Which shoes, coat and bag? + update - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Urgent

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Which shoes, coat and bag? + update

harmonica

Veteran

I'm planning an outfit for an informal dinner at a senior collegaue's house in the woods(!). She has invited everyone at the writing seminar I'm part if. And we're all making a dish for the feast. The local nameing of such a dinner is «basket party», implying that everyone brings a basket of food for all to share.

The hostess is brilliant at her work. However, fashion/dressing is probably not on her mind at all. Hence, I don't want to look too trendy or «flashy». I'll probably wear
-white tank top with black stripes
-vintage red a-line skirt with navy and white dots
-cream topper

Questions are:
1: What do you think of the pattern mixing? Too much?
2: Yellow coat or checked duster?
3: black slingbacks with graphic heel or metallic vintage block heel shoes?
4: what kind of bag would you suggest?

Bags #2: burgundy, white, red, yellow/silver/cream clutch

Bags #3: taupe, black, clutch with studs

If you have other outfit ideas, suggestions, tweeks or feedback you are very welcome!

This post has 3 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

View Info

View Info

View Info

View Info

Urgent

30 replies

Latest reply was from tulle

lyn67

Veteran

Great, and love it with the patterned coat on the left, that is kind of killer-if you want to make impressions!:-)

harmonica

Veteran

Thanks, lyn67! There is no need to impress at all. The checked duster picks up the black and white. Maybe a more cohesive choice?

Anonymous

Congratulations on the invite. It sounds really fun.

I may be much more conservative than you or your group. I feel that the pattern mixing has too much going on. But I have never really liked pattern mixing in the first place so I defer to other Forum Members on this issue.

Having just said I don't like pattern mixing, I really like the duster (as opposed to the yellow coat) with this ensemble. Yes. I know that makes no sense.

Metallic vintage block heel shoes.

This is SO MUCH HARDER than it should be. No wonder I struggle to dress for these types of events.

madeline

Veteran

I like the yellow coat, black shoes, but can't decide on the purse.

Sisi

Veteran

Hahaha! I'm laughing at myself reading Sterling's comment. Me too, I am not a fan of pattern mixing and despite this I like outfit nr. 1 !

Anonymous

Yellow coat, gold shoes, dark red bag.
This is such a nice outfit harmonica!

Momo

Veteran

I think the pattern mixing with the checked coat is awesome. Reminds me of the kitchen sink outfit from Angie's blog. I say that with the black shoes and white and black bag.
Can you out some of them on for us?
I am enjoying these posts of yours by the way ! So fun ! Thanks for doing them

Joy

Veteran

I like pattern mixing but prefer the second group with the vintage shoes because the black shoes look too heavy to my eye for this outfit. I like the the last bag in #3 best ( the clutch) or the first ( shoulder bag) in #4. The outfits look cheerful and creative. What food are you bringing? (we are invited to something similar this week and I need ideas)

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Black shoes. Fab outfit. Enjoy.

rachylou

Veteran

Tan coat, black shoes, red bag says me

The Cat

Veteran

The pattern mixing is ok. It is not "too much", as the general impression of the items is "clean & simple". I would, however, consider the adding of yellow and/or gold into the mix as "too much." After all, I am Scandinavian. I suggest:
- the checked duster
- the black slingbacks. Or, preferably, more simple, flat black shoes. Slingbacks, as well as shoes with metal heels, seem too elegant/formal for this setting and might be outright impractical. (If the house in the woods is situated in Norway, you may have to pass stones / rocks / high grass in order just to get from the car to the house. And very likely, you will be invited to take at least a small walk in a "garden" that may actually consist primarily of rough, wild nature, which can be stunning, of course, but you have to be prepared for it. Will you be able to make these walks safely and without ruining your elegant shoes?) Or consider bringing an extra pair of shoes.
- white, black or red bag
- a touch of red near your face (necklace / scarf / earrings / (sun)glasses / lipstick)

approprio

(website)

Veteran

This looks very elegant and pulled together, not too flashy at all. I think the pattern mixing is best anchored with some shameless matchy-matchy, so I'd pair the yellow coat with the metallic shoes and yellow/silver clutch, or the check coat with the black shoes and b/w bowling bag.

harmonica

Veteran

Thank you, all!

I've really enjoyed your varying views here! I'll have to come back later and filter it all down.

