Unlikely combos

Carol

I am a person who, despite buying a mish-mosh of thrifted wear, tends to be more traditional with what shoes go with what top, etc.

Here we have a screen shot of Chloe Sevigny at an event 10 or 15 years ago, from the YouTube Vogue bit on her fashion. I was quite taken with the combination of bomber/baseball jacket with booties. I would have put booties with a blazer, or that jacket with some high tops.

Are there some combos you have been surprised by? Or are you one of those fashionistas who is good at mixing it up? What are some unexpected combos you love?

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9 months ago

Inspiration

15 replies

Latest reply was from Carol

Helena

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I think this sort of juxtaposition is very 2020s ... clashing styles, or a 'wrong' element can give a really modern twist to an outfit!

9 months ago

Star

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Chloe looks fabulous. I love unexpected combos, always have.

9 months ago

Veteran

I love finding unexpected combos on Pinterest or even in my wardrobe when I happen to hang two unlikely combos next to each other on the drying rack or fold them next to each other. I suppose I am unconsciously always on the look out for them because I enjoy new ways to wear what I already have.

1) I really like the texture variety in this Pinterest photo: fur scarf, nubby cardigan, leather gloves, and suede clutch.

2) I would love to find this statement necklace! The way it dresses up this simple column of black is perfection!

3) Tunic sweater dress over delicate midi skirt.

4) Another fabulous layering over a delicate skirt.

5) Oversize sweater with midi trumpet skirt.

6) The angular lines of all the pieces makes a cohesive and unique outfit.

7) Ornate jacket, tank top, wide cuff jeans, wide band leather slides...fun combo. (Carla, do you still have that printed bomber jacket?)

8) A mesh top over overalls.

9) Why does this bell sleeve and the satchel look so good together?

10) I rented this dress for a cocktail party tonight, but I also had a theater performance to attend last night and wanted to dress it down. So I wore it with bohemian earrings and patent booties. It's a little funky but I think it fit in with the exuberant show of Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812.

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9 months ago

Jaime

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I don't know about surprise but I do love contrasts and juxtapositions. All of AJ's examples, as well as your photo are inspiring. I think at this moment I would be more surprised by an outfit that I admired that had no element of contrast.

9 months ago

harmonica

Veteran

AJ - a big YAY to all of your examples!

I was definitely more conventional when I joined ylf 12(?) years ago. Back then I was so lost style wise after giving all my attention to my three boys. I really didn’t know how to dress! I started simple and looked for classical items to build a new wardrobe (everything I owned was ill fitting, worn out or outdated) and putting together outfits. For me it was kind of like learning a new skill by practicing the basics first. After years, I was able to listen to my instincts and now I sort of go with the flow.

9 months ago

Runcarla

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My texture game is weak. I have trouble picking up contrasting textures from visuals, and feel that texture in my closet is weak. I really like the juxtaposition of dressy/casual - like a jean jacket with dressy trousers, etc.

Recently I’ve been inspired by unlikely colour combinations. I was inspired by Angie’s green/beige combinations https://youlookfab.com/welookf.....ater-dress to create one of my own, and I want to replicate a colour combination I saw in an online periodical (see photo) with items from my own closet (see finds).

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9 months ago

Runcarla

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@ AJ - alas, no. After ++ wear, I wore the fabric out at the elbows. I’m a ‘leaner’ and long sleeved items show wear at elbows and along the underside of my forearms.

9 months ago

lyn67

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I don't know how old she was back then but this outfit looks young an natural for me. Like kind of a college look- when you just throw on your one baseball jacket over everything even if surelly was not the case!:-). BUT devil is in the details, ALWAYS! To begin with her dress is neutral and matches skin and hair. Highlighted unexpected juxtaposition (in it's uncoordinated shapes and finecy) but It looks so great cause nothing else fights for attention here-the jacket is still neutral and low key and bookends the black cowboy boots. The white pipping lightens up the block of dark over the flirty feminine dress-great detail for a blonde. Love it!

