For an introduction to the 6 Scarves 2021 project, see this post.
For a description of my method, see this post.
Look at the brown and teal in this color palette; aren't those lovely fall colors, especially when combined with the gold in the scarf? But first, we have some late summer additions to work into this wardrobe!
Finally, the beautiful cobalt blue from our palette is entering our capsule! The skirt and short-sleeved cardigan will make a nice blue "suit." The black polka dot blazer has arrived in preparation for the somewhat cooler temperatures that arrive with the transition to fall. And the black exercise capris will offer some ultra-casual exercise/lounge crossover possibilities for this wardrobe.
Cobalt blue skirt - thrifted, Le Suit - 22W - $12.43 - 6/2020
Black polka dot blazer - thrifted, Talbots - 20W - $13.99 - 4/2020
Black knit exercise capris - Walmart - ?
Cobalt short-sleeved t-shirt cardigan - thrifted, Lane Bryant - 18/20 - $5.24 - 2/2016
A trio of light-colored short-sleeved Ts are a huge boon for warm weather but will also serve us well into fall with the appropriate layers.
White/black polka dot Henley T - Croft & Barrow/Kohls - 2X - $5.00 - 8/2019
White T - Boutique/JCP - 1X - $5.59 - 6/2017
Green-mint dragonfly T - Croft & Barrow/Kohls - 3X - $5.00 - 5/2020
Our accessory additions for August are black and white, blue, and metallic to coordinate with the garments we just added to the Nelly closet. I have had the small turtle stud earrings for so long, it's a matter of decades rather than years. My DIY projects in this set are the dark blue seed bead bracelets (two of which have cute charms: a key and a bunny) and the mixed metal spacer bead bracelets. The spacer beads from which I made those bracelets are shockingly lightweight; when I pick up those two bracelets, they seem to weigh almost nothing! I am finding that due to the mix of metals and shapes, the bracelets are even more useful and versatile than I had initially expected.
Black and white floral necklace - Kohls - $10.00 - 12/2014
Faux pearl/gold illusion necklace - Loft - $3.94 - 7/2020
Cerulean blue/clear seed bead endless strand - Fire Mountain Beads - $0.38 - 7/2021
Blue gemstone bead necklace - made by a friend - ?
Gold/silver ring collar necklace - Napier/Kohls - $16.32 - 11/2020
Dark blue seed bead bracelets - made by me - summer 2021
Mixed gold/silver spacer bead bracelets - made by me - summer 2021
Bright blue ballet flats - Payless - $8.00 - 11/2015
Navy/silver bead bracelet - CJ Banks - ?
We can start our outfit building from these new items on the dressier side of casual with the cobalt blue skirt. Of course we have to give our blue "suit" plus blue flats a go, making a head-to-toe blue outfit. And although this combination would pair quite easily with either of the white-based tops, I decided to try the green-mint T with the royal blue dragonfly print because it was the least obvious choice. This is a lot of bright blue, so I kept the accessories very simple, adding only a blue gemstone bead necklace and a single navy/blue/silver bead bracelet.
Outfit #2 keeps the color on the bottom half with the skirt and ballet flats while the top half consists of black, white, and metal neutrals. Black, white, and a bold blue is just such a terrific color combination. For an uncomplicated and subtle layered necklace look, the mixed metal ring necklace could be worn with the pearl/gold illusion necklace. The turtle earrings add a small bit of whimsy to the look. A blue headband (or one made from a print scarf in black, white, and blue) would look great with this outfit, bringing a touch of blue back to the face area.
Our final two outfits are based on the black knit capris for very casual "running to the store for milk" type uses. In Outfit #3, the fun enamel Mod flower necklace adds some interest to a basic black and white outfit. The blue bracelets help make the choice of blue ballet flats look intentional rather than "these were the shoes next to the front door." If I were Nelly's Sally, I would be looking for a pair of bright blue statement earrings to make this outfit complete!
Outfit #4 begins with two of the most boring basic pieces in the world: a white T and black pants. But the blue cardigan (which is made of comfy t-shirt material that works well with the laid-back nature of the core pieces) and blue "beauty bundle" of necklace, bracelets, and ballet flats provide an ample dose of bold color to this neutral base.
A short-sleeved cardigan made from lightweight, easy-to-wear (but also easily wrinkled) t-shirt material is a great summer layering option, particularly useful for making a knit tank office-compatible. Here are three ways I've worn this thrifted cobalt blue one that I've had since 2016.
In this August work outfit, the blue cardigan and ballet flats from this wardrobe look fresh and bright against the white skirt and navy floral print tank. I've mentioned before that a top and ballet flats in the same color is a styling building block that I love to use over and over again in the summer, but it also looks great to wear a matching cardigan and ballet flats over a neutral column. I find this especially effective in creating outfit cohesion when it's so hot that wearing accessories isn't appealing.
This second August work outfit is a somewhat less casual but still extremely comfortable and heat-compatible version of the three pieces in Outfit #4 above, substituting in a thicker Henley T with built-in detail and "polished" capris. I like the simplicity of this combination, but I admit that it feels a bit strange seeing myself in an outfit with no prints!
This September outfit keeps the summery color palette going with bright blue, white, and salmon pink. (Some years I am slow to embrace fall colors in September because I want to keep those summer vibes going!) The floral print scarf + striped ballet flats combination is another favorite of mine; it's a print mix that's very easy to put together and is readily acceptable to the eye due to the large amount of space between the pieces.
I could not be more pleased to introduce the newest addition to the Nelly menagerie: Tex the black broken Mini Rex! Tex is the same extraordinarily soft breed as Sophia, the blue Mini Rex mascot of our sixth grey & navy capsule, but has a beautiful "broken" pattern (i.e., black broken up with white) rather than a single overall color. Tex's stance gives us a good look at the Mini Rex profile, which shows off the delicacy of their small, wedge-shaped head, the smooth curve of their back, the softness-you-can-see of their front, and the daintiness of their sweet front paws. If it wasn't already apparent to you, I love all breeds of rabbit (and wild lagomorphs too) but I am absolutely besotted with the Mini Rex! They are just absolutely gorgeous creatures and the velvety, springy softness of their fur is out of this world.
Do you ever wear brightly colored shoes?
In my next capsule post, we will look at the last of our August additions: the #6 Grey & Navy, Sophia wardrobe.
I link up with:
Nike at Life as a LEO Wife (Sundays)
Shelbee at Shelbee on the Edge (Mondays; 3rd Thursday)
Michelle at My Bijou Life (Mondays, Fridays)
Mica at Away from the Blue (Mondays)
Debbie at My Random Musings (Mondays)
Leelo at Beauty by Miss L (Mondays)
Roxanne at Glass of Glam (Mondays)
Claire at Claire Justine (Mon, Wed, Fri)
Laura at I Do deClaire (Tuesdays)
Emma at Style Splash (Tuesdays)
Jess at Elegantly Dressed & Stylish (Tuesdays)
Gail at Is This Mutton? (Wednesdays)
Shelly at The Queen in Between (Wednesdays)
Jodie at Jodie's Touch of Style (3rd Thursday)
Carrie at Curly Crafty Mom (Thursdays)
Ada at Elegance and Mommyhood (Thursdays)
Jacqui at Mummabstylish (Thursdays)
Nicole at High Latitude Style (Thursdays)
Suzy at The Grey Brunette (Fridays)
Nancy at Nancy's Fashion Style (Fridays)
Erika at A Little Bit of Everything (Fridays)
Lucy at Lucy Bertoldi (Fridays)
Kimberly at Being a Wordsmith (Fridays)
Rena at Fine Whatever (Saturdays)