March 7, 2025
My favorite sunny, warm, watery painting…
At the end of February, our heroine had this wardrobe; it has a couple of warm sweaters, to get her through her (short?) winter. I’m assuming that this heroine does NOT live in Maine, no matter where her favorite painting was painted!
This heroine is moving 100% into a warm-weather state of mind; she even has the good sense to grab a hat that she really likes early in the season. Heck, it gets sunny in March!
And if you like boat shoes, they’re back “in style.” As if they ever went OUT of style… Sheesh…
Hat – Talbots; glacier teal elbow-sleeve boatneck tee – L.L.Bean; earrings – Panacea; cotton cardigan – J.Crew; ivory cotton top – J.Crew; boat shoes – Sperry; cropped chambray chinos – L.L.Bean
This is what our heroine’s Weekly Timeless Wardrobe looks like now; I can see the merits of taking out the column for Winter and maybe duplicating the Spring column – what do you think?
Here’s her wardrobe now – it’s starting to look much more summery!
And how will this heroine wear her new purchases? Easily, and often!
I’ve been thinking – if we move to Ireland, I could take the Summer column out of the Weekly Timeless Wardrobe, and double-up on the Autumn garments…
There are lots of possibilities if you live somewhere that doesn’t have a traditional four seasons!
love,
Janice
p.s. The earlier posts about this wardrobe are here: Christmas Day Preview, January, February.
p.p.s. Ten years ago, I did a second post with “Lake and Red Tree” by Tom Thomson. The fun was in the floral accessories!
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This is another favourite painting this year. I like these calm, restful blues and greens.
I can see the point of altering these columns on a personal basis but not when some of your readers have the most fickle weather on the planet and have to be prepared for cold days even in August! Is anyone liking this wardrobe, even if you have cooler weather most of the time?
Temperature isn’t the problem in Ireland as that is the same as Southern Scotland, NW England and Wales. It’s the rain, the same as it is on the West Coast and Wales. I’m sure that there are plenty of nice days in Ireland and it will get warm, you just have to take a mac and a brolly out with you.
This is my favorite of the paintings and, mostly, the capsule. I’ve got my eye on those earrings. Boat shoes are favorites. I bought my last pair in 2012, still wearing them, but they’re showing some serious signs of wear. I think my cpw has been excellent “
This is beautiful! The colors are soothing and contemplative. I also am in love with the silver Sperry’s.
For those of us who DO live in Maine (and in other colder climates), it’s something to daydream about. Will I be able to wear these now? Of course not! But, am I sick of thinking of my winter wardrobe? Yes. I’m completely living vicariously through these warmer weather ideas and dreaming of my vacation at Easter.
I absolutely adore this wardrobe, it speaks to me. We have had an unusually mild winter where I live but still pretty chilly in the early mornings and night. I think you could definitely play around with the timeless wardrobe template. Thank you for all the wonderful ideas here.
I am a beach girl through and through. I like the others, but this collection really calls to me. I’d eventually add in a couple contrasting elements in a peachy, sun-burnt pink. They aren’t in the painting, but I need an extra color or two.
Love this! It does have a very warm weather feel. If you did move to Ireland, I assume you would still vacation every once in a while to a warm spot – Italy? south of France? Greece? You may still want to keep a small 13 piece summer wardrobe for those occasions.
My wardrobe is about half black for most of the year but in the summer I switch in natural linen. I’m attracted to jewelry with abalone and labradorite but hardly ever wear them. I would, here.
Another beautiful wardrobe with a lovely, beach vibe that makes me long for summer (snowing out my window). Maybe it is my screen, but I see a soft pink haze around the sun.
I see the pink haze too. I would definitely add a soft pink or peach to this wardrobe.
It’s interesting that you say that about the seasons. I am planning to move to Ecuador to a city high in the mountains. Every day of the year is the same weather – temps between 50 at night to 70 during the day. It always gets dark around 6:30. If it is sunny, it can feel pretty warm. It feels cooler if it is cloudy or rainy. They do not have heating or air conditioning. I have been there to visit a few times and I get pretty cold at night. I’m trying to build a reasonable capsule wardrobe looking at your guide. It finally hit me that I would do best by staying in the Fall and Spring categories. Can’t say why it has taken me so long to settle on this, but glad it finally has. Right now, I am working on getting the common wardrobe pieces as they will all work for my future plans. Thank you for helping me to sharpen my focus. One thing I am still struggling with is deciding on shoes.
What a lovely plan! And you were stuck because we’re all used to trying to do things according to the rules – years have four seasons! But in reality, things are more complicated…
Keep up updated on your move, and your wardrobe! I’m fascinated by international moves, since I’m planning one myself.
love,
Janice
Wow, this sounds like my ideal weather! Please do keep us updated.
Hi Janice,
I live in New Orleans, Louisiana and we are on the virge of summer. We say there are 2 seanson here: summer and February. We did get 10 inches of snow this year. I’ve never seen so much snow here. No one moved for 3 days until it melted. I know that in Chicago, that would be nothing and you would be out ana about the next day. I sew my own clothes and I try to make clothes that look like autunm and feel like summer and some clothes that look like winter but feel like spring.
I’ve also lived in San Francisco where they have 2 seasons — mild, wet winters and fridgid, foggy summers. My ex lived in Chicago where there were 2 seasons — winter and construction.
Thank you for all the work you do. I enjoy every post.
