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In a pair of posts (here and here), The Vivienne Files has come up with another example of a small, classic, neutral summer wardrobe, which can then be perked up by half a dozen bright additions.
The thirteen core pieces are a balance of navy and white. They are mainly casual (I think of shorts as casual), and the dress is hacked from a swimsuit coverup, but there is also a more expensive sleeveless top for dressier occasions (I assume to be worn with navy pants, although it's hinted that it would also look good with a skirt).
The accent pieces take their colours from a Mark Rothko painting in shades of red and pink. There is an eye-popping set of bright pink linen shirt and pants, plus a pink dress and a couple of tops.
This isn't too far from the spring/summer wardrobe I already posted here. But if I wanted to create a closer match to the VF wardrobe, say for a trip, how would I do it? Particularly considering that I gave away a large bag of clothes that had seen a few too many better days, so there are fewer things to work with. On the other hand, I just bought a pair of white jeans, and also thrifted a summer top that would work well. So let's do this.
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The closest thing I have to a fancy sleeveless top is a fancy sleeveless dress, so that checks off both those boxes. Note to self: make sure the dress in Part 2 is more casual.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijjI6kpBY2NYba-1VCSnAx0icdGYhTmYvRgQ0KCFslRj4O8DNJeEwhYaF_68oDZd9pgUMzu_nVoR4rPSerkFKAjNBdU2kLZRaNK7JGTCpLmBYS2dendLAi9HZoB2fCfn8i-dMknYj3KKty3c6-W89mTtKfnleSB8vtLHGa6g3KVpqyGqsxd1RClA/s320/IMG_20240516_090021_166~2.jpg)
Bonus dress, neutral and linen though not navy.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW3zd9RY4Th3dI2RLGSVe_sgNpQIeByBtvHpeX1_vKmeadj-ZCccTro1SAewBTxaBu3_1gYPHTkQ9NfZrpEnSrAy0Hrg_M-yl-RCPHZpe-ZwSYAQp8yRkm3_-DLO6aNvwJMrLdULoBcYhKqJ29CgcQ6eDLjYEB7Zi4g8sKP1lBSSCbY4uzblCfEA/s320/IMG_20240516_085951_951~2.jpg)
Navy shorts and navy pants: yes, I have those. (I also have an extra pair of dark blue shorts, so that's enough for me--I don't wear shorts much.)
White shorts: substituting white jeans. (And goes without saying: a pair of blue jeans.)
Two navy tops: I have one navy top with same-colour embroidery, and I just thrifted a navy and grey top with some texture.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj74p3Ae2wtOBZaAqCpZB5Ca_bXnFCvKdYXoG67zTZgJ3aCZ4-VQz6uWBG-7HPSFAs5Z3G3BNdPgiTDLA46TOIES2FHwHkyNkQNKmA2ipG4yGmlkSHmWEJfFAMMrzKJE8BhwDb0F24VGyfw_yYM5RqY-bqrhjMzQbnfHwfuLCtpzHRWiQ0tjnwwow/s320/IMG_20240516_090144_114~2.jpg)
A pinstriped navy linen shirt: I do have a blue and white striped shirt, not as dark but I think it would work.
White summer cardigan: On this one I might have to split between a white linen pullover (which would work some of the time but not with everything), a navy linen-blend pullover (ditto), and a jean jacket which is okay on cooler days but isn't something you're going to want to wear wandering around the beach town in July, right? Note to self: keep this in mind at the thrift store.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhls5FSW9cgtzQ9c4fn752m-38AJYs_YcNhXbkdxeiYT5Dswe-q-LCUDxQG_6HMSwa-hBnj_oO2yrB_6NEqNI12EimcBBfy4D3uj7ZtPbIGOOy76AgTyhv4GNqt1qiffxg3ykNZDRz9GObtUvurwIi5Yth_CN549uvY0JnWSqXdQVdwjoLyjKk/w200-h200/IMG_20211202_185333_318.jpg)
White sleeveless blouse: I'm substituting a white t-shirt.
Striped casual top: Striped t-shirt.
Two accent-colour tops or blouses: Since I haven't completely decided which direction I'm going with Part Two (pink? blue? green?), I'm going to play it safe with a blue t-shirt and a magenta one. Note to self: that magenta t-shirt is not in the best shape, so I either need to thrift a replacement, or choose something else I already have. (Bonus points for this scarf that blends with most of the upcoming colours.)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi3poXuJI5mvHv5uW8-G5N7eqOkUWGZY1zznLYMLF-CNMn1sEkC9wTzNP-UEEHNIQNPukbKTlmiFFe_w8aZ8uLGgXNn8pbfPmnjR6Yv9AHyGmrrVf5tB-B5ogTo7N_hW0VJ9DY13TE0qaxt8UjbnKubFGKAO7Qf5m3paon7mIXCRHjycuB38DDsQ/s320/IMG_20240516_090701_022~2.jpg)
Navy crossbody purse and sandals: I do have navy sandals, and a large navy purse. But I would also include my white (technically Coconut Cream) Pixie Mood purse. And a hat as suggested.
