in mind concerning the first half of Sept.
Waving from across the Strait!
Hi Janice, this was a torture. I saw that you posted my capsule, but I did n’t have time to look at it!!! Thank you so much!
Yes, it is difficult to find warm colors in the summer. I know! Shopkeepers seem to think that autumn coloured people only wear clothes in autumn. But this floral dress surely shows that it is possible for us to find something. I will need much more time to study this, but I am very happy already.
I love this! Yes, shopping for an autumn colour palette in the spring and summer is difficult. Great ideas here. Thank you Janice.
Beautiful colorway and I love the painting. Can’t wear these colors but it’s gorgeous! Not traveling this summer but Fall wedding and November in Portugal and Spain to look forward to!!
Some pretty garments but I am definitely not getting a summer vibe from this lot. Even those married to their rusts and browns will break out the warmer blues, yellows, grass greens and corals in the summer months. My mom did.
That heavy looking brown cardigan with the pretty dress🙄? Suede loafers in the July sun? Our heroine can do better for her get away weekend.
I’ve recently thrown caution to the wind and have been wearing these colors in spring/summer. Thought at first I was going against the fashion color gods – but hey – old enough to do it my way. Yes, please an updated travel capsule wardrobe in these colors inspired by this painting. These are my colors, along with burgundies or maroon or merlot or whatever it is being called these days. Am attending a wedding in September and will be in Indiana/Illinois area and already dreaming of what to pack.
Oh my niece’s September wedding is also in IN. Hoping it’s cooler than some of my September visits. I have already shopped my closet and have sleeveless and sleeved dresses picked out.
This capsule hangs together so beautifully! I love how two of the dresses are cut in that lovely simple way that you can add the accessories needed to take them in several directions. One of my most bitter complaints about recent fashion is how so many items of clothing are made with too many add-ons turning them into a single use garment! Like a costume.
Thank you for finding brown. It’s an incredibly useful neutral for those of use who can wear it. Seems as if the olive is more ubiquitous.