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WIW - trying too hard

Mona

Veteran

gh

25 replies

Latest reply was from Meredith1953

Sarah A

Veteran

both of these outfits, and your lovely narrative bring a smile to my face. I think the light wash demin is especially nice to bring a casual element in the green blazer and the light shoes (booties?) look wonderful here. The two tone oxfords are perfect with the red jeans. I really like the tonal/close on the color wheel type dressing that Cocolion and Aida do with brights so i am seeing maybe some more blue with the green (chambrey shirt or navy in your wardrode anywhere?) or black and white striped top under it? maybe some orange with the red as potential ideas. or that lovely blush top you have with the red along the lines of Ana's blush jeans/red shoes look?

Beth Ann

Veteran

Marvelous Mona! Both of these are amazing outfits, and, while interesting, hardly over the top. You look perfectly natural in the bright green blazer, and choosing a neutral backdrop while letting it be the "star" is a great idea when you're previewing a look that you worry might grab unwanted attention. Wear this again!

Loving you in your red jeans! I'm the only one in my set who wears colored denim, too, but aren't they fun! You paired it with bold pieces in neutral colors, which is another expert touch.

You look beautiful and vibrant, but quite approachable, Mona. Hopefully, you will encourage others to be more free in their choices, too!

kellygirl

Veteran

Love you in the green blazer. It's so much fun and it looks so effortlessly fab on you! Nice skinny styling too!

Travelgal Nicole

Veteran

Beautiful outfits. Love the colours too. I know what you mean about people wearing mainly neutrals. Its good to stand out from the crowd. Confidence is the best accessory.

Kate

Veteran

Mona, I love that green jacket! And your second outfit is fab. Enjoy your clothes and don't be afraid to wear what you like and have fun. You look gorgeous wearing bright colors. Who knows, your creativity might even spark a style evolution--if not revolution--in your conservative workplace. If I were your colleague, I'd be delighted to have you brighten up the atmosphere with your stylish, colorful mode of dress.

Victoria

(website)

Veteran

Mona, lime green color is fantastic on you! I think with your coloring you need bright colors and you will look great in orange, red, vivid royal blue, etc.

Jewell

Veteran

I adore that green jacket on you! Both are great outfits! The term "trying too hard" carries a different meaning to me than it does to some. Trying too hard makes me think of contrived ensembles and forced fashion. This is different from trying hard, which simply implies that a person cares about their appearance. Nothing about either of your outfits looks forced- they look totally "you."

And I agree with Kate that standing out in a good way may have a positive effect on others in your workplace. There's a group of us at my job who have set a new standard for dressing. I noticed earlier this year that it ignited a new passion for fashion in a couple of women who had sort of let themselves go in an effort to fit in. Now they have a different crowd to try to fit into : )

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Oh my goodness, you were MADE to wear the blazer! It is absolutely gorgeous on you. SO glad you bought it and brought it out to play. And I hope your coworkers get used to it!

Your red jeans outfit is also terrific. Love the shoes with those pants!

Anonymous

I LOVE you in that gorgeous green blazer, stunning with your beautiful hair!!!

Jjsloane

Veteran

You look gorgeous in both! Hurrah for your newfound courage! I love the shoes and top in #2.
I got the Gap Pink version of that jacket and wore it on Friday but was concerned a bit too about the brightness. My office has only a few real stylish folks, but It worked out fine - well nobody called me Barbie or put on sunglasses so I guess it's all good.

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Carole

Veteran

Both fab looks! I love the color green on you and the red jeans are fantastic with the oxfords! Taking notes for ideas on how to wear my red jeans. Thanks.

Sara L.

Veteran

I love the green jacket! I would wear it in a heartbeat! The red jeans with the black and white look great too. Of course, I'm a big fan of black and white.

MsMary

Veteran

You look FAB in that jacket! We are bright green GAP jacket twins!

Here are some of the ways I've styled it:

With other brights

With gray (I loved this!)