I think there are at least two more columns depending on your location. For me, living in South Florida, I have a tropical column and no winter. For those in the far north, a frigid column might be useful and no summer. Either way, your analysis of needed items is spot on and everyone can adapt easily.
My tropical column is very similar to summer except for the cut and weight of fabric. Loose flowly silhouettes in barely there gauze and linen is ideal when the temperature and humidity soar.
Thanks for all your advice
Regards
Cheryl
Here in Seattle we also have two seasons: wet and dry. 😂 I’m so looking forward to spring, and there are signs, things are blooming, on the other hand I have three layers on today in an effort to stay warm. It’s very chilly. I just love all these wardrobes this year, whether the colors are for me or not! Thank you Janice.
The template is for 4 seasons and many do not have a winter or for that matter a spring or fall! I have no need for pull over sweaters, scarves or Turtle Necks. A cardigan is for the air conditioning. Four columns of summer would work for me. I love these colors and would also add orange red and/or a warm mid range pink for variety. Lots of Bermuda shorts and capris. Casual resort wear is what is worn in my area. Suits are never seen except for an attorney in the court room.
I love this painting and the colors and casual vibe seem perfect for summers in Maine. All you need is a swimsuit and a pair of shorts.
I am curious how you would dress this up for going out for dinner.
For this heroine, I’m going to look for a skirt in either navy cotton or a natural linen, or a dress in a similar fabric. Maybe next month she’s going to look for a dress or skirt…
love,
Janice
Two more wonderful additions. (I didn’t get to look at yesterday’s post until today) Spring is definitely here and I know summer is close. My heavier cotton sweaters and turtlenecks are washed and put away until next November. Same for the corduroys. I admit I’ll miss them as I love the feel and textures. I have adjusted my columns to suit my climate.
Thank you for all the work you put in to these posts.
If it is that warm where this heroine lives, it might make more sense to double up on the summer column rather than the spring one
It’s interesting – I adore the colors in this wardrobe, but the vibe isn’t really speaking to me. I might see how far I can get combining these colors with the silhouettes from the Street Lights yellow, orange, and green painting.
I also love hearing everyone’s variations of the seasons. Here in Oregon, we have either chilly and damp or warm-to-hot and dry. Not much in between. The running joke is that we can go from winter to summer overnight, so my general tactic is just lots of layers.
I think it is a good idea to change the columns to suit your climate.
I feel you for Ireland! We moved here from South Africa five years ago and I still miss my summer clothes. I used to love long, flowy skirts and nice sandals, now I get to wear short sleeves for about a week in summer. Sandals do not feature in my wardrobe and neither do skirts. My legs are too cold and long skirts get wet. So I have thinner long sleeve shirts and blouses for spring to fall and heavier tops or jumpers/sweatshirts for fall to spring.
This alone was quite an adaption to get used to after 55 years! But I learned to live with it, because it is a small price to pay for living here in this beautiful country.
I moved from Ireland to Australia. And I haven’t had to replace my Smart Winter Coat!
I do replace a waterproof shell for hiking but otherwise I just need some jumpers. No winter wool scarves or hats or gloves. So the fun in dressing for the Irish Climate which isn’t frigid but damp and chilly for being that is wool accessories. A dark coat offset with pale matching hat and gloves is gorgeous with polished footwear. That is where you get to have fun in Ireland.
I’ve loved reading about everyone’s adaptations of the WTW for their local climate. I would happily wear these colours all year round just adapting to the weather with different materials. The other day, I saw a very elegant lady wearing top to toe ivory and cream in winter weight materials, I was thinking that she probably wears ivory separates or a dress in warmer weather just in lighter materials.
Perhaps that is the key to a happy wardrobe – choose your colours and stick to them all year round just adapting the materials and accessories to the weather. So if you have a few very unexpectedly cold or warm days, you have suitable clothes to hand.
Hi Janice an all, just wanted to thank everyone. I’m recovering from surgery (nit big one, but still…) and reading your brilliant posts and all the hilarious comments is really helping 🫶.
I agree with you Beth T, on enjoying how to tweak wardrobes to suit the weather, or be prepared for sudden turns. Also enjoyed the conversation around international moves. My one advice is don’t give it too much thought and save to buy what’s available and useful where you will live.
Cheers and blessings!
Sending love and healing woo woo vibes and energy and all the good things! Waiting ’til I move might make sense, although I need another Irish sweater like a bad headache…
love,
Janice
Thanks dear Janice, every kind word is appreciated! Thanks for knitting this community together ❤️.
Hahaha, maybe they have irish pants too (joke to self here, I apologize! ).
I think that depends on the interaction between your size/shape and the place you’re moving! I have fantasies about living in Spain but at my height I would have to buy/replace clothes when I visited the US, or maybe Germany or a Scandinavian country. UK clothing rarely accommodates my broad shoulders, though lengths aren’t bad. Of course there are some countries where you can easily get tailors to make or adapt things for you, so as long as we’re fantasizing, that’s an option!
Dame Eleankr Hull, don’t let that stop you from coming, there are tailors left in Spain. Also, a shopping trip to Germany or the Netherlands sounds like fun!
The colors are beautiful.
I live in an area that has four seasons. Some years, summer clothes are hardly used, or a top with a cardigan over it is enough because it is not hot enough. It has even snowed here in the summer. That’s why I have my entire wardrobe in the closet ready to hand at all times.