I went on a shopping spree! Some thoughts and some photos.

I've been going on an on about needing to do some shopping (especially for winter) for a while now. And I have also been in a bit of a style quandary - I came to YLF a few months looking for some tips and found myself questioning my whole style direction.

Anyways.. after a couple of false starts (a few shopping trips where I bought nothing) I went shopping today and decided to buy a whole bunch of things to bring home and try to style. I really attempted to step out of my comfort zone - I bought colours as well as some things that I would never normally try like a shorter skirt.

Please forgive the dodgy photos - no makeup, hair is a mess and the photos are really blurry!

And please note that I really haven't styled any of these properly - the pics are just for the purpose of showing you what I bought.

1. This jersey dress as well as the boots. This pic doesn't look great - I thought it looked better in real life, although I do think I need to wear some shapewear underneath. The boots I think are fab - I do think I will get loads of wear out of them!

2. This teal cotton knit high-low top and a short skirt... hubby has been nagging me to wear a shorter skirt for ages. And I love the colour of the teal knit. I would probably only wear this with opaque tights though

3. Same high-low top, just black - and a grey and black patterned skirt. This feels more me...

4. I am really not convinced by this grapey coloured top - I did think it looked better in real life, but looking at the photo - well I don't love it.

5. This military styled jacket - I thought maybe the shoulders were a little broad, but overall I like it.

Any thoughts appreciated!

This post has 5 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

13 years ago

Rambling Ann

(website)

Veteran

Teal and black, and the grey and black are my faves. Like to see the shorter skirt and boots too.

kkards

i think the red color looks great on you, not as sure about the jersey dress.
#2 is my fav, but i like the tops in 4 & 5 as well, but i'm not sure about the bottoms in these pictures.

lyn67

1. Boots are absolutely fab!!! And I also like the dress! You can wear shapeware or a ful slip as well, that will make wonders, I know from myself.
2. Teal is great colour on you but feel the sweatter a smidge too big! The pencil is G.O.R.G.E.O.U.S. and please wear with nude hose, too-(opaques also good, of course) you have fab legs, why not to show them! Hubby has great eyes! Trust him! Very feminine, sleek and sexy looking! WOW!!
3. Same sweatter in black seems smaller so much more of your size and love! Is it the drape falling different or why? Love the maxi, too:-)
4. Purple sweatter-one has to have some variety-I love the grape stripey color and I trust your real life opinion! I guess people will see you IRL more than in picties, right?:-)
5. Military style jacket-looks like a versatile piece. If you wear many casuals, I say keep this, too.
See what others say, but great haul, Hil, enjoy your purchases!:-)

Nicole D

#2 is my favorite outfit - I have one just like it in my closet. #3 is great too. I like the military jacket. I am not in love with the dress - it looks a bit boxy to me, maybe with a belt? In the other outfits I commend you for trying the tough-to-pull-off "volume over volume " look but I feel like you are a bit overwhelmed. You have lovely legs - I hate to see them hidden. Are you an apple? I am and I have to admit that when I put my volume on top and keep the bottom slim, I look more balanced. Overall good haul!

nancylee

Outfits #2 and #3 are my hands-down favorites. I agree with kkards that the red color in #1 is great for you, but the dress shape isn't the most flattering. I understand your ambivalence about the purple top in #4....it's perfectly fine but not a 10.

The military jacket in #5 looks fun...and could be very useful. I know I wear my army green jacket often since the color serves as a neutral. I don't think the shoulders are too wide at all, but if they bother you could you try it in a smaller size just for comparison?

Transcona Shannon

Outfits #2 and #3 are just fabulous Hil - the colours and proportions are just perfect IMO. I really like the top in #4 as well but perhaps not paired with the wide leg trousers. I bet if you paired the grape top with the skirt in #2, it would look stunning. I like the military style jacket but am wondering if it's a smidge too long?

Love the boots in outfit #1 - definitely keep. I'm afraid I have a bit of a poison eye for sweater type dresses so will leave the dress in #1 to more expert opinions.

Good shopping!

Hil

Thanks for all the comments so far!

I did think the purple top would look nice with the shorter skirt - I will keep the tags and try it a few time before I decide. With those wide pants, I know it's not ideal!

Mixed reviews on the red dress. Hubby loves it, one friend that I showed it too likes it too, other friend, not so much. Another thing I will take under consideration.

The boots look really nice with the shorter black skirt.

I wouldn't wear the green jacket with those pants IRL - I am thinking more with jeans and that sort of thing. I do wear a lot of casual clothing both for work and running round after kids in the arvie, so the shorter skirt is quite a departure from the norm for me.

Expect lots of WIW's in the next few days as I try to wear the clothes!

Ingunn

A lot of goodies in your bags, for sure! I love the boots, and I think red is gorgeous on you. Maybe you could find a dress that makes you feel more fab in red? If you need to wear shape wear with it, it might get less wear. I know I'm like that. I also think teal and the shorter skirt is beautiful - your husband is right. No need for black tights only, your legs are really good looking. I agree with Shannon about the purple top and the military jacket. Both have great potential with a few small tweaks.

Suz

You look so wonderful in teal! I hope you will keep that top and wear the heck out of it! I also like the black shorter skirt. Is the skirt made of knit? If it is, you might find it more practical for kid-runs than you expect. A ponte knit can be forgiving yet sturdy and really work well for casual wear. And a shorter one with tights and flat boots like the ones you've bought can feel casual.

I like you in red as well, but agree this dress doesn't show you at your best, at least in the photo. But the boots are fab! I like the jacket, too, if the fit is right.

CocoLion

Love 2, 3 and 5. Also, the boots!

Not sure about the dress in #1. I like the purple top in #4 as well, but not as much as the teal and black ones shown in 2 and 3 which are fantastic on you.

Beth Ann

#2 is a real stunner, Hil. #3 is gorgeous as well. I second Shannon that the grape top works, but the proportions might work best with another bottom. I like the safari jacket a lot for your style, but it seems a little long. Perhaps with jeans this won't be an issue.

Love the boots -- these will get lots of wear. The red dress is good, but not best. I think there's a red dress out there for you!

Caro in Oz

I love #2 & the boots. You look great in the short length skirt imo.
The black top looks good too - I'd like to see it with slimmer pants.
I like the shape of the purple top but I don't think the colour looks as good as the teal or black - too muted maybe?

Ok... well the red, purple and the military jacket are going back (I bought them at Mr Price - Angie says this is the SA version of Forever 21) and I have decided that the quality on the jacket just isn't great - I took it out to wear today and noticed a seam pulling loose that I hadn't noticed yesterday.

The rest of the items were bought at Woolworths and they're staying. I love the jacket though, so I think I am going to keep shopping for a better version. I think I saw one at Cotton On which may be a better idea.

Suz - the shorter skirt is a ponte knit and it feels fabulous on - just need to get used to the idea of my knees being visible

Marley

Hil - you've got absolutely gorgeous legs! Wear more skirts that length!

unfrumped

You have GOT to keep wearing the shorter skirts. You look fab, and that is more you--you need to adjust your eyes! The teal is a beautiful color on you. Your legs look great nude-- I am a nude hose-wearer for my "nude" leg, but that is up to you. Dark tights are an option for winter, but you don't need them to make the outfit work, and especially not for spring and summer.

Category