August 28, 2026
I keep track of what I wear – I actually have an Excel spreadsheet that I’ve been keep for years…
But I don’t often actually USE this data for analysis… Until just a few days ago, I decided to see what I could learn about myself and my wardrobe from this diligent record-keeping.
Most frequently worn garment? Blue jeans
Second most frequently worn garment? Black jeans (I sense a theme…)
THIRD most frequently worn garment? Khakis! Or chinos! Or whatever they’re called in your neck of the woods… We call ’em khakis around here….
These aren’t exactly like mine, but these are really nice! All-cotton too…
I resisted buying chinos for decades. Literally decades. But I found a pair – used – very low price, and I took the chance. And now, any time I want to be comfortable, but I want to look just a little bit like I’m dressing nicely, I reach for them.
Why? They go with anything. Okay, I’m sure among us all we can thing of SOMETHING that won’t look right with them, but it’s an effort. These pants are versatile!
Let’s see…
What navy – a classic:
Tee shirt – L.L.Bean; scarf – Lauren Ralph Lauren; cardigan – L.L.Bean; pants – Madewell; navy suede bag – Madewell; boots – Munro
Pretty much any shade of green – wouldn’t you go to some lengths to be able to wear these boots all the time?
Earrings – Karine Sultan; sweater – L.L.Bean; ivory shirt – Lands’ End; pants – Madewell; scarf – Barbour; boots – L’Artiste by SpringStep
Black is an obvious pairing – especially with floral shoes!
cashmere sweater – J.Crew; leaf earrings – Maison de Gala; white tee – Lands’ End; scarf – Jessie Zhao New York; pants – Madewell; loafers – L’Artiste by Spring Step
All of the earth-tones are perfect with tan – and these pants make a sweatshirt just a wee bit less “sweaty.”
Earrings – Kate Koel; sweatshirt – Lands’ End; ginger striped shirt – Lands’ End; pants – Madewell; bag – The Sak; sneakers – Pikolinos
This is how I often wear my khakis – I have a glorious Irish cardigan, and a work-horse chambray shirt…
Cardigan – L.L.Bean; pearl earrings – Esterah; scarf – Lost Pattern NYC; chambray shirt – L.L.Bean; pants – Madewell; sneakers – adidas
Grey with tan? Why not – it’s a great opportunity to wear jewelry with both silver and gold…
Tee shirt – Lands’ End; necklace – Kendra Scott; earrings – Ana Luisa; cardigan – COS; pants – Madewell; shoes – Arezzo
Of course. Brown.
Cardigan – L.L.Bean; earrings – A Weathered Penny; cream turtleneck – L.L.Bean; pants – Madewell; scarf – Maryell; clogs – Blundstone
Burgundy is lovely here – especially with a wonderful scarf:
Oxford shirt – L.L.Bean; earrings – Janus Edinburgh; scarf – The Met Store; pants – Madewell; fig cotton sweater – L.L.Bean; loafers – Trotters
And when you’ve got fascinating accessories in that enigmatic color of labradorite (aren’t the boots and the scarf excellent with the jewelry?), all you need is the simplest of clothes:
Scarf – The Met Store; earrings – st. Moran; sweater – J.Crew; pants – Madewell; labradorite bracelet – Satya Jewelry; boots – Söfft
I struggle to avoid buying a second pair of khakis…
love,
Janice
p.s. Ten years ago, we pondered the possibilities of wearing a classic navy dress with pastel accents.
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Janice, have you been hiding in my closet? This could be my wardrobe!
As a Maine coast resident—and someone who lives just ten minutes from the LL Bean flagship store in Freeport, khakis (paired with a sweater) is my go-to during Fall, Winter and Early Spring. They’re comfortable. I have them in two pairs of long pairs, two pairs of crops and one pair of wide leg. There are lots of colors that be called “khaki”…from a greenish Army tan to the brown family to almost white. They all work as a neutral! They can be dressed up and dressed down and are the workhorse of many a preppy wardrobe. I even worse my husband’s when I was pregnant, because I couldn’t find any maternity ones in the early to mid-90’s!
