Plaid neutrals - experiment. 11.19.20 - YouLookFab Forum

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Plaid neutrals - experiment. 11.19.20

Anonymous

I'm almost never drawn to plaids as they have a rural , masculine vibe I don't love on myself. And I don't have that cute, preppy , JCrew look that radiates in holiday plaids. Somehow, that didn't stop me from inexplicably buying this plaid shirt jacket in September - wooed by an Insta post from one of my favourite stores . I still make dumb decisions - years later. Angie's post from the other day with the plaid top inspired this look: and I finally cut the tags off it and gave it a go. Underneath is a simple, heathered tonal thick t-shirt that looks ok on it's own if I have to take the jacket off. It's about 5C ish today, so decently warm. Perfect for running a few errands.

I also almost never buy and wear premium denim, and these pair are an exception. They really don't fit well as they are VERY straight through the hip and waist, and are really stretchy. However....... I have a soft spot for a good kick flare and the one-line return was not worth the effort, so here they are, taking up space in my drawer.

The accessorizing was an attempt to add the edge I want to take the jacket from John Deere territory into something more modern. No, I’m wouldn’t do the pin and scarf together again as they aren’t the same vibe at all but - I don't care today. Also lipstick, which I haven't worn in MONTHS, and because I'll be in my car all afternoon - I can wear it ! (no mask needed, in other words).

Thoughts on other ways to wear this jacket?

jeans - Frame Le Crop
jacket - Soya Concept -
t-shirt - same -
scarf - mcQ, pin - vintage Chanel, earrings - random
fragrance - Coco
lipstick - Nars Afterglow Lip Balm in Dolce Vita
no purse - don't need one

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FRAME Le Crop Mini Boot Cut Jeans

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33 replies

Latest reply was from Suz

nuancedream

Veteran

Killer neutral plaid, lisa p! There's nothing about this look that says John Deere to me with the sophisticated color palette. Your accessories are on point too!! I think the jacket could work well with a midi length sweater dress and tall boots.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

KILLER neutral pattern mix! I LOVE the earrings and pin with it. That's the part that makes it you, and the chic edge you mentioned. Success

It's got a Seattle-Woodsy-Rocker-UK Countryside vibe to it, and will take you almost anyway these days. Pulled together, playful, polished and practical.

The light neutral in the plaid is very flattering with your complexion. I like you in high contrast!

Synne

Veteran

Looks good! You always have a very current and trendy element to your style. I am taking notes! (Lol at the Jhon Deere comment! Haha. Not what I think at all!).

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

I like this kind of jacket, but I think I'd find it hard to wear, too. For me, my inclination would be to femme it up with a skirt or something floral. The way you're wearing it seems cozy and pulled-together for errands, but I searched on Pinterest, and thought something like these might also work for you. I like how they contrast the jackets with more refined/urban pieces like the structured bags, pointy boots, or leather-look leggings.

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Bonnie

Veteran

Your styling of this cute plaid jacket is perfect. I like these colors on you, too.

kellygirl

Veteran

Omg, this one knocks it out of the ball park. I love the neutral plaid! I've been drawn to this look too but my shoulders and overall broadness probably wouldn't be very flattering. DD saw a similar coat on Holidaze? Or some show she was watching and really liked it. This looks so fab on you. I hope that you keep it in rotation. The color suits you and so does the style. Gorgeous!!

slim cat

Veteran

You look great - all pieces are working together! Fab outfit and wonderful make up - you look amazing! Love how you did contour on your eyes.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

And some styling ideas:

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Irina

Veteran

Great color combination, looks good with flared jeans. I would suggest to try it with dressier boots like in Angie’s picture 4.
I’m not into pattern mixing, so can’t appreciate the scarf with it
I would rather add your grey hat

Anonymous

Irina - yes, dressier boots are the obvious solution , with a pair of leather trousers or some other dressier pant. Wish there was somewhere and some occasion to dress like that now though I don't even like that dumb grey hat from the other post - lol. It's such an odd heathered colour up close and who knows why the heck I even bought it? Ha!

Thanks Angie - these are great casual solutions and I'll definitely try them again in the spring or next fall!

Slim cat - thank you .The "extra" eyeliner was an experiment with a new pencil. It's a bit over the top but - *shrug* .

kelly - you would look great in a plaid jacket like this - especially with your gorgeous dark hair to feminize the look

Jenn - I can appreciate the floral skirt/femme it up idea. I can't quite work that look though. But yes to leather leggings, dressier shoes etc.

nuancedream - I would LOVE to have the body type to wear a sweater dress and high boots - love those 70's looks - but I'm about 20 lbs (at least ) away from being able to rock that look.

Thank you all for the outfit likes - I liked it too, and was pleasantly surprised at how OK I felt in plaid ! I think a silk blouse and nicer jeans would be good too - with a higher heel bootie. If we ever get to leave our houses and socialize again

Runcarla

Veteran

@Lisa p - I’m liking how you are experimenting with some different silhouettes, but still in your wheelhouse of black/grey. I see a capsule developing (these items and your last post) and mix and match potential. Don’t get hung up by preconceived ideas that a certain item is for/or signals a different walk of life or socio-economic class. The insouciance of this outfit is what makes it modern and ‘youthful’ without ‘trying too hard.’ The jacket overtop a silky blouse and ‘nicer’ jeans would work, but is probably a more conventional look - and I think you like to be on the crest of the wave, if not ahead of it. Too bad you don’t like the beanie, ‘cause you wear that style of hat very well.

