K/R Study in Color and Pattern - YouLookFab Forum

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K/R Study in Color and Pattern

Beth Ann

Veteran

I often buy a lot of tops this time of year. I run warm, but live in a climate with a long cold season, so the early season pieces are often lightweight, but slightly Autumnal in feel.

I liked these pieces better before I saw the pics. In fairness, I was very tired, with damp hair and little time. Still, some days you need clothes that help you look better than you feel!

Lots of pics, but I intend people to react quickly and get instinctive impressions.

1. Kohl's Apt. 9 Lightweight sweatshirt with animal print front. I think this will be useful at least for home wear. It's thin enough to layer under other items. I did try one size up, but it was boxy in a bad way. The tuck is making this look shorter, I think.
Is the color/pattern/overall effect great, good or meh?

2/3. Kohl's Apt 9 "Equipment style" blouse. I'm not sure about the color/print. I feel it washes me out a bit, and the small pattern seems a little frumpy on me. The cobalt tube skirt is new, too. I'll keep it.
Is the top great, good or meh?

4/5. Kohls, Apt. Nine woven shell. Again, I liked this better before the pics. It's truly a bad picture, but I was short on time. Again, I wonder if the pattern is fighting me. Check it out under my new sapphire merino Halogen cardi. This color makes me look better, no? I'll likely wear this cardi more with skirts, since it's shorter.
Is the shell pattern/color great, good or meh?

6. Another cardi from Kohls. I adore this color. I purchased it for a casual at home layer, along with the Daisy Fuentes striped tee. This pattern/color combo seems to bring me to life (which I needed)

I'm keeping the tube and the cardis, but which, if any, of the first three tops is moving me forward? I do need more casual wear for fall, to replace worn knitwear, but I'm not in danger of going naked and it's early in the season.

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21 replies

Latest reply was from Beth Ann

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

I definitely like #1 a lot on you! Modern, on trend and very flattering. I think all your picks are great, in fact, but if you're only keeping one, I'd go for #1. I like the pattern in #2 a lot in the close-up, and I don't think you look washed out in it. The shell Is lovely and will add a burst of pattern to your outfits.

rute

Veteran

Fabulous style! Love the fit, the colors, I can't pick a favorite! Love them all!

ManidipaM

Veteran

I do think the shell is iffy on its own--too imposing in scale for your delicately delineated features maybe. But fab when restrained by the cardigan. Will you need it to be more versatile though?

I kove the first top on you. A little colour in accessories may be what the *outfit* wanted. I think all-grey is too demure for this diva. but the top is great.

I am not sure there is any washing out in #2, for that matter. Great print actually in terms of line and scale I think, just needs one bold item to balance. But could it be that blue and white alone is a little cool for you? Lipstick or shoes or earrings could solve all that!

Krista

Veteran

I like all three tops, Beth Ann! I particularly love pics 1 and 4 - both of those are stunning on you, especially with white jeans! I like #2 as well because it is a different style from the others and will give you added versatility going into the fall. Lovely!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I really like the second top - the button down. It seems to fit really well and I like it with the skirt. I don't love the shell for you but like the first one except I am not sure about the color on you. The colors of the cardis and the skirts are clear winners!

pil

Veteran

Your Kohls hunting and gathering skills are lightyears ahead of mine, I never have such good luck there. They aren't the rich, glorious colors that are so beautiful on you, but they will certainly work with those colors.

Anonymous

I like tops 1 and 2 a lot on you. I think my favourite is the button down.

merwoman

Veteran

You are so right the aubergine coloured cardi is fantastic on you! Cobalt blue is also great.
Sweater #1 is a keep in my book - love how you have styled it. I think the eqpt blouse also works - fit is good, will be versatile, and probably looks better IRL. NOT frumpy.
I'd pass on the shell - you could wear it with the sweaters - but I'd be reaching for that lovely striped shirt you are wearing in the last pic.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

First of all, I love your careful setup and questions. You make it easy for us to see what you need. Thank you!

Forthwith:

1. I love this sweater on you! Love! I am not 100% convinced of the colour on you, however. Do you usually like yourself in greys? Does it work in well with other wardrobe items? Whether or not you keep it, definitely keep an eye out for something similar for casual wear.

2. The fit of the button down is terrific on you! Love it! It is tough to tell whether it washes you out. I think before making a decision, it might be wise to try it on when you're feeling less tired. I don't think the print is frumpy. On the other hand, I well understand your determination to look for prints in a scale and pattern that bring you to life. This might not be it...but wait - does this shirt come in other patterns or colours? Because truly, the fit is super.

Anyway, as a layering piece it would be divine. Love the skirt, too.

