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Orphans to Outfits Challenge

Karie

(website)

Veteran

Here's the "Orphans to Outfits" challenge that was discussed last week:

Take one item that you like but have trouble wearing in an outfit, and create an outfit with that item. It can be an article of clothing or an accessory.

Mo also suggested we add why we don't tend to wear said orphans - like fit, fabrication, level of dressiness, lack of occasions, etc.

I will post the thread for each day around 7:00 a.m. eastern time. I won't be able to check in much during the day, and I definitely won't be able to respond to everyone's outfit. So I might need a little help from my friends - if you're not posting an outfit for the day, could you take a minute and comment on a post or two? Also, those that are posting, could you include a comment about the outfit posted directly before yours? That way, everyone will get some feedback on their orphans.

I look forward to meeting the orphans!

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19 replies

Latest reply was from Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

Adelfa

Veteran

Me too! I'll have to think about this. I've been giving away my orphans!

Lantana

Veteran

Thanks Karie, this has been a great motivator for me.
My orphan today is a taupe skirt that used to be midi-length and crinkle crepe. I wore it once for a special occasion and it has mouldered in my wardrobe ever since; it was just too dressy.
Recently I chopped it to knee length and ironed out the crinkles; nevertheless it continued to moulder.
These are my attempts to bring it in from the cold, or should I say mould.
1. with grey sweater
2. with colourblock grey tunic
3. with citron cashmere sweater & pin stripe button up.
Pointy toed grey booties courtesy of the Op Shop Fairy.
The skirt is flippy and fluid and I really like that.
However, I actually don't feel all that confident about any of these iterations.
There's a bit of a Drover's Wife vibe going on for me with the bottom heavy proportions and sparrowlike plumage of #1 & #2.
But ... these outfits do feel comfortable.
So what's the verdict? Go public with these or what?
(BTW, we are going into winter here so I'm looking to create cosiness.)

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Karie

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I really like it with the citron sweater! The other two look OK but I'm not crazy about them, but I think the citron sweater adds that pop of color that takes it from ordinary to extraordinary! I think altering it to knee length was a great idea. I vote keep and wear with the citron. Perhaps another bright colored sweater would work well too.

Marley

Veteran

I think #s1 and 3 are great! Especially like the pop of color in 3. And LOVE th booties with the skirt! The tunic (imho) in #2 is too long and the color-blocking just too stumpifying for the total look.

Lantana

Veteran

Thanks Karie, I appreciate your feedback. OK is not OK enough so it's a thumbs down for the greys. As for the citron,thanks for the thumbs up though I'm still not convinced it looks well with the taupe.
I agree about the skirt length. This is the second skirt that I've given the chop thanks to YLF. A third awaits trembling in the wardrobe.

Anonymous

1 and 3 work to my eye, and the top in 2 looks too long, as Marley said. You've done a good job updating with booties and citron. The skirt shape reminds me of Angie's in her Mothers Day post. I wonder how a pullover with a banded bottom would look.

Karie

(website)

Veteran

In case anyone missed it, here's a post by Angie on closet orphans:

From Wardrobe Workhorse to Closet Orphan in One Year

amiable

Veteran

Here's my orphan - worn on mother's day to church.

An orphan because I don't know how to style it, and I'm not sure this light gray is really a great color for me.

What do you think?

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Deborah

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Lantana! I nearly fell of my desk chair due to your total fabness! #1 and #3 are amazing and so fashion forward in my very humble opinion. #2 is borderline but is maybe not quite as on the money. I keep going back to the photos... you carry this off brilliantly. Please wear this for often.

Amy, I just posted on your other thread

Lantana

Veteran

Amiable, I think the colour looks lovely on you. The collar of the jacket is the issue to my eye; could you try popping it?

Joy and Marley, thankyou for your feedback, I know how considered it always is. The grey sweater in #1 has a band but not very deep. I shall be on the lookout for a wider band.

Deborah, you are such a sweetie and I think the world of your " humble" opinion. I do want #1 to work because the merino sweater is so light yet so warm. The long tunic will get plenty of airplay with my black skinnies so I'm not fussed that its getting the thumbs down.

lyn67

Veteran

I wasn't able to be much on the forum these days, but just couldn't let this one go....as I have hard time to pass on orphans I like, but cannot make work in an outfit, so here I am joining in. Thanx for the challenge, Karie:-)

Lantana: your outfits here are all GORGEOUS -you are one amazing lady! Loved the flippy skirt in all incarnations, must be the shoes, your gorgeous silver pixie, or the citron swetter? I don't know-and I even like the greys and taupes together!!!

