October 23, 2026
Does it seem as if October will never end?
So let’s imagine a scenario – someone who’s convinced that assembling her clothes for the week ahead is a good idea. Someone who is willing to try arranging a “Domesticated Valise” in her closet at the beginning of the week. (her plan is Sunday evening, for less than a half hour, get everything in one place).
But she MUST HAVE DENIM. It happens to most of us, from time to time…
How about starting here?
With this color palette?
Her favorite shade of green is hard to find, but if you get your hands on ONE great sweater, and some amazing accessories, you will be able to include this color in more outfits than you may expect:
Evergreen merino cardigan – Alex Mill; green earrings – Giselle Vale London; scarf – Echo; jeans – Alex Mill; white shirt – Lands’ End; shoulder bag – MFK Collection – J’OMOR; woodland loafers – Rothy’s
If you’re ever going to wear a down vest, we’re getting to that time of year!
Down vest – Lands’ End; earrings – Uchi & Soto; denim shirt – J.Crew; scarf – Elizabetta; loafers – Quince; denim crossbody bag – Tory Burch; maple toffee corduroy jeans – Lands’ End
It may take a long time to find, but if you CAN find a shirt or tee shirt that includes at least two of your colors, a lot of things come together quickly! A necklace with a couple of your colors is always a good idea too…
Blue wool vest – House of Bruar; necklace – Brinker + Eliza; shirt – Coldwater Creek; milk chocolate wool sweater – Alex Mill; flats – Quince; bag – Quince; denim skirt – Lands’ End
Imagine having this tidy little assortment waiting for you in your area set aside for your Domesticated Valise…
Someone has discarded a small clothes rack, down in the basement of my building; it has a place for three pairs of shoes, and one could easily hang a dozen garments on it too… If I bring it up to our apartment, Belovedest will not be amused!
This wardrobe is easy – you can see plenty of outfits here just looking at the 10 garments. But – as wise women will do! – we’re going to walk through a half-dozen outfits just to be SURE that we have what we need:
I’m off to find something inspiring in gray, to do this again, and possibly again!
For me, a gray Domesticated Valise would include a sweatshirt and sweatpants; what say you?
love,
Janice
p.s. Ten years ago, our heroine was cajoled into attending a corporate event, at the last minute… She DIDN’T wear a dress!
Like this wardrobe? Save it to Pinterest!
Love this series. Yes to sweats. There is Saturday.
October is lasting forever.
I want that clothes rack.
Of course, a gray Domesticated Valise would include a sweatshirt and sweatpants.