July 27, 2026
The email was not unexpected, but she still wasn’t thrilled to read it – everybody should be IN THE OFFICE three days a week, starting at the beginning of September…
She hasn’t been in the office on a regular basis in years. Literally.
So she’s going to plan a small work wardrobe that will see her through three days a week without a lot of thinking. Just making the trip back and forth is going to be quite enough additional effort!
She’s got green eyes, lots of freckles, dark reddish brown hair, and a fondness for autumn colors. Her inspiration is going to be this:
Unlike so many other wardrobe plans, this one’s starting with accent colors! When our heroine found both burgundy (that delightful Fig color from L.L.Bean), she knew that was where she wanted to begin. She decided to make the camel-ish tan in the painting a bit darker, to flatter her complexion. And a classic denim shirt and jeans MUST be part of her wardrobe. She knows full well that at least a few of her co-workers will wear NOTHING but jeans…
Fig tee – L.L.Bean; toasted coconut heather tee – L.L.Bean; fig cashmere cardigan – L.L.Bean; chambray shirt – L.L.Bean; 100% cotton jeans – 1822 Denim
After thinking about it for a few days, our heroine realizes that she can indeed manage getting dressed for work with just 16 garments. That makes staying organized easier…
So now that she has accent colors in place, maybe a few neutrals would be logical!
forest moss tee – Lands’ End; sea salt cotton shirt – Duluth Trading; forest moss shirt – Lands’ End; sea salt cardigan – L.L.Bean; forest moss chinos – Lands’ End
For some reason, adding the three forest moss green garments helps this wardrobe look a lot more coherent. Well, it helps me!
One of the nice things about having a small wardrobe: if you want a cashmere sweater, you get one! And if you want cool corduroy pants, you get them too!
I’m not telling you that the cashmere sweater below is $98, and comes in 11 colors…
Olive cashmere sweater – Nadaam; ivory tee – Lands’ End; striped sweatshirt – J.Crew; corduroy pants – Eileen Fisher
All of the essential are here – except another pair of pants! But I think our heroine can also add just about any kind of shirt or top that she wants…
The shirt is a departure! The corduroy pants are a staple. The best wardrobes include a mixture of fun things and neutral classics…
Here is where our heroine finds herself after her sorting, organizing, and little bit of shopping:
Take the clothes out of the template and arrange them in a more relaxed way, and it’s clear how easy our heroine will find it to get dressed for the office:
But as always, it’s wise to assemble specific outfits ahead of time! Finding wardrobe problems should NEVER be a “Monday morning” event…
Yes, the first few weeks of September might be too warm for much of this, but by mid-November, this will look pretty smart!
love,
Janice
p.s. Ten years ago, our heroine had a “chocolate box” wardrobe of brown, ivory, beige and pink! We did some cooler weather shopping for her in this post.
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Loving these colours – and envying the heroine for not having to stick to the conservative office blacks, greys, whites. and navies, which would suit neither her nor me! I’d be swapping out one of the pairs of trousers for a swishy skirt, and of course adding scarves and boots. This is a great denim-inclusive series you’ve put together, Janice, thanks.
As much as I’m holding onto summer with both hands, this wardrobe makes me yearn for Fall. This is pretty, practical and easy to make outfits from. Since everything works with everything else, I think this is an easy ‘grab one piece from each row’ way to dress. I’d personally, add in a denim dress or skirt and a burgundy dress and/or skirt, but I think this is wonderful. What about accessories and shoes? This is one plan for which I already have many of the pieces….I am going to try this!
But, let’s enjoy these last weeks of summer with abandon!
I would love to be writing about summer clothes, but finding things that are available, in a range of sizes, and with a good simple image, and that doesn’t cost the moon… well, it’s maddening!
love,
Janice
Oh, I hear you! I was on the North Shore of Massachusetts this past weekend, to celebrate my daughter’s bridal shower and my mother’s 90th birthday. Between events we had more fun noodling around Salem, Beverly, Gloucester and Newburyport….talk about towns with absolutely gorgeous independent shops! But, even though temps were in the 80’s, Autumn wear is in full gear in these beautiful boutiques. So, it’s not just you!
Good for a designated Casual Friday, when we are allowed by Management to wear these.
She must work in a very casual office. Knowing several autumn types who wouldn’t be seen near blue demim unless it was very dark blue. I’d swap the jeans for dark burgundy trousers and the drnim shirt for a checked shirt incorporating all the colours.
Lol !!
Lol !!!
I’m used to seeing all the lovely accessories! Miss them. But interesting colors for an autumn palette.
Love the style of this wardrobe as it resembles how I dress even now that I am retired. Absolutely love the fig colour but it is too dark for me. Would love to find a patterned shirt with this colour mixed with lighter colours…hmmm. I would also love to see some accessories to go with this wardrobe.
The painting is very like the new construction we saw last week at Stanford. Gorgeous burgundy/redwood colored walls of tile. Seeing this made me think of I’ve been there.
I have a question. Do you ever think in terms of clothing items more than or in addition to color? Like I was perusing LlBean for their fig color while thinking I have two flannel shirts, that’s enough, and no I don’t need another cardigan.
A midi denim skirt with brown boots instead of white cord trousers for me. I think this is all good for a retired person, no more work!