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Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Shades of Grey worn with new wildcard

Bijou

Veteran

Grey is a colour that I previously wore often (a suitably serious colour for working in professional services) but don't think it does me any favours. The outfit formula made me wonder if I should give grey another try, using items that I have in my closet.

I have this lovely cashmere double faced jacket. I purchased it many years ago and before my time on YLF on sale and was wowed by the quality. I could wear it inside out and you would not know, because all the seams are perfectly executed and hidden. It is a beautiful piece BUT

it is grey and
it is oversized and perhaps too big on me.

It has been sitting in the holding zone of my closet. I decided to attempt a light neutral column, but being me, needed to add some colour into the mix, with my sneakers and the pearls add a light and pretty element to the masculine style jacket.

I would be interested to know if you think I should rehome my jacket, or wear it casually (like I did today, working from home). I can see me using this jacket instead of buying a trendy shacket. DH liked my outfit, especially the hoodie and jacket combination.

The sneakers are my wildcard purchase. They are super comfy and flat and somehow crazy at the same time. I love them and have been wearing them often since buying them 2 weeks ago.

Photo 1 - the grey outfit
Photo 2 - jeans, vest and blouse (a typical work from home look for me)
Photo 3 - on a warm day, wearing shorts.

My weather has been all over the place, hence the winter, spring and summer outfits shown here!

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23 replies

Latest reply was from Stagiaire Fash

Katerina

Veteran

I like the grey outfit a lot! The cream jeans and pearls make it softer and crisp, and the super cool and fun sneakers add the signature Bijou playfulness to the mix. I think you should definitely rehome the jacket and wear it. I know you are approaching summer now, but I can see it layered over your knitted sweaters with scarves, combat boots and colorful bags. How about the floral doc martens? Would that work?
No 2 and 3 are beautiful as well - very you. The sneakers was a perfect wild card for your wardrobe. They bring a smile to every outfit.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Well I love the beautiful jacket! I don’t think it looks oversized. You look very cute in the shorts outfit too.
I can see why you like the sneakers- a fun item for you. I think you can probably guess they’re too “clompy” for my own preference

rachylou

Veteran

Ok… I do feel it’s unfitted nature contradicts your style… yeah, I said it…

Mirjana

Veteran

The grey outfit with those beautiful sneakers is absolutely fabulous. I know what you mean , the color is your style, and it is obvious when I looked the next outfits. But this combination with those beautiful sneakers and pearls is very nice on you, so wear it definitely.

Anonymous

Love the second outfit! The grey looks like a great jacket, but much more subdued than your usual. Maybe try it over a flashy skirt or dress?

Brooklyn

Veteran

I’m not sure about the jacket. It looks fine (I think the size is fine) but it doesn’t seem like your current style. How do you feel about it? If you like it for a change in pace, it’s worth keeping.

The shoes, on the other hand, are very you. Wildcard indeed. They are splendid!

Bijou

Veteran

Katerina, thank you for the great styling suggestions. Whilst I would not buy the grey jacket for my wardrobe today, I do think I can utilise it in a way that works for my style. I think a brighter colour sweater would help lift it too. As for the sneakers, they have a matching scarf which I bought, I will look at your WIWs for styling inspiration.

Jenni, the shoes are clompy for sure! I am glad the shorts outfit is OK. Shorts are so practical for my climate so I gave myself a personal challenge to embrace them for this forthcoming summer. Shorts and a t-shirt is too casual for me, but I can handle them with a blouse.

Rachy, you are right. I can handle styling a piece in a less flattering colour OR less flattering style. This one is challenging, because both the colour and style are outside my usual preferences. I am going to play with it because when I walked Margot today, the wind was cold and the jacket worked beautifully for the conditions.

Mirjana, so glad you like the sneakers. I think they are so much fun.

Suntiger, that is great advice. I was thinking it could be a fun topper over a girly dress which would feel more ‘me’.

Brooklyn, thanks for chiming in. The fact that I went through all of winter and did not wear this jacket is probably a good reason for it to go. Definite food for thought.

Tanya

Veteran

First of all, your wildcard sneakers are super cute and totally you.

I love all the three outfits - the first one's soft colors appeal to me, the second one is typical lovey romantic outfit that is your signature, and the pairing in the third one is unexpected.

I like the grey jacket on you, and it does not look too big. To me, it looks slightly oversized in a deliberate manner, which is trending vey much these days. Such jackets are usually meant to be in a "throw over anything" way, and for your style, I would try it over one of your gorgeous colorful romantic dresses, with a silver accessory of some kind to go with the grey.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

WOW! The sneakers are wild, but Bijou-Harajuku! TOTALLY KILLER, and sooo you! LOVE!

Of course, you have styled them wonderfully and so playfully here. And I expected nothing less!

As for the grey jacket, I’m with Rachy and Brooklyn. It’s okay, but not your usual magical and glam style. I vote pop back into the holding zone.

Mainelady

Veteran

Ooh! Sorry, but I just have to say that I love those sneakers!

Ok, back to the big question about the gray jacket. Given the trends, I do not think it is too big on you and I can see it working well for you casually, or on colder days. I do agree with others, that it is a departure from your usual glam, so it may take some time to adjust. There is a reason you have held onto the jacket. Give it a few tries with some of your fabulous colors, to see if you feel the joy. If not, at least you can give the jacket a good send off.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Fun sneakers!

