Keeping black to a minimum - YouLookFab Forum

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Keeping black to a minimum

christy

Veteran

In keeping with Angie's suggestion to lay off the black in my wardrobe, I tried to keep black to a minimum last week. I don't feel like this last week was as successful as my first week in no black - hoping you can tell me what worked and what didn't in these outfits!

A couple of questions:
1. I bought this SUPER cheap purple handbag (pics 1, 4 & 5) to see if purple worked with my closet before investing in a more expensive bag. I don't think it does, but is that just because it's a super cheap bag? Not sure what color to get this year...
2. Is it time to pass on the top in #2?
3. What do you think of the top in #4?

Outfit details to follow. As always, comments and suggestions for improvement are much appreciated!

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22 replies

Latest reply was from Aida

christy

Veteran

Outfit details:

1. Monday: I know what's on my shopping list - I simply MUST find another dress like this one. It is SO comfortable. None of my other dresses even come close. I think I pull this dress out about every other Monday (usually when I've eaten too much and not run enough over the weekend!).
2. Tuesday: I haven't worn this Loft wrap blouse in a while. What do you think? Worth keeping or is it time to pass it on?
3. Wednesday: A suit day. This is a Halogen suit that I bought last year at NAS. It's not my favorite - I think I'm going to try to find a replacement this year.
4. Thursday: I'd love to know what you all think of this blouse. There's a consignment store near my office that has some good quality items, but I wouldn't call anything there a screaming deal. I found this silk blouse (don't remember the brand, but it says it's made in Italy). I was originally thinking of pairing it with grey pants, but the black really worked better with it. The sleeves are too long, but I folded them up and did a faux french cuff that seemed to work.
5. Friday: another suit day (W - F were all more business formal days). Since it was a Friday, I tried to relax it a bit by wearing the blue tee under it.
6. Sunday: you all saw this one already, but I had to be honest that I went back to all black one day this week!

Deborah

Veteran

Christy, you do no wrong in my eyes! I love all of these. #1 is FABULOUS and the blouse in #4 is stunning. I like the purple color for you in the bag. Do you think its primarily because you are not used to seeing yourself with this color?

Lyn D.

Veteran

The purple bag is lovely and would go with many outfits (especially with black!)
Pics 1 and 6 are super-Fab.
Top in pic 2 is nice but calls attention to itself rather than you and the outfit as a whole, something about the pattern ?
Top in pic 4 looks stunning and the stronger colours seem to suit your colouring very well.

christy

Veteran

Thanks Deborah! I'm not sure exactly what it is. Maybe it's because what I really want is a brighter pop of color? I'm almost thinking an orange or red bag might work better than purple? I have multiple neutrals and this purple isn't quite a neutral, but isn't quite a *pop* either. I think I need something brighter.

sarah

Veteran

These are such pretty outfits, Christie. I can see why you love the dress in #1 - it's stunning. And I think that the silk blouse if gorgeous. Suits really suit you LOL! $6 is SOOOO great. I can just hear you getting to the end of the week and saying "screw it, I'm going to wear black". And that outfit really rocks. I think that you've made the blouse work in #2 - I'd pass it along only if you're tired of it. Terrific week, all in all!

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

I think all these outfits work Christy! The dress in #1 is fabulous; the blouse in #2 is absolutely beautiful in shape and colours; love the wide legged pantsuit in #3; another fantastic suit in #5; and #6 is just plain FUNKALICIOUS!!!

As for the purple handbag, I think the colour works - maybe it's just that exact handbag that's throwing you off?

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I like the purple, but when I see how well the green bag works with your neutral outfit, I wonder if orange might not make you happier. I love you in suits - including the one you are not so excited about - I think it looks great. I love the whole outfit in #4 including the new blouse. Can't decide about #2 - sorry!

Anonymous

Christy, you look so fab! You've had another great week! I love your new consignment store blouse! I think the faux French cuffs work just fine. I like the blouse in 2, too. It's a little short, maybe pair it with a skirt? It would look super with a denim skirt if you want to demote it to casual wear. IKWYM about the purple bag being "not quite a neutral" but "not quite a pop of color either". My first impression is that it's a really greyed down purple. I like your idea to try something in the red family. That will go great with your wardrobe, at least the part of it I've seen!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

You look wonderful, as always. I love that consignment blouse! The "cuff" seems to work well and you could always alter them if you decide you don't like it that way. It does work well with black but I think Claire is onto something clever.

