March 28, 2020
“The say that we can go up to the island, if we voluntarily observe social distancing for 14 days…”
please note that this is the same style swim suit that I bought for myself, and I can recommend it without hesitation; I look splendid in mine, and THAT’s saying something!
She had realized about a week ago that her life was changing, and her attitudes were… surprising.
After decades of being self-conscious about wear a swim suit, or going into the ocean around other people, she realized that she was worrying about ALL THE WRONG STUFF…
And so she planned for things to be different, now.
She was going to participate fully. In everything. Including splashing, and building sand castles, and just plain sitting under an umbrella, by the shore, reading…
Wearing bright colors. Pink and orange TOGETHER! Giving herself a hot pink pedicure. Wearing some ruffles. Some big earrings. And EVEN a yellow tee shirt.
Earrings – Eye Candy; orange cardigan – Billbabong; black dress – Lands’ End; watch – Timex; orange bracelet – Gold & Honey; scarf – Versace; sandals – Børn; nail polish – Anna Sui Sheer “Fuchsia Pink”; tote bag – Béis
She didn’t have much time to pack her bag; they were eager to get out of town, and wanted to be on the ferry before dark. She has a few things out at the beach house, but she packed a bright, faintly rebellious bag:
yellow, pink and black tees – Lands’ End; pink flower earrings – J.Crew; orange earrings – Tuckernuck; sunglasses – Rebecca Minkoff; black earrings – Talbots; floral dress/cover-up – Lands’ End; black linen cardigan – Eileen Fisher; black & gold necklace – Talbots; bee print scarf – Louise Coleman; black shorts – Lands’ End; black swimsuit top – Lands’ End; print board shorts – Lands’ End; black linen pants – Eileen Fisher; orange dress – J.Crew; black espadrilles – Eileen Fisher; hot pink water shoes – Sea Star Beachwear; black canvas shoes – Keds; handbag – Talbots
Her wardrobe for the duration is cheerful, bold, and makes her smile when she see it!
She plans to spend most of her time in her swimsuits, or pajamas! But when she needs to put on real clothes and mingle with the rest of the family, she’s got all kinds of possibilities for what to wear:
They may have to spend the entire summer at their beach house! What a pity…
Are you happy where you’re hunkered down, if you are among us living under restrictions to our movements? I couldn’t be happier – 24/7 with Belovedest!
love,
Janice
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Hi Janice, lovely thought to travel to somewhere nice to hanker down, but here in the UK we’re being restricted to where we can go now and only yesterday I was stopped by the police after doing the food shop for three elderly relatives. I would love to walk on the moors or along the coast, but even though they are near to where I live, I still need a car to get to them. Fortunately, I do have a small house and garden, so even though I love the company of my husband, we can still get some private time apart. I don’t think we’ll be travelling abroad this year, but your bikini post inspires me to get my body back in shape and to try that style of swimwear, as you say it gave you confidence which is definitely something I always lack when I’m in the pool or sea.
I have two of those high neck tankini tops and the swim mini skirt from Lands End and LOVE them too! They are so flattering and forgiving. We have an anniversary trip planned for the Florida gulf coast in May which we haven’t canceled yet. The latest news from the doctors at the daily press conferences gives me a glimmer of hope that restrictions may be lifted by then. In the mean time, like you, I’m enjoying the down time with my husband and the long walks with our dog.
Ha! My son and I are still hoping to take our Hawaii trip in late June. My packing list is primarily red and pink! AND, was debating on new swimsuit (I think I bought mine when I was 40 pounds heavier) and now I MUST! This is such bright spot in my day. I know these posts take a lot of work, but they are certainly received gratefully by so many of us. Thank you!
Janice,
All those bright happy colors can’t help but bring a smile to my face and recall the coconut smell of suntan lotion and the feel of salty ocean breezes, sounds of sea gulls and the waves hitting the shore, and an unending view of colorful beach umbrellas ! And children —-laughing and playing in the sand ! Thanks for the trip !
While bright colors overwhelm me for clothing, I plan on using some of these cheery colors in my flower plantings this year .
Big healthy, though distant , hugs !
The last time I took a beach vacation, I did the pink and orange travel wardrobe. Somehow I missed my right leg with the sunscreen. Sunburn not a stylist look, would not recommend lol
I once managed to apply just a single streak to one leg – ending in a hand-shape… It was BEAUTIFUL…
hugs,
Janice
Thank you so very much for these posts full of beauty and fun. You have no idea how they brighten my days!
That makes me happy! Doing these posts gives a lot of purpose to my days; in the absence of my friends here in Chicago, I’m concentrating on all of you!
hugs,
Janice
Wow! I’m always a bit envious of people who look fabulous in these vivid shades. The brightest colour I can wear is turquoise blue or violet. My legs are best covered up so I wear cropped cotton trousers. I’d love to go to the seaside – perhaps next year…
Me too, most of my wardrobe is plain in navy, brown and green with flashes of turquoise, etc. I have been very conscious of my ageing body and the past few years have covered up. However, I realise how lucky I am to be in the pretty good shape I am at 72 and determined that at some time this year I shall swim!
I bought the same swim set from Lands End earlier in the year in plain navy and their range is exceptional. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Lands End, I have bought from them for years, and whilst they are expensive you can get good bargains if you wait until sales or special promotions.
My 20 year old daughter set up her hammock on our back deck a couple of days ago to help her mentally. We are blessed with plenty of space in our home to spread out but she needed to get some sunshine. It has also been raining off and on here, so she took advantage of the clear day and ended up with a partial sunburn on one side of her face! It was worth it for the respite. We are all looking forward to getting away after all of this. She was planning on moving to the PNW in the summer and we were supposed to go on vacation to the West Coast after our other daughter’s graduation. Let’s just say once this is over, where ever we go for vacation, it will be an appreciated getaway!
