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WIW: fall colours

Anonymous

Here is a fall outfit of mostly old things. Jacket is new.
I'm trying to make do with pieces that I'm not too sure about. For instance, the sweater is a terrific quality knit, and the drape of it is excellent on me, however, I worry that it's a bit dowdy. What do you think? My mother owns the same sweater and she is 73. I am trying to cover it up a bit with the scarf....
I guess the other thing is that the fall colours don't suit me that well, but it's hard to find fall colours that suit me, so I just wear them anyway. Not sure if that's the right approach.
I'm also unsure of what makeup to wear. The stuff I have on seems awefully pastelly in these pictures. Should I wear something else?

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27 replies

Latest reply was from

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I think the colors suit you nicely, especially the scarf! And I don't see dowdy at all, the way you've styled this. That jacket is a fab print and length -- who makes that? And a perfect roll on the jeans. I tend to go pretty subtle on the makeup, so I don't see anything wrong with what you're wearing, but if you are feeling like it's time to refresh the makeup, I think that can be a fun thing to play with a bit -- a slightly deeper shade of blush or a berry-toned lipstick can be a nice change!

Anonymous

I don't see dowdy either - a cardigan is a pretty basic piece. If you were wearing it with plain wool pants or a skirt, then maybe, but with jeans and a scarf? Very classic and modern:) Colours look good to me too - not sure what you're worried about ! I am in a fix-the-makeup stage too ....it's lipstick I have a tough time with at this time of year. You're right in that pastel-ish and pale colours all of a sudden look wrong in fall light - so go have some fun at a MAC counter or something !

Word Lily

Veteran

I think this works well! The scarf is a good color for you, the jacket is fab! I used to think I couldn't wear fall colors, until I realized burgundy and plum are considered fall colors. I say wear the colors you like, whatever the season.

I also don't see anything wrong with your makeup here, but sometimes when I wear darker colors I like to go a bit darker with the lip color, like Janet said.

I'm wondering if a semi-tuck might help your feelings about the sweater. (Except I think I remember you're anti that?)

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

I don't think the sweater is dowdy at all, styled as you have it with jeans and a scarf. You look great in a burgundy scarf--I especially like how the pattern on the scarf is the inverse of the one on your jacket. That's a really fun juxtaposition.

I'm terrible with makeup, but from a distance, your pastel makeup just looks like a no-makeup makeup look, which is trendy, right?

Anonymous

Oh no no, Word Lily, I'm pro-semi tuck. Who is anti-semi tuck? Oh wait, maybe lisap, on herself.
I can't tuck a cardigan though. Right?
Thanks Janet and lisap. I think I'll go and ask about some deeper makeup. It's hard to go darker without looking too done up.
Janet, the jacket is Denham. They're dutch, I think!

Word Lily

Veteran

I would think you could tuck a cardigan. Just make sure to get both pieces?

Anonymous

Yes, Jenn, I guess that makes two of us not knowing much about makeup. It's hard to tell in the pics, but the blush on my cheeks is fairly pink. I do need to wear blush in the winter as I look sallow and tired without it.

celia

Veteran

These colors look really good on you and nobody should think that they have to wear certain colors just because of the season.
You syled the sweater nicely and the whole outfit seems very current.
I have no great advice on make up, but you look good,imo.

Joy

Veteran

No dowdy here. The cardigan fits more like a jacket and the length looks modern. The scarf adds rich color. I like your make up as natural looking. It plays a up your beautiful eyes.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Super cute. Nice texture on that coat.

Maneera

(website)

Veteran

I don't see anything dowdy. You know Smittie; you've got that perfect girl-next-door kind of beauty that's evergreen and I don't think you could look dowdy or frumpy even if you try really really hard. LOL!

You look great in these clothes. Quite modern classic.

Even though I understand that you feel these clothes may be 'old lady'; trust me when I say - you look very fresh and pretty. In fact, I think you look absolutely Parisienne Chic....these are styles you can rock whether you're 20 or 50, and you sure are rocking them.

The little details - the scarf, the boots, the texture on the coat - keeps the look very fresh. In fact, if you asked me to guess your age, I couldn't :/ If you forced me to guess, I would guess 23-25. Am I right?

Carole

Veteran

Looks like a fantastic fall outfit to me.

kerlyn

Veteran

I love it. Not dowdy in the least. The cuffed skinnies and boots make it work beautifully!

Sal

Veteran

What everyone else said!!

