Angie - the issue I have with wearing olive pants in winter is finding a coat that goes with them, not the pants themselves. I only like black or white with olive and have no white/ivory coats and only one black wool coat (plus a black heavy puffer) . As ljp put it, it's tough to find the right coat/boots to go with, although in my case it's just the coats that are the issue. It becomes a real limitation in creating an outfit.

Thanks Jaime!

ljp I found those pieces on the US ON site, although the colors for the pants are different. Interesting possibilities.

Indigoprint ... the high/low hem thing is a good idea in tops

Joy Thanks, and I agree that maybe less casual would be good, but traditional "dressy" is not what I want. Maybe ONE "dressy" item in an outfit - like a pretty blouse with trendy jeans and current looking booties.
Chocolate brown could be good. I am ALWAYS looking for texture but don't find it easy to find. And yes it does take time! I'm not expecting a miraculous quick overhaul.

Rachy yes jewelry is a good idea but it's tough for me to do in winter when I really need to have my neck covered. A simple necklace over a turtleneck sweater
seems so predictable Thanks for the hair comment!

Suz, textural variation and shine are great ideas, just not easy to find for me after I get through all the fit issues. It's a good remnider.

Star good question about the olive pants; they are a warm toned olive which is probably why I don't want to wear them with the cooler grey puffer.

Olive Green thanks for the kind words, and fascinating tht you find the patterned tops/coats to be more flattering on me than solids. I'm going to have to look at that again.

CarolS good suggestions! shorter pants, higher shaft boots, lighter pants, etc ... I AM definitely going to try to work with what I have even as I consider new options.

kkards good suggestions, although those two examples are on sites that do not show rise length and I'm not ordering any more pants without knowing that. I could see if they do online chat and ask them but I've found some of the CS reps cannot answer that specific question at some companies. Your ideas are good!

Thanks all for understanding that some of these outfits may not make me happy even if many of you think the colors and combinations are great on me. I am trying to find a balance between what feels good vs. what looks good and they are not always the same thing. Plus they can change over time I truly appreciate the enormous diversity of fashion styles here at YLF and would much rather hear differing opinions than a bunch of the same thing!

Chris, do you need an oatmeal coat (A Winter White)? Something like this Find? It's neutral, quiet, versatile, and NOT black

YES! I saw the cinnamon puffer under the burgundy coat after Suz kindly pointed it out. The colour there that is off to my eye, is the grey. (I know you like it, though! Old Armani combination). A pair of earthy toffee/tan/camel/oatmeal pants instead of the grey would minimize the colour palette, clean up the burgundy-cinnamon pairing, and calm the outfit (less chaotic as you suggested). If you wanted to work with the outerwear what you have.......this is an option

Sooooo, as for the pants. Start a separate thread and we'll trouble shoot and brainstorm what you are looking for in a more focused way.

Well I am late to this, and you have already received a lot of great tips. I don’t have much to add, but want to echo those who say you look great.

If you are feeling like some combination is “too much”, try changing up the contrast. Darker top with a darker bottom (and vice versa), instead of contrasting halves, or matching the contrast of the shoe to the pant, helps me feel more “toned down” sometimes.

Angie makes an interesting point about the grey pants in #1. Hmmm. (I'm learning from all this, so thank you, Chris, for bringing up the questions. Very helpful to read the responses.)

Liz, I have a similar feeling -- a lot of straight legs (especially jeans) do not feel good on me because my thighs are rather muscular / large in comparison to the rest of my leg.

The only ones I've found that work are quite baggy (and cropped, to temper some of the volume). Or slim stovepipes...or, as you say, slightly tapered, so BF styles.

Pants are a lot easier because of the drape.

Angie, No I do not own a coat in that oatmeal/winter white color and I've been thinking it might be a good addition. The largest Boden petites were too small for me a few years ago before I lost a little weight so might work now. And excellent suggestion to swap out the grey pants in that outfit for toffee/tan, which I don't currently own .... well I do actually but they are more a summer weight but I could try them. Love the idea of a separate thread for pants! Maybe not until mid January, I've got a lot going on but a fabulous idea!

