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One week of no-repeat WIWs: highs and lows

viva

Veteran

Hi all, it's been a long time since a WIW, and lately I have not really been dressing ... so to inspire me to make more of my closet, I went for a week of no-repeat WIWs to try to get myself to play more with what I have, and to start exercise my dormant outfit-building skills. The weather was rough (lots of rain) and I still feel off my game.

I'm really having a hard time figuring out who I am style-wise right now. I've pared down my wardrobe quite a bit, and I did it more with an eye to what I wanted/needed to get rid of and not what I wanted/needed to keep. As a result, I feel like I've got a small but random assortment of stuff that doesn't necessarily add up to anything. It's going to take a while to pull a strong point of view together again, especially because I don't have much of a budget to buy unifying pieces right now.

Anyway, about these ... I'd love any comments at all. What works best here? What doesn't? What would you recommend?

1: to work: JCrew bell sleeve gingham top, Madewell dark rinse ankle jeans, loafers (I think the proportions are off here; I really do not like this.)
2: for a haircut: Gap GF jeans, Topshop patent booties, Zara tie-neck blouse, Nickel & Suede olive earrings.
3: to work (got colder after haircut): JCrew turtleneck, Gap jeans, Cons
4: book group: Alice & Olivia bell cuff sweater, JCrew piped pants, Topshop booties (this sweater is too short! It kept riding up and exposing my back and making me uncomfortable. May need to consign - or only wear with high-rise pants.)
5: to work: Ancient JCrew Factory chambray shirt, Madewell cropped high-rise released hem black jeans, Madewell booties.
6: to grocery shop: JCrew cashmere tunic over same.
7: to the movies: JCrew skinny high-rise cargos, JCrew striped tee, birthday gift cardigan, Cons.

For the interested .... at book group we talked about The Woman in Cabin 10 (which I did not like). Michael and I saw Blade Runner (which I loved).

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33 replies

Latest reply was from

Anonymous

My favorites are 2,5 and 6, not because the other outfits look "off" in any way, I just think you look so great in the hint-of-the-70s looks like 2, and 5 and 6 because I love the way you make classics that everyone has seen look so current, feminine, and your style.

karen13

Veteran

Hard to pick of fave, but the boots and length of jeans in 2 is perfect. I love 3 for the clean lines and, again the shoe/pant length. Wish i could wear Converse. I actually love all of your pants - the piped and the black jeans are also favorites.

I'm not able to tell you why 1 isn't my favorite, but I do like the others better.

Bijou

Veteran

My favourites are #2 (because it is feminine and pretty and I like the colours on you) and #7 (very cool pattern mixing - camo, stripes and converses are a great match). All your outfits are great, you look stylish and pulled together, even when grocery shopping. I really could see the faux fur leopard vest Angie featured in her ensemble working well for you. A fun addition of colour and texture that would co-ordinate well with your stylish neutrals.

skylurker

Veteran

#1 works for me, but maybe it would look better with boots? (trousers seem a bit long to read really « cropped » maybe, so would need boots to fill the gap)

I love the silhouette of cropped trousers, boots, tucked top on you (#2,4,5) - too bad the Topshop is not working, it looks good - knits riding up are so annoying, often happen to me too.

I like the longer tops silhouette #6,7 less, with cropped trousers I think it’s too length shortening.

I love #3, the long earrings with turtleneck, and your pixie hair, look so graceful, I get a vibe of Audrey Hepburn in the look. Very simple and efficient. Could be dress up with dressy boots, too.

rachylou

Veteran

Ok, I really like the two outfits with the Cons, and then #5. They ‘feel’ right to me. I’m thinking they have a little bit of tough about them, is what they have in common.

chouette22

Veteran

Well, whatever you have left in your closet is totally working! It doesn't seem like there are only disparate items left, I think your wardrobe is more cohesive than you give your shopping credit for. All of these outfits look wonderful on trim you and your haircut suits you to perfection.

