classic navy & white wardrobe rebuild

by | Jul 27, 2022 | a slice of life, clothing & style | 12 comments

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Oh my.  Let’s go completely off the rails here and talk about clothes.  It had been over two years since I went out to an actual store to do some in-person clothes shopping.  I have ordered a few things online, but they were mostly sweatpants and t-shirts, which is my default when I don’t have anywhere special to go.  When you’re doing everything online, why do you need to bother with things like nice jeans, cute shoes, and structured jackets?  I’m sure I’m not the only one who had dressy clothes languishing in their closet.  But now I’m going places and I realized that some of the clothes weren’t fitting well or I just wasn’t excited about wearing them.  Moving was a great time to do a closet clean-out and, as I did with my furniture, I just kept my favorite things.  Some linen dresses and tunics, a yummy green velvet coat I bought in Lucca, Italy, some classic staples, and the rest of it was donated or went to the consignment store.  But, it was time to do some clothes shopping for things that fit nicely, that I could feel good about wearing out in the world, and that would be pieces I could mix, match, and rebuild my wardrobe around.  For that reason, I focused on sticking to a classic navy and white color palette and pieces that were timeless.

I have to admit that I went shopping with a bit of reluctance.  First of all, I’m still hobbling around in a boot (with a broken foot.)  Second, I just wasn’t hopeful that I would find things that fit well, that I loved, and were flattering.  Well, the last part is subjective, but I found some things I am really excited about.  All of the pieces are blue and white.  I did try on a few other colors, but I’ve learned that I look best in blues (it brings out my eyes and works with my pale complexion and blonde hair) and it is my favorite color combo.  Plus, it just looks sharp, in my opinion.  When clothes are all in the same color family, it makes it very simple to make outfits without too much headache.  I can pretty much get dressed in the dark, pick a top, pick a bottom, and I’m going to look okay.

classic navy & white wardrobe rebuild | miss mustard seed

I used to wear a lot of blacks and grays for that same reason, but I’ve learned that those wash me out and look a little harsh.  Building a wardrobe around navy, indigo, and other blues paired with white and a few pops of color looks much better on me and accomplishes the same thing.

I tried on a lot of stuff.  I mean, I grabbed anything I liked and tried it on so I could really explore what was working and what wasn’t.  I shopped at Southpointe Mall in Durham, NC with my mother-in-law and at the Gettysburg Outlets with my mom.  I bought clothes primarily from Anthropologie, J Jill, Talbots, and I bought a couple of pieces at Chico’s.  (I also looked at Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, Loft, and J Crew, stores which I buy from sometimes online, but their stores carried limited sizing and I didn’t find anything that worked perfectly enough to purchase.)

classic navy & white wardrobe rebuild | miss mustard seed

Since I haven’t been proper clothes shopping in so long, I had a nice chunk saved up in my personal spending money and I ended up finding a lot of great stuff.  Here are the pieces I purchased that I was able to find online.  I tended to gravitate towards clearance pieces on this particular trip, so some of them are on deep discounts or are no longer available.

Let’s kick off the classic navy & white wardrobe rebuild with a great washed linen blazer from Anthropologie.  What I loved about this piece is that it looks like a classic linen blazer from the front, but it has this nice surprise in the back that looks flattering and allows for a bit more flex through the shoulders.  I sometimes feel like a football player when I’m trying on jackets because the jacket will fit me well, but the shoulders are too tight.  If I size up, then the jacket looks too frumpy and boxy.  I usually size down in blazers so they look structured and fitted.

Anyway, this navy linen blazer is a winner and it’s on sale now!  It also comes in several different colors if navy isn’t your color.

I’ve loved J Jill for a few years, so that was one of the no-brainer shops on my list.  Their clothes are, for the most part, well-made, classic, they wash well, and they fit me well.  I found several things that I loved and purchased.

This tiered-knit tunic was a favorite because, well, it works with my navy and white wardrobe plan, but also because it’s so soft and comfortable.  It’s a t-shirt without looking like a t-shirt.  It looks cute on its own but also with a jacket over it.  I also like the peplum styling, which is flowy and flattering without looking like a maternity shirt.


I love the length of the sleeves on this Luxe Pima Elbow Tee.  It’s still a short-sleeve shirt, but it hits a flattering place on the arm.  These shirts are a cotton blend, too, so they won’t shrink.  I’ve gotten to the point that I will rarely buy 100% cotton for that reason.  It’s just too disappointing to buy a shirt that fits great and then you wash it, even in cold water, and it shrinks.

This easy-care boat-neck shirt was also a flattering favorite.  The fabric has a smooth, light feel and the cut is comfortable, but looks sophisticated and dressy.  I feel like this is a shirt I can throw on with jeans or a pair of slacks and look put together.  It’s also cool for these blazing hot days!

