July 2, 2025
The question of accent colors is one that comes up a lot in my emails – how much is enough? Can it just be scarves and jewelry, or do I have to have clothing in my accent colors? I hate bright shoes – do I HAVE to have accent shoes?
Whatever makes you happy is enough. Your accent colors can be whatever you like to have in your wardrobe. You NEVER have to have shoes you don’t like. If you own something you don’t like, SELL IT. Or give it away, whatever, but don’t EVER make yourself wear things you don’t like. (yes, bridesmaid dresses will trip up many of us at some time…)
Here’s our painting:
To me, the teal in the trees keeps this painting from being just another insipid ocean landscape…
When our heroine ran into a small trove of teal clothes, at a good price, from a good quality company, she stocked up! While this isn’t the most exciting shopping you can ever do, it might be among the most practical.
Teal tank top – L.L.Bean; cotton bandana – Daily Practice; teal turtleneck – L.L.Bean; teal tee – L.L.Bean; bag – Athleta; linen pants – Alex Mill; sneakers – No Bull
For two days in a row, I’VE CHEATED on the Weekly Timeless Wardrobe template. Sleeveless is hard to find, I have realized! So I’m calling her simple tee shirt a “sleeveless top” for our purposes. Perfectly acceptable behavior – these templates aren’t carved in stone! (imagine what my computer would weigh is they were…)
Her wardrobe looks so tidy – maybe because I’m smitten with the stack of tee shirts, tank tops and shirts!
This heroine is a big scarf person, isn’t she?
I think close friends of our heroine will notice how much she wears teal. And I think they will approve, if they truly are CLOSE friends.
Maybe our heroine has green eyes? Or maybe she just loves teal…
These colors are so appealing to me – the juxtaposition of camel and chambray is particularly nice in my eyes!
love,
Janice
If you’re interested in seeing the earlier posts about this wardrobe, they can all be found here: Christmas Day Preview, January, February, March, April, May, June
p.s. Ten years ago, our heroine was going on the world’s most thankless business trip, with a travel wardrobe based on one of my favorite paintings!
Like this wardrobe? Save it to Pinterest!
It looks so beautiful with the petrol.
Maybe she can find another skirt or dress in that color.
I own shoes and bags in neutral colors, so it goes with everything.
I really like the selection of scarves … and the jewelry. 🤩
While all the wardrobes you so kindly present to us every time again give some sense of organization and clear head space, this one really sits on top of them all. I can really imagine a lady here who just has stacks of what looks good on her in the colors that she likes and who prefers to spend the rest of her time and energy in the things that really matter in life. While still looking pretty amazing. I really love this; thanks for being a weekly inspiration.
Yes, I second this! And I love this month’s additions. Love teal, wear a lot of it. Thank you Janice.
This is such a pretty wardrobe for the right woman. Every time you post it, I just admire the tan, teal and light blue scarf. These aren’t my primary colors, so I’ve held off purchasing it. However, I just adore it! Teal is a great color and looks terrific on most women. I even used it for my bridesmaids dresses back in 1988!
For friends looking for another dress, especially one in teal, should check out this one below from LL Bean. I own it in multiple colors and it’s perfect. The only caveat is that many of us will need to pin the front so it doesn’t gape. However, the color will go with other LL Bean teal pieces too. https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/122071?page=womens-summer-knit-dress-short-sleeve-print-misses&bc=12-27-506213&feat=506213-GN3&csp=f&attrValue_0=47432&pos=5
Have a great Tuesday, friends!
Greetings,
I have the LL Bean Summer Knit Dress in several colors and I agree! I also pin it unless I am wearing a camisole underneath.
I think mine are all over 5 years old and they still look like new.
Elisa in Alaska
I, too, am always drawn to that scarf and how perfectly it goes with the palette. I’ve loved “teal” since I was 6 years old (Crayola’s Blue-green was what hooked me :). I also chose a deep teal called “mallard” for my November wedding bridesmaids dresses. I picked out a simple high-hip tunic top with a straight skirt hoping maybe some of the ladies could get at least get another wearing or two of at least one of the pieces. I never had the heart to ask, so I can imagine that they did.
