THIS is just perfect; what a great way to bring some cheer into your day, and some Mardi Gras spirit to your outfit throughout the year:
I was sorely tempted to dress our heroine in creamy silk with bright accents, but alas, creamy silk is not yet available from anybody I could see…
But there are ALWAYS options, if we think long and hard enough!
She Thought She Was Going to Mardi Gras
for her vacation. But just a few days before she was to leave, the head of the Engineering Department told the Sales Manager that SHE should go to their biggest client for the launch of a number of system modifications. After all, she designed all of the carbon-neutral adaptations for the client operations – who better to explain it all!
She’s never visited this client before, and she’s not quite sure how dressy/casual they are. It’s always a dilemma to pack lightly, but keep available enough options that you can adjust to circumstances…
And she’s determined to show her Mardi Gras heart, even if she’s discussing composting!
Amethyst earrings – Narayani; blazer – Ines de la Fressange for Uniqlo; scarf – Madam Adwoa and Onyame Akwan Dooso; purple sweater – Banana Republic; watch – Skagen; crossbody bag – Rag & Bone; waterproof loafers – Aquatalia; socks – Smartwool; wheeled garment bag – Briggs & Riley; dark wash jeans – Lands’ End
It’s a bit warmer at the client’s than it is where she lives, but then again she has been working with them for months to keep the temperature less “baking” in the winter and less “walk-in freezer” in the summer. She brings layers – between her blazer and her blazer-style cardigan, she should be okay. One can always remove a jacket or sweater, of course.
sunglasses – Nike; purple and green turquoise pendant – Mine Finds by Jay King; silver chain – Sevilla Silver; lavender jade earrings – Judith Ripka; green earrings – Mine Finds by Jay King; chiffon scarf – Yangtze Store; print blouse – Styland; purple aster tee – Lands’ End; green cap sleeve blouse – Halogen; navy bag – Persaman New York; navy ankle pants – J.Crew; dress – J.Crew; sweater-blazer – J.Crew; green loafers – Etienne Aigner; navy suede pumps – Sam Edelman
She reviews her wardrobe – heck, she reviews everything else, why not her travel capsule wardrobe? She can see a lot of possibilities…
Yes, sometimes our vacation plans don’t get to come first; work, health or family can force a last-minute change. How lucky are we to have jobs and loved ones who need us!
love,
Janice
p.s. Four years ago, we looked at an “eccentric aunt” travel capsule wardrobe based on one of my favorite paintings IN THE WORLD. This is a wonderland of subtle colors…
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Janice,
I am enjoying your happy note of colors on this cold and windy/ snowy/ rainy PA Winter’s day ! And your Mardi Gras glasses outfit dividers — perfect ! I’d say that your heroine is set for both business and some fun !
I wanted her to be a breath of fresh air within a very appropriate corporate environment. We can be both appropriate and full of fun, right?
hugs,
Janice
Janice,
You have provided both a formal option as well as a more relaxed outlook here !
As I age, I am hoping to become more of an “ eccentric aunt “. Not at Iris Apfel level , but with a few quirky accents, perhaps. My 96 year old mother has been doing this for years and carrying it off quite well ! I admire the pastel softness and flowy quality fabrics of your “ aunt” ! Pastels are too light for me, but I admire them on others. I can relate more now to the flowy fabrics though , instead of the more structured , tailored , northeast US look that I have worn for decades. At my age , (75 – when did that happen ? ) I feel free to experiment a bit more with my look !
Wow! my two favourite colours – green and purple. I have loved these two colours since I was a teenager and I decided a few months ago to to move my entire wardrobe to these colours gradually as neutrals, accents etc. with some white/off-white and gold. Thanks for this post and the beautiful bracelet.
Ok, I’ll admit I’m not a huge purple/green fan, but I am so impressed you managed to find sunglasses that have both colours!
Janice, you rock as usual, and teach us that by starting with some good basics any colour combo is possible.
Thanks! I was inspired by the bracelet, and by how good both of these accents look with navy!
hugs,
Janice
My heart sang when I saw your post. . I love green and purple together, though mine tends to be teal with violet/purple in the winter and mint with lilac in the summer. I use off-white as a neutral but I shall enjoy experimenting with navy. The scarf you chose is so pretty but the cost of shipping to the UK…. I may even use this as a travel wardrobe on my next weekend away.
What an absolutely stunning set of colours and combinations. I am in the process of switching from black to navy, and you have given me some wonderful ideas. I need that bracelet!
Thank you for the link at the bottom! In my family I am the eccentric aunt. I think I’m going to take a closer look at that wardrobe and swap the warm colors for cool, and see if I can run with it. Those outfits are my style, along with my signature “historical” shoes.
Great post! Would also love to see the creamy silk version, even with a different bracelet and accent colors, if the creamy silk items ever become readily available.
I’m going to keep my eyes open for when silk starts arriving; I can usually count on Eileen Fisher doing some, at a minimum. Fingers crossed…
hugs,
Janice
No one has mentioned that these are the suffragette colours – at least they were here in England at the start of the 20th century. Purple for loyalty and dignity, white for purity, green for hope. Doesn’t that make them more beautiful together?
The American actress Elizabeth Robins, who lived in England, wore a white gown trimmed with purple and green when she attended a formal banquet with the King. What a way to protest! Wearing this beautiful bracelet would be extra enjoyable knowing this, I think.
OH this is WONDERFUL! Thanks for sharing!!!! You’re right, knowing this gives this bracelet additional meaning…
hugs,
Janice
Also, jewellery set with Peridot, Pearls and Amethyst were a popular, but subtle statement of support for the Suffragettes. You can still find Suffragette jewellery and badges in antique shops in the UK.
The American suffragettes wore purple, white and gold. Perhaps combining the US and UK colours would make a great colour scheme for International Women’s Day on 8 March?
What a gorgeous bracelet!
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