October 2, 2025
Here’s a work of art that’s more than worth of a few moments of contemplation. It’s a bit weird, yes, and enigmatic, and just not quite like anything else you’ll ever see! Except, of course, for other of her works. She’s worth our attention…
Our heroine is preparing for cold weather! She went into this month’s purchases with the goal of sticking to her Weekly Timeless Wardrobe list, but then realized that she didn’t have a simple black cashmere sweater…
This is a garment that’s right up there with the solid neutral long-sleeved tee shirt, in that it’s amazingly versatile and probably belongs in most wardrobes. So the plan will be set aside for this one garment, and a useful choice will be made.
There are no rules!
Plaid flannel shirt – Lands’ End; black pearl earrings – Ross-Simons; black cashmere sweater – J.Crew; black cashmere dress – Alex Mill; scarf – Artifact.; black ponte knit skirt – Banana Republic; boots – Gentle Souls
The only thing I could think of to do with our star is just park it up at the top for future use? reference? A reminder that we’ve strayed?
The colors in this wardrobe aren’t exactly divided in half, and may never be…
Another strong assortment of accessories. There’s just something about these…
Our heroine is well-equipped for cool-weather dressy events now! Between the super-warm turtleneck dress and the combination of a black sweater and skirt, she’s prepared for those Christmas Eve activities when the weather is about a million degrees below freezing…
These outfits come together pretty easily now. When you have the core neutral basics in your wardrobe, most things that you add will slot right into place seamlessly:
I’ve just realized – I could swap out the pink here for purple, and this might look quite a bit like my wardrobe!
Swapping colors is just one of the ways to take one of these wardrobes and make it just right for you…
love,
Janice
previous installations of this wardrobe can be found here: Christmas Day Introduction, January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September
p.s. Ten years ago, I had TWO Chic Sightings at the Art Institute of Chicago. Both women were wearing white pants – in the autumn!!!
Like this Wardrobe? Save to Pinterest!
This woman simply loves black. 🖤
In my mind, I always add a coat or jacket. (Hello cold weather) This heroine definitely has a cognac-colored coat in her closet.
I’m always amazed by the perfect pieces of clothing and accessories you find, Janice.
I still love this one, although I am determined not to convert my whole wardrobe to black! Love the accessories! To me they really reflect the vibe of the art.
Makes sense to loosen up with the template.
The pieces here are lovely, but overall is too much black for me. I still wear black, but more as an accent or wild card for those days that you need to look like an adult and don’t want to over think your outfit. I don’t remember the last time I wore black on black, so would need prints or mix with it with the blush.
We learn something each day! Thanks dear Janice!
Cheers and blessings to all 🌻.
This is one of my favorites of the paintings you selected for 2025. The black, chestnut and pink are magical together and I love the soft additions of the pearl gray and ivory. While I adore the pieces you chose for this month’s additions, I was dearly hoping you’d pick some more of the chestnut brown during this fall season. I had seen two pieces that I’d earmarked to include in my own version of this painting.
This skirt: https://www.talbots.com/midi-sweater-skirt/P241018828.html?dwvar_P241018828_color=DARK%20WALNUT&dwvar_P241018828_sizeType=MS#q=brown%2Bskirt&lang=default&start=1
And this blouse (both from Talbots):
https://www.talbots.com/soft-satin-charmeuse-shirt/P253075148.html?dwvar_P253075148_color=DARK%20WALNUT&dwvar_P253075148_sizeType=MS#q=brown%2Bblouse&lang=default&start=1
These just feel tailor made for this wardrobe to me and I’d wear them both in a heartbeat, paired with the stained glass scarf (which is still my favorite of this collection) and the tall black boots. I’d also love to wear the gold sneakers with any of the skirts and dresses….but, then again, I’m a sneakers with skirts sort of woman.
I’m very much enamored of this painting….and I love how you’re introducing us to artists we might not be familiar with otherwise. Are you already looking for next year?
This is one of my favorites of the paintings you selected for 2025. The black, chestnut and pink are magical together and I love the soft additions of the pearl gray and ivory. While I adore the pieces you chose for this month’s additions, I was dearly hoping you’d pick some more of the chestnut brown during this fall season. I’d dearly love to see a chestnut brown dress, skirt and blouse in this color.
I’m very much enamored of this painting….and I love how you’re introducing us to artists we might not be familiar with otherwise. Are you already looking for next year?
I’m very attracted to this capsule. And unlike your other commenters, I am reverting to a black- based wardrobe. After 6 years of loading up my wardrobe with color (after a color analysis ), I found myself with a chaotic wardrobe that had no core. I do have a question about long skirts. When you wear them with flats in the winter, do you wear anything on your legs?
Kristine, I live in a mild climate so often don’t need to worry but if it’s really cold or I’m traveling I love opaque tights. sometimes I match my flats and sometimes I get a little wild.
Ahh. For some reason I thought you lived in Chicago with weather like the weather we have in Central NY.
This wardrobe is amazing. I still picture a dancer. Although not for me personally, if I worked with this heroine i would look forward each day to see what she wears.
I agree with you. This has a true ballerina aesthetic about it!
A cashmere sweater just makes good sense. Wish I had invested in this long before now. Best investment I ever made. Templates are just a guide but nice to have something to keep you from straying too far a field so you dont end up with a lot of orphans in your wardrobe.
I think I have about everything in this wardrobe except the black cashmere sweater! Every year I consider one and every year I think nope too hot. I definitely see the use and appeal but find I can make do with something else. I do love this painting and the inspiration. So fun and I too have discovered a new to me artist.
Where do you live? I used to think cashmere was too hot but now I love it. If you want to try one for a modest price, Quince has nice long-sleeved crew and v-necks for $50 (including shipping and exchanges). They are warm but not too thick, and I find that they hold up well. They also have short-sleeved, $45 “tshirt” cashmere sweaters that are a little thinner, but not the thin, cut-rate cashmere some stores sell. My office is cold, so they’re three-season Ts to me! They run a size small (the long-sleeve sweaters run true to size). I would have a bunch but most of their colors are yellow-based. I don’t buy expensive clothes and $50 is a lot to me, but these are classics and I wear them often. They’re so soft! Well worth the price.