Some K/R some not... - YouLookFab Forum

The new haircut seems to have spurred a bit of a shopping binge as well as a fair bit of thinking about the style direction I am heading. I really appreciate the fashion on the main character, Claire, on House of Cards. The part is played by Robin Wright who is 47 - so in my age group. Her clothes are almost all neutral (black, navy, grey, white) and very tailored and unadorned. I find the style appeals to me a great deal. The clothes are almost austere but sexy at the same time. I was thinking this may be my style description but I went shopping and realized I love color AND neutrals so that was one revelation. I also commented to a friend a few days ago that I am really glad that the wider legs on pants and jeans seem to be making a comeback and that I was feeling over my skinnier fitting jeans. Then I went shopping and tried on a pair of very stretchy colored SKINNY pants. I liked them and bought not only one but two and in COLOR (well one navy).

I started my closet clean-out and when I finished the review, I saw things quite clearly. I had a row of dresses that were either tailored or draped and in black, navy, and green. I also noted that my dress pants are also black, navy, grey, and brown. On the other hand, my tops and casual pants seem to be brighter saturated colors - teal, fuchsia, blue, coral and purple.

I haven't finished my ruminating yet but I have found a new enthusiasm towards fashion and realized that I have been dressing very poorly for months. I wore a new white button front and pants to work and people commented which made me realize how much I had slid. I need to step it up as I do enjoy nice clothes.

On to shopping. I saw a sweater online that appealed to me so I went to the store to try it on. I ended up trying half the clothes in the store and coming away with a few.

1. The sweater that started the spree and the skinny pants. I was doubtful but picked the pants up anyway just to have something to try on with the white sweater. They are 70% cotton, 28% nylon and 2% spandex. They have a button but no zipper so they slip on. I thought the sweater might be a touch snug in the hip area but I have another 10 lbs to lose and the next size up was too loose.

What do you think of the pants? And the sweater?

2. I bought this metallic tank thinking it would work over a button shirt as a soft vest. It fit well on its own but I don't think it works with the shirt. I might try other shirts (I ordered 4 from Charles Tyrwhitt last week) to see if it helps.
K/R?? I am not sure if it is worth keeping if it can't be layered.

3. Black dress with faux leather inserts. I was inspired by Ingunn's BR capsule and how she used a purple dress layered under sweaters instead of a skirt. I thought this might work. It is a nice weight and is fully lined. I like it but may be like the poor soul lost at sea who is given water...shopping after a drought... I'm also not sure what shoes I would wear with it. Would tall boots be okay or booties with matching tights like Sveta did with the navy striped gap dress and burgundy tights/booties?

4 and 5. I also bought the skinny pants in a deep teal. I have it here with a shirt I bought last year with coral. I have a long light weight sweater in the same coral to layer over it. Next I have them with a silk shirt. I wasn't sure if tonal dressing was still in but Shannon posted that gorgeous polyvore the other day with the varying blues and I thought this could still work.

So there we have it. My style journey and my shopping.

Comments and critiques welcome.

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12 years ago

Amy

(website)

Veteran

Both items in #1 are excellent.

I don't really like the shiny vest.

The dress is gorgeous. Yes to all your footwear ideas

Tonal dressing is lovely and I don't see why it would ever go out of style.

Suz

I think it's completely normal that you are wanting a style renewal to go along with your fab new hair. It's also normal that you took a bit of a break for a while -- you were focused on other creative projects. So now is the time.

It's interesting that there seems to be a bit of a dichotomy between your work looks and your casual looks as well as between what you say you like or want and what you actually gravitate towards once you're in the stores.

Of course maybe what you gravitate towards depends a bit on the quality of what you see. (I'm sure that's true of most of us. What we like in theory is different from what we like when it's on us, or what we like when we compare the fabrications of two different cuts, etc.)

Also, maybe it's okay that you harbour (at least) two sets of preferences. Two style personas can live comfortably within the same person (sometimes more than two) and particularly if your needs are different in work and casual settings, why not? On the other hand, if you'd like to bring it all closer together, that's possible, too.

The new sweater and pants look great on you; no wonder they started you on a bit of a spree.

