March 9, 2026
Wouldn’t it be fun to see one of these “in the feathers”?
Common Shelduck by Dennis A. Jones
I imagine that our heroine has seen one at least once; at least she’s sufficiently familiar with them to choose to copy their coloring in her wardrobe:
At the end of February, our heroine had this compact but very practical capsule wardrobe – easy to assemble a lot of different outfits from this small number of pieces:
But suddenly, our heroine is finding that people want to interview her! Yes, she always assumes that a local radio show might want to talk for 15 minutes about the shifting “bird demographics” of their area…
Now she’s finding that she might even be on television! At a minimum, she’s going to be on some videos online; people are starting to realizing that the nitty-gritty statistics of bird populations are both interesting and important. And it’s about time, she says!
So she treats herself to a couple of things that will look good on camera – a really pretty blouse, a cardigan that goes over everything and gives her that layered look that conveys authority, and A DRESS. If she’s going to be interviewed on the local public access television on Sunday morning, she’s going to dress up…
Brown ribbon scarf – Kueen; white eyelet tie-neck cotton – J.Crew; earrings – Coeur de Lion; black cotton cardigan – Lands’ End; white tee – Lands’ End; black ponte knit dress –Boden; woven flats – Vionic
Her wardrobe now looks less “number-cruncher sitting at a desk” and more “authority on local bird migration, breeding and diminished habitats”.
Which comes from the numbers…
Her wardrobe is still expanding in a very orderly manner; it’s clear that she should be looking for more brown next month if it’s available:
How is our heroine going to wear her beautiful new pieces? All kinds of possibilities!
Oh how I could live in this wardrobe…
love,
Janice
if you want to see how her existing wardrobe pieces came together, you can see the earlier posts here: Christmas Eve Preview, January, February
p.s. Ten years ago, we added essential accessories to a navy, yellow and white wardrobe. In my humble, anti-trend opinion, all of this could be worn today and still look great!
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pst Janice! I suppose you mean March on the pic with the new additions right? no worries it is monday for all of us …
I’m seldom sure what year we’re in, let alone known the month, date, or day of the week!
love,
Janice
And, oh yes, I fixed it! Thanks for pointing this out – I miss things from time to time…
love,
Janice
Good morning!
Each time this is posted, I fall more in love with it. It is NOT my favorite painting in this year’s group, but it IS my favorite wardrobe. The black and white, tan and red combination is just my vibe. I’m a firm believer that every woman needs a good black dress that can be dressed up or down. This dress is perfect.
I have a question for everyone: how do you feel about the floppy tie bow at the neck of the blouse? I lived in these in the 80’s and well into the 90’s. I also wore the (now ridiculous) “platter” collars. I shudder at them now and can’t bring myself to jump back in that pool again. I often wonder that, if you have worn a trend once and it comes back around, should you wear it again? For me, it depends on the look….but the bow collar is just not one I can do. I shudder at my 23 year old self trying to look “grown up” by wearing these. In its place, I’d wear a beautifully tailored crisp white shirt…sans ruffle or bow. But, that could very well be just me. My 31 year old daughter looks fabulous in this style of shirt now.
I’m with you re the floppy bows. Been there, did that “Dress for Success” look the first time. No interest in wearing them again. Or so many other of those late 70s/80s styles. Once was enough.
I feel the same about the floppy tie.
I’m very selective on what cuts and styles I wear and I avoid fads as much as possible. There aren’t many styles I wore in the Eighties (I graduated from high school in ‘81) that I would care to revisit. I wasn’t a fan of the floppy bows but I did tie some to hang long.
I enjoyed the variety of colours available back then and still enjoy wearing colours today. Another fashion element from that day was shoulder pads. They were thick then but I have been seriously considering buying some thin ones to give gentle structure to some of my blouses and dresses. It can be subtlety helpful.
My 30 year old daughter has raided her grandmother’s wardrobe for blouses with large collars, bow ties and ruffles. Very New Romantic! She looks fabulous. We were all young once!
Just read that these tied-bow blouses are on trend. They’re referred to as pussy bow blouses, not sure why, don’t think they were called that back in the ’80s. Wasn’t a fan back then, so count me out. I don’t think they are flattering if you have an ample bust as the bows can hang strangely.
No thank you. I did the Neo-Victorian romantic lace color thing in the 80s (platter collars!). And the bow is just a little too 1980s Power Suit for my tastes. Plus I’ve discovered that I’m more comfortable in simple and classic cuts, rather very romantic, billowy looks.
I have no problem with people revisiting trends they’ve worn before, but I’m not personally comfortable with doing it. It’s like seeing people embrace the 1970s art that was in every home when I was little; there’s just too much personal history there for me to enjoy it!
Janice and all, happy late women’s day!
Oh the story is fun! And evidently, the wardrobe is awesome. I’m on the brown-swap-for-blue group, but it’s very pretty. That being said, I always envision nature researchers/observers/livers in a bit sturdier boots and clothes, maybe a less polished but equally well-thougt outfit could work if they film her birdwatching on field (eg. Jeans and the white shirt with a padded vest and camp boots).
And also, nothing wrong with being a number cruncher (here!), she’s a feten looking one.
Cheers and blessings to all!
As black is readily available, I’d buy brown that I’m seeing in the shops right now.
In the UK, nature experts appear on TV and at public events in a clean version of their fieldwork and outdoor clothes. They are often interviewed outside or in a country building to give the impression that we are interrupting their important work. They’d only wear smart clothes if it was an important meeting or an awards ceremony.
That was what I was trying to say! Thank you, Beth t!
This wardrobe is lovely. I love how Janice has mixed up the number of neutrals she utilizes from the paintings. I have one neutral and limited accents (as in Ruffled Autumn Clouds) but for the heroine who has multiple neutrals, this would be fantastic inspiration. Also, I really enjoyed the look back! As someone who needs to work on accessories, these types of posts are so helpful.
I love this wardrobe even if, with my big hips, I avoid bright and light pants. Also, I love that you showed pieces that work on video – both beautiful and conveying authority! With so many of us having to attend online meetings or having to post online these days, I would love to see more media appropriate pieces. It’s hard for me, and probably others, to figure that out . . .
White tops, along with checks and some stripes to not work well on tv. Pale blue is a staple for tv.
The Shelduck’s head is black in the painting, but in person they are a deep, almost iridescent green. Maybe another color for a wardrobe expansion – or at least an excuse to add some deep emerald-toned stone jewelry.
This wardrobe keeps getting better everyday! Still surprises me that what I initially expected to be a rough outdoors wardrobe turned out to be the perfect neutral work capsule that can work for many women in many professions. I love that she is a number cruncher with a professional wardrobe.