WIW: drapey drama - YouLookFab Forum

This blog post on adding drama to outfits made me think of yesterday's work outfit. I got a lot of compliments on the outfit, and I wondered whether it might have been because it's a little more dramatic than my usual look.

Kimono jacket in silk plaid-like brush stroke pattern, shades of white, taupe, and brown (made by me), worn over gray tee (Caslon)
Espresso brown knit midi skirt with drape front and button (made by me)
Nude fishnets (Commando)
Platform cutout peep-toe booties in a pewter nubuck (Paul Green)
Silver dangled hoop earrings
Silver and brass wrapped bracelet

I would say the outfit used the following dramatic elements, from Angie's post (the ones in parentheses are those I think are not represented, though I'm unsure):

1. hairstyle. angled bob with waves and silvery streaks--always seems to add an element of drama to my look.
2. eyewear. not my most dramatic pair, but quite prominent, so I'm counting them. What say you?
3. Interesting footwear.
4. Architectural and avant-garde clothing and accessories. both the jacket and skirt fall into this category, I think.
(5. Bold colors and high contrast.) I don't think I did this, but maybe the jacket is high contrast?
6. Bold patterns. the jacket, yes?
(7. Irregular juxtapositions.) I don't think so, but perhaps the midi and booties counts.
(8. Hard edge.) I don't see this at all in this outfit.
(9. Eccentric jewelry.) I think the jewelry is pretty understated.
10. Makeup and nail polish. definitely not nail polish (what I have on my toes is nude). But my makeup may be somewhat dramatic. My eyebrows are always a prominent feature.

Usually I don't think I'd put so many dramatic elements together. I did leave off a necklace that I like with the jacket, because I thought it fought with the button on the skirt.

What do you think? Dramatic? More so than is typical for me?

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dustt

Veteran

yes dramatic - the topper and booties say it for me!!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Killer, and absolutely dramatic.

Susie

Definitely dramatic and in a very fab way!

Joy

So dramatic and gorgeous. The shoes and jacket really up the drama.

Aida

Fab and dramatic, but still has a great clean feel. Doesn't seem at all out of the ordinary for you. Those shoes go with everything, don't they!?

Jaime

Love the jacket and I would say dramatic in the best way.

missvee

I love this outfit. Each piece ( kimono, skirt, and boots) holds its own, yet they come together in a very harmonious way. I wonder if that's in part because they are all subtle neutrals.

Janet

Beautiful! Dramatic yet not at all OTT. That's an art. You look great.

vipanchi

Active Member

Wow awesome!love the kimono and the skirt!

Beth Ann

So nice to see you post, and you're so beautifully illustrating the elements of Angie's post!

I think there is lots of harmony here, in addition to drama. You have a neutral, restrained color palette, and, as you mentioned, have avoided much in the way of accessories, allowing the dramatic silhouette, the print and the edgy booties to carry the day.

I love it and find it quite flattering, and I'm inspired by your creativity!

kellygirl

Stunning! That jacket with those shoes is a show stopper! You look amazing, Firecracker. Love this.

Firecracker (Sharan)

You all are so kind! Thank you all for your thoughts and compliments.
Angie, I wouldn't have guessed it was a K outfit.
Aida, it's good to hear the outfit doesn't look uncharacteristic for me. And yes, the new shoes do seem to go with everything--yay! I plan to wear them with shorts, too!
Shevia, thanks--I could see you in this jacket, too.
missvee and Beth Ann, you are right about the neutrals-- I think they keep everything here just inside my comfort zone.
Janet, that's sweet, and I'm glad to know the effect is not OTT.

It seems the footwear and jacket are really the big drama elements for most of you. I tried the outfit with metallic ballet flats, and they could have worked (in fact I took them with me in case I needed to change out of the heels during the day, but I didn't need them)--but the effect was pretty different, more toward elegant, I'd say.

Karie

Yes, dramatic, and totally gorgeous! I love that kimono.

crutcher

I love your hair...with silver streaks...that is dramatic and worth a second look before we even get to the delightful outfit...I love the kimono over the silk top...A very noticeable third piece...paired with the asymmetrical skirt just makes a very chic presentation...Great job...

Anonymous

Dramatic, arty fabness!

I'd say definitely dramatic, but there's also a softness that balances it out nicely. And I like it even better once I went back and saw that you made the jacket and skirt, and that they're brown rather than the more expected black I thought they were at first.

Jenny H

Wow, love it! That kimono jacket is amazing. Did you use a widely-available pattern to sew that?

jackiec

Dramatic on all fronts! You had me at the shoes.....falling down......:)

viva

I too think it is the jacket that brings the drama, but it is a soft drama -- it is unmistakable but there is no hard edge. I love it on you. It makes you highly noticeable but also highly approachable. That's a really wonderful combination, I think.

Parsley

You look fabulously dramatic, FC!
Every element is interesting here: from your hair all the way down to those striking new shoes!
When I look at you I think "Terrific outfit", but more importantly, I think "Wow, she looks interesting, I'd like to get to know her!"

Thank you all!

Jenny H, the pattern is the Plaza Jacket and Pants, from The Sewing Workshop. Her patterns are among my favorites--unique designs, well drafted, great instructions with nice finishing techniques. A customer asked me about the pattern, too, and I put it on order for her.

crutcher, viva and Parsley, thank you. Approachable is good, especially working in retail.

Aubergine, interesting thought on the color. I am drawn to espresso brown, much prefer it to black, although I end up with a lot of black in my wardrobe just because it's so much more common.

Kiwichik

This is definitely a dramatic look - the kimono top and skirt together increase the drama but having looked at your other posts you always have an element of drama and you have stuck with your signature colours - so dramatic definitely, more so that usually only just.

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