Whilst I like the colours in this painting, it just seems a tad flat, muted and matt. The colours are all the same shade; no variation. Compared to yesterdays painting that has a variety of shades of blue, green and beige/ivory. I think that I would struggle to wear today’s wardrobe all the time without the variety of shades of colour. When I look at my own wardrobe, I see the shading there which helps me to wear clothes to suit my mood – light to dark, muted or cool. I do like this painting and the colours but I would have to be in a particular mood to wear them. Perhaps when I’m feeling muted and flat myself?
I am intrigued by the subtle ways in which my wardrobe has changed over the years since finding the Vivienne Files. Firstly, the navy/light blue combination discovered with the Magill painting (lots of compliments when I wear shades of light/dark blue). Secondly that I should wear shades of teal/aqua more often as I also receive compliments. My dressy outfit for this summer is a sleeveless aqua print maxi dress (Lands End, a few years ago) with an aqua linen loose sleeve jacket (M&S Per Una). Every time, I have worn this outfit – an 80th birthday, a concert and an ordination – I have had compliments. All I have done is change the shoes and bag. I have a necklace that goes perfectly with the dress. I am seeing the benefit of creating complete smart-casual outfits that can be suitable for different occasions just by changing the accessories. Perhaps teal will be my winter adventure this year.
Thirdly, I am also seeing the value of having some loose long-sleeve cotton shirts in my wardrobe, something I wouldn’t have done either a few years ago. We have been enduring a second heatwave in the UK. It is suggested that wearing a loose long-sleeve cotton/linen shirt is cooler than a tee-shirt and will protect your arms. How right that is. It is not quite as scorching as parts of Europe but UK records have been broken. Whilst the official Met Office temperature yesterday was 34.7, my neighbour recorded a temperature of 36C (96.8F) yesterday afternoon. I can well believe it. Fortunately, it is cooler and cloudy today (max mid 20’s) and we might have a welcome shower or too. Hopefully, the players and spectators at Wimbledon will have an easier day of it too.
A polo-neck in July might seem an odd purchase, but it is good to think ahead if you find a garment for another season in your chosen colour. However, towards the end of summer in the UK, we can have quite chilly days. The other day, I found a sleeveless pale blue pullover that I might have ignored a few years ago. Then I remembered a post from earlier in the year/late last year which prompted a lively discussion of the benefits of wearing a sleeveless pullover or waistcoat as an extra layer under a cardigan – warmth without bulk on the sleeves. So this sleeveless pullover, will be added to my navy/light blue collection. I can see myself wearing it over a blue/lilac floral shirt with a thicker blue or lilac cardigan over the top. It has a U-shaped neckline so the shirt will still be visible. Warmth on the body without getting hot arms.
Stay cool, everyone!
This capsule looks super easy to find just the right pieces. The camel/tan family is so very versatile for the day our heroine decides to plug in just one more accent color.
Love every new piece! And the whole wardrobe seems so wearable realistically. I, too, love all the scarves. Great creative work!
I guess I just don’t understand the turtlenecks in July…. or really, anytime after March.
Our heroine buys them when they’re available; some companies change what colors are available at a whim, and so we don’t rely on finding winter clothes in the winter!
You’re right that they’re not going to actually be worn for months…
love,
Janice
We’re wearing them in the Southern hemisphere :)
Beth T good to hear from you! I always look forward to your comments. I love teal. My issue is there are so many varying shades, and I can’t “see” shades. I was with a friend of 30 years last night and she said she never knew I can’t see shades and how did I always look so pulled together? I told her that’s why I buy from same retailer then I’m reasonably sure the colors will coordinate. Anyway, I wear the same Kelly green bag with everything, but have a selection of crocs that can go with almost any outfit – green, pink, orange, blue, lavender…..the kids at school love my crocs. I like this wardrobe too, probably because of the teal and blue. I struggle with wearing camel/tan even though I would love to do so as a neutral in my closet. Just can’t seem to do it. I’m thinking I do like the brightness of yesterday’s wardrobe over this one, even with the teal pieces. Tremendously pulled together. Thank you so much!
