Help me style closet orphans

abc

Two items come to mind when I think of closet orphans:
1. Old Navy green utility vest - longer length w/cinch waist (adjustable)
2. Gap 1969 chambray shirt (slightly western vibe)

I've seen pics on Pinterest and am exploring those as options. I wanted to see if anyone on YLF had WIWs or inspiration pics that could help me style these pieces.

Thanks in advance!

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8 years ago

Dressing

10 replies

Latest reply was from christieanne

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I'd pair the vest with slim black pants and a sleeveless top maybe - and add some jewelry and strappy sandals - thinking it would be good to dress it up a bit to make it feel more feminine. In fact, I'd do something similar with both items - the shirt could be worn with a skirt and bold necklace.

8 years ago

Veteran

I saw another poster pair their best with a dress and it looked quite sharp. Maybe you can try sleeveless tops, too.

I had a similiar chambray shirt that ended up going to the goodwill so I'm afraid I'm not much help with that one. ..it seemed to me they'd go with almost any interesting bottom...colored/printed/white skinnies or ankle pants...but I could never make them work.

8 years ago

Veteran

**vest, not best

8 years ago

milehighstyle (Linda)

Veteran

I agree with Texstyle - I love pairing my chambray shirt with my full midi skirt or printed pencil skirt and a statement necklace. I would like to see the vest over a more casual dress, perhaps a t shirt style dress, but I'd have to see how the proportions look. It may be too long for that and slim pants are the way to go.

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8 years ago

Glory

Veteran

Those are both very nice items. I'm a work from home mom so very casual for me.
I like to wear my denim shirt with black ponte pants or white skinnies. I know some people enjoy denim on denim but I havent embraced that yet.
I would wear the vest with denim skinnies and a neutral tshirt in black, navy, or grey.

8 years ago

Aziraphale

Veteran

The army green vest could actually be a great spring piece -- it adds interest to an outfit (the "third piece"!) without adding a lot of extra bulk or warmth. I think army green looks best with black and/or white, although perhaps very dark charcoal or ink blue would work too. If I owned that vest, I'd wear it with a white tee shirt and slim black pants, or a black pencil skirt. If you have white jeans, it might also look really good with those and a black top.

As for the chambray shirt, I'm no help, I have a serious poison eye for them, lol.

8 years ago

kkards

Veteran

I'd wear the vest over a column of white, as aziraphale said, it would be a great way to add interest. actually, you could do the same with the chambray shirt.

8 years ago

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

I got a navy utility vest from BR this year - you can check my posts for some pictures if you want. Mine is less casual looking though thanks to the coating and color but still... I wore it with slim jeans and pants, pencil skirts, culottes, flares...
I struggle with denim shirt myself. I like it in inspiration pictures but every time I tried to style it I felt meh so no advice here

8 years ago

abc

Veteran

Thanks to all who weighed in!

I am wearing the denim shirt today with a trusty VC tube skirt in black, cognac sandals and an animal print scarf that picks up the color of the shoes. I don't feel super but I don't feel terrible either.

Gonna work on wearing the vest soon thanks to your suggestions.

Thanks again

8 years ago

christieanne

Veteran

Vest over a black and white or navy white striped/printed top would work. Actually I like olive green with florals and pink tones as well.
Olive plays well with black, navy, grey, pink and orange to my eye.

The vest is casual so fun for weekends or on the go outfits - over a tshirt dress or with jeans or slim pant/legging.

Glad your chambray shirt found an outfit! I like them on others styled with pencil skirts and dressy items to "casual" them down.

8 years ago

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