Over the past 10 years DS#2 completed a university degree, worked in a factory, and returned to school. He completed the second program, passed the professional tests, became accredited this past fall, and employed immediately afterwards. He has been working full time in his field for 6 months now, and wears a uniform (black Lululemon ABC pants and black performance fabric golf shirt with clinic logo.)


Clothes have been back of mind for 5 years, and had become a rather grubby collection of mismatched and worn pants and t-shirts. He struggled to put together a travel capsule for a recent weekend in the big city with friends, and didn’t feel fab in what he wore. He asked me to help him out with a closet review and shopping trip. His brief: no black (!) and he wanted things that would work with two pair of pants - Lululemon ABC in Artefact (a weird brown he picked up when he got his work pants, that frankly dismayed me - see #1).

Shabby items were culled, and a list was created for a mix and match capsule of casual items he could wear after work and on weekends:

1-2 button downs
4 T shirts (must be V neck)
toppers - vest or sweater
5 pr socks
new belt
back-pack (for work and other)

His remaining items are mostly blue and grey (but he doesn’t wear jeans!) A crimson and a teal long sleeved T looked good with the pants, and an older teal Uniqlo puffer and newer orange cross body bag worked as well (#2).

DS#2 has auburn tones in his hair (see #4) and looks good in autumn colours. He is an athletic 6ft3in and needs a 2XL tall in a ‘modern’ or slim fit. During local shopping reconnaissance, I noted Marks Work Wear House had invested heavily in autumn colours, and though not modish, they do have a large selection of sizes (and their T-shirts are the best!) We went together and he was able to tick several things off his list. I insisted he ‘style’ everything he picked out - so there was a fast paced outfit creation session in the change room. The Columbia plaid button down was a fortuitous find. It ties all the colours together and can be worn open over the T-shirts. His favourite is the rusty-orange Farwest hoodie (which also matches the clinic logo colours of orange and white)


DS#2 can do the rest himself. He wants Darn Tough socks, a Hershel or Jansport back pack, and there is a brand of stretchy performance belt he likes and will order on line. He now wants to add a short sleeved patterned button down for warm weather and will tweak things a bit when his shorts come out.

As you can see, DS#2 is not afraid of colour!


Hope you enjoyed this (not minimal, not black) colour story!

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2 years ago