As we roll into September, I'll be going through my closet, looking for not-yet-worn items and making outfits from them. I'll also be scrutinizing iffy clothes and moving them to the giveaway pile, and revisiting some of my favourite pieces by sneaking in another wearing of them before they are packed away at the end of the month.
- Cardigan - Gap, thrifted; last worn here (2nd outfit) in April for Easter at Mom's
- Sweater - Tatyana, thrifted; last seen here in April with houndstooth and green pattern
- Trousers - Soaked in Luxury; last worn here in September 2020 with neutrals
- Shoes - Sol Sana; last seen here in May with dots and stars
I fished these trousers out of the giveaway pile about a month ago - anything that survives in my memory (once I can no longer see it) is generally worth keeping.
They are tricky to match with, as that allover rusty-brown spotted slightly-leopard-ish pattern plus black/chocolate brown/white means that I nearly always reach for a neutral mix.
I did wear them with an orange blazer the first time - I should be more creative! This polka-dotted cardigan is good enough, but the small-scale dots tend to look a bit blah in pictures.
Should I keep it? Hmmm...your thoughts are welcome, readers!
The black sweater under it is just one of my tried-and-true basics (I have two black sweaters). It's good for layering.
L exclaimed, "Great pants!" this morning while I was getting ready. Pant length is such a complicated thing, isn't it? Too long and you have Danger Pants; too short and you're stumpified.
Masked up - since I didn't wear this one yesterday.
I like the vertical tiger-stripe.
- Mask - by Mom
Ready for a chilly morning.
I really needed a little something - it's scarf weather! My delicate neck requires warmth.
- Scarf - Italy, gift from Mom
The stuff:
I pack these shoes away for fall/winter, usually. They are wonderfully comfy - I have a few pairs by this brand, and they are all very good to my feet.
Silver bling:
Twisty bits!
- Mesh bracelet - Stella & Dot, consignment
- Smaller mesh bracelet - Fossil, gift from L
- Earrings - Israel, consignment
- Shield ring - Nine West
- Silver/onyx ring - Toccara, vintage fair
In retrospect, I should have worn a necklace. Ah, well.
Theses pants look so fun and I love the way you bookended them with the white and black pin dot that is echoed in your jewelry. I would love to see you style them with teal, mustard, olive, or a burgundy that pulls red or brown. L looked so dapper in his suit the other day and he obviously has great taste in appreciating your styling.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Chalotalo! They are fun, and I LOVE your ideas! Those are more fall colours in my wardrobe, so maybe I need to keep these out for that season. The fabric is very light, so I have only worn them in hot weather, but maybe that's the solution.
DeleteHe has learned it all from me, ha ha!
Ditto Chalotalo’s comment in its entirety. As for the polka dot cardigan, it is essentially a neutral, doesn’t take up much storage space, could look quite nice against a bright color, and works well with your shoes, so I’d recommend keeping it for another year and see how you feel. I have about 10 Gap sweaters collected over many, many years. They make for nice pops of color or pattern, can provide that extra bit of warmth when needed, and can easily be transported to pull out of a bag if needed. I’d love to have more patterned Gap cardigans but haven’t found any in recent years.
ReplyDeleteHmm, which necklace would you have worn with this if you had chosen a necklace?
Yes, I so agree, Laurie! You have nailed my own thinking about this (although Mica knows me well too). It does work well with solids and brights, so it's a good summer extra piece and doesn't take up room. Thank you - that helps me immensely.
DeleteI probably would have worn my silver 3-circle drop pendant - I think it needed something right in the middle of the chest.
I love those pants! I think they are definitely keepers. But I think if you are a little unsure about the cardigan that means you will end up passing over it again and again until it ends up on the giveaway pile. It's nice but how you feel about something will always determine how much or little it gets worn. If only I could apply that logic to my wardrobe and be a bit more ruthless with things that aren't quite right, haha!
ReplyDeleteAs I said to Laurie, you know me well, Mica! I think I will hang onto it for one more year and see how I feel next spring.
DeleteYou can do it - once you start, it becomes easier.
