If black tee shirts are the backbone of my winter wardrobe, then white ones are the warm-weather backbone!
Seriously, for those days when you just need clarity, simplicity, and a feeling of freshness, nothing’s better than starting with a white shirt of your desired style, coupled with your dark neutral pants or jeans, and a snazzy cardigan to brighten up the world…
These tee shirts can be real life-savers when you travel; after I’m through packing, I will often tuck another tee or 2 into my bag…
There’s frankly not a lot of variety in the world of light neutrals – grey, white, ivory, and pale pink are the colors that come to my mind. Maybe camel, if your lightest neutral isn’t exactly light…
navy lion and peacock scarf – Aspinal of London; camel tee – Cuyana; white tee shirt – Lands’ End; mustard “A” Floral scarf – Aspinal of London; grey tee shirt – Lands’ End; white tee shirt – Lands’ End; Magenta Robins scarf – Aspinal of London; grey tee shirt – Lands’ End; blush tee – Splendid
mint green “A” Floral scarf – Aspinal of London; woodrose tee – L.L.Bean; white tee – L.L.Bean; Earth Mandala scarf – GISY; camel tee – Cuyana; ivory white tee – Banana Republic; shield scarf – Aspinal of London; ivory white tee – Banana Republic; pink sand tee – J.Crew
For all of these outfits, I’ve stuck with a simple white tee shirt; I like to have one clean at all times. Some days, even I am not in the mood to wear all black!
Yes, a lot of the pieces of these outfits will look familiar; I’m doing this on purpose to demonstrate how gradually accumulating these core garments give you a versatile wardrobe. Just 1 garment per week can give you so much flexibility…
earrings – Kendra Scott; scarf – Aspinal of London; white tee shirt – Lands’ End; reef blue cardigan – Lands’ End; black jeans – Lands’ End; socks – Missoni; loafers – AGL
Do I need a pink cardigan? I must admit that this appeals A LOT!
earrings – Khun Boom; scarf – Nordstrom; white tee shirt – Lands’ End; pastel pink heather sweater – Lands’ End; grey jeans – Lands’ End; socks – Loft; shoes – Minnetonka Moccasin
Nothing scream spring more than a yellow sweater:
palm leaf earrings – Samaira Jewelry; scarf – ANATH silk fashion; white tee shirt – Lands’ End; golden sun cardigan – Lands’ End; dark wash jeans – Lands’ End; socks – Entireworld; waterproof loafers – Aquatalia
Even if the weather is still quite cold, you might want to pull on your white tee shirt under your favorite cardigan.
earrings – Kendra Scott; scarf – Ulloa Family; white tee shirt – Lands’ End; rust cardigan – Madewell; jeans – Lands’ End; cashmere blend socks – Dore Dore; loafers – Dr. Scholl’s
When your favorite neutral is difficult to find, white or ivory tee shirts can come in SO handy:
earrings – Express; white tee shirt – Lands’ End; scarf – Nordstrom; sable heather pants – L.L.Bean; light cherry cotton sweater – Lands’ End; socks – Banana Republic; loafers – Aquatalia
And pretty much every color in the world goes with black and white; this blue is so pretty…
earrings – Judith Ripka; scarf – Himalaya; white tee shirt – Lands’ End; indigo heather cardigan – L.L.Bean; black jeans – Lands’ End; socks – Hot Sox; black loafers – Taryn Rose Collection
For yet another week, this wardrobe is changing ONLY in terms of swapping out turtlenecks out for the same color in short-sleeved tee shirts. In the real world, this heroine would have her turtlenecks, her long-sleeved tee shirts AND her short-sleeved tee shirts all in rotation right now:
white, black and red tees – Lands’ End; “snow” cotton turtleneck – Lands’ End; black cashmere cardigan – Lands’ End; flannel shirt – Lands’ End; striped Henley – Lands’ End; black metallic hoodie – Michael Kors Collection; cobalt cashmere cardigan – Lands’ End; black corduroy jeans – L.L.Bean; black stretch wool pants – BOSS; velvet skirt – Marks & Spencer; striped sweater dress – Banana Republic
Every Monday I marvel at how quickly this year is passing! Is there interest in a year of accessories?
Just so you know, when this post goes “live,” I should be in Paris! (cross your fingers that this trip happens, please!) I won’t be able to respond to comments until I’m back, but you can always toss out general inquiries to other readers of The Vivienne Files. You’re likely to get a good answer!
love,
Janice
p.s. 4 years ago, the wardrobe was based on an Hermes scarf, with lots of black and bright colors!
Like this article? Save it to Pinterest!
A big YES to a year of accessories! I wear different necklines in the summer (late spring/early fall) and struggle to find necklaces I can wear year round. I would love to see your take on a year of jewelry, scarves, etc.!
Oh YES! I Would love to see a year of accessories!
Best wishes for your trip to Paris.
I would love to see more accessories! I work in Healthcare as a Physical Therapist Mon-Fri so accessories (jewelry, scarves, flat shoes) are the only way I get to incorporate some style into my basic scrubs, khaki pants, plain shirts and lab coat!
