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Home » Start with Art: The Fan by Marie Laurencin, and Test-Driving a New Neutral

Start with Art: The Fan by Marie Laurencin, and Test-Driving a New Neutral

November 8, 2019

Her favorite neutral is navy, too. But her approach is a bit different from our last heroine!

She’s just plain and simply a more dressy woman. It’s her style…

navy cabled cardigan – L.L.Bean; navy cashmere crewneck – Halogen; navy washable wool cardigan – Banana Republic; white silk shirt – Nordstrom Signature; navy & white floral blouse – Banana Republic; white tee – Lands’ End; navy ponte skirt – Lands’ End; velvet pants – Banana Republic; navy corduroy pants – L.L.Bean

Yes, she has a simple tee shirt, but her button-front is in silk, and instead of jeans, she plans to pack velvet pants… Still, because of her disciplined color palette, she has just as many outfit options as her more… vivid friends!

Her favorite painting dictated pink as an accent color. Nothing else is acceptable!

cardigan – J.Crew; lab-created pink sapphire earrings – JCPenney; tee shirt – J.Crew; scarf – Aspinal of London; socks – UGG

She already can see so many ways to wear her new additions… touring museums, sitting in a cafe, perhaps an opera or ballet?

She really, really, REALLY wanted to find that bluish-purple color that’s on the left side of her painting. She came up terribly empty-handed, to the point that she’s not even sure what to CALL this color… She will keep looking, no doubt, but in the meantime, she’s going to try out a few pieces in grey. For years she’s felt that grey might make a lot of sense in her wardrobe. If she’s not ready to add pants and skirts, she can just stick with this little French 5-Piece “Wardrobe”:

pewter heather cashmere cardigan – Lands’ End; earrings – Margo Morrison; pewter heather tee shirt – Lands’ End; scarf – ImageDiary; bracelet – Margo Morrison 

She likes it that her accent garments match each other. She was willing to look for a long time to make that happen! And she adores the beauty of scarves that can be worn so many ways…

No, this isn’t her entire suitcase; some shoes might be a good thing to add! But she’s quite thrilled with this…

So I’m very eager to know what you think that purple in the painting would be called? I searched through website that claim to name ALL of the colors, and still can’t find any good consensus…

love,

Janice

p.s. 2 years ago, we accented a tiny navy travel wardrobe with bright red/orange, and gold! Navy is so versatile…

CREATE A TRAVEL CAPSULE WARDROBE - START WITH ART: THE FAN BY MARIE LAURENCIN, AND TEST-DRIVING A NEW NEUTRAL

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11.08.19 46 Comments

Tags: French 5-Piece Wardrobe, grey, navy, Start with Art
<<Start with Art: The Sunshade by William John Leech, and Working with Accent ColorsThe Weekly Timeless Wardrobe, Week 20: Dark Neutral Warm Cardigan>>

Comments

  1. Maryann says

    November 8, 2019 at 3:08 am

    It looks like Hydrangea blue to me. Lovely items in this wardrobe.

    Reply
  2. Sue Dwyer says

    November 8, 2019 at 3:21 am

    In Australia where I live we would call that colour Jacaranda. It matches perfectly with the flowers currently making a beautiful bluish, purple cloud of blooms on every Jacaranda tree in our town.

    Reply
    • Jukie says

      November 9, 2019 at 7:47 am

      Exactly the right description from another Aussie! Heres a link for non-Australians
      https://www.google.com.au/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjomKP2od3lAhXEXCsKHUZDAWgQjRx6BAgBEAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.etsy.com%2Fau%2Flisting%2F218488409%2Fblue-jacaranda-tree-seeds-jacaranda&psig=AOvVaw3YHHwgsHlUYfr4ZoR1kiNI&ust=1573393560434725

      Reply
      • Jazz says

        November 10, 2019 at 1:03 pm

        Wow, clearly I need to visit Australia when the jacaranda is flowering. It’s stunning. Fortunately for me, I’m just across the ditch in New Zealand!!

      • g says

        November 10, 2019 at 1:25 pm

        This is absolutely Jacaranda – put a swatch next to the art picture – matches exacly.

  3. Ulrike says

    November 8, 2019 at 4:57 am

    Thats is my wardrobe. Thank you so much for your ideas.
    Many greetings from Germany,
    Ulrike

    Reply
    • Pearl says

      November 8, 2019 at 9:20 am

      On my phone, it looks like light purple, aka mauve. I picked up a new sweater the other day from Talbots, light greys with soft pink.

      Reply
  4. Karen says

    November 8, 2019 at 5:06 am

    Pastel periwinkle blue?

