Ask Angie: Where to go next ETA skirt update - YouLookFab Forum

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Ask Angie: Where to go next ETA skirt update

anne

Veteran

Dear Angie,

While you were away in HK I had quite a long thread about how to refresh my work wardrobe

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....-realities

but you don't need to reread it all! I have rearranged the budget for a bit more spending money

I have a pair of paleish MJ shoes and knee high black boots on order.

My main question is - I have pictured pretty much all my work wardrobe below, including 2 new skirts in 1 and 3 (tags aren't off 3 yet) I may have missed a couple of cardigans and my suit jacket.

If I were to buy 2 or 3 more garments, what type of thing would you suggest?

Apart from being flattering, my main priority is to look more up to date.

Thanks so much!

ETA - just realised number 3 will have to stay! Today is the last day to return and I forgot to bring it in (or rather, I forgot to make a decision about it!)

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25 replies

Latest reply was from anne

Summer

Veteran

While you wait for Angie, may I just say that you have some lovely, interesting pieces here, Anne. I love your patterned and draped skirts, and also the two pink tops. That colour is so beautiful on you.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Hi, Anne --

Well, you know me....I will weigh in again with my vote for creating a core neutrals capsule, including items that might not be exciting in themselves but that mix and match well with one another. Similar to Angie's blog post today, although I believe you are looking for an autumn/ winter capsule, correct?

Can you remind me of the typical fall/ winter weather where you are? Because to my eye, the items you have shown are mostly spring-summer appropriate (for where I live -- I do realize it is quite different, LOL!)

The idea would be to start by filling out a neutrals capsule, ensuring you have every piece to mix and match well. Angie's example is 3 mix and match bottoms, 7 tops, 3 toppers. But you could vary that a little bit.

My thoughts on what you have otherwise -- I love your new skirt in #1. I personally would return #3 because it is another patterned skirt, it is somewhat similar in colours to the first one, and from what I can tell, also a pencil style, but with detailing that makes it hard to pair with all but the very simplest supporting acts. I'd be looking to add more items with clean lines that do not fight with the more statement type draping on the current items. A slim pair of pants to go with drapey tops, for instance.

Anonymous

Beautiful Anne, you have the most amazing collection of skirts, they're like works of art --in a good and very wearable way. And I love you in the sheath in pic 5 and the drapey shell in 4--super colour. You have gorgeous shoulders and know how to play them up. I'm not the best big-picture wardrobe person, so will let Angie weigh in on that. I agree with Suz about returning #3, she always gives such perfect advice! If it were my tags-on skirt and it fit me this well, I'd be doing the irresponsible thing I adore that skirt!

marianna

Veteran

Anne, I wanted to chime in and say you look great! What a wonderful collection of unique skirts! You're on your way to a wonderful capsule. Do you need a pair of business casual trousers? Maybe a pair of skinny/straight trousers in a neutral color would be useful!

anne

Veteran

Shoes on order http://www.homyped.com.au/pind.....code=NADIA
Boots
http://m.myer.com.au/shop/mobi.....ductdetail

anne

Veteran

Summer, Aliona and Marianna, thanks for your kind comments about the wardrobe!
And Suz - I did NOT expect to see you here! I thought you'd be gone by now! I feel honoured.
In terms of weather, our winters maxes are around 15-20 C usually with the occasional warmer day. They tend to be rainy. Autumn is a bit warmer - low 20s. Because I run cold, I'd usually wear a coat on the way to and from work (maybe around 12-13 C at that point) but wouldn't always need one in my lunch break.)
The main question is how hot the office is - and since I am in a new job I am not sure what winter there will be like. At my last job even in summer I had to wear stockings and a long sleeve top and an additional topper for most of the day. In this one I have mostly gone bare legged but stockings wouldn't be too hot and I anticipate wearing them in winter.

anne

Veteran

Oh and Suz and Marianna both brought up what quite a few respondants on my earlier thread did - the suggestion of trousers.
I find this really hard, I do realise that fashion has been quite trouser dominated recently and I'd LOVE to be able to rock this look. And yet
The truth is that I have very short legs, a long rise and a long waist and proportionally bigger thighs. Trousers are never going to be my best look and I find it very traumatic to look for them. I am not saying "never" - but those are the issues. I do have the patterned ones from Lyn that are gorgeous and that I have only worn for casual friday - but even these show the same body features!

