November 5, 2024
If you’re in the US, I’m assuming that you have already voted, or have a plan to vote today…
A Big Small Change
Our heroine’s been living in a blue and white wardrobe, inspired by her love of this painting:
She has a wardrobe full of lovely tops – solids, prints, almost all of the basics, and a nice bunch of accent and statement things:
Maybe she could use another dress? Or not – she has skirts, and the world just isn’t as dressed up as it used to be…
She loves her scarves and jewelry, and who wouldn’t?
She also feels pretty good about her shoes and bags:
But she’s been thinking for quite a long time about denim. Not a TON of denim, but maybe a pair of jeans? And a chambray shirt…
She realizes that she doesn’t have a long-sleeved navy tee shirt, and heaven knows that it would be useful. And a navy velvet top is just not to be resisted. Winter fun earrings, a really lovely brooch, and a scarf that she loves…
I have an Otto & Spike scarf that I love, too!
And she takes the plunge!
Snowflake earrings – Betsey Johnson; velvet top – Boden; scarf – Otto & Spike; navy tee – Lands’ End; chambray shirt – L.L.Bean; brooch – Coach; jeans – L.L.Bean
For most of us, denim is no plunge at all, but I have friends for whom a skirt or dress would be a radical wardrobe shift, another who NEVER wear blue (seriously!), and yet another who doesn’t wear black.
Really, there’s every possible wardrobe out there, somewhere!
Here’s what our heroine is picturing for her new November outfits:
With the addition of denim, I could easily live in this wardrobe. Although I haven’t worn navy since the 80s, I find it appealing…
love,
Janice
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This is a fantastic capsule. Who doesn’t love blue in every shade? I tend to use blue as my baseline color, saving black for my city excursions to visit my adult children in Boston and Washington, DC. That being said, I do love to jeuje my navy basics up with some pink, burgundy or teal. All three add a tremendous punch with any shade of blue. However, this all blue extravaganza gives so much food for thoughts.
That being said, many of us are still dresses wearers. Even though I live on the Maine coast, I love to wear dresses, not even for dressy occasions. I will wear them with tights, boots and chunky sweaters all cool weather season and as the basis for my wardrobe all summer. Dresses don’t have to be overly dressy….they can just pack a bit of a feminine punch. A denim shirtdress would work wonders in this capsule. My own is from Ralph Lauren, but you can easily find them in a variety of stores. Additionally, this cute navy shift dress from LL Bean could easily be dressed up or down and is super comfortable. You don’t need to go to the Opera to wear a dress. It can just be an every day staple too! Just my own very humble opinion….
And in counterpoint – and perhaps complete opposition to Ellen S – there are women (like me) who NEVER wear dresses or skirts at all. Pants can be dressy, they’re not just for casual wear! (you can call them trousers if they sound fancier that way) There are even some specifically for evening wear — I’ll link to an extreme example.
All of which is to say that women, and our preferences, come in all shapes, sizes, and preferences.
https://www.bloomingdales.com/shop/product/mac-duggal-metallic-lame-pleated-wide-leg-pant?ID=5333212&CategoryID=2910
https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/129309?page=womens-heritage-mariner-dress-womens-regular&bc=12-27-506213&feat=506213-GN3&csp=f&attrValue_0=1&pos=13
You make a perfect point about there being a wardrobe out there for everyone. I love having friends whose distinctive styles keep me entertained. Not going to lie.mi love clothes, but have finally found the good sense and TVF to be disciplined and happier in my own lane.
I have two friends who dress exclusively in black, but in much different styling. They accessorize in different styles and both look fabulous.
I, on the other hand, really need my denim and chambray pieces, which are likely to turn up styled with satin or cashmere or silk- pearls, brooches. Or with western boots! I always have a denim jacket in my closet- frequently adorned with a cool or blingy brooch.
I voted early. Decisively. I’m an undecided voter when it comes to paintings, though.
I love the idea of an all-blue wardrobe, but with enough bright accessories or tops to tweak my magpie mentality. I bought the turquoise polo-type sweater and it washed up very nicely. (lingerie bag in the machine and laid flat to dry)
I just voted; sporting all blue!
In the vein of discussing our individual wardrobe preferences, my wardrobe has tons of blue, but I don’t wear denim. Go figure!
Love this wardrobe, love these clothes. Agree with those who say there are so many different styles for so many women. In my youth I tried dresses, but never felt comfortable. Then skirts, which were better. Just in the last few years I have accepted My style, which is a bit Tom boyish. Bermuda shorts and Ts in warm weather, jeans, long sleeved Ts and flannel or fleece in cold weather. I use navy as neutral, having fired my other neutral: grey. So gloomy for me. For accent colors I pick from the Soft Autumn palette, and it, finally seems to work, yay! I find I am saving money and spending far less time doing returns.