I think this is a very chic sophisticated look, it does have a European flair. I love the jacket and scarf, and those jeans are such a brilliant fit. The berry is a lovely colour on you - do you think you are a "summer" in terms of colouring?

Suz

(website)

Veteran

You could not look "dowdy" if you tried, especially not with that incredibly cool jacket. Denham's, eh? Hmmm.

I also think you look lovely in the berry. I am equally ignorant about makeup but agree that sometimes just switching to a new lipstick can be a help if you're wearing an unfamiliar colour.

Anonymous

Thank you. I actually feel a lot better about this cardigan!
Maneera, thank you. You're kinder to me than even my bf, lol! I'm 37 and I think my out-of-focus camera phone hides some of the wrinkles
Yes, Sally, I think I have summer colouring.

Sal

Veteran

I thought so, you look so good in blue, purple, grey and berry.....

I had my colours done years ago and was diagnosed as a spring, althought they considered summer as well. I think I am in the spring group as warmer colours are better on me in the most part, especially reds and whites. I don't stick to it precisely though - I wear black, charcoal, fuschia which I don't think are in my palette at all. Sorry to derail your thread.

Brooklyn

Veteran

I agree with everyone else - I don't see dowdy at all and I think the colour of the scarf (which is a fall colour, right?) really suits you. Love the whole outfit and especially your boots.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

You look terrific - love the new jacket and how you put it all together. The blue of the sweater is great on you. I am a taker rather than a giver of makeup advice.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Smittie, I agree with Maneera's take on this outfit as having a bit of Parisian chic feel to it. You look dynamite in it. Love the bag and the booties, the leopard print/textured coat. I love how you're wearing the cardi and see it as perfectly modern and classy.
I empathize with your dilemma about wanting a little darker or bolder makeup in cooler seasons and yet feeling too "done" in some of said colors. For lips, I recommend one that Angie suggested some time back, a "stick gloss" by Laura Mercier that gives a good dose of color while remaining transluscent. Something between a lipstick and gloss, and not at all sticky (which is what bugs me about glosses).

Laura Mercier Stickgloss Lip Color

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4

Beth Ann

Veteran

Perhaps you would feel more confident if you thought of the outfit as a whole, and each piece as an "ensemble" player. Not every piece has to be a "star" for the look to work. I think this outfit is a great example of modern classic --- the shoes are bold, not mousey, and there is rich color and texture in the coat and scarf, as well as the ribbing in the sweater. The jeans, and your classic looks keep it grounded and timeless, with the cuff making a bit of a modern statement.

As for your makeup, it make be the flat lighting in the photo that's making you dissatisfied. I have recently warmed up my blush to Nars Orgasm. I'm looking for a cream look-alike for winter. I wear this blush even when I keep a berry tone on my lips --- and I agree that berry toned lips would be fab on you.

plonkee

The clothes make you look great. Lovely colours. You could probably go quite a bit darker or more vibrant in make up if you wanted - it would look different so you may or may not like it.

Maneera

(website)

Veteran

Lol. That's rubbish....I can see your face rather well here. And you definitely look Atleast a decade younger....if not more. You'll be ever so thankful for it 10-15 years down the line!

As for your makeup, I think it's part of your pretty girl-next-door beauty. You have the perfect no-makeup look. And that's probably why you also look younger and so Parisienne chic. Absolutely nothing in your look is fighting for attention...the whole outfit plus your hair and your makeup is in perfect harmony.

I like Sharan's idea for a slightly darker translucent lipstick. However, I can't wear dark makeup without looking (and feeling) over the top. I like pink based makeup a lot. Have you tried a pink-plummy lipstick? You can always top lipstick with a touch of clear gloss if the matte version feels too loud.

approprio

(website)

Veteran

Not dowdy at all. The interesting fastenings really elevate it and a great quality knit is always in style. Very nice layered with the printed jacket.

Tania

Veteran

Goodness, I read the text before seeing the images and I expected something totally different. You look very put together and modern.

dakotacheryl

Veteran

Love this look!!

I confess that I'm a makeup junkie. You have great brows, so no help needed there...how about a little Kohl pencil along your top eyelashes, smudged out a little (and don't need to worry about a harsh line), and a sheer lipstick with some berry tones...Clinique almost lipstick in Black Honey might be a good choice.

Anonymous

Thanks again!
I'm going lipgloss/stick shopping this weekend.
Thanks for all the makeup suggestions and boosts.
Sally, I have noticed we share quite a few colours in common so I think we're on the same spectrum; that, or we just like the same colors. I think you wear that blush colour much better than I do though. Blush would wash me out completely.