Fall prompt challenge (take 2): black+cognac

I've been "off" of black for at least a decade, probably longer. Black does NOTHING for my coloring; it makes me appear sickly and pale(er). However, as I processed my navel-gazing reflection about style persona and my desire to appear breezy, edgy, adventurous, and refined, I discovered it is difficult to appear "edgy" when my darkest wardrobe pieces are navy and brown. So, I started bringing in bits of "soft black" (who am I kidding? It's more like slate grey...) in hopes of adding the edgy element I am craving. I didn't feel like wearing any of my "soft black" in the wretched summer heat, but today we FINALLY got a break in the weather - WOOHOO!

Today's prompt is black with cognac; a combo I've been really drawn to for fall. Having the prompt was REALLY helpful, because I could instantly narrow my selection (only one black pullover), and put more thought into accessorizing (which I did rather poorly here, but it was nice to have the time to at least think about it )

Today's weather: 64F and rain

Today's activities: morning errands; afternoon video conferences

Today's outfit: thrifted skinnies, Star Wars pullover, grey bootie, stone jewelry. I started with my hair down and wearing my moto jacket, but decided a topknot and water-resistant vest were better for the weather. Plus, no outfit is complete without something green.
Happiness factor: 10/10. Not a stellar (or killer) outfit by any means, but it feels close to the vibe I'm after, and is perfect for a rainy day of errands and dev meetings.

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Custom Find

by nemosmom

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Nordstrom

J Brand 'Maria' High Rise Skinny Stretch Jeans

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by nemosmom

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Nordstrom Rack

Lucky Brand Brintly Leather Ankle Bootie

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by nemosmom

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Nordstrom

Cargo Leather Biker Jacket

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5 years ago

Bonnie

Veteran

Wow, you really do look perfectly "breezy, edgy, and adventurous" in this cool outfit. The soft black is really working to give it that edge that navy doesn't have and everything works so well together. I really like it!!

Sara L.

I really like the color of those skinnies and they look great on you. I think you did a good job of getting the vibe of your style persona with this outfit.

nemosmom

Thanks, Bonnie and SaraL! I am happy to hear the persona elements are showing up!

Anonymous

Love it- and think I want pants that color as a jeans alternative!

Suz

(website)

The skinnies must look great with your hair -- making everything cohesive.

Thanks, suntiger! The color actually works as a great neutral with my earthtones, I am finding. I love it with navy, every shade of green, chocolate, and especially burgundy/plum. These are jeans so it's a win-win for me!

Yes, Suz, they match my hair! I love that I could wear just about any other color with them and still look cohesive. I thrifted these along with a corduroy midi skirt in a similar shade, and am excited to play with some looks.

rachylou

Grey is really the perfect answer for edge without black. Yes.

Brooklyn

Looks great NM!

Dumb question, but if you like black but not near your face, why not wear it on your bottom half?

Angie

Fashion Stylist

Slate charcoal grey is your black! Works like a charm.

You don't need to wear any black to have an edgy style! Hard edged and Tough style needs a bit of black though. Maybe that's what you mean?

Thanks, rachy! I think grey fills my need.

Brooklyn, not a dumb question! Solid black feels harsh and too contrast-y to me, even in a pant or skirt. When I wear it, I feel like the FIRST thing you see is the black item and it feels too...loud?? My hair color is loud enough, that it’s like too much stimulation or... something.... I have black otk boots in holding, maybe I’ll give them a spin for this challenge and see what you all think.

Angie - edgy style can be achieved without black? How do you differentiate tough and edgy? Tell me more! Maybe I don’t know the difference...

My dear Nemosmom, you're assuming that all edgy style is HARD EDGE & Tough. It's not! That's just one type of Edgy style

Edgy Style means: on the edge/fringe/unique/avant-garde/arty/irregular juxtaposition/bold/fashion forward.

Read this:

https://youlookfab.com/2014/01.....dgy-style/

Hope that helps.

Cee

Lovely to the point of beer on a hot day.

Jaime

There is some tension between breezy and edgy and also between refined and adventurous, but you have pulled it off remarkably well. (The tension is what makes it interesting.) Will be rereading Angie's edgy post soon!

Gads, Angie! I guess in my mind edgy was only the tough kind. The info in your post is rich and gives me lots to ponder. I still have so, so much to learn.

Cee- too funny!

Shevia- thank you I am finding it surprisingly difficult to bridge the chasm between creating an outfit and just getting dressed!!

RobinF

Great outfit! Even though I like black, I agree that sometimes it is too harsh, dark gray is the perfect answer to that. I like the way your booties look with the sweater and fun color jeans.

Bijou

Beautiful outfit, your jeans are so lovely and how wonderful that they match your hair.

Glad the post was helpful Nemosmum, and you are doing great - AS LONG AS YOUR REDHEADED SELF MILKS THOSE EARTH TONES!

Bossy me over and out

Thank you, Bijou!

It was super helpful, Angie! I am more grateful than you know :). Boss away!!

smittie

Nice! I really like the colour-blocking you've got going on here.
I'm into soft black too. I have a couple of pieces, and I find they're much better on me than regular black.

Style Fan

I love the colour of your pants!!! They are gorgeous with your hair. The soft black is a great alternative to black. Green is always necessary. I agree.

SarahD8

Your persona is absolutely coming through here. And that outfit is sooooo flattering on you!!!

I think off black can be even better for a tough-edgy look than jet black. Black-black can be very crisp iykwim -- that might be related to the "too loud" quality that you are noticing? In any case, I think you've found an excellent strategy here.

Jenni NZ

Home from work and having a little relax and read. I just read Angie’s 2014 “edgy” thread and the related forum discussion. I don’t feel at all edgy, I suppose my couple of pairs of more stompy boots would be the closest.
I like what you’ve done here NM, but one thing confuses me a little: I don’t see what’s that different between the jeans in this post and the rust-coloured pants you decided to edit out after your first prompt post? Yes, the colour was a little different, maybe one is called pants and one called jeans but they don’t have that different a vibe to me?
Please explain?

StyleFan and SarahD8 - thank you!

JenniNZ - thanks! Re: the pants v. jeans - one is the Zara mid-rise straight leg cropped trouser (wool and poly blend), the JBrand jeans are a high-rise skinny leg, ankle length cotton blend... they are slimmer and more rigid feeling - which may be my preference since I like wear them with bulkier pieces on top (loose pullovers, boxy toppers). Maybe the pants felt dressier to me, where the jeans are more casual?

Mirjana

Beautiful outfit, lovely on you.

Thank you Nemosmom, it helps to see them next to each other. I suppose the jeans are more casual. Not by that much though and I’m sorry but I feel a bit like Anne Hathaway’s character
(Andi?) in The Devil Wears Prada where she can’t see the difference between the belts, which leads to Miranda Priestly’s famous “cerulean” speech

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