WIW :: September Catch-Up - YouLookFab Forum

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WIW :: September Catch-Up

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

October already?

These are the only outfit photos I took in September. I still don't have regular spot for WIWs, but that will sort itself out.

All outfits feature the main neutrals I plan to stick to and some of the main colours I want focus on in the future.
All feature my favourite old piece of furniture, the armchair similar to MsMary's, only in different colour

The outfits:

#1 :: Worn on my birthday, hubby and I had enough time to sneak out for a coffee at our favourite place. I adore the colour of this silk blouse, but are the dots a bit too sweet for me?
#2 :: New red tunic with balloon hem, layered over the old striped tee shirt. My most worn item in September. I love this tunic and hope you do too.
#3 :: A take on my casual formula of long cardigan and jeans. I want to wear outfits with stronger contrasts and sharper feel, so to address those aspects I stuck with B&W. You've seen similar outfit before but another cardigan before, the older combination is my preferred one because the cardigan is more interesting and more where I see myself in the future (Angie's guideline to make my pieces more interesting and exceptional). For now, this cardigan will do too, I actually love its collar and pockets, although at the same time I don't find them thrilling enough.

Bonus photos from my birthday festivities, a day on the hill toboggan and a day we went go karting. For non adrenalin junkie, that was great fun.

To channel MsMary a bit more and because just as I type, the livingroom furniture is being installed and seeing it in our room at last - I am so happy. Especially because the is was the very first (!) delivery that was glitch-free. You can see a glimpse of the sofa too. It took us forever to find the right pieces and now that everything is slowly coming together it looks so great if I'm allowed to say that.

Thanks for looking. All feedback welcome, especially what needs tweaking.

29 replies

Latest reply was from Aida

Joy

Veteran

Ornella, it's great to see you posting outfits and family and house progress too.
1. I love that shade of purple on you. The dots are small and not too sweet. Don't let them boss you around. Love the white jeans!
2. The red tunic is gorgeous on you. You glow in red. The hemline keeps the piece interesting.
3. Your casual uniform is fabulous and could take you anywhere during your day,looking comfortable and polished. You look wonderful in high contrast.
4/5. What fun! Your son is loving it too.
6: it must be very gratifying to see everything come together. What are you going to put on those shelves?

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

Joy :: thank you for your kind comment. Yes, the son loved the toboggan and can't wait to be old enough to ride it alone.
The shelves are an open project, so far I know that along with the favourite books that I want quick access to at any time and some photos, I am looking forward to seeing there my husband's figurine of A.Einstein It's a piece with a lot of memories attached. Other than that, as little and as easy to dust as possible

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

You are a killer knock out in #3. And #4 is precious. #5 is super cute too.

I like the burgundy tint in your hair. xo

Windchime

Veteran

It's great to see you posting again! I'm happy for you about the progress on your new home. It looks fresh and modern.

I understand your hesitation about the dots making the purple blouse too sweet (a look I also try to avoid) and agree with Joy that you can boss IT around, rather than vice versa.

Of course you love your red tunic shirt; it's stunning on you! Red and white is always a winning combination; do you also wear it with blue or black or other-colored bottoms?

You definitely rock those white jeans! It's fun to see them styled in several ways. I love what your black and white scarf does for the third outfit. To my eye, it contributes just the right amount of pattern to the outfit.

Your DS looks very pleased with his adrenalin adventure!

Astrid

Veteran

I don't think the polka dots are too sweet either, I guess it's all a question of how you wear them. The red tunic looks fantastic on you, no wonder you've been wearing it so often. And I really like the b&w look too, you pull it off nicely. All great looks! I love the glimpse we're getting from the living room, it looks awesome. I'm glad everything went alright with the furniture.

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

Thanks Windchime. I wear red and white with black a lot, and with the jeans too.

Angie :: I did not think #3 is anywhere near K. So much to learn, so much to learn The hair colour is the same shade I've been wearing for years. I love it and I've had so many compliments for it. I guess it's a question under what angle the light falls on it to see it as it really is.

Astrid :: thank you.

Anonymous

Ornella, it's so great to see you in your new home! I love these September outfits. You wear bold, saturated color so well. The purple blouse is stunning on you. The dots (because of their size, perhaps?) seem understated and classic, rather than "sweet" or too "Marilyn Monroe". I love the white jeans on you, the the red tunic gives you such outstanding proportions, I can see why you love it so much.