    Reply
    • Annag says

      November 8, 2019 at 10:24 pm

      Definitely periwinkle!

      Reply
    • Patricia says

      November 9, 2019 at 12:12 pm

      https://www.pinterest.com/Malingirl/periwinkle-blue/

      Reply
    • Sabrina says

      November 9, 2019 at 1:17 pm

      I’d also call it periwinkle.

      Reply
  5. Lise says

    November 8, 2019 at 5:56 am

    First thought was Lavender but maybe Karen is right about Periwinkle blue. My Granny had a skirt suit in this color in the early 1970s.

    Reply
  6. Dame Eleanor Hull says

    November 8, 2019 at 6:04 am

    Periwinkle. This is not a good year for it. When it is popular, I stock up, but it has been awhile.

    Reply
  7. Geraldine says

    November 8, 2019 at 6:12 am

    Perhaps bluebell?

    Reply
  8. SewingLibrarian says

    November 8, 2019 at 6:35 am

    I love this wardrobe!

    Reply
  9. Denise Bleakly says

    November 8, 2019 at 6:39 am

    I loved your post! I’m in the process of revamping my core wardrobe, and this post has given me quite a few ideas on how to move forward. I would call the mystery color periwinkle – or a shade of periwinkle. The catalog Appleseeds (https://appleseeds.blair.com/) has this color year around in many, many options. Nothing too dressy, but lots of core staples. Periwinkle has been one of my accent colors for years and Appleseeds is the only place I can count on to replace my core pieces in periwinkle.

    Reply
  10. Anon says

    November 8, 2019 at 7:05 am

    Maybe Hyacinth? (See the colour charts here: https://www.kettlewellcolours.co.uk/season/all-colours)

    I haven’t used this company myself – I was pointed in their direction by a friend who has been happy with what they have bought from them.

    Reply
    • Carlene says

      November 8, 2019 at 8:04 am

      This is a great resource! I agree on hyacinth.

      Reply
    • Mama Squirrel says

      November 9, 2019 at 6:26 pm

      I was just going to say “try Kettlewell.”

      Reply
  11. Scottie Kersta-Wilson says

    November 8, 2019 at 7:17 am

    Love the colors; and thanks for the ImageDiary scarf shout-out! xoxox

    Reply
  12. TinaD says

    November 8, 2019 at 7:31 am

    Iris, maybe?

    Reply
  13. Ev says

    November 8, 2019 at 7:43 am

    Tanzanite jewelry would match the mystery color. Loving the navy with that shade of pink!

    Reply
  14. Margery says

    November 8, 2019 at 8:34 am

    Hyacinth or pale periwinkle as others suggest. This is a gorgeous soothing capsule wardrobe. I love greys & navy together with whites. The accent colours of pink and this hyacinth shade are perfect. Like the shadows on snow.

    Reply
  15. Abigail says

    November 8, 2019 at 8:39 am

    I found the Margo Morrison earrings, but no bracelets on that site. Could you check your link for that bracelet, please.

    Must have been 15 years ago that I bought a soft, unstructured periwinkle jacket. I wore it like a sweater and absolutely loved it. It was probably a good candidate for the rag bag before I gave it up.

    Reply
    • Janice says

      November 10, 2019 at 9:38 am

      Oh heck, the bracelet is already sold out! I’ve linked to something similar…
      hugs,
      Janice

      Reply
  16. Janice Collins Coyle says

    November 8, 2019 at 9:14 am

    What about lilac or orchid? And, what a beautiful wardrobe! Love the addition of the grey which goes so well with pink.
    Janice Collins Coyle, Washington DC

    Reply
  17. Susan Jackson says

    November 8, 2019 at 9:20 am

    About 20 years ago Eileen Fisher made lots of pieces in this color, I’m pretty sure it was called periwinkle.
    And you’ve posted a dressy version of my own wardrobe! Thanks for the reminder to wear my gray pearls ?

    Reply
  18. Amy says

    November 8, 2019 at 10:13 am

    Janice, Even though this skirt is from 2016, it is still to die for https://pin.it/zsetqj2qxeizs3
    At first, I thought the color was lilac, but it’s too dark for lilac. I agree with others, it is more periwinkle. I had a great periwinkle capsule in the early 90’s. Everyone asked me about the color; was it blue or purple.

    Reply
  19. Cindy says

    November 8, 2019 at 10:36 am

    I would call that color periwinkle but tanzanite is a great suggestion.

    Reply
  20. Jen says

    November 8, 2019 at 10:52 am

    Gorgeous colours. Perfect for the ballet.

