WIW: Black & white & a little Monet. ETA pre-alteration photo - YouLookFab Forum

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WIW: Black & white & a little Monet. ETA pre-alteration photo

Parsley

Veteran

I must have been in a black and white mood this week, except yesterday, when I tried a little bit of an impressionist palette and pattern mixing.

Also, I had a dress epiphany: I can wear dresses, but I have to alter almost all except knits to fit me. Doh!
I've had so much trouble getting dresses to fit because my bust and waist are a bigger size than my hips, but I finally dragged out the old sewing machine and did some alterations, and WOW! what a difference it makes!
Why did it take me so long to figure this out?

1-2 Errands and shopping: Loft black and ecru striped/ colorblock dress, old Donald Pliner espadrille sandals, red Fossil tote.
I took this dress in a few inches in the hips, and now it fits perfectly! Oops- forgot to take a picture of the exposed zipper detail in the back.

3-4 Crazy newsprint jacket with pouffy pockets (brand unknown), Eileen Fisher silk tank, black BR skinnies, red Cordani sandals.
I found this jacket on sale at a local boutique and thought it was too much fun to pass up. Is it too "artsy old lady"? K/R?

5-6 Dinner with friends for their 36th anniversary! J Crew dress, Anthro shoes.

Waving to Nakidra, who looked so good in this dress that I had to get it, but it sat in my closet for a while until I let the hem down 2" and took it in through the hips 4"!
I'm really happy with how it turned out.
I *LOVE* these new shoes! They're black canvas with natural leather, and they're amazingly comfortable for the 3 1/2" heel height.

7-9 Errands, out for sushi with DH: Ann Taylor striped dress and watercolor floral scarf, Talbots jacket, emerald green Cole Haan bag, J Crew tortoise wedges.

I was wearing this dress out shopping when I found this scarf (40% off- yay!), planning to wear it with my cobalt skinnies, among other things. But when I tried it on I was surprised to find that I liked this combination. I am usually NOT a pattern mixer at all, so does this work?

(10 Edited to add pre-alteration photo of dress #1. Eeek! I will not leave this pic up long, but you can see the difference some narrowing the the hips and skirt makes!)

Comments and suggestions are always welcome!

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30 replies

Latest reply was from Jonesy

amyreh

(website)

Veteran

I always love black and white! Number 1 is my favorite I think, love it. And I think that newspaper jacket is unique and fun, and the way you've styled it looks great. I would like to steal those Anthro shoes right off of your feet and the pattern mixing with the blue looks fabulous to me!

Diana

Veteran

The black and white color palette really suits you! I LOVE the newsprint jacket - if that's "artsy old lady" then I want to be one too! What material is it made of? Not paper, I imagine...

I love the shoes in #6 too.

rae

(website)

Veteran

Way to boss those dresses around! Looking good, and I love that newspaper print jacket!

Meredith1953

Veteran

You look so lovely in all the outfits! Polished and just beautiful. I love the new shoes too!

Tanya

Veteran

All the outfits are lovely, but the new shoes steal the show for me. Swoooon!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I can't get past the first striped dress outfit. That is KILLER to the power of KILLER.

Parsley

Veteran

Thanks, ladies!

And especially Angie, thank you so much for the K to theK! I was hoping that those stripes didn't just make me look a mile wide!

Diana, the jacket is a lightweight crinkly cotton.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Wow - these are all fab outfits Parsley. You are sooooo in your groove with your style! I can totally see why you love those shoes - swoon!

JennyAnne

(website)

Veteran

Wow! #1 is just so striking. Beautiful! Love the shoes in #6 too. So fun!

christieanne

Veteran

The difference in the dress is striking! Nice job on altering. Now you can wear that as much as possible - it is terrific on you.
And I am blown away by the newsprint tunic - very cool.

Deborah

Veteran

You must keep the newspaper print jacket...it's fab!

You are a very stylish woman Parsley! Each of these outfits is wonderful. I have a similar issue with dresses and find I have to have them altered as you do. It's definitely worth the expenditure.

#5 is just stunning.

Kari

Veteran

My goodness, the before and after pictures for that dress are stunning. I wouldn't have thought it was the same piece. It's a REALLY strong illustration for how good tailoring can transform a piece from boxy/frumpy to *very* chic and current.

sarah

Veteran

Well, clever, clever you! How fantastic that you were able to alter all of these terrific dresses to look so great on you. You had a very stylish week. I love them all.

san

Veteran

Your alteration makes such a difference! Good job! You look great and your outfits are always interesting and fun.

kellygirl

Veteran

You look amazing--I love the first outfit the bestest but they are all fab! The newsprint jacket is just too much fun. What a unique piece! The J.Crew dress looks a little bit Kate Spade--cool sandals too. You have such a great wardrobe, Parsley, and you look SO good in dresses!

