WIW: Decidely Quaint - YouLookFab Forum

On Thursday, I got to meet up with a cousin I hadn't seen in years (now that I've moved, I'm closer to extended family, although they don't live in my city), but with whom the rest of the family told me I have a lot in common. So I decided to go full on quaint in my outfit, as it makes me feel most myself (we ended up having a lovely time & definitely found a lot of common ground). I was also feeling in a bit of a ballet mood (I'm contemplating a train trip to NYC so I've been visiting the ballet company sites), and I ended up in no less than 3 shades of pink! It began with my rose polka dot blouse; I love tonal combinations, so I added a mauve cardigan for warmth. The ballet mood convinced me to wrap it instead of just tuck it into the skirt, which I chose because I'm not sure how much longer I'll be able to wear cotton instead of wool skirts, and I do love this one. It's so swishy.

I thought it'd be fun to echo the ivory polka dots with my newly finished ivory socks (I broke a needle between knitting the first & second & it took awhile to receive the replacement, as they're made by hand by a small US company, so I'm relieved ti finally be able to wear them). Originally, I was thinking brown tights, but I didn't like the idea of ivory socks over them, so instead I pulled on my light tights: these are palest pink, although I'm sure they read more white at a distance. They felt more balletic anyway. It was rainy, so waterproof shoes it was, and to bookend my brown boots, I opted for my brown velvet jacket, complete with peplum. It fits fairly well, and the forum's approved it before, so I'm not sure why it looks so big in the front photo! Probably a camera illusion caused by the way I'm holding my arms. It was so windy I ended up wearing it buttoned up anyway, which gave it a bit more waist definition. It was warm enough to go without hat or scarf, so I enjoyed the wind in my hair.

As always, all feedback, negative and positive, welcome.

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9 years ago

Alassë

Veteran

I really need to try wrapping cardigans like that. Your ankles/feet in #5 remind me of a doll's for some reason, little and cute. And the longer peplum in 6 is my favourite of all. (Now if I could get my hands on one of those jackets... but if that brown works for you, it probably wouldn't on me. ;)) I'm glad you had such a great time with your cousin!

Aubergine

Such pretty pinks and browns! With those colors together, and that velvet jacket, this almost has a Victorian feel to me. Especially in the side view in #6.

Yay for extended family!

Astrid

I just love the first detail picture. The colors and the wrapped cardigan and then the venetian mask! Just lovely. I agree with Aubergine, it definitely has an Victorian feel with the velvet peplum jacket over the skirt. I really love the combination of pieces here, the only thing I'd change would be the tights. But then that might just be me.

I'm glad you could meet up with your cousin, it sounds lovely.

MuseumGal

Oh I do love that brown velvet blazer. The dropped back is one of my favorite silhouettes. Your outfit is so decidedly E.

(Have not gotten your book off yet - finding full time work hours to be exhausting.)

Suz

(website)

Wow, look at that jacket! So romantic. And I love the way you have wrapped the sweater. I also love Thistle's little face there.

Windchime

Pink and brown are gorgeous together; they make me think of a room with antique wood furniture and soft pink walls, or of raspberries with chocolate sauce. Your velvet jacket looks soft and luxurious with your shades of pink. Do you think you might wear it to the NYC ballet? I, too, like how you wrapped your sweater.

Beth Ann

Brown is such a beautiful way to carry pink into autumn in a grownup way. You could also belt the brown jacket --- that would be interesting.

Glad you made a happy reconnection with extended family. It's hard to kee these relationships going in modern life, but they can become quite valuable.

bj1111

super use of a lapel pin. great color combo...very you.

tulle

So charming! I love ballet clothes, too (imprinted with pale pink and black at an impressionable age) and I admire the way you give these tender colors and shapes your own warm, feminine, and original twist.

Alasse, it’s super easy to wrap cardigans! Definitely try it. And if you pin one side they stay all day. This brown is probably too cool for you, but I hope you come across a warmer one!

Aubergine, I felt a bit Victorian too. Thank you!

Thank you Astrid! Would you opt for brown tights? And skip the cream socks?

Good to see you MG! I hope work’s going well, even if it’s keeping you busy. No worries on the book.

Suz, she’s so funny, peeking at the camera like that. Thank you!

Windchime, oh those are some lovely visuals. Except now I’m craving berries & chocolate! hehe I would wear it to the ballet if the weather cooperated; I might end up visiting in the winter months, in which case I’d need something heavier. But maybe I could layer it underneath. I wore a velvet jacket to The Nutcracker last year.

Thank you Beth Ann! I shall try belting the jacket next time: do you think a brown belt or contrasting one? Since I grew up moving around (Air Force family), I’ve never been this physically close to extended family before. It’s quite nice!

Thank you BJ.

Thnx Tulle! I would guess from your username that you’re also a ballet fan.

catgirl

Look at you defining your waist per spring style! And yes, lots of ballet references in this outfit. Very nice!

I remember having a sweater in that mauve/dusty rose color in high school. I just LOVED it. But had no idea how terrible a color it was for me. Just seeing it makes me nostalgic for those days of ignorant bliss!

Anonymous

What a gorgeous jacket! Love how you wrapped the cardigan too and the colours in your outfit are lovely and soft. Glad you had a nice time seeing your cousin.

Nebraskim

I love your styling of all these garments. So distinctive and personal. To me, that is the definition of style -- your personality shines through and you are definitely not a cookie-cutter dresser who needs to "conform." (I hope you understand what I mean....so many people think they need to be bang-on with trends.) Your style is love and unique. I love the color combo of the gray with the soft violet. Stunning.

How do you wrap your sweaters? I tried with a cropped and fitted cardigan, but it isn't working well.

Thanks AG! And yes, the newly trending waist definition made me smile, since it’s a mainstay of my dressing. Awww to your high school self! I loved so many things at that age that were terribly unflattering. hehe

Thank you Diane!

I do understand what you mean Nebraskim, and I really appreciate it. Thank you.

Alasse, perhaps your cardigan is too cropped? I wrap what I guess you’d call ‘classic’ cardigans: they’re hip length, and fitted at the hip, but not at the waist. So first I pull the buttonhole side over to the opposite hip and tuck it into my skirt or trousers. Then I pull the button side over & pin it. Then I play a bit with the draping on the chest (I usually turn the cardigan in, as most of mine are crewnecks) to make it more flattering on my small bust. The most flattering option is to make it a kind of drapey frame, if that makes sense: the further out the frame goes, the larger my bust looks. In these pictures it’s not out that much, because I didn’t really want to draw a lot of attention to the area. I hope that helps! If not, I’ll take some pics for you.

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