Back to grey for a sec: here is an Eileen Fisher item I have been coveting that I would find immensely useful....

Good advice from everyone here! I will also say that with regard to white bottoms, if you have a pair of knee-high boots, you can tuck the white jeans into them so that they don't get spattered by the slush (we have this problem too).

Alana as a gal who feels best in white I hear you on feeling down in the dark charcoal/black combo. I wear both dark and very light gray, and use the charcoal (dark) gray in place of black when I want a softer look and the light grays paired with white for a richer tonally light look. Very rarely will I pair my dark gray with black, and not add something more cheerful into the mix. It just makes me glum!

The rich red top is amazing on you! I much prefer how it looks with the white bottoms than with the black bottoms. #2 may just need some brightening up (like a cream coat/jacket or purse); if I personally were wearing #2, I'd pair with my light colored tall boots to add a light element, otherwise I'd feel far too dark.

I do really like how you look in all black as in #4, though! It seems to really highlight your face and hair, whereas the all gray in #1 makes you all kind of... blend together. I rather like that gray cardigan though, it would look fabulous paired with dark red and white/cream or with plum shades. Also with very light gray or with sand/tan.

One other thought, is that if denim is something you can wear to work you could try a very light wash denim which would hide some of the sand/slush better than white. This would also allow you to wear something similar to this pin that Inge linked:

Light wash blue jeans + fluid fit white top + fluid fit grey cardigan.
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/180988478747968282/

Such good thoughts and information here. When I went out to pick up my booties, tonight, I tried on every single white top I could find (well, except two or three and now I don't know why I didn't) at The Bay. Not One fit properly. Either they were not long enough, or they were long enough but too tight in the arms. Sometimes they were too clingy or the neckline wouldn't sit still. I went to Sears and did the same thing. I even popped into Olsen's at the encouragement of the saleslady and tried on multiple tops. I told the saleswoman they wouldn't fit, but she promised I'd be "surprised." "It is a German company," she said, "Germans are big." My apologies to any Germans, here. And, as I proved to her, I'm bigger.

I need to make more of an effort.

Inge, I need help.
Blouses, button downs, sweaters, --the white just can't have too much yellow in it.
Thanks.
I am reading that link on colours from Into Mind. I love the idea of branching out to white/off-white/light cream, black, ink/navy, light grey, grape (or eggplant) and deep wine.

I did buy a discounted "eggplant" assymetrical cardigan. But I may return it. It is definitely more of a summer weight than winter and I bought it out of frustration.

Oh--and I also looked for a light rain resistant coat.
Wrong season. There's nothing. I found only one coat between the Bay and Sears in my size--and all the new stuff is for winter. Remind me to look again come spring.

Oh, Alana. Hugs!

Shopping can be really frustrating when you haven't done it for a long time. You don't know the retail cycles. Or can't wait for them because you need stuff FAST due to huge wardrobe crevasses (that go way beyond the ordinary "holes.") On that Into Mind blog she has a nifty chart about that you might want to take a look at.

Thanks, Suz.
Alaskagirl--that is a beautiful EF top. I hope to see you in it soon.

Hi Alana,

I started a new thread with white/off-white/cream tops that might appeal to you:
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....st-1342385

And I also wanted to say that I think you are already making a tremendous effort, so please don't beat yourself up about this. (I echo every word Suz wrote above).

Plus, you are doing a terrific job. Each time you post, it's clear that you are further homing in on your style preferences (e.g. you now know that you prefer high-contrast looks, that you like your tops a little longer etc. etc.). And even if you come home from a shopping expedition without having bought anything, it wasn't in vain: you try on tons of stuff and then know that certain items aren't working for you, that you don't like a certain silhouette, didn't feel comfy in a certain fabric etc.). That is huge progress too, even though it might not feel like it at the time.

You've already found some very good stuff for Fall/Winter, and you will find more fab pieces over the next few months too.

P.S. If you think the eggplant asymmetric cardigan you bought yesterday (I hear you on shopping out of frustration) isn't going to work for you, then I vote take it back and use that money towards something that truly makes you feel fab.

Also: thanks for posting pics of the Jessica sweater. I'm sorry it didn't work out for you. There really does seem to be a big difference between the two sizes, strange. But no worries, now we know that this wasn't a good fit, we can move on to the next fab item;-)

ETA: It's a terrific colour on you though, so definitely worth considering adding a different top in that colour to your wardrobe.

I just had a look at the cardi and top you posted too, and agree with your assessment: they both feel a little too Summery, and I think you prefer a more fluid fit in tops too.

Re: the denim + grey + red colour combo: I don't see "American" at all, and absolutely think this would be great on you. Perhaps you just need some time for your eye to adjust? Give it a shot:-)

Re: light grey pants + white top + grey sleeveless cardigan. I hear you on these items being pricey, but sometimes it's worth investing in a piece that truly makes you feel fab (as you yourself pointed out about the NYDJ white ankle jeans), especially if you think it could turn into a wardrobe workhorse, like say a pair of light grey jeans/pants for Winter. Just thinking out loud here...

First, I apologise for not responding to each and every person on this thread--please know that I deeply appreciate each and every one of you and your thought, even if I don't have the time to respond properly.

Inge, red+blue+white/lt. grey = American is probably something only a hyper-sensitive Canadian would see. I need to get over it, because it is lovely.

I called the Bay and I have put the grey NYDJ on hold until I can get in to pick them up. I feel so much better now that is done. Pricey--but worth it, I think. I'll do a fashion show for you as soon as I can.