Pantone Autumn/Winter 2026: Muted Clay, All Aboard and Poseidon

This is the last outfit for this Autumn/Winter 2026 New York Palette. Today’s look combines a grounded pinky orange called Muted Clay; a pretty light blue named All Aboard, and a dark blue called Poseidon. You can see the actual Pantone palette here.

I struggled to find Muted Clay in my closet, but then I remembered I had this Always Be Kind sweatshirt from Love in Faith. Yes, I do buy a lot of tees and sweatshirts from them, but I am always pleased with their quality and their designs. The prices are great too, especially when they have a sale. Be sure to check them out as they already are selling Christmas designs.

For All Aboard I decided on this blue gingham button down blouse that hasn’t seen a lot of wear. It is a very nice shirt and I got it on clearance from JC Penney. It is St. John’s Bay brand. I decided to roll up the sweatshirt sleeves by tucking the wrist band under, pulled out the collar and left out the tails to give a bit of checked whimsy to the look. Here is a similar long sleeve version from Walmart, a dark blue version from Land’s End, and another style from Shein.

My Poseidon jeans were a recent thrift find. They are definitely more of an ankle pant on me, but would look equally cute with ankle or combat boots in the cooler weather. These are Old Navy. Here is a wider leg pair from JCPenney, a straight leg pair from Kohl’s, and a slim leg pair from Chico’s.

I decided on brown leather accessories for my shoes and bag. My shoes are an older pair of loafers and are a brand called Etienne Aigner Luxe. My bag is new to me. I was immediately drawn in by the needlepoint print on both sides. This is a brand called Rivage Classic. Both the loafers and the bag were thrift finds.

My necklace was a Christopher and Banks piece back when we used to have a brick and mortar store here in my area. I used to love to shop there and was very sad when they closed. They still have an online store, but it just doesn’t appeal to me like the actual store did. Here is a look at their accessories.

What do you think of these colors? Do you have any of these in your closet? How would you put these colors together, or would you combine one of these with a few other colors? I always love to hear you thoughts, so leave me some love in the comments.

I’ve included a few shopping links for you to look at. These are just for your use. I do not make any money off of those links. I try to give you samples from retailers that have a more reasonable price point, but I also strongly recommend checking out second hand stores. Not only do you save money, but you are also helping to keep clothing out of a landfill which helps our planet.

Have a great week!

Pantone Autumn/Winter 2026: Green Envy, Foxglove, and Candied Ginger

Happy first day of fall! It looks and feels like an autumn day with clouds, wind and a chill in the air. If you hop on over to my Instagram account you’ll see I pulled out one of my favorite flannel button downs and am wearing it as a shacket, which is perfect for today’s temps.

Today on the blog I am featuring another trio of Pantone colors from the Autumn/ Winter New York Palette. Today’s colors are Green Envy, a darker yellow green than our early feature of Acacia; Foxglove, a pretty pinky purple that falls in the mauve category; and Candied Ginger, a soft neutral medium tan. You can see the original Pantone colors here.

Once again let me say my pieces do not match the colors exactly. My jacket is a darker green, and my pants are definitely lighter. My bag and boots are probably a little closer to the actual colors. Again, this is just for fun, to try different color combinations by shopping the clothes we already have in our closets.

I thrifted this Fieldgear suede jacket years ago. I have thought about getting rid of it, but it is really a well made piece and a pretty color so I keep it around and wear it once in a while. I use it more like a blazer than an actual jacket, although for this in between wear it is a nice weight. Here’s a cute wrap jacket from Old Navy; here’s a pretty option from Shein; and Walmart has this short blazer option.

I really struggled with finding a piece in my closet that was close to the Foxglove color. Everything was either too pink or too purple. However, I finally came upon this tee in my tee pile and had to change the whole look to work around it, but I really wanted this color to stand out. This is Pink Republic brand and I got it a few years ago at Kohl’s. Here are a few solid versions from Life is Good, LLBean, and Gap.

Originally I had a leopard print pleated skirt picked out for this post whose spots matched the Candied Ginger color perfectly, but as I mentioned above, I had to switch things out when I picked the tee. I chose this pair of Croft & Barrow pants that I bought from Kohl’s a few years ago. They definitely have a tan or beige vibe, but they look almost cream or white in these pictures. Oh well! Here is a pair from Land’s End; Old Navy; Maurice’s; and JCPenney.

I chose this leather ILI NY bag because it was a similar color. This is a great bag. I prefer a cross body shoulder bag so when I am out I can be hands free. To me it just seems more secure. This one also has a number of extra pockets. I would give you a few shopping links for bags this color, but they all top out at around $100. If you are interested in an odd colored bag like this be sure to check out the thrift stores.

I decided to wear this layered bead and antler necklace. I thought it was a good way to bring in the tan of the pants and the boots. Plus I thought it did a good job of grabbing attention against the stripes of the tee. I can’t remember where I got this, but it is a fun piece.

