March 4, 2025
A painting that I love, and a wardrobe that grows on me every time I look at it:
At the end of February, our heroine had this very tidy and versatile (as well as lovely!) 12-piece wardrobe:
Our heroine decided that she was going to try to fill in some of her cold-weather basics, before they vanish from stores in favor of bikinis! She knows that – even though it seems like it’s the end of winter – there are still at least a few more weeks of weather plenty cold enough for a turtleneck.
If you’ve been looking for wool pants that are lined, I found these; you see them pretty often here, but they’re a rare species of garment here in the 21st century…
Earrings – The Met Store; navy sweater vest – L.L.Bean; ivory & navy turtlenecks – Lands’ End; scarf – Burrows & Hare; loafers – Amalfi by Rangoni; lined wool pants – Alex Mill
Now, when she looks at her Weekly Timeless Wardrobe template, she feels like she’s made progress in the right areas. Of course, one can assemble their wardrobe in any order that’s pleasing – nobody is going to check your shopping bag for seasonality!
There’s no big change to this wardrobe this month – not like our heroine who decided to add ivory to a dark wardrobe! – but it just continues to grow in a pleasing and appealing way.
And what will she do with her new clothes? I’ve got ideas!
I know I say this every month, but I feel like I would choose these colors, and this direction, if I ever had to start from scratch. Heaven forbid!
love,
Janice
p.s. Earlier episodes of this wardrobe can be found: Christmas Day Preview, January additions, February additions.
p.p.s. A very special look back today, at Edith and the Kingpin by Jack Vettriano. The artist died over the weekend, and I own him a debt for this painting, and the creativity he sparked in me… The post that I wrote for the holidays is absolutely the best work I have ever done – right down to faking letterhead from the resort where Edith works!
Like this wardrobe? Save it to Pinterest!
Thank you for the look back. Edith is one of my all time favorite heroines.
I send that, love it! Perhaps we have an update on Edith?
Agreed. I loved the whole Edith and the Kingpin story….and the clothes!
I can’t wait to see what you add to this lovely wardrobe for warmer weather. And thank you for the links to the Edith posts – I reread them all and they are so very enjoyable!
Thank you for reminding us of the romance of Edith and the Kingpin. Her wardrobe is so chic and elegant.
I would like today’s heroine to be inspired by Paris. An injection of elegance to lift a plain wardrobe. Simply a more refined cut and style for chic and elegance.
With you on this! I love the colors & the practicality, but that matter of fact Parisienne polish is missing here. The second to last outfit starts to lead in the right direction…
Very nice new additions.
I found a pair of fabric pants secondhand (in dark blue and light brown).
The colors are simply beautiful.
The “weekly timeless wardrobe“ template is helpful — does such a tool exist for accessories too?
Another “Edith and the Kingpin” fan here. Very memorable, possibly because it’s the only heroine who has a name?
Yes – she’s the only one with a name! Good catch…
I’ve never done a Weekly Timeless Wardrobe for accessories because they’re SO personal. One of us will have two dozen scarves (at least) while another will have two dozen bracelets – you get the picture. I don’t think I could ever tell someone that they HAD to have a certain number of some accessory – it would be treading on personal style territory that’s not open to alteration!
love,
Janice
Love this! I am especially crazy about the blue sweater vest. I can see this piece with a navy floral skirt and a short sleeved white tee as we head into warmer weather, as well as a pair of chocolate or navy espadrilles. I can picture this outfit so clearly in my mind that I think I’m going to try to create it!
This painting really is intriguing. What is the view we are seeing in it beyond the tower at street level? Is it the palace at the garden…the name escapes me.
These wardrobes are shaping into truly useful and beautiful choices. I’m always in for items that can be changed in mood with a few wonderful accessories.
I think it’s the Palais de Chaillot, across the river: https://www.parisdigest.com/monument/palais-de-chaillot.htm
Thanks. 💙 I only had a few days in Paris in 2019 wallowing in art, food and a bit of World Cup action. I plan to return as it is definitely a city that must be savored over many visits.
