WIW: Inspired by Betina Lou I

I recently came across the Montreal company Betina Lou & I'm in love with their Fall Lookbook! After a severe case of the wantsies (they also source quality fabric & have ethical manufacturing), I decided to spend a week building similar outfits out of my own closet. I am not lacking grey or navy options, even if they're not from a fabulous Quebecois designer.

On Monday, I first thought I'd replicate one of the shorts looks. But I felt way too overexposed tucking the blouse into a pair of shorts; somehow, emphasising my waist and legs at once felt like overkill. So I switched to these (very) high waisted velvet trousers instead. I swear in real life this had a kind of slouchy, relaxed Katherina Hepburn vibe, at least in my head. I just uploaded the photos to my computer tonight, and I don't think that comes through. Oh well! Perhaps I do best with more complicated outfits. Also, I need to remember to check the mirror before I take photos, as the tie was too high & off center in the first pics. I fixed it for the outerwear ones! It was a bit too chilly to wear the blouse on its own, and I hoped this slouchy cardigan kept the 40s menswear vibe.

All feedback welcome! Honestly I'm not too impressed with this outfit in the pics, so criticism won't bother me at all. Despite my lack of enthusiasm for the pictures, I was quite happy while wearing the outfit. So there's that at least!

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9 years ago

Astrid

Veteran

What a great lookbook! I love this outfit here especially: http://www.betinalou.com/en/lo.....and-helma/

I really like your outfit, especially with the cardigan layered over it. Very luxe with the velvet and silk. Although I'd love to see how it would look with a bow instead of with the ties hanging down.

bj1111

Well, color ME impressed. I esp love the simpler outfit without the sweater...great high waist shape, very texture rich.

Lucy

Gorgeous! A luscious mix of glam and function, which I adore! I prefer without the cardigan, for the full luxe effect, but really, YLF either way.

Alassë

I'll bet it felt fabulous to wear! Velvet, silk, slouchy cardigan, oxfords... yum. Can we see the shorts outfit sometime, too?

krishnidoux

OMG I totally understand you! And you have the perfect silhouette to wear their line too. I really like that grey blouse on you. Why did you feel overexposed in a short if you wear opaque tights? I can totally imagine you pulling off that look.

tulle

I love the high/low game; creating your own version of an expensive piece you admire is often more fun than simply buying whatever you want, don't you think? You have such definite sense of your own style, how can you fail? This is another great outfit, probably even better than the inspiration look, thanks to the luxe fabrics. Whenever I see your photos, I think "reincarnation of Dora Carrington."

Jaime

(website)

I can see why you love the look book, and after a quick google search I can see what Tulle means! #5 and 6 with your dog's intent look are fabulous!

retailgirl

I like the outfit with the sweater better. But both ways look nice. That look book is definitely your style.

Jeanie

What a cool company. These look very much like silhouettes you have worn so I can see why you are attracted to their stuff. I love the cut of the pants you are wearing. I guess when I look at the retailer I see a lot of structure in their looks so maybe thats why the silk shirt didn't do it for you. Do you have a cropped sweater that your could pair with the pants?

Neel

Those high waisted pants are to die for! Gorgeously fluid and with the silk blouse .. Super romantic and umm ... Vintage! Oh ... Fantastic look book .. Off to see if I could copy a few too

Anonymous

Well I think the photos are fab and your outfit is fab! The fabrics look very luxe. Must be lovely to wear. BTW, where I take my photos there's a wall of mirrored wardrobe doors and I always do a quick pose practice before each photo lol! vain, moi?

Oh, and I meant to say the Bettina Lou lookbook is lovely. I'm not surprised you have wantsies. Please can we have more copycats?

Aubergine

You look great! Love the mix of textures and materials. Outfits like this always make me wish I could pull off even the tiniest bit of menswear-inspired fashion.

Astrid, I thought the lookbook would appeal to you. I love the one you linked to & plan to try an interpretation of it this week for sure! When I tie it in a bow it makes it fairly short. I’ll tie it that way next time I wear the blouse though!

BJ, thank you! That makes me feel better.

Thank you Lucy! It wasn’t quite warm enough to go without a cardigan, but I preferred it cardigan-free too.

Alasse, I’m about to post the shorts outfit I wore on Tuesday! It’s not quite the same though, no waist definition. I’ll try to get a pic of the shorts version of this.

Thank you Krishni! I didn’t feel overexposed because of my legs, just because of the combination of legs & fitted waist was too much.

Tulle, it is fun! Although these pieces are quite reasonably priced for ethically made designer pieces. Thank you for the compliment & now I know who Dora Carrington is.

Thanks Shevia! I do outfit pics right before our woods walks, so she makes sure I don’t forget the leash.

Thank you RetailGirl!

Jeanie, I did like the silk blouse! But that’s a good point that their looks have more structure than my typical outfits. I have a fairly cropped sweater I can wear with these & I’m hoping to knit some more of those.

Thank you Neel! I’d love to see your copycats.

Thank you Diane! And I’m jealous of your easily accessible mirrors. My dog is irrationally afraid of my full length mirror so I keep it in the closet instead of out in the apartment. And you’ll get more copycats; I’m doing that all this week!

Thnx Aubergine. I can see you in some kind of tweedy menswear look with breeches or something.

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