Happy belated birthday; it looks as if you had a marvelous day celebrating it. Your young one is so adorable! I love that you are getting your new digs just perfect for your lifestyle. You are being rewarded for your long and patient wait. Enjoy!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Fab photos, Ornella. And no wonder you love the colour of the top in #1. It loves you, too.

I do think the pattern is a bit on the "twee" side for you. So just hang onto this now and keep looking for the colour without that pattern as an upgrade.

In the meantime. you are knocking it out of the ballpark with your simple and assured outfits. You know what you love, know what works for you -- and you wear it well.

Yay for the house progress, too! Look at all that great storage...

lyn67

Veteran

I like all your outfits here! The white jeans are so great for fall, isn't it!They ground out well any color or neutral! Love the ankle strap wedges, and the backpack, too! And, your favorite colors were there to stay-say the red and the purple! Nr 3 is exactly what you wanted, great contrast and really sharp! For the dots on the blouse in nr 1 I can say they don't bother me on others, but nowadays I have had the exactly the same feelings- a bit too sweet for me if on my top part. But they are an always a classic print, so I would hang on the blouse if loving the colors, anyway.

I see you had a great time with your little guy in nr 4-5, and loved to see the XXXLutz instalators are working hard in your new home!:-). The new living wall in white is amazing! Love those open shelves! We have a similar design (Hülsta now!) for the lower row of drawers including stainless steel -as wide as them- handles, only it is in beech(büche)-as that was the main color 10 yrs ago:-). Love the old armchair, too-did you bought it in DE?

Mona

Veteran

The red tunic is totally fab on you. The colour, style and shape are all perfect for you. I had to prevent myself from fainting when I saw outfit #2.
Glad to know that your birthday was super fun and the house is finally coming together.

missvee

Veteran

I think the shirt looks fine, but maybe it's too much " classic" ( classic dots, plus classic shirt style) and not enough "modern" for you now?
Love the red tunic and the black and white ensemble.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Ornella, you are looking as gorgeous as ever. I love the purple blouse on you, and I especially like the white dots with the white jeans. To me, the dots provide a good measure of the "interest" in this outfit. I am not much of a symmetrical dot-wearer myself, though, so I can empathize with your question about them. The color is so wonderful, though, if you are going to relinquish the blouse you might wait until you find another in that color--just to have the color available to you. What if you wore the blouse with more unusual pieces like your black angled cardigan that you linked to?
Another fan here of the red tunic--what a wonderful shape it is! (And I learned a new term: balloon hem!) And #3 is such a classic Ornella look--such a polished uniform! Photo 4 is priceless, just priceless.

Sara L.

Veteran

Great looks! I think the dots look good and aren't too sweet. I agree that the purple color is great. The red tunic is fab! I look forward to seeing more pictures of the room as it comes together.

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

Thanks Claire and Mona.

Suz :: thanks for your kind words and for the laugh at the comment about all that storage. Yup, if only it was practical to keep my scarves there

lyn67 :: thanks. The top stays until further notice and yes, white jeans are so great for fall too. I'll double this very pair if I come across them again. The furniture is by the German company called Gwinner and the armchair is one of only 4 pieces of furniture we brought from England. (A lot of other furniture was built-in and therefore sold with the old house, the other I just didn't care for enough). We bought it at some small home store, the displayed one was the last one. I love it as much as on the first day.

missive :: you are onto something, too classic and not enough modern may be part of the answer why these dots bothered me. I have to show them who's the boss here :-D, this is a fab blouse and feels so great on.

catgirl

Veteran

I love #2 here because 'm a sucker for a tunic. But all fab! And I need to see your awesome purple puffer in detail. Your little guy is so cute - mine is almost too big for hugs (at least in public) now!

Anonymous

Love #2 and #3! And you and DS look adorable together.

