July 20, 2026
I should be in Dublin when you read this. Yes. Back to Europe. Sometimes my plans aren’t the most efficient, or the most restful. But packing repeatedly makes me think of planning, and being organized…
Just over two years ago, I introduced you to this painting and this palette. I think it’s safe to say that for at least the current while, this is my signature palette:
I’ve been thinking for a while that pretty much any wardrobe could “come together” around a color palette that included two neutrals, two accents and denim. (your definition of neutral and accent is up to you – if pink and purple are your neutrals, I’m not going to tell you it’s wrong!)
So I put denim blue at the base, literally, of this graph, and apportioned the rest of the circle with the four other colors. If you want to flip this over and make it look like a peace sign, I support that…
Here’s an empty graph. If you right click on the image, you should be able to print it out. Grab some crayons and go crazy…
I decided to test-drive this palette by pondering what I would pack for Scotland and England in October… These five pieces are guaranteed a place in my suitcase, or on my back in transit!
white oxford shirt – L.L.Bean; Cotton sweater vest – Theory; chambray shirt – L.L.Bean; cashmere cardigan – Haven Well Within; 100% cotton chinos – GAP
In the 4 by 4 Template, these look like this, for me. You could certainly put the denim in the second row and finish up with four denim garments. Your white shirt could stay in the second row and that row could be finished up with a bone sweater, stone chinos and a bone tee shirt. We’re very flexible!
My second cluster of cloths that I would almost certainly take with me are these:
Black turtleneck – L.L.Bean; bone cashmere cardigan – Alex Mill; black tee shirt – L.L.Bean; jeans – Alex Mill; cotton skirt – Mango
Now, my 4 by 4 looks like this. Yes, I’ve got denim in two rows; for me, denim is like the grout-filler of my wardrobe! No gaps possible if denim is handy…
At this point, I have no clue what I might pack, but a possibility for someone might be these four garments.
Denim dress – Eileen Fisher; white tee – L.L.Bean; brown cotton sweater – L.L.Bean; purple cardigan – J.Crew
The template could be re-arranged in a few ways now. The arrangement isn’t as important as making sure that you’re got enough tops, bottoms and second layers, and being certain that things will work together at least reasonably well.
For a travel wardrobe, you really only need to bring one garment in an accent color, along with an accessory or two to keep the tee shirt or sweater from feeling homesick. But for today, I’m adding more accents.
Packing a “nice” sweatshirt for autumn and winter travel is wise…
Now we have a full template:
And a wardrobe that includes quite a bit of variety, but still has that solid neutral core that makes getting dressed easy:
What outfits might I pull together with these clothes in my bag?
I know for many of you, five colors is not enough for your wardrobe. But for a trip or a stressful week or two, this might make things easier, eh?
Just to see if this has potential, I’m going to pack for three more heroines, in three different color palettes. Nothing is more interesting than mixing colors….
love,
Janice
p.s. Ten years ago, our “Sleepless in Paris” heroine was doing some break-out shopping! Those image consultants might change everything for you…
Capsule wardrobe inspired by Silence in the Night – Save it to Pinterest.
I love the way your mind works. There you are, creating yet another way to start the decision making! A good math teacher does this— finding several approaches to reach the various learning styles in the classroom.
Looking forward to your application with new palettes.
Oh! And I find the look of ivory/cream and brown really classy.
Interesting. As are your comments on your journeys to my neighbouring countries and the weather in Europe.
(I am still wearing the thin summer-clothes because my home is holding the heat of last week. I am also prepared for another heat-wave. Tee’s and sweatshirts with long sleeves and cashmere are not in my thoughts right now. But Ireland might be cooler.)
As to the colour masterplan: I would certainly like to be able to pack like this. But I am what they call an autumn. Not the redhead, not the dark or soft one, but somewhere in the middle.
Olive, a warm greenish brown and the english army colour look good on me. They would be my basic colours. But I also need at least a pop of colour.