I have had these Sonoma boots for a long time. Made of real suede and leather with a block heel I keep them around as a way to dress up a pair of jeans in the cool weather. I don’t wear heels at all any more, but an occasional date with these stacked heels works well. Here is a page of options from DSW.

What do you think of these colors? Do you have any of these in your closet? What other colors do you think would look good with Foxglove or Green Envy? I always love to get your feed back so be sure to leave a comment or two. I appreciate it.

Shopping links are included for you. I do not make any money off of these links and they are offered to you at no cost unless, of course, your purchase something. Ha, ha.

I hope you are having a fabulous week!

Pantone Autumn/Winter 2026: Neptune Green, Festival Fuchsia, and Toffee

Today I am showing you another outfit with three more colors from the New York, Autumn/Winter palette. Today’s outfit includes Neptune Green, a bright green similar to a sea foam; Festival Fuchsia, a party ready purple, and Toffee, a classic medium brown. I wouldn’t naturally think to put these colors together, though I could easily see the green with the brown, or even the purple with the brown. Combining bright colors like Neptune Green and Festival Fuchsia has never been easy for me, but I love when other people are not afraid to wear the bold, bright colors. This is one way, I have been trying to get outside my own outfit “rut”. You can see the actual Pantone colors here.

For Neptune Green I chose my thrifted Zylos men’s button down. I do like this color. It is not your typical grass, olive, or forest green. My personal “color brain” - yes, I just made that up - thinks this is a better color for spring and summer.

Personal Fashion Philosophy: Let me just sit here for a moment. I guess it is true that for most of our lives, those of us who grew up in the mid twentieth century, were trained to accept certain seasonal color choices: white for summer, rust and burgundy for fall, black and orange for Halloween, red and green for Christmas, icy blues for winter, and pastels for spring and Easter. How many of you know what I am talking about?

Now, let me take that a little further. We all know that certain smells, sights and sounds remind us of certain holidays, childhood experiences and so on. What if part of my “color brain” is my own way of finding peace, coziness and hope during seasonal change? To me there is just something about digging into those dark, rich colors for the fall season as life begins a transition from long, sunny days spent outside to the shorter, cooler months of spiced cider, snuggly layers and blankets, and gatherings in doors. Just something to think about. Let me hear your ideas about seasonal color change.

This is a darker long sleeve choice from Cabela’s; a short sleeve tee, closer to the actual Pantone color from Old Navy (and not a bad price currently); and I really like this print tee from Life is Good. There is also this 3/4 length sleeve tee from LLBean.

The next piece I chose was the skirt. It seems whenever brown is once again on the Classic palette I reach for this skirt. I have many times thought of getting rid of it since I rarely wear skirts, but it always gets pulled out for something or other. My skirt is a bit darker than the actual Pantone Toffee color, but you get the idea. I do this series to inspire you to shop your closet, not match the color palette’s exactly. This skirt is St. John’s Bay brand from JC Penney and is old. Here is a few versions from Target, a patterned print from Natural Life, a midi length from JC Penney, and a pull on faux suede version from a place called The Vermont Country Store.

I chose this thrifted Faded Glory striped tee for Festival Fuchsia. The combination of Neptune Green and this pretty purple is a fun vibe, though I certainly wouldn’t think of it for fall. Here is a striped boat neck version from JCPenney; an embellished top from Kohl’s; and a peasant style from JC Penney.

Instead of a necklace I chose a large brooch and pinned it right at the point of the v. I like how it looks. What do you think. I want to incorporate my pins and brooches more often, as they are such fun pieces to use, but often get overlooked.

My wrap bracelet was a fun thrift find from a few years ago. I like all the different colors of the beads, so it can be worn with many different things.

If you have been following me for a while then you know I have had this thrifted corduroy hobo bag for a number of years. Here are a few different ones: Kohl’s, JCPenney, and DSW.

My second hand, brown, suede Keds are getting old, but I still use them regularly. I should probably try to spiff them up with a brush and some suede spray. Here are numerous brown sneaker/shoes from DSW.

What do you think of these colors? Do you suffer from “color brain” like I do? What are some things that are part of your fashion philosophy? If you are interested here is an article I wrote a few years ago on what is behind my Fashion Philosophy. I would love it if you stopped by and read that article too, and leave a comment or two!

I have included a few shopping links for you to look over. These are just suggestions and I do not make any money through them. I do, however, appreciate so much when you leave a comment on the blog. Your thoughts and friendship really do warm my soul and remind me I am not doing this just for myself. Thank you.

Have a wonderful day!

Pantone Autumn/Winter 2026: Arabian Spice, Acacia, and Underworld

This week we are looking at three more of the New York Autumn/Winter Pantone colors. You can see the actual colors by clicking here. Today’s outfit is a color block style of sorts and uses the colors Arabian Spice, a warm, earthy brown with a little heat; Acacia, a green infused yellow, and Underworld, a medium gray. Let’s take a look.

