Urban Snow Queen explores variations on a theme (& shares a big tranche of inspo images)

Day 9

Teal velvet skinny jeans, plum cowl neck tunic

Outdoor version: black snow boots, black parka, teal everyday bag

New piece(s): teal velvet skinny jeans

Assessment of new item(s) – fit, etc.:

These are true skinnies, and not really my current preference (as mentioned I am really liking relaxed skinnies right now). The quality here is also not the greatest – the seams twist, especially on the left leg. I do love the very dark bottle-green color, though.

Is the outfit elevated/cohesive/refined? No. It could have been, if I had bothered to accessorize.

Where is the contrast? Heck if I know. I’m not really sure what I was thinking here – maybe I was still recovering from the flu and just not back to my full fashion strength.

How else could I wear the new item(s)? See tomorrow’s outfit.

Day 10

Teal velvet skinny jeans, aqua cowl neck pullover

Outdoor version: white stompy boots, black parka, teal everyday bag

New piece(s): aqua cowl neck pullover

Assessment of new item(s) – fit, etc.:

Ok, this is a good place to share my theory about cowl necks. I think that a dramatic and “starchy” (for lack of a better word) cowl, as with my plum and gray tunics, kind of mimics a ruff: perfect for those Snow Queen vibes. When I arrange this sweater’s neckline in a similar way, I really like it – but, it has less inherent structure, and tends to “slump” into an arrangement/orientation that I prefer less. I might try stitching the collar into place to see if I can get it to maintain the desired shape a bit better. Otherwise, good fit here. I like the color although I do have to guard against combinations that feel too “sweet” to me.

Is the outfit elevated/cohesive/refined? The idea here was to try a tonal look with teal and aqua. I think the color scheme is successful in providing cohesiveness, although the proportions of these two pieces are not ideal, which diminishes the elevated/refined quotient.

Where is the contrast? Value contrast, especially in the outdoor version of the outfit with punchy white boots. (I’m realizing though that these days I mostly prefer to wear ankle boots under straight- or wide-leg pants rather than over skinnies.)

How else could I wear the new item(s)? Confirmed: I prefer a longer top/sweater with these narrow and relatively unstructured pants.

Day 11

Lavender velvet skinny jeans, gray oversized cowl tunic

Outdoor version: cognac riding boots, pink puffer vest, teal everyday bag

New piece(s): lavender velvet skinny jeans

Assessment of new item(s) – fit, etc.:

I love the color. But these are just too big – removing them from my active wardrobe

Is the outfit elevated/cohesive/refined? Yes! This is one of my favorite outfits so far. I considered going with my plum tunic here for another tonal look. But, as it turns out the pants have enough gray in them that I think the outfit reads as tonal anyway. The vest over top was also a risk – I was worried that pink vest and lavender pants would be too easter-eggy. But again, the colors are similar enough, and grayed enough, that I think it really works.

Where is the contrast? Silhouette is doing most of the work here: big swingy sweater over narrow pants. The shorter vest adds to the silhouette contrast in the outdoor version of the look.

I wish I owned: A light-colored coat to create similar looks when a vest isn’t enough/right for the weather. Spoiler: now I do!

Also picking up on a previous suggestion to try accessorizing with a bracelet here. I love the *idea* of this, and especially how this vintage Native/Southwestern copper cuff takes on Viking vibes in this unexpected context. But. If I just put the bracelet on my wrist it’s hidden by my sweater sleeve. If I put it on the outside of my sweater sleeve it creates this weird bunching, AND as soon as I start moving my arms around like a normal person it comes loose and winds up hidden by my sleeve again. So, I don’t get it. How do people wear bracelets in the winter/with long sleeves?