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I am an idiot!

Kristen

(website)

Veteran

I thought you guys would appreciate this...

I put together an unusual outfit this morning, pairing two different types of black-and-white striped tops. I wasn't quite sure if it worked, but I really liked it so I went for broke.

As I walked into the office, outside in the sun, I glanced down at my shirt.

One of the tops is navy-and-white. NAVY, NOT BLACK.

It was SO obvious in the sunlight! I've had that top for months, and never knew until that moment that it was navy. ACK!

So I ran into the restroom and buttoned up the cardigan to hide the navy striped top. Luckily the cardigan is oversized so it works. Not the outfit I wanted to be in, of course!

SIGH.

Could you have seen the two different shades before it was too late?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/k.....703503771/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/k.....otostream/

17 replies

Latest reply was from Sihaya

Vani

Veteran

I looked very closely and still couldn't tell Kristen. I'm sure it look bad at all?

Chris

You are NOT an idiot. I am sure we have all done similar things at some point.

Indoor light is so different and from the pics I can't tell that one top is navy.

There are times in stores I have to look at description on tag to see if item is navy or black - some shades are just tough.

Laura

(website)

Veteran

In the first photo, I can't tell at all that one top is navy. In the second photo, I can see what you mean! But it sounds like you took it in stride -- it's all part of taking fashion risks, right??

I do like the layering effect of both striped tops, though, if it makes you feel any better

Anonymous

I was once stupid enough to buy identical shoes in black and in navy. After looking down to see myself wearing 2 different shoes too many times when it was too late to do anything, I put a big N in the navy and B in the black with marker.

Tangee

Member

I couldn't tell from the pictures that it was navy either. But hey, it happens to the best of us. I've once worn a sweater to work inside out....and just the other day I accidentally put on my tennis skirt backwards. I didn't notice until I was out on the courts playing! oh well, at least it makes for a great story!

Alecia

Veteran

I couldn't tell. Don't be so hard on yourself, lady! This reminds me of an outfit snafu I had a couple weeks ago. I was busy trying on different tops when I realized I had to run to catch the bus. I ran out the door with a yellow cami, a white cardi, and a black bra. Oh no! Luckily, the cami had one of those shelf things and you couldn't really see the bra expect for in the strap area. Oh well.

JewelryGirl

Have to giggle with you as I've done this myself before! Since then, I make sure I know exactly what color something is - when I buy it I take it home & get it in the sunlight to make sure. Also, when matching up things if I think there's any chance at all I will stand in natural light. It's happened to all of us at one time or another whether we've known it or not I'm sure!

rute

Veteran

eh eh Joy such a funny story!

Kristen! You are not stupid, it's difficult to tell with the artificial lights!

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

I can confidently assure you I've done much, much worse... and even at that, I have a story to trump anything anyone on this forum will ever do!
At the guide dog school where I train, we have to get up first thing in the morning and all take our dogs outside at 5:30 a.m. One morning it was bucketing rain, so one student wisely decided to put on a rain coat...and unwisely didn't put anything on under it, not realizing the coat was completely see-through!!
So strut your stuff knowing that your stripetastic look is great on its own and even better by comparison!

Kristen

(website)

Veteran

LOL, thanks all!

I double-checked and it is extremely noticeable in natural light; I was joking about it with one of my co-workers (male) and before I even finished the story, he spotted the top underneath the cardigan and said, "That's blue."

Then he tried to get me to agree that black and navy ("blue") could be worn together, which leads me to think he's gotten dressed in the dark more than once himself. HEE!

Laura, knowing the layering worked DOES make me feel better! Except I can never wear it again!

Joy, that's an awesome story -- I'm laughing at you marking them with letters to tell them apart! Great solution.

Alecia, I feel your pain! I always try to wear neutral underthings if I think there is even the slightest chance one of my options that day will be sheer. I try on so much every morning I am sure I will mess that up soon!

MICHELLE OMG, BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!! They were probably saved by the fact that most of the other people there were also blind, weren't they?

April

Veteran

Kristen, I hope this story makes you feel better about shopping hazards:

Recently, I shared on "Where to Shop" that SmartBargains.com was having a one-day amazing sale on all premium denim. I rushed over and ordered two different pairs of white jeans and two in a dark wash. I got two sizes of each, figuring that one of each would fit me and the others would go back.

If you've ever bought premium denim (it's fairly new to me), you know that it's usually not sized like 0, 2, 4, 6 etc. but by waist size, so that sizes begin around a 23 or 24 and go up from there. I ordered two pairs from Rich & Skinny, 23 and 24, and two from Paige Premium, also 23 and 24.

Or so I thought. Imagine my surprise to open the package, pull out the jeans, and find that the Paige jeans follow regular sizing, and that I had carelessly neglected to note the little "W" in the size labeling. What I had ordered was a 24W.

I put them on to show my son the mistake I had made, and he hasn't stopped laughing. Now, let me say immediately that I do not find anything inherently humorous about plus-sized clothing or people of size. What was funny was how very wrong the jeans were on me. Just as silly-looking as me trying to wedge myself into a toddler-sized dress, or clomping around in my brother's size 13.5 shoes. The disproportion was funny, not the jeans themselves.

I briefly thought of posting a photo, but was concerned that it might be misunderstood and I would never risk hurting anyone's feelings in an attempt at humor. You'll have to picture it in your mind.

So Kristen, the navy/black issue is a totally understandable mistake. If you bought in a real store, the lighting was probably atrocious, and if you ordered it online, the website probably called the shade my pet-peeve, misleading, is-it-black-or-dark-blue color name: "Midnight."

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

April, that story cracked me up, and now I'm psyched to know that there's another premium brand that makes something in my size!! Sadly the 24's you ordered would be far too big on me, but Page Jeans, I'm lookin' at you!
Kristen, the poor girl was surrounded by blind students...and 100% sighted instructors. One of whom gently pointed out her mistake, with much embarrassment. I should add, too, that some guide dog users have a little sight. Certainly enough to tell what was going on!

Louise

Veteran

Nope couldn't tell the difference but i love the look of the 2 stripes together it's fab looks like the hunt is on for a black equivelent! x

Maya

Veteran

See Kristen, there are much dumber people out there than you Myself included! I am utterly colorblind (or neutralblind) when it comes to telling dark brown and black apart. For some reason I can only tell when I hold either color up to something white.

Anyway, I couldn't tell from the first picture, but in the closeups I can see it more clearly. So I wouldn't blame you if you couldn't tell. Honestly, who takes their clothes outside to look at them in the sun before buying them? Unless you want to get arrested.

medusa

Veteran

Kristen - I think it looks fine! Go easy on yourself...

shana

Veteran

Kristen, well it was a great idea (mixing stripe patterns)! I really can't tell and also have a hard time distinguishing between darker navy & black sometimes.

Funny because something like this happened to me today. I was rushing out the door to drop my son off at soccer camp and them heading to the gym. I spent some time walking on the treadmill and then headed to a yoga class. As I bend down to take off my shoes, I realize I am wearing two different shoes!!! They are both navy & white Reebok athletic shoes - one's a walking shoe and one is a cross trainer and while they are somewhat similar, you can definitely tell the difference. Boy, I felt like an idiot!!!

Sihaya

Veteran

Kristen - I'm guessing it looks more obvious in natural light than it does here. And even then, perhaps, not a bad combo. All - very funny reading your stories. I couldn't even start to relate the numerous wacky combo stories I've collected through my various faux pas. Welcome to being human Kristen