LaPed

Veteran

#7 is definitely my favourite -- you wear pattern really well! It's playful and maximal in the best way. I also like #3 and #5 -- I realize these are all more casual looks. Hard for me to pin down what's missing from the others, but I think it's the sense of playfulness. Or toughness, like Rachy said. I think #1 is fine, but I don't *love* the bell sleeves on you -- they read as trendy, rather than a natural extension of your style, I think?

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I'm with rachylou on 2,3 and 5 as favorites here - but all are great outfits. I love your hair in #5 and the mix of camo and stripes, but I also love the feminine blouse in #2 which is just as much you. I have to agree with Bijou that the faux leopard jcrew vest would be great to see on you.

Anonymous

Hey hi! So great to see you here again If I could wear your last outfit every day for the rest of my life, I'd be a happy woman. And YES to that J Crew leopard vest idea (which is in my shopping cart too, btw).

Great - now that I've started typing, I can't go back and look at the photos again or I'll lose this post. I'll start a new one below.

Anonymous

The outfits all look quintessentially Vivian to me - with the exception of the first one, I agree. But all that needs is to untuck the top and wear it out and loose. The tie neck Zara blouse is gorgeous - that's a look that really suits you. Super feminine but not sweet, and very chic.

Anonymous

You look great in all of these, imo. I am especially drawn to 2 and 5 - perhaps because a bit of openness at the neck of your top really highlights your lovely face and smile? Though you rock a turtleneck and crew neck as well. Unlike you and others, I like 1 -but perhaps I am swayed by my personal love for gingham and j crew . I have less love for the last one - I see the busy patterns on first impression rather than seeing YOU. But still photos have their limits and I expect the effect may be very different IRL.

Jazzy Dance

I think you look great in those big drop earrings... so very fab with short hair. I also love the white blouse and the black converse, though you look lovely in all your nice outfits. Killer smile, too!

Emily K

(website)

Veteran

My favorites are #3 and then #2. You have a lot of good pieces in your closet! How would you feel about wearing the stepped jeans with loafers? I'm wondering if there's something about the shaped tops of the booties with the shaped jeans that fails to make the best out of both items.

Joyce B

Veteran

Those are very nice outfits, I agree with chouette22 that your wardrobe pieces look cohesive. I see nothing wrong with #1, maybe if you try it with the black short boots with a little bit of heel that would work, too.

viva

Veteran

So, 2 and 5 seem to be strong favorites here, with a few votes for 6, and with 7 getting a somewhat dividing look. This makes me really happy, because 2 and 5 were my favorite looks (which perhaps showed on my face, Ryce!). (I especially love the boot/jean combo in 2, Karen!)

I felt great in 7 but also a little conspicuous (I was concerned this crazy look was maybe my false positive - but the endorsements from LaPed/Rachy/Lisap and others makes me think it might be a more playful stretch that I need to be more open to).

I appreciate the thoughts on 1. I really love this top (on the model on the JC website!) but am struggling to make it work well for me. Joyce and skylurker, you both may be on to something with your suggestion of a heeled bootie. I think the top needs more length below it. I may try it with a heel and/or a longer length jean.

Isabel, your "hint-of-the-70s" and "feminine but current" thoughts rang in my ears today when I went out to try to find something new, and I got a black top that is exactly on the mark for me. You reminded me of an essential element of my style. THANK YOU.

Lisap: I think you're right about that mix - super feminine but not sweet. I think of that every time you say something about being over distressed denim. For me, distressing helps me rough up some of my really feminine pieces so I find that hard as I try, I can't get rid of distressing entirely!

And Bijou/Tex/Lisa: the leopard vest! I thought about that earlier this season. might have to try it after all.

Emily, I have not worn the stepped jeans with my loafers, mostly because I worry about looking too dumpy. But I will try! Thanks for the idea.

Chouette, thank you for the hair compliment. I always feel more like me when my hair is very short.

