February challenge - Day 1 - YouLookFab Forum

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February challenge - Day 1

anchie

Veteran

I started this challenge with a struggle, with my least favorite blazer that I never know how to style. I don’t wear much gray even though in theory it should be great with my gray hair. It just doesn’t make me happy. But I convinced my self that gray blazer is essential for office, that it will go with so much. Well, it doesn’t. I don’t like how it mutes my brights and with neutrals it just looks drab and boring. So here it is, with my dark burgundy faux leather pants, leather Converse high tops and old Banana Republic layering sweater. Is this the best I could do with it? Not sure. Today is a quiet day in the office, and lunch with my two girlfriends, so casual is OK. Any feedback more than welcome.

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Banana Republic

Washable Merino Ribbed Sweater

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31 replies

Latest reply was from rachylou

Sisi

Veteran

It's a nice blazer, it fits you very well, I like the outfit but ... I know, if something does not make you happy it does not make you happy. I suggest to try some other combinations and then decide.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Well it *looks* great Anchie. I don’t know what to suggest. I force myself to wear things sometimes and then sometimes I end up wearing them lots. It’s getting over my internal resistance to them in this circumstance?
I don’t think it looks boring?

Star

Veteran

I think it looks really good with these colours. Not boring at all. Funny, in contrast to you, now that my hair is silver I am really enjoying grey, although I find I prefer very light grey, and do prefer to add a pop of colour somewhere. I think you have made an excellent outfit here.

kkards

Veteran

Is the the best you can do with it? Not sure,
BUT, this is pretty gosh darn good! Love the sneakers with the leather pants and blazer…give a modern classic look!

and wow I’m impressed that you started with a “problem”, I always started with something easy…and work my way into the harder things.

jussie

Veteran

I think it looks nice, and the white sweater under works really well. I’d call it a success! I know what you mean about grey though; it seems to be hit and miss for me too, sometimes it makes me feel very drab. If it’s the wrong shade of grey in the wrong fabric it brings out the worst in my hair color; makes the silvery bits of hair look very… dull, and makes the blonde bits look yellow. It can be a real clash.
However I don’t see that problem in your outfit! Cute shoes too.
I’m not sure if you wear pink, but I like to put light grey with soft pink, maybe that will come in handy for you.

Anonymous

It looks good to me! I like grey with brights like citron and pinks, but there's a wide variety of greys. Some are just pure black/white combos while others have traces of greens, blues, etc. That makes a big difference in how they're best combined for different seasonal types.

Here's a podcast about different sorts of greys that explains it https://www.chrysaliscolour.com/episode-26-grays/

Janet

(website)

Veteran

It looks really nice, and the outfit definitely works! How about a bag in a color, or a scarf to pull in a bit more color, if you’re feeling like this is too muted for you.

I get it though — classic blazers can read staid, especially in a neutral. I think your styling with the casuals shoes and the scrunched sleeves helps elevate the blazer, but it’s really about whether you feel good in it.

Tanya

Veteran

The the outfit looks very good to me, great job styling it. I also get hat you are saying about not liking the color that much. Perhaps try it with something bright and cheery, like yellow or citron? Yellow and grey is a pretty fun combo.

cat2

Veteran

In addition to pairing it with citrus brights, it would also be great over a column of black with fun tights.

anchie

Veteran

I did try wearing it with citron before but it somehow did not feel crisp enough for my taste. This morning I also tried it with shocking pink sweater insted, but also, did not like it. Maybe this is a wrong shade of gray for me?

Joy

Veteran

I agree with others that the blazer looks good on you...great fit. I understand about the grey color. I have too much grey but am done trying to match up greys. For years it has taken the place of brown as a neutral. I try to freshen it with optic white. I wear it most in the spring with light colors but it is a depressing color that does not spark joy. For awhile charcoal grey looked ok, but that is when my coloring was darker. I prefer whites or taupe to grey, depending on hair color.

Runcarla

Veteran

I’ve become used to seeing you in bright combos, so there’s that association, and perhaps even an expectation that that’s what you’ll share with us. (Kind of like Angie sharing an OOTD consisting of neutrals in her hair update post, when we’ve become used to COLOUR.)https://youlookfab.com/welookf.....and-a-trim

Looking at this outfit I see nothing but a fabulous combination with attention to fit and subtle details - whether purposefully curated, or accidentally because it is your habit to care. The jacket fit is perfection. The sweater exudes comfy chic. The trousers are luxurious. The sneakers are insouciant and provide the perfect juxtaposition to a dressy ensemble while perfectly bookending the sweater.

