June 7, 2024
Say you’ve got a scarf you really need to wear, for whatever reason. And it’s not colorful…
This isn’t all bad – this is actually a fun challenge to see how much visual interest you can bring to a simple color palette:
An obvious place to start is with black and white stripes….
Striped tee shirt – Alex Mill; dotted earrings – CJ:314; scarf – Echo; white linen shorts – Lands’ End; backpack – Zatchels; sandals – Naot
The knitted texture of a solid sweater can make a lot of difference, as can a woven bag, or “perfed” shoes…
Earrings – Aracheli Studio; dress – J.Crew; scarf – Echo; cardigan – J.Crew; woven leather tote – Hobo; ballet flats – Geox
If you’re wearing black and white, you don’t want to miss the chance to find all of the black and white shoes you can!
Cardigan – The White Company; scarf – Echo; shirt – Lands’ End; bracelets – Fierce Lynx Designs; pants – J.Crew; loafers – Bandolino
Checks are always fun too!
scarf – Echo; earrings – Kate Spade New York; checked top – Eileen Fisher; Black sweater – Lands’ End; pants – Eileen Fisher; sandals – Jack Rogers
Ah, if you’ve got a chance to take a quick trip somewhere, there are worse ways to pack than this!
This isn’t exactly the way this is supposed to work – I’ve substituted a pair of shorts for a 4th top – but it still comes together quite well:
And it goes without saying that there are a number of ways to wear these garments – but I’m still going to share a few!
While I absolutely ADORE this wardrobe (which of course could be replicated in any 2 colors, if you have the patience), I have to admit that I’m curious to know how you feel about this scarf…
love,
Janice
p.s. Ten years ago, I started a wardrobe with a photograph of delphiniums… Of course I love a purple flower!
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Love, love, love this wardrobe – and also the scarf (folded though)!
My kind of style exactly and proof that a monochromatic wardrobe doesn’t have to be somber or boring. Items in any price range can be easily found and are a no-brainer to match.
And when l want to spice things up a bit, l add tan leather accessoires (something l also learnt from Janice).
Pop those black & white outfits with some red lipstick! 💋
I do like monochrome dressing but usually in shades of the same colour. However, I do like navy and white or grey and ivory. Black and white check looks grey from a distance, so that would work for me.
I only wear black and white separates for choir performances but even then I prefer an ivory blouse. I don’t even wear black at funerals (depressing thought) preferring navy, purple or grey.
The two tone shoes are great. I have a pair of white flats with navy toe caps.
The black and white always looks so sharp, crisp, and elegant. Bernadette, tan accessories sound lovely. Knowing myself I’d never be able to settle for just two colors though! Have a great weekend everyone!
Yeah, what I really want is some rich guy’s mug around my neck. Luckily there are plenty of other beautiful black and white scarves available. I have a gorgeous on from the Met Museum based on a Roman mosaic. These lovely clothes combos deserve better.
I KNEW you would say what I was thinking! I’m especially amused by the way he wears that cowboy hat like he’s not really from New Jersey… But everybody gets to reinvent themself, any way they want, as often as they want.
big hugs,
Janice
Ha! Places like Jackson, WY and parts of Montana and Colorado are FULL of east coast natives wearing boots & hats. It’s amusing… not that I begrudge them this choice. I’m a westerner by birth…and always have western boots in my wardrobe. True classics!
The black and white check set?! Be still my beating heart! What a fabulous travel group for a European tour! Throw in two more t-shirts and a rain jacket, yes, please, let’s GOOOOOOOOO! I agree, no thanks Ralph, isn’t putting the RL symbol on clothing enough for you? I’m from NJ currently in SC so you really made me laugh with Jersey cowboy!
I own A LOT of the Eileen Fisher checked – some grey and white, some black and white, and I wear it all summer. I can pretty much live in it – its cool, easy to launder, looks wonderful…
hugs,
Janice
I don’t like clothes with the designer’s name on them. And I wouldn’t want a man’s face on a scarf, either. But the principle of solid colour with thin lines of a light neutral, I really like. Just the right amount of interesting contrast for me. I love the wardrobe you created Janice, and like others, am a big fan of the checked outfit. And the black and white loafers! I would not look good in this gorgeous black and white wardrobe, but in navy and off-white, or charcoal and off-white – yes please!
