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My 2013 did not start that well style-wise...

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

I think it happened again: I feel uninspired dressing in the mornings! I even tried to use inspiration pictures from my Pinterest last week and look at the dismal results!
I almost decided to skip posting WIW from the last week because I felt they were so 'meh' but then decided to do it anyway just to be honest.

pic 1- I liked that Polyvore on black and cognac and decided to give it a try. It may not have been a total disaster but I liked my outfit much less than the inspiration. Maybe it is because the blazer is not cognac but rather camel and it is not a strong enough color for black?

pic 2 - My inspiration was a silhouette rather than color palette in this case and I don't think it works as well as on Karla. Maybe because her trousers are higher waisted and wider-legged? Or maybe because I can never achieve that " no shoe: effect in my trousers because I have big feet and don't wear sky high heels so quite a bit of my shoes is visible even though my trousers are perfectly PPL?

pic 3 - if the first 2 outfits just did not feel as fab as I thought they would this one was a total disaster. I cannot believe I left house like this! Funny thing is that I tried this one on a night before and liked it but it looks awful in pictures! I really have hard time to wear this cropped blazer now, even with dresses. I thought it looks similar to the one in my inspiration picture but now I can see that length is very different. Mine is really cropped above my waist and I think it just looks silly on me. I think I will give it a couple of more tries with dresses and skirts and if it still does not feel fab we would need to part the ways. It was was my first NAS purchase...maybe a mistake? I am also not sure about black shooties here, they may be another reason I feel "off'...

pic 4 is from today. No inspiration, just wanted to wear my black riding boots because of the weather and the rest followed. I am wearing black leggings with this dress - it is way too short for tights. Again - maybe not a complete disaster but I did not feel that fab.

Now what is going on with me? Maybe I got out of practice over the holidays, which I spent mostly at home in casual clothes? Or is it deeper than this and I really have a style crisis?
Sorry, I did not mean to whine Any thoughts, observations and insights are very much appreciated!

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29 replies

Latest reply was from MNsara

cobaltblue

Veteran

Maybe you just need to give yourself a good shake! I think all of these look great. I can see how the blazer length in #3 may be challenging, but that outfit is in no way a fail to my eye. You look stunning in the blue you wore today/

Joy

Veteran

Sveta, you are being way too hard on yourself. #1 is my favorite of the group I think you did a fabulous job bringing the inspiration picture to life and wouldn't change a thing. Love the belt!
I also like #2. that's your new yellow sweater, isn't it? So fab with olive and with the half-tuck
I'm loving the Hinge jacket with the grey striped top and want to try that. Again, I like it just as you've styled it. You might try your python booties with this.
The fourth outfit looks quite Eurochic to me, although I may not really know how that's supposed to look. I can see you hopping on your bike in this outfit or hanging out in a coffee shop. Love the cobalt and black.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Here are my thoughts fwtw
#1 - In your inspiration pic the cognac is all leather - you won't get the same depth with wool imo. I like it but if you don't what about trying it with a black leather jacket?
#2 Love this on you. Are the trousers long enough (hard to tell from the pic) if they are then maybe a change of shoes - my eye went to the shoes.
#3 Not a total disaster but not as stylishly you as we are used to....I find cropped jackets really had to style & I'm short waisted. So may be it isn't us it's the jackets.
#4 Comfortable & stylish more casual than I'm used to seeing you.
This too shall pass:)

Beth Ann

Veteran

Sveta: IMO #2 is a complete success -- far better than the inspiration photo. #1 is also a great re-purposing of your black dress. It is a little different than your inspiration, but I like it a lot. As for #3 -- I love the top half, and I love bf's, but I think I'd pair this with a slimmer cut of trouser. I can't articulate why, and I don't have the most fashion-forward eye. As for #4 -- this has kind of a late 80's vibe that I really like. I'd embrace its "retro" quality and enjoy wearing it. I think wearing the top half with skinnies and booties would also work.

Too early to call for an intervention. I often feel a little "meh" in the dog-days of January!

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I really like #3 and #4 is especially good.

carolbee

Veteran

I really like what you've done in #1.

Vildy

Veteran

I have a poisoned eye for the style in #4, so no comment on that.
More of your shirt shows in #3 than hers does and it looks a little sloppier and takes focus off the jacket. And pants are looser and lighter?

#1 is much better than the inspiration photo because the inspiration reads all black and orangey and I think your substitution/addition of camel is intriguing. I like it a lot. I recently read something about using 3 separate colors to create a stylish outfit (but black and/or white could be added without "counting") and the camel gives you 3.