3. The shell is okay (esp. under the blue) but I think you can do better.

4. The aubergine cardi is a great colour on you so if you have a need and the price is right, go for it.

Karie

(website)

Veteran

I like #1,4,5, and 6. I'm not crazy about the blouse with the skirt - but maybe it would be nice to have it to wear with pants.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

I really like the fit and pattern of the blouse in #2/3 and bet the blue in the pattern shows up even more IRL. It looks fab with the cobalt tube skirt.

I like the fit and pattern of the sweater in #1 but that particular grey tone may not be your best. Is it available in any other color? As strange as it may seem, would adding a colored lipstick make the grey work better?

I'm not crazy about the shell, although it does work better under the cardigan.

LOVE the plum cardigan in your last pic.

Betti

I was in Kohls yesterday and saw that first top. I really wanted to try it on but didn't have the time. I agree with Suz here, the top looks great but wondering about the color on you. They had a beige color too, did you try that one? I like the other pieces on you but love the last cardi on you. The color rocks with your complexion! I think we may have similar coloring, as I'm finding that is a great color for me, too (I've been afraid of any shade of purple as I don't want to be that old lady always dressed in purple, lol).

Peri

Veteran

I love all but 2/3...and I don't dislike that one, its just not my favorite!

celia

Veteran

I love the cardis and the skirt on you. All of them have good colors for you and I can see you giving them a good use.
I also have long winters and understand your top buying bug this time of the year.That is why I would say that the shell in #4 is not fab enough IMO or that you are going to wear it long enough for you to keep.

The shirt in #2/3 is a basic shirt that fits you well and the color will work with other things in your wardrobe. Not a star in itself but might be a trustworthy basic.From the photo it doesn't seem like it washes you out but we kind of share the same coloring(I have that feeling) and in winter I find that too much white drains me out.Would you wear it on its own or with a jacket or cardigan(any of the ones you bought would do)?

My gut reaction to #1 is that I really like it. I understand your qualms about the color but if it was me I would keep it. I find that grey is a great color to have to wear with a cobalt blazer , cognac and burgundy items.

Beth Ann

Veteran

Ooh. I woke up to so many helpful responses. How amazing, to go to sleep after asking questions, and wake up to lots of YLF wisdom!

Rute/Ingunn: Isn't it amazing to have fashion partners on another continent! You both have vibrant, but refined style and I appreciate your feedback.

Mandipa: I think the shell is "the weakest link" in this grouping. I do wear these tops under jackets and sweaters all winter long, and I bought it to work under more colorful pieces. However, I already have 7 or 8 pieces (more colorful, though) like this. I think I should try it out under more things.
I'll also try the sweatshirt (#1) with my cobalt pants.

Krista/Shevia and Ceit: I've not been a button down girl, but these are drapey and soft, and I think that's the key. Also, why I love silk, this blended fabric with a crepe de chine finish is easier to care for. It's "breathable" enough for all but the hottest days.

PIL: There is much to "sort through and pass by" at Kohl's. I think I have "honed" my skills at this particular retailer, and I can case it out quickly. I have 2 stores within 5 miles of me, so its convenient with my busy life and limited budget. I'd gladly learn the same skills at Nordies! Probably good that it's 30 miles away!

Karie: I love it when people will say what they're not wild about. Different viewpoints are so helpful! I think I'd prefer a tucked look myself, but I'm not sure the tube style will look good on my midsection with a tucked top.

Suz: This shirt does come in many colors and patterns. I have it in a smaller size in black with a print from last season (see below) Same fabrication, more tailored silhouette. Oddly, even though the black blouse still fits the same, I didn't like the white in the smaller size. Maybe they've tweaked the fit.

And like you, I'm looking for my berry/burgundy/aubergine this year!

Shannon: I could really use some lippy! I think, in general, that the lighter neutrals aren't as good for me. Grey works well with my other colors, so I think it's fine when it's not framing my face.

Betti: I saw the tan version of the sweatshirt, but this neutral is usually worse on me than grey. My complexion is changing, however, so it couldn't hurt to give it a try. As for purple? I hear you! Maybe making sure we wear really modern pieces in the color? My favorite thing about the purple is that it makes my hazel likes look extremely green. Just leave off the red hat!

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Beth Ann

Veteran

Cross posted, Peri! Thanks for chiming in! That kind of feedback is exactly what I wanted. I'll try with a couple other garments and try to figure out whether it's better IRL. These prints often don't photograph well.

T-Rex

Veteran

I think they are all good.

