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WIW: Slow Fallback Outfit

catgirl

Veteran

I am struggling. It took me forever to put something together this morning. Part of feeling less than fab is that our house is in complete chaos - for some reason the kitchen remodel has led to general lassitude in cleaning, since there's really no point. Closet contents emptied for access to crawl space, can't find basic utensils, dust everywhere, etc. I have way too much to do. I am feeling so mentally dishevelled, and that's coming out in my ability to get dressed. I feel fat and frumpy and just out of sorts no matter what I put on.

Have been wanting to show off these new Zara paisley skinnies, which I decided would be my holiday pants, but could only come up with the boring black blazer look today. I am wearing a green tank underneath, though you can't really see it here. And it is so cold out it's hard to wear enough layers, so I'm not even bothering.

Feedback and attitude adjustment advice welcome!

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26 replies

Latest reply was from Charmian

krishnidoux

Veteran

Una, you have my sympathy. Kitchen renovations are never fun to live through. But you managed to pull through a terrific WIW! This jacket with the pants is absolutely perfect! Booties too. It's very fashion forward, and the jacket's cut balances out the print beautifully. Only one thing: I'm not sure about the top's colour. It seems a bit off... to my eye, with my screen. Maybe grey or blue? (BTW your house in this pic looks in great shape!)

catgirl

Veteran

The top is actually a khaki-ish green. I'm telling you, a struggle! But thanks for the sympathy.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Our 8-week planned kitchen renovation we did 4 years ago lasted 3 months and it's a wonder we're still married and that no one was physically harmed during it! It is incredibly stressful because it really does throw the whole home into utter chaos. You just have to keep your eye on the prize Una and know it will all be worth it!

I love these skinnies - such a fab colour combo. The jacket and booties work great with it. Like Krish has mentioned, I'm not entirely sold on the green tone of the tank but it may work better with the skinnies IRL.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

Renovations - I've lived through 3 of them. 4 really if you count the office space. And one knuckle biting night when the roof was halfway off and it decided to rain with no warning or forecast of rain. Hard rain. We had big tarps up there but it still managed to seep in one spot in the kitchen.

It is unsettling for sure. And all that eating out doesn't do the tummy any justice either. UGH! The bright side is that it will be over soon and then each day from then on you get to enjoy it.

And those skinnies are great! Would love to see them with a cozy sweater on top.

cobaltblue

Veteran

What fun skinnies! I want to see a cozy sweater, too.

The state of my kitchen dictates my mood to an almost unhealthy degree. If everything is put away, gleaming, shiny, I become a better person with a perfect life and ordered mind. So I feel you on the renovation!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Oh Una, you and I are going through similar states of mind lately -- I'm sorry you're feeling this way. I made the mistake of trying on some ensembles from my closet today and taking pictures (inspired by Rae's BF and boots combo), and I'm feeling awful. Fat and lopsided and just..feh. I need an attitude adjustment ASAP. I even ran this morning, which usually helps, but I still feel like I look awful. I look in the mirror and it's not so bad, but the pictures are telling me otherwise.

But you look great! I love the skinnies, and even though I'm not 100% sure about the color in the top either, I think the combo with the jacket looks fine.

Glory

Veteran

I think you are looking great. Reno's have a way of overwhelming one. It is hard to feel so out of control and then the dust, mess etc. You cannot change it at the moment and it will soon be done and you can get things back under control. Try to go a bit easier on yourself! It's ok if the house is messy for a bit. Hugs! Loving those skinnies!

rachylou

Veteran

You look great, the combo works, frumpy feelings notwithstanding...

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I have been renovating since August 2011. I completely relate. I only have one bed, a nightstand, one chair, 3 clothing racks, a dresser drawer and a couple of plastic bins. You can see where my priorities lie! I walk next door to my mother's house for everything else. Because my renovation is on the extreme budget plan (need enough money to shop for clothes don't you know), this will continue probably for years.

I think your outfit is great. These pants would also work with burgundy or purple or grey. Or, obviously, dark green. You look sleek and stylish and professional, not fat or frumpy.

RoseandJoan

Veteran

The cami is throwing me off slightly Una, the trousers read as blue green and the cami as yellow green but this may just be my monitor. The proportions are fabulous and I love the pattern.

