August 20, 2021
For much of the Northern Hemisphere, the weather is still decidedly summer. But (I know I’ve said this before!), if you have a specific desire for your cool weather wardrobe, this is the time to look!
I think that this is especially true this year, because so many retailers are keeping inventories very small; I’ve been interested in items that – literally a day or 2 after my first look – will be sold out.
So let’s dream about sweater weather!
This first ensemble has my name written ALL OVER IT… sigh…
black sweater – Benetton; pink pearls – Splendid Pearls; earrings – Adornia; pink sweater – Benetton; skirt – Violet Fish; clutch bag – Mae Cassidy; pumps – Rockport
For those among us who are eager to cuddle up in something warmly brown and gold, this might do the trick:
Unmatched palm leaf earrings – IS Jewellery; creamy white sweater – Benetton; scarf – Pig, Chicken & Cow; brown sweater – Benetton; satin pants – Banana Republic; bracelet – Gas Bijoux; loafers – Giani Bernini
If you live in jeans, you can still look amazing!
Green sweater – Benetton; teal sweater – Benetton; earrings – Seree; navy canvas jeans – L.L.Bean; scarf – The Met Store; sneakers – Franco Sarto
Some of us try to avoid things that are TOO dark in the colder weather – imagine these outfits in your closet, waiting for a gloomy day…
light gray sweater – Benetton; mother of pearl earrings – Argentovivo; camel sweater – Benetton; stone twill pants – L.L.Bean; scarf – Acne Studios; baseball cap – Mackintosh; sneakers – Aquatalia
On the other hand, some of us thrive in bright and bold! Why not get some socks to match your new sweater?
yellow sweater – Benetton; flower earrings – Kate Spade; Scarf of Blooms – Jessie Zhao New York; velvet pants – Goodnight Macaroon; cyclamen sweater– Benetton; mustard socks – Forever 21; boots – Calvin Klein
I’m particularly smitten with the soft beauty of this next group – especially the audacity of blue-ish, metallic shoes!
sky blue sweater – Benetton; hoop earrings – Nordstrom; gray sweater – Benetton; grey stretch wool skirt – J.Crew; freshwater pearl pendant – Chan Luu; blowfish scarf – RE:SIN; loafers – LifeStride
Some of us start wearing gloves the minute the temperature drops below 50; that’s a good reason to have a few pairs!
Dark green sweater – Benetton; brick red sweater – Benetton; pearl earrings – J.Crew; khaki skirt – Lands’ End; scarf – Arctic Fox & Co.; gloves – Jo Cranston; boots – Timberland
Navy and red might make you think of a plaid skirt – I wouldn’t do that to you! But it’s a classic color combination for a reason…
dark blue sweater – Benetton; fuchsia sweater – Benetton; feather earrings – Dower & Hall; pants – L.L.Bean; fox scarf – Pig, Chicken & Cow; driving loafers – Scarosso
I’ve already got my new sweater for this year – a black and white Fair Isle that I found on sale! It’s very me…
What color is very you? Please note that this sweater comes in even more colors than I’ve shown; 24, I believe…
love,
Janice
p.s. EIGHT years ago, our travel capsule wardrobe was in navy, tan and coral. It remains timelessly appropriate!
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You had me at the fox scarf. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
The sweater links are acting strangely — when I click, the screen flashes like it’s going to open a new tab and take me to the page, but then it doesn’t.
Oh no! I’m not having any trouble with them, but from my side it seems that everything tends to work well. Just go to the Benetton site and search for merino wool sweaters; if you love sweaters, you will be on their site for ages…
hugs,
Janice
Yes . . . that’s exactly what’s happening to me as well . . . I don’t think I’ve ever seen that happen before. So weird!
Your Fair Isle sweater doesn’t show for me at all. Dang. I love fall clothes. I found the gray and tan very lovely.
Never mind – I don’t think you had a photo of your sweater – it was some other pop up ad. Not enough coffee yet!
If I can find an image of the sweater still, I will share it. It was a sweater that kept catching my eye for months and I finally gave in!
hugs,
Janice
You had me at “I wouldn’t do that to you.” Lol
Ha ha, I love plaid skirts! (No, I didn’t go to parochial schools, and yes, Ancestry DNA says I’m 90% Scottish.) Janice, I like numbers one, six, and eight. My favorite sweater color is almost certainly blue in all shades.
