WIW: Nutcracker Suite outfits part 1

Here are some of my first attempts at creating outfits from the capsule of holiday-season clothing I posted last week.

In that previous thread, it seemed to me that some people assumed that I would mix items from the three different “sub-capsules” and some people assumed that I would not. The former was my intention, as these outfits should make clearer.

I am sorry for causing confusion by overcomplicating things!

However, I do think that it was useful for me to break the larger capsule up in this way. The names help me organize my thoughts about the aesthetic I’m aiming for. And the smaller groupings make it easier for me to see how colors relate to each other and to spot functional holes.

A few thoughts up front:

*So far I am not bothered by the lack of bottoms and the fact that they are all dark/neutral. We’ll see if that changes. (Although you’ll see below that I did pull in a pair of medium-wash jeans as I predicted I would.)

*Instead it feels to me like tops are the weak link in this capsule. This is probably not so obvious to you all just from looking at the photos in that other thread. But I don’t love all of the tops that I have included. For example I am not happy with the navy/black plaid tunic because it has 3/4 sleeves, so I have to layer both over and under it, and that feels fussy. The fuchsia woven popover is not top quality and is a bit big on me, so I feel sloppy every time I wear it. A few of the knit tops don’t feel entirely fab at my current weight.

*As a result it feels like the toppers are weighted towards the plum/burgundy side of the palette and the tops are weighted towards the blue/green side, with little that can help them cross over or tie them together.

*This set off the realization that I don’t have a very effective way to shop for tops! All of the tops in the “Gem” set were purchased secondhand except for the black watch plaid button-up. Some via Ebay and some via thrift stores. I don’t have a “system” for finding secondhand tops in a targeted, specific way, so as a result my collection of tops is rather catch-as-catch can. I spent a bit of time over the weekend looking at tops online from a number of different retail stores, but found very little that I was interested in (I want true long sleeves, cotton/silk/rayon, and am not interested in any of this statement sleeve business that is so ubiquitous these days. Very slim pickings!). So it will take some more thinking to come up with a strategy to solve this problem, which I suspect will pertain across all of my seasonal capsules.

*I don’t have any footwear to wear with the straight-leg jeans. I deliberately added a couple pairs of straight-leg jeans to my wardrobe this fall to make it easier for me to wear my shorter, hip-length cardigans (I often prefer longer cardigans with skinny pants). But I neglected to buy the footwear that would make those bottoms work! (I love the straight-leg jeans with my wooden-sole clogs in more transitional weather, but those shoes aren’t great for our current season of cold and wet.) I have a pair of cognac heeled oxfords that I will try with the straight-leg jeans. I have also ordered a pair of black patent tassel loafers and am really looking forward to their arrival. Wow a wardrobe has a lot of moving parts!

*Despite this litany of “problems” with the capsule I am really enjoying putting outfits together and have liked much of what I have come up with so far. There is a lot of pleasure to be had playing with even an “imperfect” or “under construction” set of clothes. This is a very good point to remember!

*I am THRILLED with my decision to wear my grandmothers’ costume jewelry for everyday. After just a few days this already feels like a signature part of my holiday season style. These pieces work really well dressed down, I think. I wore one rhinestone necklace with the gray sweatshirt to the grocery store, and another with Wellie boots to the Christmas tree lot, but I did not feel like “WacKy LAdy WiTh The RhIneStOnes,” I felt comfortable, casual, and intentional. I’m sorry I let these pieces go unworn for so long!

On to the individual outfits. I won’t give too many details about my assessment of these, I’m curious to hear your thoughts first.

There are 5 outfits, with 2 pictures of each. I hope this is not too many pictures. I have included a close-up picture showing the accessories for each outfit. A big part of the pleasure for me is in these small details.

1-2: Black ponte leggings / white tuxedo-pleat popover / plum long cardi. Worn with cognac riding boots / Mom’s green rhinestone necklace / skinny gold bangles / printed scarf for out-of-doors

3-4: Dark skinny jeans / black knit top / long burgundy cardi. Worn with black tall boots / porcelain necklace / Grandma’s golden rhinestones

5-6: Black skirt leggings / pale aqua fine-gauge scoopneck / plum long cardi. Worn with black ankle boots / enamel bird earrings / blue paisley scarf - note the little bits of aqua in the print

(I later re-tied the scarf in a more bandana-like way that did a better job of filling in the neckline, but didn’t get a pic)

7-8: medium-wash skinny jeans / gray floral sweatshirt. Worn with cognac riding boots / Grandma’s clear rhinestones

9-10: Dark-wash skinny jeans / Black watch plaid button-up / black/gray rose-print cardi. Worn with green Wellies to get the Christmas tree (v. muddy, so here pictured with my house shoes) / Other Grandma’s clear rhinestones

Look forward to your thoughts and feedback!

PS: I can see in the pictures that I need to get out my sweater stone and give some attention to a few of these cardis! It is not as obvious in real life but nevertheless — apologies for subjecting you to that, lol.