I adore this wardrobe. I actually started down this path a couple of years ago (navy and brown), and discovered it just wasn’t for me. Which doesn’t mean I can’t like it. I find it a little too dark, and I prefer (for me) more color. I love the greens in this. I do wear a fair amount of green – so I could still incorporate these into my wardrobe. Especially that flannel shirt!
Being a cool season, I am cautious with brown, but I liked this painting so much that I did my own version with the bits of brown I have, and a similar green sweater that, serendipitously, showed up at the thrift store. Since posting that, I have added a couple more cool, muted brown things, like a t-shirt and a linen-blend shirt. Hoping for warmer days ahead!
(I tried to link in my sig but it wouldn’t let me, so here it is: http://deweystreehouse.blogspot.com/2025/02/green-and-leafy-late-winter-wardrobe.html )
Mamasquirrel, I like your interpretation of this color scheme that you have on your blog! I like how you lean into the teal!
Great work, mamasquirrel! It’s fascinating to see how you pulled together your own interpretation from your closet.
I’m curious to see how you build it through the remainder of the year.
We wear the same colours so I always love your interpretations and colour swaps. I too would probably envisage this wardrobe with soft blue, navy, teal and taupe with a hint of ivory.
I’m enjoying watching this wardrobe develop. I love the green and navy – and would happily wear the green and brown pieces together – but I’m not quite ready to mix navy and brown. I’m intrigued to follow it through the year to see how your work with those colours.
I adored your many posts with stories and Edith and the Kingpin were a particular favourite. Another great favourite of mine was your opera singer who wore only dresses. I would LOVE to see what she would wear in 2025 (still in dresses).
Wendy, I too hesitate at the brown navy combo. I know it can be done, I guess it depends on the brown. A cool brown, I would think, a bit taupeish.
It all depends on your navy and your brown. Warm brown, not too dark, goes well with a brighter navy. A medium brown or tan works well, too. But, yeah, a very dark brown and dark navy can be difficult.
FYI, this was my original inspiration for brown and blue:
https://www.theviviennefiles.com/2022/12/start-with-a-scarf-leshy-by-ilona-tambor.html/
I really like these colors and the cozy striped scarf is beautiful/perfect. sheila thank you for that look back reminder. A favorite inspiration for travel! Janice thanks for the Edith and the Kingpin look backs. I truly enjoyed them AGAIN!!! We are enjoying another glorious , although windy, day in Sugar Land. Have a nice day ladies.
Janice, I adored your Edith and the Kingpin posts – the story, the atmosphere, the evocation of an earlier time, and the colours of the wardrobe. I’ve gone back to them several times for a refresher, and did so again when I heard last night that Jack Vettriano had died. Thank you for them, and for your post today. I wish Edith’s story was a book I could reread every year. xx
Love Edith and the kingpin, thank you. This wardrobe is looking great.
This is a wonderful wardrobe and one I could easily wear (well maybe not turtlenecks, but those could be tees instead). And like everyone I love Edith and her charming story!!!!
I so loved seeing the links to Edith and her lovely clothing. Very much my style and I’ve been gradually getting items to fill out my version. Last year a gauze dress in navy, and in January cognac leather sneakers and I had already gotten a purse. Solid orange is too strong for me but I found an orange and white stripe fabric to sew a t shirt. And I have lovely orange accessories. It’s coming along!
I do like brown and navy together. A brighter navy and a cool brown. I do have 1 brown skirt. I wear it once a year and never with navy! But. I really like brown leather with navy. I’ve always preferred that for shoes even when I was little except for black patent shoes for Sundays. But now I like shoes of many colors. I have small feet so I don’t mind calling them out!
I really like the addition of cream/winter white/ whateveritgetscalled here; you’re right, it brightens it right up.
And I have been known to look up Edith’s story and re-read it all on my own; I think it’s my favorite. Well done!
Beautiful wardrobe! I loved revisiting Edith and the Kingpin. I’m a sucker for spectator oxfords (I have three pairs and a pair each of spectator pumps and loafers). I guess I’m one of those really *fast* folks in the funny two-toned shoes; at least I can hope so. 😉
I so adored the Edith and the Kingpin series. It would be really delightful to see an update for this heroine and how things have progressed! And thanks for sharing the news about the artist. May his memory be a blessing for all who knew him and all who appreciated his art.