I really had a hard time finding a piece in my closet that closely resembled Acacia. Greenish yellow is not a color that I lean towards. I don’t have a lot of light or bright yellow. With my coloring I typically lean more towards dark or sunny yellows. The first piece I picked out was too green, so after several more attempts I remembered I still had this thrifted, v-neck, short sleeve sweater by Gap. It still seems a bit lighter than the Pantone color, but you get the idea. Here is a possible long sleeve piece from Kohl’s, and a cardigan from Banana Republic,

I pulled out these Chico’s So Slimming Ponte knit pants that I bought on sale a number of years ago. Since I no longer have an office job I rarely wear dress pants, but this is a pair I hang onto because they are dressy, but easy to pull on and there are no belt loops or zippers. Those are sun spots on my pants, not bleach stains. Ha, ha. I had the worst time on this day trying to find a spot in the shade that didn’t have dappled sunlight. Here is a straight leg jean from Cabela’s, a pull on pair from JC Penney’s, and a corduroy pair from Kohl’s.

My Underworld vest was a recent thrift purchase. Again, I had to look through a number of pieces in my closet to find the gray that was closest to this color. Gray’s like olives have various undertones and shades. This is Relativity brand. I love vests, especially as the weather cools. The day I took these pictures was not cool!! If you don’t mind a higher price point this is a pretty one with a unique hemline from Coldwater Creek, a fleece one from L.L. Bean, a vintage waistcoat from Kohl’s, and this quilted one from a retailer called 32 Degrees.

I chose a simple silver, seasonal necklace that has a pumpkin, an orange bead, and leaf. I think I got this a couple years ago at Maurice’s.

For my shoes I chose one of my many pairs of SO ankle boots from Kohl’s. This pair has a black snake print pattern with a brownish background. Here is a page from DSW with a number of snake print patterned boots.

My Anne Klein bag was a thrift find this past spring. I love to look at purses and if you talk to my spouse he will tell you I have too many purses. What nonsense! Ha, ha. Unfortunately, it’s true, so these days I do try to steer clear of the purses so I am not tempted. However, I did grab this cute bag.

I would have never thought to put these colors together, but that is part of what makes this color series so fun. I hope you enjoyed learning more about Arabian Spice, Acacia and Underworld!

Leave me some love in the comments. I always like to hear your thoughts on these colors and on my outfits. I hope you have a wonderful week.

Pantone Autumn/Winter 2026: Red Mahogany, Burnt Olive and Egret

Happy September, everyone! It has been a very long time since I have been regularly posting on the blog, and I hope starting this Pantone series for fall will be the catalyst to bringing this little blog back to life and bringing me back to the things I am most passionate about: fashion, faith and writing. I will be sharing more on my Faith page on the difficulty we have had over the last six months, so if you are interested you can visit there later this week. I hope to get back to my regular posting schedule of Fashion on Tuesdays, Faith on Thursdays and perhaps an occasional post on a different day of the week when time and energy allows.

While access to the Pantone Fashion Week colors seems to be getting harder and harder to find, I was able to find a link to the original article so you can see those colors by clicking on the link here. These fall colors are interesting, and I will be the first to admit that I rather like these bright colorful hues and noticed a few that remind me of colors I like to wear in the fall and winter like Arabian Spice, Red Mahogany, Toffee, and Poseidon.

You will see that most of the looks in this series try to incorporate transitional pieces. For those of us who live in the midwest, the transition from summer to fall often means cool mornings and evenings with the heat returning in the late morning and throughout the afternoon. We have to be able to layer light weight fabrics in a way that accounts for the midday heat and the still working air conditioners. In this first look I layer a light weight utility vest over a light weight peasant top, along with lighter weight crop pants.

Red Mahogany is dark, rich burgundy color and we often see this color come back in the fall and winter seasons. I chose a peasant top that I discovered last spring at a thrift store. I love the pretty floral and bird pattern, the embroidery around the neckline and the shirring along the neck and shoulders. It definitely has a feminine and Boho vibe which is a fun alternative to my practical tees, sweatshirts and flannels for cooler weather. This is a brand called Sundance. Here is a pretty solid colored piece from Lucky Brand; a floral version from Natural Life; and a Croft & Barrow version from Kohl’s.

Interesting Tidbit: Robert Redford founded the original Sundance clothing company in 1969 in Utah with a paper catalogue coming out in 1989. Pieces were originally crafted with interesting prints and Bohemian vibes. In 2004, Redford sold the company in 2004, and in 2025 the company closed. There is a current Sundance Boutique based in Cape Cod that features skirts and dresses with a coastal influence.

Since the top is rather voluminous, I opted for a vest rather than a belt or tuck. I have had this Mudd piece for a number of years. I used to shop more frequently at Kohl’s in the past, but not as much these days. The changes they have made, the increase in prices and more recently their involvement in political issues has me less likely to shop there. I have no problem with others shopping there and I will still occasionally check out their sales for Christmas or birthdays, but I personally would rather shop at a second hand store.

This piece falls easily into the Burnt Olive color. In my opinion olive can have a yellow undertone or a gray undertone. Burnt Olive seems to lean more towards the gray, and many of my olive pieces fall into this category. Here is one from Walmart, a shorter, insulated version from Duluth Trading, and a actual utility jacket from LL Bean.

