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WIW: All that you can't leave behind

catgirl

Veteran

A nod to U2 there... I can't seem to stop wearing grey and black, partly because it's such a fallback and partly because my best closet items are one or the other! Here are two WIWs that I found quick, easy and suitable for work. Everything is old except the Topshop booties in 1.

1. Old Navy tunic dress, Topshop microsuede booties

2. Kut plaid skinnies, old BR tunic from consignment, Topshop patent booties

Also, my suede OTK boots came (I had to reorder in a size up) and I ADORE them. I need to weather proof them but I already have several outfits planned around them. However, DH deemed them "too sexy for work" despite my pointing out the low block heel and elegant shape. While not the kiss of death, I will need to change his mind because obviously "sexy at work" is the one thing of which he (rightly) disapproves.

Feedback welcome!

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Topshop 'Beaumont Micro' Chelsea Bootie (Women)

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Via Spiga 'Alto' Over the Knee Boot (Women)

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Topshop 'Margot' Leather Ankle Bootie (Women)

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28 replies

Latest reply was from catgirl

Anonymous

Both are awesome outfits! I love the patterned grey elements and both pairs of booties are fab.

Diana

Veteran

Oooh, love both looks. Nothing wrong with black and grey! Plus you have lots of textural/pattern interest going on.

I want to see the OTK boots on you! I'm sure you can come up with non-sexy ways to wear them at work. (Also, haha, I don't think J. thinks mine are sexy - I think he just thinks I look like a pirate in mine? But mine are not suede. They do have gold hardware though...)

Peri

Veteran

Hey, there is a reason we love what we love. Change is okay, but favorites are fantastic!

Anonymous

Two great outfits! I'm back in grey and black too Your DH is right about the sexy factor in OTK boots - kind of hard to ignore them . I remember mentioning them once in a Facebook post (forget the context and the response back from several of my male friends would make one blush. They are just boots! But ever since then, I'm careful about where and how they get worn (DO NOT wear sheer or fishnet hose with them - hahaha)

Susie

Veteran

I'm right there with you on gray and black being mainstays in my wardrobe. (Today I am in black and white.) I would love to wear either of your outfits. I've not yet worn them this year but I got a lot of wear out of my black patent boots. Today, since it's still warm, it's my black patent oxfords, which also get a lot of wear.

Aside from your husband's declaration of too sexy, were you planning to wear the OTK boots for work?

Sara L.

Veteran

These are both nice outfits. The pattern and texture of your greys make them interesting. I was thinking of OTK boots this winter as well, although I haven't really looked yet (I'm lazy). Do they seem too sexy to you? I'm curious to see them styled.

catgirl

Veteran

Sara, I didn't think so! I am planning to style them with culottes or cropped pants (so they won't look as long), with skinnies and tunics (like the outfit I'm wearing today) and with skirts or shorter fluid dresses and opaque tights. I feel like they open up a whole lot of new possibilities for my current closet. I guess I'll just have to post pics.

They are definitely not pirate-y because they are quite fitted all the way up even on my scrawny legs.

Joy

Veteran

Ha! You've got to find something DH likes to wear and claim it is "Too sexy for work".

shedev

Veteran

Great outfits, #2 is my favorite. The OTKs sound very versatile.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

Looks great Una - and I kind of get the first impression of "too sexy" on those boots, but it might just be an eye adjustment thing that we all sometimes have to sort out. And of course it depends on how you style them.

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

Two great outfits Una but I am partial to the plaid skinnies. I can't seem to get enough of it and this one is so subtle that it works with the neutral outfit. Great boots. I look forward to seeing them in action.

Aida

Veteran

Your formulas always work Una. Love seeing the printed pants, there seems to be less around which makes me sad. Let's see those OTK boots, I'm excited that they fit you!

(Diana, I think my husband would be on Team Pirate for OTK boots too )

Brooklyn

Veteran

No wonder you can't leave this look behind - it really suits you. I especially like those plaid pants on you.
I don't think OTK boots are too sexy for work as long as you close the gap between the top of the boot and your skirt/dress or wear with skinnies. I think the reaction to knee high boots would have been the same some time ago. Several years ago one of our female politicians was given a hard time for wearing knee high boots in parliament (too sexy!). Now it would not raise a whimper because they are so ubiquitous. And didn't Michelle Obama wear OTKs to church?

TraceyLiz65

(website)

Veteran

The too sexy knee highs were the one of the past which had crazy heels, not this season's versions. Perhaps showing DH the difference may change his initial reaction. My DH said something similar but immediately changed his mind and recognized he was thinking of the boots in years passed.

Great looks, both of them!

Marilyn

Veteran

You had me with the subject line! Huge U2 fan.
Nothing wrong with black and gray. I'd be lost without them. Great outfits.....I especially like #2.

unfrumped

Veteran

Like these for sure!

I like gray and neutral patterned tights a lot--a change from all black.
I'm keeping my eye out for ones that aren't too crazy--and nothing that looks like lacy print pantyhose--thingks like subtle stripe, dot , herringbone. May mix them with brown or cognac boots, too.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

I love black & grey together. If I looked as good good in it as you do I may not wear anything else

I'd love to see the boots styled for work too.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

What is wrong with black and grey? I love #1. Those tights are perfect with your hair and the whole thing is mod but current. Want to see the new boots!

Karie

(website)

Veteran

Great outfits, I love those Kut skinnies.

I think it will depend on the outfit with those OTK boots. I look forward to seeing some of your stylings.

Beth Ann

Veteran

Another shout out for the plaid pants! I love the play of textures -- subtle prints, suede and patent, etc.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Another U2 fan here--I recognized the allusion right away, whereas I wouldn't have a clue about anything more current--ha ha!
Both outfits are great, and it's clear that black and gray still work beautifully for you, even as you embrace more color.
I think the way you are describing wearing the OTK boots, it's not even going to be obvious they taller than knee-high. I'm a little surprised at your DH's reaction--and that of male colleagues of Lisa's. I guess there is something that men see in these boots that I don't. I just think they look chic. So it drives home the value of getting some other opinions once in a while.

lyn67

Veteran

And, you look fab in it "...because my best closet items AND ACCESSORIES are one or the other"! (I meant it for your great hair, of course:-)).

gryffin

Veteran

Love your outfits. Okay, it's my colorway but you wear it so well. I wear my SW Hammer OTK boots to work all the time. Why don't you try styling them with a blazer (even your teal). Long tunic/dress, leggings, OTK boots and blazer. The blazer toughens it up with menswear and the boots break up the severity. I don't see OTK boots are "sexy" although I can see the high heeled pretty woman boots as problematic but I find high narrow heels much more overtly alluring. Also if you style them with black they will blend and be less obvious. Personally I love it, great look!!

Thirkellgirl

Veteran

I love #1, especially! And your hair is looking absolutely fantastic. Keep the pics coming, I find them inspirational.

old chic

YAY to your look and to your U2 reference!

Eliza

Veteran

Black and gray as fall sets in; unavoidable here also. Why not when it loves you back.

Very nice styling of the Kut plaid pants. I have them also and like what adding patent leather does for the outfit.
YLF!

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

I love both these outfits, but especially the one with the plaid Kuts, Something about plaids... they're urban and classic and punk and bookish and hip all at once.

catgirl

Veteran

Jenn, you've hit on something with the plaid skinnies - I really like items that can shape-shift without being basic. My new OTK boots seem like that... they could be sexy, boho, edgy, or classic depending on how the rest of the outfit is styled. Thanks for that observation! And thanks for all the support of the grey and black too.