Hi Sheila
I must admit that shades on the blue-green teal spectrum are difficult to match or blend by eye. I’ve not met anyone who can’t differentiate between shades.
Too many times I have looked at a top on that spectrum only to find that it’s the wrong shade to go with a particular skirt /trousers when I get it home. I once ended up with six blue-green tops and not one of them was right! I have the same problem with blues on the aqua/azure/turquoise spectrum.
I’ve learnt the lesson to take things with me to match. However, shop lighting can distort colours too.
It was pure luck that the aqua jacket went with the aqua dress!
I love the idea of your colourful Crocs.
My one son is color blind – particularly red. Which he can’t see at all. He always accuses me of “giving it” to him 😂😂
Nice selections, especially accessories! As to the idea of accent colors, I’m one who has trouble managing them. That said, with this wardrobe, I could drop all teal and still have plenty of outfits. I would lean more into the blue to take up the slack. Chambray and blue denim. More blue jeans! Maybe a Jean jacket… Just my little ideas.
All the cream/ivory and tan is gorgeous! It feels so fresh and summery to me.
This understated wardrobe suits a woman who prefers to not draw attention to herself. But understated can be quietly classic. Not everyone prefers bright colors.
Love the throwback painting and would enjoy seeing that palette revisited.
As for seeing shades, I am the opposite of Sheila. Anyone who knows me would mention my love of color and its subtle differences. For years, I’ve done informal color consulting with friends about clothes, paint choices, and gardening. However, my color world was upended after my cataract surgery last December. With cataracts, it’s like looking through a veil of yellow which suited me just fine as I prefer warm colors. But the newly implanted lenses have a tinge of blue. Black asphalt and garments at first looked almost like a dark navy. And my house trim I thought was a pink coral now looks Pepto-Bismol pink. Ugh, time to repaint. I had two weeks between surgeries and had fun comparing the differences before and after. Anyway, I have adjusted to my “new” eyes but thought my color experience might be helpful to others dealing with cataracts and the post-surgery change.
How strange that your op changed the colour receptors in your eyes.
It’s not the receptors that changed. It’s the difference between the lenses I was born with which developed cataracts adding the yellow tinge vs. the implanted, replacement lenses that have a blue tinge. Between surgeries, the white subtitles on the TV appeared pale blue with the “new” eye vs. pale yellow using the “old” eye.
So it’s not just me! I had cataract surgery in one eye decades ago and ever since have thought each eye sees colors differently. Especially light/warm colors under florescent lights, where there the fixed eye sees things as more orange.
Maybe that’s why I prefer cool colors, because I see them the same with both eyes.
This wardrobe is really calming and very pulled together. Smart to order from the same manufacturer! I’m thinking her friends will not only notice that she wears teal, they will give her birthday gifts (earrings, bracelets, scarves, etc.) that look fabulous with said color. And if they are out and about and spy something their friend would like they will inform her!
I am such a fan of camel/tan probably because it matches my hair lol. Not ready to go grey yet. This is such a pretty, soft wardrobe. This teal was too dark for me but LL Beans glacier teal is lighter and very pretty as well. I am really enjoying this series of paintings. Cant wait for tomorrow. Thank you Janice.
This is my favorite collection ever. I admire this heroine’s self-control and dogged dedication to her color palette! If I ever had to start over from scratch, this would be the wardrobe I would choose! Thanks, Janice!!
I have read that artists who had distinct cataracts in the past painted a “blue period”. As they aged their cataracts became discolored in yellow/brown and the blueness in their painting was a result of that.
Oh, I love this! :) I would add a little more chambray/denim and some navy. But this is wonderful!! My daughter is a red head with green eyes and she loves teal and wears so many shades of it. And her friends do know to give her all the teal things! :)
Do you have a the weekly timeless wardrobe template for download somewhere? I’d like to take stock of my existing capsule!
Regular reader, but I don’t know if I’ve ever commented before.