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Why isn't this working?

old chic

So, I threw on this outfit in shades of grey for an outing now that we finally got a day when it was warm enough to go without a heavy coat and boots. Also wore heels for the first time in an age, partly because I was celebrating going to an orthopedist appointment without pain.

In theory, this should be a reasonable mix -- grey/cream pinstripe jacket, faded black jeans, grey heather tee, suede booties, a paisley scarf and signature pearls, worn casually. But, as I was running out the door, I decided it wasn't working at all. Not sure why, though. So, now that I am home, I snapped a few shots and invite your eyes to make any and all diagnoses.
Is it that the booties are too dressy for the rest? or the jeans don't play well with the ruffle-top booties? Should I have forgotten about the pearls? Is it the non-color mix? Or is it all, admittedly old, too dated? What should I have worn at the neck with this rather low scoop? Is the shape "off" for my body? (I know everything is a little too tight -- story of my life these days.)

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31 replies

Latest reply was from CocoLion

Sal

Veteran

I think you are being a little hard on yourself, I think it works well and you look great I like the booties very much!! Nothing looks too tight in my opinion but I wonder if the fact it feels tight has coloured your judgement on the look...

I probably would either wear the pearls or the scarf, but that is just my preference.

Anonymous

It's a sophisticated and subtle mix of low key colors with some texture variation to give it depth. The pearls are kind of jumping out because they're not soft, in color or finish, and also I think they tip the look a little too much into retro when they're combined with the ruffled boots.

K. Period.

Veteran

I agree with Kiwigal. It is actually quite nice, so don't be too hard on yourself. I definitely prefer #3, though. It looks wonderfully slouchy and polished at the same time. (And frankly, I wouldn't be surprised at all if Angie popped in and told you that 3 was killer.)

Caro in Oz

Veteran

I like #3 - it looks sleeker than the other two so works better with your hair. Having said that I would go with your gut feeling - if an outfit doesn't feel right then there isn't any reason to wear it - assuming you have other clothes

Anonymous

I like #1 and #3 very much and see nothing dated or off-key here at all. (I only leave out #2 because I like the scarf wound around your neck rather than hanging vertically.) Love the pearls-and-pinstripes combo with jeans and heather tee -- it makes for a slightly tousled, playful elegance. (A little eccentric-gentlewoman/dandy in there too.) Love looking at the muted pattern of the paisley scarf and the texture of the ruffly suede shoes. I think those pearls make a great signature piece for you and tie the look together.

doubleh

Veteran

Agree with others. You look great. I prefer #3, but if you were to do a scarf with the pearls, I like #2 bc the scarf and pearls are similar lengths and it helps visually elongate, I think.

Anonymous

I'm hopeless at knowing what works and why (thank goodness for the wisdom of the forum). But I do feel like the pearls and scarf together might be fighting each other. Look 1 might work without the pearls, but possibly a little monotone? So, since I like the pop of the pearls and think they work nicely with that neckline, my vote goes for the slouchy insouciance of #3.

always trying

Veteran

I agree, you are being too hard on yourself. I like it all, except not fond of the pearls but then I am not fond of the long necklasesso that is just me.very nice boots!

Anonymous

Look 3 is great!

Joy

Veteran

I like 3 and love your hair

Momo

Veteran

I think three looks really good. I prefer the pearls with no scarf.

old chic

Thanks, gals. I think you are right about the pearls and scarf competing. Maybe the scarf just isn't the right color, either. And the pearls ARE a bit much with the casual vibe. As for the boots, DH did a double take on them. They are a find from Ebay several years ago. Bertie, a UK brand, I think. Wish I could find that brand in the US of A.

MsMaven

Veteran

I like it as well all ways. I just wonder if maybe it would work even better with a shorter jacket? Better proportions for you.

AM

Veteran

What happened to image 3. It's missing now. Hmm.
I think this is looking pretty chic myself. As a lover of all neutrals...
Not sure what you are feeling but maybe try removing the pearls and having a bit more "flavor" in the scarf. Lemon, orange, cherry. OR even a black scarf.
Brainstorming here...

Deborah

Veteran

Well you are definitely being too hard on yourself:) #3 is no longer available so I am not sure on that one but this does look good. The only thing I might change is the boots. While it works, without question, I might be inclined to wear a black boot simply to elongate the leg line to further stream line the look.

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

I agree with others - it is not as bad at all - but I want to see #3!!!

trekkiegirl

Veteran

Can't see three, but my guess based on the other two is that the scarf and booties together are the issue. I could see one or the other working well as a stand out piece and looking intentional, but together they seem... Too much of something I can't put my finger on. I do really like both items, especially those booties!! Just not in the same outfit.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Image 3 is gone?

I think it looks good, actually -- but maybe without the pearls?

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Right you may have accidentally hidden #3 but the combination looks good to me. I like the shoes, I like the clothes, and I even like the pearls with scarf, which I would probably think as one thing too many on lots of people but it sort of looks elegant glam in #1.

old chic

OOps, I think #3 is "unhidden" now. Still don't really know my way around here.

Deborah

Veteran

Just popped back to say I love the simplicity of #3. This works so nicely.

Summer

Veteran

For me it's just the scarf/pearls combination that seems off, but it's by no means a bad outfit - you always look well-put-together and interesting. I agree that 3 is perfect - simple and chic.

trekkiegirl

Veteran

Love #3!!!

Gigi

Veteran

I think that the outfit overall is good. I did feel like the scarf and the pearls were competing, however. I would wear one or the other.

Anonymous

I agree with the general consensus, that you are being too critical of yourself and it's a pretty fab outfit, you just may not need the pearls and I love AM's idea about a tweek of scarf to add more 'flavour'

rachylou

Veteran

Mm, yes, I do think the scarf and pearls were competing. The scarf may also have been one textile texture too many. Humans like things in threes. I like the look a lot, tho. These are minor things.

annabelle

Veteran

I wonder whether you're responding to the lack of continuity in the outfit. The boots, jacket and hair are hard edged (along with the fact that the pants/jeans are black), and the scarf, pearls, and knitted top are soft edged.

I glanced at a few of your posts, and your historic looks are more internally consistent. The look with the ruffled sleeves peeking out of a structured jacket feels edgy and structured-in-a-good-way to me, with the ruffles being big enough to be a statement and not an apology. (i.e., the ruffles are combining soft with hard edge, in an *intentional* way.)

The jacket does not feel as young and fun as "you" (given that I know you from all of 6 photos!) as the other looks you've posted.

"What intention were you aiming for" is the question I'd ask myself, if asking why yesterday's look didn't resonate with you.

old chic

Annabelle, I think your comments are very insightful. The jacket is a holdover from my executive days. Now that I am retired, maybe I should get rid of these good quality but old pieces and go all-out on the new look.

Karie

(website)

Veteran

Don't be so hard on yourself - you look great! I would either leave off the pearls and wear just the scarf, or leave them both off.

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