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Home » Start With Art: Winter at the Convent by Margaret Loxton

Start With Art: Winter at the Convent by Margaret Loxton

February 3, 2015

I love this painting… if this doesn’t make you smile, I can’t help you.

Winter at the Convent – Margaret Loxton

While I strongly suspect that these nuns are wearing black habits, the habits look very navy on my computer, and so my imagination was strongly drawn to working with navy, white and cool pastels.

 

The painting "Winter at the Convent" by Margaret Loxton, with a color scheme drawn from the painting
 
I’ve talked before about the usefulness of having six garments that are the same color, that give you a basis for getting dressed on Monday morning without opening your eyes. That idea has really stuck in my head, so I’ve decided that I want to build on it a few times. Let’s start here:
 
a six-piece "Monday Morning Wardrobe" in navy, with accessories

Scarf – Hermes, silver stud earrings – Caterina Butera, silver pendant – Sandra and Lily, cardigan –  Acne Studios, blouse – Uniqlo, silver bracelet – Nyoman Rena, dress – Kaliko, navy pumps  – L’Autre Chose, sweater – Uniqlo, skirt – Uniqlo, trousers – Donna Karan, loafers – A2 by Aerosoles

Even if you get dressed out of here every Monday, you still have LOTS of clothes unworn, so let’s toss in a few extra goodies to carry us into an equally effortless Tuesday:

four pastel tops, with accessories, to wear with a navy six-piece "Monday Morning Wardrobe"

White silk blouse – Robert Friedman, pearl and blue topaz earrings – Kadek Hendra, rose quartz earrings – Kai Kittima, pink cardigan – Jardin des Orangers, green sweater – Fatface, green bracelet  – Siriporn, scarf – Antagoniste-Paris, blue blouse – Valentino

A nice tidy collection – a great little travel capsule wardrobe too!

10-piece navy and pastel wardrobe including a navy "Monday Morning Wardrobe"
 
Now you have these options to start you week looking chic, without pulling out your hair in the pre-dawn darkness trying to put together an outfit.
 
two outfits in navy and pastels, taken from a navy "Monday Morning Wardrobe" and pastel additions
two outfits in navy and pastels, taken from a navy "Monday Morning Wardrobe" and pastel additions
two outfits in navy and pastels, taken from a navy "Monday Morning Wardrobe" and pastel additions
two outfits in navy and pastels, taken from a navy "Monday Morning Wardrobe" and pastel additions
 
love,
Janice
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02.03.15 18 Comments

Tags: accessories, Hermes scarf, Monday Morning Wardrobe, navy, pastels, pink, silk scarf, silver, Start with Art
<<Start With Art: Sunflowers by Vincent Van GoghHandling Temptation>>

Comments

  1. Cornelia says

    February 3, 2015 at 12:04 pm

    Once again you have given me a great idea. I alternate skirts and trousers, so navy with a winter white cardigan all buttoned up it is. I am more and more convinced that my rather limited wardrobe has given me many possibilities of wearing my basics to death while avoiding to look the same every day.

    Reply
  2. Rainbowsandglories says

    February 3, 2015 at 1:12 pm

    I look forward to your posts every day, but when I see the "start with art" title I always feel an especially delightful "oh what will she have today" curiosity bubbling up. There is no nicer way to start the day. Thank you for your labour of love.

    Reply
  3. Gail says

    February 3, 2015 at 2:43 pm

    Yes, how delightful that, even when digging out from a blizzard, Janice, your thoughts turn to whimsy and your eager blog readers. What would morning be like without you?

    Reply
  4. Pam @ over50feeling40 says

    February 3, 2015 at 3:32 pm

    The painting just cracks me up…love it and., of course, the inspiration that followed.

    Reply
  5. Anonymous says

    February 3, 2015 at 3:37 pm

    Or instead of Monday and Tuesday you have made a week plus one day . I could see this working on a continuing basis. May be another small capsule interwoven with this. Who would need more than weekend wear. Beautiful. Thank you for all your lovely work.

    Reply
  6. Anonymous says

    February 3, 2015 at 3:40 pm

    Once again, you have scored! We are so lucky that you love doing this for us everyday.

    Deb from Vancouver

    Reply
  7. Lorrie says

    February 3, 2015 at 3:55 pm

    You are so right. I smiled as soon as I scrolled down to see the painting. What a great collection to go with navy.

    Reply
  8. Amy says

    February 3, 2015 at 4:14 pm

    What a cute painting! I absolutely LOVE the capsule you created around it. Now if I only had 6 items in a single color…. I'm doing good to get a Core of 2 out of my closet!

    Reply
  9. Anonymous says

    February 3, 2015 at 4:17 pm

    It reminds me of the Reverend Walker painting from the other day due to the subject matter, but this time a bit more girly….

    Reply
    • Janice Riggs says

      February 3, 2015 at 5:09 pm

      Ah, you caught on! But I'd describe these as womanly, not really girly ;)

      Reply
  10. Anonymous says

    February 3, 2015 at 6:19 pm

    What a charming painting! Navy seems to be gaining in popularity, and is flattering to me, so I appreciate all your posts showing ways to work with it. Mary

    Reply
    • Anonymous says

      February 3, 2015 at 8:09 pm

      Love the picture! These colors are perfect for me. I like the use of dark inky navy blue as a neutral. It's a great alternative to black.

      Reply
  11. Deborah Montgomery says

    February 3, 2015 at 8:32 pm

    So glad you chose navy instead of black out of this charming painting. Love the color palette, and the inspiration. I am weaning myself off heels (at least for most days), and am looking at the loafers. I've never worn loafers, believe it or not!

    Reply
  12. mollie.dirig says

    February 3, 2015 at 8:34 pm

    Beautiful capsule, as always. I took a peek at your for sale items. Would it be possible for you to use the scarves as a starting point for their own wardrobes or have you used them before? I'd love to see an outfit or two with the bright navy scarf.

    Reply
  13. Anonymous says

    February 3, 2015 at 9:00 pm

    I thought of the Reverend skating picture too! I bought a tile in Edinburgh I loved it so much.

    Reply
  14. eb says

    February 3, 2015 at 10:26 pm

    You are amazing! I get so stuck on the 'how to' in terms of putting my clothing together. I seem to have developed a mental block as I have gotten older and no longer in the work force. Trying to look put together in retirement I have found difficult as my clothing choices are quite different. Comfort is now a priority. Your advice and especially the pictures you post of outfits you have put together give me the inspiration I need. Thank you.

    Reply
  15. AC says

    February 4, 2015 at 12:59 am

    Janice, love this post (and the painting). I especially am drawn to the use of color in a few items. Thanks.

    Reply
  16. Elizabeth Ellen Carter says

    February 4, 2015 at 5:51 am

    This is a lovely colour combination that would work for any season depending on the nature of the fabric

    Reply

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The Vivienne Files is a unique personal style blog with carefully-selected capsule wardrobes based on color palettes drawn from works of art, nature, and more. It helps women buy less clothing, and to love what they buy. Read more...
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