I agree that the grey jacket is more subdued and easier in fit than your usual, but I think it’s sometimes really useful to have a slightly oversized and neutral piece like that, to pair with more statement-y items. I am envisioning that jacket over a bright sweater or blouse with a colorful patterned scarf. I say hang onto it and see if you reach for it more.

kkards

Veteran

I see nothing but those FABULOUS sneakers

slim cat

Veteran

Great looks and amazing sneakers!
I feel similar about grey as a color - not favorite in my wardrobe ( barely any items left from previous work ) but the fit and style of the grey jacket is great on you ( with special styling skills of course ).

Katerina

Veteran

A matching scarf with the sneakers!!!! I can’t wait to see the whole combo in action

The Cat

Veteran

Fun sneakers--they suit your playful style.

I am a little sorry to say this, but you asked, and honestly, there are SO many colours that are much better for you than grey and black. Besides, IMHO the grey jacket looks too big and heavy for your beautiful frame.

kkards

Veteran

Back to comment on the grey..it’s not a 10 but I think you can pump it up with by mixing it with brighter colors

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I would try the jacket with pink. You look beautiful in #1 but less of a punch. New shoes are perfect for you, and outift #2 is fabulous!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Ok, the sneakers are brilliant!! No wonder you are enjoying them.

Love your WFH outfit, too -- super elegant on top, comfy on the bottom!

Vest is smart because it feels less constraining.

Re the jacket. I actually think you wear the grey beautifully. But the jacket isn't quite your usual style, so I can see how it might feel off. I do really like it with the hoodie. Maybe that's the trick with it --- to layer with other items.

Bijou

Veteran

Thank you all for your very thoughtful and insightful comments, there is much to ponder here.

Tanya - I think throwing this over a pretty dress is exactly how I can make it work for me - I love that idea.

Angie - as soon as I saw the sneakers I thought of Harajuku too! I just look at my feet and feel happy in them. As the grey streaks are appearing in my hair, perhaps keeping this jacket in the holding zone until my silver transformation is complete is what is required.

Mainelady - I am thrilled that the YLF thinks my crazy sneakers were a good wildcard purchase for me. I think colour may make the difference or else I can let it go to someone who will love it.

Janet, thank you for the suggestions, colour and a scarf are likely to lift the jacket. I love how you combine neutrals with scarves and beautiful accessories.

KKards, you make me laugh - the sneakers are quite loud! And yes to adding colour. Given I have lots of other jackets, perhaps it is time for me and this jacket to part ways...

Slim Cat - I am amazed at how much I wore grey previously. I think I bought this jacket circa 2012, so it is an older piece in my wardrobe.

Katerina, the scarf and sneakers are super fun together!

The Cat - thank you for your feedback. My goodness, how could I ever be offended by such a compliment. I thoroughly agree, that there are so much better colours on me. Unfortunately, when I bought this jacket, I was just trying to fade into the background because my boss at work was relentless in his criticism of how I was always too dressed up and bold in my fashion choices. Luckily I changed jobs and decided to embrace my love of colour!

Shevia - everything is so much better with pink! That is a great suggestion.

Suz - I think the jacket needs something added to make it feel like me and have been thinking about adding some sparkly brooches and wearing with colour.

Joy

Veteran

Your grey jacket works with the white pants, pearls and your blond hair and fun sneakers. It does look a big big on you, but oversized seems to be trending.

The Cat

Veteran

Bijou, I am sorry to hear about your previous boss' negative comments, and glad to hear that you got a new job. I am sure that your amazing style and kind personality is an inspiration to people around you as well as to us fellow fabbers.

The grey jacket looks like a quality item, and I do understand why you want to get some wear out of it. My suggestion: Wear it as a shacket over columns of colour in light non-neutrals (e.g. yellow, peach, pink, lilac, light blue, turquoise) and add fun shoes plus fun jewellery or a patterned scarf.

If you want an even more cohesive look, you can repeat the grey colour SUBTLY by adding silver sneakers and/or a silver belt (visible when the jacket is worn open). Silver looks more glam and fun than ordinary greys, and these items will likely go with many other colours in your wardrobe.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Oh my goodness are you really letting grey streaks appear in your hair? I had to laugh once before when you said something like you would be one of those little old ladies that would be dyeing her hair blonde for ever! I have a few of those in my practice- I always feel they must be secretly disapproving of my greys since they are about 20 years older than me
If you do let the greys come in then like many of us you may find you like silver in accessories. Even although my skin tone still suits warm colours it can suit cool as well more than it used to.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

I like the jacket on you, but have taken a while to figure out how I think you could wear it better. I think I don’t love it over the form-fitting off-white pants, but would like it over different pants or a form-fitting dress. I’d also encourage you to play with other color combos, like maybe a magenta from the shoes, or fuchsia, yellow, or teal. It certainly is a piece that you can set aside for a few years until more grey comes in, but I don’t see any need to do so. It’s a great jacket thst could transition through various style shifts. One other idea—don’t you have black leather(ette) pants? How does it work with them and a caramel top?