#1, the animal print top is very cute and fun. The fit is good, and it looks great with the jeans and flats. This one reads as very casual to me, whereas the others can be dressed up or down more easily. In a way, this is attractive to me.
#2, the button down, is my favorite out of all of them, I think. Love it. I think this one is going to be very versatile. Dress it up or down easily.
#3. I like this one on it's own, but love it under the blue cardi. I initially gravitated instantly to this one, but I think this is my own tendency to love animal prints beyond reason. I currently obsessed with snake prints.
#4. I like the cardigan. But then again, I just like cardigans, especially the kind you are wearing here. A bit fitted, but not too much. The color is good on you. This is the kind of item that *I* tend to have too many of, so my advice on whether you keep this one or not will depend on how well that niche in your closet is filled.

I'm glad you asked for gut reactions to these, because it caused me to observe how my opinion of these tops changed during the seconds and minutes after seeing them for the first time. My thought on seeing the first one was "too young for me". But my reaction warmed up as I took in how it fit you, how it worked with the jeans, and my thoughts about where you might wear this and the impression you would make if I saw you wearing it. After going there for a few moments, I found myself liking this one much more.

My reaction to the button down was "just a buttondown", but I clicked on the pic, took in the fit, clicked on the second pic which better showed the pattern and color, and thought, "That's a great looking top. Love that color. It would make a great work top with the pencil skirt, or with a pair of pants. It will look terrific with jeans, either white or blue. etc."

My reaction to the third top was "Snake!" Then I took in the fit, and whether it flattered your or not. And I thought, "good, but not necessarily awesomely great". When I saw it under the blue cardi, I thought "love the sexy snake pattern with the classic cardi shape and that blue color...I should wear color in non-matchy ways more often myself...yes, the shell is versatile. I can imagine it with other colors now."

My reaction to the fourth top, the cardi, was "this is safe and comfortable territory...nothing new...wait, just because this would be a go-to safe look for me that I can easily repeat too many times from my own wardrobe doesn't mean that it's a repeat for her...yes, she does look good in this, so I should advise her to keep it."

Very interesting. I hope my "though evolution" notes help you out a bit.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

LOVE #1 on you - I think the grey looks great. 2/3 look like a very nice fit and style, but I'm pattern shy so I'm not sure on that either. That said, I actually quite like #4 and esp. like it as a layering piece. That's how I prefer to wear pattern (under a solid). Love the last cardi too - beautiful color for you.

Beth Ann

Veteran

Thank you to the T's (Tex and T-Rex, for some alliteration)

Tex: I've never been pattern shy, but one of my goes is to be pattern picky!

T-Rex: It always fascinating to get inside people's thought processes, and I know my reactions to looks on myself and others is always evolving. I love pattern, but don't think of myself as particularly well suited to neutrals or animal prints, so I was really looking for how others "see" them on me. Your comements were very helpful. As for cardis? Mine need to be replaced, although a few years ago I was in exactly the situation you describe. This year, I'll only be out working out of the home for 2 (long) days a week, and will be working more from home. Cardis are a great way to layer casually at home, so I'm trying to upgrade them, but not go overboard. I usually layer them over a patterned top.

DonnaF

Veteran

Beth Ann;

Just to frame this: My image of you/your style is vibrant with a dash of drama and a dollop of romance and femininity. There's probably another 20-30% of who you are and your style that I'm not *getting*.

I really like the pattern and style of #1 on you because to me, it speaks to your drama. OTOH, I'm meh about the color. If it were the same pattern but in a vibrant color OR neutrals that bookended your hair like rich brown, I would be 100% on board.

I think the shirt is very flattering, and I like the pattern when I see it close up. My only question is whether the rather crisp style and graphic pattern make you comfortable and feel like *you*.

I'm not keen on the cut of the shell on you. On my monitor, the color looks pretty neutral, so see my comments regarding the first top. You don't want a top where you feel you always need to cover it!

Ummm. After years of "everything goes with black", can you tell I've become a fan of MaryK's color mixing?

Beth Ann

Veteran

Celia: Must've cross posted! You and I do have similar coloring, and you know exactly the colors that are my faves: cobalt, teal, burgundy, deep purple, magenta/raspberry, with grey and black for neutrals. I've added white to the neutral list, and am thinking about ink blue and rich brown. For this year, I'll look for rich brown accessories to cut the black.

Donna: I think you're "getting" me. You'll also understand how it's hard to have my look and temperament and live in the suburbs with a mostly casual lifestyle! Oh.....and at 50, to boot! Really, I should be a duchess! At least I do get to dress for the "Opera Singer" part of me, atlhough there are 20 hours in the practice room for every 1 on stage, and much of the time I'm in a costume or concert black!

As I looked at the top in my closet, I think it's brighter and more vivid IRL. The cobalt is quite visible and the drape is soft. I'll check and see if it's fitted enough to layer under things. The shell goes back. I have others and can afford to picky, or perhaps, can't afford NOT to be picky!

Thanks, All!