goldenpig

This is for the Fuchsia Friday challenge! I haven't done much in the way of tonal color mixing outfits before but I really like how this one turned out. I paired my fuchsia wool blazer and shirt with my burgundy tweed skirt and oxblood patent clutch and boots. I felt very J Crew, even though none of these pieces are from there...I was inspired by the bright colors in their winter catalog. The outfit feels like "preppy luxe" to me with all the rich colors and textures. Of course I had to do the matchy matchy with the boots and clutch. And I just realized that this outfit follows Angie's recommendation of color (bright fuchsia, burgundy and oxblood), pattern (tweed boucle skirt and burgundy snakeskin bracelet), texture (wool and tweed) and shine (patent "leather" clutch and boots). It was fun to create a totally new combination and pushed me to try tonal mixing! This was so much fun, thanks Sona for the great idea!

Nordstrom Tulle fuchsia wool blazer (from the Junior's section)
Japanese Weekend fuchsia maternity shirt with faux white collars/sleeves/tail (6 years old, from my first pregnancy)
Nordstrom Halogen burgundy boucle tweed skirt (Angie's pick from NAS)
White House Black Market burgundy snakeskin and silver cuff
DSW Urban Expressions oxblood patent "vegan" clutch (it has a strap, but I'm realizing clutches are too small to be practical--even my wallet is too bulky to fit in there!)
Aquatalia Vavoom oxblood rain boots (it was raining today so it was perfect for the weather!)
and Max the cat

I'm realizing that most of my handbags are very structured and ladylike which fits with my primary style. I've been drawn to UWP style more lately, but the only slouchy black bag I have is this Le Sak purse. The lining is torn inside and it's a little small and I'm thinking about asking for or getting another purse (probably black or dark grey) for Christmas. I'd like it to look a little more UWP/RATE...but not too RATE (it still has to go with my outfits!) I saw a studded bag at TJ Maxx, but the spikes were actually sharp and pointy...ouch! I'd like a UWP-ish bag with a touch of polish to still fit with my style...a gateway UWP bag, if you will.

Any suggestions? Thanks!

Waving at fellow peacoat quadruplets Sona, Janet and Emily!
Janet wore hers today as well:
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....ated-jeans
and Sona wore hers yesterday:
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....prationwiw
and Emily has one on the way!

I'm pretty much copying Jessica Quirk's WIW that I did for the Blogger Copycat Challenge (inspiration pic in #10):
http://whatiwore.tumblr.com/po.....-city-girl
Here was my version:
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....ots-gloves
but I loved her version so much that when I saw the recent cyber super sales, I scooped up the exact same J Crew peacoat and burgundy cashmere sweater that she wore.

Tipped Peacoat in antique white--was $298, I got it for $97:
http://www.jcrew.com/womens_sp...../92050.jsp
(By the way, PSA--the tipped peacoat is marked down to $129 on the website and with the code WINTER you can get 25% off $150 and free shipping, so that brings it down to $97! It also looks like they've removed the "final sale" from the webpage, so it should be returnable now!)

Collection Cashmere ribbed sweater in cabernet--was $288, I got it for $159 (unfortunately it's not on sale anymore):
http://www.jcrew.com/womens_ca...../14684.jsp
This sweater is sooo soft! I haven't had a truly high quality cashmere sweater before--the only ones I have are the Only Mines from Nordstrom, which are OK (great for the price) but they started to pill after only a couple wears. I ordered another J Crew cable fisherman's sweater (non-cashmere) and it is itchy so I'm returning it. But this one is so comfy and soft against the skin!

Since it was raining today, I paired it with my chianti Aquatalia rainboots. And I found a patent burgundy clutch at DSW that exactly matches my rainboots, how cool is that! Another matchy matchy score! My first oversized clutch, how fun! Although, I also included pics with my more practical black bag--which one do you prefer?

I have to admit, I felt better about my outfit IRL than I do now looking at these pics. I don't know if it's the way I'm standing/slouching, but I feel like I look kinda fat in the pics--I know the jacket was not designed as a maternity coat, so it looks a little funny flaring out over the bump. But IRL today I got lots of compliments about my jacket and boots, so I guess it looked OK. I think this outfit will look better on me once I get rid of the baby tummy (it's going to take me a lot longer than Jewell though!) and can button up the coat.

Thanks for looking and commenting!

J Crew Tipped Peacoat in white
J Crew Collection Cashmere ribbed sweater in cabernet
H&M maternity black skinnies
Alexis Bittar orange leopard pendant
Aquatalia Vavoom boots
DSW Urban Expressions Manhattan clutch in burgundy (or black LeSak purse)--which one goes better with the outfit?

