January 30x30 outfit 13 blue suit and black

Day 16 of the challenge. Today, I was wearing my blue suit (fitted peplum jacket and straight trousers in stretch wool). I usually wear these pieces as separates with red bottom/top, beige or white trousers etc. The blue from top to toe is a little outside my comfort zone. I normally wear black suits.

I have been inspired by Sterling and all you ladies who wear blue and black combinations. It is new to me. I wear the suit with a black stretch top, black shiny suede oxfords shoes and a black patent leather handbag. I added a colourful silk scarf in red/pink/blue/grey polka dot pattern (No 1).

Since my goal is to make outfits incorporating all my existing clothes and shopping my closet, I tried another outfit with this suit and used a grey/orange patterned silk blouse (almost a wardrobe orphan), grey boots and my grey handbag (No 2).

I am quite happy about No 1, but not so much about No 2 - perhaps it is the blouse, the colours which are not the best for my colouring...

What do you guys think? Do you have any idea what would work with the blouse? I am grateful for honest feedback, ideas or whatever comes to mind.

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8 years ago

Anonymous

I like both outfits sooo much. The second is not as dramatic, but the light grey with that beautiful blouse seems like the right choice. Maybe the bag needs an orange Pom-pom or even the scarf from 1 tied to it to repeat the color in the blouse. That suit is stunning on you.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

ooooh, another fabulous outfit, Katerina. And how fun to see a suit - and a peplum too. I have a slight preference for #1 - to your point, the palette is better with your complexion.

Navy and black are gorgeous together.

Mainelady

Veteran

I think both suit outfits are gorgeous! #1 is my favorite, due to the bold scarf. I also like #2 very much. I think the blouse and jacket look very nice together. I like Joy’s suggestion of adding a bold color accent to your bag, or maybe carrying a bag with more color would make a difference to your happiness factor.

Katerina

Thank you Joy for your kind comments and for your advice. It seems that I will need to buy these pompons you guys are all wearing after all

Thank you Angie for your kind compliments and for your advice.

Brooklyn

Wow, these are great. I have a slight preference for 1, like Angie. Katerina, I hope you are going to do a big post at the end so we can see all your outfits together. They are very inspiring.

Janet

More admirable outfits! I also prefer 1, and understand what you mean about the colors. I am often attracted to those lighter colors, but look better in more saturated hues. I think you and I may have similar coloring, at least hair and skin tone.

Jaime

I think they are both super. I see what you are thinking about the second color scheme, but the blouse is very interesting. Perhaps with a lighter jacket?

SarahD8

I like them both! I do find 1 a particular stunner. With 2, I feel that the top half of the outfit may be a little short? I wonder if you would like that jacket-top combo better with a skirt.

rachylou

I had the same thought about 2, the top half being a little short. Or to put it another way, maybe something to keep the eye moving beyond the blouse...

karen13

Agreeing with all that both are great and 1 is best. I like the untucked blouse in 2, but agree with SarahD8 and Rachy that the length may be why it is not quite as great as 1 - the high contrast shortens the leg line more (see I've been paying attention!). I like Joy's idea of another orange accent - maybe a solid or coordinating scarf tied to the bag handle if you don't want a pompom?

Mainelady, thank you for the nice comments! I agree, there should be more colour in No2, a colorful bag would be much better. Unfortunately, all my larger bags are in neutrals - I will keep my eyes open for a colourful larger satchel. A red would be nice...

Angie, Brooklyn, Janet and Shevia, thank you very much, you are so kind. I totally agree about the colours.

Yes, Janet. We seem to have similar coloring indeed! That is why I would love to have many of your pieces

Brooklyn, thanks for your very kind comments, it makes me happy you follow my outfits and honored that you think they are inspiring. I love your style and outfits as well! I will post all the outfits together in the end.

SaraD8, Rachylou and Karen13 - thank you for your noticing the length issue - I have not thought of it at first, but now I see it quite clearly. It has been very helpful. The jacket is shorter than my favourite length and the blouse is longer than the jacket. I tucked in the blouse in the back to shorten it to the same length as the jacket.

Toban

Both are lovely outfits. You look great in blue!

I really like the top in #2, it has subtle drama. I suspect that you might want a bit more drama or contrast with it. A couple options might be to try a Burgundy/red shoe to pull out the color of the top or go metallic with shoe and/or bag? I think adding shine or color in shoes or bag will make this top more appealing in your wardrobe.

Thanks Toban! I can picture the outfit in my head with metallic bag or/shoes - it would look much better. A larger metallic bag will be next on my shopping list. It would be a very useful addition to my wardrobe.

tulle

Another winner, Katerina. Love the cut of that jacket, and your flare with the scarf. I agree that #1 seems more like you, though the pattern of the shirt in #2 is interesting. Have you tried leaving the top one or two buttons open, and tying the tie low and loose, or leaving it untied, rather than in a bow?

lyn67

Love the peplum suit both stylings nr 1 fallish, nr 2 springy. To my eyes don't see a problem with nr 2 (loved you put on grey shoes for that one). Perhaps if using a darker bag then the blouse will be the one lighter accent in the outfit as so beautiful it deserves special attention!:-)

I studied the two photos side by side for a while. I agree with you, the first WIW is powerful. There is a "crispness" and "sharpness" about it that speak to confidence and strength. When I look at the second WIW that crispness fades. I think it might have something to do with the colors of the blouse. I'll go back and read others comments to see what they have to say.

By the way, your experiment with black and navy seems to be a success. How did you feel wearing it? I was uncomfortable at first and then one day it just spoke it me.

One last thought. You dress with artistic drama. That drama has to be a reflection of your personality. You could not pull it off as flawlessly as you do if it wasn't part of you. I believe I am not only seeing your clothing ensembles, I am seeing your personality shine through in your choices.

Thank you Tulle, Lyn67 and Sterling for the great feedback and for taking your time to look and analyse.

Tulle, I will try to play with the blouse, to have it untied or tied low and loose may create a line to prolong the look. Thank you for the idea.

Thank you Lyn67, I agree. A darker bag might be better - definitely worth trying.

Sterling, thank you for the thoughtful and careful analysis, it is very helpful and generous of you! Interesting that you and other forum members consider my style to be dramatic, I have been totally lucking self awareness in this sense. Always considered myself being "classic" or "modern classic" LOL! It is first now, as I joined YLF and received all the feedback from Angie and all you Fabbers, it has occurred to me that "dramatic" might be my predominant style - funny! I love dramatic, feels good And thank you very much for getting me trying the navy/black combination - it feels really good and it opens a lot of new combinations.

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