Weekend Wardrobe: Winter-to-Spring Transition 4x4 Wardrobe Inspired by a Henry Farrer Watercolor Painting

From Invaluable

One of the many things I love about The Vivienne Files fashion blog is the fact that, in addition to being introduced to new wardrobe ideas, we also learn about artists with whom we may not be familiar, as art is often the inspiration for the wardrobe collections.  A recent post used a painting by English-born American artist Henry Farrer as the starting point, and this work was so lovely I just had to find out more about him.  Most of his later works were painted in the tonalist style, which I find rather dreary, but some of his watercolors feature a style and colors that appeal to me.  One such work is shown above.  I find the color choices intriguing, and the homestead depicted is one I wouldn't mind living in!  I decided to use some of these fascinating colors from the trees, house, grass, and chimney in the painting as inspiration for a winter-to-spring transition 4x4 wardrobe:

The first set of four focuses on that interesting spruce green color from the trees:

Clockwise from top left: L.L. Bean Women's Pima Cotton Turtleneck in Deep Teal; Land's End Women's Relaxed Supima V-Neck T-Shirt in Deep Pine; L.L. Bean Stitchworks Cardigan in Spruce; Patagonia Women's Fitted Corduroy Pants in Arbor Green.

The color of the farmhouse, a nice basic tan, was selected for the second set of four (unfortunately the tops are no longer available in the oatmeal heather color, but the cream color is available and would be a good substitute):

Clockwise from top left: L.L. Bean Women's Three-Quarter-Sleeve V-Neck Tee in Oatmeal Heather (color no longer available); L.L. Bean Women's Interlock Turtleneck in Oatmeal Heather; (color no longer available); Coldwater Creek Pinwale Stretch Corduroys in Sand; L.L. Bean Women's Twill Easy-Stretch Pants in Khaki.

One of the main colors in the painting is the unusual aqua green hue of the grass in the foreground, which is the choice for the third set of four (I now own that teal green heather fleece vest and love it!):

Clockwise from top left: Coldwater Creek Vintage Floral Print Easy Care Shirt in Teal; L.L. Bean Trail Model Fleece Vest in Teal Green Heather; Fruugo Animal Lilly Sui Women's Jumper in Dusty Aqua; Coldwater Creek Washed CottonLuxe Straight-Leg Pants in Dusty Aqua.

For the last set of four, I chose a clay color which is not prominent in the painting, but shows up in the chimney of the house:

Clockwise from top left: West of 5th Joie Trip Dolman Sleeve Sweater in Heather Pale Clay; Coldwater Creek Essential Supima Boatneck Tee in Papaya; Coldwater Creek Classic Cardigan in Papaya; Coldwater Creek Essential Supima Crewneck Tee in Papaya.

And here is the complete 4x4 wardrobe incorporating all of the apparel pieces:

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Next week I will add accessories to this winter-to-spring transition 4x4 wardrobe, and with its offbeat set of colors as inspiration who knows what I will find!