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Home » A simple black & white summer wardrobe, with accessories

A simple black & white summer wardrobe, with accessories

Oooh, I could live in these clothes for the entire summer… This first outfit would be fine for work, and then slip on the skirt in place of the pants, ready to go out to dinner. 

A striped tee shirt isn’t usually worn with a skirt – I wonder why?  And the cardigan and scarf take a simple tank top and capris, and make them perfect for all kinds of activities.

Some days, simple white and khaki, with silver accessories, is all you need.  And your sundress kicks it up quite a few notches with the jacket, a nice necklace, and dressy, but still comfortable, sandals.

With the more classic, trim, cardigan, the tank top and capris take on a more traditional look.  And amazing diamond earrings add a lot of spark, and sparkle, to the easy and uncomplication combination of tee shirt and capri outfit.

White tee shirts are made for hot weather.  With black pants and an amazing jacket, the tee shirt can go to work or a meeting, but with the printed skirt and flats sandals, you can be much more dressy while still staying comfortable and relaxed.

Here’s the accessory collection:

Checked swing jacket – Michael Kors, sunglasses – Ksubi Eyewear, pearl earrings – Georg
Jensen,  necklace
– Georg Jensen, diamond earrings-
Stephen Webster, tee
shirt – AR SRPLS, bracelet – Elizabeth & James, “dripping stripes”  silk/cotton scarf – Cedric Charlier, skirt –Tibi, scarf – Hermes, black sandals – Ralph
Lauren, black & white flats – Loeffler Randall, silver sandals – Senso

 

 
The very basic, core wardrobe, all from L.L.Bean.

 

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04.11.13 13 Comments

Tags: accessories, black, warm weather, Whatever's Clean Summer Wardrobe, white
<<A navy & yellow summer wardrobe, with accessoriesHow to wear a petrol blue (or slate blue) v-neck sweater>>

Comments

  1. Cornelia says

    April 11, 2013 at 11:53 am

    The plaid jacket is gorgoeous. The reason I never wear a striped T with a skirt is, that it never looks right. I am 5'8 and still I look like I am cut in half, but paired with jeans or trousers the same shirt looks fine. And of course, there is the enevitable frump factor as sooo many women in my town wear 3/4 pants with striped shirt tucked in paired with sneakers or white sandals. You get the picture. :))

    Reply
  2. Anonymous says

    April 11, 2013 at 12:04 pm

    Beautiful!

    Reply
  3. Kristien62 says

    April 11, 2013 at 12:51 pm

    I so wish I had your blog when I worked. I would have saved a fortune and looked good to boot.

    Reply
  4. Anonymous says

    April 11, 2013 at 12:55 pm

    Frump Factor…Cornelia…that is always a consideration. Thanks for the chuckle!

    Reply
  5. Gail says

    April 11, 2013 at 1:38 pm

    I'm short and un-slim and find that the only way I can wear horizontal stripes is under the camouflage of a solid cardigan. And with skirts, only a pencil skirt seems to work without widening. I like the nautical look as much as anyone, but try to look for asymmetrical or vertical stripe lines.

    And I know I keep saying this, but I continue to have the naïve, idealistic hope (especially because of your blog, Janice) that there's an LLBean garment out there somehow, somewhere in some size and style that will be flattering to me. But, try as I might, and try as I continue to try, I'm still returning 100% of everything I order from the catalogue. Frump factor indeed.

    Still, your basic wardrobe pieces are so helpful and instructive–and very easy to substitute for more flattering and slimming and lengthening and upscale brands. And, shall I say it?, less wrinkling and easier to launder brands. I am not into the zen of the ironing board and try not to buy things that need ironing if I can help it!

    Reply
    • frugalscholar says

      April 11, 2013 at 3:19 pm

      I too am an LLB fan in theory only, having returned everything I've bought for me. Hope never dies–I ordered a linen tunic recently, and, while I have hope, it will probably make a return trip to Maine.

      I buy lots of men's stuff for the two guys in my life.

      Reply
    • Anonymous says

      April 11, 2013 at 4:44 pm

      Gail, I too and short and un-slim. Last year I took a trench that I got from LLBean to be altered. The seamstress noted that because she and I are "plump", alterations are often necessary. Decide it was best to laugh at being called "plump".

      Reply
  6. hostess of the humble bungalow says

    April 11, 2013 at 2:01 pm

    Janice you are speaking my language with black and white basics. I bought a striped top from Banana Republic and love it. There is something so crisp about a striped black and white top. Love your array of options here today.
    Oh and I would add masses of pearls as an accessory. They seem to glow with black as a backdrop.

    Reply
    • Janice says

      April 11, 2013 at 2:02 pm

      Mmmmm, masses of pearls – now YOU are speaking MY language!

      Reply
  7. Kelly says

    April 11, 2013 at 2:51 pm

    I love those silver sandals — where did you find them?

    Reply
    • Janice says

      April 11, 2013 at 2:53 pm

      Those are Senso sandals, from allsole.com.

      I FORGOT to put the credits for the accessories – I'll fix that tonight when I get home… hanging head in shame,
      Janice

      Reply
    • Kelly says

      April 11, 2013 at 4:00 pm

      Thanks!

      Reply
    • Anonymous says

      April 11, 2013 at 11:05 pm

      Yes – very much want to know about those star burst earrings! – Queen Lucia

      Reply

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The Vivienne Files is a unique personal style blog with carefully-selected capsule wardrobes based on color palettes drawn from works of art, nature, and more. It helps women buy less clothing, and to love what they buy. Read more...
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