WIW: Spring Sparkle - YouLookFab Forum

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WIW: Spring Sparkle

E

Veteran

Back in February, I thrifted this striped pullover: I was so excited because it's merino but quite thin, like a fancier long sleeve tee, and thus more workable for my current climate. Also, I love stripes in theory, but am so picky about them that I don't own many. Grey-on-grey stripes though? Sign me up. The sparkle felt springlike too.

Which is all to say that as soon as our weather cooled off a touch, to the 60s/70s (15-25C), I reached for this sweater right away. The forum was very approving of my wearing a simple pullover with this orphaned skirt last time, and the mix of lighter neutrals felt seasonally appropriate, so I decided to try it again. Ever since Angie posted about wearing a welted sweater outside of a flared skirt, I've wanted to try that too! I almost always tuck into my skirts, so this was definitely new to me. It meant no belt, so I just added my little fox brooch for a bit of extra interest and two gold rings (worn on separate hands but I put them together for the photo as the forum was talking about delicate jewelry recently).

Honestly, I also spent much of the day in grey alpaca knee socks (whose hem was covered by the skirt), as it turned a bit chilly and my feet were cold! But I took this photo after doing all of the trouser pics, so I hadn't put them back on yet. No outerwear pic, because I was photo-ed out. I wore my robin's egg blue trench, as the wind was quite brisk, and my brown lace up ankle boots.

All comments & suggestions/criticisms welcome! Any thoughts about untucked vs tucked sweater?

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26 replies

Latest reply was from E

Anonymous

Yes, yes, YES! These look wonderful together, and I love the low-contrast neutrals on you. What an incredible find in that sweater! The fellow thrifter in me positively rejoices with you! Yummy merino wool, soft grey, fun sparkles and just look at that lovely fluid fit. It does nothing to obscure your figure, even though you'd think it might. You've done volume on volume here which is difficult for someone so small and it's just the right amount of volume. Kudos!

Astrid

Veteran

LOVE it! Please leave the pullover untucked. I love the way it looks with the skirt. And it's great on its own too, the sparkle and the stripes are just up my alley.

abc

Veteran

Out of all of your posts this has to be one of my favorites. I love the dainty rings and the cat is super cute. I like the mix of the colors here and the fit / proportions look spot on. Refined sparkle, very nice.

Gennifyr

This is really lovely.

Alassë

Veteran

Such pretty rings! And the welted sweater/full skirt proportions look just right on you. Another E hit! Thank you for posting your pretty pictures.

Jewell

Veteran

Spring sparkle...love the alliteration! And I love this outfit on you! Without a doubt, it's one of my favorites that you've posted. As Claire pointed out, you've done volume on volume remarkably well. The colors work well together, and the silhouette is feminine and sophisticated.

carambola

Veteran

Oh, this is so pretty. Love the subtle sparkle in the sweater and it is looks terrific untucked with the skirt.

pil

Veteran

I adore this on you - the muted colors, silhouette and textures are all wonderful.

E

Veteran

Claire, awww thanks! It's Talbot's, which I'm usually sized out of, but this is from their petite line. It was even the colour of the week, so half off. </thrifty rejoicing> I suspect my figure is far better suited to knits than wovens, as far as the best fitting option goes, but oh well. I still love my wovens too!

Astrid, I thought of you as you do untucked tops over full skirts so beautifully. And I can see you in this sweater for sure! I did leave it untucked all of that day.

Thank you ABC! This outfit is perhaps less whimsical & certainly less busy than a lot of my looks.

Thnx Gennifyr!

Alasse, I've had those rings for years. I thought I'd lost the leaf ring for awhile, which is when I got the flower one with some Christmas money, but luckily it turned back up. I was so relieved! Thnx for the compliments.

Jewell, I can rarely resist an opportunity for alliteration! hehe Thank you for the feedback: it's interesting you use the word sophisticated. I think that's my 'shadow' style persona: most of the time I'm happy being quaint, but if I had a different lifestyle, I think sophisticated would be my target.

Thnx Carambola!

Thank you Pil: I do love muted colours & texture.

Alexandra

(website)

Veteran

This looks lovely! I love that bit of sparkle in the otherwise muted outfit.

Inge

(website)

A huge thumbs up from me too, E. Absolutely love this silhouette on you, and both pieces are beautiful, plus the subtle sparkle makes it extra special.

viva

Veteran

Oh, E.... I just adore this skirt on you. This is how midi-length pleated skirts look on me in my dreams. (Sadly, body type intervenes in reality.)