ManidipaM

Veteran

Are you maybe itching for a new direction?

Because these look great to me as is.

I especially like #4, though I can understand that 'feel' may be the problem for you there if the dress seems too short to you. LOOKS great though!

Next favourite, the ease of #2. I wonder if a toning belt would help visually 'raise' the waistband, if that helps?

The only thing I can imagine changing up is that I'd probably like to see one more inside layer in #3 --- a white shirt, maybe, to pop out the collar and cuffs, adding more juxtaposition for the Chanelesque jacket and the knit shirt? Compared to your usual style, that's the only one that strikes me as perhaps being able to stand a bit more tailoring or crispness.

As for #1, I seriously wouldn't change a thing.

Amy

(website)

Veteran

I honestly don't see anything wrong with any of them. Perhaps a few tweaks here and there, but nay of these outfits would make most of us mere mortals feel pretty darned smug. Kitty thinks you look smashing too

TraceyLiz65

(website)

Veteran

What does make you feel fab? I think you are being way too hard on yourself and think you did very well here...

I really like all of these looks, especially #1 & #4. As for #2 I personally would add a long necklace or scarf for added pattern and shine, minimalist, will disagree, I am sure.... I rather like #3, but wonder if adding a collard shirt underneath like in the inspiration would take it to the next level for you. That might also be a solution for #2 as well...

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

I think you're being too harsh a critic here Sveta - honestly, these all work.

#1 - the colour of the jacket isn't as rich as the cognac in your inspiration pic, but it still works. The shape is lovely and I adore the cropped length on you.

#2 - perfection IMO.

#3 - great colour combo and I like the stripes with the jacket, but there's something off about the striped tee and jacket together. I'm not sure if I like the boatneck of the tee with the neckline of the jacket and wonder if the tee is just a bit too slouchy to work with this particular jacket?

#4 - adore!

Now go give yourself some slack missy!

Anonymous

I think you are being too hard on yourself too!

I think the saturation of the jacket in 1 is why you aren't happy with it.

2 is awesome, easily better than inspiration.

3, I like the fun of the super cropped jacket. I think it works really well here!

4 looks very comfy and sleek!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Goodness, you are a tough self-critic. I wonder if Manidipa isn't onto something with her suggestion about some of the outfits perhaps missing a bit of structure or crispness that you usually incorporate. I know right now we are all about the slouch, and you wear it so well...but perhaps these felt a bit off because of lacking something there? That said, I love #1 and this it's perfect as is, I would think #2 is perfect with maybe your python booties (agree the eye went to the booties). I agree with Shannon about #3; something in the jacket/ top combo seems not quite right. #4 looks super!

And with that, I leave you to cogitate (as my mother would say!)

Jamie

Veteran

What is dismal about these outfits? They are fabulous! If you want to see dismal, uninspired attempts in the morning before work, come to my house around 6:30.

All kidding aside, I can totally understand how you feel because I often feel this way myself. Sometimes, I just need a mental break from all of it. I just get dressed in something tried and true and forget about it. And I keep ignoring my "mood" and reassure myself that it will pass. Before I even notice it, I'm having fun with my clothes again. I still may not look very inspiring, but I feel better about myself and my outfits. Chin up and give yourself more credit!

celia

Veteran

Sveta, I think you are being too hard on yourself.
My favourite is #2 because I like to see you in this 'new' color yellow, #1 works with the color of that jacket IMO, if there is something that might give a less streamlined look is the fact that the place where it buttons is slightly higher than the belt creating two horizontal lines.
#3 I confess makes me wish you had some black pants instead of grey ones but have no explanation for this preference.

catgirl

Veteran

This is not starting off well?! I am in trouble! You are setting some high standards...

What are you not liking here? Is it how you feel? Is there an item you could add that would jazz everything up (like your yellow and white oxfords did)? Wardrobe doldrums?

Carole

Veteran

What's not to like about these outfits, Sveta? Honestly, I think you look amazing as always and even 3 looks fab. I know that sometimes the way I look doesn't reflect how I"feel" and maybe that's what's going on..

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Thank you ladies, you are the best. You know how to make a girl feel better, don't you?
The problem is that I cannot really articulate why I didn't feel fab in those outfits. Honestly they felt fine until I saw the pictures. Maybe I do need more drastic change in my style? The problem is I need to curb the wardrobe spending for a while and cannot get anything new now. How one can get a wardrobe shake without spending money?
Caro, you may be right that leather texture is the key in #1 and the jacket lacks it. It is not that different in texture from the dress - good pont!
Good point for shoes in #2, that may be the key. Unfortunately due to PPL I am really limited in footwear choice for these trousers: eithr these burgundy booties or black shooties (I lik them even less with those trousers). All othr booties do not have heels high enough (maybe this is my wardrobe hole to fill).
Good point of not enough crispness in #3 - maybe this is the key? Also a very good point on lack of collar in the top - again, this adds to not enough crispness.