That all being said, for me the standouts in this post are the beautiful shoes. I love them all. My favorite, however, are the “L’artiste” boots. I want these!! What a gorgeous pair of shoes. I am also mad for the denim Adidas sneakers. These are superb!
Great finds this post!
I so agree about those boots, Ellen! Totally love them, and also the silver-and-gold jewellery. My colouring tends towards wearing gold, but I prefer silver, so these are perfect.
I am a little in awe of the concept of using a spreadsheet to track what you wear, though, Janice! :-)
Ditto for the L’artiste shoes (boots and non!) Has anyone here wore them before? are they comfortable? I have picky feet but would love to splurge on these (statement footwear is a whole mood) … but would love to hear any experience anyone has first!
Khaki’s – not my jam in that shade (but there are other shades that work for me, especially leaning olive), but pleated high waisted pants might be! Just recently (re?)discovered those… A good reminder to periodically try new silhouettes
Ezzy,
I don’t have a pair of L’artiste boots, but I have a couple pairs of their platform sandals, just as adorable. I also have picky feet and I can wear them for an evening out and about and my feet don’t complain.
Good luck,
Temara
I love this post. I must be a Fall girl. The accessories are gorgeous. I have a t shirt in that fig color and it has become my favorite. I plan to buy more. LL Bean has the best quality and fit that I have found.
Thank you, Janice.
I have only one pair of jeans, but two pairs of chinos (natural/beige and chestnut). They are comfortable and look dressier than jeans, as you said, and I find many of my clothes look better with beige and chestnut that blue jeans.
When my jeans wear out I’ll get a navy pair, but still prefer my chinos.
This inspires me to check my own records — I use Indyx; I have little pics of my garments and yes, I track what outfit I wear each day (though I don’t track earrings or purses or tote bags). I wonder what surprises I’ll find?
Totally my jam. I need to seek out a pair with some elastic in the back waist, or maybe the sides, or I will never be comfortable.
Hear, hear! I fully agree with you. Today, I’m wearing beige chinos, which I originally bought to replace my white jeans but now I own both the chinos and new white jeans and a I wear them both. I’m wearing them with a navy sweater, linen shirt and an Echo scarf….clearly I have learned from your blog.
These beige chinos are the only beige thing I own, but they still go with much of what I own.
For me, khakis are the perfect ‘I’m not sure’ pants in my wardrobe. They’re travel staples (jeans, khakis, black pants) to suit virtually any occasion (full disclosure: I rarely wear dresses). I love how they are a subtle elevation, and can work like black jeans give your style that je ne sais quoi French Lady look. I would love to see unusual or unexpected ways to style shoes with khakis.
I could wear some chinos in my younger days, although that style of pants can be unflattering to an hourglass shape, even less flattering now that I’ve added weight around the middle. All the pockets and puckers draw too much attention to the waist and hips. Jeans are also uncomfortable, even the stretchy ones, haven’t worn jeans in years. But I’m open to suggestions as to what might work for me as chinos and jeans are versatile pieces to own. The pants I wear the most are in the Lands’ End sport knit and Starfish lines as well as Chico’s Brigitte pants and shorts which have a tummy panel.
Monday’s post will feature flat-front chinos… Those are what I wear, and I’m decidedly round all over!
love,
Janice
Yay! I only wear flat front pants. My chinos are navy and cranberry. I think I only refer to them as khakis if they are khaki in color 🤔Looking forward to seeing Monday’s post.
Now this is more my speed! As much as I admired the Suit posts, khakis ( or *chinos*) and jeans are what I mostly wear; chino Bermuda shorts in summer. I have the tan color and the off white/ light beige color. This post gives me great ideas, just in time for cool weather wardrobe planning.