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What was/is your wildcard?

Sharon

Veteran

One aspect of Angie's seasonal must-have lists that I always enjoy is her suggestion of a wild-card: something that is a bit out of your style comfort zone. I must confess that I usually don't have one. But this season I do! My husband gave me a clothing gift voucher for Christmas (my request) and this is what I chose- a bright orange crop! Completely NOT neutral! But I felt really good wearing it and am looking forward to making more outfits with it in the coming weeks.

What was your wildcard? Has it worked out for you? How has it changed your style?

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40 replies

Latest reply was from Alassë

Karie

(website)

Veteran

Your wildcard looks great on you! My wildcard purchase for 2014 was probably the fancy white blazer I bought in Boston. I loved it but wasn't sure if I'd wear it. It has lace insets in the back and the sleeves. Turns out I've worn it a lot - dressed up and dressed down, and I'm so glad I purchased it.

Sharon

Veteran

I love that blazer on you, Karie. Was that a BCBG one? I always get jacket envy when I see you and Janet

Helena

Veteran

Your wildcard is awesome - I love the minimalist shape and design, and you've styled it beautifully. Looks terrific!
Thank you for this post, that makes me wonder is my wildcards are my colorful pieces - finally I might have a classification for them that "fits" - they are not "me" per se, but every once so often, they are a great boost and joy to wear.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Silver shoes! As soon as I got these from Asos earlier this fall I've worn them at least once a week. I was afraid that they were too out there for me, but they do a nice job of livening up an otherwise basic outfit and since they're otherwise a traditional shape they're not too crazy.

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Janet

(website)

Veteran

That top is totally cool. I love it on you.

My wild card for the year was definitely that crazy oversized patina 3.1 Philip Lim vest. I've only worn it a couple of times so far, but it's such a statement, I knew I wasn't going to wear it every week. Plus, it's still early in the winter for us, so my wearing season still has plenty of opportunity. IMO, it's such a distinctive statement piece that I'll get wear out of it for years to come.

Edited to add photo. This is pretty much how I've worn it so far. I think I'll wear it next with straight/skinny jeans rolled and moto boots. Oh, and perhaps with the turquoise JCrew turtleneck sweater (once it gets back from the cleaners -- a Christmas cooking mishap)!

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3.1 Phillip Lim Foiled Moto Leather Vest

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Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Sharon, your orange top is awesome!
Janet, did we see your outfit with this beauty? I would love to see it on you!
Laura, your silver oxfords for sure take any outfit for a new level. Never underestimate the power of awesome shoes!
I had several wildcards this year and none as dramatic as yours but all proved to be work horses for me: my long gilet, plaid jeans and cream culottes.

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Sharon

Veteran

torontogirl, colour is so much fun when you mostly wear neutrals, isn't it!
Laura- they are so smart! It's great to hear that they work well-I may have to put some on my winter wish list now that I have confirmation that they work IRL!
Janet-that vest is amazing! I don't think I have seen any photos with you wearing it, but I really need too!
Sveta, you look like a model! I have admired your gilet in your WIWs this year, and you always look fabulous in trousers so it is fun to see you playing with patterns and lengths.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I LOVE that colour and the top, Sharon. It's stunning layered over the shirt. I will take one too.

My wild cards: Faded denim bell bottom jeans, big white sneakers and a back pack.

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Sharon

Veteran

Angie, I love your backpack so much. It is such a fun, youthful piece, but you wear it in a sophisticated way. I think the faded denim is a great illustration of juxtaposition of styles.
Maybe this is why everyone loves their wildcards? They provide the juxtaposition that makes outfits look current? Ok, lightbulb moment! That's why you listed a wildcard under "must-haves", isn't it? You are so good at what you do! xx

Runcarla

Veteran

Silver loafers bought just after the height of summer. So different. So comfortable! Wildcard turned workhorse.

...and, just 2 weeks ago, bought on a whim (on sale) a Rachel Roy grey angora, cotton, viscose, nylon, soft and slouchy sweater. I don't normally do slouchy, and my kids have been calling me a 'hipster' due to the irony of the saying (my engines rev high - activity and anxiety are my drivers). The top is sooo soft, and I have been wearing it all through the holidays...

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Janet

(website)

Veteran

Sharon and Sveta, I added a photo to my post above, thanks!

Sharon

Veteran

Runcarla -glad to hear another vote for silver footwear! And I like the idea of wearing an item that only people close to you will understand
Janet -it is gorgeous on you! That green is just magic with your colouring.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Love the shape of that top! I have my eye out for structured clothing like that (there is probably a better word). I feel like most of my closet is wild cards, hmm. I will have to think about this later.

lyn67

Veteran

Sharon, I don't think I have one for my self yet, but LOVE LOVE LOVE your wildcard! Such a sophisticated cut in such a cheerie color!!! Fabric is also different to me, seems like felt? Love your kind of layering, a very great job here, thanx for sharing it!:-9

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Wow, Sharon, that is the best wild card EVER! That top singlehandedly solves the problem of wearing crops over long -- just by its shape. It's an echo of the curve of the semi-tuck higher up. Brilliant -- in more ways than one. I love it on you.

