tee – Lands’ End; pants – L.L.Bean; cardigan – Halhuber; top shoes – Bǿrn; middle shoes – Cole Haan; bottom shoes – Earth
And I usually have earrings added pretty early in the process. For this wardrobe, I tried to stick with a feeling of linearity, to echo the subtle stripes in the cardigan:
Tee – L.L.Bean; pants – L.L.Bean; cardigan – Halhuber; top earrings – Oscar Figueroa; middle earrings – Pichaya; bottom earrings – Luis Banda
Scarves! I love scarves…
Tee – L.L.Bean; pants – L.L.Bean; cardigan – L.L.Bean; top scarf – Collection XIIX ; middle scarf – Treasure & Bond; bottom scarf – Caslon
For those who do not want to wear sandals, a simple low-heel or flat casual shoe will be just as suitable:
Tee – L.L.Bean; shorts – Polo Ralph Lauren; cardigan – Halhuber; top sandals – Kork-Ease; middle sandals – Munro; bottom sandals – Born
I love wearing an inexpensive watch sometimes – the look on someone’s face when they admire your watch, and you tell them it’s a Timex, is priceless. And it’s an important reminder that good design can be found at a variety of prices (and the expensive does NOT automatically equal well-done!)
Sweater – Uniqlo; pants – L.L.Bean; top watch – Braun; middle watch – Anne Klein; bottom watch – Timex
A cross-body bag that keeps your hands free for pushing the grocery cart is always useful:
tee – Lands’ End; pants – L.L.Bean; sweatshirt – Uniqlo; top bag – Patricia Nash; middle bag – Deux Lux; bottom bag – Rag & Bone
A simple, timeless bracelet might be something that you slip on literally every day, at the same time you put on your watch. A small, personal signature…
Sweater – Uniqlo; jeans – L.L.Bean; top bracelet – Luis Banda; middle bracelet – Aoy; bottom bracelet – Achara
Small earrings can be worn with anything – even shorts!
Tee – Oasis; shorts – Polo Ralph Lauren; top earrings – Pichaya; middle earrings – Carlos and Cynthia Rendon; bottom earrings – Priscile Canales
I’m so happy that casual canvas shoes are becoming more accepted as a legitimate leisure option. They don’t have to look like you’re running the marathon, either.
Tee – Uniqlo; jeans – L.L.Bean; sweatshirt – Uniqlo; top shoes – Taos; middle shoes – Josef Seibel; bottom shoes – Keds
A simple necklace with a linear feeling can be worn with everything in this wardrobe – that first necklace is a PERFECT complement to the cardigan!
Tee – L.L.Bean; jeans – L.L.Bean; cardigan – Halhuber; top necklace – Khun Boom; middle necklace – Carlos and Cynthia Rendon; bottom necklace – Sarote Lochotinunt
Don’t forget the usefulness of a solid or subtly patterned scarf in your accent color – sometimes it’s just the right touch of color:
Shirt – Uniqlo; pants – L.L.Bean; top scarf – Barneys New York; middle scarf – Contileoni; bottom scarf – Faliero Sarti
Tote bags don’t have to be amazingly “blinged out,” nor do they have to cost the moon. They’re designed to carry things, really….
Tee – Oasis; jeans – L.L.Bean; cardigan – Uniqlo; top tote – Phase 3; middle tote – Matt & Nat; bottom tote – Herschel Supply Co.
Sunglasses – ALWAYS!
sweater – Uniqlo; skort – Made for Life; top sunglasses – Gentle Monster; middle sunglasses – Ray-Ban; bottom sunglasses – Wildfox
And in the interests of being prepared for cool days, or slightly dressier activities, a pair of closed-toe shoes are useful:
Tunic – Tommy Hilfiger; jeans – L.L.Bean; top shoes – Dansko; middle shoes – Wolky; bottom shoes – Arche
Looking at this REALLY makes me feel like going to Ireland, or Scotland, or Maine…
love,
Janice
A great collection of accessories that would work well in so many situations and with so many combinations.
A perfect "dressy/casual" collection and you have inspired me to have a blue/grey/black day myself! My Fall grey dress pants, my new bright blue Summer cardigan and black shoes & accessories.
Janice,
I feel naked without earrings. They are a must every day ! Yes, this post feels "New Englandy " , comfy , casual, yet dressed, and not scruffy. To me, distressed jeans have gotten to the point of the absurd.
Janice,
I am vertically challenged and pear shaped. How do I style a tunic without it cutting me in half ? Use the same color top and bottom as to give a column of color ?
Keep the colors close – they don't have to match exactly, but they should have the same general strength or value. In this wardrobe, that would mean wearing the tunic with the grey jeans, rather than the black. The grey and the blue are both softer, while the black creates more of that contrast that you want to avoid.
hugs,
Janice
Sage advice, as always ! Thank you ! I have been avoiding tunics for my issues as listed in my post, but this opens me up to take another direction.
I think these past two days will serve as a template for my summer into fall wardrobe. I sew. I recently bought too much fabric when one of the fabric store chains went out of business. I've collected some ideas and sewing patterns and this wardrobe will make such a wonderful guide for me! I will make a few changes, of course; I live in the south and would have warmer weather in mind, but surprisingly enough, you absolutely need layers anywhere air conditioning attempts to overcompensate for the heat and humidity.
Question though…would you wear a scarf with a hoodie? How?
Absolutely – I do it often! I just tie it around my neck, inside the hood, and either tuck it into the body of the sweatshirt, or let it hand out. Sort of like wearing a scarf with a hooded parka or trench coat. Check out the 2nd man at this link to see what I mean:
http://www.thesartorialist.com/photos/i-love-what-an-hermes-scarf-can-do-for-a-man-milan/
hugs,
Janice
Got it. Love it!
Got it. Love it!
Hi Janice,
Do you think you could repeat this selection with same comfy,casual,coordinated, almost elegant, feel using warm colours? I can do my best to visualize it but it would lack your skilled touch.
Deb from Vancouver
Heck yes! I'm on it…
hugs,
Janice
The accessories match perfectly! I usually wear earrings and bracelet(s) everyday. Sometimes I add a watch and a necklace. Depends on the outfit. Thanks for all your hard work on our behalf!
I'm just de-lurking to say that I love seeing your support for canvas shoes. They've been a staple in my casual wardrobe and I smile every time I see them integrated into your wardrobes. They're more comfortable than flats for my feet
Ahhhh watches you can tell the time by, it's such a cool concept! I wonder why the watches in the magazine ads ever get bought …
Robyn in Tasmania
What LL Bean and Lands End pants do you recommend?
I wear jeans from Lands’ End – in every fabric that they have offered in the last 10 years. Right now I don’t personally own any pants from L.L.Bean except maybe sweatpants…
That said, I haven’t heard anything bad about any of their products, so I would think it worthwhile to at least try anything that appeals. Just make sure you keep the packaging, and buy yourself a good roll of packing tape…
hugs,
Janice