October 17, 2025
One last look at what one can do with a simple sweater! Simple is key – it’s easier to layer, easier to pile on jewelry or a scarf, and much less likely to bore you as the years pass…
I think of expensive sweaters this way: starting when I finished graduate school (OMG years ago), I tried to buy one really good sweater each year.
Now, I’m sitting with almost 40 beautiful sweaters. People think I’m wildly extravagant, when I’m really just taking good care of my stuff!
This sweater is one that might appeal to almost any of us – burgundy is an easy color for many people to wear, and it goes with both warm and cool neutrals. Imagine this beauty with camel…. mmm…
The heroine who asked me to look into the wonders of burgundy posited that she would wear it with navy or grey:
Six outfits – I counted them this time! – ranging from jeans, to cords, to dressy…
sweater – J.Crew; earrings – Katy Faye; jeans – J.Crew; striped shirt – Lands’ End; burgundy suede bucket bag – J.Crew; sneakers – Ecco
sweater – J.Crew; earrings – Alexis Bittar; sequined skirt – Lands’ End; necklace – Talbots; bag – Reformation; pumps – Jewel Badgley Mischka
sweater – J.Crew; scarf – Elizabetta; shirt – Lands’ End; pinstripe pants – Alex Mill; bag – Fable England; shoes – G.H.Bass
sweater – J.Crew; earrings – Oradina; flannel shirt – L.L.Bean; iron grey cords – L.L.Bean; tote – rag & bone; loafers – Vionic
sweater – J.Crew; earrings – 2028; scarf – Anthropologie; skirt – Treasure & Bond; bag – Anthropologie; boots – Nine West
sweater – J.Crew; earrings – Olive & Piper; scarf – Nordstrom; pants – Aritzia; turtleneck – Eileen Fisher; loafers – Bandolino
Of course, if you were pulling these clothes together to pack, you might want to look for a navy vest, or a grey cardigan. Maybe pack a navy and white striped long-sleeve tee, or a white cotton turtleneck…
But even without adding anything to this wardrobe, you can find at least five more ways to get dressed using these things!
And what fun to look for burgundy bags and shoes; burgundy leather is the best!
I already have this year’s new sweater chosen (4 Objects Fisherman’s Cardigan, if it can ever get sent into the US from Ireland!!!), but I could see the appeal of burgundy. There’s always next year!
love,
Janice
p.s. Ten years ago, I shared some of my favorite accessory families…
Such a beautiful, classic wardrobe! The accessories! Especially the bunny bag. I’m loving this little series!
Isn’t the rabbit bag adorable? They also have other colorways with different woodland creature motifs if the burgundy/bunny isn’t one’s style.
This is a very pretty and practical wardrobe. I could create something similar, once I have my clothes back when we move into our being-built house), as these are mainly pieces I already have in my wardrobe. I especially love all the burgundy shoes!
The only piece I know I couldn’t wear would be the sequin skirt. It’s just too short for me, but I’m sure would look amazing on someone who has beautiful legs. I do not. If the skirt wasn’t a mini, but knee length, I’d be all over it for the holidays. However, I completely support this skirt’s inclusion into this wardrobe. For the right person, it would be outstanding.
I’m really enjoying this cashmere sweater series!
Love this capsule. Well done!
I have a lot of burgundy, navy and gray for Fall/Winter, so this is so helpful! Thanks for the new ideas!
Wow you have such great ideas! How do care/wash your sweaters?
Washing machine on delicate, with Eucalan or Woolite detergent. Lay flat to dry. They’re pretty tough!
hugs,
Janice
I have absolutely loved these sweater posting. And I’m really happy it’s cooler here now and I can wear sweaters! Have a wonderful weekend everyone.
I agree with you about burgundy leather being the best. Both my burgundy bag and burgundy boots (that I purchased as accent items more than 10 years ago) function as staples in my everyday wardrobe – they look great with practically everything!
I used to have a burgundy leather mini skirt that I eventually had to let go since the length was no longer appropriate for my lifestyle. Now that burgundy is popular again and showing up in shops, I’m on the prowl for the perfect burgundy leather A-line skirt. I’d also love to find a camel color suede skirt.
I am also enjoying this sweater series 🤗 i love wearing sweaters in the fall and winter months.
Burgundy is certainly having its moment this season. It looks especially upscale with navy.
I like your sweater strategy, especially the understanding that a simple sweater has so much versatility.
This capsule makes perfect sense. I mentally substitute my neutrals for the ones I don’t wear. After all, one has to be disciplined and persistent to build out a brilliantly workable capsule, another great strategy.
The traditional tennis sweater would fit right in with this wardrobe – white with burgundy and navy stripes along the V-neck, etc. By adding pink and light blue to this palette, it’s becomes one of my capsules during my college years in the early 1970s.