And this shirt from J Jill brings some white to my navy and white classic wardrobe!  There is a lot of navy happening and I do need something to break it up.  I am very, very picky about white shirts because of the see-through factor.  I’ll almost always wear a white cami underneath, but that can defeat the purpose of wearing a cool white shirt in hot weather.  This white shirt is thick and has an A-line cut that is comfortable and forgiving.  I also like the longer length of the sleeves.  Since it is a thicker material, the sleeves don’t have a lot of stretch in them which can cause fit issues.  I was between sizes, but I sized up so the arms fit better.

(If you can’t tell, I am very picky about how my clothes fit!  I have pretty much always been that way.)

I have grown to love Talbots clothes over the years.  They are so classic and it’s a place where my mother-in-law and my mom both like to shop as well, so it’s a win-win.  We can spend a lot of time in there and both leave with nice hauls.  This Talbots Lemon Sweater was one of my “fun pieces” that was a tiny step outside of navy and white.  I love the pop of yellow and green and even the brown stem.  It offers a natural direction for wearing a fun pair of yellow or green shoes.  It’s also a light sweater that can be worn by itself or with a tee or button-up shirt underneath.

I am a fan of the puffed-sleeve trend.  I mean, it can go really wrong, but it can be very cute when it’s done well.  This Talbots Puff-Sleeved Sweatshirt is done well.  I like wearing sweatshirts, but I tend to go for oversized hoodies that are much more about warmth and comfort than cuteness.  This is nice enough to pair with jeans, cute shoes, and a necklace or scarf to look ready for a dinner out.  And, the secret is, I am still wearing a sweatshirt!

I debated about this Talbots Crew Neck Poncho for a while, mostly because it was over 100 on the day we were shopping, but I have loved every sweater poncho I’ve owned and worn each one until it was pilly and tired-looking.  They are just so diverse and the silhouette seems to work on my body shape.  I like the way this is styled over a button-up shirt with the collar sticking out.  It’s also nice to bring with you to places that can be cool from the AC and easy to take off if it’s too warm.  It was on clearance and I talked myself into it.

I saw this Talbots Corduroy Blazer on the sale rack in coral pink.  Even though it didn’t fit in my navy and white wardrobe plan, I loved the shape of it and it looked so well-made.  They didn’t have my size even in the pink, but I decided to ask if they had my size available at another store.  The pink would be a very nice accent to the blue and white palette.  Well, then I saw one in blue!  Alright, let’s change the plan.  Can you find the blue one in my size?  Yes, they did and one is being mailed to me.  Finding some classic blazers were on my list, so this was perfect!  I really almost went with the pink, but I couldn’t resist this yummy, mid-tone blue.  (Only the pink is available online, but you can call to see if they can hunt down a blue one for you.)

I also bought two other blazers from Talbots that were on final clearance and I couldn’t find them on their website.  One was navy with white trim and one was a blue and cream houndstooth.  I wasn’t planning on buying so many blazers, but they all looked so sharp and were 40% off the sale price.  I love that I can put on a blazer with jeans and a t-shirt and look like I tried.

I bet you’re wondering about pants. First of all, with the boot and broken foot, pants were a pain to try on.  I did try on some pants, though.  I stick mostly with jeans, but I did buy these Talbots Hampshire Ankle Pants because they were so cute and, of course, they worked with my navy & white wardrobe plan.  I don’t need to wear slacks often, but it’s nice to have a pair or two on hand when it’s called for.

I did buy a few pairs of cropped jeans from other stores and I picked up these Talbots Jegging Crops.  Cropped jeans are my favorite because they show the skinniest part of my leg.  Cuffing pants and shirts is a stylist’s trick to “wear clothes better.”  It showcases your ankles and wrists, which are almost always the skinniest parts of a person.  Look at clothing models in magazines and they are often styled that way.  Whenever I try on long-sleeved shirts or jeans, I’ll try them cuffed to see how they look.

Chicos is not a store I’ve shopped in very often.  I know they are famous for making clothes that travel well and transition from work to a nice dinner out.  Mom was interested in checking out their store as well, so we went in.  If you’re not familiar with Chicos, their sizing isn’t standard US sizing.  Most of the tags have guides, but just ask an associate if you need some help.  I didn’t find very many things that felt like my style.  Most of their clothes have little details on them that are not my thing (cutouts, embroidery, flourishes, etc.), but I found a few things on the clearance rack that I liked.  Score!  Both my mom and I bought Chicos No-Iron Linen Shirt, which is a classic button-up linen shirt.

And I grabbed this Chicos Bow & Grommet Tunic off of the sale rack to try on as a hail mary.  It’s one of those shirts that could’ve looked ridiculous on me or interesting and unique.  It was the latter.  I just loved this shirt!  The bows on the sleeves are feminine but not overly froo-froo.  The classic cut of the rest of the shirt and the navy color reign it in and keep it in the fun category without it being overly weird.  (As a note, I sort of like weird clothes, but I’m married to a very traditional guy who doesn’t like clothes that are too weird.  The two of us clothes shopping together for him was a riot. I insisted he try on a pair of blue wingtips, which I thought were the bee’s knees.  I would’ve taken a picture of his face if it wouldn’t have inflamed the situation.  He looked like a second-grade boy having his hair combed for a school picture.  He trusted my cool-shoe gauge, though, and bought the blue wing-tips and didn’t hate wearing them.  We balance each other out nicely.)

