January 5, 2024
I’m not 100% over the flu yet, but I’m certainly well enough to share these paintings, and their wardrobes, with you!
Let’s get the blues, eh?
For the first few months, I’m going to make certain that this heroine has all of her necessary navy garments, and her white essentials. I think TOO much mixing of blues, too soon, could make things difficult… Let’s try to be at least a bit practical!
Well snoots, I forgot the painting!
She entered this year with these lovely core garments and accessories:
White shirt – Lands’ End; earrings – Genevive Jewelry; cashmere sweater – L.L.Bean; pants – L.L.Bean; scarf – COS; navy cardigan – J.Crew; navy loafers – Birdies
Yep – another irresistible scarf! Dark jeans, two perfect tee shirts, and I love a good sweater vest…
Earrings – Monet; vest – Alex Mill; white tee – L.L.Bean; wool scarf – Jessie Zhao New York; blue tee shirt – L.L.Bean; indigo ink jeans – L.L.Bean; sneakers – Skechers
I don’t wear navy – haven’t since shortly after grad school – but I could travel with these 8 pieces for a good long while!
This heroine now has at least a dozen possible outfits; let’s look at a couple of new ones that her January garments make available:
I think that this next heroine is one of you who needs a wide range of accent colors! Technically, I’m thinking that she has FIVE accents, because the beige in this painting often strays well into the blush pink shades…
Her starter garments were pretty simple…
Linen shirt – Everlane; earrings – Estelle Bartlett; green top – Boden; pants – J.Crew; marble print scarf – Artifact.; soft blue haze tee – Lands’ End; espadrilles – LifeStride
She found a gloriously nice cardigan, and a blush sweater! A slightly darker pair of beige pants, and an orange camp shirt – she’s got all KINDS of color combinations now,
And what a scarf…
Woven drop pearl earrings – Ballinger; cardigan – Banana Republic; blush polo sweater – Banana Republic; chinos – Banana Republic; scarf – Lost Pattern NYC; orange shirt – Mango; loafers – Franco Sarto
Her 8-piece wardrobe has a solid core of beige, with FOUR accent colors – enough to keep the most capricious among us interested…
This wardrobe offers plenty of ways to get dressed – here are just 2 ideas:
Our last wardrobe for January is this lovely work:
When she finished December, she has 4 garments that afforded her… 4 possible combinations?
Charcoal heather cotton sweater – L.L.Bean; grey pearl earrings – I’Mmany London; dark cranberry turtleneck – L.L.Bean; dark gray heather pants – L.L.Bean; scarf – Genevie; geo-print shirt – Lands’ End; loafers – Dansko
Here’s where our heroine confronts her biggest wardrobe challenge head-on; she is almost certainly going to include in her wardrobe a range of shades of red that will NOT go together. So be it – every last thing in your wardrobe doesn’t have to harmonize!
Happily, shades of grey are much easier to combine!
Charcoal cardigan – L.L.Bean; earrings – Samuel B.; red sweatshirt – Alex Mill; charcoal turtleneck – Lands’ End; scarf – Kinalba; jeans – H&M; boots – Munro
Her current 8-piece wardrobe clearly shows her preferences – wearing a range of shades of grey could be subtly elegant, or she can add a dash of brightness…
One can certainly get dressed at least a dozen different ways from this capsule wardrobe; here are 2 ideas:
There we are! So far…
A word to the wise, kind and lovely: if you see something that appeals, think fast and move faster! Things are currently selling out at amazing speeds. Maybe for once it’s wise to order, get something in hand, and THEN decide if it’s a keeper…
love,
Janice
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You missed out the painting and colour scheme for the first group. Easily done, especially when you are poorly. I hope you feel better very soon.
Anne
Fixed! I’m feeling… 47% good? Maybe? Sore throats are a test of character!
hugs,
Janice
I do hope you’re back to 100% soon, Janice, and getting enough rest. Thank you for the wardrobes; there’s something for me in all three! The blue, of course! And I love the tiger scarf in the second wardrobe. And I’m really liking the grey and red a lot! I have been thinking about a red French five for next winter (my winter neutrals are navy and grey).
I’m so glad you are on the mend. May you be fully recovered quickly. The six wardrobes truly have something for everyone. Honestly, I could happily wear every one of these six wardrobes if only my closet was big enough For me, the Magill, Rothko, and Klee are the ones I’m going to keep an eye on. Blues and whites have been my staples for years. The blue in the Klee I will replace with turquoise or just add it to the Rothko.