This is one of my favourite capsules EVER. Even though I would never have the occasion to wear most of it.
I am so glad to hear that I am not the only one who gifts myself a cashmere sweater every Christmas. I own almost as many as you Janice but then I am much older. I wash mine on short 15 minute cycle using liquid for delicates.
Your sweater in Ireland? Sounds like a good reason to go choose it in-person 😝
I love burgundy as an accent with navy and grey!
I’m very curious about the 40 sweaters! How does that work out in practice? Do you wear them all every year or focus on particular sweaters in a given year? How different are they from each other in style/color/etc.?
It’s interesting…a quality sweater will last ages so I’m not sure most of us will live long enough to wear out 40 sweaters (even if we wore one every single day, even in high summer) and I wonder about the cost per wear when talking about cashmere sweaters in the $150 range (vs. less expensive new or secondhand sweaters).
This isn’t AT ALL a criticism – I am genuinely curious how 40 $$$ sweaters works in a (I thought) smaller wardrobe with a limited color palette! I mean, I can imagine more easily how someone with a large wardrobe like mine might wear 40 sweaters and get value from them (it starts with buying them secondhand), but I’m curious how this would work in a different kind of wardrobe with a very different wardrobe philosophy. I’m guessing that people might have wildly different ideas about what “getting value from them” looks like, for example.
They don’t all get worn every year – some spend a year or two in my mother’s cedar chest, which I inherited. Living in Chicago, I can easily wear a sweater 7 days a week, for 6 months, so about 210 “sweater days…” But it doesn’t work out neatly, with each sweater being worn 5 times. I have a sweater from Oliver Charles that I wear every week, and almost always wear to travel. Conversely, I have a sweater with sequins woven into the fabric, which I wear pretty much only for going out. It’s not really efficient; I am seriously thinking about selling maybe 10 of them which are smaller and don’t suit the way I dress now. (I’m a roomy clothing person now!)
It’s a learning experience!
hugs,
Janice
Thanks for your response, Janice. It does make sense that there would be some that are well-suited to repeated daily wear and others that are worn for particular occasions. I can imagine that this is a special purchase that you make each year, and there is value in enjoying that and not worrying about how to wring maximum efficiency from it! A nice thing about buying quality clothing is that you can sell/donate it on to someone else once it’s no longer something you wear. From an environmental cost perspective, it’s a big advantage. And lovers of shopping secondhand for quality at a lower price point (like me) does appreciate it :)
Please provide some examples of “good” quality sweater brands that will last. Like you, I have several I bought years ago, however, I am not finding the same quality today.
The best sweaters I have now come from Eileen Fisher, or are hand-knit in Ireland. I have a vest from Quince that’s probably going to last a long time, because I never wear it without something under it, so it doesn’t need much laundering. And my sweaters from Oliver Charles should last the rest of my life – they’re yak fiber, knit to order, and knit without seams. Sweaters that are 20+ years old from Lands’ End and L.L.Bean should last; more recent purchases aren’t nearly as well-made nor as heavy.
Living through the 90s has proven to pay off!
hugs,
Janice
Janice, I totally agree about the decline in quality at Lands End, and it’s a shame. My oldest sweaters from them are the best. But I continua to buy one a year because they are light and warm and I wear them daily. I’ve been wondering about Quince, though, or something from Nordstrom?? Or direct from Scotland?
This is one of my favorite capsule wardrobes you have designed. I am a fan of burgundy, navy, gray and black as my primary colors for our Michigan / Great Lakes winters. I don’t own a burgundy crew neck sweater, but, this wardrobe sure puts one on my radar. I do own several burgundy cardigans that I enjoy wearing. J Jill has been great about using burgundy in their lines the last few years. My closet has all of these pieces, including a plaid shirt, except for a burgundy crew neck sweater. I don’t own any skirts. I gave those up years ago, so the sequin skirt is a fun fantasy New Year’s evening outfit. I might find a fun sequin top as a substitute with black slacks.
This post has brought fresh eyes to my wardrobe. It is a very timely post. I am in the middle of the summer/autumn clothing changeover. It is still in.the 70s here in the Detroit area. It is time to get out my beloved burgundy leather handbag. I have worn the purple Irish cardigan on a recent cool breezy day. It felt wonderful to wear that sweater.
I hope you can get your Irish Aran Fisherman’s sweaters delivered to you. I have three sweaters made in Ireland. Two sweaters are long wool cardigans – one in purple wool, and the other in a cable knit blue gray sweater. I purchased the blue gray beauty while visiting the Aran Island Sweater Shop on Inishmor Island. I also own a classic off white fisherman’s cable knit cardigan. I understand your love of the sweaters and Ireland.