With a vintage midi dress

Kristine

Veteran

Oh my gosh, that green blazer is absolutely stunning on you! The color is great!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

You look spectacular in the apple green blazer, Mona!

Aida

Veteran

This green blazer is so lovely on you Mona! I really like it with the light wash jeans and light shoes, really lets your hair (which looks beautiful here!!) and face get all the attention. The rich colors in the second outfit look great too, love the 2-tone shoes with the red jeans.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Mona, you look positively STUNNING in that green blazer! It was made for you! And I love your second outfit too with the oxfords - fabulous!

Jonesy

Veteran

I love your story, and your realization that not all women in North America favor drab, boring clothes :). You look wonderful in the bright green jacket, and the skinnies outfit is fab too. If you continue to dress for who you are, your work colleagues will eventually adapt to your style and then they won't even notice it after a while.

ManidipaM

Veteran

Mona, thank you for sharing your story. It really spoke to me, especially as I've experienced similar reactions in different contexts.

I think this may look like 'trying too hard' to people who don't know you very well or who don't engage with fashion very deeply. To others, and hopefully to yourself, you are 'trying very hard'--- to be yourself! --- rather than 'trying TOO hard' at fitting in (giving in?).

Truly, you and your blazer look made for each other. And the second outfit is a party in black and white, with a good dash of red to get them all excited. Love it even more than the blazer, if possible.

christieanne

Veteran

I am your pink blazer cousin and wore it today. It is bright but I wore it to a job interview of all places to show that I had confidence. I love your green on you (and am sorry now that I didn't grab that one too). Those ponte jackets are so comfortable and easy to wear that it helps.

Una has the same green as you I think. MaryK has great examples! I also went on Pinterest and searched neon pink blazer and up came a bunch of inspiration ideas for me.

Chambray shirt, white or gray of course. Navy would be a nice fresh neutral. I like the faded blue jeans with it just as you styled the blazer - wonderful!

Red jeans and tunic are wonderful on you - and the shoes are too cute. I am so happy to see you expressing yourself in such a positive way!

Deborah

Veteran

Mona, you gorgeous girl! That blazer is stunning. And the red jeans too. Good on you. I totally encourage you to wear what you like when you like. To quote a French fashion buyer in Australia (Elise Pioch) "when I chose an outfit, I don't think about what others will think; it's always about how good I'll feel in an outfit"

Mona

Veteran

Thanks for your kind comments, ladies!
Sarah A, I love the idea of pairing the blazer with navy blue top and will definitely try red jeans with blush top next time.
Beth Ann, I agree that coloured denim are so fun. They bring so much versatility in my closet.
Jjsloane, thanks for posting your pic for me. Are those black trousers you are wearing? Your comment about sunglasses made me laugh.
MaryK, what an honour to be your blazer twin. thanks for posting your links here. As always, you look so polished and confident.
ManidipaM, this will be my fashion motto from now onwards "Trying very hard to be myself"
christieanne, so happy to be your blazer twin. I agree, these ponte jackets are wonderfully comfy.
Deborah, i will remember this french fashion quote every time I am getting ready to go to work.

rachylou

Veteran

Am I all about shoe pairings today? But I just love the blazer with the pastel shoes.

rae

(website)

Veteran

You are so oh so stunning in that green blazer! And yes, you look very happy, too. I love it witht he light wash jeans, and I think a similar effect would be had with grays, nude/tan, and other muted colors. Hm, maybe a chambray shirt? White denim? Gingham? Honestly, it's such a pretty color with your skin, I feel like it would go with anything you wanted to wear under it.

Meredith1953

Veteran

Such a gorgeous green jacket on you! You can wear that baby with almost anything. Cream or white, or with other blues. Just lovely. I also love that entire second outfit! The shoes look so cute with the pants and that wonderful top. The red jeans could also look lovely with almost anything... cream or gray or well almost anything! Isn't red a pseudo neutral?