    Reply
  21. Laurie says

    November 8, 2019 at 11:35 am

    My daughter insisted on that color for her bat mitzvah 7 years ago. I pulled my hair out over it, but we did find some cardstock for the invitation, some silk flowers for centerpieces and a beautiful party dress. She called it “glowy purple”. To me its something of a cornflower blue or yes, periwinkle.

    Reply
  22. Sharon says

    November 8, 2019 at 11:42 am

    I think the colour is lilac grey which is muted like the painting – lavender is a close second, but is slightly too bright to be a good match. I absolutely love this series of building blocks plus two accent French 5 piece wardrobes and isn’t it great when you can match them all up.

    Reply
  23. Vancouver Barbara says

    November 8, 2019 at 12:27 pm

    I’d call it lilac, too. Such a beautiful colour. Pantone might be of some help.

    Reply
  24. Kathy in Virginia says

    November 8, 2019 at 2:59 pm

    I would call that color “dusty periwinkle” and I sure wish you could find it out there because I look great in it (she said self-centeredly)!

    Reply
  25. Louise P says

    November 8, 2019 at 6:43 pm

    Hi Janice,

    I’ve been a fan for years now but hardly comment. Thanks for the great work and a lovely wardrobe. I would call this color lavender blue because it looks like a cross between blue and purple. But I do like the other suggestions of periwinkle and orchid.

    Reply
  26. Aurora says

    November 8, 2019 at 7:39 pm

    Lovely picks as always! Thank you.
    By the way, Since the holidays are getting closer, is that possible to show some dressier wardrobes? Would help a lot with shopping these days:)
    Hugs,

    Reply
  27. BeeeBeee says

    November 8, 2019 at 9:06 pm

    According to my Prismacolor (colored pencils) chart, this color is a violet blue, more intense than Blue Violet Lake and less intense than Blue Violet.

    Reply
  28. Beth says

    November 9, 2019 at 8:45 am

    My whole wardrobe would be navy, pink, grey and that wonderful other colour – periwinkle/hyacinth/lavender. I’d love to see a post incorporating those colours. Thanks.

    Reply
  29. Cheryl :) says

    November 9, 2019 at 10:38 am

    Im another vote for periwinkle. Love this color scheme. :)

    Reply
  30. Jennifer Shoemaker says

    November 9, 2019 at 11:26 am

    I’d call it jacaranda as well, but I’m from California. I’d love the color for a French five!

    Reply
  31. Patricia says

    November 9, 2019 at 12:16 pm

    I see this color as Periwinkle or the color of Chicory. Chicory is often considered a “weed” but I love it and Goldfinches love the seeds.
    https://www.pinterest.com/Malingirl/periwinkle-blue/

    https://www.vermontwildflowerfarm.com/chicory.html?cmp=googleproducts&kw=chicory&Size=Packet&gclid=CjwKCAiA5JnuBRA-EiwA-0ggPfVbY4mdqk_bi-eOuVmifdNJptJlYC4bgALhop3oG2U-l3-WU6AOSBoC_TcQAvD_BwE

    Reply
  32. Book Goddess says

    November 9, 2019 at 12:35 pm

    I’m a reference librarian, and I also love blue violet, so this post set me off on the hunt. The clothing company Fresh Produce has a lot of items in the color they call peri. As well as a whole bunch of other pretty colors. Their clothing is sort of casual and beachy, so I’m afraid it won’t do for this heroine. But a possibility for those of us who lead a more relaxed lifestyle.

    Reply
  33. Line says

    November 9, 2019 at 1:59 pm

    African violet

    Reply
  34. Gina says

    November 9, 2019 at 3:17 pm

    Another vote for periwinkle. I am always keeping an eye out for anything in that color. I have a jacket from Hotel Del Coronado in the color and I desperately want it to be one of my accent colors. It is impossible to find.

    Reply
  35. Danielle says

    November 9, 2019 at 8:39 pm

    I love these colors. These are the wardrobe colors I’ve chosen for my own wardrobe, along with sky blue and white. If that periwinkle/jacaranda/bluebell/other beautiful flower color were more readily available, I’d probably add that one too. I’ve been very diligent over the past year to only purchase clothing in this color palate, and it’s really working well. I’d love to see more wardrobes in softer colors like this, and with more jackets and fewer cardigans.

    Reply
  36. Carol says

    November 25, 2019 at 10:49 am

    Instakuler app calls the color Aster or Persian Violet depending on where I put the cursor. My first thought was Periwinkle.

    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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