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WIW: Frumpalicious? (ETA: Better?)

amiable

Veteran

After five days, I'm already tired of my orphan challenge. I doubt I'll make it 40. Maybe I'll take a week or so in the middle to wear my favorites, and just pretend that they're orphans because I haven't worn them in a few weeks....

After Angie's fair isle post the other day, I decided to go for my one fair isle sweater. It barely escaped the start-of-autumn purge, and I'm not sure it should have.

Paired with also-orphaned brown corduroys that fit really well, so I think they'll stay as a non-denim option, and tall brown boots that I'm not sure i like.

What do you think? Are the sweater and the boots clutter than needs purged to give my more fabulous options room to breathe, or do we have a future together?

The one upside of this sweater is that brown really does look pretty good on me. I just have a hard time wearing it because it seems to so easily veer into frump-dom.

Also apologies for poor lighting - it's a dismal day outside, and the light just ain't happening.

ETA: Switched the white tee for a brown dolman-sleeved tunic, the cords for skinny jeans and unzipped the fair isle sweater. Is it better?

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27 replies

Latest reply was from amiable

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

Amiable - did you try just leaving the sweater mostly unzipped and worn more as the sweater jacket? I'm not crazy about it but I think it might look better mostly unzipped to give a better V line in front. Maybe wearing an unexpected color under it would also be an idea? Adding a long pendant could also be nice.

I can't really see the pants - are they wide cords or mini-cords? If they are mini-cords I think I'd like them better. Wide cords are not for me.

I never wear tall boots so I think I'll leave those for others to comment on.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

The picture is sort of dark but from what I can see I really like this Amy! Maybe unzip the sweater a bit.

Thistle

Veteran

Hmmm, could you try wearing the sweater open with a pretty colored tank or v-neck tee underneath?

Comfy cords? those are keepers in your climate for sure! They look like they fit well, and are a terrific neutral!

I can't see the boots well, but they look okay to me. Heck, if I had tall boots that fit me, it would take an act of congress to get them away from me!!

Kimberley

Veteran

I really like the boots! If you don't, send them to me! Ha ha.

TraceyLiz65

(website)

Veteran

Agree with the sweater open option and as for your orphan challenge maybe do it slower by a day or two per week so it doesn't feel like work to get dressed as it should be a pleasant thing!

amiable

Veteran

Thanks All - I'll take another pic with the sweater unzipped and something fun under it in a few minutes here - that's a great suggestion.

The cords are super mini whale. They don't read "corduroy" from much of a distance at all.

The boots are actually pretty comfy, but the bottoms are slippery on my wood floors and the toes are square-ish. Still, they're in super condition, so will probably stay.

I'll also try to convince one of my kids to shoot an outdoor pic - it's a tad bit lighter out there than inside

Suz

(website)

Veteran

It looks like it's a practical sweater and unzipped some it could be fun...the boots seem great from what I can tell.

Von

Veteran

The first thing I wanted to do is walk up to you and virtually unzip the sweater! I think in order to make this style of sweater look atypical than it's usual styling, you're going to need to do something....atypical up top. The cords are the way 99% of the people around here wear them, and that's OK, but maybe you can wear them with a nice belt - some pumps maybe? If you're not wearing the boots for function, I'd ditch them with the cords.

I wouldn't be inclined to toss either of them just yet. I think the sweater has potential, and the boots too, just maybe not book ending the cords.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

This looks like a sweet country outfit. And I think you live in the country - no?

amiable

Veteran

Thanks for all your suggestions. Here's a second attempt at the outfit. I did unzip it, but went for a brown dolman-sleeved tunic (another orphan) underneath rather than a bright color - and switched out the cords for skinny jeans.

Is it better this way?

(Also, Angie - I live in a small city - about 200 thousand people. But I like to pretend it's out in the country )

I'll edit the top too.

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Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

You're a really cute person, Amy. I hope to meet you one day - in your "country town".

I'm liking the updated renditions even more. xo

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I think it's a lot better the second way - good job!

kellygirl

Veteran

Love the brown tunic and the sweater unzipped. You look adorable! Boots look great

cciele

Veteran

Yes better The first rendition read outdoorsy to me, the second comfy casual. I admire how you are trying to work in your orphans.

amiable

Veteran

Angie - please do come to Nebraska sometime!

pil

Veteran

Unzipped makes a big difference!

Anonymous

last one is good.

Astrid

Veteran

I like the second version!

Pat_P

I like the boots a lot! Am a little unsure on the sweater. And, as a fellow "country girl," I love your style. (I live in a town with a whopping 1,800 residents!)

amiable

Veteran

Pat_P Thanks! I'm hoping to move to a town about that size in the next year or two

catgirl

Veteran

Is the sweater cotton or wool? I'm not a fan of brown but it is a good color on you. Much better unzipped. I'd like to see some non-matchy wackiness with the Fairisle to keep it from looking staid.

D'Ellen

Veteran

Much better with the sweater open, but I really like the outfit without the sweater. I do have a poison eye for fair isle sweaters though, so take my comment with a grain of salt.

amiable

Veteran

I do want to try some wacky color with it, but I wasn't feeling it today Una. Next time (unless I purge this one)

And for Angie again - even though I live in a town, it's only about a half mile walk to the "country" corn and soybean fields, so it's not hard to feel like we're in the country.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I love soybeans. Along with cheese, fresh tofu is my favourite protein. I'm in, and virtual hugs to you sweet Amy. You have a great, great attitude.

Anonymous

Love your second version, Amy! I agree with Angie, you are sweet.

Day Vies

Veteran

The boots are the star of the show -- so sturdy and well made LOVE! OK ... disclaimer -- I am not a big fan of fair isle prints. But having said that you do look good in a rich chocolate brown. I do agree with Texstyle that you shoud wear an "interesting" color underneath this sweater. It's not the sweater so much as it is the brown on brown on brown (the sweater and cords would be best served by being separated unless super interesting color/accessories came to save the day). So here are my suggestions for colors and/or combinations to try with this sweater before tossing.

chambray button-down shirt in a mid-tone blue
shades of pink mauve or rose
shades of lavender
bright/red orange
mint
bordeaux, merlot, berry tones, (anything in the dark red family)
cream, beige, metallic gold/silver (hmm... a sparkly tee underneath could be interesting!)
shades of aqua and teal
heather gray, muted anything from above, a heathered purple would be nice as well - but if you do heathered tones I definitely advise doing a lighter pant, cream white and beige come to mind
try long sleeve tees, turtle necks, button-downs, henleys,
You could do triple layers -- light colored tee layer one, colored button-down -- layer two and the fair isle sweater as layer #3.

I think that's enough to get you started with the sweater. The cords tucked into the boots actually make a really nice line --I see no problem with them.

amiable

Veteran

Wow DV - Thanks for the suggestions! I almost did red, but was feeling like wearing muted shades today. I had also wanted to do a bright pink (like Angie's coat) under this sweater, but didn't have any. I thought of Chambray, and decided to try it sometime, and I almost tried heather gray, but thought it might not be much different than the white.

I will definitely try the chambray, a merlot a gray and a red. I thought about doing my bright green jeans - but wondered if I might look like a tree... Next time I have the energy, I'll do a dress-up session staring this fair isle

(Energy is low now as the whole family has a cold - hence my messy hair - I just don't care enough to do it right now )

You all are absolutely the best!