I agree with you about the tank, but would love to see it without a shirt.

Black dress looks great and yes, you can wear it with tall boots or booties with toned tights. If you plan to layer over it you might want to try the specific sweaters to see if they look okay with the pattern of the leather insets.

Not sure if tonal dressing is still "in" but I still love it! The teals are beautiful and will look wonderful on you.

kellygirl

Love everything about 1. The high contrast really suits you. You glow in white, btw. My only concern is the sheerness--but that could just be the flash at work. I love the idea of the tank over the top (2) but agree that there is something about the cut of it that prevents it from working just right. To me, that top is only going to work as a tank--not vest. Love the sheath on you. I, too, love what Ingunn did with hers and wish that my sheath was a color instead of black. This looks like a great basic with cool details. Adore the tonals--teal is gorgeous!

ETA: Gosh, I love your hair!

nancylee

LOVE the new haircut! That black dress will be super useful, and it has some fun interest built in, too.

I'm not sure about the tank over the top look; it's almost as if the colors are too muted together. Maybe you need more contrast?

Love the teal. I can't imagine tonal dressing ever really being out of style.

Makrame

Your new haircut looks great! Like you, in fantasy life I am in love with Claire Underwood's style and wardrobe but in reality I tend towards brighter colors, especially when it comes to tops. You always look good in saturated colors so I don't see a reason to fight it.

I like both pairs of pants. The sweater in #1 looks good - does it have a faux-layered construction or did you wear a shirt under it? Not a fan of the shiny tank, sorry. The sheath looks good, and I especially like it with the booties in #3. What about light-colored tights, like nude fishnets, to create the same look as in #3 for colder month? I also like knee-length dresses with tall boots - maybe a contrasting color, like cognac, would be good?

Lyn D.

Not much to add, but I could see the white sweater in an all-white outfit looking great. The banding at the bottom would add textural interest.
Sounds like you had a fun shopping day!

Caro in Oz

I echo what the others have said. Your hair looks fantastic & the black dress is fabulous.

cheryle (Dianthus)

Thanks. I am still debating the tank. I think the fabric is too light weight to layer over top but maybe a longer shirt would help. I might try again.

Suz, I don't think it is that I don't like what I think I like when I get to the store. My dresses, skirts, and pants all seem to be the type of piece I "think" I want but then I add in the brights. I think you are right and one can have more than one style persona. We have no dress code at work so I can go anywhere from jeans and a t-shirt to a suit.

Kelly, I agree that the sweater is a bit too sheer. I have a white tank and think I will layer it under. I looked at the website again and it looks like the model has a white tank layered under it.

Makrame, yes, it is a faux layer with shirt tails attached at the bottom. I think I vowed never to buy anything with faux layers again but I will blame it on my forgetfullness.

Re the sweater -- it will look great with the tank layered under. I also think the flash exaggerates all sheerness to the 9th degree. The same way it seems to hide all detail in darker items, LOL.

Dianthus, you look great in colour as well as neutrals, so no wonder you are attracted to it!

For me, the biggest shift I noticed when I cut my hair shorter had to do with the types of necklines that flattered me most -- and figuring out proportions of outfits. With my longer hair I could wear lower necklines more effectively (they still probably were not great on me, but were okay). Meanwhile, shorter hair opened up the possibility of turtlenecks, crew necks, and more jackets.

pil

1,3,4,5 - yes, yes, yes, yes! Looks like you brought home some winners even though your original intentions were modified somewhat.

Jaime

I think #1 looks fantastic, both parts. The pants are narrow but they are not skinny (as in skin tight) and I think it is a great style for you. I think the problem in #2 is the muted violet may not suit you - the tank might work styled differently. The dress is great and, just to reiterate, your hair is fantastic!

FlorenceFearne

Active Member

Agreeing with the others again. #1 and #3 are so nice on you, but I feel #2 misses the mark. I think your coloring is maybe better flattered by the crisp blacks and whites, and the dusty color of that button-up is what's tripping me up. If you feel so inclined, I'd love to see you post that same outfit, but with a crisp black or white top under the vest. The comparison might be really illuminating.

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