WIW: new scarf, and thinking about compliments

Quick pic from today. I've been under the weather (bronchitis), working lots, and have had lots of snow to contend with this month. Today it was finally sunny, and I had a whole day off to run errands. This is a totally thrown-together outfit: trying to squeeze a few more wears out of my deep winter wool trousers before it gets too warm (will it ever?!), and thought it would be fun to pair them with this new scarf in similar colours -- my birthday gift from DH and DS.

Anyway, a whole morning spent walking around town, and almost every element of my outfit elicited compliments -- trousers, bag, hat and scarf. I was somewhat taken aback by how positive people's responses were, and couldn't help but think of Katerina's post the other day about how best to take comments about one's attire. I definitely didn't feel any need to be shy or apologetic -- it probably helped that I wasn't dressed up (see my snow boots there?) beyond the environmental norm, just looking like myself and trying to keep from getting too bored with this seemingly endless winter.

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7 years ago

Cardiff girl

Veteran

I m not surprised that you got complements,you do look very put together and trendy which is quite a hard trick to pull off wearing such thick winter clothing as in my experience people tend to look good or be warm ,rarely both.Hope that you are over your illness and Iike you I am so over winter ,spring can’t come soon enough.

Mainelady

I can see why you received many compliments. You look great and each piece you have on is interesting. The scarf is gorgeous (nice job DH and DS). See what you did? You just made Fab style effortless.
I am glad you are feeling better!

Katerina

What a great birthday present!
You look fabulous - such an interesting outfit and, as Mainelady said, effortless. Love especially how the new scarf and pants play together - gorgeous pattern mixing.
La Ped, I really loved your post about taking compliments the other day. You definitely should not feel shy or apologetic in any outfit, dressed up or not.
Glad you feel better! Take care of yourself!

jussie

Very unique and trendy. Love it and your hair cut is so fab. Sorry you’ve been ill.

JAileen

It’s a very cute casual outfit. Nice pattern mixing. Your boys did a good job, picking out the scarf.

Suz

(website)

So sorry you've been sick. It seems to be sweeping the east. A friend of mine in New Brunswick could barely speak to me the other day on the phone...

You look much better than your voice must sound! The scarf is a lovely gift and works so well with the plaid pants. And the pop of colour in the bag is always welcome at this time of year when there is so much more light (but not enough heat!)

I found your comment about meeting or at least not blatantly overstepping the environmental norm making it easier to accept compliments without demurral extremely interesting. I think that is also true for me. I am much more likely to say a simple "thank you" if I feel that I'm not calling too much attention to myself through my choices. Interesting. Because I don't mind calling attention to myself in other contexts, even sartorially -- e.g. wearing a bright red jacket or boots for a presentation. But that is a presentation -- not a regular day. Mind you, I'd happily wear red in my normal daily wear, too, and do -- but not the same type of item. Hmmm.

SarahD8

Love the scarf and you are the very picture of cold-weather chic! I like that each piece of your ensemble has interest -- it's a bold, maximal look and you wear it well.

So sorry you have been sick! Hope it resolves soon.

rachylou

Yes, that’s the word: Maximal! I was going to say you look very New York, sua-vay... And of course I want to chant Puffy Puffy Puffy! Great scarf, great pants!

The topic of receiving compliments is deep.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

Glad you're on the mend, and good job NOT apologizing for your cute look. You are adorable in that hat, and the scarf pattern mixes well with the checked pants.

Anonymous

Happy belated bday. I like that scarf and your plaid pants and the bag is a super injection of color.

Cee

Your winter-fu skills be strong !

LaPed

Haha, thanks all. I'mm pretty impressed with my boys' shopping skills. The scarf is from Scottish company that weaves beautiful baby wraps, but has branched out into accessories:

https://www.oschaslings.com/en.....ng/scarves

I had a wrap from them when DS was tinier.

The comments that mention maximalism have got me thinking... This outfit is probably busier than what I'd choose for an event, a day that was Important in some way, or just if I was thinking harder about my outfit (I'm making a real effort this year not to over-think, and not to change out of something once I've put it on). But for casual day-to-day wear I'm not uncomfortable with this level of busy-ness, or this number of attention-grabbing elements. It is interesting how much environment and occasion factor into this for me.

I also wonder if every person has their own preferred maximalism. There are colour maximalists (definitely not me), silhouette maximalists, pattern/texture maximalists, accessory/jewelry maximalists...

It is nice to reach a point where just about anything I grab in the morning feels "true" and not off in anyway. I think this is probably the key to making maximalist looks work for most people... You have to reach a critical mass of signature elements, stuff that is "a lot" but still comfortable to put on. The trouble comes when you try to do someone else's maximalism...

Good point. "My" maximalism includes pattern mix (if the patterns include stripes or plaid). Colour intensity (though not too many colours unanchored by my neutrals). Multiple statement items in one outfit (but not as many as Rachylou or Approprio could handle). But tons of jewellery? Nope. Or rather, my jewellery maximalism is some people's normal.

Fussy sleeve detail plus pattern? Nope. Fussy detail and bright colour? (Starts feeling costumey, like my red military jackets on which I am going to rip off the epaulettes, as per Brooklyn's perceptive suggestion.)

Sara L.

I think you look great and I can see why you got comliments The pop of color from your bag is perfect. The bag is casual yet the color goes with your outfit. It's obviously part of your outfit, not just something you grabbed on the way out the door. The scarf and pants go well together and your wearing lipstick which makes you look put together.

Style Fan

Great scarf, La Ped. True to your style and beautiful pattern. Adds something special to the winter outfits. Scarves and accessories are so helpful this time of year when a puffer is necessary.
I liked what you wrote about accepting compliments. Your words really resonated with me.
Sorry to hear you have been under the weather. It must be that time of year. I was sick for over a week (finally broke down and went to see a doctor in Florida).

Yes, well you look good! The pants are really special. The puffer is a nice colour and the combo with your sunglasses, hat and straight bangs is very stylish

Nice work!

Brooklyn

Nice! I love the pattern mix and the pop of turquoise.

It’s right what you say about maximalism. I think I lean maximalist when it comes to jewellery, pattern and texture but not colour or silhouette.

And yay Suz!

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