What I wore: burgundy cords, charcoal reindeer cardigan (as pullover)

Outdoor version (not pictured): black stompy boots, blue puffer, teal everyday bag

New piece(s): burgundy cords, charcoal reindeer cardigan

Assessment of new piece(s) — fit, etc.:

burgundy cords: These are probably my favorite cords currently. They fit well and I like the slim straight cut. I also really like the color (which is going to read as purple or brown in the pic but is actually a relatively dark version of “my” cool-toned burgundy).

charcoal reindeer cardigan: I mostly like wearing this as a pullover these days. I love the reindeer print and the unusual button arrangement. I also really like the lower hem in the back (hmmm, I see a theme developing here), I think it adds a nice element of structure and works well with the low-waisted pants that I favor. I do not like the way the collar goes up and in – currently I am using safety pins to keep it open as I prefer, I should tack the collar down with a few stitches for a more permanent solution.

Is the outfit elevated/cohesive/refined? Eh…not really. The outdoor version was especially meh. (I mean I was just picking up an item from the little grocery store three blocks away but still!)

Where is the contrast? There is color contrast but no contrast in value, silhouette, or register – none of the aspects of contrast that I’m most interested in exploring right now. This outfit is a good example of what I was talking about in my challenge intro post when I said that it is easy to put on a top of one color and a bottom of another (gamine dynamism), but wind up with an outfit that feels slapdash and unfinished. Overall this outfit is a miss for me.

I wish I owned A more stylish throw-on-and-go coat (right now I tend to default to my gear puffer for quick outings which is not very stylish and is also showing wear).

A very short necklace that would sit inside the neckline of this sweater. A black-and-silver Sami choker!

I would have rather worn…(& why) Different shoes. The black patent stompy boots were basically a default/they were sitting there by the door choice. But they didn’t feel fab. These pants are too wide to tuck into short boots but too narrow to really work over them. What sort of footwear DO I want to wear with these pants and pants of a similar cut? Maybe loafers/brogues? Or a pair of slip-on clogs?

How else could I wear the new item(s)? I really like the idea of chunky, folkloric/traditional sweaters with dressy bottoms. Like, a Shetland/fair isle sweater with a lace skirt. Or this reindeer-print sweater with wool tweed pants…. (I do have a pair of tweed trousers that I bought last year, but they’re too big at the moment and I’ve also realized that I don’t prefer their bootcut/flare hem.)

I need to think a bit more about how I’d like to wear the corduroy pants. I am a bit “off” corduroy at the moment and am more drawn to velvet. I wonder if that’s partly because velvet often reads as dressier so it’s easier to create that contrast in register that I’m craving. So maybe the trick is to wear corduroy with a top that feels more on the dressy side or has some sheen — a silk or silk-cotton top, perhaps?

Thanks as always for looking!