wow, thanks ladies! you're all so very kind
Looking at the pictures, I see that this works better in broad daylight than it does indoors in front of the mirror, which seems to highlight the warm/cool contrast. I hadn't seen that before but I can live with it because this is a piece for getting out and about in the sunshine.
AG: I can see you really rocking a camouflage print in blue or grey. Maybe I have already? I like a bit of military/utilitarian detail too but I stick to dress uniform references in the main. I find that pattern a bit tricky and I'd not exactly battle ready.
smittie: I reckon you could rethink that. I thought I was a summer until I started taking photos and realised I looked pasty in soft colours and quite good in black. Anyway, it's hardly an exact science. We mix and match.
kiwigal: yeah, I thought I'd better call myself out before someone else did. (Thanks for the shout out on the other thread btw. It was very kind of you.)
Aida: yeah, that was kind of my thinking. Something like this is easy and hard at the same time. You don't need to do too much with it but anything you do has to be absolutely right. Thanks!
tulle: that's a very interesting point. The print is busy and bold at the same time, there's a lot going on. I'd normally wear it with black or blue but the Birks are so comfortable and I thought the white made a nice change.
Thanks again for all the thoughtful feedback. So helpful to think these things through with others.