March 26, 2025
Sometimes, you just love something, even though you know that it might take a bit of effort to incorporate it into your wardrobe. This two-piece dress might be a good example:
I searched for HOURS to find other garments in this shade of green/brown. A cardigan – a tee shirt – maybe a pair of shorts? Not to be found in my world…
But there’s still a way. There’s ALWAYS A way!
How about finding a scarf that’s both perfect with the olive dress, and gorgeous?
If scarf designers are happy putting colors together, we can be pretty confident about using those colors in a wardrobe!
Note – for leather accessories, a color like this one is a good match with bronze leather. And the entire scarf-based color palette cries out for labradorite. Such a great stone – it’s like opal’s darker, more mysterious cousin!
Since we’re heading into Spring in a big way, it makes good sense to be certain that we have a solid, versatile wardrobe core in shades of beige:
Cardigan – Lands’ End; labradorite earrings – Opium Jewels; ivory tee – Lands’ End; flax-colored linen shirt – J.Crew; pants – Alex Mill; loafers – Naturalizer
And the dark “blueberry” blue is perfect if your wardrobe always requires a bit of denim:
This heroine has searched and SEARCHED for a cardigan in her three colors – picture a beige background with embroidered blueberries and mossy green leaves. A truly crafty heroine could buy a simple solid beige cardigan and embroider the berries and leaves herself! Maybe even up-cycle a second-hand sweater…
But for now, this is how this heroine’s wardrobe for a long weekend comes together:
This is a heroine who should ALWAYS be carrying with her a swatch in her olive green. Maybe a skein of embroidery floss?
But even with eight garments, her options are many:
Friday, I’m going to try this same experiment with the “thistle” colored two-piece dress. It’s great to experiment with the same garments in different colors!
love,
Janice
p.s. Ten years ago, I was just back from New York (where I was quite ill with food poisoning; what is it with me and New York? Food poisoning, broken ribs…)
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Here’s the thing…I am deeply attracted to olive green. It works with my coloring. I love the vibe of it. Yet, every time I try to buy something, especially a “one piece” idea, I always feel like “Matron Mama Morton” from “Chicago”. I realize that it’s probably just me, since this utilitarian look is very chic.
That being said, I love the addition of the tan and the dark denim. I could completely see wearing the looks that split up that column of olive. I realize that it’s just me that feels this way. My mother is the chicest woman I know. She has a stunning 2 piece olive dress by a top designer that she’s had for more years than I can count. I have tried it on…and I look like a prison guard.
Also, I adore the scarf. In my very humble opinion, it makes these outfits!
I also have a hard time with head to toe column of color. For example an all beige look. I put it on and all I see is a pile of mashed potatoes:). Having said that, two things occur to me.
1, I believe I must need more contrast in outfits.
2, Once you see it, you can’t “unsee” it.
Annie
You are so right about the “unsee” it. It isn’t possible. With my coloring, olive is flattering, but I just can’t do head to toe. It makes no sense to me..but this is why we all have different tastes.
The color doesn’t do much for me – I’ll be far more interested in the Thistle on Friday, but you had me at Labradorite! My favorite!
This is great! These are not my colours, but I think it’s wonderful how you have paired it together. I see the two piece dress with the cardigan and the labradorite earrings as the perfect outfit for a summer office day.
All I can think of seeing this dark mossy green-brown is that it’ll look great with a range of other neutrals and many different accent colors. While I absolutely understand the desire to bolster this color in the capsule – if I let myself, I’d search for every possible piece in every color I have – it’s also perfectly fine to have only these two pieces in this unusual color. This neutral palette is lovely, but I’d love to see this revisited with some accent colors going into spring and summer.
This is a tricky color to work with as it can easily go drab. Adding the right colors as you did here makes it fresh especially with the perfect scarf you found. I’ve heard the color called “breen,” and it is a great dark neutral for those with autumn coloring.
Not my color, but I know plenty of women who’d look smashing in this. A bronze or gold belt might look excellent with this color. As for finding the color in the wild world of retail for other garments, here’s a trick: head to your local paint center and find the color cards to match your favorite wardrobe items. Then mount the little color rectangles onto several cardboard tabs. Slip them into a ziplock to avoid grime from those items you slip in and out of your handbag, and there you’ve created a mini palette to help you shop! It’s a DIY way to create the palettes the color/style companies provide their clients.
Huh! What a good idea! I have tried embroidery floss before, but some colors have not been found.
Oh that scarf!!!! Absolutely stunning.
YES.