Is there such a thing as polished Urban Warrior Princess? I don't have a speck of RATE in my style--I'm quite polished and ladylike, but my shadow or aspirational style persona is UWP. I felt rather UWP in this outfit today because of the lack of color (black and more black), exposed zipper, spiked metallic cuff bracelet (defensive weapon?), apocalyptic dead tree branches on the skirt and earrings, and black boots. But I don't know whether the UWP brigade would consider this UWP enough to pass muster and join the warrior ranks, or whether I'm just a poser recruit? LOL!

I was also thinking about the concept of "statement basics" after I posted on Shannon's thread:
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....ubby-money
Like Una once said about herself, I hate shopping for basics and have a closet full of statement pieces. Even with my "basics" I like to have some sort of interesting twist or detail that makes the item a little unique. Like this black cowl neck top I just got from Target---it's otherwise pretty plain, but it has an asymmetrical zipper going up the side which makes it fun. I don't feel quite as fab when I just wear a bunch of plain solid neutral colored pieces, so I like to wear "statement basics"!

Another thing--I'm really into matchy matchy, if you can't already tell. I bought these tree branch earrings last year at Nordstrom but never had the occasion to wear them. But they're a perfect match for this Rachel Roy tree branch skirt so I couldn't resist! I was somewhat matchy matchy before YLF, but in a frumpish way (ie cardigan twinsets and buying outfit sets like an Ann Taylor printed bias cut skirt and matching twinset). But now I'm into "hypermatchy" (like this Kate Spade Japanese floral outfit http://goldenpig.lookfab.com/p.....ypermatchy), which could either be ridiculous or fashion-forward, depending on your point of view ;) So this earring/skirt pair tickles my matchy matchy bone!

Finally, even though this outfit is very dark and drab compared to my usual colorful style, it still follows my rubric, so it felt very me:
Color or contrast--contrast with the black and white skirt (and do red lips count for color?)
Matchy matchy--tree branch skirt and earrings; grey bracelet and socks
Pattern--tree branches
Fitted--my clothes have definitely become more fitted and body-con since I'm still trying to wear non-maternity clothes, LOL!
Flair--the skirt and the bracelet

Target Converse One Star Larissa zip up top:
http://www.target.com/p/conver.....edium_1_39
Nordstrom Rack Rachel Roy Tree Skirt
http://www.rachelroy.com/Tree-.....lt,pd.html
Nordstrom tree branch earrings (sorry, forgot the designer)
Forever 21 spiked bars stretch bracelet
http://www.forever21.com/Produ.....VariantID=
Mia Nanette black lace-up ankle booties
Gap grey trouser socks
Le Sak black purse

Thanks for looking and commenting!

Sorry I was out of the YLF loop for the last week or so. One of the cats was sick so I had to bring him to the vet, turns out he had a UTI so he had to be started on antibiotics. I was on call all of last week till Wednesday 5 pm. Then we drove down to SoCal all night and got there Thursday morning. Stayed at MIL's house but DS was feeling sick and was so tired he slept through Thanksgiving dinner. That night DS started complaining of ear pain and had high fevers (he had been coughing all week). So we had to take him to the doctor--that took all morning but he was given antibiotics for an ear infection. Then that evening DD fell off the piano bench at Grandma's house and even though it was only a couple feet, she fell right onto her shoulder. She was crying so hard we knew something was wrong. We took her to the ER and were there for another 3.5 hours...turns out she actually fractured her collarbone! Poor DD! She is in a sling and getting ibuprofen. She's a tough girl though...the first thing she did when we got back home from the ER at 10 pm was hop back up onto the piano bench and started playing again. We drove back all night Saturday. And on Sunday we went to a birthday party at a gym...we told her she could stay home with Dad but she really wanted to go. And she decided she wanted to swing on the rings anyways, using her one good arm. She is absolutely irrepressible! She's been to school the last couple of days with her sling. They said it will take several weeks to heal but hopefully she should not have any lasting problems from it.

I was so tired and with everything going on, I basically wore the same outfit the whole weekend. Nothing special to report...just wanted to explain why I was offline for so long. I know I missed some threads that I need to catch up on!

#1 is how I wore the skirt today. With a new black cowl neck sweater from H&M (non-maternity but long) and black ankle boots for winter. I've been looking for a slouchy black sweater for a while and this one fits the bill--it's actually quite fitted, but has that comfy slouchy feel. I was nice and warm and comfy in this sweater and stretch waist skirt even through a long day at work. Even though this is non-maternity, I think I'll be able to wear this skirt throughout my pregnancy because of the stretch waist and midi length.

H&M black cowl neck sweater
ASOS chevron stripe midi
Dooney & Bourke yellow satchel
Mia Nanette black boots
Ann Taylor black and white cuff (just a hint of pattern mixing with the stripes and polka dots)

I thought it would be fun to comb through my past WIWs and see how I've worn the skirt before--I've worn it at least six times over the past year, styled differently each time! It looks like I like repeating the yellow and black colors and/or chevron stripes in my accessories. Which version do you like the best? Any other creative styling suggestions? Thanks for commenting!