I decided to use my copped pants for the Pantone classic color called Egret. I have had these thrifted St. John’s Bay pants for a number of years. They get pulled out every summer, and will continue to be worn with frequency as long as I can still fit into them. Ha, ha. This looks like a nice pair from Coldwater Creek; a barrel shaped pair from Land’s End, and a capri length pair from Kohl’s.

For my accessories I chose gold for my necklace and a sparkly bracelet, both of which I forgot to take pictures of. My bag was a gifted piece from a company called Saddleback Leather, and you can see my review for that here. It is a fun little piece if you want something easy to carry that doesn’t take up much space; perfect for a wallet and few odds and ends.

My Natural Soul loafers are also a second hand find from quite a few years ago. Sorry for my wrinkly elephant ankles! Wearing compression hose in the summer is not any fun, but it is better than seeing my pasty, purple and blue, bulgy veins. Ha, ha. Here are a page of options from DSW.

What do you think of these colors? Do you have any of these in your closet? It’s that time of year again to start wearing your fall colors. Isn’t it crazy how fast time flies by. Leave me a comment or two. I love to hear from you.

I hope you are having a great week. Be sure to stop by on Thursday for a new series on my Faith page. Hugs!

Pantone Autumn/Winter 2025 - New York Palette: Brandied Melon, Hot Chocolate and Bright White

Today I am showing you outfit #5 from my Pantone Autumn/Winter New York Palette series. This is the last trio of colors from this fall palette, and hopefully next week I’ll start the London color palette. You can see the original colors in this Pinterest pin.

Today’s outfit revolves around a mellow orange named Brandied Melon, a soothing brown reminiscent of Hot Chocolate, and Bright White, mimicking the gorgeous clouds we see meandering through the late summer sky.

I chose this unique, thrifted patchwork top for the pops of Brandied Melon. I love the boho vibe and the variety of colors and print. I looked up this brand, Style & Co, and found that Macy’s was the original retailer. I always find it interesting that I will find a certain brand and then find more pieces of that brand as I thrift. I must be drawn to them for a reason.

My Bright White Gloria Vanderbilt jeans have been around for years. I purchased them new at JC Penney, and use them whenever I need a pair of crisp, white pants that are both casual and dressy. I have a hard time photographing white, or any lighter colors outside. Oh well, not worries. You get the idea. You can see these jeans styled with a yellow sweater, a floral kimono, a velvet jacket, a fall jacket, with a white top and sweater, a black vest, and a multi print top. There are more, but you get the idea. White pants are not restricted by any season and go with every color.

Since the top didn’t contain any browns, I added my thrifted Hot Chocolate corduroy bag. I love this roomy, casual bag, and the strap is long enough I can use it like a cross body bag.

I kept my accessories simple. My faux suede, SO ankle boots were from Kohl’s a number of years ago. My necklace was from a few years ago.

If the weather was cooler, I could easily add a longer cardigan for another layer by picking another color in the top. It would look great with olive, black, white, and even the Mauve Wine (see my first outfit in this series, here.)

What do you think of these colors? Do you wear white all year round, or just in the warmer months? Please leave me your thoughts in the comments or leave a comment on FB. I love to hear your ideas.

I included a few shopping links under each item. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own. I hope yo are having a great middle of September!

Pantone Autumn/Winter 2025 - New York Palette: Bronzed Brown, Winterberry and Vapor Blue

I hope you are enjoying this Pantone color series. For the actual colors check out this pin on my Pinterest board. The Pantone Color Institute is the entity that people turn to for the trending colors for both fashion, architecture and home decor. I enjoy seeing what the colors are for each season, however, they have made it harder and harder to actually see the colors without having an account, so I appreciate those who do sharing their findings on Pinterest and other platforms.

Today’s colors are what I would call a little more reminiscent of what we tend to think of when we talk about the autumn season. Bronze Brown is a golden brown making me think of changing maple leaves and colorful sunsets, while Winterberry gives a nod to aromas soon to fill the air like cranberry and cinnamon, and Vapor Blue looks like wispy jet trails across a fading fall sky.

This seemed a bit of an odd pairing with the Bronze Brown and Winterberry, but after I put it together, I really liked how it turned out.

The Bronze Brown, Ophelia Roe jacket was a piece I got on clearance at Meijer. It actually had a pair of pants that went with it, that I bought at a later time. However, the pants seem to be a bit off. I should have taken them back right away, but sometimes you can’t tell right away something is cockeyed or sewn improperly. They are in the donation pile. I do, however, like the jacket with its utility, bomber style silhouette.

This Faded Glory floral blouse I have had for years. I don’t know why I don’t wear it more often, because I do like it. I just go right from shorts sleeves to fuzzy sweaters and sweatshirts and forget about the in between time. I honestly don’t remember if I bought it at Walmart, or if I found it at a second hand store.

