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WIW - Struggles and near misses

Sara L.

Veteran

I struggled with outfits this week. I think it has something to do with the yo-yo-ing weather (snowing one day, 70's the next). Anyway...

#1 - I felt okay but not great. The whole thing seemed too prim or conservative or something.
#2 - Another okay but not great. I think the top may have to go - it's just a little too big.
#3 - I liked this until my husband told me I looked country.
#4 - I tried layering a sheer tank over a button down. I generally like this outfit the best of the 4 posted here, but now I feel like it needs a long dangly gold necklace. At the time, I felt like there was already a lot going on with the two necklines and the sheer tank with the lace pattern.

As always, I welcome your feedback. Any suggestions or comments are appreciated.

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18 replies

Latest reply was from CocoLion

Anonymous

I really like 1 and 2. And for number 3, country? Are you serious? Did you let him sleep in the house that night? I'd like to see what the collar on the denim chambray shirt looks like without the scarf. I find it tricky to wear scarves with collars. For #4, that looks like a fantastic white button front shirt! Where did you find it? Love the jeans and boots, and I agree that a necklace might look nice here. I'm still experimenting with the layering over, so I'm not sure about the guidelines with something sheer. I say you did pretty well with the crazy weather Sara!

Meredith1953

Veteran

I really like #2 the best and then I really like #1 and #4. Maybe your hubs didn't like the little flounce on the skirt in #3? I'm not sure about the flounce myself. ETA. It's not that the flounce is bad...I'm just not used to them.

Mona

Veteran

#4 is truly fab!!!Long gold necklace will take it to next level

sarah

Veteran

#4 if my favorite, too - I've tried that look, but it just doesn't work for me. It looks FAB on you. I think that #1 and 2 are very pretty. And I agree with Clare - maybe wear a cami under the shirt so you can unbutton it a bit more and put the scarf inside the collar and rein it in a bit with a knot.

Tina

Veteran

I really like all of them. You are being hard on yourself:) It's hard to pick a favorite but I think #2 with #4 a very close second. I like your style.

wendyraye

I like #1 the best - I think the peep-toes makes it less "conservative." The others are cute and creative. I prefer rolled up sleeves on myself - how would #4 look with sleeves rolled, necklace added, and your hair in a pony? (I like how your hair looks less formal in #3). IMO having your hair up would help highlight the necklace and pretty lace top. Just a thought.

Amy

(website)

Veteran

I like them all, but agree that the top in #2 may not be as flattering as it could be. I love the flounce in the third skirt. It's hard to see the country vibe...and if it's there, so what? Give your man a "Yee haw!" and have fun with it

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Gosh, Sara, I think you had a great week!! That blue in #1 is lovely on you. And I like that outfit altogether. It doesn't feel conservative. But if you didn't feel great in it, it would be useful to analyze it and maybe figure out what about it didn't sit well with your style aspirations.

Love #4, too. I have struggled with this kind of look myself but you make it work really well. And I'll bet this is a case of the picture not telling the whole story. Often the details (like lace) get lost in the pics. And we can be so hard on ourselves.

Other outfits are fun, too! I really love the gored skirt in the "country" outfit.

"Country." Honestly. Ask him if he was born in a barn. (Just joking!)

ManidipaM

Veteran

Sara, but you look great!

The only one I'm unsure of is the scarf with the shirt in #3 --- but like Claire, I have trouble with collars plus scarves. I love the flouncy skirt and chambray though! Like Amy said, so what if it's country? I'd add the belt from #2 and roll with it.

I love #4 as well! And yes a necklace would be nice too, but it looks good as-is as well. Wendy's suggestion sounds good though --- putting your hair up could perk this up even more!

Actually, I *really* liked #1 and #2 a lot. I think the belt removes an excessively prim or preppy vibe in #1, but if you're feeling uncertain, would it help to change up the shoes to something tougher, like boots or oxfords?

Rest assured, though, you look really good, Sara!

Debora

Veteran

More love for #4 - this is an adorable look for you! I really like your skirt outfits. If anything, perhaps the cardigan in #1 is a tad too big, maybe that might be what's throwing you off. I love the denim shirt with the ruffled skirt. This crazy weather really does create a challenge when it comes to planning outfits.

Emily

Veteran

I like #1 and #4 a lot, it doesn't look like you're struggling to me

Meghan R

I like all of these (and totally disagree that #3 reads as "country"!). With #2, I'd like to see it with a skinnier belt -- the wide belt seems to overwhelm the top here. But on the whole, you look great!

Beth Ann

Veteran

Sarah:

Love number 4, and necklaces would be perfect, not OTT. You're a master of this look!

Can you pop the collar in #3 and either open the neckline more (maybe a cami underneath) or button all the way up? I'm with the others -- don't worry about looking "country."

I think #1 is pretty. The color palette is subdued, which may be why it's not making you "happy" yet. Do you have a brighter cardi? Lighter or brighter accessories and shoes? This outfit doesn't really need to be fixed, however, its great when you want to look soft and approachable while still being professional.

Love the skirt and necklace in #2. What about adding another layer? A denim or other casual jacket. You could also try a simpler or brighter belt. A deep red belt would be nice here.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I think a lot of people might associate chambray/denim shirts a little bit with a "country" vibe. Unless everything else in the outfit is more urban. I love them and own 3 different versions myself. Maybe the autumn harvest colors of the scarf might have added to that "country" thought of your DH - more "urban" jewelry or accessories would take it a totally different direction in that case.

I actually really like outfit #1 - though it could use just a pop of another color I think. #2 is nice too. And #4 could use that necklace you mentioned but I really like the color on you!

Jonesy

Veteran

It's funny--I like #3 the best :). Doesn't seem country to me at all. With #1, maybe since the cardigan and skirt are both sort of loose and roomy (maybe cardigan is a pinch too big?), you are feeling less than fab? Could try a more fitted top with the skirt?

Sara L.

Veteran

Thanks for the great suggestions everyone! I like the idea of the scarf inside the collar of the chambray shirt.

I think a lot of my problem with outfit #1 is that it ended up not matching my mental image at all. I thought the cardigan was shorter and smaller and I could wear it unbuttoned over the dress, but it was too loose and long so I buttoned it up and added the belt.

I think another layer over outfit #2 is a great idea, I don't know why that didn't occur to me.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

This is a week of struggling? It sure doesn't look like it. These outfits all look well thought out Sara. I absolutely LOVE outfit #4. Even though the tank is sheer it totally works because of its saturated colour. That coral is beautiful on you.

I agree with Claire that scarves with collars can be tricky. I think this outfit would work with the chambray shirt on its own.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

Hi pretty Sara! Your style is really coming along. Hope you don't mind, I've made a few suggestions since you said you didn't feel 100% about this week's looks.

I like #1, it's conservative chic! If the occasion calls for conservative, it's the right thing to do.
#2 -- The fix I suggest is a smaller less complicated belt; the belt seems to compete with the top. Or, ditch the top if it doesn't fit and wear that skirt and belt with a simpler top. I should add that I like minimal so take that with a grain of salt.
#3 -- Nothing wrong with country. The denim shirt looks so good on you! Have you tried this outfit with the more casual brown boots in #4? You could add a brown accessory to pull the whole black-blue and brown thing together.
#4 -- love it, perfect! If you want to add an accessory, what about rolling up the sleeves to show a bracelet or cute watch? Just so the front doesn't get too busy.