November 10, 2025
Our last installment for this month – one of my favorite paintings!
This heroine gave some serious thought to what her holiday seasons promises to bring, and came to the conclusion that silky pants and a pretty blouse will be more than adequate for her festive needs. A couple of cardigans that can be dressed up, and some fun star and moon accessories, finish up her November shopping:
please note that “silky” does NOT equal “silk.” Neither does “satin.” There’s a lot of… confusing clothing descriptions in the world…
Navy beaded scarf – The Met Store; day and night earrings – The Met Store; patina green cardigan – J.Crew; Fair Isle cardigan – Alex Mill; navy blouse – Boden; navy silky pants – Banana Republic; ballet flats – Vionic
When she brings home her new things, she finds that everything blends in pretty much perfectly! There is always that satisfaction when you are disciplined with your purchases…
Her jewelry is just wonderful, and she has some scarves that are both lovely and that work well for her:
Dear oh dear…. I think that December must bring a navy handbag – something dressy. And I can’t put my finger on just what shoes she might need, but every time I look at this I just KNOW something’s missing:
Even with a shoe mystery (which may well ONLY be in my mind!), her new clothes fit seamlessly into her wardrobe. What fun to have all of these new outfits!
Even though I haven’t worn navy since Reagan was President, I could easily adapt myself to this wardrobe…
love,
Janice
the earlier posts in which this wardrobe was developed can be found here: Christmas Day Preview, January additions, February additions. March additions, April additions, May additions, June additions, July additions, August additions, September additions, October additions
p.s. Ten years ago, we revisited the heroine with the grey, green and blue wardrobe based on the Monet painting Arrival of the Normandy Train. She gets back to the office, and decides to take charge!
Like this wardrobe? Save it to Pinterest.
Wow, Janice, that’s a lovely fair isle cardigan, & somehow you have found a beautiful garment that incorporates all the colours of this wardrobe! Genius !! I like the green cardigan also, & the navy for dressing up. Very impressed with this wardrobe. Thank you!
You’ve found some beautiful, matching pieces, Janice.
These colors are so classic and timeless.
In the last post, I already mentioned that I’d like some blue loafers or ankle boots. (I live in an area where I rarely need sandals.)
I love everything about the capsule collection. I would only swap the striped dress.
Have a wonderful week, everyone!
Incidentally,
this is a great basic wardrobe for adding accents in ‘crayon colors’. 🌈
As I have said, probably ten or eleven times, this is my absolute favorite. Especially accessories, especially the earrings. The colors all work for me, personally. Separated by color, as the clothes are, I can easily see how they can work in different seasons. Some ladies here have mentioned this seems dark and dreary. Apparently that’s just my style, lol. I like the additions this month, being rather low key without sequins or whatnot. It suits what I think this heroine’s lifestyle is. I like the combination of dressy blouse, jeans and loafers. I wear a lot of navy, and because of this very painting I have been working brown and teal into the mix, and have very pleased with the results!
That scarf!!! Absolutely gorgeous. But she needs a navy & or cream long cardi in cashmere or silk to partner it. Perhaps some spiffy navy boots, too. Or maybe low pumps, with a diamondy detail? She definitely needs some jazzier shoes. And of course a navy bag – something simple that can dress up or down. Not that I have an opinion… 😊
Happy Monday!
This series has been a wonderful window into creating festive, holiday dressing while thinking outside the box, in terms of ‘what IS festive?’. This particular month’s offering for these paintings shows that any heroine can remain within her comfort/color sweet spot, yet still look appropriately dressed for a special event. You have given me interesting food for thought! I love wearing red, so it’s been a no-brainer for me during the holidays. However, you’ve opened my eyes to what else is out there for me.
I know we have December’s looks to go and I look forward to them. Next year, however, I am hopeful that you’ll include a painting (or two!) with bright colors. This year’s looks were so pretty, but they were all quite muted. I’d love to see a bright palette wardrobe. An old friend of mine is a super talented artist, and frankly, her work just makes my spirit rise. She specializes in brighter colors with exceptionally cheerful impressions. You certainly don’t need to use her work, but as a female, working artist, I hope it makes you smile! https://www.suzettelebenzonpaintings.com/
Good morning, I agree about the muted colors this year. My favorite painting this year was the O’Keefe as it was somewhat brighter and had my navy and greens. If it was my wardrobe, I would add the yellow from the painting and some hot pink for pop.
As for shoes, this heroine needs some ivory flats and navy short boots. Always sorry to see the end of the week of wardrobes.
Thank you, Janice
Ooops! I forgot, Love Suzette’s paintings. The colors make me smile and happy.
I’m going to have to send her a note to ask for digital images; the way her site is structured, the arrows left and right are in the way of “grabbing” the screen image. And there’s no “right click” copy and paste available either!
All two of my digital tricks are of no use…
But I’ll send her a note!
love,
Janice
Could you do the following?
Shift-Print Screen to grab the image
Paste on to a blank PowerPoint slide
Crop
Right Click to Save as a Picture
Close
You should then be able to insert the picture without all the background from the screenshot.
I’m putting together a presentation for my Master Gardener group called “Gardens on Screens: Films to Warm Your Winter.” To have an image for each film I’m featuring, I’ve had to rely on this process to use images from IMDB.com.
That’s brilliant! Why do I NEVER remember that there’s a Print Screen button?
Because I’m not always the brightest bulb…
Now I need to hear from the artist so I know what the title of the painting is!
thanks thanks thanks,
and a big hug,
Janice
Thank you for the link to your friend’s paintings, Ellen S.! Her “Florida Diary” contains all the colors I’d love to wear – including just the right greens.