Thank you for dragging me out of this self-loathing state, you gave me some thought to ponder on and get to action. Maybe I will recreate some of thse outfits this week with the tweaks you suggested...

Anonymous

Sveta, I agree that these all look fab, but that doesn't change the *feeling* I know. Maybe your style is about to take a turn?

rachylou

Veteran

The outfits are quiet but great. I think they're exactly what's called for in this next season of post-holiday fatigue.

#1, though, doesn't seem quite *you* to me. The contrast between the sharp jacket and the lacy neckline of the dress is not something I associate with your style. I see you as more exacting when it comes to style discipline.

Lyn D.

Veteran

Hi Sveta,

perhaps it is just your current mood, and even Kitty noticed it in pic 1!
If I was a newcomer here I would be raving about your Fab style- and wait a minute-
I have seen most of your pics and I am still loving these.
At least whilst not adding to your wardrobe at the moment you will, I am sure tweak these outfits to your usual perfection and satisfaction

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I like #1 and #2. #1 is beautiful, actually. I think in #3 you need to wear the jacket with higher waisted pants and not pull the sleeves over the cuffs, it's making the outfit denim-casual if that makes sense. You look cute in the mini in #4!

Vix

Veteran

Hi Sveta --

I agree you're being way too hard on yourself!

#1 looks good as-is but since you're disappointed I wonder if you actually wanted to be closer to the inspiration photo than just the color combinations.

The addition of the blazer really changes the look for me...perhaps try to recreate without it if you have a long-sleeved black dress or black separates that would work?

#2 Not sure why you're not happy with this. Since the photo doesn't show a belt (not loving that, actually) do you have a lower-contrast one to try?

BTW, it's funny to me that you want the "invisible" shoe look; my feet are short for my height and I often wear trousers...and I *hate* when my feet disappear. Grass, greener.

#3 is really intriguing to me and I think captures the spirit of the inspiration photo well.

You mentioned lighter shoes and I might try that.

#4 Maybe it feels too casual -- or casual in a different way than you're used to -- for work?

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

You are over thinking this, Sveta! If I may be frank :). It's bad Winter weather in Canada - and you dress like this? My hat off to you. You look utterly sensational.

Also, there is no need to stretch your small wardrobe beyond its capabilities. No need to get too clever with mixing and matching just for the sake of change. Just re-wear existing outfits more often and refresh for Spring with a couple of new things.

Picture of you and kitty in #1 melted my heart. KILLER!

Thistle

Veteran

I really like these outfits, Sveta. If this is uninspired, I am SO in trouble! You really look great in all of them!

Maybe it is just the winter blues, especially in Canada, getting to you? I know I sometimes feel that way here in Wisconsin with all of the fresh spring stuff in the stores that I won't be wearing until at LEAST May.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Sveta - further to Angie's comment about not needing to constantly re-mix: I am wearing more exact outfits in the last few weeks and I must say, I'm quite enjoying it. If the outfit felt really good the way you wore it, why change it up? I'm learning that change just for change sake isn't necessarily a positive, but repeating a KILLER outfit and feeling great all day in it, is.

Emily

Veteran

Sveta, you look fantastic! I wish my "meh" days looked so good. I especially like 1 and 2. The cognac in 1 is really classy and I love how you put your own spin on the inspiration picture in 2.

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Thank you!
Actually our winter is unusually warm this January and we have very little snow on the ground so I continue to wear booties in January - unheard off where I live! They promise +10C on Friday and Saturday...unbelievable!
I feel much better now - in big part thanks to your moral support. Shannon, I am not trying to change outfits for the sake of change, it is just I get bored with repetition so quickly...have to get a grip on myself and have my creative energy aimed into another direction I guess
Angie, this kitty steals show every time. She was born to a feral mom but you would never guess it seeing her manners: she could easily stroll the Buckingham Palace like she was born to it! We call her Our Princess (but not an ounce of Warrior or Urban)

MNsara

Veteran

Everyone has you sorted out beautifully! I agree that these are fab outfits! I think you just needed a YLF virtual {{hug}}

January will soon be over and February dressing will hint at spring -- right?