goldenpig

37 Comments

• MsMary replied 12 years ago

  First of all, I LOVE #2 and I don't think it's "blah" at all!

  #1 is not my favorite on you, although strangely enough I think I would wear it myself with some tweaks. I think I'd call it a near miss. To my eye the bright, clear colors of the pants don't necessarily play super nicely with the faded denim. I'd like the striped top better if the stripes were a bit narrower and the fabric a bit more substantial, like the LL Bean striped top some of us have. And honestly, those pants are not super-flattering, at least in the photo. Are they a little roomy in the thighs?

  But I wouldn't call it ridiculous by any stretch of the imagination! We all make fashion mistakes and if this is your worst outfit, I think you're doing great!!

  ETA just looked at the other thread. I like it with the black jacket!

• catgirl replied 12 years ago

  Oh, ((((Natalie))). If you don't want those pants, girl, send 'em to me! :)

  I think I was the one who suggested the stripes. Honestly, it's not bad at all. I think you need a thinner stripe so both patterns aren't so large. But clownish? Peg Bundy?!? No!

  As I well know, not everything is going to feel right, and the only way to know what suits you is to take those risks. You are a true fashion-lover, and that means experimenting and trying out different trends to figure out what you like. Chalk it up to a lesson that maybe standing out too much is not comfortable for you?

  I do think your DH could be more tactful, and I hope you are not "scared off" of testing out new waters now. I count on you for that!

  Your so-called safe outfit is lovely!

  So not you below!

  1
• goldenpig replied 12 years ago

  Thanks MaryK and Una! Looking back at the other thread I think I do like it better with the black leather jacket too, I should have trusted my original instincts and gone with that. I do have a shirt with thinner black stripes but it's beige and black so I didn't think it would go well since the pants have bright white on them. I think I will still try to see if I can try to make the floral pants more sophisticated with a silky or structured top in a solid color. But Una, you'll definitely be first in line if I can't make the pants work! I agree the pants aren't a perfect fit but I'm not sure it's worth the money to alter them.

  I've been lucky so far that most of my fashion experiments have been successes (aside from the faux fur and the waxed jeans) so I've gotten spoiled by standing out in a good way--well, sometimes you win and sometimes you don't! Don't worry Una, I'm still always game for trying new things! I'm just realizing that I don't have to go too extreme just for the sake of doing something original. I think I got a little carried away trying to be daring and creative and on-trend. It's like when I used to watch Iron Chef and they are trying to make sushi rolls out of hot dogs or something. I'm glad you don't think the second outfit is boring. Sometimes I am hesitant to post those type of outfits and wonder if they will be exciting enough to post on YLF, especially now that I have a "fashion blog", haha. But I think as long as an outfit feels like me, that should be good enough for me and for my YLF blog!

  LOL Una at the Peg Bundy picture! I don't think my hair could do that even if I wanted to!

• RandomThoughts (Andrea) replied 12 years ago

  (((hugs)))

  You do not look clownish by any stretch of the imagination so just set that aside.

  Printed/floral jeans are a new trend. Given that, many people will need to adjust their eye to the look so early adopters are going to get fewer compliments at least in the beginning.

  You're also pattern mixing, another trend that is tough for some people to appreciate. So you've got two trends, one very new the other that is hard to appreciate by some people so the outfit will be less conventionally attractive right at the moment. Next year when printed jeans and pattern mixing are old news you will probably get far more about the same exact outfit. I do happen to agree that a narrower stripe may have been visually more pleasing but all in all, nothing wrong here kids!

  I hope this experience doesn't stomp on your fashion bravery for long. If you never try anything new you'll never find the stuff that really does make you feel fab! Keep rockin', Natalie!

• replied 12 years ago

  I'm sorry Natalie. I'm feeling a tad guilty as I liked the faded jean jacket. I know your post was not written with this intention, but your experience is kind of reinforcing some thoughts I've been having lately about expressing my opinions here. I often speak out my mind when in reality, I am far from an expert, I'm just an everyday person.

• Deborah replied 12 years ago

  Natalie, I admire you for trying new things:). I just looked at your previous post and I think the floral pants, striped top with blue belt and black jacket looks fabulous! I find the denim jacket with this doesn't work for me. Perhaps thinner stripes would work? Don't give up on them though. You could try a plain topp in a bold color, a patterned top on a similar color scheme or have a go at a lady like combo with the floral pants and make the look more "you". I would love to see the pants with a crisp white shirt and a nice fitted jacket?