The Cat

Veteran

My favourite is #4. I love all of it--the interesting sleeve details, the fab piped pants, the chic boots, your hairstyle & the pearls (a combo which to my eye has a charming retro vibe) ... Sorry to read that the sweater was a problem. It LOOKS so great. (Possible solution: Wear a tank top or camisole the same colour as either your sweater or your pants, and tuck it. Then, when you sweater rides up, people will just see an elegant inner layer.) The pants, in particular, look gorgeous on you, so by all means keep them! However, the whole outfit looks chic and sophisticated in a relaxed way.

Laura G

Veteran

Well, it sure doesn't *look* like dribs and drabs!

So my reaction to these outfits seems to come down to the necklines. The ones I like best are the ones that show more skin at the throat and the ones I like less are the ones that don't. I like #6 on you but I think it would be even better with the collar popped or with nothing inside the tunic neckline. #1 is a pretty top and I think I *should* like it, but I think without some skin showing it's a little too much for your delicate build.

I like the softness of the #2 blouse on you and I love the playful look of #7!

Anonymous

I think they all look fantastic and vote #6 as my immediate favorite.

Anonymous

I’m back liking my less distressed ( but still distressed ) jeans . They fit and are comfortable and as flattering as jeans are ever going to be on me . And I hate shopping for new jeans What can you do ?

Sal

Veteran

You look terrific Viva. I love 2 3 6 in particular. Your hair looks super too.

The blouse in 1 would look terrific with flares - or full length jeans. I like 1 as a look but I understand that if you are not feeling it then try something different.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I will speak up for #4. Despite the annoying sweater riding up problem, the mix of neutrals looks great and the principle of this outfit is worth repeating. I like #3 but the earrings are competing with the neckline. You look good in all of these.

Gigi

Veteran

I've only skimmed the comments, but I have to say that I'm loving #1. I don't mind it with the loafers (I think someone had commented about using high-shaft booties instead). I think the proportions are fine.

My faves are 1, 2, 5, and 7.

I feel like 3 and 4 are too dark overall and are missing something to "spice" them up. I didn't mind 6 but didn't love it either; it was middle of the road for me.

RobinF

Veteran

I love these! My favorites are 1, 2 and 5. I like the silhouette of #7 (totally similar to what I feel most comfortable in) but it’s a little too maximal for me. But honestly you look great in all of these. Love the hair, it makes me want to go back to short hair.

Carla

Veteran

Before reading the other posts, I thought 'Modern Audrey', and then I saw Skylurker had the same Idea. You have a gamine vibe with a touch of tomboy but with a nod to trendiness and sophistication that makes your look current. Your look is more cohesive than you think - just dressier for some occaisions and more casual for others.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

GREAT to see you, Viv. Missed you.

For someone who feels "off her game" with a "random set of wardrobe items" - you could have fooled me. You sell your style short. You look absolutely FABULOUS, fit, healthy, youthful, attractive, calm and confident. Your looks are quintessential Vivian to me - which says something. You have a strong signature look and don't even know it. *smiling*. You are a refined and feminine TomGIRL who loves neutrals.

Few thoughts:

LOVE the shorter hair at the back. Keep it that way!
You rock big earrings.
Fun to see the rust Topshop booties (mine are gone - heels too high - can enjoy them on you).
Fun to see our Topshop hi-tops. Back to wearing mine a lot and I have two pairs.
Wear the short pullover with skirts. Super cute on you. Trousers are divine.
Nothing wrong with #1. Don't semi tuck the top. Top would look fab with white jeans. It's a Summer look to me.

My faves are #2, 3, 4 and 7.

Anonymous

btw - where is that cardigan from??

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I love all of these on you, Viv! You look wonderful.

Roxanna

Veteran

You do ankle jeans + booties so well! It's just made for you and you make it look so current. I always want to try it after I see your WIWs. Also I just LOVE that gingham bell sleeved top - looks gorgeous on you! I don't think the proportions are off, but maybe you feel that way because of ankle pants + loafers? I find the mid-vamp of loafers always makes ankle pants look odd on me to my eye...

bella

(website)

Veteran

What a fab set of outfits. I love each and everyone of them, however I am missing a chambray shirt in my wardrobe lately, so yours made my heart sing! And with that fab turquoise necklace - so pretty!

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