I have a white vintage handbag that might be better than the white/black bowling bag bc it is smaller, less «loud» and ties in with the vintage vibe. Or a caramel (neutral) clutch??

Do you think a navy duster would be better? A way to temper the kitchen sink?

Or change to a white or navy top?

And I'll definately drive in my Ecco sneaks and change to the black slingbacks.

This post has 5 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

The Cat

Veteran

I think any of the bags will be fine - as long as it is white, red or black.

And yes, for this occasion and setting, the navy duster may be a better choice.

All the tops will be OK. But don't be afraid of some pattern mixing. The first one, combined with the printed red skirt, looks fun and relaxed for an informal dinner in the woods.

Glad to hear you will be driving in your sneaks. You may need them for a little walk, too.

harmonica

Veteran

Sterling - lol! Yes, it's hard! Especially when you just know a few of the guests. She's leading two groups and we are all invited. That's pretty cool.
Madeline, smittie, Rachy, approprio - thanks for your solutions and kind words!
Sisi - pattern mixing is difficult. I think colour blocking is easier.
Momo - thanks! Hahaha, I planned on doing a simple outfit, but ended up with kitchen sink.
Joy - I'm not sure what to make, but I'm considering an avocado/mango/chili/red onion/cucumber/coriander salad or a zuccini quiche.
Angie - I'll do what you say.
The Cat - lol... the garden "may actually consist primarily of rough, wild nature". Very true. She actually has an outdoor hot tub!

This post has 1 photo. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Right. In NZ that would be called a "pot luck dinner". You take what we call "pot luck" on what you get to eat. Kind of same idea as your basket of food. Us slobs might carry the food in a pot not a basket?
Now I am both a pattern mixer and matchy-matchy. So I'm with Approprio- yay! Approprio is SO cool, does that make me cool, she says hopefully/wistfully? ( Answer, no....)
I like the black and white checked duster with it, the black shoes, and the white/black bag. This way you achieve both pattern mixing AND matchy-matchy in one fell swoop!
And have you confirmed what you wore to your friend's party( may have missed the post). Please also beam me up to hoin in your social life! xx

Anonymous

I would like to second the idea of the navy duster.

Brooklyn

Veteran

I am a bit overwhelmed by the bag choices but I like the check duster with the black shoes.

TraceyLiz65

(website)

Veteran

I think you are on the right track either way and can't go wrong. Have you tried them both on to see if one over the other looks better? It's a great combo!

harmonica

Veteran

Sterling, Brooklyn, TraceyLiz - Thanks!
Jenni NZ - I like the label "pot luck".

JP

Veteran

Checked duster, black shoes, white/black handbag - Enjoy your time!

daniel

Member

or a high dust

Anonymous

The pattern mixing is fine, I might keep the number of colors down from there on in so I'd go with the checked coat the black slingback and the bag with the black handle.
If that seems too matchy, the red, and if that shade is too close but not close enough to the skirt, the pink.

harmonica

Veteran

Thank you all again! So many kind and supportive comments.
The gathering was really nice. We had quiche, broccoli salad (my contribution), salad with chickpeas, cured meats, cheese & crackers, blueberry pie and vanilla ice, chocolate cake and potato chips.

I wore the red skirt, striped top, cream cardi, navy duster, b/w bag, black slingbacks. I was slightly overdressed - mostly because of the cheerful and light colours, but
I'd rather be overdressed than too sloppy. The others wore

dark jeans, tee and maxi cardi
wide leg pants, lace top or fitted tee
mustard print dress and dark hose

This post has 2 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

Sisi

Veteran

Very very nice! In my opinion this is a perfect outfit for a garden dinner. I agree that it is better to be overdressed. The dinner sounds delicious. Did you have to change your slingbacks in the wild garden?

harmonica

Veteran

Sisi -we stayed indoors bc it's too cold for a garden dinner. 12Celsius.

Anonymous

You look absolutely fabulous. Love your final outfit.

JP

Veteran

Beautiful outfit! I didn't realize you were in such a cold climate! you are so brave for wearing a skirt in 12 C I'm in southern California, so anything below 18 C calls for pants, haha

Anonymous

I love your final outfit and it suits you so well too. Your salad looks so delicious, what exactly is in a broccoli salad?

12