• RoseandJoan replied 12 years ago

  I think your tastes are a little more adventurous than your hubby's :-)

  I wonder how DH would react to the same trousers and jacket worn with a solid black top? Alternatiely if styling the trousers proves to be too much trouble a tailor could transform them into a very nifty pair of MOTG shorts.

• Fruitful replied 12 years ago

  Natalie, I feel sad hearing this. The way your DH spoke to you is no way to treat a friend, especially making them feel bad about an outfit they were in no position to change.

  You look lovely and approachable and normal in both pictures. There is nothing crazy or Peg Bundy about this outfit. And the tweaks people are posting about the jacket? They are just tweaks, to try to get to a 10/10. You didn't make a crazy mistake.

  To be honest I find this outfit (#1) safe and blending-in (to how I often see MOTGs), compared to your usual style. See how different perspectives can be?

  The second outfit is lovely, but I feel sad that you had to wear it because your confidence was shaken.

  I hope your DH knows how lucky he is to have such a fabulous, creative, openhearted woman in his life.

• replied 12 years ago

  Ok lady, I am finally de-lurking and creating an account because I wanted to say: don't let 'em get you down!

  I've been following you for a while and even though our tastes are very divergent I just love the way you've thrown yourself head-first into your style journey. I love it. So please don't stop.

  As for your outfit, I'd say that you look like the kind of person I'd love to strike up a conversation with - and that's never a bad thing in my book. I'm sure many women's husbands give them the side-eye about their clothes/hair/makeup/whathaveyou, but you know what, he loves you anyway and tomorrow you can start again.

  Lots of love,
  xxx
  Kim

• replied 12 years ago

  P.S. I am also a medical doctor and I schlep around in orthopaedic shoes and white-shirt-dark-pants-no-accessories outfits at work. You're awesome for not letting blood/vomit/etc get in the way of your style :)

• Makrame replied 12 years ago

  First of all, I love outfit #2! Not boring at all!

  Second, I often think that the way we see clothing depends both on fairly objective factors - i.e., fit, figure-flattery etc., and subjective influences, such as what is "in style". With some styles, I realize that the only reason I appreciate them is because I know (thanks to YLF, usually) that they are "in" and trendy. This always makes me wonder how those people who have no interest in fashion would view them.

  If I did not know that floral pants were trendy, I probably would not appreciate your outfit #1 all that much. It does not scream "loud" or "Peggy Bundy" to me - in fact, with the faded denim jacket it looks fairly casual and relaxed. I am with Fruitful - it actually seems fairly safe to me, not over the top. But maybe not as flattering or elegant as many of your other outfits? I did like the version with the black jacket more but so far, the floral pants trend has not grown on me.

  My DH is quite vocal in voicing his comments (although they are usually worded in a careful and positive (or cautious :) ) way) and I know that he always looks at clothes from the point of view of general figure-flattery, not trendiness. I do appreciate his prospective, mostly because I assume that most people who see me at work or in the street are not fashion experts. If he actively dislikes something that is "fashion forward", I usually ask myself whether my judgement is clouded by the current popularity of the style in question.

  This is not to imply that you specifically were overly influenced by the trend - I think you have a wonderful ability to experiment with fashion, and I always love seeing your creative outfits. I am just sharing the thought process that I often go through when deciding whether to adopt a trend. Actually, this makes me wonder (and I am trying to remember whether you have addressed this question before) - is your major style goal to be adventurous and creative? If so, it is inevitable that not everything you wear will meet with universal approval.

• krishnidoux replied 12 years ago

  These pants fit you so well! They are cute, fresh, adventurous, fashion-forward. I find them totally inspiring, and now, I itch to get a pair for myself!
  You have such a great sense of style.
  My observations for the first outfit are the same as MaryK. I also thought that it would suit you more if the stripes were narrower, and that it would be very cute with a punch of colour on top, such as on the jacket or as a scarf.
  Some visual inspiration:
  http://hello-dreamecho.blogspo.....x-lot.html
  http://hello-dreamecho.blogspo.....-arms.html
  http://www.laurenconrad.com/po.....pants-tees
  http://thesubtlestatement.com/.....ull-bloom/
  http://thefashionguitar.com/20...../img_8564/

• cheryle (Dianthus) replied 12 years ago

  I didn't read the others as I didn't want to be influenced. I think the pants look nice, and the top looks nice and the jacket looks nice. I'm just not sure they are all the best with the others. If you look at the pic you can see that the pants and striped top are each about the same length so it may be a proportion issue. Could you try it with a longer and shorter top and see if it is better?

