My week...and a couple of orphans - YouLookFab Forum

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Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

My week...and a couple of orphans

Bijou

Veteran

I always find that when I post WIW's the comments are so useful in identifying the tweaks that I need to make to improve the look. So I decided to take a picture of what I wore every day this week.

My outfits are mainly my work Monday to Friday outfits. Hopefully they don't look too seasonally confused. We experience temperates of about 30C and I work in cool air-con. So I will generally wear a jacket to work, but when outside want to be able to be cool - hence the sandals and jackets in many outfits.

Monday - ink blue dress, checked jacket and pink sling back shoes
Tuesday - Check dress, red boots and cream handbag.
Wednesday (to celebrate harmony day I wore orange tones) - peach lace dress, black cape and gold sandals
Wednesday evening - to bookclub - turquoise tank and floral skirt, lilac bag
Thursday - ink blue dress and cape jacket with ink sandals and lilac bag
Friday - knit top and floral skirt with white boots and red handbag
Saturday - white lace top, grey coated skinnies, light grey boots and grey handbag. Hoping that my legs don't look too stumpy in this because whilst my dark grey boots would look better, these ones are super comfortable and I have lots to walking to do today!

Two items that I deliberately wore but have found more difficult to style are red boots (always feel a bit "puss in boots" in these) and the white lace top, both in Finds.
Since red boots seem to be having a bit of a fashion moment, I am deliberately trying to wear these. I purchased them about 3 years ago and they have not been worn much, yet they are comfortable.
The white lace top has been tricky as I think it needs a column of colour underneath. In finds is the top on a model highlighting how it sort of cuts you in half with the underneath colour showing through, of course it looks lovely on her!

All comments and suggestions are much appreciated. I alway learn so much from you.

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25 replies

Latest reply was from Bijou

jussie

Veteran

Wow beautiful outfits. There’s no advice I can give because I think they suit you very well, and the shoe collection is marvelous. You have such a fun, feminine style. I love those white boots on you as they bookend your hair.

rachylou

Veteran

Love your boots. I’m all about boots right now. These looks all have a bit of edginess about them. I really love the red boots and check dress. Think the lace top outfit is a smooth manoeuvre.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I'm mad on the white lace outfit from top to bottom! White (hair), grey/white ( underlayer with lace), grey ( pants), white ( boots). I want to do this! I have no white boots but my hair being grey and dark may manage with darker boots. I have a grey underlayer and grey pants and a white lace top. Thanks for the idea!

Jenni NZ

Veteran

PS re-read the Saturday outfit. The "light grey" boots look white to me and bookend your hair perfectly. Legs not stumpy at all!

Katerina

Veteran

Wow! Fantastic outfits all of them and I love the variety. You have a great sense of style and a wonderful wardrobe. Your Tuesday outfit - the checked dress with the cream bag is so interesting - love how the shape of the bag plays with the pattern of the dress and the red boots are just brilliant. Your Sunday outfit is pure perfection. Much better than the model. I also love your cape jackets, really fab. Do you have one in black and one in blue? Or is it the same as you wear with the lace dress? Could not see it on my screen.

cindysmith

Veteran

I think these outfits are so pretty! They're very ladylike, and yet they also are fun/playful/interesting.

I think the red boots would work well with a white and black outfit. Dramatic, high contrast color combination

Bijou

Veteran

Jussie - I can thank Angie for me getting into white boots and also the concept of bookending which I had not heard of before YLF. It is so nice that you see fun and feminine, because that is exactly what I would like to project in how I dress.

Rachy - so funny that you are all about the boots at the moment. I am very much a dedicated boot wearer. I love the comfort and also the extra stability I get when wearing boots.

Jenni - yes my Saturday boots are a very pale grey, I have included them in the finds and they are lighter than the online photo, so I can see why they look white in the photo. These boots are absolute workhorses for me and just seem to work with everything, probably because they bookend my hair. I can definitely see this ensemble working beautifully on you with your colouring, it reminds me of your fab St Patrick's day outfit. I am glad to have found a way to wear this very pretty white lace top, thanks so much for your feedback.

Katerina - thank you, I admire your style so very much. The check dress is something that I bought in Japan, I really loved how it just looks like something that girls in Tokyo would wear. I wore the same black cape jacket twice, I also have one in white. I really like wearing capes because they give my arms some coverage without being too warm and they have a point of difference to a standard jacket.

CindySmith - thanks for the suggestion on how to get some more wear from my red boots. Black, white and red are a great combination, I will have to give it a try.

Staysfit

Veteran

I have to disagree with you about the lace top. I think you have styled it perfectly and it looks gorgeous on you! I also love all your accessories! Your lavender/lilac bag is great! Your cape topper/coat adds ladylike drama and looks classy and elegant. I love every one of your outfits. You have a very polished, feminine, look.

Joy

Veteran

Wonderful outfits! My favorite is #3 with the cape over the gold (?) lace dress and those shoes! An all dark outfit like #6 seems too heavy on you, but the pink bag gives it a light, feminine touch. The light grey boots are gorgeous on you.

SarahD8

Veteran

I agree with Staysfit, you look very polished and feminine. And I have to add my rave for the lace top outfit, it’s just perfect in every way!

Cardiff girl

Veteran

What a fun collection of outfits.l really like your purple bag.

Bijou

Veteran

Stays fit - I really admire your polished and professional style, so thank you. It is nice to know that I have found a way to wear my white lace top.

Joy - I agree with you, the dark dress and jacket looks like it needs a lift. The gold sandals are a favourite of mine and the best thing is they are very comfortable.