LOVE the Eileen Fisher set!!!
Not too fussed by the scarf itself, but the wardrobe is lovely. I dressed like this in my 20’s as I could get away with high contrast. Now i love colour as an older, grey woman lol.
Ditto! It was a lot easier to pull off black when my hair was almost black!
I hadn’t thought of a basically sold scarf as a wardrobe element, but I can definitely see how this would work in anything but black for me. It’s not my most flattering color.
Honestly, I don’t love the scarf. I do love the wardrobe however! I would add accessories in hot pink or red to spice things up, but it’s also beautiful just as it is.
I just appreciate your efforts so much! The classic styles ensure I can actually find alternates if needed. I also don’t feel like I’m dressing in a “try hard” way; I can embellish/“trendify” if I want to, but the sets you show are lovely for me. I know the term “quiet elegance” has extra meanings these days, but that’s what I love in this offering and your others. Thank you!
Hi Janice
Really love the ideas. Agree with the comments that the scarf is not the best option. Our work has decided to give all the ladies uniform this year (after 10 loooooong years) in colours of black, white and Grey so super excited to get some ideas for garment shapes and combo’s. We will be getting a 7 piece set – 2 bottoms, 2 second layers and 3 blouses. All the tips that I have picked up from the Vivienne files over the years will be utilized well.
Brilliant job of finding those black/white shoes.
I guess I’m the odd one out. I rather like the scarf plus I love the foundation the money goes to.(I read about each one) I have always liked the “Ralph Lauren” look, boots a denim/chambray shirt, tan leather, you know. The scarf would pretty much always be worn folded so one really wouldn’t see the design. As always Janice put together a smashing wardrobe. Yes the black and white shoes are brilliant!
I’m rather intrigued by the scarf (though i’d never wear it because it’s black) but I picture it worn atop a bright color. It’s that sort of color contrast that appeals to me. While this wardrobe most likely appeals to many people, I’d be miserable if I had to wear it. It takes plenty of color to make me feel comfortable with my outfit. Isn’t it amazing how different we all are?
I’ve been thinking a lot about traveling with a wardrobe that requires no more than two laundry loads. I especially like the flexibility: shorts and a pair of everyday-go-anywhere pants and a really nice dress are all included. This set is beautiful, and I wish I could wear it. So crisp and clean, and the stripes and checks give it a wonderful energy. I’d love to see a similar collection in dark brown and white or dark taupe and white or off-white.
Ah, if I ever run into a trove of printed garments in those (or other) colors, I will definitely revisit this idea!
hugs,
Janice
I love this. Have been getting away from too much black but just lately I’m realising that despite my age and grey hair it’s the look I love best. Now to lose the navy which has been a mistake. Black, white and a couple of bright colours such as emerald are definitely my thing.
Janice,
I know the tops are basically a mix of black and white, but the overall look on my monitor comes across as gray , therefore providing 3 values to this grouping, black, white, and gray , which to me provides a more pleasing view and visual variety of outfits than pure black and white . I might try this with a sliding scale within the brown family, from ivory , then tan, and through to chocolate brown. Finding patterned tops to comply with that idea is the trick !
I would do posts like this in a range of colors if I could readily find the clothes!
hugs,
Janice
Janice,
You feel my pain !
What intrigues me is how the mostly medium value tops work across the board with the gray, and the black and the white ! I am also loving the elements of patterned black and white accessories as well as textural contrasts ! All work together to make a visually interesting and varied grouping, which is always what I prefer ! Though you already know that I don’t wear black, I am loving this post for what I am gleaning from it that I can apply to myself, which is what I always try to do with your posts that offer colors other than what I wear . So thank you !
Fabulous capsule, just my cup of tea 🥰
Perfect wardrobe for the month of May here in Indy. Black and white clothing and accessories, a la the checkered flag, are the fashion choices for Indy 500 activities.
I would NEVER have thought of that – thanks for taking the time to share!
hugs,
Janice
Love all your ideas and inspiration. I never wear scarfs though, they just feel too bulky for me. Although, they are so beautiful I own some but they languish, unused in a drawer.