As usual, the accessories are awesome. The capsule as well. I am Soft Autumn coloring and this is one of my colors and it looks good on me. However. I avoid it as it makes me feel like I’m wearing a military uniform. lol. Absolutely nothing wrong with that, but being in my sixties, I can’t really carry it off. Also when I’ve tried it it has been hard to find accent colors that I am satisfied with. I have more success with sage these days, especially for spring summer wear.
Janice – Banana Republic has something in this green color, which they call spiced olive green. T shirts, pants, dresses, & a collared cardigan can be found. If it suits your coloring, it’s a bonanza. This is not my favorite color, but it matches my eyes and works with the rest of the warm colors in my wardrobe.
It’s a great neutral that pairs well with many colours. I love what you’ve done with it. You’ve made a wonderful, wearable wardrobe. Sorry, not sorry, for the alliteration. I think that color would also look fabulous with bright pink!… And many other bright colours.
I think it would look great with turquoise wardrobe pieces & accessories, but then I love turquoise & wear it with everything!
I can see that!
hugs,
Janice
Oh yes, turquoise goes with almost anything and looks good on most gals.
Many years ago, my sister-in-law bought me a dress in that color. I received many compliments when I wore it, but it is not a color I am drawn to. Something to think about.
I’ve had that experience with purple. That’s probably the biggest reason that when I chose to add “non-hair color” highlights to my hair, I chose purple.
And I get compliments EVERY DAY on my hair. It’s the strangest experience of my life…
hugs,
Janice
Janice, I also added purple when I stopped trying to restore my natural very dark hair, and I, too, get compliments on it every day. Three years in, that still feels strange to me. (Men my age are the funniest “You have purple hair!” “Yes. Yes I do.”)
People will say that to me as if I didn’t KNOW THAT I HAVE PURPLE HAIR! Do they think that someone snuck up on me and colored it while I wasn’t paying attention????
hugs,
Janice
Beautiful accessories!
This is my green! Check Quince under “olive” – I just got their cotton cashmere sleeveless dress and it’s gorgeous… they have lots of other tops & bottoms, as well as a lighter shade that tones exactly. (Not affiliated, just a fan).
Love love love! This capsule is great! I am not a skirt-wearer but if these coordinates in a blouse and pants (yes in linen!!) I would snap them up in a heartbeat.
What could be more “me”? A little unusual, understated but interesting…no, I do not have autumn coloring, but the heart wants what the heart wants.
… and the labradorite? **chef’s kiss**. Perfection.
I looked around on Alex Mill’s website and I did find several other pieces in this color. A ribbed tank and a ribbed t, a cotton twill jacket and pants, a cardigan, a slightly lighter work jacket that would tone nicely with it, and a very cute wee card case that snaps closed. So there are all sorts of possibilities for a core in this color on their site. The beauty of shopping all in one place for a particular shade. lol. Something I learned here!
You’ve outdone yourself with this wardrobe! It might not really be my colour, but you have made a brilliant wardrobe with a quite original colour. My favourite outfit is the olive shirt, jeans and sandals, plus the labradorite jewellery.
Now I’m off to browse two piece sets….
I’d love to find this items in this colour for my husband’s wardrobe. He’s an autumn and looks amazing in olive and brown. He has a jumper which looks olive or brown depending on the light.
I’m looking forward to Thistle.
Beautiful wardrobe and love the labradorite and bronze with it. Last year, you combined several olive outfits and I was meh about them. This morning, I finally figured out what my issue is with this color. It reminds me of my dad’s scratchy wool army blanket. As a tactile person, that color can never be comforting to me. But I also think olive and blush pink would look amazing together.
Love how you have taken a “difficult” color and made it shine!
So VERY much fun to see you put colors together. I just love it! Thank you!
I wear this color a lot, it’s close to my eye color, (“every shade of amber”), which includes greens, golds and browns. My hair is dark brown, salon-encouraged to include shades of red and gold. I receive the most compliments when including dominant terracotta/apricot/peach shades or golden/wheat/ivory. The effect has been described as “tawny”. The blues I include for the complimentary breather color are lighter and darker versions of a slate or grey denim.
The “basic” color is so not me, yet…I love every piece you’ve chosen (that scarf!) and all the combinations.
If you’re looking for blueberries and mossy green leaves, check out Michael Michaud Jewelry. This link is to his blueberry twig necklace. I’ve owned (and loved wearing) this necklace for close to 20 years now! His designs are inspired by nature and have bronze rather than silver or gold as the main metal. Perfect for this heroine!
https://wildlifewonders.com/blueberry
https://www.michael-michaud-us.com/
The link for the Alex Mill beige pants are going to the olive skirt.