February through April: The In-Betweens

Pre-Spring Inspirations

Arthur Lismer, "A September Gale on Georgian Bay"
Thrifted sweatshirt and scarf
OPI Nail Lacquer in "Tickle My France-y"
Vintage earrings

Spring here can be more like a second winter, which is not as enjoyable as a second breakfast. But in February we do start to see longer days, more sunshine, and the occasional green thing trying to come out. And in March, I'm planning to spend a couple of days in a spot that gets springier weather.

Travel Things

So I'm going to work backwards, both in climate and in number of clothing items, and start with a very small carry-on wardrobe for warmish weather. It's a Vivienne Files-style three-to-wear, six-to-pack (plus an outdoor jacket). There are at least 20 three-piece outfits that can be made from this list, nothing very fancy, but it's a mostly-casual trip.

Wearing: Orchid zippered sweatshirt, pink t-shirt, black jeans (and a lightweight jacket)
In the bag:
Black short-sleeved t-shirt
Blue jeans
Bright teal long-sleeved t-shirt
White linen pullover sweater
Dark teal jersey blazer
Teal print jersey dress from Mata Traders (could be worn as a top in an emergency)


Accessories for Travel Wardrobe

Shoes: Black Allbirds Mizzles (water-repellent wool sneakers)
Grey Arcopedico Sec V knit flats (in case it's not sandal weather, or to wear as slippers)
Jewelry: Earrings: silver hoops, pink flowers, possibly vintage teal drop earrings
Fierce Wisdom teal and white bracelets (from Fierce Lynx)
Silver-toned wristwatch
Necklace to wear with dress
Also: Pink scarf with dark green leaves; a small crossbody purse,
and other things like pajamas and toothpaste.

They will all have to fit into this underseat bag (Cabin Max Mini Metz).
I'm taking no chances on wandering luggage.

Back Home

. At this point, the Vivienne Files often puts clothes into a 4 x 4 grid, showing where the gaps are, so let's do that.
 

Row 1

Black jeans

Black t-shirt

 

 

Row 2

White linen pullover


 

 

Row 3

Pink t-shirt

Long-sleeved teal t-shirt

 

 

Row 4

Orchid sweatshirt

Blue jeans

Teal print dress

Teal blazer


Here' what I'm addiing for the rest of the season at home, about ninety days overall, which means everything from snowstorms to post-Easter daffodils. I'm also adding an "expansion pack" row, bringing the clothes count up to twenty.
 

Row 1

Black jeans

Black t-shirt

Black moto-style jacket

Black sleeveless dress with white stitching

Row 2

White linen pullover

Off-white mockneck pullover

Grey fine-knit cardigan        

Long-sleeved grey t-shirt

Row 3

Pink t-shirt

Long-sleeved teal t-shirt

Orchid turtleneck top

 Jean-style shirt

Row 4

Orchid sweatshirt

Blue jeans

Teal print dress

Teal blazer


Row 5

Grey pullover sweater (heavier)

White blouse

Grey pull-on pants 

Grey plaid blazer

Plus two more: a vintage cowlneck cashmere sweater and a teal sweatshirt. (Total: 22) 

What does that grid look like, laid out on the floor in order?


What if we add a few scarves for colour?
And some shoes and purses?
I like it. Maybe switch that burgundy purse out for a softer one.

Plus outerwear: say three coats and jackets, from snow to spring. (Total: 25).

Spring jacket, found on the thrift store dollar rack

 Outfits 

We have the basic twenty from the travel wardrobe, plus:

Pink turtleneck, jeans, cardigan /blazer/pullover
Any t-shirt, grey cardigan or pullover, grey pull-on pants
Off-white sweater, any pants
White blouse or jean shirt, black/blue jeans, cardigan/ blazer/pullover
Any t-shirt, jean shirt, jeans
Orchid sweatshirt, grey t-shirt, grey pants
Orchid sweatshirt, jean shirt, jeans
Off-white mockneck sweater, any pants, grey plaid blazer
Black dress, teal or plaid blazer or black moto jacket

This brings the outfit count somewhere up near 45, which is halfway to 90 days without a repeat. Seems like enough to me.

Accessories

 In the travel wardrobe, we already have one scarf, three pairs of shoes, and a very small purse. If we're going for a true 33, that leaves only three more spots for accessories, just enough for a warm hat, scarf, and gloves. 

But I'm not going to nitpick about numbers. What else to add?

A useful satchel, and the purse shown above

Two more pairs of shoes/boots

And three non-travel scarves.


I've lost count, but I still don't think we're over forty things.

Happy in-betweens.


Last updated February 1, 2023

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