WIW 05.17/18 [double duty] - YouLookFab Forum

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WIW 05.17/18 [double duty]

Aida

Veteran

We were expecting a lot of rain this weekend and had planned on indoor projects, but it actually turned out quite nice!

Saturday I wore this out for breakfast, then later to play with my sis's kitty while she's out of town followed by the grocery store for dinner fixins. In between we took advantage of the good weather and tackled trimming back our very large and dense Japanese maple, and I also clipped various flowers from the garden to arrange inside later in the evening. For that I just popped on a hoodie and some gardening shoes. I usually wear my BF jeans on the weekend specifically because I can easily swap out the top/shoes as needed; I like these pants too much to garden in them though I risked it this time ^^ Sunday I wore this outfit again for a visit to a nearby quirky furnishings boutique (we got a great toile+houndstooth armchair and a pair of small crystal decanters) and then a quick run to the grocery store.

I feel like I'm finally starting to get a good handle on the types of stylistic adjustments I need for happiness AND functionality in weekend outfits. Even though my life is pretty casual, as much as I'd like to just use my usual stuff in weekend outfits I have come to realize that I need a separate truly casual capsule for daily weekend life, especially in spring/summer. I'm not a capsule gal but this is something I think would really help give me good peace of mind so hopefully I can get a good base capsule together this season. I'll write more thoughts on this soon in a separate post.

This outfit is a pretty good representation of what I'm after. Simple, but still interesting in that there are no duplicated colors. Plus a bunch of cream! The tank is actually a very dark navy, I just accidentally overexposed. I also pulled out an old favorite better-than-nude peach lipstick that's full of little gold sparklies, which added just enough glam for me. Hubby felt this was a little too baggy all over, but didn't dislike it. Hey, that's a win in my book

Comments, critiques, thoughts and questions welcome.

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21 replies

Latest reply was from Aida

Neel

Veteran

Olive and navy is my favorite color combo :). And that's a very pretty shade of lipstick. For a day like yours I would probably wear rags around, so I don't dirty my *good* clothes. Tee hee! So this is a very big win in my book!

Aida

Veteran

Thanks Neel! I also usually do that, but when the weather is warm we so often decide to go out suddenly; hubby then has to wait for me to change, do my hair, take photos, it's a whole thing. If I can get a cute casual capsule together that I don't mind messing up, then I'll be totally ready to just up and go do whatever we come up with. That's the goal, anyway.

Neel

Veteran

I should take notes! DH makes sudden unexpected plans too and then its usually a panic attack for me! I like your strategy and it might save my sanity on the weekends! Thanks!

Ledonna N.

Veteran

Oh I like the outfit and that you are finding your groove for your spring summer outfits and life.

Mona

Veteran

Practical and comfy is the name of the game here. I also really like the flower arrangement. Tulips look so pretty in pink.

krishnidoux

Veteran

I am so with you on the subject of a weekend capsule. Your outfit here is very cute, looks comfortable and am sure is highly functional too. Congratulations for finally getting to a capsule that lets you be and relax while still remaining cute. I am looking forward your next post on this topic. What are your winning pieces for this purpose?

I have been playing around with mixing gym gear or yoga gear with smarter items to try to create a weekend wardrobe. Right now I am exploring wearing non-white runners - because in the summer, I do do things that require them and I find I run around a lot. So far had success pairing with white capri length skinnies (pic 3) and short ankle-length skinnies (pic 2). Another bottom item has been capri sweat pants from Lululemon (I know), but they are so well made that I can wear them with booties and they look chic (pic 1).

I also like to wear a yoga cami as a base, then add a cuter shirt - still very casual - such as a utility shirt (pic 4), chambray or peasant (pic 5), that I can remove if doing heavy duty work. But what works best are 3/4 sleeves cotton "drifters" in a solid colour (pic6), they go with almost all my bottoms. Then I put a cropped denim jacket as topper, a white soft tennis cap, a scarf if it's cold, and am good to run to the store, walk in the parks, or go eat out.

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Jaime

(website)

Veteran

You look terrific and your thoughts are always interesting. I love how pants scrunch on the bottom.

Sara L.

Veteran

You look great! I love those pants. I've gotten better about my weekend wear but I've also found it difficult to come up with functional, comfy outfits that are also suitable for leaving the house.

krishnidoux - Those are some great ideas with using the gym bottoms and adding a nicer top. I think I need to play around with that idea.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

You look great - and you've always had a handle on your style from where I type. It's fun to see you in a big grandpa cardi, Aida.