You can also see my chunky berry and gold necklace, a gift from one of my daughters. I thought it went well with the casual vibe of the outfit. I also added a dark brown, almost burgundy colored leather belt that I recently thrifted. I know the trend has been no belts, but I always feel that a belt gives an outfit that finished feel, specifically when tucking a shirt in. Apparently the half tuck is no longer trendy and we are back to a full tuck or no tuck.

These Talbots jeans are also a thrift store find from this past spring/summer. If you look at the Pantone color for Vapor Blue, it really looks like a very light gray, but I feel that these jeans were representative of that faded blue sky we often see in the early morning or late evening. If the Pantone gurus say it’s blue, well okay, and this was my take! Ha, ha. I love the black and white pin striping down the outside seams of the legs.

Once I put the outfit together, I was struck by the thought that I actually could start styling boots again, so I grabbed these SO burgundy combat boots that I scored at Kohl’s a few seasons ago.

I just found this cute crossbody bag a few weeks ago when I was thrifting with my bestie back in New York. We always hit the thrift stores together, which is great fun. This is a brand called Modern Chic. I love the guitar strap vibe.

What do you think of these colors? Do you like how I put this outfit together? What would you have done differently? Please leave me some love in the comments. I appreciate my faithful few who try to comment on the regular. You always remind me why I keep doing this! Hugs to all of you.

I have included a few shopping links for you to look through. These are affiliate links which means when you purchase something through one of my links, I get a small commission. I appreciate all of your support, but most of all I appreciate that you stopped by the blog to hang out for a while.

Have a great week!

Pantone Autumn/Winter 2025 - New York Palette: Poppy Red, Lyons Blue and Crown Blue

Happy Uno Septembo! In other words happy September, happy fall and all the good things that go with it: pumpkin muffins, hot chocolate, changing leaves and football. Our weather here in the Midwest is already feeling more like fall, although there is sure to be a few more warm days before the official start of fall and even after. I have heard rumors that we are supposed to have a cold winter and these early chill days may be a forewarning to that.

Today’s outfit takes three more colors from the New York Palette and combines them in a bright, cheerful look that would be perfect for a drab fall day. Poppy Red, Lyons Blue and Crown Blue combined seamlessly when I was working on outfits for this Pantone color series. It was a natural progressions to put these three saturated colors together. To see the actual Pantone colors check out this Pinterest pin.

This whole look is thrifted, except the sneakers. It is always fun to shop my closet and find that so many of the things I bought second hand are easily useable for the current trending colors and styles. So what if a few things are slightly outdated, or not currently on as far as the fashion gurus are concerned. It’s my closet and my style, as it is your closet and your style.

Let’s take the outfit apart. The first piece I chose was this paisley button down that I have had for years. The blue colors were a good match for the Lyons Blue color which is a deeply tinted blue teal. This thrifted piece is Jones Wear Sport. I have thought numerous times of getting rid of this piece, but then I end up wearing it for some reason or other. I do love a good paisley print, just like I love my plaids!

You can also see in this photo I chose a teal necklace that leans a bit more in the green direction, but I like the contrast. In addition, for this fall statement belts are trending, so I decided to create my own statement using an old silver colored chain belt that I have had laying around for decades. It didn’t really help to hold my baggy pants up, but I like how it looks!

After the shirt I chose the pants. It seemed the perfect choice as this bright red pair are perfectly Poppy Red. I thrifted these this year as I had been looking for a red pair of pants. These are Bandolino brand. They are actually a little big now, but I don’t mind and the baggy look is another thing that is trending this fall for jeans, so get comfortable ladies!

I then remembered I had thrifted this blue jacket recently and realized it was a perfect choice for the classic color Crown Blue. This piece is Coldwater Creek brand. This is actually a petite, which I can sometimes get away with. It just gives the jacket a more cropped silhouette, which I occasionally like. I love the contrasting white stitching around the edges. I had a hard time finding anything in this exact color, but I’ve included a few links for darker denim jackets.

I decided to go with silvery gray for my accessories. I wanted something different from red, to match the pants or blue to match the jacket. I do have a bit of a matchy, matchy gene, so I was trying to push myself outside that box. While I did end up matching the bag, and the shoes with the belt, I like how it pulls the whole look together. The sneakers are Skechers and I got them a while back on clearance at Gabes. I hardly ever go into that store, but once in a while my daughter wants to make a stop there and it is fun to look. My bag was thrifted and has no label.

What do you think of these colors? Do you like them together, or would you like them each separately? It is fun to try new combinations and I hope these posts inspire you to expand your thinking on how you put colors together. Leave me some feedback in the comments.

Enjoy the many poses of Amy! Ha, ha.

I hope you are having a great beginning to the month of September! I have included a few shopping links, but these colors are hard to find, so I would say add a color you like to your thrifting list! These are affiliate links, brought to you at no extra cost. If you shop a link through me, I get a tiny commission for your purchase. I appreciate all the support. All opinions are my own.

Have a great day!

