WIW: Nov 14th - YouLookFab Forum

This is one of my 'uniforms': slim trousers or jeans with a waist surrendering blouse and cardigan. I think this is a much more mainstream silhouette than my full skirts, what with the ubiquity of skinnies, so my style inspirations come through in more subtle ways. I try to use muted colours, a mix of textures (the trousers are corduroy, the cardigan is cashmere, and the socks are wool knit in a lace pattern), and little details (the blouse's collar and buttons and pintucked yoke). The blouse was so elaborate much jewelry seemed overkill so I just put on a small ring and bracelet to pick up the gold in the buttons. As you can see in the detail shot the blouse is quite thin so I put a cream silk cami underneath for modesty.

I almost always cuff my full length trousers: I like my ankles and how the cuff adds a touch of playfulness to the outfit. But I realise it's not figure flattering, and I'm willing to be talked into changing my habits. Today I photographed my outfit how it honestly looks most of the time: shoeless as I spend most of my time at home. I do have toes, though, apologies for cutting them off the pics! And I swear the trouser cuffs were even before I left the house: I went for a 2+ mile walk and then ran a couple of errands, driving in between, so somewhere they must have decided to rebel. Whoops!

For walking & running errands I added a vintage jacket with nice deep pockets (handy for dog walking) and picked up the navy in the pattern with my hat (I'm prone to ear infections so I wear hats if there's any hint of wind). The hat is hand knit but not by me: I bought it from a women's cooperative in a tiny town in the Ecuadorian Andes. I love getting wearable souvenirs when I travel, just because I love a closet full of stories. The grey oxfords are Born: I won them on ebay last month for only $15 and as soon as they arrived I realise much everyday grey shoes pulled my wardrobe together. Because of that knowledge, when I saw the Frye Carsons on sale in grey I was ready to pounce.

All comments and suggestions welcome!

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12 years ago

Anonymous

Love this urchiny look

Word Lily

Veteran

As always, you look fab.

Aida

Impish ^^ I don't mind the rolled hems, particularly in the shoed versions, since the contrast is low against the socks (dig the blue!) and shoes, though as you said it's not the most leg lengthening look (but that doesn't have to be a priority). I do think I'd prefer a bit more length difference in the blouse/cardi though; maybe a blouse that's a little longer to add some hemline layering interest?

Suz

(website)

Not only are your outfits adorable and fun, but your descriptions of them rival Inge's fabulous analyses. Or Aida's, for that matter. (She's a pro, as you'll come to see.)

I think your personal style comes through loud and clear here, even though the pants silhouette is less retro in feel.

MuseumGal

You look adorable and quirky. Plus I think your legs are long enough that you don't have to worry too much about whether or not a cuff will shorten them.

karymk

Gamine!

Thnx everyone! Urchiny, gamine, impish, and quirky are all adjectives I aspire to, so I felt thrilled to see them mentioned.

Aida, you know what? When I was getting ready I tugged the blouse down to try to convince it was actually longer than the cardi (oddly enough this didn't work, hehe), so I think you're definitely right about the hems. Leg lengthening is definitely not a priority of mine, but I didn't want to baldly state that and sound like I was shutting down others' opinions.

Thank you Suz! As I think I said in my intro, I'm very verbal and detail oriented, and I've actually been working on *shortening* my wiw commentary with clearly limited success. So your comment reassures me.

MG, I have a 26/27" inseam, so definitely not long legs, and even proportionally they're shorter than the rest of me, so I was surprised to hear your impression of them! I enjoy being short, so shorter legs have never really bothered me, but it's interesting they don't come across that way!

I love your quirky style and wearable travel souvenirs. Sometime please tell us more about your trips and what you pack.

Jeanie

I sense we have another writer amongst us by your descriptions!

Love your color sense...like a Born shoe ad...something I adore as I find those styles romantic modern. I like the rolled hem on you as your legs look killer long in these pics and it gives some personality to your outfit. I also like the blue socks, nice touch.

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