WIW: black and white - YouLookFab Forum

Here are a few recent outfits for your opinion.
1-4 This is mostly old and thrifted.
Dress: Talbots pull on (thrifted)
Belt: Nordstroms
Jacket: thrifted lace of cotton/nylon
Sandals: Cole Haan
Bag: black snake clutch given to me in my teens (vintage!)
This is an easy washable dress to pack and change up with accessories but should I be looking for a better version? Is the lace jacket ok or dated?
5. Very casual outfit worn at home of voluminous rayon and spandex oversized top over Nautica striped tank.
Kut Diana's worn sized up. Thrifted belt. Cole Haan flats
Too sloppy?
6. I wore this on July 4th to a parade and fireworks.
Clams: AT
Tee: thrifted Talbots linen and viscose oversized stripe
Belt: Target
Flats: Aerosoles
Does this work?
Comments and suggestions welcomed.

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10 years ago

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I love your casual outfits (5-6) best. They look very current and are so flattering on you. I like the dress and belt best without the jacket, so I think there is something about the jacket that isn't as fab as most of your wardrobe. Maybe the style is dated, as you suggest (although I think lace is still quite on trend).

MsMary

I think these are all fab! I'm not sure about the length of the rolled pants in #5 -- I might go up or down one roll. I'll be interested to see what others think. I quite like the lace jacket!

Anonymous

The dress looks great with the belt -- I don't care for the lace topper with it. I like the casual outfits too!

Parsley

I love #5 and #6- both of those look casually fabulous!
The first outfit I'm having a harder time telling. I do like the dress a lot without the jacket. The belt looks great with it. The jacket's a little hard to see, but I do like the idea of a lace jacket. The whole first outfit looks ink blue on my screen- I guess it's actually black?
Maybe you could take a couple more pictures of that outfit. I know black is so hard to photograph well to show detail.

Lyn D.

A lovely navy dress Joy, and I like the waist-flattering belt with it.
Does the red top look O.K. un-tucked or semi-tucked?
I really like the clams fit and length and the red belt in pic 6.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

You are simply smashing and youthful in #5 and #6, Joy! WOW! So fresh and hip. I want to be like you when I grow up.

LOVE your authentic vintage clutch!!! xo

Adelfa

I'm no help--to me you look great in everything:-)

Suz

Joy, you do look great in everything! I especially adore your casual looks. I want to copy #6 even though I missed the 4th of July.

I thought the dress was ink blue, too, but it must be black. Hmmm. The cut is really nice on you. I prefer it without the topper, but I'm not sure why. The angle of the photos makes it a bit difficult to judge somehow.

Jaime

I also absolutely love #5 and #6. I like the dress but think I prefer it without the jacket - not sure if the jacket is dated or just not quite right with this dress.

Transcona Shannon

I really like the black dress and think the shape is classic and will never date. It can always be changed up with different footwear and accessories. I like it with the belt but less with the lace jacket. I don't think the jacket is dated though - would love to see it with white jeans. I'm just not crazy about the length and shape of it with that particular dress.

LOVE #6!

Ornella

Joy, your outfit and dress in particular in 1-4 is fabulous. The only reason you might need better version of the dress is if the fabric is not of good quality any longer. Other than that, it's a gem. The best canvas and travel companion. What more can one ask for. Keep.

5 and 6 have me fainting of course, but I did not have to say that, did I

I prefer the dress without the lace, but I love your belt! Of the two casual looks my fave is the last one with the striped top and red shoes.

Joy

I really appreciate your thoughts. The dress outfit did not make me feel fab and I think it was mostly the lace jacket. I have upgraded to a lace bomber jacket, but it is lined and too warm to wear now, even in AC. Anyway this lace jacket has seen it's day and will be donated. I have other options. Going through Angie's blog list on how to evaluate an outfit, I also think it needed a trendy piece...like ankle strap sandals or booties. I wonder if a kimono jakcet would modernize this outfit.
The dress is a soft black rather than a black-black, which may be why it looks navy or faded. It is a more flattering shade than deep black on me. This dress replaced an EF dress that was much like it but that I shrunk out of. Maybe it's time to watch for a similar EF dress in black.
MaryK, I see what you mean about the roll of the pants. I usually roll up a bit higher and will have to remember to check that.
Lyn. the photo doesn't show it well, but the red top is faux tucked as it has a banded bottom. I actually bought this top to pop over a tank for the gym and then I just wear it out.
Angie, "youthful"! I'm loving the sound of that
Shannon, I will try that lace jacket with white jeans. Great idea! It's pretty cropped but might work over a column of white or a black longer tank.
Ornella, you are so right about this dress and travel. It's been washed in sinks all over and dries over night.

CocoLion

You do great casual outfits Joy! You are inspirational.

As for 1-4, the dress looks great to me. I don't see why it would need to be replaced. Unless there is some worn aspect of it that does not show up in the pictures. I'm not crazy about the lace jacket, I don't think it's up to your fab style standards, I'm not sure if it's dated exactly, just a little matronly maybe. (Sorry.)

Mona

The dress is absolutely gorgeous on you but I think lace topper takes away some of its beauty. Good thing you decided to donate it. Love the two casual looks as well.

Denise, please don't be sorry. I asked and want your honest opinion. Something seemed off with that outfit and it was probably the lace piece.
I'm glad that the dress doesn't look dated yet. It was originally a maxi dress that I had hemmed to midi length just below the knee. Adding a belt takes it up just a bit.
Thank you, Mona.

Deborah

Joy you always look so elegant, even when your outfits are on the trendier side... i love it.

That dress is gorgeous. I think I prefer it without the jacket. The jacket reads to me more as a shirt than a jacket so for me it's just not the best topper here. However I wonder how it would look worn done up as a top? Your casusal outfits are fab!!!! I really love the semi tuck, and the elegance you bring to casual.

Sarah A

I am plonking over 6 and loving the discussion on the lace jacket. I had a friend wear a lace topper with white jeans to dinner last night and it as a great look so I think Shannon might be onto something (no surprise!). The lace may need a more trendy element to balance it. Citron jeans? (*** Oh I have just had an idea for an outfit of black and lime from my closet, ill try to be sure and post it***)

The think the dress looks great on its own. I love your cohesive yet eclectic looks.

Deborah, I'll give it a try done up. I think it might look better. Great idea!
Sarah, black lace with citron jeans is so out of my comfort zone that I've got to try it

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