Pantone Autumn/Winter 2025 - New York Palette: Lemon Grass, Chili Oil, and French Roast

This week brings you another collection of colors from the Pantone Autumn New York color palette. Remember, I am combining colors as they inspired me, but you can take any of the colors from the palette and put them together, or maybe there are only one or two colors that you like and plan on adding to your wardrobe. This is always about what you like and how you can be inspired to look at your closet differently.

Today’s outfit is a contrast of light and dark combining the yellowy green of Lemon Grass with the classic French Roast along with the spice of Chili Oil. You can see the actual Pantone colors here.

This pale yellow top, is not a true yellow, but has just a hint of green, making it the perfect selection from my closet for the Pantone Lemon Grass. I found this a few years ago while thrifting and it is a brand called Jess & Jane. I discovered that Jess & Jane is a California based wholesale clothing company who only sells to specialty boutiques, so who knows where this piece originated from. It’s kind of fun to think of the roads some of our second hand pieces have traveled. I like the asymmetrical hemline and the funky ink spray pattern on the front. I also like the sleeve length, which is perfect for the transitional days between summer and fall.

I remembered that I still had these rusty, Chili Oil, Chico’s So Slimming ponte pants that I had purchased on sale a few years ago. Ponte pants are made from a thick, stretchy, double-knit fabric called Ponte di Roma. They offer a more flattering line than regular leggings due to the specially made seams and more support. I don’t wear dress pants very often these days as I no longer have an office job, but I hang onto things for now, because who knows when I may have to go back to work outside the home.

To add a bit of texture and a layer for cooler temps I reached for this thrifted Crazy Horse by Liz Claiborne corduroy vest. It does a fairly good job of mimicking the French Roast dark brown color on the New York classic palette. I love this piece as it is structured, but also has a bit of stretch making it easier to wear.

I kept my jewelry simple, as the top, vest and pants do the talking. A long black and white, beaded pendant necklace, and a stack, bead bracelet with browns, creams, blacks and a touch of yellow threw in a bit more texture and interest. I didn’t think to swap out my blue Fit Bit band for a brown or white one. Ha, ha.

I chose black for my shoes and bag to tie to the black print on the top. My bag is a thrifted Fossil shoulder bag, and my shoes are Aerosoles that I purchased a number of years ago from DSW. I really like both of these. The bag is a great fall and winter choice, and the heels are comfortable (for as comfy as a heeled shoe can be when you don’t wear them very often - ha, ha).

What do you think of these Pantone colors? Would you wear these colors together? Do you like Lemon Grass, Chili Oil or French Roast the best? Which of these colors do you already have in your closet? Leave me a comment or two. It helps my blog to grown and reminds me why I do this!

I have included a few shopping links. Thank you so much for making an occasional purchase through my links. That gives me a tiny bit of income. I cherish all of your support. These are affiliate links brought to you at no cost. All opinions are my own.

I hope you are having a great week!

Pantone Autumn/Winter 2025 - New York: Primrose Pink, Damson, and Mauve Wine

I am making an attempt to get back on track on my Fashion page, by introducing the Pantone Autumn/Winter 2025 color palettes. I thought if I started a little earlier, you could take the inspiration and actually shop your closets for some of these colors to wear this fall. Starting with the New York palette, I hope to also cover the London Palette next month.

Today’s outfit is a pretty work wear look that uses the palette’s lightest color Primrose Pink, paired with the medium Damson purple and the darker Mauve Wine. I really like how these colors work together, giving a nod to the parting pastels of summer and to the incoming darker hues of fall. You can see the actual colors in one of the Pantone pins on my Pinterest board here.

I got dressed, did my makeup and was all set to take pictures outdoors and then it decided to pour. By the time I took these shots the sun was coming out again, but the grass and trees were soaked, so I decided to stay in doors.

I went through a few color combination iterations before I finally settled on this trio, but I really like how it turned out. Let’s look at all the pieces.

I decided to use this thrifted herringbone blazer for the Damson medium purple color. My photos don’t do the purple color justice, but it is what it is. This is a vintage piece from a U.S. manufacturer called Cape Cod Match Mates. The research I did said these were made in the 1970’s and 80’s. The pieces are easy wear, durable, and a stretchy polyester blend that holds its shape well. It also said they mostly made patterns that were bold and fun. I have one other blazer by them that is a darker blue and red plaid. You can see that on my Instagram page, here.

The Mauve Wine color of my floral blouse is actually under the Classic Colors on the New York palette. I was surprised. Usually, the classics are more neutrals or dark navy blues or black. It was nice to have a different option and this color is one I love for the fall and winter. This piece is a second hand Loft brand. Dark florals are always a winner for fall.

My Primrose Pink pants have made an appearance on the blog before. These Christopher and Banks trousers are a great choice when I want to look a little more dressy. You can see them styled here in a casual Easter outfit,

Since there was a tiny bit of green in my blouse, I reached for this Charming Charlie tote bag that I have had for a few years. I thought it keeps the summer element in the outfit along with the pink pants, after all we have about five more weeks of summer before the actual seasonal change.

I added a sparkly necklace just to add a bit of pizzazz!