Love the other outfits, too, especially #1, which is fantastic! What IS that wonderful drew, pray tell?

Amy

(website)

Veteran

Christy, you always look gorgeous and nicely put together. I like the purple bag, but do agree that a brighter color would be better.

christieanne

Veteran

As for handbags, the purple is fun for your lighter greys and blues. But I think investing in a nice red bag would be perfect for you. You do really rich neutrals so beautifully and red would standout as a color accent.

I like all of your outfits although I think blouse #2 is a little washed out color wise for you. LOVE your casual Rebel Black.

Scarlet

Veteran

A. You always look fabulous.
B. The top in 2 is nice, but it doesn't have me out of my seat like, e.g. the top in 4 or your navy top that I like so much.
C. If you don't already have a red bag, I would go for red or yellow before purple. I think purple can be nice too, but I think you are right that it is somewhere middling between neutral and pop.
I had to smile when I opened the first photo because it is a lot of black that is a fab dress, though, I can see why you want to find another. This week my favorites are 2 and 4. I love all the different textures going on in 2, especially the silky blouse with the long pearls. 4 is just stunning. Great find with the blouse. Six is really cute too. I really like that eyelet dress.

Deborah

Veteran

Christy I totally get what you are saying about the 'pop' of color. I recently considered purple but that is exactly whey I went for orange!

fashionista

Veteran

Well fab outfits!!
-That bag looks fab with your outfit esp 4. I think it works and blends so well with your wardrobe.
-Those tops are fav and its not time to pass them. They are so pretty and loved the top in 4 too much. (even if you happen to pass I am in the line....LOL)

Looking lovely in all those outfits Christy.

catgirl

Veteran

GAh! You are so fab I had to log back in to rave! The last outfit is a bit Nicole-ish to me, and the rest are all just picture-perfect as well in a more polished, professional way. #4 really stood out to me, but all are just lovely. And I am so envious of how you change up your hair and look great in all the different ways you've styled it.

If you want a nice jolt of color in a handbag, I can see citron going well with this entire set.

Kiwichik

Veteran

Kirsty I always think you look fab I think I missed the post with the keeping away from black so not sure why you want to do that as you look good in black.

Anonymous

Can I just say I love how you wear your hair in 6? It is total rockstar.

christy

Veteran

Thanks for the comments everyone!

Claire - I like the idea of pairing that shirt with a denim skirt!
Suz - it's made by Chaus and I got it at Nordstrom a few months ago. It's SO comfortable!
Ceit - I've been trying all week to make my hair do what it did that day. No luck so far recreating it!!! My hair has a mind of its own!

Katiepea

(website)

Veteran

You look wonderful in every photo, but I have to say I loved your look in #4 and thought you looked rock star cool in #6. Can I have your autograph?

MNsara

Veteran

These are all fab outfits! You stayed (comfortably?) neutral but the absence of black gives them all a lighter feel for summer

I love the blouse in #4 and agree with claire's idea of wearing it with a skirt instead.

Re: the bag color, that depth of purple seems like a fall/winter pop of color -- not bright enough for spring/summer. I agree with the red (orage/coral) recommendations, but I really like the lime color in pic #6 and wonder about finding a bag in lime/citron/yellow. Would that be too much of a color shock? I find those colors still work with black (for your one-day-a-week-still-in-black days

Debbie

Veteran

I love all of your outfits. That first dress is fabulous!

Aida

Veteran

Fab week Christy! To me, this purple bag seems like more of a fall bag. Also, you don't have a red bag?? I think you need a red bag AND some other color. A very bright bag may not get a lot of use for you since you wear a lot of neutrals, though. Maybe a non-muted cobalt? Or emerald? Or orange, since it's the color of the year?

#1 is a lot of black, but it looks great. I think the python bag would be super fun with that outfit, get a little print mix going. The top in #2 is okay, if you still like the print it's probably worth keeping BUT I think I would rather see it with a slim skirt or over a dress. I quite like the top in #4, faux french cuffs and all! You know I loved #6, and your HAIR was sooooo good that day! It made me want to run right out and get mine cut just the same way!

I think you're doing a great job minimizing black. Gray is a good substitution, but I would like to see you add in more white and cream :}