Sal

Veteran

Love all those colours on you! I especially adore the red tunic, I can see why this is a favourite.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

#4 is perfect

Aida

Veteran

Hello Mrs.O, you are looking lovely! I'm glad to hear things are starting to be more settled for you. All outfits looks great, and very you, but of course #4 steals the show. I quite like the blouse in #1, as Joy said the scale of the print makes it not-so-sweet. The orchid shade is amazingly good on you. The red tunic is fun! I think it'd also be good with some light wash blue skinny jeans, and possibly worth a try with wide leg trousers as well. And of course #3 is classic O, a perfect example of how amazing you look in graphic black and white outfits. Happy belated birthday! It looks like you had a fun day

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Happy belated birthday - the picture of you and your son is the best present! You look gorgeous as ever - I can't decide if #2 or #3 is my favorite and #1 is not running far behind!

Beth Ann

Veteran

You look beautiful and glowing -- a sure sign of both a life well lived and good color choices! I love you in purple, particularly. I like the blouse as is, although I must confess that I am no longer buying dots myself, choosing instead more abstract geometrics. I'm still wearing my dots however, trying to do what you're already winning at here --- styling the dots in a strong and modern way. Don't we always win when we mix new trends with established pieces?

BTW --- you've inspired me with your b/w outfit. I'm liking more white in my mixture these days --- your version is relaxed, but chic and polished.

Beth Ann

Veteran

P.S. Love the photo or you and your DS! Such fun for your birthday!

MsMary

Veteran

I am going to name you Queen of the White Bottoms, my birthday month buddy!! The outfits are stellar, but I must say I am just beside myself with happiness at the photos of Young Master O and you in your go-carts! And you know I always love a nice house pic! Looks like yours is coming together fantastically well!

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

The red tunic is stunning on you! I love the black and white outfit as well, as I am crazy about just about anything black and white these days. Your chair looks perfect for a cup of tea and a nice loooong session on YLF, am I about right?

Neel

Veteran

How I missed you WIWs :). You are tocking those white jeans! And just pretty colors tops on you! Can't pick a favorite really! The pic of you and your DS is too cute for words! And its fun to read about the house updates! Keep them coming!

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

Ladies, you are one fab bunch. But we knew that, right? Thanks for being super, super kind Sara, Diane, Kiwigal, caro, Jaime, Beth Ann, Mary and Neel. It's funny how posting again after some breaks feels like life getting back to normal It's a precious routine.

Firecracker :: great suggestion, thanks. I will try the blouse with the black cardigan, although I fear there might be an issue of the incompatible collars, but one never knows.

Una :: I've posted the jacket here before, is that better view of it for you? And, yes, I know the day when hugs in public won't be allowed is nearer than I admit to myself. They grow so fast.

Aida :: I am not sure what the tunic would look like when worn with wide leg trousers. Would't that be too much volume? I've tried quite volume-y outfit this summer, but I had excuse for wearing what looked like tent - it hept me cool in the heat.

Denise :: you have no idea how right you are. The chair and the kitchen bench are my two spots for YLF sessions. And lots of tea.

Day Vies

Veteran

OH NO! I missed your birthday? Happy Belated Birthday Ornella. I hope it was a wonderful affair. DS is too cute!

#1 I don't think it's too sweet for you. I think it's different because it's a print that appears to be low contrast -- (not sure that's the case IRL). Maybe if the dots were larger or more graphic in some way. Low contrast isn't really you. However it has lots of structure and sharply contrasts the white jeans.
I was also considering perhaps the fit? I like the fit in the shoulders, but there seems to be too much volume at the natural waist. (I have this problem with shirts a lot. I think this outfit would be more you if there were a little less volume in the shirt as I explained and a crisper line of demarcation between the shirt and the waistband.

#2 This is an Ornella-type outfit. Red, high contrast, simple lines … check, check and check. I love the sweater on you.

#3 Also an Ornella-type outfit for all the reasons I mention in #2 with the exception of red.

E

Veteran

You look stunning in all of these & the pic of you with your son is too sweet. The shirt doesn't look too sweet to me, but considering how high my tolerance is for sweetness in my own closet, I'm probably not the best judge. hehe Maybe darker bottoms would take a bit of the sweetness out? It is a great colour on you too.

Aida

Veteran

It would certainly be a voluminous look Ornella! Depending on the trousers, it could potentially work (especially if the trousers are lighter and drapier). I like wearing my slouchy, lightweight light gray wide leg trousers with voluminous tops. It might end up too much volume, but worth trying. Would also be worth trying with flares or bootcuts, if you still have any.