My wild card was my scenic tee from Banff -- became an instant wardrobe workhorse for casual at home days. I don't really have a winter wild card, but hope still to find one this season.

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Elizabeth P

Veteran

Sharon, this is fantastic on you! Way to go!

I'd have to say that my wildcard is my pleather culottes. Absolutely an out there fashion forward piece of clothing, that I enjoy far more than I thought I would. Not sure they're the most flattering thing in the world on me, but they are comfortable, and FUN.

I'd also like to add that I also bought silver oxfords. Mine aren't silver persay, more grey patent, so not as shiny as some. I love them, and wear them often... for me, with my hair, they are a no-brainer neutral and a great bookender. However the rest of the world seems to treat them as a wildcard... I get a comment on them pretty much every time I wear them. Which I find interesting.

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Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Thanks, sweet Sharon. After doing this for 23 years, I've learned that our wild cards often become favourites, and change the landscape of our wardrobes. That's why I list them as a "must have". xo

Sharon

Veteran

shevia, your WIW's always strike me as interesting and congruent with your fashion persona. Maybe something strict and structured would be a wildcard for you?
lyn, thank you! I did hesitate a bit before buying it, but now I'm glad I did. It is made of a very thick knit material-I haven't seen fabric with quite as much body before.
Suz, thank you. I love your Banff top. It is so pretty and fresh. I remember when I first saw it thinking it looked very arty and sophisticated and admiring how unexpected that was in a souvenir type shirt! My experience of those is they are usually a bit cheap and daggy and this is the complete opposite.
Elizabeth, the only word for those culottes is cool! A great way to add edge to your wardrobe. And another vote for silver shoes! Gonna have to amend my winter wish list

harmonica

Veteran

Wow, your wild card is so cool and I love how you styled it! The sculpturing effect is awesome and bright orange is one of my favorite colours

I'm not sure I have a wild card this season... I bought a bright orange blazer fra Zara a few years ago. That was a wild card and it became a working horse

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Sharon

Veteran

Snap! You are my orange twin That jacket is very sharp, and I love the bookending with the shoes.

mica

Medium-large-ish silver filigree teardrop dangle earrings. Surprisingly versatile and can be dressed up / down. Makes me feel a little like a different person, in a good way. Other than these I pretty much only wore studs before! (but perhaps that will now change...)

Also coated twill leggings!

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I think it's hard to recognize wildcards in an eclectic wardrobe. But here's one that I decided was a wildcard this year--a floral linen dress I made. I've worn it once and will try to wear it again next summer.

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swtnsr

A wildcard is a great thought. I am in the process of purging my closet and doing a "reset" - so as I do that I may come across something I recognize as a wildcard.

I love the idea, of that one "something" that you take a chance on and it becomes not only a favorite, but a fashion addition.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

This thread has brought out some good thoughts on wildcards, Sharon. I love your orange cropped vest. It is the color that makes it a wild card for you, isn't it? Or is it also the style?
I've wondered if my linen dress really is a wild card or if it's simply a likely orphan. I'm not sure it pushes my style in a particular direction or that it updates anything.
I wonder if my harem pants were a wild card. They were quite different for me, in terms of silhouette. They have turned out to be a real favorite and a workhorse, too. They provide an edgy base for some of my unusual tops.

And perhaps my skirted leggings are a wildcard. I had leggings and have been feeling kind of over them, or at least wearing them differently and less than I used to. And then skirted leggings came along to inject some newness into the art of wearing leggings. They go hand in hand with my enthusiasm for longer cardigans lately.

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Sharon

Veteran

mica, I like your comment about your earrings making you feel like a different person. What aspect of yourself did you feel they connected to and brought out?
swtnsr, I'll be keen to hear if you find anything that captures you during your closet clean out.
Firecracker, the harem pants seem more like a wild card to me, just because they are a different silhouette and also they are a bit edgy. My litmus test was something a bit out of your comfort zone. Did any of your pieces feel like that? You are correct, the colour was the wildcard for mine - I have several crop tops, but they have all been neutral until now. I had a "do I dare?" moment before I bought it *smile*

Hilary

I am hoping to add these to my wardrobe soon (next paycheck or so); these would be very edgy for me but I love them.

Eileen Fisher The Fisher Project Leather Trimmed Leggings

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Sheila

Veteran

A couple of wild FL cardi's and this FL jacket makes me feel good.

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Sharon

Veteran

Hilary, they look very modern and I can imagine they would bring an edge to a lot of outfits.
Sheila, that is an amazing jacket! The shape is wonderful and the pattern really makes it stand out.

dashielle (Ann)

(website)

Veteran

Thought this would be an easy one to answer, but many of my "wildcards" turned into either staples or statement pieces this year, since I made so many changes to my style after joining the forum. If I have to pick the most "wild" item, it would be my AGL sequin oxfords (I call them my dragon shoes, since the sequins shift from blue to green like scales of a dragon). Follow that with my silver oxfords (a lemming item), EF harem pants and leather leggings...all very outside of my previous comfort zone!

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Eileen Fisher Harem Pants (Regular & Petite)

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Eileen Fisher The Fisher Project Leather Trimmed Leggings

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