With regards to everything else which is going on, it sometimes helps to remember that stressed is just desserts spelled backwards!

I hope you are out of the guddle (a good Scottish word for mess) soon.

kellygirl

Veteran

Fun pants! I love the simple styling. Some times simple is best especially when you have a lot going on in other areas. You are looking fab though!

Raisin

Veteran

I can only imagine the repos are stressful, especially if you feel your house in in chaos. A little mess makes me feel chaotic sometimes, so I can't imagine!

As for the outfit I think a black blazer was the perfect fit for the patterened pants. I think greens are really your color too, aren't they!?

Anonymous

I love the blazer with the pants, and the booties are great too! This looks effortless to me, despite all the stress that went into it!

Auburn

Veteran

Ugh, I'm right there with you.
You should see the combo I've put together today. White cords, striped sweater, navy blazer and tan booties--it's like sailor meets hipster. And the meeting didn't go well.
I haven't even had the energy for my normal make-up routine. A case of the holiday blahs with early onset, perhaps. And I don't even have a renovation to blame!

Anyway, I love these pants. What about going high contrast on top? A big chunky cream cable sweater (a la Angie)? Or, slightly less daring, a white tank under the black blazer, with a fun necklace to make it more holiday party-ish? You could wear the blazer open or closed too...

Hang in there!

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

I love the pants. They are so statement-y that they don't need anything fussy up top to compete, so the black blazer is great. You look fab and hope those renovations go quickly! We did a big remodel of our downstairs when I was pregnant with my daughter and it always takes longer than you think. I was in labor and went to pick up a toilet seat that we had special ordered because I knew I wouldn't have time to pick it up later. I had called DH to tell him I was in labor, then went to two different stores to pick up hardware parts. DH got home and I wasn't there--he called me and said "Where ARE you?" I told him I had stopped to pick up the toilet seat and he thought I had lost my mind! LOL!

JR

Veteran

When your fallback position is a good one, no problem. This is a good one. It is precisely for times like this that we have fallbacks.

You look very chic and wonderful. And may your renovations finish quickly.

Vicki

(website)

Veteran

Wish you could fly down as I'd give you an "attitude adjustment" with wine overlooking the great Pacific at the Montage or some other place close by. I see many of us can relate and we had to move out of the house for months while the work was being done and the whole mess ("guddle," I like that!) just gets you out of sorts, no matter what.

In the meantime, I love Zara and I love your new pants! I think the jacket looks great on you. At first, I thought the jacket was a deep plum or purple. Have you considered a few different colors to remodel the mental dilemma and shake things up?

Anonymous

Oh, Una, would your purple blazer work with these!?

catgirl

Veteran

Brilliant, Ceit! My problem is the underlayer - I really need more options for tops to wear under jackets!

Anonymous

Black tank
Prairie underground shirt
That black top you wore with the aqua pencil skirt
Citron sweater? Depends on how green/yellowy the pants are
Hilo club Monaco sweater? Or is that too clashy with the purple
Purple halogen tank? Or is it more red than blue?

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Love the skinnies and would love to see them with other colors as Ceit suggested. Renovations are so disorienting. My sympathies, but you do look fab.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Ugh. Sympathies on the renos. Kitchens are the worst. I know I have commiserated with you before on this, but suffice it to say: What Shannon said. My husband and I have actually lived through TWO major kitchen renos, and a bathroom one as well. Clearly we have a solid relationship!

But you WILL get through it, and it WILL be worth it - oh, SO worth it. Truly.

As for your outfit - it is terrific! You look wonderful in those jeans. Now you just need to go out and buy some layering tanks or tops...in all your favourite colours.

Freckles

Veteran

The blazer is anything but boring and the tank peeking out is perfect. Love the new skinnies...they are such a great colour combination

Lisa

Veteran

How cool are those pants? I am no help outfit styling here, I like this as is!

Kiwichik

Veteran

Despite the chaos you look fab. Love the shape of that jacket- very flattering.

Charmian

Veteran

Remember how minimalism works best when all the pieces are amazing in their own right? I call this outfit "minimalist", not "boring"! (and how dare you malign such an awesome outfit! :P)

re: the camisole. I don't think the cami detracts from the outfit, as you seem to, but it doesn't really add much except to soften the black against your face. Nothing wrong with that, but as you say, it's also an opportunity to add a little interest too!