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Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Some experimenting - what worked and what didn't?

christy

Veteran

I haven't posted many WIWs lately, but I won't subject you to a full catch up! Instead I'm posting a few that I'm not sure about. I think I've had some hits and misses lately because I've been trying new combos and silhouettes.

1/2: This had a lot of layers! Shirt, vest, jacket and scarf tucked into the neck of the blouse. Black slacks and animal print shoes.
3: Cashmere sweater with leather skirt. Felt too casual at work even for a casual Friday - I think it was the sandals.
4. I love this jacket but have been surprised at how difficult it's been for me to style. Thoughts?
5. Yikes...I love this dress, but the ruffles don't play very nice with a jacket or cardigan so I tried layering a turtleneck under it. I just don't think it worked. I think a more opaque hose would look better? But I don't think that would save it.
6. Proof that every once in a while I do wear color! This is a weekend look. Fun new sweater with skinnies and a white button down shirt. I promise that I didn't leave the house with my shoes untied!

Honest opinions please...I'm trying not to do the same thing over and over when it comes to my business wardrobe, but I feel like several of these just missed the mark...

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30 replies

Latest reply was from Scarlet

kellygirl

Veteran

Great classic looks with a twist. Love the first outfit with the neckerchief--so chic! The layers are fab on you. I think 3 is my fave--I suppose the open toe shoes could give a more casual vibe. What about swapping out for boots or booties? I really love that sweater on you. 4,5,6 are gorgeous too. You look amazing in all of these! More WIW's, please!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Wow, I think you look great in all of these! Maybe in #5 you could try a black shoe, or how about boots or booties to balance out the dark turtleneck?

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

Hi boot twin! I'm still waiting to see how you rock those miz mooz
1) I like the top half of the outfit although the scarf might be too much just peeking out like that. I would probably either lose it completely or let it peek out more. I know these are the BMakowsky shoes, but I really don't like that square toe. I think they are better with a skirt or slim pants to show off more of the shoe.
3) Love Love Love this look!! I don't work in a business formal environment so it's hard for to me see how you could have felt out of place in this gorgeous outfit. You are stunning from head to toe. Leather at work, I am dying! Did you get that skirt tailored? I was checking it out but I was afraid it would be too long on me.
4) How about throwing some color in there, like a bright scarf or layering top?
5) Cool dress! Maybe a tighter fitting layer underneath, like a turtleneck would work too.
6) Love your weekend look. You are as polished on weekends as you are during the week. Color is nice.

Isis

Veteran

I love all of these! You do neutrals with perfection.

For #1, I would prefer this a little more without the scarf, and an open neck.

My favorite is #3--that sweater looks so soft and luxurious! I cannot imagine that this would ever be slovenly for "casual friday", but then I work in a univerisity where dressed up is a t-shirt without holes.

My second favorite is #6--I love the layering you have going on.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I love that you have posted outfits that made you feel less than fab. It is so instructive. Although in truth, you do LOOK pretty darn fab in all of them!

For #1/2...I wonder if it just felt sort of bunchy to you? Or too fussy, with so many layers? It doesn't look that way, but looks and how the outfit feels are not always the same.

I actually love #3 but can see how it might feel better with tall boots.

I can easily see why the jacket in #4 might prove challenging to style. It can be hard to wear a collared shirt with a collarless jacket. Might work better with a rounded (either scoop or crew) neck knit top of some kind and possibly a scarf. Does it also have 3/4 length sleeves? More challenge, but a knit under layer might help with that as well because you could scrunch sleeves to a length you'd like.

LOVE that grey dress on you. Wow. And I think you are absolutely right about what to do. Just change to tall dark boots or darker hose and you are all set!

christy

Veteran

Thanks for all the feedback and suggestions - really helpful! If I could get away with wearing that cashmere sweater every day, I think I would. It's so soft and cozy!

@Kellygirl - thanks! I'm trying to get better about posting pics.
@Janet - I like the idea of boots with the grey dress - I'll give that a shot next time.
@Rita - I'll post some pics soon with the miz mooz - I promise! I didn't need to get the skirt tailored, so got lucky there I suppose. I like that it's a more conservative, just to the knee length - I don't think I'd feel comfortable wearing a leather skirt to the office if it was any shorter.
@Isis - thank you! I do love my neutrals!
@Suz & Kellygirl- I have a pair of light colored tall boots (the MM Rita mentioned), but avoided tall leather boots with the leather skirt in #3. Seemed a bit too.....tough? I have since picked up a pair of suede booties (the ones in #6) that might work with this sweater and the leather skirt. I'll have to give it a shot.

Funny thing about #4 - I felt great in it all day until I got home to look at the pictures...

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

I think they are all great, except #4. I do not like the jacket styled that way. I think you need to wear skinnier jeans and untuck your shirt. Wear it over a big soft blouse with skinny pants maybe? I think it looks to traditional on you the way you have it styled and doesn't reflect your fab trendy style.

My favorite is #3! Wow, it almost looks too boxy but then your eye goes to the SHOES...OMG, totally balance the look and make this look fab and trendy!

I think the color of the jacket in look 1 is tough...I think a bright scarf would help.

I love the grey dress with the turtleneck. I think you just need to carry the black all they way through the bottom...blacker tights and black pumps or dressy heeled booties (Oooo...tall heeled black SUEDE boots would be killer with this!)

san

Veteran

Great and interesting all around! Love it.

Aunty

Veteran

Love them all!