Last worn September with a yellow skinny belt and sandals:
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....and-skirts
May with a yellow blouse and cognac leather jacket:
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....ow-sunbird
April with a yellow blouse and black trench:
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....als-better
March with chevron stripe shoes and bag:
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....inted-midi
and December with a mustard blazer:
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....asos-midis

The last time I tried Parisian chic was in July, Parisian moto chic style:
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....long-story
That was pretty early on in 1st trimester. Well I thought I'd see if I could try it again now with my bigger belly. Also, Janet inspired me to bring out the jacket with matching floral brooch from her post:
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....ndy-blazer

I love playing with different fashion personas. Yesterday it was preppy schoolgirl (http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....ol-brights), today it's casual Parisienne. Or at least, my version--I don't know if French women would ever actually wear bright orange maxi skirts, but if they did, maybe they would wear it like this! I called this look Orangina after my favorite soda (I actually have the poster in #9 hanging up in my laundry room!).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orangina
I also love that I'm sooo comfy in this...I'm just wearing a T shirt and stretch waist maxi skirt and ballet flats, but dressed up with a blazer and pearls, I'm ready for work!

White House Black Market ink blue jacket (it doesn't close anymore over my belly but it's one of my favorites so I'm still wearing it!) with matching floral pin
H&M navy and white striped T (non-maternity but it's long)
Nordstrom Max & Mia orange maxi skirt
Blue pearl necklace (OC swap via MaryK)
Jason Wu for Target navy trim straw purse
Born bronze ballet flats

Thanks for your comments and critiques!

ETA: Thanks so much for all your suggestions--more pics added with additional options! I really loved Una's suggestion of adding the orange slice bag for a more literal Orangina! Plus I think it ties together with the orange skirt so it's not so jarring. Also, three different pant options: orange skinnies (although they don't really zip up anymore so this would be more for post-partum), white jeans (these maternity ones don't fit well either so I'd probably wait and wear my white Paige HIdden Hills postpartum), or my burgundy maternity skinnies. Do any of these look any better? I also could do a black skirt, blue skirt, black skinnies, or blue jeans. Thanks for your help!

More fun with autumn colors! Today I wore a teal sweater with my orange and mustard tile pencil skirt (it's stretchy), and layered a maternity shirt with a faux white collar/sleeve/tails underneath. (You can see a hint of the fuschia color of the shirt in #3). I used mustard colored ribbed tights underneath for more coverage because the skirt looked a little short with bare legs, and brown ankle booties and leather satchel briefcase. Oh, and a peacock pendant (it kind of looks like a turkey, so I thought it was seasonally appropriate!). I thought it looked kind of preppy with the collared shirt and sweater and "schoolbag" satchel and cheery with the bright autumn colors. And I was happy to still be able to use my sweater and pencil skirt (I know they might stretch out, but I can't save everything "just in case" because then I'll never wear my clothes!)

But then at work I had some second thoughts...is this look too young (aka mutton dressed as lamb)? And I was going in to a patient's room and the family member of the other patient in the room said, "Wow, you're the sexiest doctor I've ever seen!" Um, OK...not the look I was shooting for, but thanks...The lady who said it looked like she was in her 70's so it was probably just an innocent compliment.

But what do you think? Work appropriate or not? Comments and critiques welcome--thanks!

Yesterday was my signature spicy autumn palette (http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....tumn-spice), today is my other signature palette of black, white and red. I was going to wear red shoes, belt and purse as I've done before, but instead I went with all black and white and left the trench as the only pop of color. When I wear belts now, I have to wear them under the bust, so I guess it's starting to look funny to people. So instead of belting the turtleneck with a skinny red bow belt like I usually do, I used a long necklace. I am not used to wearing long necklaces so that's new for me. I went with pattern mixing on the skirt and purse...I think the pattern mixing and corset back on the trench give this otherwise rather plain outfit that little GP twist--what do you think? Thanks for looking and commenting!

Anthro Elevenses red corset trench
Macy's INC black turtleneck
Soybu black and white skirt (stretch waist)
Kate Spade Melinda Japanese floral purse
Clarks black Mary Jane pumps
Silver circles long necklace

Another post and run--working this weekend but I wanted to stay comfy.

Can I just say again how much I love the spicy deep autumn shades like rust, burgundy, cognac, mustard, and teal? This is really my signature color palette, I'm so glad I figured out my best colors with all of your help last year.

J Crew Plaza coat in henna
Pea in the Pod maternity cowl neck sweater in mustard
Pea in the Pod Mavi burgundy maternity skinnies
Timberland Stratham Heights cognac boots
Fossil vintage reissue satchel in velvet floral
Forever 21 bronze and orange stretch cuff bracelet