WIW 3/11: grey, lilac, & black

I'm finally getting around to this one, only ... three months later.

I have to confess that with the posts about 2014 being the year of odd juxtapositions, and the whole thread about looking young, I had a very hard time choosing my shoes today.

Or rather, I had planned to wear the silver ballet wedges (pic 1) and found myself seriously questioning that decision. I'm glad I didn't wear my new shoes (pic 2), though - I'm still feeling out my workplace, and they are really a lot of shoe.

After these pictures were taken I realized how cold it would be at work and grabbed a cotton shawl-wrap-thing the same color as the cardigan.

This week will be my fourth of consistently posting pictures and I am working on a "lessons learned" kind of post as I look back at everything.

Thoughts welcome - and thanks for your eyes!

Shoes: Cole Haan
Skirt: BR
Top: who knows?
Cardigan: J Crew
Necklace: sentimental, bought in Mexico
Earrings: sentimental, gift from DP

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10 years ago

Neel

Veteran

So you wore shoes in pic 1? Because that's what I love!!! Nice outfit!

Gigi

Oooh, you look so CUTE! (Just kidding...I'm referencing my thread on looking young!)

You do really look great. I love the skirt! I think I slightly prefer the silver wedges over your new shoes. I'm not sure why, but I think it's because the monochrome wedges really let the skirt take center stage. I'm wondering if maybe the new shoes would work well with an outfit that doesn't have any patterns?

I think this is my favorite outfit that you've posted so far!

shiny

Wow, those pic 2 shoes transform the whole outfit and take it up a fashion notch. I am floored, the effect an awesome shoe can have.

But I totally get wearing the silver wedges instead, the whole new job thing, feeling it all out, as I'm doing that myself too, and would have made same choice today if it were me and my closet.

Please promise you'll wear the pic 2 outfit combo sometime soon, if not to work, out and about in your after hours. I admire your fashion instincts. And envy those shoes!

MsMary

You look fab! I vote for the silver shoes. To my eye (and maybe it's just my monitor), the colors in the shoes look a little brighter and clearer than the more grayed-out colors in the outfit, and they don't seem to be playing together all that well. So I like the idea of the #2 shoes more than I like the photo, if that makes sense.

MaryK - I actually like that the shoes are clearer and brighter. The contrast with the rest of the outfit. The shoes really go POP! And it adds a lot of interest to the outfit. That, and pattern mixing between the floral shoes + plaid skirt. Also there's a bookend effect with adorkable's specs, which provide pop at the top...

The silver shoes are fine. They are on trend (trends lately seem very matchy-matchy). And they are safe.

But I dunno, maybe it is just me... pic 2 combo just seems way more interesting.

Jaime

(website)

I like both shoes but probably would have worn the silver. But it is the pink cardigan that I like best - great color on you!

Jeanie

I love how the new shoes add so much interest to the outfit and the pink of the sweater ties in with the pink in the shoes. I think you could wear either shoes though. Great job with all your posts!

adorkable

Aww, thanks everyone.

Gigi: Hee! I actually laughed out loud when I saw you used the word "cute." Also: thanks!

shiny: I love how enthusiastic you are about this one. I'm definitely going to wear it again - but I'll have to photograph with better light or a better camera than my phone or ... something. I like the idea that my specs mean I can bookend everything with ridiculously saturated shoes - I'll have to start trying that!

MaryK: The skirt is actually teeny-tiny houndstooth, so it's a bit less washed out (although not much) in person. The cardigan is a sort of pinky lilac, and it's fairly saturated for a pastel ... the shoes actually have the exact same color in them (good eye, Jeanie)! But I think you're right that it might work better with all black under the cardigan!

Beth Ann

I think the soft color of the sweater makes the classic cardi look modern. I like the "lightened up for spring" vibe. I can't get a good read for the shoes -- they read as bright coral on my monitor. The silver ones certainly work well.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

Your style is adorable. #2 is the 2014 look. Well done.

viva

You could wear either pair of shoes, but the second pair is just so fabulous! LOVE them with this outfit.

Beth Ann: Here's a better pic of the shoes - http://www.aldoshoes.com/us/wo.....avaiano/89 - they are quite multi-colored and have both a bright coral and a lilacy-pinky color, among others!

Angie and viva: Aww, thanks! Here's to 2014, and you'll be seeing this or a similar look soon!

TraceyLiz65

Love your smile in pic1 and think both shoes work well.. It's nice to have choices...

Diana

This is a great look for you! I like it with both pairs of shoes.

OMG, those shoes are totally cute!

Okay wait a sec... cute is not the right word. I am not a floral girl because often florals can be too cutesy, too sweet. I do floral but in B&W, or in small doses. This is exactly how I'd aim to incorporate the floral trend -- in shoes. Just like these ones.

I love the black and white stripes. How cool is that?

I hope you wear these shoes into the ground. And please, do wear them to work sometime soon. Keep the rest of the outfit totally classic/neutral/expected... then have fun with those shoes...

... all business head to ankle... party on the toes!

shiny: I'm anti-floral in general, but I made an exception for these since they're not cutesy!

I promise, they're definitely coming out to work with an all-black outfit, or a black dress and a plain cardi, or something.

UmmLila (Lisa)

I have those silver cole haan shoes, taking them as my "heels" for a trip to Italy (tomorrow, yee ha) A little plain, a little low but more practical than just about all my other fancies.

Dee

I think the shoes in #1 do a good job bookending your hair, which also lets the skirt come into its own. But the floral pair are really fun and I'm looking forward to seeing how you style them.

Dee: thanks! I have a silly question, though - how does something a totally different color from my hair manage to bookend it? The shoes are totally silver, and my hair is quite dark. I don't quite understand how that works!

I think it's the repetition with the darker color in general, given how light the rest of the outfit it. Even if it's not a perfect match, it adds some balance to my eyes, at least.

Also, the shoes seem reasonably dark in the photos at least. If they're a lighter metallic in real life, that maybe doesn't hold up so well.

Thanks, Dee, that makes so much more sense to me now!

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