• Meredith1953 replied 12 years ago

  Natalie,
  First I want to say that your second outfit is lovely, flattering and youthful on you! If that means it is "classic" (not a bad word!) then so be it! The first look I do like better with the black leather jacket than the faded denim but I would like it with a cream summer blazer or a loose weave yummy colored slouchy top. What I'm saying is that the pants are very fashion forward and given some of the very wise comments made earlier in the thread, they will turn heads and NOT always in a good way, at least till them hit the mainstream. Muting them down with classic sophisticated pieces will help stave off any naysayers. Mixing the pants with stripes is indeed advanced pattern mixing and maybe a thinner stripe would be more effective but even then some people just don't "get it". Too bad for them! Your hubs sounds as conservative and "classic" as mine. They have lovely taste but it is extremely narrow. I waltzed out the door yesterday in the first dress I had worn all year, (black A-line) black laceup boots, yellow cardi, black striped scarf and red raincoat and I KNOW he wasn't thrilled about it. I believe he said it was "colorful". That is life. He would have me NEVER mix pattern and only wear one actual color at a time and I am not willing to limit myself.....You won't let this make you don't your astute fashion sense! ROCK ON on fabulous lady!

• Transcona Shannon replied 12 years ago

  First off, you do NOT look like Peg Bundy!
  I found reading your post very interesting Natalie because I was kind of going through the same quandry yesterday regarding a floral dress. When we step outside of our comfort range and wear something that not only we're not used to, but others are not used to seeing us in, it's going to create a reaction - and sometimes that reaction is negative. Maybe DH's eyes need to adjust or maybe he genuinely doesn't like the outfit. My hubby doesn't like everything I wear either but that's when I usually say "well that's ok, you aren't wearing it" and then laugh. We have different tastes and that's ok.

  As for this particular outfit, I don't think it's as bad as you feel but I will be honest and say it's not your best. I can't pinpoint exactly why that is though.

  Through trying different things we grow - so chin up and move on. Wear one of your go to fab outfits and smile!

• Suz replied 12 years ago

  HUGS!!!

  I am with the others; #2 outfit is GORGEOUS on you and not at all boring. Less experimental than #1, for sure, but not boring. Just lovely.

  #1 outfit, I LOVED with the black leather jacket. I think all it needs is that jacket and thinner striped top to work perfectly.

  And then, please thank hubs kindly for his concern, give HIM a big hug and tell him it will be okay...and keep having fun with fashion!

• Amy replied 12 years ago

  Everyone here is so smart. I think they're right about the width of the stripes and the faded denim being a little too light for that outfit. Otherwise, I think it's really cute!

  My husband is also that blunt and I generally appreciate it. If I looked bad, I'd want someone to be honest with me. However, if we were already out on the town and I couldn't do anything about it at the time, I hope he wouldn't keep harping on about it. I hope you don't feel too discouraged!

  Your second outfit is lovely as-is. :)

• Kirti replied 12 years ago

  I haven't read the comments, but from my personal experience, husbands just aren't as fashion forward as us! :P

  I wear a lot of colour, while my hubby loves neutrals and yes, there are times when he thinks I look clownish or silly. But I just let it go as it is his point of view and I know his eye hasn't 'adjusted' to some of the trends and looks out there.

  I think you are really brave and fashion forward to step out and try this new trend and I'm confident that with each wear, you will feel more and more gorgeous in these pants! That said, I really like this look. I don't see anything 'off'. Maybe a narrower stripe? Or try the leather jacket? :)

• christieanne replied 12 years ago

  Your idea of "boring" in outfit #2 looks great - maybe it's just too much a formula for you to love? You are ready to kick it up a notch and thus, outfit #1.
  It really does not look horrible but it is outside many comfort zones with the two trends going on. Also, it seems from many of your previous WIW posts that feminine classic but with a slight edge is more your style. Maybe the look you sported with the denim jacket was too tomboy?
  Don't give up on the pants - although a thin stripe top (or a tiny polka dot) would look great eventually when you find the right one - try with some solids or color mixes on top and see if you can get the eyes of others around you adjusted?
  I know my DH will tell me very straight forwardly if he does not like something - if he just hints, I will wear it anyway. Maybe your DH is the same although Peg Bundy is sure not what you were channeling.

  Get that fashion mojo going :)

• Angie replied 12 years ago

  More hugs from me.

  Natalie, I was going to suggest what Jules did - solid top. I also suggested shortening them a little. That might make all the difference.

  You and your kids are SO CUTE!!!