I guess I should be taking this time to plan my wardrobe for the trip! Ha!
Thanks for bringing colorful fun and bright days ahead! Much appreciated, Janice
I have been wearing those Lands End two piece bathing suits for years – with their long sleeve rash guards. I wear the shorts version, with a top and a rash guard over it to walk about 4 miles on the boardwalk every day all summer. I can feel the breeze through the rash guard but don’t get the sun. Then after our walk, when we’re all tired and sweaty, I pull off the rash guard and we jump in the ocean for a nice cool relaxing float in the waves. It’s my favorite part of summer and those bathing suits and rash guards make it possible. ( I buy the rash guards large so they are loose and comfortable, like a tee shirt. I wear them all the time in the summer when I’m working in the garden or need to be outside. No one can tell they are not regular tee shirts.)
Oh MY that sounds inviting right now! Of course, I can’t get to the lake front, and I’d freeze to death if I jumped in, but other than that….
hugs,
Janice
Oh JANICE! If I’m not careful I would order this whole kit & caboodle! I LOVE that it’s all based on our beloved black! The pops of pink & orange make my heart sing. J’adore this and YOU! Please take care, thank you for continuing to brighten, literally AND figuratively, our days & lives. Please take care.
Hello Janice,
I am very fortunate to live on a lake in eastern Canada! Social distancing is easy here. My husband works from home now but we still manage lunch together. I have been put on lay off until further notice. Closet cleaning is the best fun. I have been shopping in my off season section having a blast.
I would add that I love the colours in this post….I would add lime green to the mix for kicks.
Stay well, Kim
Normally I adore living in the middle of a big city, but social distancing sort of means staying IN YOUR APARTMENT! Even the elevators have to be navigated with consideration – we try to not have more than 2 people in an elevator at a time, and that requires patience! I should climb the stairs…
hugs,
Janice
Oh I really enjoyed the thought of maritime breezes and warm weather! Could I persuade you to do a few more of these? Maybe with the deep sea or teal patterns? Really hoping we beat this in time for sand castles with my kids this summer!
I’d be happy to – having the right swimwear is so important, and building one’s summer wardrobe around excellent swimsuits isn’t crazy!
hugs,
Janice
Loving my 24/7 with my man of 47 years too as he remotes from home now! And for once in my life I’m glad to be in our big US home rather than our much-loved but small Aix apartment – which we would only be allowed out of separately, and for a short time. But I sure hope we can get back there soon!
Janice, I can’t believe the coincidence of all the styles I earmarked in the newest Lands’ End catalog this afternoon showing up right here in your blog tonight! It’s so fun to see them presented in wardrobe format. The swimsuit print you chose hadn’t been on my radar but seeing it in the wardrobe made me wonder why not. Thanks for helping me open my eyes to new possibilities. So sorry you’re feeling cooped up in fabulous Chicago. I hope you have a bit of a lake view to retreat to.
Oh!!!! Janice!!!!! The scarf!!!!! Its sister -WHAP- is sucking me down the rabbit hole!!!! What do you know about Farfetch? “My” scarf is on sale. How do I know it’s the real thing? I’ve never bought a scarf this expensive before – gasp! I have been looking at it for maybe 6 weeks. I am obsessed. It will fit perfectly in my wardrobe – those are my colors!!!! And dark chocolate brown & cream are my neutrals (and a punch of rust).
Advice, please???
Farfetch is COMPLETELY trustworthy – they’re a service that connects a ton of small boutiques all around the world with the rest of us. I’ve ordered things from them, and the item came directly from the boutique that had it in stock. Once I got the most beautifully wrapped package from a shop in Italy – it was exciting just to read the labels!
So if you must indulge, do so without fear!
hugs,
Janice
Dear Janice,
Thank you so much for the reassurance. All the thought you put in to selecting not only the wardrobe items but also their vendors is a reflection of your professionalism! I am going to go ahead and indulge!
Love,
Cathy
Enjoy!!!
hugs,
Janice
More bright colors like these, please!
I believe I have the same print in a swim cover up (from Land’s End of course)
Janice,
Great post! Love bright colors with basics especially the pinks oranges combination. Unfortunately orange (or even bright coral) makes me turn green so am trying to figure out how to modify this wardrobe so that there are not big pops of orange next to my skin. Hot pink and magenta look great on me and I get many comments when I wear those colors. Any suggestions? Thanks.
Twlia
If I were going to replicate this wardrobe for myself, I would just not buy the orange garments, nor the yellow tee shirt. I’d probably substitute a simple white top of some sort, and shades of pink in place of the orange. I don’t think that the small amounts of orange in the swimsuit print are that obtrusive, do you?
hugs,
Janice
Thanks for the help Janice. From your pictures it looks like we have similar coloring. I was thinking of a orange / coral tote or maybe even a pair of shoes for the “pop” that orange and pink has. I know that shoes are next to my skin but at least shoes are not next to my face. Thanks again. BTY love the beige and pink evening bag on a later post. In the past I have modified several of your posts for trips and found the one on the “modest wardrobe” especially helpful.
Twila
Do you have a suggestion for software I can use (preferably on computer rather than phone) to organize my clothes the way you show them in the capsules? I’d like to see them grouped by color so I can see what elements I am missing in each area. I have learned so much from looking at your website. Thank you for all the work you do.
I just use PowerPoint. I find pictures of garments online that either are the same as what I own, or a reasonable replica thereof. I “right click” each image, copy it and then paste it into a PowerPoint page. From there, you can remove backgrounds, resize, and drag things around as much as you want. I’ve done every image for The Vivienne Files that was since the beginning, and it has always worked well for me!
hugs,
Janice