August 10, 2026
So many of our heroines this months are absolutely buried (metaphorically speaking, of course) in advertising for fall clothes. It’s so easy to see a handful of things that catch your eye – you buy on impulse – your tidy wardrobe starts to be less and less tidy…
Our heroines are responding by taking a hard look at what they already have, and identifying gaps in their wardrobe. Rationally, if our heroines are able to get dressed every day, their wardrobes don’t actually have gaps! But we are going to shop for a new season (most of us!), and thus our heroines are going to try to do it sensibly…
Today’s professional listeners has chosen this painting as her style-defining inspiration:
This wardrobe is actually quite well-balanced!
Her accessories are lovely – but she doesn’t have a pair of boots! If you wear boots, NOW is the time to start looking. (it took me THREE tries to get a pair that are comfortable…)
But our heroine realized that she only has one pair of dark brown pants – and they’re corduroy. It would be nice to be able to wear her darkest neutral during warmer weather… Our heroine took all of her dark brown things out of her closet to consider at length. Maybe a tee shirt, at least, would be handy:
French press cashmere sweater – J.Crew; brown cashmere cardigan – Aritzia; cowl-neck top – J.Crew; Brown shirt – Alex Mill; brown linen blend skirt – GAP; cords – J.Crew
After a few moments of thought, she decides to take advantage of the huge amount of brown clothing available right now!
Striped cardigan – Alex Mill; earrings – Kendra Scott; tee shirt – L.L.Bean; striped tee shirt – Lands’ End; checked bandana – Lost Pattern; cotton twill pants – Alex Mill; boots – Munro
Yes, the small scarf seems to be the same colors as the striped tee shirt! If you focus on your signature colors long enough, this kinds of coincidences will happen…
Her 56-piece template is filling in nicely:
Seeing her wardrobe in a less structured arrangement makes it clear that our heroine has choices!
Her accessories seem chosen to bring attention to her face – earrings, necklaces and scarves. Interesting – do they bring attention to her ears, so that it’s clear that she’s listening?
Our heroine’s new clothes are easy to wear with her existing things – she could almost get dressed in the dark:
Does anybody else find it amazing how much brown clothing is currently available? I can remember a time when you couldn’t find a brown cardigan or tee shirt for anything…
love,
Janice
If you’d like to start from scratch with this heroine, you can see every step of her wardrobe journey here: Christmas Eve Preview, January, February, March, April, May, June, July
p.s. Ten years ago, we added even MORE accessories to a capsule wardrobe. There’s a list of “essential accessories” and “frivolous accessories” in this post…
Like this wardrobe? Save it to Pinterest!
I love this wardrobe….it always makes me wish I had more brown in my wardrobe. Does anyone remember “Color Me Beautiful” parties from the 80’s and 90’s? I was a 22 year old newlywed, living in Germany, and a fellow Army officer’s wife was a consultant. She had a party for one of our monthly meetings…she’d drape us in swaths of cloth and pronounce our season. I was sure, going into this party, that I was a winter. I never understood why I didn’t like the colors I was supposed to like on me. In the party, I learned I’m an Autumn. The issue? Back in the day, it was tough to find the colors I wanted, unless it was the actual season. That being said, I still don’t own a lot of brown, despite loving the color. This wardrobe that you’ve created here is anything but boring and shows how exciting brown can be.
That being said, I’d love to see another dress or two in this wardrobe. I saw this one at Lands End, while I was browsing before I begin my Autumn shopping. Lands End has some great ‘wear now, wear later’ dresses for sale at this time. I thought this one would be pretty with this wardrobe. https://www.landsend.com/products/womens-bracelet-button-front-midi-dress/id_404772?attributes=44967,19923
Have a great week!
A sales associate at Talbots tells me the browns are flying off the racks. I’m old enough to remember when brown was THE neutral for everything.
I rediscovered it with a new draping of colors 2022. I was surprised at how much it flatters me. Now, I have a lot of it and it’s a really outstanding anchor in my wardrobe.
Are there links for the accessories anywhere? Beautiful wardrobe and accessory choices. These are my colors.
There are links for everything if you look back to the oldest posts for this wardrobe; the links should be at the very bottom of the post, after my signature.
hugs,
Janice
I’m loving all the brown! recently went shopping with my sister, picked up a “french five” in brown and navy. accent with that clay pink from a few weeks ago… oooooooooo I’d love to redo my whole wardrobe!!! But instead i’m sticking with being very selective and intentional, and hoping that there are still browns left when i’m ready for the next round! Gorgeous choices for this wardrobe.
The wardrobe that goes with this painting is one of my favorites – mainly due to that delightful green and the dark brown. The chestnut brown is lovely, too, it’s just not one of my colors.
I’m looking for ankle boots, too, and I keep sending everything back. You would think it would be easy to fine a simple black Chelsea boot with a low heel, but I’m not having luck. I have very short legs, and the shaft on the ones I’ve tried has been too high and rubs uncomfortably.
I’m not really seeing anything fall yet, but then again, I haven’t really looked. lol
This spring and summer the stores were full of navy, cream and a soft denim blue. Now we’ve moved to this glorious brown that I’m seriously tempted by…
I have no brown in my wardrobe and this collection is absolutely gorgeous! I wear sage green better than teal and wondering if it would go with this wardrobe. Thanks for all the ideas.