January 23, 2026
One last – for now – sampling of colors!
Many of us aren’t comfortable plunking down a lot of money on a piece of clothing that may not work out. So I thought that inexpensive tee shirts might be the best way to approach this…
Normally, I’m NOT going to suggest that you buy a garment that’s essentially “fast fashion,” but in this case it might be excusable. If you buy one of these tee shirts right now, and wear it every week or ten days until the end of the summer, you very well might wear it out! And that would be fine – you would either get the color out of your system, or have discovered a new accent that you want to wear long term.
If you’re not sure about choosing a color, let me suggest that you look at your existing accessories – especially your existing scarves. There might be a new (to you) color hiding in plain sight in your closet!
First up – it’s not quite orange, but neither is it a pure red:
Tee shirt – Old Navy; earrings – Machete; bandana – Kasih Co-op; sweater – L.L.Bean; shoes – Vionic; bag – Vince Camuto
You’ve seen this scarf before – this is an example of a scarf you might already own (to brighten up black) that would suggest a fresh accent color:
Tee shirt – Old Navy; earrings – Swarovski; scarf – The Met Store; sweater – L.L.Bean; loafers – Johnston & Murphy; tote – Hays
The name of this color mystifies me (yes, word choice is deliberate!); there’s nothing at all mystic about this color:
Tee shirt – Old Navy; earrings – Joiana Jewelry; goldenrod pinstripe shirt – Lands’ End; scarf – Elizabetta; sandals – Comfortive; bag – Veronica Beard
Soft and pretty:
Tee shirt – Old Navy; earrings – Anthropologie; cardigan – Old Navy; scarf – Squaïr; clogs – Dansko; bag – Rimini
Another green – bright and very spring-y:
Tee shirt – Old Navy; earrings- Nine West; sweatshirt – Old Navy; scarf – The Met Store; sandals – Söfft; bag – Springmoonatelier
A shade of blue that was almost shockingly difficult to match to ANYTHING! But imagine this with white shorts or pants:
Hat – Anthropologie; Tee shirt – Old Navy; earrings – Swarovski; necklace – Chairella; scarf – The Met Store; shirt – Lands’ End
Yes, we saw this scarf just a few days ago! But it’s gorgeous, classic, and on sale!
Tee shirt – Old Navy; four earrings – The Met Store; linen shirt – Eileen Fisher; scarf – Jessie Zhao New York; shoes – Ecco; tote – Hays
And finally, a lilac that was as easy to find by searching for pink as it was by searching for lilac, lavender, or purple. Color names are evil…
Tee shirt – Old Navy; earrings – In Season Jewelry; cardigan – Old Navy; scarf – Chuks Collins x Lush Décor; loafers – Minnetonka; bag – Kate Spade
Much to my surprise, if I were to try one of these colors for the summer, it would be Herbal Green! You never know what’s going to catch your eye…
Which do you most love – or hate?
love,
Janice
p.s. Ten years ago, we started the daily wardrobe with a lovely piece of fabric that was on display at the Art Institute of Chicago. Moss green, burgundy, gold and ivory… mmm…
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I like this idea. The greens and blues appeal to me. Also cactus bloom.
The “Medium Blue Pigment” is similar to True Blue. I have a tee shirt in this colour and you are right, it is shockingly difficult to match or coordinate with anything! It doesn’t have any oomph about it. I’m considering relegating mine to nightwear but even then I don’t have any complimentary bottoms.
However, I love the Flax Blue, although real flax flowers are slightly darker. The scarf is so pretty. Likewise, the Fresh Lilac but I’m not keen on the Rose coloured scarf. I would pair it with silver grey trousers and silver accessories.
Who has silver grey trousers? Please spill that tea!
This is a fantastic post! I just love this idea. Tees are great…they allow you to try a color out without committing to an entirely new wardrobe. I’ll be honest…I have some tees from Old Navy and some of them are actually equal in quality to other brands I regularly buy. But, others aren’t. This is one of those cases in which being able to go into the store is helpful so that you can feel the fabric. Overall, however, my ON tees are several years old and still in excellent shape.
My favorite here is the Cactus Bloom. Red? Orange? Love them both…so why not combine?
Janice, I also want to compliment you on the wonderful, colorful shoes you have shown the last two posts. I rarely think about colored shoes—for me, it’s black and brown for shoes, boots and sandals..and white sneakers. So…I’m finding this very inspiring. I can see wearing one of these cute pairs with a pair of jeans and a plain white tee…they’d just add a bit of “jeuje” to another otherwise simple look.
The second scarf shown also goes well with the first color.
I would combine the colors with gray/white or beige. It’s so amazing that you find such beautiful pieces.
I’m also choosing the herb green.
I bought a pistachio green shirt a while ago (which also goes well with olive).
The throwback is so lovely, too.