And, we popped into Lane Bryant so I could buy one of their no-peek classic button-up boyfriend shirts.  Again, I am picky about how clothes fit and I do not like things that gap or result in “wardrobe malfunctions.”  I can’t believe that more button-up shirts for women don’t have the brilliant feature of putting buttons on the inside of the seam in places where a shirt might gap.  The shirts do run a bit big, so I have to wear the smallest size available, but I love that I can wear this classic wardrobe staple without checking the buttons throughout the day.  It’s also a cotton blend (no shrinkage), no wrinkle, and has a nicely tailored collar and cuff.

For my TV book interviews, I wore one of these shirts under a blue linen tunic as my TV outfit.  The crisp white shirt immediately looked sharp and professional.  It’s a no-fail choice and essential for a classic navy and white wardrobe.

If you’re like me and it’s been two years since you went into a store to actually try on clothes, I would encourage you to get out there and do it.  Have an idea of the pieces you want (like my navy & white wardrobe rebuild theme), what kind of occasions you need to dress for and keep your standards high.  (And that doesn’t mean a high price tag.)  If you don’t love it, don’t buy it.  If it doesn’t fit well, don’t buy it.  If it’s not an absolute yes, then it’s a no.

I can tell you that it feels so good to know I have a nice selection of clothes that fit well, feel comfortable and look nice to nice for many different occasions.

 

 

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    12 Comments

    1. Babs

      What fun! The blue and white palette suits you so well…never out of style…pure classic. Oh, the places you’ll go!

      When my husband and I visited France we were amazed at how well dressed everyone was…and not only in the big cities. People made an effort to look nice.

      When we returned home I did try to “make an effort” when I went into town, at least. My scheme lasted about 3 months and then it was back into my regular uniform. Have to admit, sometimes I do put on a scarf or a collared shirt to go into town and I do feel better. I think it’s sad when I see people in pajama bottoms and slippers at the store. I call it “The Slobbification of America” and I wish it wasn’t so.

    2. Dee

      Marian, I believe you have boWs on the sleeve, not boYs! I was quite puzzled about boys not being too feminine! My apologies for pointing out your typo, but I imagine you might want to change it.

      Interesting clothes! I too hate shopping for clothes, and now that I am retired, I rarely do

      • Marian Parsons

        Ha! I fixed it. Thank you for letting me know. I take it kindly, like a friend letting me know I have lipstick on my teeth!

    3. jen

      Love this post so much (already clicked over and bought that Anthro jacket!).
      Could you post pics of you wearing some of the stuff so we can see how it fits real humans? I’d love to see how you incorporate it all into your wardrobe.
      Thanks for sharing this!

    4. Pat Dyal

      I need you, your mom and Linda to take me shopping… haven’t found that stye that is right for me yet! How fun to go together! Love your choices.

    5. Betsy

      I had to giggle at your use of the word sharp. I haven’t heard that in years. I love just about everything you picked out and would love it in my own wardrobe. I too stick with mostly blues. It’s so easy to pick something out to wear. I always enjoy your clothing postings!

    6. D Hammer

      You shop at some of my favorite stores. I agree about the slobbification of Americans and find it very sad. I try hard to kick it up a notch or two. I feel better about myself and what I represent. Can’t g wrong with some fun classics! Enjoy;)

    7. CathyR

      JJill has been my go-to for 5 years or so; I just love their stuff. Even with my Covid-20 on board and moving into my 7th decade I can find nice things that fit. Talbots is a bit pricy for my retirement budget and I don’t have an outlet near our desert home. Trying on clothes first is just about a must for me. As to PJs in public (I think) Jerry Seinfeld said it best..”it looks like they’ve completely given up”.

    8. Jean

      I’ve been a JJill fan for nearly 40 years – as long as they’ve been open! And was SO bummed when they closed the store here in Norfolk. Now I have to order online or wait until I visit my sister in Fredericksburg. The best thing about the store is their sizing is so consistent. A Small is a small and a medium is a medium. They always seem to fit the same way.

      But I’ve taken a liking to Talbots lately again (used to order from them in the late 70s). Clothes are such a hard thing to buy these days!

    9. Denise P

      Very cute and I bet they will look great on you. I love Talbots and can always get a great wardrobe update when they have their end of season sale. I like to go to the store in Reston, VA, to see the clothes in person and if they don’t have my size I can review and narrow down my choices unhurriedly on my iPad. Everything I ordered fit and was comfortable.

    10. jenw

      I appreciate this post! I need to desperately freshen my wardrobe which has definitely degenerated into Ts and jeans during and post Covid. Now that we’re back in the office (part time) I need to spruce up. I appreciate hearing where you shop for a few quality pieces. J Jill is new to me but I’m definitely going to be checking them out. At 45 I’ve finally learned that I’d rather spend more on a piece that I’m going to love and wear for years than less on top that isn’t quite right and I only wear for a season.

    11. Martha

      I have that very sweater! Love it! ??????

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