FWIW - your hair looks the best I’ve ever seen it. The longer bang is so flattering.

Anonymous

Thank you Carla - that means a lot ! And you're right, a conventional look is not really mine. I'm enjoying my hair right now as it grows - I think I've finally got past the too-short pixie stage .

Runcarla

Veteran

@Lisa p - just a thought. Have you ever thought to dabble in Tomboy or Gamin style? I don’t see Gentlewoman, but Elegant Tomboy or Savy Gamin? Dynamic, too.

LaPed

Veteran

Love it! The weave on that shirt jacket is beautiful, and the colours suit you. It's more sophisticated than your run-of-the-mill big plaid. Fun styling too -- not "rustic" at all. I see playful and urban and very 2020.

Runcarla

Veteran

Here’s a style acronym for you to play around with!

Eclectic - deriving ideas, style, or taste from a broad and diverse range of sources
Dynamic - 1. Characterized by constant change, activity, progress 2. Positive in attitude and full of energy and new ideas
Gamin - urchin, naughty, playful (mischievous?)
Elegant - pleasingly graceful and stylish in appearance and manner

Anonymous

Carla ! Thank you so much for taking the time to do this - it’s very generous and thoughtful of you . I’ve never seen myself as gamine or tomboy as I don’t have the delicate body type and face that exemplifies those looks ( I see it more in Angie or Suz or Viva , for example ) I LOVE that Audrey Hepburn gamine style - just think I’m not right for it . Tomboy is wonderful too , but I’ve fought against looking unattractive and “butch “ ( for lack of a better term ) my entire life due to my short hair . I think it might be a mistake to do it now being even older ?

But - the acronym has given me something to play with

Anonymous

Evening update : the jeans went into the donate bag . I’ve never liked wearing them and have to yank them up constantly . Why hang on to things that aren’t right ? Angie’s use of the word “ committing “ to an item is such a great thing . I need to spend more time really deciding if something is perfect enough to commit to .

Janet

(website)

Veteran

OK, as someone who has John Deere almost in my blood (my dad worked for JD for 40 years until retirement, and we use Deere equipment at the ranch, have even appeared in marketing for the local distributor), I had to laugh at that description! I certainly know what you mean, but trust me when I say it’s the last thing that would have come to mind with your clever styling. Seriously, that jacket is fab and you worked it just the right way for your style.

I’d love to see that outfit with something like these boots, which, ahem, may have followed me home today. They look way better in person — the suede looks lighter and richer (the stock photo just looks too dark), and the slightly pointed toe offsets the ruggedness of the chunky lug sole. They’re surprisingly light too. But I digress ... The point being, that jacket works because you’re pairing it with casual but sophisticated supporting acts. Totally works. Your instincts on styling are so good.

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Anonymous

Hey - I’m right in John Deere country too - ha . So you know the look I want to avoid Those boots are awesome ! And I just bought some lug soled Chelseas myself last week

CarolS

Veteran

The colour looks fabulous on you, Lisa!

Anonymous

Hi Carol ! Are you trying our virtual workouts? I’ll be calling you !

Sal

Veteran

I love this on you Lisa. I share your feelings re plaid/checks - but when they work they are such a great pattern. And they work here.

I liked Carlas comments - and you do have a touch of gamine about you. I suspect (like me) you feel too busty to be gamine - but I think you do have this in your looks. I think my favourite looks on you have a wee touch of humour or pushing the boundary just a bit.

And yes send the jeans on their way if they are too annoying....

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I have shied away from the plaid shacket look, assuming it would completely overwhelm me but you manage it with panache. Lots of inspiration on instagram but the key is making it work with your proportions and the size of this seems just right. Not a dumb decision at all. Stagnation is the worst. Experimenting and changing means making some mistakes (or so I tell myself) - not that this is one of them!

Bijou

Veteran

Another great outfit, your scarf balances the plaid. The word EDGE suits you because you combine sporty elements with classics to create your own refined and elegant look. I have that lipstick, bought mainly because the name appealed to me!

Could the jeans be taken in to fit you?

Roxanna

Veteran

Honestly this is why you have so much style. The McQueen scarf and edgy +polished boots perfectly balanced out the shacket, which adds some trendy elements to your look (along with the kick flares.) this is what I think of when I think of you - a little bit of edge, a little bit trendy, while still polished. Don’t ever lose that about yourself!

nemosmom

Veteran

I absolutely love this on you. There is some earthiness from the palette and some edginess from the styling, without being TOO anything. If that makes any sense... You have taken the print and made it your own. Love the idea of pairing it with a graphic tee and all kinds of boots. It looks fab with your McQueen scarf!

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

Despite their trendiness, I've been avoiding shackets for all the reasons you mentioned (plus the broad shoulders reason). Wow -- you really made this work with the neutral colors and excellent choice in accessories.

Anonymous

I'd like the jacket more with leather look pants and dressier boots- and the scarf of course. Plaid + jeans + sneakers just seems too far into Natural Kibbe territory- and not Dramatic enough for your features.
Love Runcarla's style acronym for you though!

Anonymous

I agree suntiger , although I know nothing about Kibbe . I’m actually looking forward wearing this jacket thing again with leather ( faux) bottoms and dressy boots . Not sure when that will happen , but I can’t wait !

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