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8 years ago

Aida

Veteran

Well right off the bat I have to say that I like #9 best (but of course I am on Team Mix All The Things) Also quite like #7's mix of casual+glam. LOVE seeing the costume jewelry mixed in and would lobby that you not limit this to the holiday season. For #5 I would like to see the scarf tied a little looser so there isn't such a gap between the scarf and the neckline; I find it a little incongruous with the otherwise wintry look but not quite in an intentionally seasonally confused sort of way (if that makes any sense?). #3 is a great casual look though it lacks a little color depth to my eye; a teal or deep green top would be more interesting there OR perhaps try tucking the top so the boots are the star black item. And I think I'd like to see the cardigan open in #1 so that more of the tuxedo detailing is visible.

Stagiaire Fash

I think plum/burgundy can pair quite well with blue/green.

I’m curious if you will continue not to reach for the tops you listed, and what you will surprise yourself by reaching for instead. You saw the pants I’m wearing today, but my 30x30 started off as an explicit avoidance of brown.

Thank you for the detail pix. I love little details, often prefer to wear things that have a surprise detail, sort of as a reward for those who come closer. But while I’m talking pictures: we can’t all have MsMary’s photo setup, and I know my pix aren’t the greatest either, but the angle on your overall shots makes it hard for me to really see what’s going on.

I’m intrigued by the tux top in #1-3, hope to see more of it, love the color of the topper in 3-4 (but you knew I would). The boots/sweatshirt/jeans outfit reminds me of “never let them see you sweat”. You look great, and it seems to be so easy there.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I like the pattern mixing in #9 best. Also like the juxtaposition of the sweatshirt and bling in #7.

SarahD8

Thanks Aida, fashiontern, and Angie for your feedback!

I appreciate the love for the pattern mixing in #9! I am usually a "mix all the things" girl myself. So, I was surprised to find that I liked this outfit more in theory than on my body. I am still not sure why.

Also glad to hear that the sweatshirt + bling outfit in #7 came off so well. I liked that a lot as well, although I think that the outfit was less flattering than it could have been because the fit of the jeans is not great. (The angle of the photo is hiding this, and I appreciate what you are saying about the photo angle, fashiontern -- my setup for mirror selfies is rather nonexistent, though that may be something that I can fix in the medium term.) I have also worn the sweatshirt with black or navy skirt leggings and I like that a lot -- sleekness on the bottom better balances the boxiness of the top.

My favorite outfit is #1. Dark skinny pants + cognac riding boots + white blouse + colored cardi + contrasting color accessories is a flop-proof outfit formula for me, I think. It's not groundbreaking but I just feel very comfortable and put together in this sort of outfit.

Don't worry fashiontern, you'll see a lot more tuxedo pleats, I have two almost identical blouses and they're going to get a workout I wager. Yes, it will be interesting to see what I end up reaching for and what I don't, and how that does/doesn't align with my expectations. I'm very curious!

Aida you're right that #3 lacks oomph. Swapping in a different color top is a nice idea. Or maybe creating more value contrast -- I bet I would like it a lot better with a white blouse (confirming what I said above about flop-proof outfit formula). Or, more pattern -- swap the gold rhinestones for the dark blue paisley scarf (yes, tied bandanna-like as you suggest, I agree) and then we'd have pattern mixing with the scarf and necklace. Would not have thought of that on my own but I quite like the idea!

Zibbets

All of these are great, but like the others have said, #9 is a WOW! I never would have thought to combine those! Well done!

Thank you, Zibbets! I do love pattern mixing and I'm happy to find that lots of folks here are keen on it too.

Anonymous

I love capsule building. Your post is incredibly interesting. And the fact that you are wearing your grandmothers’ costume jewelry for everyday thrills me. I own all of my Mother's costume jewelry. Perhaps I can take a lesson from you.

Sterling, thanks for commenting. I'm glad you found the post interesting. I am also fascinated by capsule building. I have made some efforts in this area in the past but the sort of analysis that I am doing here seems more effective. I'm excited to see what develops.

How great that you also have a pile of sentimental costume jewelry from your mom. I hope you will let us know if you do decide to get it out and wear it. I would be honored to be part of the inspiration!

Sterling, I want to see it.

I don’t have heirloom jewelry, but my favorite pieces are from flea markets. Last weekend I brought up my mom’s scarab bracelet with her. She said she hardly wears it anymore. I’m scheming that it will be mine soon.

I prefer the # 1 I think the blouses are well worth the ladies is just my opinion
Bernard

Sal

Nice to see these looks - and lovely to see the heritage jewelry being worn.

I love 1 and 9 the most. And it is nice to see these colours in play.

Cardiff girl

Thank you so much for getting back to us with your outfits following your last post.It is always fascinating to see how others put together outfits.I totally agree with you about the jewellery,It looks so right with all your outfits.I particularly like #1,3 and7.

Merci Bernard, I am definitely having a "moment" with white blouses, they do make me feel put together.

And thanks Sal and Cardiff girl for appreciating both the jewelry and the outfit pics. I will post more next week, taking pictures is good motivation to actually put the finishing touches on outfits (I work from home so it's all too easy not to bother).

Fashiontern I laughed in recognition at your post -- I've definitely done that sort of scheming re: my mother's things!

Katerina

Great jobb SarahD8, your outfits are unique and interesting using the lovely jewelry. My favourite outfits are nr 1-2 and 5-6. Thank you very much for this and look forward to next week’s pics.

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