WIW & Style Lab for Casual Friday - YouLookFab Forum

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WIW & Style Lab for Casual Friday

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Today's outfit started with these old Wit & Wisdom dark wash skinny jeans (an Angie pick from 2-3 years ago). I popped on a white lace cami and topped that with my white asymmetrical drapey sleeveless blouse. Over all of that, I've added my black suit jacket, with scrunched sleeves.

For footwear, I chose my black pointy toe kitten heels - I'm wearing two pairs of nude knee highs for foot and ankle warmth.

And for some reason, I was suddenly feeling like wearing jewelry today - maybe it's because of Lisap's recent Accessories thread??? I chose my grandmother's locket. Although it isn't obvious in the photos, I like the way it swings a bit when I walk and how it peeks in and out of the draped folds in the blouse. I continued the gold jewelry theme with my gold wedding band and gold watch.

A pop of citron with my handbag, black/white specs and swipe of red lipstick finish off the outfit.

Now here's my style lab question - I FEEL fantastic in this outfit, whether it looks that way or not. But I don't know why and I would like to try and figure that out so I can use those elements in other outfits. I suspect it has something to do with hitting the right combination of drape and structure but I'm not sure. I would love to know your thoughts on whether or not this outfit works to your eye and what makes it work (or doesn't).

Blazer: Nygard
Blouse: Danier Leather
Jeans: Wit & Wisdom
Shoes: Calvin Klein

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23 replies

Latest reply was from Asingh

trekkiegirl

Veteran

Well you certainly look FAB and it shows that you are feeling it - your smile is on extra-high-beam

The contrasts of crisp white against the jacket and jeans is what I like the most, and it's nice that the color is crisp but the structure (of the white shirt) isn't.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I love this outfit on you, Shannon!!

I think you are right -- it feels great because it hits a perfect blend of structure and ease/ femininity. There is something about a jacket that is just so....FAB. Pair it with a drapey top and you are golden. Also, here you have the points of the shoes and the blouse's asymmetry adding to a current effect. Proportions are terrific. It's just a very "Shannon" outfit (and one I would wear myself in a heartbeat). This is the type of outfit that makes me feel the most fab, too.

Sometimes I wish I dressed for the office -- it would make my style existence a lot easier.

celia

Veteran

I think Suz put it beautifully including the fact that I would(and will) wear this in a heartbeat.
Feminine yet structured, perfect combination between fluid but grounded.

Anonymous

I really like it on you too . What comes to mind is the feminine aspect of this outfit - the soft blouse, lacey cami peeking out, vintage pendant......and then it's grounded with some great jeans. Maybe you are feeling a slight difference between your other looks which are more dramatic, less traditionally feminine?Just a thought - and only because I'm playing with this a bit myself. Or will, come spring when I actually start wearing real outfits again.

It's also fun to work a feminine look with short hair, makeup, lovely jewellery etc. To me, it's even sexier or more interesting than the same look with the more expected long hair.

Helena

Veteran

Gorgeous, the pendant necklace is the perfect touch.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Trekkiegirl - I love high contrast outfits so that could indeed be part of it. And great observation about the white shirt not being crisp in fabrication - I have a love/hate relationship with crisp white shirts. Love the look on others but have trouble wearing them myself.

Suz - aaahhhhh...our love of jackets, eh? I have experimented (as you know) with quite a bit of fluidity, volume and ease in the last 6 months and have come to realize that jackets are truly my best friend style-wise. They are just magical IMHO. I didn't think about the points and the asymmetry also playing into the outfit. Need to think on that. As for dressing for the office, I suspect you're right - I think I would find it quite difficult to find "my style" if I worked from home. I think you do it spectacularly

Celia - "feminine yet structured" - maybe that's what I've been missing lately - the feminine part....hmmmm...

Lisa - oooohhhhhh I think you're really onto something here with your comments...now with the short hair, maybe I'm wanting a bit more femininity in my style.

torontogirl - don't you love wearing a vintage family piece of jewelry? This locket still has my grandparents wedding picture in it - love that.

Thanks for your thoughts ladies - keep 'em coming

K.M.

Veteran

Shannon, I can see why I you feel fab in this. You look fab!

For me, it's the "column of color effect" with the dark jacket and pants, coupled with the perfect tailoring of the jacket, that creates a unified look--it makes it seem very put together. At the same time, because the colors and fabrics are different, it doesn't look matchy-matchy or as rigid as a suit. It has the sharp lines of a suit without being a suit. It also really flatters your figure--you remind me a bit of a 40s siren look for some reason (even if the clothes themselves don't).

I bet the feel-good factor is also because of the silky fabric, no? For me, the tactile dimension is as important as the visual!