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I see no problem in working around a wardrobe of primarily skirts if you feel best in them. Seems that you have a black, white, grey and coral (or pink) color scheme going on mostly with some blues added. That's a great combination to build on I'd think. Finding tops that can make your skirts go the distance would be my main goal.

I actually like the skirt in #3 because of the strong black/white graphic print which seems on trend right now and which makes it pretty flexible (I think). You could pair it with a tank that has a slight asymmetric hem, you could tuck in a button down in white and wear a bright necklace (like in coral), you could also wear it with a graphic tee like the one I linked from Finds and white sneakers or maybe sandals.

Adding a few pieces of costume jewelry can be an inexpensive way to change things up - maybe one colorful necklace and one (not matching but goes with) bracelet? Like a big chunky link coral necklace and a gold or silver bracelet...

Banana Republic

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Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Anne, which styles of shoes did you buy? Those are the biggest holes I see, and the fastest way of making outfits look their most current.

I'll add:

Fitted short black jacket
Pullovers - do you wear them in OZ? I see blouses and knitted tops only.

cjh

(website)

Veteran

#7 looks fab! I like the navy and gray combo, with the black booties - all fit you well and you look very confident and office-worthy. If you can find lighter booties that are similar - in stone or charcoal, that might be one piece to add. As Angie mentioned, updating shoes could be a priority.

The black/white print skirt in #3 is also very nice and could work with many tops in pinks, mulberry, different shades of darker blue. Or a black shell with a colored jacket or cardigan, again in the pink/berry or dark blue tones, would also look nice with it. Even though similar to #1, it says "you" and if I were you, I'd keep it.

You've found the good shapes of skirts and tops, and they all look like they will nicely mix and match. Adding just a couple more tops in your colors will give you enough for a variety and laundry cycles, I would think. The trick will be to stay choosy - getting your right color, fabrication and fit and not falling for just anything out there!

annabelle

Veteran

You look so great, Anne, and your wardrobe is coming together really well. I like the shoes you ordered. They look versatile and cute-funky in the best way without distracting from the rest of your outfit. You'll be able to pair those with anything!

rachylou

Veteran

I am loving your clothes, Anne! Everything sits and fits in a nice way (although the skirt in #7 seems a little big... gorgeous blouse with it... and the booties!). I am wondering if you have enough tops? And, of course, have had my head blown up by Angie's and Suz's suggestions (why didn't I think of those possibilities?)

Now that I'm at home, it's interesting, I find myself in skirts mostly. When I go into an office, I end up wanting to wear pants....

lyn67

Veteran

Love your work capsule, Anne-and I can see why you would like to keep skirt in nr 3-(even if simillar concept like the one you have already) IF you cannot find panst that fit as fab as that skirt! (long torso, high rise, short legs ...is my same problem-so I have a closet full of pencils and dresses:-)). Agree with Angie. A darker jacket/blazer and some sweaters will be also useful.

Windchime

Veteran

You clearly know what colors are flattering on you and have a great start on your work capsule. I love the skirts in the 1st and 3rd pics. If funds allow, I'd vote to keep both, especially if you don't wear trousers.

I was interested to see how Angie would answer your questions. It looks like the shoes you've ordered could work really well.

Gigi

Veteran

I don't have any helpful words of wisdom but just wanted to post to say that every outfit you uploaded was amazing. You look so, so pretty! I love your glasses and your hair. You have done a great job with your style. I am especially amazed at how you could layer the drapey cardi and the scarf without being overwhelmed. Whenever I try to do something like that, everything just competes and I feel less than fab!

Beth Ann

Veteran

So glad you're starting your shoes with footwear, and I can't wait to see them.

I hear you on trousers, and I think you look fabulous in skirts. I wear skirts most work days, and save trousers for casual at home looks (essential in my cold winters). I wouldn't make a special effort to find them, but when you're shopping I would try on any wide leg or bootcut trousers that you see. Just try them on and, even if they don't fit perfectly, imagine how they might work with your items. I could see a pair of drapey, lightweight wide legs working well with your tops. As someone with a long rise and full thighs, I find this style the easiest to fit. The most important element is wondeful fabric --- it needs to drape and move well, without drooping or sagging, if that makes sense.

