Haven't read the other responses yet. #2 looks more like the Suz I "know".
It is more streamlined. #1 has many vertical breaks between boots, tights, skirt & the shiny top & it feels like there is too much action (for you). I think the textures may have something to do with it too but I'm not sure why

ETA: Just read the other comments - the subtlety of the softer colours has a big impact on the feel of the outfit too.

Not reading others. #2. It's hard because the sparkle in #1 brings out the color of your eyes in a very lovely way, but overall the look in #2 is just amazing. It gives you length and stature that the first look does not. There is a wonderful line from the boots right up through your legs, skirt and sweater. I think the lack of defined waist helps here, as does the darker hose. There is more interesting texture in this outfit too -- the hose, the sweater, and the scarf, as well as the boots -- while, not textured necessarily, have that more interesting tonality. And they also work so well with the color of the sweater.

I am voting for the strong and soft column of look 2. It's both feminine and fierce.

#2 strikes me as more urban prince than #1. #1 has a lot going on, shine, flowy drape with the skirt. #2 has stricter lines with a straight skirt and texture but no shine. I associate clean lines, and one or two standout features for your style best. In #1, I'm looking at all the movement going on, the shine, the flowy skirt, it's busy, whereas in #2, I'm drawn right to your face because there is less "going on" in this look. Both outfits are lovely but it's too cold to sit outside on the bench so there's my vote.

I'm on Team 1, but I get to issue a disclaimer. Suz, I can't look at these objectively. When I look at them, I view them through the lens of my figure flattery priorities and my comfort with certain items. I don't have a long neck, I'm not willowy and I love sparkles. So an outfit with sparkles that makes you look willowy and long necked is a sure winner with me. For you, I would guess that you feel more comfortable in Team 2, but you think that the tunic is too long. I think it is lovely and the tunic length looks great but the weight of the sweater plus scarf around your neck seems too heavy for me. So back to the sparkles. You look gorgeous in both, though.

I have just reread my first response and can no longer edit it. Unfortunately I always do better if I write something and revise it several hours later. I apologize for the tone, which is not at all what I intended.

Suz, I do not think you are either overweight or stumpy. You have a great figure and #2 doesn't emphasize that as much as #1. You look good in gray, just not as good as you look in purple. I'm still going with #1, but do not dislike #2 nearly as much as my first response suggests.

I promise to try harder and do better in the future!

I want to know what YOU think now that you've seen all our (very split) answers!

It's hard because they're just pictures. I like how the leg color blends together in 2, whereas my eye goes to shinier knees in 1. I also don't like the whitish semi-circle of the scarf or collar in 1, as distracting to me. So I say 2.

Both are really nice - but the scarves are distracting me. The bold color difference between the sparkly sweatshirt and the scarf in #1 feels too abrupt - and the way that you have the scarf wrapped around your neck in #2 feels just too round and like there is too much going on from your scarf on up. Can you tie the scarf in #2 in a way that it hangs in a vertical line down onto your chest/torso?
As far as which one I like best - I go with #2 - partly because of the scarf "issues" in #1 - and partly because in my eye the skirt in #1 looks too short - and then pair that with the sheer hose - which really highlights the length of the skirt - well, I'm not crazy about that! I like the tonal integrity of #2 - and all of the different textures and vertical lines.

It's hard to look with objectivity. I prefer #2 because it is more streamlined and neutral. It's visually easy and pleasing to the eye (mine anyway). There is a lovely flow to the outfit proportionally. Outfit #1 is lovely. It I find it too busy. There are too many things calling go for my eye's attention. The proportions are fine but I do think there are too many horizontal lines.

This is fabulous!!! Thank you so much! I had to be out of the house for an hour and came back to such wonderful, thoughtful, and incredibly interesting responses!! I am WOWED by your perceptive thoughts.

Catnip, don't you worry one little bit -- you couldn't offend me! I absolutely asked for real, off the cuff responses and you gave that. So please do not think you have upset me by straight speaking. That's exactly what I was hoping for! And your perception is very valuable.

Vildy, you are right - they're just pictures, and also, as Kristin SF immediately picked up, they weren't even taken on the same day in the same lighting. So in a sense it's not a fair comparison. (Even my hair is different because I got it cut in between these two days.)

