For an introduction to the 6 Scarves 2021 project, see this post.
For a description of my method, see this post.
Checking in with the winter matrix, we see full trios (top, bottom, topper) in navy and bright teal, and we've got a winter twin set in white.
x = solid piece
T = tonal piece (i.e., tonally works with this color though it is a different color)
O = ombré piece
P = print piece (not ombré)
The coral skirt definitely catches my attention, but it doesn't feel out of place with the navy, teal, and white. Our breakdown between solids and prints seems reasonable across all the categories:
Bottoms: 3 solid / 3 print
Tops: 5 solid / 2 print
Toppers: 3 solid / 2 print
The scarves continue to be dominated by aqua, which is kind of odd when you think about the navy, teal, white, and coral garments above, but so far this hasn't been a problem in practice. An argument could be made that there is too much redundancy here; specifically, the two scarves at the top left and the two scarves at the top right. But on the upper left, we have a pashmina and a lightweight infinity scarf, which suit different seasons; on the upper right...that one is harder to justify but at least we have different fabric in play (the left one silky, the right one not). I'm actually surprised not to see a higher proportion of print scarves, since that's usually my downfall.
In March, we finally got a garment in coral, so we have navy, aqua/teal, white, and coral represented, with no yellow or beige yet.
And of course it's time to integrate our March additions into the wardrobe by creating outfits from items spanning these three months. We'll start with our most basic garment, the navy skinny pants. In Outfit #1, February's T and March's quilted vest are put together in a winter "twin set," which is a look I just love. I'm not sure why, but for me, the twin set is a clear favorite over the suit and column of color. My preference is for the top and topper to be different fabrics/textures, not like the traditional twin set of a sleeveless sweater and a cardigan that are in an identical sweater knit. Perhaps it's the subtlety of matching colors but differing textures that I enjoy...I mean, because I obviously so exude subtlety in my style, says the woman adding a bright aqua and navy tiger scarf to this outfit.
In Outfit #2, we'll stick to these base items and add a vest combining the two colors, bold earrings, and a pop-of-color(s) scarf.
This white quilted vest is so handy for building outfits during that awkward Minnesota period when it feels like it should be spring but the weather is still full-on winter. It adds a lightness that seems appropriate to the season. And it works well with any prints that contain white, as in Outfit #3.
Now let's take a look at the wardrobe's solid skirts. In Outfit #4, the aquamarine skirt is paired with March's light teal/white marl sweater...which I had not been at all sure would work. But I think it does, especially with a scarf that has a range of shades all along the green<->blue continuum.
And hoorah, the coral skirt makes another appearance! I really like how it looks with navy. In Outfit #5, this pairing is strengthened by the inclusion of a scarf with both colors (our inspiration scarf for this wardrobe), but it really wouldn't need to be. I would be happy with a straight-up color block outfit with the navy T and coral skirt and no print pieces at all...which is not how I normally roll, but I love this color combination tremendously.
Outfit #6 is a perplexing one to me with the various shades and textures of blue. A denim-y colored stretch fabric that has a bit of a heathered appearance, very fine navy and white stripes that blur together at any distance, and a dark blue and navy marl sweater knit. This outfit tests my reflexive belief that the denim-y colored top can be worn exactly like denim, as a true neutral and not a somewhat textured shade of blue. I'm not 100% sold on the combination of the top and vest, though I do appreciate the efforts of the scarf to bring them into harmony. I'd say this outfit is wearable as is, but I would prefer to substitute the solid navy T here if I wanted the vest or to remove the vest if the weather permits.
Let's finish up by working through Darcy's Sally's remaining print skirts. Outfit #7 is that beloved bright teal winter "twin set" from January with the geometric skirt from February, which make a terrific combination, especially with these rich cognac boots. In an act of unbelievable self-restraint, I didn't even add a scarf to this one, letting March's sparkly earrings make their statement.
For Outfit #8, we'll try the same skirt and boots with the more muted light teal pullover sweater. This time, the navy scarf adds a bit of adjustable warmth and, bonus, creates a connection from the tops of the earrings down to the navy geometric shapes in the skirt.
Finally, in Outfit #9, I'm trying something different with this skirt from my usual: picking up the hint of aqua blue in the skirt with the blue/aqua ombré scarf. It's a bit of a tenuous connection because the bits of aqua blue in the skirt are so dominated by the coral, yellow, and green. And the ivory in the pullover sweater? Not in the skirt at all. But I like it. Maybe the fact that orange and blue are complementary colors on the color wheel means that even if a person doesn't register the bits of aqua blue in the skirt, the colors of the scarf seem an acceptable pop of color to the coral flowers?
Here's a dressed-for-cold outfit based on the geometric skirt and incorporating several pieces from the Darcy wardrobe (navy quilted vest, navy suede loafers, and seafoam earrings). Yep, I've got a button up shirt, (lightweight) pullover sweater, and quilted vest in this one. Does this create the dreaded "excess bulk"? Don't know, don't care.
Now on to our mane event...introducing a wild hare to our capsule! Well, she may be wild looking, but she's a domesticated rabbit, of course: Lia the Lionhead. You can see how the breed got that name, right? The mane of fur around the face is a genetic mutation (the Mane gene) that arose when French breeders attempted to create a long-coated dwarf rabbit. Lia is actually a complicated little bunny because she has more than one long-fur thing going on here. The mane around her face is caused by the Lionhead Mane gene (which is a dominant gene!). A typical Lionhead has normal fur over most her body and the long fur of the mane (more like an actual male lion). But Lia has long body fur also, which is caused by the same (recessive) Angora/Wool gene that Francoise the French Angora has. This kind of Lionhead is called a Teddy Lionhead (as in teddy bear), and in my expert opinion, they are super cute!
This capsule of rabbits has a lot of variety in their coats. Darcy the Creme d'Argent has typical fur, Renee the red broken Mini Rex has special short fur without guard hairs that is extra soft, and Lia the Lionhead has two areas of special long fur (her mane and the "wool" on her body).
Do you ever wear a traditional sweater twin set? How about a "twin set" of a top and topper (cardigan, vest, jacket) in basically the same color?
In my next post, we will look at the January-March recap and another March Madness rabbit for our third wardrobe: #3 Navy & Grey, Lily.
I link up with:
Shelbee at Shelbee on the Edge (2nd Monday; 3rd Thursday)
Mica at Away from the Blue (Mondays)
Laura at I Do deClaire (Tuesdays)
Emma at Style Splash (Tuesdays)
Jess at Elegantly Dressed & Stylish (Tuesdays)
Gail at Is This Mutton? (Wednesdays)
Jodie at Jodie's Touch of Style (Thursdays)
Carrie at Curly Crafty Mom (Thursdays)
Ada at Elegance and Mommyhood (Thursdays)
Suzy at The Grey Brunette (Fridays)
Nancy at Nancy's Fashion Style (Fridays)
Rena at Fine Whatever (Saturdays)