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Matchy matchy bag and sneakers

Anonymous

I debuted these new Vans sneakers today for a school drop off & assembly. I confess they were purchased to match this Marc Jacobs crossbody bag which is a couple years old and I rarely use. After Angie's recent post, I hoped I might use the bag more if I tried matching footwear. Today I wore the shoes and bag with cropped step fray jeans and a navy pullover, sorry no pics of entire ensemble today.

My husband and girls expressed liking the shoes, to my relief, as I was not sure about the all pink vibe! At school a friend commented that she really liked the shoes and inquired where I purchased them and then she noticed the matching color of the bag and wondered if the bag was from the same store. So positive feedback!

Despite these affirmations, I confess I felt strangly conspicuous with the matchy matchyness and I wonder if I might uses the sneakers more on their own? Also I honesty prefer my white sneakers with most outfits. I guess time will tell, I'm glad I am experimenting though.

How do you handle it when your outfit pushes you a bit over your comfort zone?

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21 replies

Latest reply was from Aida

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Well being Mrs Matchy-Matchy, of course I adore both and the idea. I would notice and comment favourably. They are not a strong colour so it's not like you're wearing a bright fuschia which would be noticed instantly, they are more subtle. Don't think you need to "confess" to us!
Your other question about how do you feel... I felt odd when I first mixed florals, as rather out there. But very early on a work colleague commented approvingly. I can be rather maximal so now I just own it proudly and do what I want.

Angie

(website)

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JAileen

Veteran

I love matchy matchy, so of course I think they're great. They would look nice with natural linen tones.

cheryl

Veteran

Super cute! I love matchy matchy

Suz

(website)

Veteran

So pretty! I think there is something special about a "masculine" style (sneaker) done in such a "feminine" colour. Great pairing.

I agree, it can be unsettling the first time we move out of our comfort zone...I would try it a few times again and see how you feel. Often when I am experimenting this way, three times is the charm -- suddenly it feels like "me." This usually works best when I already love the style and just feel odd about the colour (or some other element), or vice versa.

Emily K

(website)

Veteran

Fantastic style--I love both pieces. I think this kind of matching is fine--especially when the other outfit components are not too precious.

Brooklyn

Veteran

These are great pieces. The pinkish hue makes them very special. I like matchy matchy and would do it with these pieces, but sometimes matchy matchy can feel a bit contrived. If it felt too contrived to me, I would try tweaking other elements of the outfit to make it look more thrown together and effortless. Even though it wasn't, ha ha!

Anonymous

So I am not sure how to post a find, I am sure there are directions somewhere on the site, but I can not find them right now!
However, here is the link for the sneakers.
https://www.vans.com/shop/mono.....each-blush

unfrumped

Veteran

I think they look very fun, and also have a nice streamlined look that keeps them from being too "out- there ". So they should be pretty versatile. But I also suffer from occasional lack of confidence and from self- consciousness when trying new things!
Things that help me are keeping other parts of outfit simpler, comfortable and really " me"- something you may have achieved with the neutral jeans and pullover. At least to start. Then I might also " debut" in neutral or accepting situations-- just running errands, or with church friends, or out with DH- to see how I like it or may want to tweak.
Both of the items are really nice and should work as neutrals, so if you think matchy is too much, I'd do more outfit tryons to see how to combine with non- matching. The pale purse is a great color to give a fresh summery look to contrast with darker jeans or dark colored summer tops.

Anonymous

Nice Vans! I would definitely wear them on their own first. Get used to that and then add in the bag. Baby steps!

RobinF

Veteran

I find having matching color items helps make an outfit feel more put together for me, I am not real good at mis-matching and have to force myself to sometimes throw in something a little off! I agree with Smittie, wear the shoes on their own a time or two, add in the bag after a few times and I bet it will feel more natural. I love this combo!

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I like it. somehow being a very pale pink it doesn't read as twee as maybe Barbie pink. Though I love Barbie pink sometimes. & the frayed jeans probably help ground it

The Cat

Veteran

What is not to like? Why cannot 2 - just TWO! - items in an outfit be allowed to match?

In my opinion, there's nothing strange about it. Quite the contrary, when a colour is repeated somewhere in an outfit, this is often pleasing to the eye - a fact which in your case has already been confirmed by the positive statements made by your family, your friend at school and people in this forum.

Maybe the pink colour is new to you. On my screen, your bag and shoes actually look more cream than pink. Whatever the colour is called and
looks like, perhaps you are not used to wearing items in this specific colour or light colours in general. If that is case, try to wear your light items with clothes in neutral or muted colours, and wear them in spring and summer where they will look most "natural" / "appropriate". I imagine that your chic casual light combo will look great with a lot of outfits, sporty as well as more feminine ones, and hope you will get a lot of wear out of it.

Anonymous

I think Brooklyn identified what I was feeling, that perhaps the matching was a bit contrived. But as Suz and others mentioned, it may just take a few more wears to become more comfortable. I think I will get good wear from the sneakers since they can go with many things and don't always have to be used with only that bag. Thanks for all the positive feedback!

Anonymous

LOVE it. I am not a matchy matchy person at all, but this is pure Reese Witherspoon. This year's Vans are great, aren't they? And I've never met a Jacobs bag I didn't like either. I may have to copy this look.....

lpr200

Veteran

They're great together and I agree, it may take a couple of wears for it to feel natural. I usually don't wear light shoes but got blush suede loafers-- it was like jumping into a pool, I had to make myself wear them and once I wore them twice (and got over it that they were suede) I was fine! Good luck!

Scarlet

Veteran

I love blush and I think the sneakers are super cute and look adorable with the bag. I also like to pair blush with navy, so I think your outfit sounds great! I will confess that I have also been inspired to try red shoes and a red bag lately after Angie's recent post, and I do feel a little odd too, but the second time out I felt more confident. Try it a few more times and you will find out whether you can adjust or not.

Jane

Veteran

These are great sneaks and lovely bag. I do find it hard wearing new things out of my comfort zone, and so will wear them in my local tow to start off with, and then wider afield. A school run would be for me, perfect to start wearing new things.

Anonymous

All great feedback!

Lisap - I appreciated your enthusiasm especially as matching is not your thing. Also the Reese Witherspoon reference!

I'm wearing the sneakers today "on their own" with jeans, pullover, navy tote and feel great

Lisa

Veteran

I'm a big fan of matchy matchy so these are lovely to my eye. But as others suggested, breaking them up to wear each on their own is a nice way to ease into wearing them. Also the sneakers are a light color. Pairing them with a light top and/or jeans will let them blend in if you aren't used to wearing the color itself.

Aida

Veteran

I like matching, and I like not matching. Whatever floats your boat! The blush can offer a little softer, less graphic look over white if you feel an outfit calls for it. Particularly nice paired with some leather/metal for a hint at boho/natural without going whole hog.

(OK and I'm soooo totally ordering those Vans, thanks for sharing the link!!)