March 6, 2026
Isn’t this calming? Calming seems wise right now, doesn’t it?
Our heroine’s profession is to listen and to bring calm, acceptance, and understanding to her clients. So when she was inspired to base her wardrobe on the colors and the mood of this painting, it made good sense!
She loves the colors in her wardrobe – brown and rust to echo her hair, the soft golden tones of her skin, and the changeable aqua of her eyes!
At the end of February, she had a very small 12-piece wardrobe that felt like it had a lot of ivory in it, but that was still almost infinitely versatile. One could get dressed in the dark with this in your closet, and never look truly bad!
Her shopping this month is a mix of useful things that don’t necessary make any obvious outfits… The dark teal turtleneck gets snapped up even though cold weather is nearing an end – one should never pass up the perfect colors! And she finally found a dark brown cardigan…
Her skirt? Maybe better suited for upcoming warmer weather, but worn with dark tights and a sweater, it’s very dark, and will be just fine.
And the “Aegean Sea” sweater? Perfect color. Just such a pity that J.Crew didn’t make a shirt in this color, and a vest, and a tee shirt, and…
Knot earrings – The Met Store; Aegean Sea merino top – J.Crew; Degas print kerchief – The Met Store; turtleneck – Seasalt Cornwall; brown cashmere cardigan – Aritzia; brown linen blend skirt – GAP; brown ballet flats – 27 EDIT Naturalizer
When our heroine gets her purchases home, she can start to see some clear patterns in her preferences – especially for a lightweight “layering” turtleneck!
I share her fondness – in cold weather, nothing snugglier than having the back of your neck covered!
Her wardrobe template is coming along swimmingly! Yes, her three blue-green tops may not look great together, but they wouldn’t be terrible! And what’s more, she probably won’t have much occasion to wear them together, so they don’t NEED to match. They’re accents, after all…
As always, the question that is most important: how can she wear her new clothes with her existing wardrobe? If you can’t put together outfits with ease, you need to SERIOUSLY re-think your purchases…
I can picture this heroine so clearly…
love,
Janice
earlier posts in which we built this wardrobe can be found here: Christmas Eve Preview, January, February
p.s. Ten years ago, we were inspired by a glorious John Singer Sargent portrait. The wardrobe (this always amazes me) is brown, ivory and teal; the more things change….
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This is such a pretty wardrobe! I love the brown skirt! I can see this right now with the Aegean Sea sweater and the rust vest. It would make a color block outfit very chicly! Come summer, I can imagine this skirt with a tank in the same color and a gorgeous pair of sandals, paired with a long statement necklace.
Honestly, I am wearing a skirt today here in Maine—and it’s snowing! Paired with tights and boots, a skirt can go all year ’round.
That being said, I’m just here waiting for Shellduck!
You do beautiful work with your wardrobe combinations; unfortunately, I can’t wear 90% of the clothes. Browns, yellows, cream, pastels – all wash me out.
Check each item to see if it comes in the colors you look best in. I’ve read TVF for 10 years and I’ve learned to mentally substitute my favorite colors when I’m learning excellent capsule-building techniques.
Thanks for that very good suggestion!
Me too! Also, you might try looking back at old posts that include your favorite colors (use the search bar). Since Janice focuses on the classics, posts that are 5-10 years old still look great. And although the links will no longer work, they still show where the items were purchased so you’ll have a good idea where to look for something that suits you.
Oh, I love this wardrobe! I’m adding burgundy, blue, and pink. And I’ll be happy all year round.
The scarf is so pretty. I’m excited to see what else I’ll add this year.
Oh, The Met Store scarf! Loved the colors as shown so I checked out the store’s listing and found out the scarf is even more lovely in its entirety with the colorful Degas painting of ballet dancers. Tempted.
Me too! The only thing that saved me was the size – it’s a kerchief, not a fullsized scarf. Phew!
That agean teal is an accent colour i love and that skirt is awesome, comes in so many colours. Tempted by either the flax or white, in that skirt, always looking at where my basics have gaps now. Now i have to definitely start looking at my spring, summer wardrobe lol.
I’ve seen lots of dark brown, tan,cream and beige in the shops. Very few other colours, though light blue is popular.
Janice,
LOVE ! This shall become one of my favorites for a very long time to come !
I haven’t commented for ages, but I want you to know that this is the wardrobe that has surprised me. I did not anticipate that these colors would speak so strongly to me. I love the little scarf you chose! Thanks for all your beautiful work!
isn’t it fun to be surprised? I still find things that appeal to me and amaze me, after all these years!
love,
Janice
The scarves you have been including in all the wardrobes are really lovely. Yay you!
Thanks!!!
love,
Janice
I do like this wardrobe but not the brown. I’ll just substitute navy and grey as the neutrals along with one pair of taupe trousers. I’m conscious that I rarely wear skirts and dresses now because problem feet dictate less than elegant footwear. I yearn, just occasionally, be a bit more feminine. I order clothes online but mostly send them back as they are often too long or petite clothes don’t come in my size. Don’t manufacturers think that small people are plus size?
I have found a shirt dress with teal leaves in various shades on a navy background. I love it but, as usual, it is very long on me, though it’s supposed to be a midi dress. It was half price in a sale but can I justify spending another £10-20 on getting it shortened when I’ll only wear it very occasionally?
Dear Beth, 2 things: yes to tailoring costs if it’s something you love and even though use will be occasional, it will cover you for a long time. You deserve to look nice and feel that the fit is for you. 2. Train your eyes to the skirt/dress with comfy shoes or sneakers combo, once you do you will be both feminine and painless! I’m *only* 40, but seeing my mom and my own sensitive feet, long ago decided it’s just not worth it to look good if I don’t feel good because my feet and back are aching.
Happy and blessed Sunday to all!