WIW 3/3: Can I wear mint green? Yay or nay?

This is one of my favorite pre-YLF skirts--it's mint green with daisies. DH calls it my fried egg skirt. It's from Express and is so old I don't even remember buying it! It's just always been in my closet. I used to wear it all the time with this mint green H&M V-neck sweater that is very thin & fitted. This silhouette was my go-to formula for the past twenty years--fitted sweater and bias cut floral printed skirt. In fact the whole outfit in #1 is old, except for the yellow skinny belt from my Jason Wu dress, because I didn't start belting until I came here. The sweater is old and pilling badly and I thought about donating it, but I still like the color and shape and how it matches the skirt. On the other hand, now that I'm aware of color analysis more, I realized that I don't look as good in pastels and this color doesn't really fit into the deep autumn palette that looks best on me. Not sure if the color is coming out right with the camera and lighting so I did multiple pics (#3 without and #4 with flash), but what do you think? Can I wear mint green? Do you guys not like the tighter fitted sweaters on me? I also tried this outfit with my white (slightly cream) short sleeve Anne Fontaine blouse, does that look better? I left the house in the Anne Fontaine, but want to know if the mint green sweater is still a keeper.

"Yay"=you look great in mint green, wear outfit 1-5
"Nay"=mint green is not your color, stick with the cream blouse in outfit 6-10.

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29 Comments

  • MsLuna replied 12 years ago

    I hope I don't sound like a total downer here, but I would say NAY. :( I've seen you in darker neutrals and brighter colours and you look gorgeous! The mint green does nothing for your skin.

    I do like the nude shoes though! And for an Apple, you wear those slim sweaters and belted styles very very well! :) I'm a rectangle/apple myself and I couldn't do that without looking like I've gained 20 lbs!

    So I'd say keep the slim sweater look but no mint greens!

    (Oh and keep the yellow belt :) It would like great with a black dress or top!)

  • Amy replied 12 years ago

    It's not bad, but I would vote no on the mint green. The cream top brightens up your pretty face considerably.

  • replied 12 years ago

    These are very *nice* but cannot compete with your fabness of late. If you were just starting out trying to build a wardrobe, I would say keep, but you have many better things in your wardrobe. I prefer you in more saturated colors, too.

  • annagybe replied 12 years ago

    As someone currently obsessed with mint green, I was so excited to see this post. Unfortunately the color does nothing for you. Also the skirt seems dated. Florals now are much bigger and splashier.

  • Jjsloane replied 12 years ago

    The skirt looks much better with the blouse, but in comparison to all your other fantastic items it literally pales in comparison. The sweater is just not a great color on you and doesn't look it's best.

  • RandomThoughts (Andrea) replied 12 years ago

    Well, I much prefer it with the Anne Fontaine blouse than the sweater. However the skirt is just okay and not on par with the rest of your wardrobe.

    I don't think mint green is your color. I have some pieces that I am quite sure are not my color and what I do, if I am absolutely in love with them despite that, is wear a scarf that *is*, so that "my" color is near my face. It does put quite a few limits on how you can wear a piece, however.

    Honestly, you have so many great items already I'd donate them both. These are not bad just not up to your level any more.

  • DonnaF replied 12 years ago

    The cut of the sweater flatters you, but sadly, the light green is washing you out. I don't think you necessarily need to wear jewel tones, but a bit more vibrancy would help. You might be able to rescue the sweater with a more energetic scarf next to your face, but given that it's an old sweater I would not go out and buy anything if you don't already have something like that. However, I don't think you're much of a scarf person . . .

  • CocoLion replied 12 years ago

    I feel you look better with the cream colored Anne Fontaine blouse outfit. You can definitely wear mint green though, although just not right next to your pretty face. Also, the pilling on the sweater bugs me. I still have pilly sweaters but I have demoted them to around-the-house loungewear.

  • Lisa replied 12 years ago

    I'm a nay vote, the soft green color doesn't match your style lately which is a tad crisper and more bold and more classic than the mint sweater is with this skirt. I adore this outfit with the belt and white shirt, this is lovely on you!

  • Sara L. replied 12 years ago

    I"m not as good with colors as others, but I think the skirt is sort of dated. It fits you well, but the pattern isn't doing anything for me.

  • goldenpig replied 12 years ago

    Oh wow! Very interesting. I pretty much expected the response about the sweater since it's old, pastel and pilled, but I'm a little suprised that the skirt is not getting any love. It's a sentimental favorite and has survived countless purges, so I think I'd have a very hard time getting rid of it! I thought since mint green is "in" right now it would be great skirt to pull out, but I didn't realize that it looked dated with the small floral print. I guess I can't expect things to stay fresh and current for 20+ years, can I? I agree it's also a "softer" look than you guys are used to on me. I can let go of the sweater but I'm still holding on to the skirt for now. But it's good to know that in general I should stick with the bolder outfits and brighter/more saturated colors. Thanks for the feedback!