As you and others mentioned, the paintings this year were mostly muted, which would have worked for me in decades past. Now that my hair is completely white, though, I need to wear brights.
Totally agree! Whenever I am out and about, I find it so depressing to see everyone in such drab colors. I would love to see at least one bright ensemble and someone who wears a lot of black! Love these paintings!!
How about navy trainers, not the serious sports wear ones, but the “fashionable”, easy to wear style? I wear mine a lot. When it comes to festive wear I’d rather have luxurious fabrics, like this heroine, than bejewelled or besequined items. And I’d never willingly wear a Christmas jumper unless it’s a subtle Fairisle or Norwegian motif one.
Tall boots in brown to wear with the brown dress and green dress. Such a pretty green and so good with navy.
Hi Ellen S. I agree – I also felt that overall, the paintings were just too muted this year. Love your friend Suzette’s paintings. The hot pink and flaming oranges make all the other colours zing!
I would add a dressy bronze metallic shoe and a beaded or embroidered clutch with some of the colors repeated—teal and brown and bronze. Peacocks, anyone? These items would jazz up her holiday look.
Your ideas for shoes and a clutch sound perfect, Jules!
I loved this wardrobe and that scarf is so beautiful. You find the best things. I have been following for a very long time and I remember the lookback originally. I saved the cozy version on a page as well as the one you linked. It was such an inspiration when I was a young mother feeling lost in style. I loved that wardrobe and you keep bringing ones that I love and it is such a surprise to see how to combine them. Thank you Janice!
I think the shoe gap is real… it feels like a “more festive” shoe is missing? i like the suggestion above of a bronze metallic; alternately I think velvet loafers would be great too. Somehow, I don’t love the additions this time (not that they aren’t fabulous, they just don’t hit for me). I think it’s the silhouette shown with the flat images … These seem like garments that will be beautiful on a body though. Just a good reminder to try items on before concluding if they are your style or not!
Fabulous job as always Janice! For next year I’d like to echo the comments above and hope there is a “bright” palate included :)
At the beginning of this series, I was absolutely sure that the two color set was me. For some reason, I had in my pea-brain the idea that the rosy color was an accent…until it wasn’t. But even if I mentally replace the gray with navy and the rose with chambray, I’m not enthralled. However, in a happy revelation, I am really liking The Swan. I had no interest at all in this painting at the start. I still would not wear the colors in The Swan. But what I
learned is that I really like one color with 2-3 pieces each season as an accent. Navy and chambray is the bulk of my wardrobe with a couple of pieces in ivory, pink, and red. Also the heroine who is representing this painting dresses the most like I do. There is so much to learn from all the hard work that goes into this series! I cannot wait to see what next year has to offer. Thank you Janice!
I’ve found the warm chocolate brown (dark walnut brown at Talbots) and the colors ranging from ivory, oatmeal, light tan to camel are extremely easy neutrals to wear with a palette of otherwise bright and clear clothing. It’s a bit more challenging to find these basics than black, but persistence pays.
I own a pair of wide leg satin(ish) trousers in warm chocolate. They’re not that almost black espresso or brown with a dash of berry. I’ve found you can move them toward casual with a tee, denim jacket & sneakers. If it’s dressy, top with a cashmere sweater and add a sparkly necklace or earrings and go with pumps, velvet mary janes, slingbacks kitten heels or suede boots. I’ve worn mine with a chambray shirt and loafers, too. In summer, a nice shell & sandals do the job. They’re surprisingly versatile.
Gotta add- I’m obsessed with the painting by Russian Natalia Goncharova called The Blue Cow. https://www.alamy.com/the-blue-cow-c-1911-by-natalia-goncharova-18811962-image352625342.html
I’m trying to prioritize the colors in that painting.
I enjoyed looking through the holiday ideas. My favorite is the swishy gold sequined two piece. Just before you began this I went over my holiday options and concluded I’m good to go. I like feeling I need no new clothes for winter. It’s very brief here.
Such nice additions to this wardrobe. Wish I was more disciplined, but I am trying thanks to you Janice.
I also vote for a brighter wardrobe but bright colours have been harder to find this year. My dear grandmother was a firm believer in wearing brighter colours around your face as we age, as our complexions lose brightness. She often encouraged women to wear bright scarfs when she worked in her dress shop.
I really enjoy the colors and clothing in this capsule as they are right up my alley! Thanks Janice :) I wonder if next year the capsules could have more colors per capsule, maybe that would be harder for you. But often when I think of a capsule I think of about 3 neutrals (a light, medium and dark) and maybe 3 accents, so six colors.
I think add tall boots or some sparkly/dressy shoes. I disagree on the blouse in this installment. I don’t know a single person who could wear that one well. It’s floofy and yet bulky-looking at the same time? I love the rest of this collection!
Please could you remind me of the name/make of the scarf with the birds on and around the Asian roof ? I’ve noted it before but can’t find the note….. it’s lovely.
It’s called Auspicious Cranes, by Soft Strokes Silk. You can find it here:
https://shopstyle.it/l/cwoUF
hugs,
Janice
Thank you!
I love this scarf series. Next year would you consider making one of the options for women in the southern hemisphere? Our Christmas will probably be in the high 30○ Celsius and swimming will be involved if we’re lucky. I’ve been enjoying your posts for quite a few years now 🤩
I love the idea of stars and moons for holiday dressing. I might have to borrow that idea … imitation being the sincerest form of flattery and all. 😉
I think what this wardrobe needs is blue suede shoes. I have been poking around shoe sites lately and was surprised how many options there are at the moment for blue suede from loafers, to booties, to athletic shoes. I tried to find blue suede a couple of years ago and found none so this seems to be the year to acquire them.
Lovely, just lovely! Some ankle boots for bad weather?