Go Team Tulips. xo

Aida

Veteran

Thanks for the comments and feedback ladies, I really appreciate it! I haven't fully hashed out my capsule idea yet; I started mulling the idea over last spring, but this summer will be my prototype year

Krish, thank you for the details about what you've been trying! I like the idea of mixing in some cuter athletic pieces, but not sure how well that'd work for me; I don't really have any sportiness in my style, which is part of why I'd been struggling. Your concept covers what I'm after though, particularly about good breathable materials in looser cuts to allow easy movement. I've a hunch that footwear will be my biggest challenge, as I don't like to wear sneakers... but that's the most practical option so I think I'll just have to bite down and do it.

Angie, I'm a somewhat recent convert to Team Tulips! My folks used to take us to visit the tulip fields up north every year (sometimes a few times) and my mom has always kept lots of tulips in her garden, but I used to think of them as overly simple and common flowers. My husband has always really liked them, and often suggests tulips when we get flowers. When I started doing arrangements for our home a few years ago, I realized that I love fresh garden style bouquets and tulips are just perfect for those. Plus there's something so inherently cheerful about tulips. They make me smile every time I walk into my kitchen!

krishnidoux

Veteran

Aida, weekend footwear does not have to be sneakers. Although now you can find sneakers that don't look like sneakers. But there is also flat sandals, ballet flats, and flat military style lace-up booties.

TraceyLiz65

(website)

Veteran

I love Navy and Olive color combo... The addition of the light pink is fantastic to add lightness to the darks and a feeling of Spring emerges...

dustt

Veteran

Aida - a couple of shorter skirts or extra slouchy shorts that can read as a skirt and that can take some yard grime and flat washable sandals that can take a quick hose off plus a good nail brush by the sink have been very helpful to me for those summer dash & go outfits!! But nothing like a good dose of Tide if I muddy up a non-yard work outfit!!

ManidipaM

Veteran

Aida, this is very classy casual chic. What if you duplicated the pants for weekday and weekend use? Worthwhile? Great basis for your capsule, that colour and style.

Have you ever see the Un.Structured series of shoes from Clarks? They are very functional really walking shoes but rather than sporty look rather... Grunge? Punk? Slightly post-Apocalyptic? Might work for the garden and serve well on the street if need be. I use mine as travel shoes because I used to often take off out of mucky streets and then arrive in a smarter, more urban ambience with no time to change.

Finally, that is a FAB find that armchair. V jealous here. Houndstooth and toile are among my favourite pattern groups.

jackiec

Veteran

You always look so great for gardening! I can't get over it. I'm a mess if I ever set foot out there.....I love that armchair!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I'm glad you've come around to tulips, Aida. They are my favourite flowers along with big fat yellow roses - and the occasional white orchid. I like VERY simple bouquets. One flower type in a modern vase - and preferably the flowers are in the same colour or tonal colours.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Way to dress for your activities at hand! Another casual shoe option is slip on espadrille Toms type shoes. Super comfy. Love the better than nude lipstick.

Marmee

Veteran

Love those colors together! I have olive pants, a navy shirt, and a cream cardi, and you've inspired me to put them together!

I can't believe you still have tulips! Mine are long gone.

Anonymous

Love the olive pants and I've always been partial to a long BF style cardi. A great casual look.

I adore the tulips btw

Carole

Veteran

I wore olive and navy yesterday, I love the color combo. You have a great inspiring casual style and I love your new chair:)

Aida

Veteran

Thank you for all the great responses and comments ladies

Krish, good points. I have some of those styles already, but am definitely missing at least one pair of sneakers for the types of outings we have.

Dustt, thanks for sharing what works for you! It's not often warm enough for shorts out here so I don't have many pairs, but I do love my baggy denim shorts for casual outings. Washable sandals are a good idea too, I keep a pair for camping. I think I need to get some little rubber boots for yardwork though, my property never dries out!

Mani, thank you for the Clarks Un.Structured recommendation. There are some good casual options there, though a bit chunkier than I like (I think my love of refined footwear is what's dooming me for casual shoes that can go a-rompin'). If I wore more sandals, this could be a fun walkable option. Re the armchair, our décor has a big dose of French Country so I was thrilled to see it! We took the tag right away, and good thing because half the people there were also eying it; apparently it was brought in just an hour earlier.

Angie, you and my husband sound like kindred flower spirits

Marmee, ah those are from the market, it's the rhodies ,maple, heather and little purple fluffy things that were from my garden. Although, our property is veeerrryyyy shady so I just cut down my tulip stalks a couple weeks ago, and our cherry trees were still abloom until last week!

Mo, ohh right I forgot about little espadrille slip ons! My sis likes those, I'm not sure I've ever even tried them. I'll have to look into that option.