Oh - and something I forgot to mention, but Gracie and Sarah A. and TraceyLiz and Marley sensed it immediately -- the scarf really wasn't part of outfit #1 and shouldn't even have been in the photo. I threw it on just before heading out the door for warmth before grabbing my coat. At my destination I actually took it off. So the outfit looked a bit different IRL -- slightly fewer horizontal lines and a bit less going on.

Also, let me add -- I actually liked wearing both these outfits and don't think either one is "bad." Linda, I love what you said about "depends on how you want to relate to the world."

Gracie, you were also right in another way -- that first outfit WAS a "date" outfit. I wore it for my birthday lunch out with Mr. Suz. You are intuitive!

Now, before I go on, let me say that I'm astounded and very, very intrigued by the differences of opinion and perception. It's fascinating.

As for my own view -- I prefer #2, for all the reasons that the amazing gryffin so carefully and brilliantly detailed. (Thank you, gryffin!!) And others have said similar things.

But I must say that your comments on #1 have let me look at it with softer eyes as well -- SANS scarf!!!

Oh - and Marley -- I did in fact wear the scarf as is in #2. It doesn't tie (it's an infinity) and anyway I have sort of a thing against a long scarf in front -- I am generally going without them, period, when I can - but this day was just SO cold that two turtlenecks and a scarf were needed!!

Not reading the others yet but I say #2. Which really surprised me, because when I saw the thumbnails I thought #1 is so you and #2 just looked off. So I think the difference is mostly one of proportion or balance.

In #1, the 3 pieces--top, skirt, and boots--seem perfectly divided into thirds, which I think is not the golden mean ideal is it (although on me, it is often the closest i can come to it!). Whereas in #2, the top takes up a bigger chunk of visual real estate than the skirt, which is more pleasing to my eye.

Again, in #1 the sparkle of the top in the thumbnail was appealing (ie looked like the refined Suz I am used to seeing), but the actual pic looks too busy--the scarf, the hourglassy (for you) silhouette, the sparkle, and the obvious break at the top of the boots--they are not exactly twee, but more Princess than Prince. Whereas in #2, even though there are more colours (grey AND black not just black! sounds like me too), the total effect is more harmonious, each piece contributing to the whole instead of competing. (Are those different boots than in #1? They look like a deep charcoal suede--even if they aren't, their very reticence adds to your outfit.)

Now off to read about your new focus, which I somehow missed until now.

It was a very difficult task for me to look at the pictures objectively. I instinctively like the outfit in #1 better because I love sequins and I adore blue with black. However, the question was which looks better ON YOU, and that would be #2. Your hair and complexion simply "go" better with neutrals and lighter colours. You look more at home in the second outfit. The harsher colours in the first outfit, while not terrible, just aren't as flattering overall IMO. Regardless, I think both outfits are fab for different occasions, and I would encourage you to wear both.

Chiming in late, but voting with disclaimer:
I like #2 best of the two, and the sweater looks more modern, but at the same time, the sweater has "issues" . It speaks to Angie's comment on things not being conventionally flattering but can be pleasing as worn.
To me this sweater does look like you now, does have good proportions with the skirt, but yet is quite 2-dimensional-flat, so to speak and no pun intended. Very rectangular .
I was initially quite happy with a couple of similar styles that I bought this season, but I've just about sworn off treading any further into that water. I really like a small amount of curve-following--perhaps that can be in the fabrication even in a boxy long cut. I think I'd like that better on you as well, even as I can at the same time see that it's fine to go this route for an intentional style.

So maybe it is only my style goal that is heading that way or it could be that this is what is being offered now and I'm thinking that somewhere in the middle is fluid fit with slight movement and a lot of folks look better in that than in the very straight interpretation. But, would that be as stylish? Hmmm.

I have not read what others think, but I vote for #2. To me, it looks more your style and more balanced on your frame.

I love #1 because I love sparkles, waist definition and sheer hose. But you are asking what looks good for you then that would be #2. Only because it has that stylish grace that is your signature style.

I haven't read the other responses so they haven't influenced my opinion.

I thought I would prefer #1 based on the thumbail pics but I prefer #2. I think for me it is that the sheer tights between the dark skirt and boots break up the leg line and shorten. This mucks with the proportions a bit. #2 is not monochromatic on the lower half but reads that way because of the lack of contrast. I also think you have a slim build and that this allows for the waist surrendering.

I like #2 a little more but then that's the style I gravitate towards myself.