This outfit may not be as energizing as something more colourful, however you project subtle confidence. Carry on!

Roberta

Veteran

I agree that gray can be very tricky. Sometimes a medium gray seems to skew English public school uniform, but if you go a little darker, it just looks like faded black. I do think this outfit is tremendous.

I'm interested that you tried it with a hot pink top, which would have been my suggestion, and didn't like it. I am inclined to think this blazer is just not the right shade for you. Because the cut, and what you've paired it with, is really great.

April

Veteran

Gray is trickier than it seems because it has so many tones. If you've ever bought artist-grade colored pencils, you know - you get about 8 different grays varying in coolness, warmth, darkness, and light.

I love the outfit, Anchie. But you're the one who has to wear the blazer, so...

slim cat

Veteran

It looks polished - perfect for the office. In terms of colors - printed scarf with some white/pink/black colors might be fun, broach , colorful bag, switching white sweater to some other color.
I can't do grey - washes me out completely ( soft light grey works for me but doesn't feel right for work ).

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I think this is a dynamite outfit! The gray blazer and creamy sweater light up your face and hair. Your lip color complements the outfit, too. I think the dark burgundy pants and white sneakers are fab with it, too.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

The outfit looks great

The blazer is a beautiful fit! I'd try bright pink with it, and bright shoes to match.

Cardiff girl

Veteran

Looks nice to me but l know what you mean about grey.Bright neons like pink and yellow can really lift grey in my opinion.

judy

Veteran

I do love the grey jacket with your hair! And the fit is gorgeous. Maybe pair it with an element of surprise if it doesn't excite you...a scarf in a color you love? and/or a baggier pant ?

SW Ann

Veteran

I think the outfit is nice. The jacket fits well, and it does look beautiful with your hair. If you have it, could you try a column of color underneath--like the creamy white you have, or some other pant and blending, or matching top.? It might "spark more joy". Just an idea.

LaPed

Veteran

It's a lovely outfit and reads as quite effortless to me! I could be wrong, but I associate your outfits with high contrast and pops of bright colour: citron, red/orange, etc. Perhaps add a bright handbag or a scarf? I feel like a splash of red or pink somewhere could lift the burgundy and bring out the subtle colours in this outfit.

MsMaven

Veteran

I thought gray would make a good neutral with my gray hair, but a couple of years ago I banished it and returned to camel.

This is a great outfit and looks so good as you have it. For me, I wouldn't be able to resist a colorful scarf or necklace/pendant and if I had one, a colorful bag.

Maybe it's the season? Gray in winter is one thing--I need cheerful on gray days. Better on a sunny spring day.

Jules

Veteran

I think your hair looks really nice with your brights! This is a nice outfit too. Agree with other suggestions to swap out the white layer for pink, orange, yellow?

Barbara Diane

Veteran

I think the outfit is quite good but obviously you don’t feel that it is quite you. I was also thinking a scarf, a necklace, or more color somewhere. But I was also thinking that perhaps you could try even stronger contrast with your lipstick.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I love it on you, Anchie -- the whole outfit! But I'm guessing you are missing that pop of colour, so I'd do what others have suggested -- try to find a way to incorporate that.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I also find grey difficult despite (or because of) my hair. But I think this outfit looks great - I really like the sneakers that balance the somewhat conservative cut of the blazer. But a splash of bright something somewhere might make you like it even better.

lyn67

Veteran

I am a neutral girl deep in my heart (especially for work!)- so you can bet I like it!!! Esp. love your accented with whites - and so not boring to me at all, but if you feel too neutral, you can always pair the blazer with brights-like you probably already did in the past-an loved better(?).

ETA, it's a moody grey? then citron will not really match-as too cool and light...hm...the color has to be then more staurated and warmer instead like a classic green of pantone 2023? or a tomato red?

Kyle

Veteran

Archie, have you tried the grey blazer with bright yellow underneath? I seem to remember you wearing a yellow like that before.

cheryl

Veteran

You look fantastic!

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