These slip on Oxfords are an older second hand find and brand called Enzo-Angiolini. I don’t often wear anything other than casual shoes like sneakers and my Converse since I no longer have an office job, but I do hang on to shoes like these so I have options if I ever need to dress up a bit.

What do you think of these colors? Which of these three do you like the best? I always enjoy getting your feedback so leave me a comment or two.

I’ve included a few shopping links for you to look through. These links are brought to you at no cost. These are affiliate links. If you purchase an item through my link I get a small commission. I appreciate all you support. All opinions are my own.

Have a great week!

My Style: Pantone Autumn/Winter 2024 NY Palette - Fern, Adventurine, and Dark Gull

I wanted to continue the Pantone color series, but I also wanted to stick to my monthly posts, so for today’s look I am combining three of the Pantone NY palette colors into another style I like, but haven’t as much experience in: Dark Academia.

Academia fashion draws their ideas from university influences both real and imagined. Think of looks combining plaids, tweeds, cozy sweaters, pleated skirts, houndstooth patterns and other vibes associated with higher education. Dark Academia (click on the links to see a few of my pins on Pinterest) uses the darker, moodier end of the color spectrum, while Light Academia chooses pastels, and lighter shades, but in similar textures, styles and patterns. While some looks may include preppy, these are not specifically prep school leanings. I think of Dark Academia as outfits with a Detective Noir slant, but with more fun accessories like back packs, boots and plaid skirts.

This is my take on the Dark Academia style using the colors Fern, Adventurine, and Dark Gull.

To start off, I chose this thrifted, Old Navy, tiered Fern skirt. Tiered skirts are not really part of the academic vibe, but at the current moment I don’t have anything green in pants or a skirt that would have fit both the color and the style. However, I think this worked pretty well. You can see how I styled this skirt before on the blog with a colorful kimono, with a sheer floral top, and with a colorful fall jacket.

This second hand, Old Navy green top I chose is a tad darker than the Adventurine color, but it is pretty close. I found this gauzy piece recently at the second hand shop around the corner. I have always loved gauze tops. They are so pretty, comfortable, and while we often think of them as warm weather pieces they are perfect to layer a jacket or sweater over.

This thrifted, Mossimo, Dark Gull blazer was a hand-me-over from my daughter. I have always liked a dark gray, better than a light gray, so I am naturally drawn to pieces this color. To me they are classy looking, but aren’t black, so a good choice when you don’t want to go as formal as black.

On Pinterest most of the accessories revolving around academic fashion are simple pendant necklaces, leather, or faux leather boots, loafers and oxfords and back packs or bags. There are also scarves, but our weather is still too hot for those. I decided to focus on silver as the belt over my shirt has silver links and buckles. I also chose a thrifted pair of shoes, a brand called Enzo Angiolini, that are like loafers, but also like oxfords. Ha, ha. And yes my collar is crooked in the first two pictures. Ha, ha.

What do you think of these three Pantone colors? Do you like the Dark Academia vibe? How would you change this type of outfit to make it your own? I’d love to hear your thoughts, so leave me some love in the comments below.

I’m including a few shopping links for pieces that would fall into the Dark Academia style. These are affiliate links brought to you at no extra cost. All opinions are my own.

Shopping Our Closets: Pantone Autumn/Winter 2024 NY - Red Orange, Scarlet Smile and Baritone Blue

The best part about having a closet full of color is that I can almost always come close to matching the Pantone color palettes, whether for spring or fall. I do try to come as close as possible to the palette colors, but it is not a science. It is meant to be a fun exercise in trying new color combinations that you might not normally try.

Today’s outfit is a fun combination of Red Orange, Scarlet Smile, and Baritone Blue. I think this look would be great for work, or for a fall festival or party.

For this outfit I started with this recently thrifted Notations prairie skirt. It has the Red Orange color throughout. I am a sucker for tiered maxi skirts and especially like the boho feel of the fall colored print. Seeing as the skirt has a variety of colors I am looking forward to trying out a few other ways to style this. It is light weight, so for this shoot I added a slip, but that’s just my personal preference. In the cooler weather I would also add heavier tights.

I had a different top picked out that leaned more towards a reddish pink, but looking at Scarlet Smile again, I opted for this men’s Van Heusen, plaid, short sleeve number. It gives the look a touch of a masculine feel. You certainly could make it much more feminine by choosing a top with ruffles, lace or puffy sleeves.

To bring in the darker classic Baritone Blue, which is basically navy, I chose my Sonoma utility jacket from Kohl’s with the embroidered sleeves. I thought the embroidery added a nice element and pulled the whole look together.

Once I had the outfit figured out, it was an easy choice to add a simple bead and metal necklace in the Red Orange color, my brown, thrifted combat boots, and my thrifted Simple Vera, Vera Wang, bag. Unfortunately, once I was finished with the shoot this bag went in the dumpster. I know of no way to stop the fake leather bags from peeling. If anyone knows a cure, let me know. Ha, ha.

What do you think of these colors? do you have any of these in your closet? Would you wear these colors together? I love to hear your thoughts, so be sure to take the time to comment.