Thanks for more wardrobe inspiration,
Janet
I looked up the Aran fisherman’s sweater. It says it’s made in Peru! 100% merino.
Great posts about what one can do with a solid crewneck sweater. Sally I also wondered about Janice’s 40 sweaters since she freely admits to wearing black with a few purple accents. We know there is always a turtleneck and a cardigan. Janice you must have some other beauties in that collection. When we moved my mom to assisted living this summer we had to reduce her wardrobe b/c of storage. I took back a red wool cardigan that she knit for me when I was in high school! (I just turned 74). She always said it was some of the nicest wool she ever used. It has gold buttons and I’m going to wear it as a “lady jacket”. I had given it back to her years ago b/c of it being wool. Still has my nametag sewn in from my college days! Price per wear should be good.
Amanda I hope our winter will be chilly so you can wear it more than once!
I thought Wednesday’s post couldn’t be beat and then this shows up! 😍 I think I could pull off the sequin skirt. I would need to measure very carefully! This does make me feel sweater envy but…….I do not need a sweater, I do not need a sweater, I DO NOT need a sweater because I live in SugarLand! Maybe if we ever make it to the cold frozen north…..
I could definitely adapt this color scheme to how I dress here. Thank you!
Oh, I love this color,
a very pretty collection.
I actually have about 30 sweaters (some I bought secondhand) in different colors.
This is beautiful. Burgundy is my go-to and I’m thrilled when I find new ways to wear it. Think I need those burgundy boots. Love the sequin skirt. As a 76 y/o, I would pair it with your cardigan or a chunky, slightly oversized black sweater. But I do need boots.
What a great sweater purchasing strategy. This gives me a new food for thought.
I have read your posts and their commentary for years and have found them to be a treasure trove of ideas and wisdom.
My friends gifted me a color consultation as a fun 80ieth birthday gift. I have pure white hair styled in a page boy with bangs. I won the gene pool and look a decade younger. I used to be a deep brunette. The color analyst who has been doing this over a decade told me I (1) was a deep autumn, (2) had warm skin tones and (3) to avoid black or white.
Her commentary has thrown me for a loop. I have nice white blouses that I am now reluctant to wear even though I used to feel good in them. I have a black Eileen Fisher outfit that I hesitate to use.
How do you feel about color analysis?
https://www.theviviennefiles.com/2011/05/when-image-consultants-collide.html/
This is a post that I wrote a long time ago, about how I’ve had conflicting image consultant recommendations. As much as I liked some of the colors from the consultation I had in Paris, there’s no way anybody is going to pry black clothes out of my hands! I think we wear what we love – if that’s what a consultant tells us, then that’s great. But if we know ourselves, and what we love, what difference does it make if some disinterested other person thinks I should do something different?
I really feel for you, but I say ignore what you were told, if it doesn’t ring true. Be true to your heart!
big Saturday morning love,
Janice
I’m not a colour consultant.
I kind of think that having white hair means that you can coordinate that colour with your wardrobe (like white shirts). Sounds beautiful to me.
Like Janice says ‘Be true to your heart!’.
(My colouring is light, warm & muted – which doesn’t fit in with The Seasons but does fit the Absolute Colour System (Intriguing).)
I’m a Spring who wears a lot of Autumn colors because I love them. My rule is “look at your eyes”. If a color makes them look bright & rested, I wear it!
And I’m definitely not gonna admit how many sweaters I own. Quality Note: I recently got the same sweater in men’s & women’s cashmere from Lands End – about the same fabric but much better construction on the men’s (cuffs & hem). The women’s is going back…
(yes, I used your link!)
Thank you for these two posts on green and burgundy jumpers. I wear both with grey but only green with navy. My green is dark teal. I don’t wear tend to wear burgundy/plum with navy – too dark on me. I would wear also wear teal and purple or burgundy/plum with pink.
I’d jazz up a plain jumper with a sparkly necklace or chunky pearls. I do have a plum jumper with a pearl and crystal beaded collar.
I’d wear a sparkly/sequin jumper for any occasion. Life is too short to save things for “special occasions”. Just the fact of dressing up makes any occasion special.
So the Ceder chest works? I may have to buy one. I have never kept a cashmere sweater for mor than 2 years without it being eaten by moths. I have mostly switched to cotton. I don’t have 40 years of sweater wearing left but would like to have a couple wool sweaters.
My cedar chest is at least 70 years old, and it seals like nothing you’ve ever seen. And it still has a distinct cedar aroma. I’m not sure if it’s the seal or the cedar that does the trick, but I’m delighted that I have it!
hugs,
Janice