Yesterday for some errand-running, I wanted to wear the Lands End leopard down vest shown below. I bought it during the dark Covid winter of Dec 2020 at a huge discount, because I liked it, but have worn it maybe once. A vest like this over a sweater is a pretty common look in my world this time of year, although prints are not typical. This vest is down/feather filled, comes in petite sizes and multiple solids and prints, is quite warm, and fits really well. It’s a shiny satin-like fabric so not something I’d wear indoors because kitty claws would tear it up in a heartbeat. Amazon and Lands End seem to have somewhat different colors/prints - this particular one is available at Amazon but not LE at present.

I put on black jeans, then tried three different camel sweaters, and none looked right. The colors of the sweaters and the vest were close enough to look like an attempt to match/coordinate but somehow off.

So, back in the closet went the vest, and I wore with my new camel COS pullover (one of the ones that looked wrong with the vest), denim jacket, and a scarf with deep blue and camel/brown in it, although the camel/brown is almost invisible. Mid-40sF and sunny when I left the house. I was glad I had brought gloves. My car and the day warmed up a bit so I was fine.

I can wear this vest with a black column of color, or a black sweater and blue jeans, or maybe some very dark greys, but NOT with anything camel in my wardrobe. It’s also "off" color wise with my two brown coats, although it might work under my grey herringbone overcoat if I wanted an extra layer. I prefer low contrast looks and no more than 3 colors in one outfit so we’ll see.

I guess my Covid brain forgot about making outfits as part of the wardrobe building process! There is also a lesson here about trying to “match” colors; the only way I know to make it work for sure is to buy from the save vendor/same season, or make the colors intentionally different enough.

Comments and suggestions welcome, as always