Also, there's a luxe quality when I see this--maybe it's the bag, maybe the blouse, maybe the pointy toes--that looks natural and effortless. Something I quite aspire to...

AM

Veteran

Oh, it works well -- it is fab.
And I was also thinking "love of jacket", color combination, jeans with dressy?
Your joy in this outfit is contagious. I am easily connecting with that wonderful feeling.

Beth Ann

Veteran

Oooh --- I see why you're happy. Many others have pointed out the fab details, but I also see a terrific juxtaposition of modern minimalist with vintage softness. It has the effect of looking at lovely antique items displayed in a museum or schmancy gallery. Worn with a floral print, or retro dress, the locket might be lost. Placed against white a black and soft white, your face and the locket look like a elegant portrait.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

K.M. - "column of color" - yes, that could definitely be part of it. The outfit does make me feel taller and perhaps that's part of it? You are also right about the tactile effect which made me realize that the outfit also has no "fuss factor" - I haven't had to adjust anything.

AM - it seems the jacket is a particularly strong component in this happiness factor.

Beth Ann - wow...what a beautiful analysis...you're making me blush here...

The other thing I thought of is the outfit has a slight Parisian feel to it with the dark slim jeans, black pointy pumps and the black/white combination. I absolutely love that type of look so maybe there's a connection there?

rachylou

Veteran

Oh wow! I love this on you! Also, this is the first time I'm registering seeing you in jeans. It's a totally new and fresh look to me for you. It may be tho I've been taken with this idea that black and white is the thing for this spring. I've gone so far as to pull all my black and white out.

Summer

Veteran

This looks effortlessly elegant to me. I think it's the contrast of the soft, drapey top and the punch (definitely a punch, not a pop!) of that fabulous bag that is giving you the wow factor. Fabulous outfit, Shannon.

Karie

(website)

Veteran

Yes, it's the drape and structure, and the pop of color from the purse throws it right into the stratosphere. The semi tuck makes all the difference, as do the scrunched sleeves. The way the top falls gently below the hemline of the jacket makes this outfit perfectly proportioned to my eye.

It must be because of lisap's post - I am also wearing jewelry today - earrings, and I haven't worn them in forever. Ah, the power of the YLF forum...

Joy

Veteran

More love for this outfit. It hits just the right note of femininity and spunkiness, especially with you short hair. Love the locket. It reminds me of the retro pieces that you used to wear. I also think that your kitten heels look just right. The same outfit with black booties would have been different.

KikiG

Veteran

The top and jacket are working so well together. The drape of the blouse gives you structure, and flattering body definition under the boxier jacket. You do look as fab as you feel, and I LOVE your grandmother's locket!

Deborah

Veteran

Shannon, this looks fab. Of course feel awesome in this. I think you are right and it's about the balance of structure and drape. I suggest you feel so good because this "feels like you". It's also elegant, feminine, and modern... stunning.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Killer stunning. Clean, crisp and simpe lines. Structured. Good quality pieces. Statement accessories.

lyn67

Veteran

The softness of that gogeous asymmetric blouse is kept at bay by the structured items in your outfit: jeans, blazer, shoes, bag-and it looks trully great and effortless done so. But, OMG, did you go with kitten heels in snow(no matter how many pair of socks...)???

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Agreeing with the others. I also think the proportions are very flattering - the top seems slightly shorter than some you have been wearing & it gives you a really long leg-line imo. You are looking good TS

frannieb

Veteran

Great outfit and learned from the wisdom of others on this post.

Day Vies

Veteran

You look so polished and so freaking fabulous. The yellow bag is the cherry on top. Perfect!

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Rachy - I couldn't be happier about black and white being "in" this spring cause it's my favorite combination of all time.

Summer - yeah, my hubby hit it out of the park with this handbag!

Karie - I haven't been paying as close attention to proportions in the last while as I usually do so that could definitely have something to do with my outfit happiness.

Joy - "spunkiness"...exactly what I felt I was missing with the longer hair.

Kiki - I have the feeling that some of my jewelry, especially my vintage pieces, are going to come back out to play.

Deborah - I do feel like me in this and I'm starting to wonder if some of my outfits as of late really didn't, even though I tried to make them feel that way - does that sense?

Angie - thank you I have the feeling I've got another style shift pending that's going to be based upon your observations. More about that in a separate post. Thank you for your keen eyes

Lyn67 - not to worry about my feet sweetie! I wear my snow boots outside and change into my shoes at the office.

Caro - another comment about proportion...definitely agree and I think the semi tuck really helps here.

Frannie - always something to learn from the forum isn't there?

Day Vies - whoo hoo! Welcome back gorgeous

Asingh

(website)

Veteran

Casual Friday done right, Shannon!
This outfit works perfectly, and I think what makes it tick is the right combination of colour, structure and fit.