From the AJ's examples I love nr 8! Intriguing at it's bests!

8 months ago

BlueJay

Veteran

oooo! Fun thread, Carol! I really love the idea, but yes, sometimes it's harder to execute in real life. I'm not good at it. The easiest and most practical is to wear athletic shoes, or denim jacket, or sweatshirt with a skirt or dress. Wearing jeans with a fancy top. Not unexpected though! haha!

Great visuals, AJ! I think wearing the booties with your dress looks fantastic! #9 gave me pause too. Maybe it's the colours (red, black, white and blue), but the photo has really strong lines (straight edges of the purse echoing the lines of the bell sleeves).

8 months ago

anchie

Veteran

I rarely look for inspiration anywhere else, but Runcarla's photo made me want to recreate that look since I have all components but I would never put them together like that.

8 months ago

Joy

Veteran

I have admired but not worn a sweat shirt with a skirt shown by Angie. I have no sweatshirts to try. Miss matched patterns and colors come to mind as miss matchedPatterns are not long in my closet. A fancy top with jeans. Sport shoes with a dress. These are my ideas of the unexpected but I rarely have the pieces to carry it out.

8 months ago

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

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I really love Ralph Lauren’s juxtaposition of textiles (leather, suede, metal, chiffon), theme (southwestern, ladylike, rugged vs. formal), and the individual elements, like the cowboy belt, the fringe jacket, the platform heeled sandals, and the elaborate necklace. Light vs heavy, masculine vs feminine, rough vs. refined. So perfect!

AJ, your theatre outfit is absolutely perfect for N+P! Absolutely gorgeous!

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8 months ago

Carol

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Looks like I never responded, and I am sorry. I have been so busy and frazzled.

Helena--it totally does seem like a this-decade thing. I think of all the Dad sneakers they were putting with blazers and pants.

Star--she really does, doesn't she?

AJ--wow, thank you for sharing all those pics. I also love finding unexpected combos when items are sitting next to each other in my closet. I love the cartoonish delicacy of the girl's ankles in 6, created by the wide leg and chunky shoe. I also love the mesh top over overalls. Your last photo...you look like you know the cast....maybe it's the hip boots.

Jaime--wouldn't it be funny if the pendulum swung back in a proper way? It seems to. Then I guess we'll have neat outfits with everything matching...which would be something new.

harmonica--you know, I have always been creative, but "going with the flow" instead of following rules is hard for me. Glad to know it came to you after awhile.

8 months ago

Carol

(website)

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Runcarla--I really dig the sportiness, but also the crispness, of the items you've chosen. Perhaps that's the juxtaposition you speak of. I like the idea of layering a short-sleeve dress shirt OVER a sweater.

Lyn68--great point about how subtlety in some areas helps bring out contrast in others. I feel like this is an important style skill, and one I'm actually decent at. I've saved friends from going out the door in outfits that "wear them" instead of the other way, by helping them with a jewelry switch, etc.

BlueJay--yes, I don't know how good I am at it, unless, like AJ, I happen to see two pieces next to each other by accident. I love the idea of a big, chunky sweatshirt, esp. like a logo or ad sweatshirt, with a long skirt. I hadn't thought of that.

anchie--Isn't that funny, that we have all these pieces, and we never think to put them all together. It's like we need that computer program in Clueless that makes outfits for Cher.

Joy--I don't have that many pieces, either. But I suppose it's not all about juxtaposition, either--sometimes it's just about a presentable, proportioned outfit.

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8 months ago

Carol

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Mary Beth--I also love Ralph Lauren, and I don't think I've ever seen any of his work that I don't love. One thing I really like is that one season, everyone will be doing "clean lines," or "punk," and he will just stick to his thing. He is also unafraid to do sort of an old money look. Like this picture looks like a wealthy resort town, but when you add in the jewelry and belt, it becomes art.

8 months ago

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