Day 13-16 WATC Challenge: Urban Snow Queen gets inspired by the postapocalypse

Day 13

Photo 1: Black cashmere knit pencil skirt, plum cowl neck tunic

Black tights, burgundy/lavender fair isle socks, silver marcasite hoops,

Photo 2: Outdoor version: gray suede ankle boots, gear puffer, teal bag

New piece(s): black cashmere knit pencil skirt

Assessment of new item(s) – fit, etc.: I realize it’s hard to see the silhouette in the pictures here as they are so dark. Perpetual apologies! Skirt is super comfortable. It’s longer than I remembered it being, which is a good thing – I like this piece more than I thought I did!

Is the outfit elevated/cohesive/refined? It doesn’t really stand out as being so, but it’s not NOT elevated/cohesive/refined, you know?

Where is the contrast? In the outdoor version of the outfit, dressy/casual contrast with the juxtaposition of the luxe skirt and the casual puffer and hiking-style boots. I like it!

I wish I owned: I like this skirt and this outfit as is, BUT I also keep wishing for a dark skirt in a different silhouette – something full and floaty, yet seasonally appropriate.

Also, several folks commented on an earlier post suggesting a long pendant with this sweater and mentioning that long pendants are trending. So, I tried the look today (photo 3). This did not work for me, though. For one thing, it was uncomfortable – the chain behind my neck is pulling at the cowl neck, and because it’s so bulky the underneath layer winds up choking me. Also, I just really don’t fancy the look on me. With cowl necks I prefer to keep the interest in the outfit up higher near my face – so, a choker, short necklace, or scarf inside the cowl neck; dramatic earrings; or a hair scarf would be better accessory formulas for me.

Day 14 -- photo 4

Black relaxed skinny cords, black/white/gray Nordic mock neck

Abalone earrings, abalone ring, salmon ring

New piece(s): black relaxed skinny cords

Assessment of new item(s) – fit, etc.:

All good here. I notice that I say I’m more drawn to velvet pants than corduroy these days, yet my corduroy options (black and burgundy) fit much better than my velvet ones. On my shopping list: a couple pairs of straight leg or relaxed-skinny velvet pants in my current size.

Is the outfit elevated/cohesive/refined? Column of dark and good fit on both top and bottom elevate the look here

Where is the contrast? Value contrast in print of sweater.

Day 15: -- photo 5

Mid-wash skinny jeans, burgundy silk-cotton button up, burgundy cable cardi

New piece(s): burgundy silk-cotton button up, burgundy cable cardi

Assessment of new item(s) – fit, etc.:

burgundy silk-cotton button up: this is a little big to be honest, and I’m feeling “off” collared shirts, especially very plain ones like this, at the moment. Too masculine? I started wondering if I might prefer this is in a more markedly equestrian outfit with leggings – see photo 6 (which I just tried on, didn’t actually wear). I do like that better and will keep that in mind as the “use case” for this piece. I do love the color, and the luxurious feel of the material.

burgundy cable cardi: this is fine as far as fit goes and I love the color, but it’s really showing wear. I’d love to find a similar piece in better condition, and possibly with a slightly more fluid cut.

Is the outfit elevated/cohesive/refined? I think the tonal top half lends the cohesive/refined element here.

Where is the contrast? Uh….maybe this is where the outfit falls a little flat?

Day 16: photos 7-9

Black ponte leggings, lavender pintuck popover, rose Asian jacquard vest, black open big cardi

Silver solje earrings, salmon ring, agate ring

Outdoor version: Black tall boots, black parka, gray/white Nordic scarf, teal bag

New piece(s): Black ponte leggings, lavender pintuck popover, rose Asian jacquard vest, black open big cardi

Assessment of new item(s) – fit, etc.:

Black ponte leggings: A workhorse for equestrian-inspired looks. No complaints here.

lavender pintuck popover: a longtime staple that I admittedly feel a bit less *excited* by at the moment, but still delivers the goods

rose Asian jacquard vest: another “layering” piece, similar in function (if very different in appearance!) to the black burnout velvet top

black open big cardi: I have been moving away from “open,” unstructured cardis but somehow this one has enough drama and heft that I still love it. Alas, as I was removing some pills and folding it up to put it away I noticed that I’ve worn a hole through the right elbow. So it will need some mending before its next outing.

Is the outfit elevated/cohesive/refined? We recently watched a series called Silo on Apple Plus. It’s a SUPER interesting post-apocalyptic sci-fi story, highly recommend it. I am not normally into sci-fi but we finished the second of two seasons that are available so far a couple weeks ago and I am STILL thinking about it daily. Anyway, I know it sounds weird to get style inspiration from the post-apocalypse, but the costuming in the show is really interesting. There is a lot of unexpected layering, interesting textures (quilted vests, etc.), visible mending, and so on. That was what gave me the idea to layer the silk vest over the pintuck shirt, and I really like the result. To finally answer my question, I suppose the distinctive point of view lends cohesiveness to the outfit, and the high-quality materials (silk-cotton, silk, cashmere, sleek leather boots) contribute the elevated/refined element.

Where is the contrast? Value contrast with dark pants/topper and light top(s). Long-over-lean silhouette contrast. The register contrast (dressy materials + postapocalyptic inspiration) is only in my head, but does the job.