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Navy espadrilles and white sneakers: Loafers with bows, and a pair of sneakers.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvE7NpclALWGhP-4VPHLj3v8zpgrAcFVP9mr1dSXVJgDqSUU9EFP3Aed8e-2H2KVSOGZvdyR2x0QyyJ8jgbPsZi9zOzZtKmVLtT-nEV8wOZ-_kQLB4GQESgwFuxTu0nYBc_PsqZFvJY1yLc1LkO6_PMMqtB0c7Gj65HYGTuUeH7SwRlkIrQ-zVrg/s320/IMG_20240516_091505_281~2.jpg)
Navy and white scarf: I don't seem to have anything summer-appropriate in just those colours; I might have to either thrift something or just go with a brighter scarf (see the t-shirt photo above).
Earrings: something navy, something pink. What else would look good? Silver hoops, for sure.
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Accent Pieces, Version One
Let's assume we're going with the pinks and reds of the VF plan. Well, I for sure don't have a hot pink linen shirt and pants. But I do have a vintage rayon blouse and skirt set with pink and purple stripes, so that's close.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_O7SJsjfVG-pPk7he9pavGIr3lHMJmZRTwsTexsEJddED9eV12h1CRadPvzJoIMiOgDfuZZwRTmCY7ab_0frnC0E-n6le6TOLVzKwY9speaZDSmtCRCnxHtABS_DIsLPDpO-InlgbgjG1MuisK1VjiHyvi2wGJJMuVyserSC0zOa3YC_D0hbIyg/s320/IMG_20240516_103555_729~2.jpg)
What about a more everyday outfit? I have a white linen shirt (which offers another option for that white cardigan I don't own). I also have a pair of navy embroidered pants that go with the top from Part 1.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqx46tGniHLYqMbfdLiPm7LqoTdCQ1eN0Stcd5xip02y6XSlfSiiJwSMNYlfHETTCsum9Y5Q7Ad2vSsnchXyVsP7OhurEDOew4pLeCHCLun2i5qQIYTms9vfHMwZc7znwL3f4kwBfQYD7rWa1XWA3FIa-E53nA6p2aWSp9g6ocXE0hF7aYyUQ/w121-h200/20220601_142237.jpg)
Some more brightness: last year I thrifted a FIG Voyage dress in pink and red stripes.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-0-TobK_LltACq7huUJA3eBoqBLXQpl9JA1mprSmhvIy2I_h_IOkjGDOm5nOzLr4i1mYsy9LugqrF5zwedq_o-eQ-t9oTpugxzoXPJR0fAX2HXrZM_hWq3yCdgV0tEPE5Dp8LiWUzV_dyXZrRPViIWYfc1Pxl6oDCbtUUFpjuSJTcAjxrL2lT3w/s320/IMG_20240201_115955_153~2.jpg)
That leaves two tops, but I already added the white shirt, so let's go with one. If I wanted to keep going with pink, I would include this floral sleeveless top--it's a bit dressy for everyday, but sometimes that's what you want.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitOjwjNpkLKtZnB-GILpwlTBY2gTfdmdfnSBCe78a-F1Zzu1pIBX0P10BGgcP1a1vTVF1rqbkXXCzKhpDFvQRL1865-Yif-NU_DruSyC0KPbtgWgBwmeBChXLrV3JRKO0c_IpTCakkpj2ODTwu-Row_pXv0bWoAHX-6QMRyxhR-dL01tV2Y-U/s320/20220424_155654.jpg)
Two more pairs of shoes: the VF plan suggests pink and gold sandals, but I'm going to go casual with red pull-on sneakers and dark blue lace-ups.
Another scarf: again, I'm trying to pick out something that might be worn in the summer. Instead of going for something small, though, the best option I have is this large but lightweight scarf that includes navy, pink and white (among other things). It could even work as a wrap with a sleeveless dress.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirR8QSB4LDOIlXuh0bRpxGzyLn_qE_ZGaOEA9088YV-YsBlclaQcxu8OjwqL_Amn62Oxsi30acLBtNCJ5AOoE710ljCBuSUEIenQtdDPSj8fxYdQy8axctvMdiKtQvgEwJgmLUo2_cR9pSIDnUCYjGOE1wsrI_KM3hQA2RRC-oIOsuNST2uHMmTg/s320/IMG_20240516_092000_071~2.jpg)
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Another pair of earrings (or other jewelry): Although I love scarves, in summertime I'm more likely to dress things up with necklaces.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPYKMRWDSFfxyDPnsnlnFC4xWwuXC0grY3RlPu9KwVQmOmwjxLXO-kREyaZcQ8lD0OrodQbpuX7tkw7siIWi2X80qoVHnHNu7Mmlm3QzPVBP7-yRUTYt-Sx1Pr_5kj_eBeuiGryN7-_jRMnKOTzIRJ5N7_y8mSsuVhYD4w90YwFw-afYmntyQFfA/s320/IMG_20240516_091334_066~2.jpg)
The VF plan doesn't add any other bags at this point, but I probably would.
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Accent Pieces, Version Two
If I weren't trying to duplicate the VF pink and red theme, I could easily go with blues and greens. I have a green t-shirt dress, a couple of green tops, a purse with green sea turtles on it, and a set of Fierce Lynx bracelets in teal and white. You've seen all those things here before, but here's a photo.
Plus a scarf. (Flea market find last week.)
And all that's pretty much what I was going to wear this summer anyway--it's just a different way to think it through. I'm going to keep my eyes open for a replacement t-shirt (shouldn't be hard), and a white cardigan or small jacket that could be worn with a dress. Otherwise, we're good to go!