I would love to see more handbags in the accessories, particularly patterned ones which can be so pretty with a summer outfit or to jazz up a plain dress.
Janice, could you please add lightweight jackets in with the shoes and bags please as I always struggle finding the right style, colour and material to wear with dresses and skirts. Thank you.
Oh Yes! I would love to see a year of accessories. Hope you have a great time in Paris.
A year of accessories oh be still my heart! Nothing brightens a plain T-shirt like a great scarf or necklace.
I am certain you will have an amazing time in Paris.
Kim
I’m one of those people who never wears accessories, despite having a drawerful of scarves and beautiful jewelry, so a year of accessories wouldn’t interest me as much as this series has. One of my favorite series you ever did was the Common Wardrobe, especially the description that you would never notice that people were wearing the same core items because the devil was in the details. How about building on the weekly wardrobe next year by adding statement pieces to the basic pieces-a raincoat, a great jacket, an interesting shirt, etc.? You could do this along with accessories.
Yes please to a year of accessories – that is where I struggle!
I hope you’re have a grand time in Paris!!!
So many new ideas with this new post : I LOVE them !!!
You really show how “ordinary” clothes can be interesting, and bright.
I also enjoy very much all your concrete advices.
To answer to your question, I’m interested by subjects about accessories.
But, also very much, by ideas of “things to put over : as coats, raincoats, and so on.
And, also, by cler and useful underclothes…
I hope you have a good stay in France, especially if you are in Paris : there are still many troubles with transports…A good thing to truy bikes, perhaps, as “the real Parisian” ?
Love from Metz, France.
I am allergic to most jewelry materials, never wear scarves, and have to wear orthopedic shoes. I choose purses for function rather than fashion. The “statement pieces” wardrobe would be of much more use to me than a year of accessories.
Janice,
I hope that you are finally having a well deserved Parisian trip !
Dang — why doesn’t the garment industry make light beige tees ? I wonder what percentage of the total female world population are “ warmies” like me ?
I would love that too.
Me three!
Pat
As your style sister, I feel that pain :-). Once I let my hair gray naturally, I have been able to slide towards the neutral zone on the warm /cool color continuum, still on the warm side, though. Now I’m able to occasionally find the right shade of white and occasionally, some warmer blues. That was something I could never do before.
That may not help you at this time, but I thought it might be good to know for the future.
Hi Janice,
Hope you’re having a wonderful time in Paris!
Here in Canada, accessories means scarves (like real scarves, not Hermes😁), waterproof shoes and beanies 🙂
Which means many don’t even bother wearing jewelry most of the year, under all those wrapping materials! So, while a big yes and hug to the “year of accessories”, could you please remember your frozen readers as well?
Have lots of fun in Paris,
Yes. A year of Accessories, especially necklaces for Summer, would be fab. (I don’t wear scarves in summer. They are too hot for my climate.) (I really liked the one you selected from Twine and Twig at Anthropologie.)
Just like you do with a white T-shirt, it would be fun to see how you style a great pair of earrings or a necklace with multiple outfits. I think you have done that at least once in the past.
Have fun in Paris!
I have such an issue with light/white T-shirt’s as they are so see through. And seem to show my lumps and bumps more than darker colours. Any recommended brands that are less sheer?
I struggle with the same issues, although I heard a red bra does not show through a white t-shirt. I generally don’t like t-shirts because of these same feasons
Uniqlo tees are heavier and are my go to brand for light colors!
I was also going to say Uniqlo.
Yes, to shoes and accessories. Thank you!
yes yes yes to a year of accessories please
YES to a year of accessories!
I too vote for a year of accessories. I love how you can change an outfits look just with a change of accessories – you’re definitely brillant with this 😀. I know you’re having a wonderful time in Paris. Can’t wait to hear about it.
Yes, to accessories! I struggle with accessories, love scarves. Living in Alabama, summer accessorizing consists of remaining decently covered and trying not sweating or conversely, trying not to freeze in the air conditioning… dressing is tricky and most of us don’t go anywhere without a light cardigan or even a pashmina (I keep a silk/cashmere one in the console of my car in a ziplock bag with a cedar block) if you know it is especially cold where you are going. You learn these things…
M
Yes to a year of accessories ! Jewelry, bags, scarves, shoes, raincoats, and some hats too, please.
Camisoles smooth out many lumps and bumps. I live in a warm climate(Houston area) and wear one 365 days a year. Cotton are best in summer. J Jill makes one that can be worn as av-neck or scoop neck.
Thanks, Amanda, for the tip about J Jill camisole. Sounds very useful especially for summer when most underthings are too hot to comfortably wear!
Not interested in a year of accessories. I just love the way you already place the accessories within the wardrobes.
Hi have a fantastic time in Paris- so envious. Thanks for sharing your wonderful ideas with us. I would appreciate information on how to use accessories to enhance the look of our clothes. All the best from a very warm South Africa