Capsule wardrobes inspired by art and nature
January 8, 2014 Belovedest requested that I work with this scarf - he's always loved orange and blue/green accents!
Yes, I've included three dresses in four months - partly to show the range of colors that are possible when using this scarf as inspiration.
The rest of the year tomorrow!
love, Janice ... View the Post
January 7, 2014 Many readers asked me to work with a Picasso painting, and I happily oblige. These outfits are based on beige, just as the painting is literally on a beige background. Accents of red, orange, yellow, a touch of green, and you're set for almost anything! My guiding adjectives for this project were warm, saturated, and clear, with unexpected bursts of bright against the toasty neutral.
This is a wardrobe that could see someone through much of the summer!
love,
Janice ... View the Post
January 3, 2014
This painting is currently at the Art Institute of Chicago, as part of the Celia and David Hilliard Collection exhibit. I'm not sure if it's oil - I suspect it might be pastel - but it captivates me immediately...My impressions from this were of warmth, and simplicity - clear lines and powdery soft colors, with matte finishes.
“A Mysterious Hand Leads to Another Path” – Jan Toorop, blue topaz ring – Zayd Makarim, blue linen tee shirt – Isabel Marant Etoile, natural linen shorts – Comme des Garcons, denim blue sandals – Popet seafoam linen dress – Paul Smith, scarf – U-NI-TY, silver sandals – Dr. Scholl’s
“A Mysterious Hand Leads to Another Path” – Jan ... View the Post
December 12, 2013
Yes, the line between khaki and camel is VERY blurry...
love,
Janice ... View the Post
September 27, 2013 Now that we can occasionally pull out our sweaters in Chicago, I've noticed that a LOT of women are wearing a simple beige wrap cardigan in all sorts of lovely ways:
Cardigan – Alpha Massimo Rebecchi, Tweed skirt – Stella Jean, ivory sweater – Stefanel, taupe suede pumps – Naturalizer, black sweater – Stefanel, printed skirt – Weekend by Max Mara, black pumps - Sofft
Cardigan – Alpha Massimo Rebecchi, Grey trousers – Giorgio Armani, grey blouse – See by Chloe, grey flats – Munro, navy top - Shirt C-Zero, navy trousers – Paul Smith, navy fabric loafers – Munro
Cardigan – Alpha Massimo ... View the Post
September 24, 2013 This painting made me think of subdued yet strong colors - both warm and cool. Intensely pigmented, but muted in brightness... It was a beautiful challenge.
Cardigan – A. F. Vandevorst, jeans – Brunello Cucinelli, bag –nada, loafer – Trotters, gold silk blouse – Lanvin, pearl necklace – Majorica, skirt – Deborah Drucker, high-vamp pumps - Trotters
Stud earrings- Linda Friedrich Jewelry, Blouse –Marc by Marc Jacobs, jeans – Uniqlo, ballet flats – Sofft, taupe tunic – Maison Martin Margiela 4, pleated skirt – Uniqlo, triangle earrings- Robert Rose, belt – Halogen, pumps - ... View the Post
I repeatedly make the questionable choice of including beige or khaki in my summer wardrobe... sigh... it's not a great color for me. So here, in addition to addressing the idea of moving toward warmer clothes, and buying with a purpose, I'm also showing a move from one color in a wardrobe to a different one.Remember, this was the summer Whatever's Clean wardrobe:
First, because I'm starting to really feel like beige isn't working well, the 2 beige pieces are going to take a back seat. And of course white linen pants aren't going to go too far into the fall...
Here's where grey takes the place of beige, and a pair of jeans will replace the white linen pants.
Second step: the ... View the Post
August 10, 2013 A few simple accessories will help you get into the autumn mood... While the tote bag I show is technically supposed to be a beach bag, it's so incredibly well designed that I wanted you to see it! It could easily be used through most of the year - where did we get the idea that we could only use certain materials at certain times of the year? If you're not a scarf person, you might want another necklace or two; if jewelry isn't your thing, then you can go nuts with scarves... To each her own very personal and beautiful preferences!
love, Janice
... View the Post
Quite a few people have asked me to show how to move from a beige and brown wardrobe into something with more brown.
The Whatever's Clean Summer Wardrobe in Brown, Beige and White
The first three garments to phase out are the sleeveless beige linen top, white linen pants, and the shorts. Remember, you can do these in whatever order you prefer, and that "phase out" does not have to mean "put in some inaccessible place for the next six months".
[/caption] In October, we can choose to find replacements for the white tee shirt, the beige linen dress, and the beige linen skirt.
[/caption] And in November, the last of the linen "bottoms" are due for a rest, and the white tunic is ready to take a ... View the Post
Hypothesis: You've had a lot of success with a small "Whatever's Clean" wardrobe, and you'd like to be able to make a seamless transition to cooler weather.
First off, shorts and sleeveless tops just feel wrong when school starts and the calendar rolls over to September. So these would be the first three items to phase out.
[/caption] In October, it might be time to give up linen pants and your simple white tee shirt.
[/caption] For November, these three are ready for a break:
[/caption] But of course you don't HAVE to put the nine replaced garments away - they'll still work well for layering. Except the shorts - accept that most of us can only wear shorts in November in the ... View the Post