I love plaid skirts too, and I DID got to parochial school! – nancyo
Definitely the green and teal (which looks true blue on my screen). Such a wonderful combination of bright and cool. It’s the jade earrings and the green sneakers that really tempt me, though!
Oh I wish I could wear wool sweaters! These are lovely.
Same! Wool allergy :( and for some reason, the acrylic or cotton ones never look as… sharp and vivid! as the wool and cashmere ones. Also the tailoring is worse :( And I rarely find them in v-necks. Sorry, end rant.
These do look beautiful! My favorites in my closet are a bright blue and vivid fuschia – they brighten up my winters SO much :)
I’ve had good luck with JJill and Garnet Hill for nice sweaters this year, silk, cotton, and linen. And even one with a v neck! But I live in Texas and what’s a nice sweater for me may be entirely too lightweight for further north.
ahhh, thanks Susan! I’m in New England, so weights/needs will vary, but I always appreciate some new options!!
I fell for the elegant pink and black, particularly the pink and gold clutch bag ?
Cardigans with loose sleeves are my thing in winter as a 3rd layer. Particularly V neck or with a cute collar so it can be open and show the layers underneath. Though I do like cable knit jumpers. Colours I’m looking for are light navy, slate blue, plum and teal.
That Met scarf is so beautiful, but so large. The colors would go well with my wardrobe. Do you have a suggestion for how a short, stout person could wear such a large scarf? I don’t want to look like I have a bandage around my neck or like I have brought my camping tent!
I suppose it depends on your style, but 2 ways I like are 1) with the ends knotted, then just around my neck with the ends hanging loose in front and 2) stuck with a pin to my left shoulder, then just left loose front and back (like a half shawl). This last always (for some reason) reminds me of Iris Apfel, who is definitely a short person.
My favourites are the black and pink and the grey and blue. Both are so much me and look so elegant. I just don’t know where I will wear it to
Good find in the Benetton sweater. I appreciate the classic cut. So many colors! How would one choose? The thrifting gods were very good to me last winter, and I don’t need a thing. Boy am I sick of my summer clothes!
Me too, and I have lovely summer things. But I’m wearing an abbreviated version of my summer wardrobe since I’m in my mother’s apartment full-time right now. It’s surprising how little you can get by with when you have priorities other than what you’re wearing!
hugs,
Janice
You’re a wonderful daughter ❤️
I am trying SO HARD…
hugs,
Janice
Oh my the pink and black is lovely! Well everything you show is lovely but that clutch and that skirt. I just do not need them (DARN)!!! I so agree that wool and cashmere sweaters are lovely but I will be happy with the few I still have and not get anymore. I can’t justify hardly ever needing that warmth.
I have a pink sweater but I am coveting the Violet Fish skirt. Pink and black are so pretty. I am always ready for a change of seasons.
Just realising this month that FIT is key to feeling confident and stylish. From having nowhere to go, I have had a family special occasions with several meals out in August. I have been sartorially challenged every time because the clothes that fitted two summers ago (discount 2020), now don’t fit me. ☹?
So my big task on this wet weekend will be to go through all my clothes, only allowing wardrobe room to those that fit and and putting those that the don’t fit into store for next year. I’m hoping that a new exercise programme that I’m joining will work wonders….
My jumpers are mainly different shades of grey with either a v-neck or a roll neck. I do have others, but they are not really me and therefore don’t get worn much.
If I was looking for a new jumper, I would choose the pale pink (in the v-neck) which I would wear with my grey jeans or burgundy trousers.
I love the soft blue and grey set. I have a soft cashmere cardigan and pullover in similar tones and I often put blue and grey together. Or blue with white jeans. That scarf and the pendant are perfection. That’s got me thinking of blue winter skies and snow shadows. The icy blues and greys.
Thank you so much for recommending the Benetton sweaters. I bought the teal cardigan and the sweater in cyclamen. They arrived today and I love them both. The colours are jewel bright and the wool feels soft. I really liked the pink too but it is sold out in my size.
Still so many necklines and colours to choose from!!!