Amiable, Perfect!!! You look so, soooo pro in the grey blazer!!! I really liked how you styled it, special congrats on the PPL!!! Your style is evolving so quickly since joining YLF! I'm in awe, what a great job!!!:-)

My first orphan this week is this Marks and Spencer dotted skirt.
I so much loved this print and colors when found it on the ebay but then-never could make a right outfit around this item, but still, I couldn't part with it.

Despite of it's beautiful colors and print, it had some negatives I couldn't order at that time: thin viscoze material, a fippy A-line cut, elasticated waist and no lining (which felt too body con on my apple body-but finally cured with a slip, and some longer tops). It also felt a tad too short with all my summer pumps/sandals,.. so all my efforts came to an end and it stood in my wardrobe for 2 years now!!

Then, I got these beauties last month (nr.6-7-small wedged ballet flats in coral) and it downed on me it was really just the lack of the right shoes.

Now, this is one problem solved. Skirt is no more an orphan, I have several tops to go with it!:-)

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Lantana

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Oh my goodness, Lyn, such dear little shoes and the perfect colour for your"orphan". You must be so chuffed you kept this skirt. I love how you've styled it. It goes to show your initial attraction to it was spot on(excuse the pun)
Thankyou for your appreciation of my orphan too.
So great that you've made time to join in the challenge.

Mellllls

Veteran

Great challenge. But I am already dressed for the day. .maybe I will try tomorrow.

missvee

Veteran

Lantana, I love your skirt at its new length - very flattering especially with those great boots. I think it would suit a more structured top too, something like a jean jacket if you want a casual vibe. Then you'd have that structured/unstructured look that's so trendy now. I like it with the citron sweater too btw.

Amiable, your gray jacket looks good to me. You could make it more casual too with your white jeans and a striped or colourful top.

Lyn67, what a lovely skirt. It's great styled with the new shoes. It looks casual, comfortable, stylish and fun.

Anonymous

Amiable, is the top really a jacket or is it a blouse worn open as a jacket? I really like it for church and dressing up a bit and could see it buttoned up with a full skirt ( or any skirt). Another idea is to wear the outfit as is except with light footwear rather than black to bookend the top.

Lyn, you did a nice job rescuing your orphan skirt with those sweet flats. I look forward to seeing this skirt with different tops.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Loving this challenge already! Lantana, I adore that skirt!! You did well to chop it. Agree with the others that it looks best in 1 and 3 -- I actually think you are making it work, and a different banded sweater would also be great, or a silky top? (Though I know you wanted coziness today.)

Amy, the colour of that top is great on you! Agree with Lantana that maybe the collar is making it difficult to style. If it is a blouse you could go retro, tuck it into a full skirt with a wide belt?

Lyn, those shoes are perfect for spring/ summer and have completely rescued your pretty skirt. Love this outfit!

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

I've got a handful of orphans, but this pretty brocade is my BIG orphan. I never wear it, not because I can't style it, but because in the back of my mind, I'm waiting for a special occasion.

It is funny, the synchronicity of this topic.... this topic was on Vivienne Files,

http://theviviennefiles.blogsp.....orite.html

... and this post is what made me recall, and pull this jacket this evening. I styled it for an audition - for a French play. I felt like a million bucks walking in the door, and that feeling has stayed with me all the way home

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Karie

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La Belle, You should feel like a million bucks because you look like a million bucks! I have a top like that too - that I'm saving for a "special occasion" - meanwhile, the dang thing is rotting in my closet! You should wear yours more often, especially if it makes you so happy.

Interesting about the other website! I think it's the changing of winter to spring clothes. It's led me to do some closet soul searching - "why am I not wearing these - could I - should I?"

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

Karie,
I am having so much fun doing this, and thinking ahead to the rest of this week - maybe we could do a weekly challenge after this, and keep it going?

Yes. I have that many orphans. And this challenge is motivating! Thank you for putting it out there for us