WIW - summer simplicity - YouLookFab Forum

WIW - summer simplicity

Neither of these outfits is anything exceptional. They are just around-the-house wear, hence my leather flipflops, which are my standard at-home summer shoes. But any musings on how to improve them, dress them up for going up, whatever, are welcome. I'm here to learn.

I'm back to my formula of bolder earrings, although they don't much show in the first photo. They are a filigree leaf, if anyone cares. I should perhaps look for a less busy background for these things to show up better.

The white T is new, pulled out of my reward drawer this morning in celebration of another pound lost. I like the fact it is a little loose, to help camouflage the remaining flab. This is my first white Tshirt in a gazillion years. And of course I have gotten it dirty since the picture. Figures.

I added new jewelry which I ordered online. The earrings are a bit bigger than I expected. What do you think of the size on me? The bracelet is not a matching set, but it echoes the colours of the earring beads very nicely. I'm very fond of these rich colours - gold, rust, olive, mixed in with neutrals. I also prefer the multi-strand beads over a solid cuff of the same width, just because it feels more like me.

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13 years ago

What I Wore

12 replies

Latest reply was from JR

Anonymous

Simple they may be, but these outfits suit YOU, JR, and your lifestyle, and surely that's exactly what clothes should do?? I personally LOVE the zinging cerise colour of #1. It really looks great on you. I've noticed before that it's a great colour for girls with silver hair!! Smashing!!

13 years ago

Veteran

Thank you, LaF.

I am making it my mission to learn how to do simplicity well, which will mean getting colours and fit right, more than anything. So thank you for the comments on the pink. This has been my favourite T-shirt this summer, and I bought a lot of coloured Ts this year. I also bought the white one in lavender, because that is a colour I love on me and that actually flatters me and which I see so seldom in stores. But it is a small, so it's tucked away at the bottom of my reward drawer, probably for next year.

The silver hair has been great for pinks and blues, I have to admit. I was pleasantly surprised, to tell the truth. My mother went white so beautifully, but she had much darker hair than me, so I didn't expect to follow in her footsteps. Suits me just fine; I hate the fuss of dying hair, as well as being scared stiff of dousing myself in chemicals on a regular basis.

I do wish I could tuck more often, but that jarring line across the middle of me almost never works.

13 years ago

biscuitsmom

Veteran

Very pretty! Beieve me, you are way more aware of any 'extra' than anyone else is I think you look fab!

13 years ago

Anonymous

JR,

I've taken a closer look now, and these photos really are a credit to you. With your unfussy clothes, the jewellery is certainly NOT OTT. The simple white tee makes a great foil for it, and in turn the jewellery lifts the outfit into something more than run-of-the-mill. You are a stylish lady, you know, the problem is your diffidence suggests YOU don't realise it, which is such a pity!!

I'm longing to see the lavender top on you. Once again, it's a fab colour with silver hair. And congratulations on losing weight the sensible way, slowly but surely. That's the way your body metabolism will adjust, and you'll keep it off. You're an inspiration to us older gals on YLF. Long may you post!!

13 years ago

Inge

(website)

Moderator

I adore that bright pink on you, JR, and the detailing and colours of your jewellery are lovely. Looking at it from a distance, my first thought was that the white tee could use an extra accessory or a bit more colour against your face, but up close the jewellery does add interest.

For going out I love the idea of adding a low wedge heel sandal or flats in an animal print, a metallic or fun colour. Or maybe an animal print or colour-blocked bag?

Thanks for posting!

13 years ago

Veteran

Biscuitsmom, thanks for the nice words. You are probably right, but I would prefer everybody else to remain less conscious of it than me. LOL!

Thanks again, LaF. That's just what I'm aiming for, taking the simple and finding a way to add a personal touch. This is more of a challenge in the summer, when cardigans and blazers and scarves add too much heat.

I am actually pretty comfortable with my style per se, but my changing body image means I am having to rework it, and discover what works well with my new body. So I am venturing out in new territory. Just learning what length of capri is flattering is such a simple thing, but powerful in its effect. And realizing how bad the bagginess at the back of my legs in over-sized pants really looks. I tended to pay more attention to colour and garment choice than to fit in the past, so I am glad to learn.