Anonymous

You had an amazing week! What a huge difference alterations made inthe first outfit.
Your pattern mixing looks wonderful; and if you ever get tired of the newspaper jacket, this little old lady will happily give it a new home. It's perfect for making a black outfit look summery. You have fantastic style!

catgirl

Veteran

LOVE these sassy looks! #1 is awesome - amazing that you tweaked it yourself. And the Nakidra dress looks incredible on you as well. Wow, Parsley - you need to post more of your WIWs!

Beth Ann

Veteran

Thanks for the tutorial on how to wear and alter fab dresses! #1 is just stunning, and all the others are perfection! I like the newsletter jacket. You do not look like an "arty old lady," and I say that as someone who hopes to be one (someday). It's OK to have a little fun with your clothes in a classy way!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

OMG, Parsley, you get the YLF education award of the week. NO, not of the week, I take that back. Of the month. Maybe of the YEAR! Those photos are priceless. Please do not take them down. Instead start a new thread entitled: Fit Is Everything (Thank You, Angie).

What a difference the alteration makes! And what a discovery for you. I would imagine the summer is going to be a whole lot more fun as a result.

All your outfits are fab. LOVE #1 and #2 - the shoes are amazing, and the newspaper coat, if it is "artsy old lady" only makes me want to join that club!

anne

Veteran

Well done on that alterations job. Such a difference. You look like a model!!!! I like both the shoes, and love how that strap on the second pair means you get almost a low vamp look with the holding on ability of a good strap ( I am looking out for this combination)

I totally know what you mean about "artsy old lady". I am attracted to that look too (like in that dress I am stalking http://www.ezibuy.com.au/product/81152) but also worry a bit about how it appears. But I think you carry it off!

ManidipaM

Veteran

Heavens, what a difference that alteration makes --- it's a whole different dress!

Marcy, you look so elegant there... Angie's already said all that can be said about #1 I guess.

I'll confess #2 was my immediate favourite though, followed by the beautiful Anthro shoes (I love your black espadrilles too!). That jacket is absolutely delightful! In fact, far from being dated, I find it extremely youthful and eccentric. I'd wear that in a heartbeat.

You looked gorgeous for the party and your blue pattern mix is very fresh. Wonder if you'd consider wearing the scarf a little further down, to make a deeper curve (just push the loop down in your case, I think?) --- or is it too cold for that? I feel like it might be fun to see the top of the dress on top too, you know?

Kiwichik

Veteran

A smogasboard of fabulosity oh except #10 LOL

bj1111

Veteran

i love it all. a neutals girl at heart, these outfits really speak to me.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

What an amazing transformation you made to the striped dress! It looks f-worthy in the pre-alteration picture; your after picture is certified by Angie k-worthy.

I am impressed that you did the alterations yourself.

The Nakidra dress also looks sharp and those shoes are TDF. I mean, I want a pair now.

Definitely keep the newspaper jacket. I am having visions of it paired with grey and perhaps some yellow accents. I would like to stand behind you in a bank queue. I don't have a smart phone, and the time would pass quickly if I could read your back.

Parsley

Veteran

Thanks for the lovely comments, ladies!
@Suz, I thought of your midi that you altered the skirt on when I narrowed these! I was impressed with the difference that made for you. I only wish I'd remembered to take a "before" picture of the J Crew dress, because it was even more of a change, if that's possible.

I'm pleased that the newsprint dress is getting some love here- I really wasn't sure how people would react to it. It IS fun, though.

@Anne, I like the one you're looking at, too!

@ Manidipa, I will try the scarf a little lower and see how it looks. The dress has a rather low v-neck, so I'm not sure how much of it will show. That day I was feeling chilly (darn these spring temperature swings!) so it felt good up around my neck.

@ Denise, Those Anthro shoes would look great on you!
The alterations weren't hard to do at all; just a bit time-consuming.
I'm laughing at the thought of you "reading my back" while waiting in line!

Fruitful

Veteran

I came here via Suz's mention of your alteration - amazing! And I adore the newspaper jacket on you, with those stunning red sandals. All great looks!

keruchina

The black and white dress looks awesome post-alteration, and I am stealing the shoes.

I am not, however, feeling the newsprint jacket. It looks like an art smock.

Parsley

Veteran

Kerry, I KNEW you would say that about the newsprint jacket! Too bad- I like it! I won't bring it to Seattle.
And you can't have the shoes, but if you're nice I'll let you borrow them.
XO
Mom

LeahJanes

I love all of this. So bold and graphic. I also really adore those anthro shoes, so much that I am considering buying them for my own self! Gorgeous

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