With 3 I think black opaque tights and long boots would look amazing

lyn67

Veteran

Oh, My! All quality items, and trendy looks here(nr 4 is rather classic)! I love the colours(as am a neutral fun, too) and pairings!!! Great style!(my fave is nr 3!!!+++super shoes balance out the chunky knit!)+++
I alos love that dress, as it is, thus I can understand your pain not beeing "layering over it"- friendly.
I say there is nothing wrong with layering underneath! When use that black top than yesss, go with opaques tights. But you can still look for some thinner, more sleeker and transparent sleeved tops(like black mesh or so) for under, and this will go with grey or sheer black tights too.
Love that dress on you- (but sadly, it's a no-no for me, as that ruffle would not flatter my hips, at all:-(()!

D'Ellen

Veteran

I love all of these looks! I thought I was finished with my fall/winter shopping...until I saw pic #3. That sweater!!!

glam on the inside

I love these looks. Maybe for the grey dress (which is gorgeous) you could try a long sleeve black top with a scoop neck instead of a turtle neck? And I agree that black tights and boots would be great.
#6 is my favourite - looks terrific!

Kari

Veteran

Wow, Christy! I love your collection of outfits posted here. #3 is by far my favorite - I love the styling of that slouchy sweater. Would it feel less casual for work purposes if you wore closed-toed pumps instead, or tall boots?

Glam on the Inside's suggestion for #5 was in line with what I was thinking of - trying a non-turtleneck/scoop neck black top underneath (maybe the Caslon scoop neck tee that Angie blogged about this week?) and adding black patterned hose to carry the color further down your body but add some texture too.

I love seeing your weekend look - the layering of the blouse & sweater in #6 is so cute, as is your curly hair! How are you liking your new desert booties? That's the pair you picked up at the Tulalip outlet mall, right?

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I adore #3- I don't think it looked too casual.

Nakidra

Veteran

I LOVE #3 .... Please share where you got that wonderful sweater.

rute

Veteran

To be honest, I think EVERYTHING worked so perfectly!
Love you elegant style!!!!!
My favorite is 3! I must copy that look!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

#3 and #4 are my best! KILLER.

But all your outfits are amazing - the ruffle included.

YAY FOR RED.

sarah

Veteran

I really like ALL of these!

Jonesy

Veteran

#3 and #6 are my faves! I really like Jenava's ideas about styling the jacket in #4.

Mellllls

Veteran

i really liked 1-5. i think #2 works for casual Friday and I work at a law firm....

#6 for some reason didn't work for me. the red seemed really off but i wonder if it was because i had just looked at all your neutrals...

rachylou

Veteran

Knock out! #1-3 and 6 are traffic stoppers!

christy

Veteran

@Jenava - great ideas for styling that jacket. Unfortunately, no denim for me at work (though I definitely want to try it on a smart casual day, which tend to be few and far between) and I need to be careful about how skinny the pants are at work. I'll keep working with it though. And - yay! - I happen to have tall, suede black boots - I'll definitely try that!
@Nakidra - the yummy sweater was a Nordstrom Anniversary Sale item. Just looked online, but didn't see it on the site unfortunately.
@Kari - yes! These are the booties I picked up during our shopping trip - I LOVE them...super comfy. Who knew? Comfortable heels really do exist!

Lisa

Veteran

I like all these outfits. I especially like heavy layer day for #1. The bit of scarf peeking out is a nice touch. I wear many layers all the time myself. And you do not have extra bulk from your layers. Just a lovely look. My second favorite day is the layered dress. I really like the black backdrop to showcase this fun dress.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

Hi -- I like your good taste and style Christy.

You asked for honest, so here goes. I hope this is helpful and doesn't make you feel bad.

1/2 -- The sleeves are fighting with the pockets. I would surrender to the visual interest of the pockets and let them be the star, and keep the sleeves simple (without the layers coming out of the sleeves).

3 -- Love it -- I am surprised this is too casual even for casual Fridays. I don't feel it looks to casual at all, it looks fashionable.

4 -- Everything is perfect here as well. I love it!

5 -- This is another example of garment complexity. The ruffle needs to be the star. I would keep everything simple except maybe for your great idea of adding patterned tights. (Not too big of a pattern though). You could also go with a different shade of tights, maybe a solid sheer purple. I would skip the blouse underneath as to my eye it fights with the ruffles. But then again, I am becoming something of a minimalist as I get older.

6 -- Love it! Perfect.

HelenInCanada

Veteran

Oooh- grey dress is to die for. Love your taupe shoes in photo #3, too! Verrrry nice.

Aida

Veteran

Nice outfits Christy! I love your neutrals

Great layering in #1/2, though I think it'd look a bit cleaner without the scarf (maybe tie it to your purse?). LOVE #3!! Also like the idea of swapping the shoes to booties if these felt too casual (little black suede heeled booties!). I like #4 as-is, but maybe you could try pairing the jacket with the leather skirt? For #5, I do think you need another dark element in the lower half; right now my eyes go to the top and pass the ruffle entirely. I like the idea of swapping the hose/shoes to something dark (tall boots sound fun!), but you could also try a lighter colored top, light hose (possibly this same hose), and your light MM boots #6 is cute! Hooray for red

christy

Veteran

@CocoLion - your thoughtful and well considered comments are much appreciated and exactly the type of feedback I'm looking for! That's why I'm here!
@Aida - oh I like the idea of pairing the jacket with the leather skirt. And the MM with that grey dress....interesting!
@Lisa & Helen - thank you!

bj1111

Veteran

adore 3...love the slouchy with a slammin' shoe. yay for neutrals. love your style. another one of my inspirations.

Anonymous

Every outfit is special but I love #3. It doesn't look too casual at all.

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