WIW: a few gray work outfits - YouLookFab Forum

Here's what I wore to work and to teach sewing classes the last few days--a few gray-leaning outfits.

1-3: dark gray-green wool-linen cargo pants (made by me); mixed print gray, dark olive, and mauve print high-low t-shirt (made by me); piano-wire necklace and bracelet; pewter metallic high-top sneakers (Paul Green); taupe trench (Calvin Klein); taupe shoulder bag (Aunts & Uncles).
A bold move for me: No Third Piece! I felt pretty good in this outfit. It was comfortable, which was key for a day of being constantly on my feet and "on."

4-6: black slouchy skinny pants with zipper pockets and bling (MosMosh); gray, sage, ivory and black blurry-starry print tee (made by me); gray leather collarless jacket (Halogen); black belt with studs, rhinestones, and ornate buckle (BedStu); gray shimmer oxfords (Naot, Kedma); black packable raincoat (Cole Haan); taupe shoulder bag as above. High happiness outfit.

7-9: stone wool tuck-front trousers (made by me); gray silk blouse (Vince) under gray and taupe open-weave high-low hem sweater (Hinge); taupe wedge oxfords (Born); green trench (Gallery); taupe shoulder bag as above. I can see I need a longer or shorter coat with these wide-legged trousers. . . . Fortunately, I think the effect looks less odd in movement.
I'm not loving these trousers, as much as I want to. But I like this outfit with them best of all I've tried so far.

Your thoughts? Thanks for looking!

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9 years ago

Joy

Veteran

Once again I am in awe of your designing/sewing skills. I really like the trousers in 7-9, but the proportions seem a little off, although it may just be the angle of the photos. Have you tried a soft gauze or silk tunic over the trousers?

rachylou

#1 is so it. The leather jacket with the peplum was also a good buy. Have to admit the light colour trousers aren't weird enough for me, but if I saw you in the street I'd probably admire you for going traditional.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Thanks, Joy and Rachylou!
Joy, I can't think of anything gauzy to go with the trousers. I guess I wasn't inclined to wear a tunic with them, because I thought it would be even more stumpifying. Perhaps it's worth a try.

lyn67

1-6 are TDF outfits-amazing sewing skills and styling ideeas! nr 7-9 is a more average outfit, classic and well put together, and love that one, too!

Summer

I really love 4 - 6. I'm impressed by the print tee that you made, and love that beautiful leather jacket.

approprio

(website)

Loving the first two outfits, great proportions, patterns and textures. The third does look a little quiet. Would those pants work better with a top in a high-contrast print, maybe the one you're wearing in 1-2?

celia

4-6 is my favorite outfit of these .
I like the first outfit and think you can be even bolder and tuck or semi tuck the shirt
I like the trousers on the last outfit ,maybe there is a smidgen of extra fabric in the back?But don't take my word for it because I am no sewer.

Sara L.

Great outfits, but I like the second outfit the best. I think the pants in #3 look a tad bit short. Do you have a shoe with a shorter heel or a maybe pointy toe to wear with them? I like the sweater you've paired the trousers with for an effortless chic feeling.

Thanks, everyone! I appreciate hearing your favorites and your suggestions!

The more I think about it and look at the pants in the third outfit, I'm thinking I may give up on them.
I've tried a higher-contrast top, as you suggest, approprio, and that didn't work so well, either (got suggestions for lower contrast. . .). Sara, I like the idea of a pointy toe that is lower, but haven't found one. I envisioned the pants working with a lot of things in my wardrobe, but everything I try looks so-so at best.

Celia, the top in outfit 1 is already semi-tucked. Maybe it doesn't look like it, because there is no belt? (The pants don't have belt loops, so I didn't wear one.)

My bad Firecracker ;o) Do you have a looser top to tuck so that it looks more square and semitucked instead of full tucket in the front?
ETA: I am nit picking here, your outfit is brilliantly artsy as it is. Just suggesting another way to use those pants.

Anonymous

I love looking at the colors, textures and shapes in your outfits. Rich and subtle and a little playful too. With #1, I think I'd prefer the top untucked. #2, spot on. That's a great jacket on you -- fit, color, quilting, the peplum at the back -- just yes. #3, I'm always confuzzled by wide trousers. I agree with Sara L. that maybe they look too large from the back. Did you ever try a longer tunic with them? By the way, I don't think you ever have to worry about stumpification in clothes -- your natural line is long enough that you can play around with elements that aren't traditionally "leg-lengthening."

Angie

Fashion Stylist

I can't get past outfit #1.

WOW.

Killer look.

Celia, aha--thanks! I do have some tops I could do that with.
Gauche, I haven't tried a long tunic with the full trousers. I can give it a go. Maybe my long gray cardigan would work. I've been trying shorter tops, to show the full length of the trouser, but maybe I've been barking up the wrong tree. And you're too kind--thanks for your comment on the long line.
Angie, once again you surprise me. It's always fun to get your take on outfits. Eventually I learn from hanging out here at YLF; it's a continual process (and entertaining, of course).

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Greyscale

I love those pants in #1! The shape is fantastic - I like how they're slimming at the top with all the extra volume lower. I'm not always a fan of cargo pants but these are excellent.

Do you think a shape like those pants would work on short legs?

Greyscale, thanks! I think they would probably suit short legs, too. I altered the pattern at the bottom of the leg, to get more taper. The pattern was also for cropped pants, so I lengthened them, while keeping the pocket intact--it's a very long pocket, placed low on the leg. I think the cropped version might be more flattering on a shorter leg, to show a little ankle. Here's the pattern.

#1/2/3 was jaw dropping. Fabulous! Can't say enough. (I want to see a more modern coat over top of this. Trench feels too classic).
#4-6 chic. Love the darkness with the light highlights in the shirt. I'd prefer this will your All Saints moto jacket. Something about the collar of the jacket doesn't feel right about where it hits (too low). I'm being picky.
#7-9 looks very classic but doesn't have your panache. Can you do a sash belt that would emphasize high waist with a tailored shirt/blouse (tucked in) and then throw the taupe leather jacket in images 4-6 on top. Again, just brainstorming...

I think this comment of AM's is spot-on: the third outfit "looks very classic but doesn't have your panache." That's a great word for your style and could be used as a kind of rubric for putting together your best outfits: "Does this have Firecracker's panache, or not?"

Interesting thought on the coat in the first outfit, AM. I tried my mauve pleated-collar packable coat, but thought it was too long and shapeless. I'm afraid my coat collection is lacking in the modern category. I see what you mean about the collar in 2; I used to worry more about coordinating necklines with my collarless jackets than I do now, for some reason. And I like your idea for outfit 3. I've worn the jacket with the pants before, but haven't tried a sash belt.

Gauche, yes--that's a good little test, isn't it? Panache isn't quite drama, which seems a little too bold for me. I'm not comfortable with drama, but I think I can handle panache.

Those trousers in #1 are SO cool! And then I saw outfit #2, and you upped the coolness even more into total badass territory (in the complimentary sense, hehe). I wonder if you need more contrast in outfit 3? Your face just seems to come into really sharp focus in the two darker outfits.

E makes a good point about darkness -- and how it brings your face into sharp focus. I absolutely agree.

Tania

I love number 1. Your sewing skills and combinations are totally fab.

krishnidoux

Those cargos you made are SO cool! I want a pair!

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