• rae replied 12 years ago

  *HUGS*

  I don't know if this makes you feel better at ALL, Natalie, but my DH would probably have said the same thing - mine just recently said something looked "totally ridiculous." You look very fashion forward and spunky - I think our boys just don't have a high tolerance for that! Didn't yours once think leopard print was just for Peg Bundy, too? And doesn't he have a not-so-latent fear of Fashion turning you into your mom? His words were too harsh, but the bottom line is that he doesn't like it! lol

  It's up to you to decide if you'd rather save this outfit for, say, a day out with the YLF girls next time - or if you want to continue the DH Desensitization. Just know that the outfit is not inherently bad (ahem, you did check with us first!); it just isn't what he likes.

• Diana replied 12 years ago

  Hugs, Natalie. I like both outfits. I do agree that the second one is super figure-flattering while the first one is more about having fun w/ pattern mixing, etc. (I don't think it's unflattering, but it's not making the most of your assets in the way the second one is.)

  I said this on your original thread too, but I would wear the floral pants with a skinnier stripe, so you have one larger scale and one smaller-scale pattern. More interesting and probably more flattering. Or what about a longer top or even a dress on top? That would make the pants stand out a little less.

  I do think that floral pants are a man-repeller look, and you kind of have to be OK with that to wear them...

• MNsara replied 12 years ago

  {{{hugs}}}

  I need to run to work, but wanted to add my .02

  1) It's a rare husband who 'gets' fashion, and even rarer if they get adventurous fashion! I bet your husband understands outfit #2, so it would be okay with him. (BTW it's LOVELY and not blah or boring or whatever you called it -- it's elegant and fun!)
  2) You have a great sense of playfulness and adventure in your style. You're never afraid to try new styles AND try to figure out how to make them work for you. That's to be applauded :-)
  3) Outfit #1 is advanced stylin' with the different prints, the floral pants, etc. and I'm not surprised when you receive no comments. It's 'beyond' most folk, but it's still a lot of fun, and you're the one who gets to decide if you like it on yourself, in spite of what anyone says or doesn't say.

  Stay strong! Keep calm! Carry on! with your fab self ;-)

• Jem replied 12 years ago

  I just wanted to say sorry that it happened, too. **hugs**

  How about the polka dot top you have in the second picture, does it go with the floral pants? (I can't tell if the dots are just white or colored). Anyway, it reads more solid from a distance than the stripes. Anyway, you look cute in both outfits. The second one definitely isn't boring! Also, I like Angie's suggestion of shortening the pants a little, too.

• ManidipaM replied 12 years ago

  Natalie, I know how you feel when bucking the environmental norm a little and some of the people closest to you seem not to 'get' it. Been there, doing that... :-)

  Makrame makes an excellent point about non-fashion followers not necessarily reading a trendy look the same way as others. Hey, 3 months ago, I too might have been appalled at the idea of mixing stripes and florals! In fact, the first set of outfits I hesitantly posted included a to-me frumpy patterned jacket and tweed pencil skirt --- which Angie said was k-word worthy! Once explained, I got her point; but without that education it looked challenging to my eye. Advanced trend adoption *will* have this effect, so do you care --- ask yourself that, first of all: how important is 'fitting in' and approval from those around you TO YOU?

  All that said, I do agree with others that there is scope to improve this outfit --- though it is NOT a faux pas, nor clownish. I think simply changing the jacket changes the vibe of the outfit a lot, one reason I preferred the black one originally. Faded denim is bringing out to the 80s, and retro is often a little difficult to get just-so. DON'T stop experimenting, because you ARE great at it. Just try a few other combos, and I'm certain you will feel fabulous again in no time! (PS: Did you ask DH what he thought a better combo might be? Might clue you in to what exactly he sees as wrong here, and then you can decide if those are issues to you.)

• goldenpig replied 12 years ago

  Thanks everyone for the hugs and therapy and styling suggestions. I really appreciate it and I'm feeling much better!

  Zap, PLEASE don't feel hesitant to post your opinion. Aside from Angie, none of us are experts and yet we all make an important contribution. It wouldn't be much of a site if nobody chimed in! I very much value your advice and think you have a great eye and are super stylish! If you look back at the old thread, everyone liked the denim jacket the best or second best so it wasn't like you were the only one who suggested it! And like the others said, it wasn't that the outfit was inherently bad, it was just that I was trying something that wasn't as close to my usual style. That's OK and if I never experiment or change, that would be really boring to me.

  Christianne, interesting that you think the look is a bit tomboy despite the flowers on the pants. I have to agree and wonder if that is why I didn't feel quite so "me" in the outfit, because I always prefer to be ladylike. I think I can rework the pants into my style, it will just take a bit of tweaking.

