WIW :: Me? Pastels? Sort of...

Dear YLF

Life, etc... I feel like my previous WIW thread was posted in the last century. In the meantime I've been reading the blog only as there wasn't time for the forum at all.

What I'm posting is my take on

Ensemble: Grey, Lilac & Black

(grey -> turtleneck; lilac -> scarf; black -> cardigan and boots) which is probably as close as you'll ever see me in pastels as they simply are not my style. Yes, I have this scarf (it's a very pretty and cherished gift) and one old, sleeveless pastel blue turtleneck... but trend or no trend I don't see adding more pastels to my wardrobe. I have realised over time that fab rich colour is what makes my heart sing.

The bottoms are not grey as suggested in Angie's post, although I maybe have something to try that too. I'm not even batting for any of these: Team Straight Leg, Team Boyfriend or Team Bootcut Jeans, but stay faithful to my trusted skinnies. I've tried straight pair in the meantime and won't bother with the style any time soon - it is not for me.

The hairstyle is courtesy of the wither weather, it really is disheartening sometimes what hats do to it. I wish for spring so I can have my bangs back

Thanks for stopping by. Your comments and suggestions are most welcome.

Off to check what everyone's been up to.

p.s.
As I didn't comment on the blog posts these past two-three weeks I must add how smitten I am with Angie's new specs and I could not wait to see them in action. Fabulous.

12 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Nice to see you, Ornella! And pale blue / lilac/ lavender certainly counts! I actually think you would look smashing in some mid-tone-to-pastels in the summer....trade out your white bottoms for pastel ones and add a trademark white or black or ink top - and voila!! Ornella style after all.

Anonymous

It's always a treat to see your beautiful smile and fab, well thought out outfits. If my hat hair looked that good, I would wear them more often.

gryffin

Ornella - I think this looks extremely pretty on you!! You wear scarves so well and the lavender look so pretty and soft with your skin and hair!! Great scarf to brighten up those monochromatic outfit!! Just lovely!!

Lisa

The scarf is a lovely way to add pastel without the full commitment. I like Suz's idea to add one pastel item to other black/white/strong colored pieces if you wanted to try this trend.

Ornella

Suz :: never say never I will keep your guggestion at the back of my mind for sure.

Joy, Gryffin :: thank you.

pil

It's all about what works for you, and this works!

Lisa :: thank you. I like how you phrased it "without the full commitment"

pill :: thank you.

ramya

Ornella post... Yeah!!!!
I think even I am fully in love with skinnies too :)(To an extent slouchies).
Other than baby Pink I am not too much into pastels either :).
You look smashing as always

Pretty scarf, it really lights up the outfit.

Sona

love how the scarf is in tandem witht he outfit- it flows along. i would not have thought of such a combination but very clever choice. And we have missed you!

LACeleste

Hello!
It is so good to see you! I love the way you wore the scarf!

Beth Ann

Greetings, Ornella!

I so appreciate your ability to keep your wardrobe edited to reveal personal style first, only adopting trends that serve you. That said, I've been hoping for other dark haired, high contrast forum members to try the pastel palette so I could get a better vision of how it might work for me.

I've suspected that lavender, orchid and aqua might work best, along with faded chambray and denim. Your lilac scarf lights up your face and seems to hint at spring without being seasonally confused. I t would lovely with some of your dresses, too.

I second your love of rich color. It suits your personality, stature and coloring as well as making you happy. I could see more lilac in your spring however. Do you see actually lilacs in Germany? They were such a part of my childhood memory -- smelling their sweet aroma as I walked to school, knowing that summer was on its way!

Great to see you Ornella; and may I say, looking good!

Thank you ramya, Ceit, Sona, LA Celeste and Diane.

Beth Ann :: I think this scarf as well as the blue top (worn in this outfit) work for me best from the selection of pastels because there is dominant blue tone in them and not a hint of yellow. The same might be the case with the other shades you mentioned.

I love this scarf and it has a beautiful weave, I might post a close-up sometimes in the future. Wearing it today, with my clearly focused on it, gave a me few more ideas for it's more frequent rotation in the future.

As for - lilacs... oh, yes, there is an abundance of the fragrant trees everywhere around me in the most wonderful shades, from white to lilacs to dark purple. I have a special feelings towards the lilacs myself, my aunty had a beautiful tree in her front garden and one year I took its 3 shoots with me to England. They all survived the trip and the winter, and I planted 2 of them in the huge pots (thinking those could be moved whenever I move) and one shot was planted in my front garden.

It took taking the tree which we inherited with the house down (the roots were a potential risk to the house foundations) to free up the stream of sunlight towards the lilac tree, and after that it thrived. It finally had its first flower the summer when we moved to Germany. That's how I remember seeing it one final time.

Last Christmas, while in England, I drove past our old house and saw that the new owners have taken it down. Funnily, while I had no emotions about the house, but not seeing the lilac tree was painful.

The two remaining potted lilac trees stayed with my friend in England. She has a permission to plant them in her garden, but for now she is keeping them for me in hope we some day find a way to take them to the new house here.

unfrumped

That is just the ticket! I think it's a great way to add a touch of pastel with "wiinter" or other high-contrast coloring. And, I like that type of scarf for pretending that spring is coming.

Mona

Yes, fab rich colours suit you best but this scarf is beautiful on you. I also like Suz's idea of adding white bottoms to this ensemble for spring.

Susie

Oh, such a pretty scarf! I too don't get excited by pastels but I do like purple so shades of lilac, periwinkle (I love that word!) and violet do appeal to me.

I like how you've taken one of Angie's suggested formulas and made it work for you.

And it is nice to see you again!

Angie

Fashion Stylist

Love the way you're wearing pastels here. Lilac loves you, Ornella. 11 out of 10. And all you have to do is substitute the blue jeans for white jeans and keep the rest the same, for an even crisper look.

(Thanks for the kind words about my new apple green specs. I love them so much. They make me very happy).

K. Period.

I love that you gave this a bash, even though it wasn't you. You do look incredibly lovely in lilac. Very well done!

By the way, what about faded blues or light greys with your bold full colors? I bet you could pastel pretend with those faux-pastels per Angie and would feel great. Sometimes, to my eye, a softer color like light denim or grey really lets rich color sing. It works like a pedestal for it. Just an idea, in case over time you start pining to join the pastel masses!

Jaime

That color just makes you light up and glow Ornella. It is always a delight to see you!

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