Dewey's Treehouse: 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 Keen Rose sport sandals and/or

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.