Late to the party but I vote for #1 Suz. You look gorgeous in that and it feels more polished to me than # 2. I also feel you look younger in it with the sparkle and fit of the sweater. I like the scarf in outfit 1 too although you say it was a last minute throw - the little sparkle and the black and gray ties together the sparkle of the top and the black in the rest of the outfit. The off white adds another touch of interest and color dimension to the whole outfit. Busy as it may be , I dont think it takes away the focus from you face! Overall the outfits feel like day and night (#1 being night and #2 being day)

I am Team #1. It's a more chic outfit, and that, I think is more suited to Super Hero Suz. xo

Oh yes. Team #1 gets my spicy masala burgers. No snacks on the bench.

You look great in both, but I voted for #2 too.

One thing that was throwing me was the scarf in #1, which seemed like a sharper juxtaposition in terms of color and texture with the top than I've really seen you in. Even taking that into account, though, #2 just immediately felt more like your style to me. Something about the lighter colors, the more fluid yet still perfectly fitting silhouette of the sweater, and the sophisticated harmony/unification between the different shades and textures of gray.

Interestingly, of the two, I'd wear #1 (with a darker scarf, or maybe with some interesting earrings and no scarf) in a heartbeat!

#2 looks more like the way I've seen you dress, so that's how I voted. However #1 is fun and flattering too.

I'm late to the party, but I would have voted #1. I didn't read all the comments, but I did read your follow-up, Suz, as well as gryffin's post, since you mentioned it in your follow-up. I will say that I completely agree with gryffin and that the golden ratio makes for pleasing outfits--but I view outfit 1 as being more in tune with the ratio than outfit 2.

In outfit 1, I view all of your lower half--skirt, hose, and boots--as being all one "piece" since they are all black. So I see 1/3 (top) plus 2/3 (skirt, hose, boots). In outfit 2, I see you as cut in half because of similar reasoning: the skirt, hose, and boots are all very close in color, so I see 1/2 (top) plus 1/2 (skirt, hose, and boots).

I wasn't crazy about the scarf in either outfit.

Just wanted to throw a monkey wrench into things! Both outfits are fab, by the way--this is pure nit-pickery.

I prefer #2 except that the sweater seems a little big on you. I like its casual chic vibe.

I would vote #2. I think the streamlined skirt is a nicer fit and the outfit is overall more minimalist, which seems more in tune with your usual look. The scarf in #1 also doesn't work quite as well in terms of color, in my opinion.

Hi Suz,

Look 1 and look 2 are so vastly different. I want to be helpful but find it hard to compare. Look 1 is so glam and your figure looks amazing. You look ready for a fun night event.

Look 2 is perfectly FINE but I am so spoiled by seeing you look incredible that it underwhelms me. Look 2 looks a little plain--even with that great scarf. I am not a fan of grey at all (for me--it is a bias I bring) and think maybe the sweater hits your hip at the wrong part?

I consider your style skills advanced and think look 2 looks like a pre-evolution look. Look 2 is something I would wear (and consider a success) but I am not in your league yet. I was so wowed by all of your orange pants photos--very aspirational!

I did not read your "essence" link so please pardon me if my observations are off-base or inconsistent with your goals.

You always look fabulous to me! Really!

Without looking at any replies I will say #2. Something about the scarf with the contrasting sparkles looks forced to me. Also all the light is on top with #1 while with #2 is balanced with the lighter boots. #2 has a lot of compatible and interesting textures that all read cozy winter and is less jarring to my eye. That said, I would like to see #1 without the scarf!

ETA: I see that Gryffin and others said what I was trying to say more clearly. Yes #2 seems more organic, but I think my opinion would change if you weren't wearing the scarf in #2 (as you mentioned you weren't).

Curiouser and curiouser, Alice would say!

There is obviously no right or wrong answer here. But I'm so interested in the reasoning.

Gigi, I think you are making a good argument....and I see the point.

For me, it comes down to the line and shape more than anything, I suspect.

Off to ponder some more. I am most grateful for your input - it's really useful to me, moving forward.

They both look fab, honestly. But I like 2 the best for you; it's less busy and I like the gentle colors with your face and hair.

Without reading any replies I think that 2 is closer to your simple dressing and your lifestyle. I think 1 is also fab but would be more Suz without that particular scarf and with boots with less hardware detail.