WIW: Variations on white - YouLookFab Forum

I've been playing around with white all of last week. What worked, and what could be improved?

Outfit #1 (photos 1-3): The "holey" sweater I bought from Hong Kong (alternate photo) is the exact same shade of soft white as my new turtleneck! I love the textured effect they created, but layered my taupe (p)leather moto for extra warmth. I loved wearing this outfit; I felt confident in it all day, but wonder if you see room for improvement?

Outfit #2 (photos 4-5): White jeans with soft colors: a gray turtleneck sweater and brown/gray booties. As I was dashing out the door, I realized I wanted another vertical line over my upper body so I threw on a pendant necklace (alternate photo). I think I might need a more "statement-y" piece, because the small necklace got lost in the sea of gray. I felt good (but not great) in this outfit; what could I do to make it better?

Outfit #3 (photo 6): This one was pure whimsy, through and through. I don't need another (very) casual button-up, but I bought it anyway because the checked pattern was calling me. And I don't really think cream and white go together, but I put them together because a fully-light-colored outfit seemed so fun. In this outfit, I felt un-fab most of the day, but am wondering if you ladies see something salvageable?

This post has 6 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

13 years ago

Anonymous

I LOVE 1 -- great combo. I love the texture with the sweater layered over the turtleneck.

kkards

Veteran

l really like #3, it think the add't of the jacket adds shape and texture to the look.
i'm wondering what #3 would look like if you paired it with the white jeans?

Sara L.

I love #1! I looks great with the layered sweaters and the moto jacket. #2 is nice with the soft colors but I think you're right about needed a stronger necklace. Although sometimes I think jewelry looks better in real life than in photos since most delicate jewelry gets lost in outfit photos. I agree that outfit #3 isn't your best look. It's not the white and cream together that's the problem, IMO, but the grey turtleneck underneath.

Asingh

(website)

That jacket fits you well and looks good on you.

ManidipaM

#3 and #6 look really great to me! I actually really like the quiet serenity of #4, but yes, a more statement-y necklace would be dramatic and make a different impact. I also like kkards idea to try the white jeans with the layered white sweaters... mm.

Very sweet shoes in the last look there, by the way. Love how the dark trim is bookended by your hair and their shape echoed in your glasses!

Suz

#1 is super! Love that textured holy (holly?) sweater and it is fab with the pleather jacket, which in turn is fab with the booties. No wonder you felt great. Isn't taupe the loveliest neutral?

I also really like #2.

It is quite a classic look with this fitted sweater. If that fits in with your current style goals, it's perfect as is (although, as you say, you might have had a stronger necklace or perhaps a scarf to tie the colours together and give a vertical line.)

Lately in my own case I am a bit disenchanted with my fitted sweaters over skinnies or straight legs. I seem to want a more slouchy look up top if I am wearing narrow bottoms. But this it just me; perhaps you're not feeling the same way, in which case ignore.

#3 -- I wonder what made you feel unfab. Was it the layering? To my eye the one thing I might change is the footwear/ turtleneck combo. For some reason the ballet flats with bare skin and then no bare skin at the neckline is bothering me a bit.

Ornella

Love 1 and 3! You have such pretty smile

Charmian

@kkards: Oooh, good idea, I'll have to try that this week!

@Suz: Yes, I do love me some taupe! Though I dearly wish I could pair it with a lovely "punchy" color like you do with fuschia -- my coloring is far too soft to make that happen. As for why I felt "unfab", I'm not really sure. I think it might have been a combination of several small things: the cream + white combination is new to me, the fit of the shirt is a little off in the back, and the shoes didn't feel "right" (maybe if I'd used the booties from outfit #2?). I can't quite put my finger on it, which is why I'm seeking the collective wisdom of YLF.

@Sara L. & Suz: I see what you mean about the turtleneck sweater. To be honest, I was rather hoping it would fade into the background because it's a really warm sweater and our Seattle weather is turning rather chilly. I may put this outfit on hold until Spring.

Hi Charmain! I think we are taupe moto twins (and white jeans twins too)! You look pretty in these soft neutrals. I've been hankering to pair white/cream with camel (but I don't have any).

Outfit 1 is great. I love it just as it is. In the spring, you could try a black tank under the holey sweater for a variation.

I like Outfit 2 as well. I know what you mean about the shape a turtleneck makes on the body. A black blazer thrown on top would create some more lines for you, if that's an option, or a scarf (although I find scarves hard to wear with this neckline).

The third outfit is so close to being right on. I'm trying to figure out what was bothering you. I like the flats, the jeans and shirt together. I think the turtleneck might be a bit heavy looking to layer under a shirt (just a hunch). Do you have a denim jacket, blazer or cardigan that you could wear on top for warmth instead? Also I'll bet the shirt would look really good tucked in and belted.

You're looking good Charmain! It was good to see you post and follow your thought process through these outfits.

clearlyclaire, I love the suggestion of jackets for outfit #2 and #3! I've been on the hunt for the perfect extra-cropped denim jacket (you can see my short l'il waist) for 2 seasons now, but have been shying away from pure black because of my coloring. But that doesn't mean I won't snap up a lovely charcoal or pinstripe blazer

I'm definitely going to try outfit #3 again without the turtleneck, as soon as the temperatures rise. If the weatherman is right, maybe next week!

I hear you on the black being a bit harsh. The grey would soften it a lot, but you don't want a black blazer that you can only wear with one thing in your closet of course. After culling my black blazer, I missed it and bought another one! I try to wear it over grey or taupe and I often add a scarf to soften things further. Black is just so darn useful. Too bad it's not our best color!

Lisa

#1 is lovely, I enjoy outfits with low contrast layering. And you can always do a high contrast layer wtih say black too.

#4-I agree, the necklace is very delicate and got lost here. A large statement necklace would work well. Or forgo the necklace and wear skinny belt.

#6-I'd like to see this outfit with a grey trouser to echo the grey turtleneck or something dark on top to tie in the dark trim on the shoe.

Category