For an introduction to the 6 Scarves 2021 project, see this post.
For a description of my method, see this post.
Now for our last capsule recap, four months into this project. The time is flying by. This soft, muted color palette is always so relaxing to look at...and it doesn't hurt at all that my favorite rabbit breed is the wardrobe's mascot!
Our questions are these:
-Regarding completeness: What other colors or garments are missing or under-represented?
-Regarding coherence: Are there any items that look like they belong to a different person's wardrobe because it's hard to imagine the same person wearing those colors/contrast levels?
Here are the garments:
On completeness: After reviewing the Nelly wardrobe's 26 garments, the 19 garments in this one feels a bit sparse, but with the number of solid items here, I think it's in very good shape. Color-wise, we are lacking, though; no white, aloe, coral, or denim garments!
On coherence: This is where this capsule really shines. Even with a good deal of variety in the accent colors, there is still a pervasive sense of softness to these colors and a low-to-medium contrast level in the garments. Even the highest contrast garment to my eyes, the blush floral blouse in the lower right corner, has a muted look to it.
And here are the accessories:
On completeness: I like seeing that top row of solid (or functionally solid) scarves, of course! And even though white and coral clothing are lacking, we have the scarves already. I am very pleased with this collection so far.
On coherence: The scarves that stand out from the rest for me include the bolder navy-background floral (2nd item in the 2nd row from the top), the cream scarf with neon polka dots (last item on the 3rd row), and the color-blocked knit scarf (1st item on the 4th row). However, even though they have bolder colors than the others, they don't feel out of place to me.
Thinking about the somewhat incongruous bold accessories here, versus the somewhat incongruous bold garments in the Black & Grey Gina wardrobe, I suspect that a small punch of boldness from an accessory is easier to integrate into outfits than a larger punch of boldness from a garment. We'll see how that plays out.
I have high hopes that our April additions will integrate seamlessly into the existing wardrobe. Let's check it out.
In Outfit #1, April's soft knit jacket and metallic bracelet set give us a different variation on this floral top/pencil skirt combination for late winter. It wasn't intentional, but the three metal colors tie nicely with other colors in the outfit: rose gold with the blush pink top background, yellow gold with the centers of the flowers, and silver with the grey scarf and boots.
Outfit #2 is a nice combination of navy, grey, and soft indigo blue made terrific with the addition of the perfect scarf. Having a scarf that bridges the two main neutrals in the wardrobe (with a splash of a variant on a dominant accent color) is just so useful in turning a group of garments into an outfit.
Although I could just make outfits with that knit jacket all day, let's try some other things. In Outfit #3, the pink sweater + grey pants combination is ramped up with the addition of accessories. The coral/pink/purple blended stripe scarf is just gorgeous with this sweater! And the metallic bracelets align with the outfit again: rose gold with the pink sweater, yellow gold with the coral of the scarf, and silver with the pewter loafers. I do like how the soft coral color adds another dimension to this otherwise cool-undertone capsule so far.
Oh, and I had sort of forgotten that this sweatshirt also has some warmer colors in it. But the colors aren't too warm, and they still have the muted quality of the cooler colors, so they look harmonious to me even when worn with the slate blue skirt. I just can't quit this striped sweatshirt + necklace combination in which the bead colors align to the top three colors of the sweatshirt. They aren't even from the same company, but they seem to have been made to go together, and who am I to stand in their way?
Outfit #5 is a test of my capacity (and yours, dear reader) to tolerate the combination of somewhat "off" accent color varieties. Clearly, that top and pants do NOT go together. They have some similarities, but in some important way, they do not work. And yet, I wondered...
...when you're wearing a top like this under a cardigan and scarf, so the top is mostly covered up, how much will that color conflict matter? To my surprise, I find this combination to be not too terrible! Of course I would be happier if the colors related to each other more (and if this were my capsule, I would keep my eyes open for a T in a more similar color). But when the color of the T shows just as a sliver, it doesn't bother me a lot. I'm not sure I would choose to wear this outfit (indeed, I would almost certainly wear the navy T for my beloved "non-traditional neutral twin set + accent color bottoms" formula), but I think it would be OK in a pinch.