I’ve been inspired by these three posts since you made them many years ago:
https://www.theviviennefiles.com/2013/05/hot-pink-orange-packing-capsule-based.html/
https://www.theviviennefiles.com/2013/05/turquoise-orange-packing-capsule-based.html/
https://www.theviviennefiles.com/2013/05/closing-triangle-of-hot-pink-turquoise.html/
The Echo scarf https://echo100.echonewyork.com/products/elena-bansh
And the Jesses Zhao https://www.wolfandbadger.com/us/double-sided-silk-scarf-of-around-the-world/?mid=39687&utm_source=linkshare&utm_medium=affiliates&utm_campaign=J84DHJLQkR4&ranMID=39687&ranEAID=1808364&ransiteID=J84DHJLQkR4-G29OF3VzcpdeP2iuDtCGhw
are calling to me. But I don’t wear scarves. I wore scrubs every day , and night, as a trauma nurse. And jeans when off duty as a mom. Even though I’m in my sixties, scarves seem very grown up and chic. I feel like an imposter in them. Also, Florida weather and lifestyle isn’t very conducive to wearing them, no matter how fabulous they are.
Thanks, again, Janice. You continue to inspire.
I hope you continue your recovery. There’s STUFF going around out there.
The cut of those Banana Republic chinos is elegant. You keep finding the best scarves and earrings.
I went back to gaze at the O’Keefe painting and had the thought that a striped cardigan or scarf with a range of reds could be a unifying piece. I once had the most incredible cardigan from Talbots that was the basis for my travel capsule for years. It was so easy to pack with stripes of: true red: cranberry red, orange-red, denim, beige, ivory, butter yellow. (I think I’ve remembered all the colors.) I could toss in jeans, khakis, a jean skirt and red or blue trousers, add some tees & accessories and be on my merry way. I hope our heroine finds such a unifying piece.
Last fall, JC Penney had a long color-blocked cardigan in varying shades of red, which seriously tempted me, but it was acrylic and I generally prefer natural fibers, so I passed on it (and now I can’t find an image, or I’d put in a link). It would be great for this heroine! I’m sorry you’ll just have to take my word and imagine it.
Good Morning. I love the blue basics. This may be the one I follow. Perhaps not using the Capri Blue, but a different shade. My screen shows the gray of the last wardrobe as a very weird color. I don’t think it is in reality, but between the way I see colors and the variations of screens I find I have to imagine what it truly looks like. I do like the red and gray and think it will be quite lovely as you progress. Thank you, have a great weekend everyone, and Janice feel 100% soon!
Colors on computer and phone screens is the work of the devil, I swear!
hugs,
Janice
Beautiful, Janice! So glad you’re feeling better.
Camille
Nice to see you are feeling a bit better.
The navy blue is too dark for me. Too much like black for my liking but the bright blue is lovely.
The grey is too dull. I much prefer the Paul Klee scarf wardrobe. Probably because it is lighter and I love a variety of accent colours and the colours in this scarf appeal to me.
Happy new year everyone.
Thank you for these lovely postings and I hope you are feeling 100% very soon.
I am closely following the red and grey wardrobe. I started my capsule wardrobe journey early this year with a palette of navy, grey and burgundy, but have been struggling with the burgundy as I look toward the warmer months (plus I look really good in true red).
This red and grey capsule has given me confidence that I can successfully incorporate a range of reds and not be so tied to just burgundy. It also is making me consider ditching the navy (though I’m not sure I could live without blue jeans…).
Burgundy in the summer seems impossible, doesn’t it? The only brand that I can picture doing something might be Eileen Fisher; she often comes up with unexpected colors. But burgundy seems to be pretty thoroughly typecast as an autumn/winter color!
hugs,
Janice
You could try Etsy! I’ve ordered some linen pieces from sewists there who have a range of colors including burgundy/dark red. I realize it’s not like being able to go into a store and try on, but if you want a loosely fitting summer garment, it might work out well.
There’s this piece: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1564369829/cropped-burgundy-linen-shirt-with-tie?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=linen+womens+clothing+burgundy&ref=sr_gallery-1-2&pro=1&frs=1&etp=1&sts=1&organic_search_click=1
and also the “red plum” shade among these swatches:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1122778303/linen-dress-with-pockets-split-neck?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=linen+womens+clothing&ref=sr_gallery-1-25&pro=1&frs=1&bes=1&organic_search_click=1
and “wildcherry” here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/533940856/pl2201100linen-everyday-pants-washed?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=linen+womens+clothing+burgundy&ref=sc_gallery-1-12&plkey=160bc2f5de61897e85cea089f499e1adda5256e6%3A533940856
I have no connection to any of these shops, but if you want to get away from fast fashion, Etsy can be a good option.
