WIW: neutrals, sweatshirts, leather, and lace.

I've been enjoying wearing simple neutral outfits lately, and here are a few recent examples. All are very plain and basic, really, so I hope they don't look too boring.

The first outfit is an effort to look a little polished while being comfy casual. It's actually two sweatshirts: I'm in love with this Helmut Lang asymmetrical sweatshirt jacket- so much that I bought it in both taupe and in black. (waving to Sona who also has the taupe!)
It is so wonderfully soft and comfortable and has nice drape and an interesting shape. Here I'm wearing it over a James Perse black sweatshirt dress and tights, so basically the whole outfit is like wearing PJs!

In 2 and 3 is my relatively new gray Vince paper leather jacket. Once again, I'm SO happy with this jacket! The leather is so thin it doesn't even seem like leather, so it's perfect as an indoor leather jacket: not too hot, and it layers under a coat without any added bulk. I think it's going to be a versatile piece for me. I'm wearing it here over jeans and a lace tank, and over the sweatshirt dress. Pardon the goofy pose in the jeans outfit! I was trying to change it up a little and I think I was about to tip over! o_O

Finally is an outfit I wore to a fairly casual holiday get-together. I wore a gray ruched skirt that is old as can be, and that I've had trouble figuring out how to wear, so I've been on the verge of getting rid of it. I wore it with my Theory cashmere/cotton sweater, a sparkly necklace, and my patent wedge pumps and I was pretty happy with it.

So, I hope these aren't too drab- not a bit of color in the bunch! Any styling suggestions or comments are welcome!

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10 years ago

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Boring! I should be so boring! I love the both jackets, the first one reads as slightly pinkish on my screen. Anyway, it is gorgeous. The different textures more than make up for any lack of color.

MuseumGal

Wow, these are stunning! And that leather jacket is amazing.

Parsley

Thanks, Shevia and MuseumGal!
The first one isn't really pinkish. I don't know why it came out that way!

Here's a stock photo that shows the back view and the real color:

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Angie

Fashion Stylist

I see nothing but killer fabness all round.

Thanks, Angie!
I've been drawn to all-neutral looks lately, but I'm just a little nervous about looking too dull, so I'm glad you think these work!

Elizabeth P

OMGosh, you could never look dull! You look beautiful in all these fab outfits.

Aubergine

You look great in all of these! I can't believe #1 is entirely sweatshirt-based and the new leather jacket looks amazing and sounds incredibly useful.

Deborah

We'll I am on neutrals heaven. I don't mind if I never see colour again;). These are all stunning. I'm a little lost for words. You are looking so gorgeous Parsley. I lobe the fluid lines of the jackets and the drape paired with gently structured items.

Sveta

Drab? I think they are simply brilliant! That Vince leather jacket is amazing.
I need to learn from you how to make black flat riding boots look good with skirts: I struggle with mine but you look amazing in yours. Thank you for the lesson!

Thank you, Elizabeth, Aubergine, Deborah, and Sveta!

You know, Deborah, when I worry that neutrals might be boring, I remind myself that you always look so fabulous without much color, and I just hope that I can manage half as well. Your style is always an inspiration!

Sveta, I don't know why you wouldn't look great in your riding boots with a skirt! Is it the combination of the height of your boots with the length of your skirts that doesn't feel right to you?

Joy

Nothing dull here. The fit and interesting cuts and fabrics look sophisticated and modern.

Ariadne

Whoa, complete amazingness. I especially love 1-4 and want to copy them. Link to the HL sweatshirt jacket?

karymk

Oh I love the taupe jacket and the Vince paper leather jacket. Gotta try something like this. You are so lucky because you have that shiny dark hair that looks so well with black clothes....

Thanks so much, Joy, Ariadne, and Karen!

Ariadne, here's the sweatshirt jacket:
http://www.ssense.com/women/pr.....hirt/81887

and in black:
http://www.ssense.com/women/pr.....hirt/81887

and in silver gray:
http://www1.bloomingdales.com/.....?ID=853104

Day Vies

These jackets are divine on you. I usually complain about the lack of color when I see all neutrals but these are so pretty and lush in a restrained way. I love the textures and tones. Especially so in the skirt. #1 is my favorite it's a lovely high contrast but not so sharp a contrast as white. The buff color is softer and some how snugglier if that makes any sense. I am loving neutrals on you as well.

Marley

Parsely - you look stunning in these outfits - stunning! This is a good example of how when you wear perfectly proportioned items, with interesting details and shapes that there is no need to glob it all up with colors or accessories. I'm taking lessons from you Parsely and am going to look at those links that you just posted! YLSUPERFAB!

Caro in Oz

If this is boring then you can bore me any time - #3 is perfect to my eye

Gracie

These are all winners in my book, I will try to recreate with my pieces. The HL sweatshirt jacket is fabulous, too bad it's sold out.

Anonymous

That leather jacket is spectacular on you! All are fab, not drab.

Beth Ann

Well, you know I love color, but I don't find these drab at all. They have gorgeous lines and interesting texture, and your own high-contrast coloring shines.

Neutrals can let the wearer shine --- looking both confident and serene.

DaVies, Marley, Caro, Gracie, PMC, and Beth Ann- you are so kind!

Marley, that's what I would like to strive for: to have style without ALGO. You are a master at that!

Shoot, Gracie! I didn't even realize that the jacket was sold out on that first link. A bunch of places carried it, though, so it may well be available somewhere.
ETA: It looks like Saks still has it in XS, if that helps.

http://www.saksfifthavenue.com.....38;PRODUCT.
I think the silver gray is really pretty, too, and I think it's the latest color, and available lots of places.

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

I love all of these! And that ruched skirt is to die for!

So seriously... that James Perse jacket is genuine leather?? Light enough to layer?? Where did find this magic??

Jacky

Definitely don't see anything drab in any of those photos! All of your outfits look great - I'm glad you didn't get rid of the skirt because it looks amazing.

Thanks, LBD and Jacky!

LBD, the jacket is by VInce, and it is real leather, but super thin. I got mine at Nordstrom:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/vi.....et/3613720

I love all neutral looks & don't think they're boring at all! The textures and silhouettes you're playing with are more than enough to be interesting. You look wonderful.

unfrumped

Super glam all the way. You really Rick the asymmetrical looks. I thought the Vince jacket looked really cool online, so I'm glad to see it IRL ( or IR - person photo).

Thanks, E and unfrumped!

Isis

These look just fantastic! I"m learning to appreciate the sophistication of neutrals myself. When in the store, my eye goes to color and patterns! Have to remember to seek out silver, grey, taupe, etc as this looks so so fab!

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