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9 months ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

It's too bad the pendant was uncomfortable in outfit 1, because it looks great! But I understand that feeling. Perhaps you need something very lightweight but substantial in appearance.

.Sweater in #4 is gorgeous and this is your go-to silhouette.

I don't think the burgundy silk shirt is too masculine. I think it's too plain. I don't wear my similar berry coloured shirt very often either, though I thought it would be a workhorse because the colour is perfect on me. Meanwhile, I wear a patterned silk shirt often, and a patterned plaid shirt with the berry tones equally often. So it's the fact that it's more likely (I'm guessing) that it's not providing the "pop" that you're often looking for a top to provide.

Fun layering in the last look!

Here's another post-apocalyptic fashion trend..https://www.nytimes.com/2025/0.....d_article_

Macy's

Eileen Fisher Eileen Fisher Silk High-Low Blouse Silk High-Low Blouse

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Nordstrom

RAILS Hunter Plaid Shirt

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by Suz

SarahD8

Thanks Suz. You're right that slim straights/relaxed skinnies + hip-length pullover is becoming a go-to silhouette for me. Simple but satisfying, and a nice change from long over lean.

Interesting about your solid vs. patterned silk shirts! I wonder if maybe "plainness" in clothing is somewhat masculine-coded to me. Looking at my photos, I'm struck again by how meh the jeans + tonal top half outfit looks to me, and how much I LOVE the burgundy shirt in the equestrian leggings look. Against the black, the color is providing more of a "pop" (I am rowing against the current of discussion on Brooklyn's thread where a lot of people were talking about NOT liking black with colors. I see the point about not making it a default, but here it seems dead right to me.) Also, I think the way the longer, looser black topper *contains* the shirt really makes a difference.

Anyway, I'm really glad to be discovering both what I do and don't like through this exercise!

Oh I also meant to say thanks for the NYT link! "Thrashed" clothing -- very interesting, although I think I will leave it to others, and embrace visible mending. The article made me realize that I prefer wear and care to wear and tear.

Jaime

Intriguing to be influenced by the show that way, and I have to say, as preserver of damaged goods, quite vindicated by the trend toward battered goods. But anyway, I especially like #4 and #7. How did you feel about the collar there? I do like the look of the pendant but it is uncomfortable and you don't like it so it is out!

Yes, Jaime, I feel a kindred spirit in you as a fellow rescuer of misfit/abandoned garments.

Re: the collar in #7, it did not bother me nearly as much. Maybe partly because the top is more detailed (pintucks, etc.), but also, I am noticing that I like to put my shirt collars on the *outside* of my shawl collar toppers, sort of like a popped collar but more spread open than upright, if that makes sense. And I like that openness at the neckline much better than just the straight upside-down V of the collar in #5 (oh hey, you can see that I did that semi-popped-collar thing in #6 that I liked a lot better). Anyway, the burgundy cardi doesn't have the structure to support that particular arrangement. So.

Lisa

Pretty pendant necklace, a bummer it didn't work, but that's part of what fashion is all about, experimentation!

It's fun to see how your analysis is helping you craft a targeted shopping list for future additions to your wardrobe. I find shopping very enjoyable when I have a carefully curated list, because I know the item will be a good fit for my wardrobe. Don't get me wrong, impulse items can be fun too, but purposely added items often get my highest CPW numbers over time.

Your formula of long top over slim bottom is going strong and it's a lovely silhouette on you.

I like the tonal look of #5, you look great in berry colors. Layering berry colors is extra fab! I do think this outfit has less textural interest (no printed bottom, similar colors on top) which might be why it felt flat? The #6 option has greater contrast and is also a nice combination.

#7 is excellent layering, one of my favorite's you've posted with this challenge so far because you have textural interest and colorful interest with this outfit.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

#4 is the standout! Queen Fair Isle does it again

LOVED Silo! Both seasons were excellent. For me it was a Battlestar Gallactica and The Handmaid's Tale HYBRID. Compelling and well written. The Swedish lead is awesome! I am also still thinking about the hectic, thought provoking situation.....

Sooooo I can see the show's influence in #7! Lots of "thrown together" layers that work and look arty

The burgundy blouse does look a little bit. You can wear it like a kimono topper over a dress or tank in the Summer, if you like that idea. Or pop it under a fitted layer like a short vest, cardigan or jacket.

Cute sock matching in #3!

Brooklyn

I absolutely love no 4. You wear that look so well, Ms Snow Queen.

I agree with ditching the pendant in no 1. I think the heavy collar is a statement and is a substitute for a necklace. If I were to wear a pendant with it, I would go longer and heavier to make it more in keeping with the heaviness of the neckline, if that makes any sense. But just wearing a crossbody bag, as you do here, gives the tunic the same structure as a necklace provides.

I also like the interesting layering in 7!

Lisa oh good point about there being less textural interest in #5. I bet that's part of it too. Thank you for the kind words about #7, that was such a fun one for me!

Angie, good idea, maybe I'll experiment with that berry colored shirt as a topper when the weather warms up. Fun to find out that you are also a Silo fan and YES Rebecca Ferguson gives such a great performance!

Brooklyn I agree about the collar of the sweater being the statement. I am kind of intrigued by the idea of a longer pendant but would you believe that's the longest chain I own? The bulk of the sweater really shortens where it hits! Good point about the effect of the crossbody bag, I had not thought of that but I think you're right!

Thanks for looking, all!

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