Love the new items, although I agree with Suz that the skirt in #3 fits the same wardrobe place as #1. Of course, I'm one to talk. I have something like 8 pencil skirts.

Dimity

While the skirt in 3 is lovely, I agree with Suz about returning it, because it's so similar to the dress and two other skirts that it doesn't add anything new. I love Angie's suggestion to add a couple of pullovers. These would be versatile as you could wear them with a bandanna or statement necklace or scarf for different looks. I might think about a modern, boxy skivvy as well, as you could put a simple shape like this over the draped and patterned skirts for a current look. The gaps that I see are a different skirt shape (if you would wear/like an A line, say) in a colour like teal or mulberry and tops. To expand the options, I'd probably think about three really simple tops or good quality tees (Myers Regatta brand with the three quarter sleeves is a good weight, but I also got a tee from Kmart the other day in grey that's nice) in wintery colours. Mo's suggestion of one colour, one light neutral and one dark neutral in each category is a good option for variety. It helps us stop buying what we feel comfortable with.

Sal

Veteran

I do think you have some great pieces and your new additions are great. I think that if you are happy with the skirt in 3 I would keep it, almost a signature look for you? I would get a couple a long or three quarter sleeve top or shirt that goes with both skirts....something that you will wear all the time and love but let the skirts star.

Sal

Veteran

I do think you have some great pieces and your new additions are great. I think that if you are happy with the skirt in 3 I would keep it, almost a signature look for you? I would get a couple a long or three quarter sleeve top or shirt that goes with both skirts....something that you will wear all the time and love but let the skirts star.

anne

Veteran

Thanks so much to everyone for replying to these threads. I really appreciate your kind and appreciative comments. I apologise for not getting back to this thread all weekend - I have had an extemely busy time of it!

I'll just answer a couple of questions before I get to Angie's

Rachylou - yes I think the skirt in 7 may be too big and since I may have lost weight since it was taken it might be bigger now. I am not very attached to it - a friend found it while checking out verge collections I think (she lives in an affluent suburb with pretty good pickings!) and I'm not that fond of it, but it has had lots of YLF approval.

I see skirt 3 has split you!! Love to hear Angie's opinion. I have til next Friday to decide on it

Dimity and Kiwigal - I try to avoid 3/4 sleeves as I dislike the feel on them under toppers. I am not sure about tees for my work place. I have spent a bit of time trying to access the dress code - ah here it is

Traditional
business suit (trousers or skirts) and accessories OR

Smart, pressed,
full length trousers

Tailored dresses

Tailored skirts

Smart shirts,
blouses, tops

Jacket (optional)

In practice I see very few suits worn.

Angie, the shoes I have on order, and hope to have are

Shoes http://www.homyped.com.au/pind.....code=NADIA
Boots
http://m.myer.com.au/shop/mobi.....ductdetail

I also have my red patent mary janes - though they may not last too long

and some black booties - both are in the pictures above.

You'll remember I have lots of foot issues! (need high vamp or straps, often wear orthotic shoes)

I am not sure about pullovers - the code says "fine knitwear" is ok so maybe.

Do you mean think like this http://www.portmans.com.au/sho.....s-knitwear (one of my favourite shops for workwear) or this (one of my favourite shops I CAN"T afford https://www.cue.cc/Shop/Knitwear

I'll get going on looking for black jackets

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Anne, I can't seem to make the links of the shoes work. Thanks for trying though.

anne

Veteran

Here they are Angie (just on order though - I haven't tried them on).

Did the knitwear links work?

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Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Ah. Thanks, Anne. They look great. I hope they work out.

anne

Veteran

Me too!! Footwear in my size sell out fast - the boots in particular weren't my first choice - so I need to grab them at the beginning of the season.

I won't buy any tops (pullover or othewise!) or jackets for a week or so (I am waiting on a Westfield voucher to arrive) so I'll report back with pictures later

But I'd love your opinion, Angie on the skirt in pic 3 - just a K/R?

Thanks

anne

Veteran

ETA - have added to original post - I am keeping skirt 3 - I hadn't made my mind up but the return date has passed!