Nemosmom, thanks, and your advice is super ... I always prefer low contrast between to/bottom but sometimes forget.

Liz I totally empathize with your pant fit issues. GREAT suggestion to taper the legs .. I am thinking about a specific pair of jeans where I can experiment with this.

You have had some really good practical advice Chris so I hope that some resonates and can help you find your style groove.

I know that feeling, when nothing quite feels right. Sometimes it is more about other things in life than the clothes, but fixing the clothes can help make you feel better about the other things.

These outfits look good from the outside so I think a few tweaks might help them feel better from the inside.

Chris, whenever you're ready

I can only imagine that toffee/tan Winter pants would become your Winter essential! And by all means try Boden again. Their coats are roomier at the moment.

Sal, I think you nailed it "... when nothing quite feels right. Sometimes it is more about other things in life than the clothes, but fixing the clothes can help make you feel better about the other things.". Like how smiling can make you feel better even if you don't feel like smiling.

Angie, excellent idea! I own this single pair of pants in that toffee/tan color, probably a bit lightweight for winter (although maybe ok). Will do some outfit creations at some point to get some ideas.

This has been a great thread to read! So much great advice!

I often feel too masculine with sweaters too. What about wearing something totally girly with them - like a top with ruffles that stick out somewhere - collar or cuffs? I do think that is a difference with an asymmetrical or hi-lo hem too - it feels more flowy and feminine.

The pants thing is also an issue for me. I put off changing the silhouette as long as I could. I finally found some wider legs that I like just this fall, from Target so an inexpensive experiment. I like them cropped with higher shaft boots but still struggle with a length on longer ones. And of course none are petites so rise can be an issue.

Chris, if available, give these a try: https://bananarepublic.gap.com.....#038;searc

They come in petite and also in short regular (for comparison, if need be).

I got mine on sale in navy and they are a fantastic trouser. Fantastic quality for the sale price (even the higher sale price in CAD.)

They are unlined so you would not want to wear them in your very coldest temperatures on your walks without a long coat and/or long undies. But for all other purposes (e.g. at home, in car, going out and about in slightly warmer temps) they would work beautifully. They have a lovely drape.

They fit TTS in the waist area and are quite generously cut in hips, thighs, bottom. They skim without clinging.

Well, so many good ideas here for you, to try out new silhouettes or colors. I just want to say I think you look really good, and also, I understand about kind of "not feeling" it at times...particularly at this time of year when we have to pile on the layers. I find too that sometimes the addition of one new thing, say a newer modern coat or a new pant can do wonders for our feelings and bring us back from the edge to give all the rest of our clothes a new life. Good luck!

RobinF - good suggestions ... a little bit of ruffle might be ok ... yeah I get you on the pants!

Thanks Suz I'll take a look at those pants. I think I want to try some outfits from my closet to get the hang of it before I do any more shopping but I'll save the find for them

Thanks Judy, good point about coats. I think I've been stuck for a long time in the mindset I grew up with of "one regular coat, one nicer coat" being enough. Maybe it IS enough but it's not the only way to go!

It’s quite hard in winter, outfits do tend to feel more masculine/boring/repetitive.
Would you consider some kind of winter dress? A sweater dress for example? I have one, and it’s woolen, so very warm and comfortable.
It just adds a bit more variety, and is “one and done” so easier than separates to be honest.
Another fun thing is a statement puffer coat. They aren’t common but they do exist. Even a velvet puffer. I have a velvet one in dark red and it’s a lifesaver in winter.
Another idea is wearing a collared striped shirt under your camel sweater and popping the collar up for a flash of colour or print. Depends on the thicknesses of the fabrics whether that works or not or whether it’s too preppy but I have seen it look very effective under the right circumstances.
Fwiw I like your outfits and your overall look.

Thanks Jussie, I do have 2 knit dresses for winter but rarely wear them because the only footwear I have that works is chelsea boot style and sometimes that is just not warm enough with thick tights. I'm on the hunt for some tall boots and once I find them this could change this picture. A statement puffer is a great idea, I'll keep my eyes open for them. The shirt w/collar is something I used to wear a lot and need to play with more, good suggestion!