Outfit #6 revisits April's knit jacket that insinuated itself immediately into the existing capsule so successfully. Here I experimented with using white as the accent color, and I approve of the result.
As I put this outfit together, I thought about something I've seen Bridgette Raes do quite a bit on her blog: treat pink and burgundy as tonal variants of the same accent color. For a spectacular example of this, see her post on colorful tonal outfits, Outfit #1. For a more modest effort, I present Outfit #7. I wanted to bring in April's light pink scarf, which relates a bit to the magenta-pink bit of the print skirt, and thought, What the hell, let's try it with the maroon ankle boots (and if we are feeling brave, matching tights). Then I added the pink faux pearl earrings for another sprinkling of pink. My usual inclination would be to add the navy ankle boots or tall cognac boots to this look, but I do find the burgundy/maroon an interesting alternative. It's not the most accomplished implementation of Bridgette's idea, but I don't think the fashion police would arrest you on sight for wearing it!
Finally, we should put April's dress through its paces. In Outfit #8, I've used the most basic "how to wear a dress in cool weather" method: adding a coordinating neutral cardigan and boots. Easy-peasy, right? A nice thing about a classic button up cardigan like this one is that you can wear it open over the dress or button it up so it looks a bit like a pullover sweater + skirt instead.
In Outfit #9, I added a striped pullover sweater to get some print mix action going. The dress doesn't have any grey in it, but it contains most of the colors of the stripes, which works for me. This soft blue scarf (a color in both dress and sweater) worn long in the front would reduce the impact of the stripes, but could also be worn higher on the neck above the stripes. Either the grey or navy boots would work just fine here, but I fancied the cognac option (with navy tights) to tie back to the coral flowers in the dress.
Outfit #10 is how to wear a dress for what I call "Minnesota winter": that period between mid-January and mid-February in which temperatures below 0 F are routine. Now at the height of the frigid period, you'd want a warm pashmina instead of this lightweight little scarf, but layering a sweater and quilted vest over the dress and your warmest leggings/tights and tall leather boots under it is a rock solid choice for a business casual outfit in a drafty old office building.
Now for your perusal, one floral skirt worn in three different seasons. For winter, I totally work the sweater + quilted vest + pashmina + skirt + tights combination. I'm not completely satisfied with the soft, faded skirt with the bolder blue and pink, but the basic formula is sound for January.
I liked the colors in this early spring outfit better, though again, the top half has a brighter quality to it than the skirt. It was interesting to discover that the marl sweater and the scarf are almost the same exact color.
In the years to come, this photo is going to confuse me--what, I was wearing a skirt with bare legs and an elbow-length sweater in October?! Such is the work-from-home life when your apartment is WAY better insulated than your office building. From this photo I learned that this sweater with an open weave really should be layered over a top or cami that isn't white, haha! I am happiest when the underlayer is a similar color/value to the sweater in these situations, but I have somehow managed to not buy a tank top in this soft indigo color that is otherwise quite common in my wardrobe...or in any kind of blue, actually. That surprises me! I have about three other open weave sweaters, all long-sleeved, for which I am well set for tops, but I do need to get this one sorted in time for the warm weather. And here I thought there couldn't possibly be anything I need to buy for my summer wardrobe.
How are you set for your warm weather wardrobe? Any gaps, general or (like my soft indigo tank top) very specific, you are looking to fill?
In my next post, we will move into full spring mode with our May additions to the #1 Black & Grey, Gina wardrobe!
I link up with:
Shelbee at Shelbee on the Edge (2nd Monday; 3rd Thursday)
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)
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 (Thursdays)
Carrie at Curly Crafty Mom (Thursdays)
Ada at Elegance and Mommyhood (Thursdays)
Jacqui at Mummabstylish (Thursdays)
Suzy at The Grey Brunette (Fridays)
Nancy at Nancy's Fashion Style (Fridays)
Michelle at My Bijou Life (Fridays)
Erika at A Little Bit of Everything (Fridays)
Rena at Fine Whatever (Saturdays)