  I really appreciate everyone giving suggestions on how to improve the outfit--it is a great learning opportunity for me and I still have lots to learn about proportion and fit. I will definitely try some of your spot-on suggestions the next time. I agree a narrower stripe would be better if I do try it with stripes in the future. But I really want to try it with my white Anne Fontaine shirt and the black leather jacket. Maybe next week! And maybe I will try to shorten them to capris or shorts if that doesn't work. Interesting, but the thought of floral shorts doesn't seem so "out there" in my mind.

  Diana, LOL about the pants being man-repellers! I think you're right! I haven't had this strong of a negative reaction from DH since the faux-fur jacket episode. And yes Rae, he also hates animal print (how's your DH desensitization program going?). He's usually very complimentary about my outfits and has been mostly a good sport about my whole style revolution, but he is much more conservative/classic in his tastes so when I get too trendy he tends to balk. He genuinely thought he was helping me out by being honest, so I will give him the benefit of the doubt.

  Meridith, I think you looked great in the dress and I agree the men are just not as adventurous as we are! It takes them a while to get used to change. Keep trying more dresses because you look fabulous in them!

  Kim, thank you for delurking just to give me a hug! How sweet--that really makes my day! I hope you can post some pics of your own now--I would love to see them! And LOL about not letting poop get in the way of fashion! My patients are always suprised when I show up to do their procedures dressed to the nines! Waterproof gowns and shoe covers are essential!

  Thanks again everyone who chimed in with your support! You all lifted my spirits! Don't worry guys, I won't stop being adventurous and having fun with fashion!

• Jilly replied 12 years ago

  You always look great, Natalie: don't let the Man get you down! I enjoy how you put your outfits together so much, and hope you won't let your creativity be stifled. Personally, I LIke the denim jacket with the outfit because it picks up the blue in the pants, but what do I know :)

• Anna replied 12 years ago

  I agree with your husband. With all that visual distraction, it just looks to me like you're trying too hard.

• MsMary replied 12 years ago

  I'm just coming back to quote something my Marine likes to say: "Fortune favors the bold!"

  Think of all the best-dressed celebs whose photos you see everywhere -- every. single. one. of them shows up occasionally in an outfit that's a "miss." It's the price you pay for being adventurous and having fun with fashion!

• Jem replied 12 years ago

  I think they would look great with your white blouse and jacket! It would look a bit more fashion-y and grown up that way, I think. I can't wait to see it!

• Lisa replied 12 years ago

  First, you do not look like a clown at all. I often see printed trousers in Europe, especially Italy. They are usually quite popular. I see them less often in the US in general. That being said, I like the idea to wear a solid top since the stripes here are a little wide. The flowers are also a large print, so now you have two large prints competing for focus in this outfit. DH is too funny with his fly comment but yhis outfit isn't a big miss, it just needs a tweak.

• rae replied 12 years ago

  Oh, my DH is progressing, but we had a big hill to climb. He is used to me in heels now and has come to like them ( I think). He is also all for boots, shorts, and *tights* but told me that boots and shorts *without tights* is not his favorite. He also does not like wide stripes (maybe it's a chromosome thing?). Strangely, he is also not fond of my plan to get a trench coat... hrm, thank you, Mr. Random Distaste!

• RoseandJoan replied 12 years ago

  Natalie, I know you will be able to own these trousers when you wear them. Looking at your regular WIW posts and comparing them to the floral trouser outfit I believe there is a key ingredient missing, a pinch of vintage.

  I came across this image of MM and thought of your trousers, cuffed at the hem a couple of times, a crisp shirt and a pair of ballet flats. This vintage fashion look feels more in keeping with how I perceive your style goals.

  Please do correct me if I am off the mark.

  1
• Heather replied 12 years ago

  Hey, there. Super late to this party; however, I would totally rock outfit 1 AS IS. You look awesome, IMO.

  Mega Hugs.

• qfbrenda replied 12 years ago

  I can't really comment on 1-2 since printed pants are not my thing. ;) But the outfit in 3-4 is not boring! It's adorable and great for a MOTG. I understand about dealing with a picky husband. Sometimes guys dislike such random things!

• modgrl replied 12 years ago

  Your pants are getting some love - http://lookbook.nu/look/3191441-Floral-print-pants

  Do you think DH would like them better if you paired them with a solid jacket and heels?

• goldenpig replied 12 years ago

  Cool Rita!

  I think my husband is going to hate them no matter what, but I am going to try to make them a little more sophisticated/"grown-up" next week and we'll see what he says!