I sighed a little just looking at the pictures. I love the sweater outside the skirt -- it gives a perfect little slouch to the look. You could add a pair of oxfords and a neck scarf and meet Nick and Gatsby for a round of golf before cocktails.

E

Veteran

Thank you Alexandra & Inge!

Viva, you make me laugh. I'd be terrible at golf (and tennis), but I could meet them for some croquet. Luckily I actually have grey oxfords! I thought we were fairly similar body types, oddly enough. But thnx for the skirt compliment: it spent ages as an orphan, so I'm glad the forum as inspired me to rework it.

Anonymous

I love the simplicity of this outfit! I feel like it takes a rare person to wear gray with beige and manage to not look blah, so I'm especially impressed. And I love Viva's description.

Aida

Veteran

Lovely! Really nice silhouette (longer tops over full skirts seem to be trending), and I always loves me a little day time sparkle ^^

Suz

(website)

Veteran

This is stunning on you! Simple, calm, cohesive, yet beautifully textured. The sparkle and bits of contrasting gold and the stripes add so much fun to the look. In a way, you have both horizontal (sweater) and vertical stripes (the pleats of the skirt). It's subtle, but these lines add some crispness to an overall soft look. Love the fit of the skirt and the sweater on you. Untucked is perfect here.

Happy sigh. This is one of my favourites on you yet!! And that sweater will look fantastic with many of your pants, also.

BTW, I apologize because I looked into the pant post but did not get a chance to comment. I basically concurred with everything Aida said.

Marmee

Veteran

Eva, I love the sparkle in the sweater, and your choice to pair it with gold jewelry. And I like how the skirt bookends your hair!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Great sweater, great outfit!

Gigi

Veteran

Just lovely! I envy your attention to detail with your jewelry.

I think the top looks great untucked. When they have a band like that, it seems to create extra interest or something, plus adds some nice waist definition. :^)

E

Veteran

Aubergine, I didn't think of the colour combo in that way: thanks for making me laugh! I love Viva's description too.

Thank you Aida! I'm not usually trendy, but as this was inspired by Angie, somehow that doesn't surprise me. heehee

I love your analysis Suz! Thank you. You can't see it in the pic, but the skirt has a very subtle windowpane print to it, so it has some vertical lines in that as well. No worries re: the trousers! I think I've got myself sorted now, and I'm glad the forum didn't recommend I start again from scratch. hehe

Thank you Marmee!

Thnx Shevia!

Gigi, most of the time I just choose a brooch or necklace (depending on the neckline) based on my mood and then add the 'matching' rings and maybe delicate bracelet (I prefer not to mix metals so I have 2 rings & a bracelet in both silver & gold) and call it a day. Pretty simple. I agree that banded jumpers seem more 'finished' untucked, and I appreciate the bit of waist definition since I'm giving up the more obvious skirt waistband option. hehe

Beth Ann

Veteran

Love this refreshing take on neutrals for spring! I grew up in an era in which grey and tan would never have mingled. No cross contamination of warm and cool neutrals, although everything, and I do mean everything, could be worn with denim -- the biggest neutral of all!

I love this combination on you -- it's flattering and pleasing to my eye -- especially mixed with sweet gold jewelry! So fresh!

columbine(erin)

Veteran

You wear muted colors so well with just the right details. I always enjoy your posts.

Jjsloane

Veteran

I love the colors together (and of course I love the sparkle). Lovely delicate jewelry too. I like the sweater as you've shown (untucked) and the skirt drapes lovely on you.

viva

Veteran

I'm a rectangle, E. I just checked your profile and see why this skirt works so wonderfully on you -- inverted triangle with hourglass tendencies. Aahhh.
I can see your lovely waist and gentle slope to the hip. I am missing those things which makes most skirts and dresses an issue for me. (Put me in a shift and I am good to go!) I will enjoy the pleated skirt through you.
On with the croquet!

Neel

Veteran

Love that sweater! And I imagine robin's blue egg trench would have looked lovely with this outfit. And brown lace up boots ... Yes please

E

Veteran

Beth Ann, lmao @ 'cross contamination.' Call the hazmat guys in! Thnx for the compliments though.

Thank you Columbine! I spent several years falling in love with muted colours and now they really feel like 'home' for me.

Thnx JJ! I can definitely see you rocking the sparkle.

Viva, oh ok. I have issues with dresses too (the waist is always too high, often the shoulders are too small/when the shoulders fit right the bust gapes/etc.), and I pretty much only wear full skirts (the other kinds don't flatter me as well), so I understand body challenges. I'm glad you can rock a shift: those don't work on me! I'll go set up the croquet now.

Thank you Neel!