December 31, 2025
This seems a fitting way to finish up our year here together, doesn’t it?
I love this painting; I always fear that I’m going to be absolutely sick of the six paintings by the end of the year, but it’s never happened. Yet. Good art has legs…
One thing I noticed as I was sorting out the contents of these four wardrobes: If you start with a plan, and proceed in a pretty orderly manner (like we did this year, when we added four garments and three accessories each month, and each group of 4 garments included a “bottom”), you’re probably going to end up with a great wardrobe.
There were very few glaring omissions in these – did you miss something that you thought should be included?
One of the real benefits of having your core wardrobe in place is that it gives you all the time in the world to add new things. There’s no rush, and no feeling that you don’t have something to wear to upcoming events.
And when you’re patient for hours, scrolling through clothes, you stumble on a great sweater, and matching pants, from two very different stores:
Next, let’s take one last long look at this really wonderful painting. I didn’t include any blue in this wardrobe, but a soft shade of denim and/or chambray would be lovely… and maybe brown? I think the bottom edge (I believe it’s a dock?) is brown. Hmm… A painting is a gift that gives for a lifetime.
If these are your colors, you’re in great shape! Many of us would need a lot more olive green, to keep things more sober. But wardrobe sobriety is overrated…
Since this heroine is happy with bright colors, I didn’t hold back when I did her last bit of “shopping”!
If I were going to rewrite to entire life and start my wardrobe over, this would be my color palette. Probably….
This is a wardrobe for those places that are more temperate and cool than warm. Think of Ireland…
Yes, I’m becoming more and more persistent about finding 100% natural fiber clothes. Even the smallest amount of synthetic means that – at the end of its long life of use – a garment won’t biodegrade completely.
And the cardigan is the kind of treat you deserve after being so disciplined!
I tried to find another painting from Hilma Af Klint, but didn’t see anything that had whappage. I’m not giving up…
One of the first things I do when I’m reviewing a big wardrobe is check to see if there are tee shirts, long-sleeved tee shirts, cotton turtlenecks and button-front shirts in all of the major colors of the wardrobe. When you struggle to get dressed, having all of the basics in hand makes things easier…
Why yes, leopard print would be perfect here! But I don’t care for animal prints – I don’t know why! – so I don’t usually show them. If you look long enough, there will be other prints in the same colors:
And thus, we bid adieu to the six wardrobe of 2025. I’m confident that we will grow fond of the next six…
I know that many of you are concerned because the initial view of the art and first 4 garments seemed really dark. Maybe that’s because I took the opportunity to pick up all of the dark neutral core garments at one time?
love,
Janice
p.s. Ten years ago, we looked at the possibilities for wearing pastel blue and mint green. Interestingly, Belovedest and I watched a rugby match last night in which one of the teams was wearing mint green! We didn’t like it…
Good evening from New Zealand 🇳🇿 .
Thanks for everything you do Janice. Even though our seasons are back to front, your advice and guidance is much appreciated. Sending warmth and sunshine 🌞 your way!
So pleased you got to enjoy your special time in Paris.
Wishing you a happy and healthy 2026.😘
Love the Eiffel Tower print wardrobe! I think you’re exactly right about it being perfect for Ireland. That Boden sweater is stunning and I’m trying to tell myself I don’t need it, lol.
Thank you for the look back and possible add-ons. After three weeks of travel with my version of the Magill I decided what I would/will look for. Wine/purplish pants in a wider leg proportion. Might be denim. Heaven knows I have enough clothes but this is something to keep in my brain. Also a scarf with wine or purples in it. And please note that my version included some black and white. I also used both silver and gold. It really worked out well. Can’t wait for the new art to be fleshed out. You always have thought provoking insights and I also love to hear from other readers.(when comments are phrased politely) Mint green seems a bit soft for rugby but what do I know?
The big color for rugby jerseys this year is pink! One of the two Paris teams – Stade Francais – has always worn bright pink, but this year it seems that a lot of teams are wearing pink as their “alternate road” uniform.
They’re tough enough that it doesn’t matter what they wear!
hugs,
Janice
I love that! Unusual team uniform colors in pro sports makes me happy to see.
Reminding us to cover the basics in our best neutrals and how to make an overall plan is really helpful.
I also like the part about buying styles you really love in as many of your colors as possible. I’m old enough to have tried many styles and have a definite style that makes me feel really confident. Another bit of your advice comes into play here. Be patient. If I find my favorite color in a top or find a print in my colors that’s too big & splashy, I just don’t buy them. Believe me, I frequently find my colors where the style is just wrong. Or I find my style, but the color would be out of place or makes me feel drab: then I wait to search another day.
And finally- layers. Sorting out warm weather and cool weather items makes so much sense. Checking average monthly temperatures for your area and then deciding where YOU need really warm things and where you don’t is key. Some people can’t shed a jacket until the temps are in the 80s and others are sleeveless at 65 degrees.
Lifestyle, climate and comfort are excellent guidelines when you audit the closet. (But I will never wear jeans to the opera, the ballet or the philharmonic.)
I like all of this year’s capsule collections.
• The first wardrobe is so beautiful.
Oh yes, about the new additions.
This heroine has a rich selection of cardigans.
Eventually, she’ll find a blue and white skirt/dress.
• Yes, about patterned pieces; maybe you’ll find more in 2026.
The colors are so beautiful. 🧡💛🤍🤎
• My favorite wardrobe and a great base for French Five & the green in the painting. I’m taking the new additions from the first capsule.
I like the accessories the best.
• I would have liked more cognac here. The individual pieces are beautifully selected.
I hope the wardrobes in 2026 won’t be too black.
Happy New Year! ✨️
Good wishes for a very happy New Year in 2026, and much appreciation for all your posts.
Happy New Year, Janice! (And Happy New Year to the wonderful TVF community, too!)
Thank you for bringing these beautiful wardrobes to their logical conclusion. I love the ‘finishing’ pieces you’ve picked for each. “Street Lights” and “The Swan No. 24” are my favorite paintings you chose from this year and I adored the additions that you made for both of these.
I love the inspiration you provide for slowing down and practicing mindfulness while intentionally planning our wardrobes. Honestly, I’m a joyful shopper. I enjoy it…it’s a “hobby”. But, I also know that, as I age, my needs are fewer and I need to begin shifting my focus from just having fun to being more focused. Thank you for this, also.
Thank you, Janice, bless you and wishing you a delightful 2026.
Sending you lots of love, Ellen. You’re the most faithful of friends!
big hugs,
Janice
I LOVE that butterfly skirt so much!
Fun, I near had a record scratch when you called it an animal print because in my mind that is a pattern resembling the fur of big cats, not depictions of actual animals, but really, what else would it be called? I am actually really fond of prints with animals, flowers, and trees, and can’t stand the prints of big cats’ fur. Though someone once suggested snow leopard fur for a neutral without the warm tones usually found in those patterns. Would like to see a garment with that.)
I now feel bad for saying I felt there was too much black in your 2026 picks because you only had one with black for the 2025 ones. I am so sorry! Do what you love for 2026!
(I haven’t been able to keep up with your posts because of health issues. This year is my last chance to follow them in real time so I will do my best. They are glimmers! I have no idea how you have consistently posted three times a week for so many years when I have trouble enough just finding the time and energy to read them!)
And now I reread and see you didn’t call the butterfly print an animal print… I feel like you are getting the brunt of my brain fog, I am sorry!
Easily my favorite as I wear all these colors.