I’m including a few shopping links for you to look at. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Have a great day!

Outfit Inspiration: Pantone Autumn/Winter 2024 NY Palette: Italian Plum, Winter Sky, and White Swan

This week’s inspiration came from the Pantone Color Institute’s Autumn/Winter 2024 New York Palette. The three colors I am featuring were fairly easy to find in my wardrobe. My colors may not match spot on, but they are close enough. Feel free to look at the exact colors as given by the Pantone company by clicking on the above link. This week the two main palette colors are the dark purple called Italian Plum, and the blue called Winter Sky. The creamy color is from the classics palette and is called White Swan.

My Italian Plum corduroy jacket is a thrifted Christopher & Banks piece. It is actually a petite large, but I like that it has more of a cropped look. I like the different seams on this piece, and corduroy is perfect for cooler weather.

Style Tip: Shop sizes outside your normal because sizing is different across many manufacturers, and you might like how the piece looks if it is a bit shorter, longer or oversized.

Here are a few possibilities, but there isn’t much out there in this color.

My polka dot Winter Sky top is another Christopher & Banks piece that I bought on a sale back when we had a store in our area. A chambray piece the purple dots were a fun addition to the normal denim style shirt.

My light colored White Swan pants are Croft & Barrow brand from Kohl’s clearance a few years ago. They are plain and simple and sometimes that is just what an outfit calls for.

Style Tip: Not every outfit needs pants or skirts that are texturized or embellished. Sometimes, the simpler the better. Plain pants are typically better for work if you don’t have a uniform provided by the company.

I kept my accessories fairly simple as well. I opted for tan as my color of choice for both my bag and boots since that seems to be trending this fall. I also chose silver as my jewelry color.

What do you think of these Pantone colors? I love purple anyway, so this darker color is a fave, especially for fall. Do you think the a chambray shirt would have worked with this purple jacket and lighter colored pants even if it didn’t have the purple dots on it?

I hope you enjoyed this post. Let me know your thoughts on these colors. Have a great week!

Shopping links are affiliate links, but all opinions are my own.

Color Play: Pantone Autumn/Winter 2024 - Golden Palm, Lucent White and Raw Umber

I have decided to revisit the Pantone Color series that I have done in the past. You know how I love color and trying new ways of combining colors in outfits that not only stand out, but that make us feel comfortable and confident. I am going to start with the New York Palette, after which I will decide if I am going to continue with the London Palette or move on to other things.

If you are not familiar with the Pantone Color Institute, they are “recognized globally as a leading source of color expertise.” (Pantone home page.) They work across many disciplines and areas to provide color inspiration and education. The fashion industry is just one of many areas where Pantone has input. Every year they typically post two seasonal color palettes, one for Spring/Summer and one for Autumn/Winter. These palettes vary between two main fashion centers - New York and London.

As I have done in the past, I am going to combine three colors in each outfit; two from the main color palette and one from the classics color palette. Today’s outfit revolves around the following colors: Golden Palm, a bright mustardy yellow; Lucent White, a bright, pure white; and Raw Umber, a medium earthy brown.

It always seems to be the case that when I am going to take pictures of fall outfits it is hot and humid! Ha, ha. It was almost 90 when I took these pictures, so if I seem to be glowing that is why.

The inspiration for this outfit actually came from a piece of artwork hanging in the little apartment we rented on our last getaway to central Ohio. These two pieces of artwork hung in the bedroom, and so I took a couple of pictures, knowing I would use them for outfit inspiration at some point. How fun that three of the colors were on the Pantone Autumn/Winter 2024 New York Palette!

The first piece I chose for this outfit was the Golden Palm Sonoma tee. I have had this for years. A thrifted piece, I have used it in other outfits on the blog. You can see it with a brown cardigan, a snakeskin print skirt, a purple skirt, and an embroidered denim jacket.

This picture also shows you a close up of the jewelry I chose for this look. I thought the white owl, and the pearly gold mix of the bracelets tied in quite well with the skirt.

My Lucent skirt is another piece I have had for a number of years. I love a tiered maxi as it speaks to my inner boho soul. This one is especially fun with its lace and textured details. This is St. John’s Bay from JC Penney. You can see how I styled this on the blog before with a striped tee, a pink striped sweater, a green top and jacket, and a brown moto jacket.

My cropped, Raw Umber, denim jacket is a newer piece. I bought this last year from Kohl’s and it is Sonoma brand.

For my accessories, besides my white jewelry, I chose my colorful, fall-ish tote bag. This is a Simply Vera, by Vera Wang piece that I found on clearance at Kohl’s a number of years ago. I also added my thrifted brown combat boots.

What do you think of Golden Palm, Lucent White and Raw Umber? Do you have any of these colors in your closet? What other colors do you think any of these would look good with? Let me know your thoughts in the comments. I always enjoy hearing from you!

I am providing a few shopping links for similar items. These shopping links are brought to you at no additional cost. These affiliate links which when purchased through a link gives me a few cents as a commission. All opinions are my own.