Inge, good comments. I agree that a coloured necklace could work very well here but then I would probably wear more discreet earrings and/or ditch the bracelet. While I don't share my huband's allergy to bling, I get uncomfortable with too much at once. Scarves would be fun, but we're above 30C today, and that's not even counting the humidity. Oy. And you are trying to stretch me with the other accessories, aren't you? I'm afraid all my purses are black... You are so right though, a statement bag would work wonderfully against the black and white.

I managed to spill melted butter on the white T, so I've swapped it out for a rust-coloured one, scoop-necked this time. That way, I didn't have to change my earrings... LOL.

13 years ago

Inge

(website)

Moderator

I couldn't agree more, JR, about toning down the earrings/bracelets if you go with a statement necklace. I like to keep it simple too. OK, scarves are out for the time being. And yep, I'm cheeky like that (re: stretching:-)

13 years ago

Anonymous

I bat for team simple, nice and easy... I'm with you!
My suggestion to raise the volume on something like this is footwear. Shoes are so important when you aim for a minimalistic style. An edgy black sandal added to either outfit will bring this to another level. Accessories are key too. I do like your earrings and don't find them too much either.
Simple is good too!!!!

Not that you are asking for a recommendation but I am shamelessly doing a plug on these sandals. I have these guys in tan and black, they are so comfy.
Such good price too:
http://www.amazon.com/MIA-Limi.....B000FNKGLK

13 years ago

Aida

Veteran

First off, great photos Both outfits looks nice! The pink shade in #1 is gorgeous for you; if you wanted to amp that up when going out I'd say swap to some metallic sandals (either flat or heeled, maybe a little wedge) and pop on a cropped denim jacket. Congrats on the reward of the white tee in #2! I LOVE the large earrings and cuff with this outfit; strong accessories work especially well with simpler outfits. If you wanted to amp that one up, I'd say pop on some printed flats and a lightweight blazer (maybe linen). Both outfits could transition quite nicely from "lounge at home" to "yummy dinner out with hubby"

13 years ago

Veteran

Ah, statement footwear. That will be new territory for me too, Zapotee. We did end up going out briefly this evening for errands, so I did put on a better pair of sandals. I'd already changed the T-shirt to copper, as I've mentioned. And I did throw on a gauzy scarf for when we spent some time browsing at the bookstore. The A/C was getting to me.

I bought two new pairs of sandals this summer, as I was in desperate need, but they are workhorse types: one black pair and one cognac pair. Next year I will considering adding something a little more adventuresome, now that the basic needs are met. I think metallic silver would be great for bookending. And I have my eye on a nude wedge that I will buy this year if the end of the season specials are good enough. I have a difficult foot to fit, but sandals are fortunately a much easier thing to do.

Still contemplating the handbag dilemma. I do so love to have a compartmentalized purse, where everything has its place and I can find it at a moment's notice. So I hate switching around. But I am getting a little tired of black in the summer. Maybe another next year project. I've had to buy so many clothes that I'm getting consumer fatigue.

Aida, denim jacket is definitely on my wish list. Don't want to pay full price on one yet though, just to have to renew it in a few months or so. A light blazer is in my reward drawer, but it's still a wee bit small so will have to wait a few pounds before I pull it out. I can hardly wait to pair it with the rust pants that will come out next: I have a real craving these days for combining rust and black! Not sure why.

13 years ago

Aida

Veteran

Ooh rust and black are a fab combo! Will be super for fall, too. If you don't want to pay full price for a denim jacket, there are usually loads of them at thrift shops. Just drop by a couple times and I'm sure you'll find a great one for a very, very low price. Bonus points because they're usually perfectly broken in!

13 years ago

Veteran

Problem is my hubby was raised with an aversion to used clothing and he has begged me not to buy it, although I have got some good stuff that way. Both of the black bottoms shown upthread, as a matter of fact. I'm trying to figure out how to smuggle stuff in without him realizing where it came from, LOL!

13 years ago

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