WIW: Black & Orange - YouLookFab Forum

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WIW: Black & Orange

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

I woke up late & threw on some black for work today because I was in a rush. But I'm not sure if solid black works around my face, so I threw on this necklace (that I need to figure out more ways to wear - please let me know if you have any quirky/ unexpected colour colour suggestions to pair it with!) But then it felt a little incomplete, so I added this scarf from my last WIW (it looks less red in this light, for some reason).

I also remembered that someone had mentioned in another thread that they would like to see me in some high-waisted, flared trousers (feel free to wave & say hi if it's you!) I have this pair, but I'm not sure about the length. They're supposed to be cropped but, since I'm under 5ft4, they show only a tiny sliver of ankle (I'm wearing black ankle booties & black socks here, so it might not be too clear). They're loose enough to not cling to my rear, but I'm not sure how flattering the overall shape is. Thoughts?

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18 replies

Latest reply was from Zaeobi

Katerina

Veteran

Hi Zaeobi, I really like this outfit! My favourite is the first version without the scarf! The necklace is fabulous and it really stands out. It suits you perfectly. The version with the large scarf is also very good. LOVE the strong orange with tha black on you! I don’t now, if it is minimalist, but it suits you wonderfully!

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

@Katerina Thank you! Haha yes, that's why it's just an attempt - I don't think I could ever give up colours or accessories enough to go fully minimalist, lol! I just wore the scarf when it was cold out, though -
I was without it otherwise.

What do you think of where the necklace falls on the bust? Should I move it further up or down? Does it work with the neckline of the top?

SarahD8

Veteran

Love it! I think those pants look great on you and it is a flattering silhouette overall. I bet they would also look cool with bare ankles and flat sandals in warm weather

The necklace is sublime. Wow!

If I could make one tweak it would be to have the necklace be a bit shorter, so there is a bit more space between it and the waistband of the pants, which also have a lot going on. But that is a very minor quibble. You look fantastic in this and your hair is great too.

Anonymous

You look fab. Love the orange on you. High contrast works really well.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE those pants! The high waist/paper bag waist is great—I would love to find something like this for myself.

I’m not sure about pant length. I’m not good at determining what a good length is, and most lengths look good to me, including what you have going on in this outfit.

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

@SarahD8 Thank you! Yes I think it's important that I keep the ankle visible somehow (even if it's just the sock silhouette) in order to balance out the width. Which brings me to the necklace length - actually the pants are at this length when sitting at my natural waist. I could bring them down a little to give the necklace more room, but then I'm wondering whether that would make them look too long on me (no visible ankle shape).

@Smittie Thank you too! I seem to be drawn to orange this winter, for some reason. Maybe it's because I can't find as many bright yellow pieces as I would like, so I've turned the colour wheel a bit, lol.

I didn't buy these trousers too long ago, actually. They're the paper bag culottes from Zara. I was worried that the extra fabric around the waist wouldn't look flattering, but the belt helps to cinch it in. They also come in yellow, pink & denim & are fully lined with POCKETS! Fingers crossed you can get some to try on!

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

Also I've just realised that these are the Halloween colours @Angie talked about - but I don't feel too spooky in them, lol!

Mainelady

Veteran

I think your orange accessories look striking with black! I like your pants and the silhouette. I too, look forward to seeing your pants in warmer weather, with a pair of sandals.

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

Lol @Mainelady I'm looking forward to warmer weather, full stop! Winter is one thing in the UK, where there's central heating & I know how to layer. Out here is a different matter - the commute is hot enough for just a t-shirt, but then I can see my breath outside. Yet my office still has AC on. Lol I think a long sleeve top with scarf is a good compromise.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Love it! I am probably your height and would wear them. Take that advice at your own risk !

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Such a cool necklace. I’m always afraid something like that would end up wearing me, but you wear it well. I like the shawl look in the last one, for when you must have the scarf, but really like the first pic, without the scarf.
The shape of those pants naturally does just what you were looking for in an earlier thread—after gathering in at the waist, of course they go out a bit, and no one can tell what’s under there, lol. They are a good length for you too.

You seem to be getting comfortable with the “new you” with short hair. Yay!

Anonymous

Orange has become as common in my closet as red, maybe more so. The necklace would be lovely with navy blue or grey, but also try it with the unexpected like red ( burgundy to bright tomato) and fuschia or other bright pink. It is dramatic and quite fashionable now. You may want to make it part of a compliment with orange or coral shoes and/or bag. You have the scarf.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

The necklace is AMAZING with the outfit, and I like the matching wrap too. I'd probably prefer the pants hemmed a few inches shorter since I am pedantic about pant lengths.

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

@FashIntern Thank you, I guess it's all about the confidence when wearing bold items, lol. I was originally planning on wearing the necklace with some small gold earrings (to echo the gold in the necklace), but that may have been overkill. Yeah the scarf sort of adds more bulk to the top (which isn't needed with the wide trousers on the bottom half), but unfortunately sacrifices must be made to stop myself from freezing to death, lol.

I think I'm still figuring out the hair, but I have a better idea of what I do & don't like. I prefer a messier look that embraces my natural curls & doesn't look too 'proper', if that makes sense. I'm attaching photos to show you what I mean:

Photo #1 looks more like a classic bob, with the ends of my hair curling inwards. I'm not sure how to get the ends to sit straighter consistently (like in photos #2 & #3). Do you think I need to ask the hairdresser to cut off a little more so that it stays flat? Photo #3 is nice but I think I prefer the slight asymmetry that tucking my hair behind one ear gives (like in photo #2). Just got to keep playing around & try to master product usage to get the look I want!

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Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

@Joy thanks for the suggestions. I've tried it with grey before & liked the combo, but pink sounds a lot more fun! I also have a mustard yellow top that I might try it with, although pure yellow would be best (still on the hunt for one). Would navy blue be OK with the necklace, or would it clash with the black parts of the necklace?

Orange shoes sounds like a definite plan! Turquoise is actually my favourite colour, but it seems like orange is quite popular with retailers now, so I should probably snap up as much of it as I can before they move onto the next trend, lol!

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

@Angie Thanks, what length would you recommend? I think just below the knee would probably be the most flattering, but it wouldn't be as practical for cold weather (not sure how I would feel about wearing tights under culottes, lol). I'm attaching a photo to give you a better idea of where it falls - it's very difficult to take an accurate selfie of proportions!

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Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

A two to three inch shorter hem.

Beth Ann

Veteran

Love the drape and silhouette, and the color is so perfect for winter! I like the idea of a 2 inch shorter hem!

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

Thanks for the feedback! I might consider hemming them but then I'm not sure little stuck on how I would wear them. I'd prefer to have my legs covered & I can currently wear normal height socks & booties to achieve that. But if I go shorter, would it be weird to have a little sliver of skin showing between the socks & the hem? What about if I wore them with tights (but not heels). Would that look extra strange?

Also, the crêpe-like material is a little weird - I think there's a little bunching going on with the stitching down the sides, so the hem lifts up a little. What causes that? Also there's this silky sort of lining underneath, so I'd need to check if it's worth it to get a lined item brought up. Or maybe try doing it myself, lol!