Those wide-legged trousers are gorgeous, Sheila - I'm having a thing for these kind of trousers lately - and I'm glad you rescued them from the giveaway pile. I can definitely see them as an Autumn piece, worn with burnt orange or mustard, and I'm also loving Chalotalo's suggestion of teal. I'm loving the dotty bookends, but I do think the trousers need a stronger colour.
ReplyDeleteCan't believe it's almost time for the wardrobe changeover, I haven't even worn half of my Summer stuff yet, as it hasn't really been Summer (yet). xxx
I like them too, Ann, and I'm going to try them in my fall wardrobe and see how they work there with some autumnal colours. I need more teal in my wardrobe!
DeleteI'll see what my schedule is like for end of September - I might take a day off to do the swap-over. I don't feel like my summer things are getting much wear either!
I really like what you did with this outfit, and I find the pants quite fetching! In my head, colors that might pop nicely against are: chartreuse, avocado, a light teal, turquoise (with your beautiful copper jewelry!), pale orange (think creamsicle) and mustard.
ReplyDeleteI like the Gap sweater, and think that it's great in that it matches those shoes so well and it does serve to enliven things by not being "just" a solid; a nice, safe, non-boring neutral (but I don't LOVE it, and I wish it was a style that fit you closer, especially in the shoulders and underarm region).
Also, what Chalotalo and Laurie said...(I just read upwards, lol)
Thank you so much, Rita! I love the idea of turquoise and incorporating my copper with these trousers.
DeleteRe: the fit of the cardigan - I think it's supposed to be oversized, as this is an XS! I like it but don't love it, but I think it's unique enough to keep.
Yes, finding the perfect length for pants can be tricky. I like these pants but I think they are of the type that looks better with cropped items or tucked in items. I agree that this rusty brown can be difficult to match. Neutral are typically a good choice for tricky shades as you showed here with you styling. There are little bits of white in the leopard pattern and that white matches nicely with the white in your shoes and cardigan. The smaller polka dot is always chic, but you're right that it doesn't always photograph well. Well, I still like this pattern in the cardigan and shoes. I do like this outfit and I like the pants. Maybe keep them for a while longer and then decide whether you want to keep them or not.
ReplyDeleteIt is! Good point here about the top, Ivana - I must try a more cropped top next time with it. It's a tricky colour for sure, but there have been some good suggestions from readers. I agree on the cardigan/shoe match - that alone is enough to remind me to keep it. I'm going to try the pants with my fall wardrobe and see how they do. Thank you so much for the feedback and your thoughts! I do appreciate it. :)
DeleteI really like the wide legged trousers Sheila; they look good with the dot bookends. I have a few funky, coloured pairs that I’ve yet to wear this Summer.
ReplyDeleteI think yours will look great in Autumn, worn with some vibrant shades to suit the season. x
Thank you, Phyl! I agree, I'm going to try them with some fall stuff - I love the idea of tea/turquoise and copper, as well as mustard with them.
DeleteFantastic pattern mixing. Those wide-legged pants are really, really chic and all kinds of lovely. I could see them looking awesome with mustard and saffron shades, and perhaps, for a bit more a wildcard pairing, royal blue.
ReplyDeleteAutumn Zenith �� Witchcrafted Life
Thanks, Autumn! I do like these trousers, and will keep them out for fall. Love the idea of deep blue!
DeleteI've always been a fan of those pants, although if they were mine I would likely be boring and wear them with a black top. I am not a big fan of tiny polka dots - for polka dots (or stripes) my philosophy is "go big or go home" so I would vote for the cardigan to go off to a new home, even if it does match your shoes.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I'm still on fence with the cardigan, but it doesn't take up much space and it does go with the shoes. I'll see how I feel when it comes time to swap over.
DeleteSheila, I think those pants are fabulous and if they have pockets, I would definitely keep them. Brilliant idea to pair them with polka dots.
ReplyDeleteRena
www.finewhateverblog.com
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They do! I'm still iffy on the cardigan, but the outfit is fine.
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