March 10, 2021
The weather is impossible right now – in the best way! After literally weeks of single-digit temperatures and mounds of snow, we’re now experiencing lovely afternoons, with sun and noticeable warmth!
But what to wear? Especially if you’ve got your hands full and don’t want to think too hard…
Mask – Dockers; floral shirt – L.L.Bean; earrings – Madewell; navy cotton cardigan – L.L.Bean; navy cotton sweater – L.L.Bean; dark wash jeans – Lands’ End; striped thermal top – Treasure & Bond; loafers – Stonefly; twill pants – L.L.Bean
I’m sure you will notice that I changed a few things, but left some from our earlier adventures in Stress Dressing for cold weather. There’s nothing like the stress of having to find ALL NEW THINGS for your emergency wardrobe, eh?
I gave some thought to what my general guidelines might be for choosing these pieces, although I’m pretty confident that you could sort this for yourself pretty easily:
These wardrobes aren’t quite as monochromatic as the ones were for winter, partly to bring some brighter/lighter tops in to reflect the sunnier weather, and partly because these are much easier to find! Searching high and low for the perfect camel tee shirt will NOT reduce stress…
Mask – Aerie; cotton sweater – L.L.Bean; earrings – Daphine Oli; cashmere crewneck; linen shirt – J.Crew; saddle skinny jeans – L.L.Bean; paperwhite waffle-knit Henley – L.L.Bean; loafers – Massimo Matteo; camel chino pants – Banana Republic
These wardrobes will give you options for very sober, monochromatic outfits, or outfits with a bit more light to dark contrast. You will be able to reflect your state of mind, and the weather conditions!
Masks – PJ Salvage; linen shirt – J.Crew; wood earrings – Francesca’s; espresso cardigan – Barefoot Dream; sepia sweater – Vero Moda; paperwhite waffle-knit Henley – L.L.Bean; dark brown velour pants – Topshop; loafers – Lucky Brand; dark cement twill pants – L.L.Bean
For this next wardrobe, I can personally vouch for the floral shirt… it’s lovely!
Mask – DIOP; marled crewneck sweater – L.L.Bean; earrings – Kendra Scott; sweater-blazer – J.Crew; black floral shirt – L.L.Bean; black jeans – L.L.Bean; white thermal tee – Treasure & Bond; loafers – Clarks; black cotton pants – L.L.Bean
Green has proven to be really tough to find, so I thought that a happy shirt would be a reasonable garment to add to a wardrobe specifically designed for busy or stressful days! We will take cheer wherever we can find it…
Mask – Mr. & Mrs Italy; Liberty floral shirt – J.Crew; earrings – 1928; olive heather cotton sweater – L.L.Bean; olive cardigan – Barefoot Dreams; olive cotton pants – L.L.Bean; olive thermal tee – Old Navy; loafers – Eastland; deep moss jeans – Style & Co
This grey is particularly appealing… if the day is grey, put on a floral blouse and some amazing pearl earrings and enjoy being beautifully dressed:
Mask – Lands’ End; floral blouse – Halogen; grey pearl earrings – Saranarat; wrap cardigan – Barefoot Dreams; crew neck tunic sweater – Express; gray jeans – H&M; gray heather waffle-knit Henley – L.L.Bean; loafers – SAS; dark gray knit pants – L.L.Bean
I don’t think it’s over-preparing to keep a handful of garments ready to wear for “those” days…
love,
Janice
p.s. Four years ago, we added wine and forest green accents to a navy, grey and camel capsule wardrobe…
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I like these capsules. So easy to put together an outfit. I could just double the quantities and it could be my complete wardrobe for the season. I would add a short sleeved shirt. I would guess that the brown is difficult to source. Love the camel and the olive.
Great capsules! I’m finding it hard when I have spring fever and want to wear lighter things, but the temperature (especially in the building) are not cooperating! I do this every year.
The trouble is every day seems to be one of those days… Great capsules. Love the black (as always), but the camel and grey are worthy too. All they need is some red shoes, to make it look like you’re trying even though you’re not.
I always start my capsule with a stress dressing outfit that works for 90% of my activities (as a professional working mother to young children, this isn’t always easy!). I then add in jeans and a blouse and daily accessories so I’m fixed for everything but exercise.
I do enjoy the stress dressing capsule ideas, thanks for sharing.
Great to see proper brown again. Brown is my experimental neutral this year. Currently wearing brown trousers (described as taupe….), an ivory polo-neck and a salmon pink thick cardigan plus a pink, brown and teal floral scarf.
That outfit sounds lovely.
I was at JJill yesterday and they have some brown in their newest collection. It is definitely more brown than taupe so not for me. I laughed when I read that finding a brown tee was not stress free! Love to read all the comments as it makes me think about my own wardrobe.
Janice,
If these examples were chocolate I would eat them all up — they are so “ yummy” ! I love love love core modules ! The value and print vs plain variations within each one are my cup of tea ! Hmmm, a lot of food references here, I must need breakfast ! So it’s less stress by six ! Two bottoms , either the same color or a second neutral color , two tops , plain or button down, and two toppers, cardigan and/ or pullover sweater. I am a formula geek, if you haven’t noticed that about me yet , and your analytical posts are always my favorites ! Many many thanks for a delightful and instructive post , as always ! Really really loving this one ! As Sandy said above, more of these in my core neutrals along with some accent colors and there’s my wardrobe — boom, done !
May I moan a bit about cardigans, jumpers, and coatigans that have such narrow sleeves that you can’t put them over a long sleeved top or shirt? If I buy a larger size, they are too big in the body and fall off my shoulders. Has anyone found a solution?
Beth T. I have the same experience. It seems worse this year. Not just cardigans, but t shirts are having tight sleeves. I hope it’s just a trend and I can outwait it. I thought of buying men’s wear. But as I’m short and stumpy I don’t think that would work either. I do have plenty of clothes, for a minimalist, so I guess I’ll just wait.
Hi Janice: Thank you again for constructing these capsules ☺
Good stuff. We could take any of these capsules and turn it into a quick packing list by adding a couple of fun accents. Always instructive, Janice.
By the way, I received my camel J Crew sweater you featured in your post (with grey the next day) … LOVE it! Although I live in a warm climate, this will be useful in the winter and on cool nights.
I love the Navy and Camel capsules! I can only wear this from Nov to Feb, if that, here in Arizona. We are having 86 degree weather already. I need pieces for warmer weather!
As always, gorgeous color palettes and practical choices and advice! I count on you for fashion advice that WORKS…