Sarah08 - thank you, so glad that the lace top may get into rotation. This is the benefit of WIWs, to get an objective opinion on outfits.

Cardiff Girl - I too really love that bag. I stumbled upon it at a time when I was not looking for a new bag, but I knew that it was perfect for me as soon as I saw it.

krishnidoux

Veteran

Hello Bijou!
Firstly, you have great style. All the outfits above are very eye pleasing and suit you so well too. I see professional, polished, smart and fun. My favorite one above all others has to be 7. It bares your refined touch, but is also very dynamic, fashion forward and personal. I imagine wearing it must bring happiness level up. Your legs do not look one bit stumpy in it. I encourage you to take this style direction and starting with your days off is very clever on your part.

Now let's talk about the red boots and your difficulty to wear them. You have chosen the perfect dress here to pair them with. No stumpy legs ahoy, let me reassure you, on the contrary. This look is very vibrant, young and lively. But I hear you on your hesitation and perceived stumpiness issue. (I have the same one with flat ankle round-toe green booties that cost me a fortune 3 yrs ago but that's another story!).

This is what I recognize, from reading your post, and from your previous posts: it seems to me you are very comfortable with minimal attention on your feet. Like in outfits 1, 3 and 4, where the eye is guided upward. Could it be that you have to let yourself get used to proportions where feet are brought into attention. Outfit 6 and 7 look like a nice transition. It's a bootie, but because of its light color - and because it bookends your hair as Jenny points out - it doesn't bring too much attention. So you might be in an intermediate phase. Keep the red boots, you might find yourself wearing the heck out of them in a few months.

JAileen

Veteran

I love the lace top and the outfit you made. How is this an orphan? I can see how the red boots would be harder. I think if you wear them a few more times they’ll feel more like you.

Brooklyn

Veteran

The lace top outfit is gorgeous Bijou! You look so glamorous!
That’s my favourite outfit. Closely followed by the red boot outfit and the white boot outfit.
But they are all polished, pretty and a little playful.
Re the red boots. Have you tried them with the grey jeans in the last pic? Red and grey is such a classic combination. And what about with the famous gilet? You could wear the gilet with the white lace top too.
You have a great wardrobe.

Bijou

Veteran

It is so interesting that the outfits that are most liked are the ones that have the "statement" pieces that I was finding more difficult to style. I guess, that is the blessing and curse of statement pieces, if they are styled well, they make an outfit and if they don't work, then they also stand out, but not in a good way.

Krishnidoux - you make a good point. I would say that most of my statement pieces tend to be handbags and coats (items that I can remove during the day if I want to tone things down). I will keep wearing the red boots and I am sure that they will feel much more like me.

JAileen - I agree it probably does seem strange that the lace top was an orphan, the reason was that I was struggling with what to wear underneath it, given it is not layered. I do like it with a solid base, with the camisole matching my jeans. Very good point about the boots, it can take me a bit of time to appreciate the versatility of items.

Brooklyn - I love your suggestion on how to get more wear from my red boots. Pairing them with the gilet is a great idea. I am so looking forward to being able to wear that again, as currently it is a bit hot for the gilet.

Helena

Veteran

Such a pretty, feminine, yet unfussy style. You channel Reese Witherspoon in a few of these!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

You look absolutely FABULOUS as always, Bijou. #1, 2, 3, 5 and 7 are KILLER.

But oh my word - #7 is my fave. That lace top is KILLER to the Power of KILLER. Simply stunning.

The red boots are amazing. Try to build a complement with them and you might find them easier to style.

ChrisM

Veteran

I second (and third!!) the comments on the lovely lace top and red boots.
I think the boots show off how toned your legs are - super cute and super strong.

I like the suggestion about red boots with gray, black or dark wash denim if you feel the need to get used to red shoes.

The dark dress and cape seems out of character with the other looks - serious and somber compared to your style words. Sometimes we need access to a more serious look, but I adore the others so much more....

Bijou

Veteran

Toronto Girl - that is high praise indeed!

Angie - thank you, it is a great suggestion to build a capsule around my red boots.

ChrisM - I do like to wear dark colours sometimes as most people in my office wear somber tones. However, I do agree that colour suits me much better.

Aurore

Veteran

All outfits look gorgeous on you.
My favourites are #3 (wednesday) and #7 (saturday). I think peach is wonderful with hour hair and skin tone, and pairing that dress with the black cape is very, VERY, elegant and classy. I don't think your legs look stumpy on #7, the eyes are drawn upward to the lace top. Again, very elegant and classy.

Bijou

Veteran

Aurore thank you, the peach lace dress has been surprisingly versatile. I do have a love of wearing lace during the day.

Mirjana

Veteran

Great outfits, you look very polished and elegant . My favorite is #3.

lyn67

Veteran

Wow, some really great outfits here, esp like nr 1 (as am a dark combos with a pop of color lover) and am amazed of the fit of the cape on you! (I've just tried a white one but and makes me a linebacker, unfortunately:-(()

ETA: I can so relate for the feelings you have of wearing red boots, I did buy me some patent red booties from Zara end of Xmass sales but did chicken out to wear them IRL yet. but, you wear them great here!

Bijou

Veteran

Mirjana - polished and elegant from you is high praise, you are incredibly elegant in all your posts!

Lyn67 - Shame about the white cape, but it is that cape, not you! I had to try a few different styles of cape before I found one that worked for me. Mine are cut essentially like a blazer, so fitted through the body, with open sleeves, capes that drape over the shoulders look huge on me too. Hope you start wearing your red boots. Interestingly the day that I wore mine, I got lots of comments on my dress and no one mentioned my boots.