Thank you both for the encouragement and links!
I’m liking the blue wardrobe and the gray and red selections. And Janice, I wanted tell you that I was surprised to find a selection of L L Bean clothes at my local Dillards department store. I’ve never before seen L L Bean merchandise anywhere but their own store and mail order/online business. Something new?
Yep – you can also find Lands’ End at Target. And J.Crew at Nordstrom. It’s not my favorite trend, but retailers will do what they will do!
hugs,
Janice
Hmm. It’s sometimes hard for me to process how much clothing has changed – styles, quality, fiber types, manufacturing methods, distribution methods, and more. I grew in the era of ILGWU labels in everything. I wonder if that Union still exists.
“Just look for the union label
When you are buying a suit, shirt or pants,
Remember somewhere, someone is working,
etc. etc.”
I don’t remember all the words, but it’s engraved on my brain forever…
Those were good days,
hugs,
Janice
Which of the 12 wardrobes would you say are focused on warm colors, and which on cool colors?
Hi Carrol,
I am strugling with this too. On my computer it looks like this, and anybody may correct me if I am wrong:
1) Parc Denis: painting cold, some clothes rather warm.
2) Rothko: painting: underground and the yellow warm. Yellow clothes warm, white rather warm.
3) Lane-Nash: painting warm (warm blue), clothes: neutral- cold
4) Klee: painting: warm! Clothes: warm and neutral
5) Red maple- O’Keefe: painting and clothes cold.
So, red can be a cold color and blue can be warm sometimes.
But it is rather difficult to discuss this, because, as Janice said, colors on screens is the work of the Devil :-)
Still not 100%, but at least some % better I hope?
All six wardrobes are getting off to a very good start, I think. I very much like the all blue group, but also like the Okeeffe. Lately I have been studying the two posts on Between Breath and the River by Susan Osgood. Navy, grey and muted blue with a casual vibe. I have an idea to sort of cobble the three painting inspirations together and see if it works. So, I will definitely be following these two painting through the year.
In case anyone is interested, the link to the Osgood painting:
https://www.theviviennefiles.com/2019/01/winter-travel-between-breath-and-the-river-4-by-susan-osgood.html/
Thanks for that reminder Sandy, I really liked that colour palette and the wardrobe. Cheers.
Blue and white is my clear favorite of this grouping, though naturally I’d be adding about a million different accent colors to it as we go along ;) I was thrilled to see two big cat motif scarves today. Hope you continue to feel better, Janice!
I finally acknowledged that nothing makes me happier than wearing blue. I have tried to add other colors, but they just don’t do it. Boring for a lot of you, I know. Like others, I don’t wear dark navy, but I have found the deep sea navy carried by Lands End to be the perfect lighter navy. The other paintings and wardrobes for this year are so lovely though. The Klee is stunning!
Glad you are feeling better. I am enjoying the progress of all these wardrobes. If i were to pick one for myself i would lean towards the Paul Klee as I am a rainbow person lol, i love colour!
I’m finding that at least so far, I’m really gravitating towards the all blue wardrobe. Not too surprising since I happen to be wearing all blue today, funnily enough. I think, like so many others, I’d sub out a lighter navy (or even more of a royal blue), and I’d also probably go with a soft white, but I love the brightness of the capri blue with the other tones.
I also like the vibe of the gray and red wardrobe, even though I wear neither of those colors! They are all beautiful.
I am so excited about the blue shades!
I am glad you included sneakers with the January update. I think everyone is wearing sneakers now! My son and I made a game of counting non-sneaker shoes on people on a recent jaunt across town – the non-sneaker numbers were quite low, I’d say less than 5%. True for me too, I’ve been wearing sneakers since 2020, like lots of us…
The Klee is really colorful and I love this cardigan.
I would even wear the blue with the red/grey.
This year all the clothing capsules look so amazing.
I wish you a great weekend.
Thank you.
The blue is my favourite, but the red, white and grey has got me thinking about how I might wear a dress in these sorts of colours given to me by my mother shortly before she died. It’s lovely but not easy to style for various reasons, so thank you for inspiring me to try again.
I was sorting out my very large collection of scarves on Saturday. I’ve separated out the blue scarves to begin the Magill blue wardrobe. I could easily encapsulate the burgundy and grey O’Keefe wardrobe as one scarf has burgundy and navy.