Warm orange, burned orange, terracotta could be one of them. But do I wear an olive bottom with an orange top? Not very likely. Only if they are in the exact same colour family.
Sunflower yellow, mustard and curry are good summer colours. Same problem here. You were so right: always take your colours with you.
White allways a warm white, no problem there.
But denim? How could that fit in?
So, you see? You are keeping me busy ;). And I like it a lot!
Denim comes in other colors besides blue. It’s harder to find, but brown, olive, or even natural could work.
Big smile! I do wear orange with green, often. And I do wear blue jeans along with my olive, natural linen/oatmeal neutrals and warm purple, orange/red and teal/turquoise accents. I do not wear denim tops.
Big smile back! I wear orange with purple. When I am in the mood. (Well, the shirt had a little bit of purple in it) And yes, I do actually wear green with orange, but it depends on the kind of green and the kind of orange.
P.S. How do you (all) think about the French advise: “Allways wear one colour that is different to the rest of your wardrobe, otherwise you look like someone else dressed you”?
Say you have a blue and white wardrobe and a fierce red handkerchief (pochette). Or a brown and purple outfit with a yellow band on your watch.
I like it!
This is such a great painting. I love the colors and the sense of movement. The periwinkle is just gorgeous and I’d be leaning heavily into that! Thank you for including denim….as someone who can’t imagine living without denim as a wardrobe staple. As a native Californian who now lives on the Maine coast, denim has been written into my very DNA, so I appreciate your including it. This makes sense as a great travel wardrobe to me, especially in fall, winter or spring.
I love that you’re in Dublin! How much fun is that? I have never been…and it’s on my bucket list. Have a pint for me and enjoy your time in Ireland.
Thankyou for sharing the visual! This willreally help. Laura
I love this! Very easy to visualize your wardrobe. I’d keep the ring of denim, neutrals would be navy and soft white or bone, and accent colors of soft mint green and purple. My Elizabetta scarf would tie it all together. Enjoy your time in Dublin!
I love your emails as color and what to pair with what are of great interest. Thank you.
Pretty much the perfect wardrobe template for me. This makes so much sense. Thank you and enjoy your holidays in Europe.
Jx
Lots to love in this post, thank you, especially the beautiful painting (which is new to me) and the concept of denim as grout filler. Brilliant :-)
This is just brilliant! The missing key! I’ve printed it and I think I will focus on three neutrals instead of two – navy, grey, and the bone color. The other position will be accents that will vary with season or occasion. Plus, of course denim and chambray. I have collected things in this general color scheme, but haphazardly. I feel I can focus so much better now. And assess and plan. Thank you and looking forward to more of these!
Also, on second thought after looking in my closet, I’ll choose a range of blues for the accent position and call it good!
Those are also my neutrals! 😊 (though bone seems to be more of a summer neutral than an all-year-round neutral for me 🤔)
Diana, same here. And grey is more for winter!
Grey is great for winter, too! I am trying to collect some cool-toned brown pieces to match the forest green and burgundy I like when it is cold ☺️ Not easy to find so I doubt it will be a proper neutral – more a part of a mini capsule.
Some great ideas here as always.
Love the peace sign idea!
Great approach that makes creating a palette easy. Another way to look at this palette is it has three neutrals and two accents. The neutrals are dark (black), medium (denim) and light (white). As for accents, two is a good number. I like to have one each from the cool colors (green, blue, purple) and the warm (red, orange, yellow) colors. This is more about where these colors are placed on the spectrum vs. their undertones. By combining a warm and a cool color you add energy and contrast. Your accent colors can be your signature colors which for me are turquoise and coral.
Boiling all this down to a formula would be: dark neutral, medium neutral, light neutral, cool accent, warm accent.
Love the circle template/ empty graph! 😊
I think you have mostly used the outer circle for metals earlier, if I remember correctly? Do you use denim/chambray as a material or a colour? (Love calling it a “grout-filler..! 😆)