  • RandomThoughts (Andrea) replied 12 years ago

    That sounds like a great solution. Pair the skirt with some more bold items when you want to jazz it up, or the button down for a softer look.

    I think you are also right in that my eye, at least, is used to seeing you in more vibrant outfits so it's an adjustment.

  • MsMary replied 12 years ago

    I was going to say keep the green sweater to wear with other items until I saw that it was old and pilled. So I agree it's time for it to go!

    I think the second outfit is okay but I would also like to see the skirt with something edgier. Maybe pop a blue denim jeans jacket or leather jacket over outfit 6-10?

  • goldenpig replied 12 years ago

    Great ideas, Andrea & MaryK. Next time I will try the denim or leather jacket or some bolder colors. Thanks!

  • ManidipaM replied 12 years ago

    I LOVE your skirt! Would you care to try it with a more edgy top? I think adding some orange or rust would be very on-trend, if you wear that colour.

    I agree the sweater looks like it has seen better days, but I must say I'd only say nay based on its age showing. While the Anne Fontaine blouse certainly stands out on you, I think you can wear mint too --- if I'm right about the colour I think it is (closer to what we see with flash in #4 than the earlier examples, trying to mentally reduce the yellow). But yes, certainly not one of your best colours.

  • replied 12 years ago

    This is no longer worthy of your current fabness!

  • rae replied 12 years ago

    I agree with everyone re: mint near the face - believe me, I love the color, so it is a battle I've fought for years and lost completely.

    If you love the skirt, I think you could make it work. Try going a little 90s UWP with it, maybe? Frye or MIA lace ups and maybe a black fitted sweater?

  • Angie replied 12 years ago

    Natalie, I believe that you can wear pastels. But they need to be crisper and fresher tones. More like the colour of sorbet. Not "dirty" tones like this sage green. Does that make sense?

  • goldenpig replied 12 years ago

    Ooooh, sorbet! Yum! That makes perfect sense! Thanks Angie for the revelation! I was worried that a whole class of colors was off limits to me, but now I know what to look for! I'm excited!

  • catgirl replied 12 years ago

    I voted nay without looking at other responses. I used to wear this color a lot because it was easy to match with other work clothes - then I realized it makes me look literally dead. I'm actually surprised it doesn't look good on you, but I think you need a more saturated pastel, if that exists. This looks more like a dusty sage to me, and it is now a poison-eye color for me. The skirt fits nicely but looks dated. You have so many better pieces - I'd let this whole outfit go. Sorry. :(

  • replied 12 years ago

    I agree with the opinions above me regarding color. I just wanted to say the fabric of the skirt looks old. I much more prefer the straight silhouette with some structure or seams. This bias cut in this length reads bit dated to me ( my mom used to have that kind of skirts when I was in school) but perhaps I'm biased.
    I also vote to pass the sweater if it's pilling, ladylike you wouldn't wear a pilled sweater but do find others in this cut, I like it on you a lot!
    Also, belt envy! You do belted so well!

  • Claudia replied 12 years ago

    Natalie, since you have a "history" and sentimental attachment to this skirt, I am wondering if it's silk? If it's silk, and you decide it's dated, you might want to consider having it made into a scarf: either a long, rectangular scarf or an infinity scarf and wearing it with your jackets and blazers that it compliments that are more "your colors." Maybe even using the fabric for a scarf to tie unto one of your handbags.

    I got rid of some silk skirts that I wish I had re-purposed like this.

  • modgrl replied 12 years ago

    The outfit you're wearing doesn't feel like you. I know there are nice memories associated with these pieces but do you think maybe you have moved on from this style?

    How about something in this kind of mint:

    http://piperlime.gap.com/brows.....=285360002

    http://www.shopbop.com/slick-r.....=crosssell

    These feel more modern.

  • rachylou replied 12 years ago

    Oh, well Angie beat me to it - and said it much better than I would have. A sharper, more intense mint is how I would have put it.

  • modgrl replied 12 years ago

    How about a pretty 60's mod dress in mint?

  • shoppingisfun replied 12 years ago

    I haven't read the other replies yet. However, I've gotta say nay to the skirt (sorry). Honestly, it's hard to tell the color green from those pictures, but if you think you look bad in it, and it's also all pilled up, you might as well toss it (or just wear it around the house...it looks comfy).

  • mama23 replied 12 years ago

    I like the skirt, but prefer it with the blouse & belt instead of the green sweater.

  • Meredith1953 replied 12 years ago

    My monitor must be not displaying properly because the color looks definitely sagey rather than mint. I love the white blouse on you and it looks nice with the skirt but a denim jacket would definitely add a lot to the look.

  • Mellllls replied 12 years ago

    I actually like the mint green but I am VERY outvoted.

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