Love love love the cactus bloom! WOW! I haven’t actually paid that much attention to the shoes. Because of foot issues I more or less live in crocs. That being said I have amassed a collection of colorful crocs. I love having my shoes match my outfit. I have so enjoyed these posts this week. Amazing colors. Have a great weekend everyone
Medium blue pigment grabs me. I would wear it with jeans or neutral pants and skirts in black or navy as a pop of colour. Even though Old Navy is fast fashion, if you buy items in 100% cotton, they wash and wear well. They also sell petite clothing in larger sizes. It’s great not to have to shorten everything.
I rarely comment but had to jump in here this morning. I just recently had Old Navy recommended to me for jeans when I was losing weight. Turned out the boyfriend straight leg midrise jeans are wonderful and good for a pear-ish body. I now own 4 pairs!! When I purchased the 2 most recent jeans, I stumbled on the old navy T shirts you recommended today. I purchased 3 of them in store and ended up ordering 2 more online. They are great shirts and pretty good quality. They are not see through. I am notoriously cold (in Georgia!) and love to wear a tank or t shirt under almost everything.
I’m also drawn to the herbal green, but can’t tell if it leans more towards a cool blue or a warm yellow. I’m trying to watch these things now, but I’m no good at it!
Camille
In all fairness to your eyes, it’s pretty much right in the middle of cool and warm. Green can do that!
hugs,
Janice
I think the herbal green is cool but muted. The Chrysolite is a somewhat warmer spring green. The Herbal Green suits soft summers.
https://stylebyshades.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/ChatGPT-Image-Aug-4-2025-09_57_10-AM.png
Love all the colors! Of course, it helps that I have Spring coloring. Can’t remember if I’ve ever shopped at Old Navy but will need to check these out. Having tee shirts in an array of colors is always a good bet as they’re inexpensive, versatile, and don’t take up much space.
Did this last summer! I am so NOT. A green person but my little cashmere summer cardigan had flecks of bright green in it so I purchased a t shirt of that colour from Old Navy. Had so many compliments that I bought an over sized shirt in the same shade from a boutique ( on sale) still not a lover of green but at least I know which one works for me…I am looking to upgrade the t shirt though!
This week’s posts have been so uplifting. The weather has been so bleak and cold and the colours featured just put a smile on one’s face. I think if I was going to try a new colour I would choose a short sleeve t shirt. I am tempted by the lilac and the chrysolite is speaking to me right now. Thank you Janice for these great posts this week.
I think the medium blue is a lovely color. You could pair it with most neutrals – white, cream grey, tan, navy, black. It can also go with bluish greens, light blue (like the flax blue), red, pink, yellow., lilac.. It’s close to blue sky or water. 😊
Another way I like to test out new colors is a trip to the thrift store!
Thank you Janice for all the pretty colors and ideas this week!
My favourite summer shirt is medium blue and chrysolite flowers on a white background. I think they go together beautifully. Those are my two favourites from today. I was struck by debra from indy’s comment about tees in an array of colours, and I think this is a great idea for many heroines. I’ve realised this was exactly me when I was a working person, when I was very happy with having quite a few different colours for the top layers, with neutrals on the bottom and the second layer. I liked the variety, and also didn’t want to look like I was wearing the same thing every day :) Now that I’m retired, I find a variety of colours to be confusing rather than refreshing, and I’m happier with a much narrower range of colours. And far fewer clothes as well. I sometimes feel that I’ve come full circle to my teenage wardrobe, when I had hardly anything!
I want to jump in on the Old Navy bandwagon. I have tees both short sleeve and long that have held up for years! Maybe that has changed. I do love a good tee in different colors to change up a look.
This is a great approach to trying new color. A t shirt and a sale! I like the herbal green; so calming. And strangely, for me, the cactus bloom color. Love the herbal green scarf!
I find these post fascinating as I have no desire to add an accent colour LOL, and have no interest/desire in any of them. But, I recognize and support that many people do. Vive la difference! I truly appreciate the different drivers and why they are important. Know yourself!
Thanks! I just ordered the tee and cardi in the herbal green. I think they will look good with some celadon jade pieces I tend to wear in spring/summer!
I love this idea, Janice trying a new color with a simple tee feels so low-risk and practical. I’m also surprised how much I’m drawn to the herbal green. It looks calming and wearable, but still fresh.
I’ve been trying to add more color into my wardrobe without going all-in, and I think this method is perfect. I might try the cactus bloom too it has that warm, cheerful vibe that could brighten up a neutral outfit.
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Janice – This blog post was so useful today. I went to check on the Van Gogh iris scarf. Out of stock. but the pictures on the site had an outfit that I wanted to recreate – cream jeans, dark T, scarf. So I started rummaging thru my extensive scarf collection (you’re quite the influencer in this area.) Found a scarf that had the qualities of the Van Gogh scarf – cream background, butterflies instead of flowers, heavier on the green. We’re in the gap between 2 major cold snaps & the sun is out, & I feel like wearing something more spring than winter.
which meant I wanted to switch to a lighter purse. & while I looked for it – it hadn’t been used since fall – I found a number of items I’ve been looking for with no luck. So you get 3 gold stars today: influencing an outfit, helping me find missing items, & getting me started on spring cleaning.