WIW 6/22: BR blue stripe shirt, orange & leopard (ETA topper options)

After I posted this Angie copycat look (http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....ripe-shirt) Angie suggested that I look at Banana Republic to find an updated version of my old blue striped button-down shirt. So I picked this one up (http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....-other-krs) but it wasn't the one she was thinking of & that it was on sale and also that I should size up from a 6 to an 8 because it was snug around my tummy. So I went back and found this size 8 in the sale rack--the last one there. I got it for $20! What do you think? I like blue shirts with white cuffs/collar--it has white underneath the cuffs and collar (1-2), but you can't see it from the front when the cuffs are buttoned and collar popping doesn't work with my long hair. So it's just plain looking. Oh well. Does it look like a better fit?

I wasn't sure whether a blue striped button down shirt was too conservative and classic for my tastes and whether the color would go well with my skin. But I think it works--I paired it with a pair of bright orange AG skinny jeans that I haven't worn in months (I was actually considering purging it because I was worried it was too bright) and some leopard ballet flats. And I added some pattern mixing with my Fossil floral bag (triple print mixing if you count the shoes and striped shirt). I wore a navy wool peacoat on top, which adds another print if you count the houndstooth lining. And I added a WHBM triple strand champagne pearl necklace to add some femininity to the outfit. I think blue button down shirts can be a little boring to me when paired with neutrals (like in this outfit with grey pants: http://goldenpig.lookfab.com/p.....pants-yawn) but the orange pants and leopard flats give it just enough kick to keep me happy, and the blue in the shirt tones down the bright orange a little--I think it keeps just the right balance!

I don't typically go from J Crew preppy tomboy looks, but I think I managed to incorporate the "staid classic" blue button-down into an outfit that I still can consider "my style". What do you think? Thanks for your comments!

ETA: More topper options: cognac leather jacket, white cropped denim jacket & ink blue jacket.

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21 Comments

  • MsMary replied 11 years ago

    Love it! Especially with the pea coat!

  • Kyle replied 11 years ago

    I adore the crisp contrast of the orange and blue. Fresh! Leopard flats are the perfect accent, in my opinion. You look fantastic in this outfit. The pants fit beautifully, and the blouse color and style are wonderful for you. My only suggestion might be to consider a different style of bag. I can't exactly articulate why, so maybe it is personal taste. It feels slightly out of character with the rest of the ensemble, though I very much like the bag itself.

  • Aida replied 11 years ago

    I agree with everything Kyle said! Great outfit, loving those orange skinnies. But I too think a different style bag would work better with this outfit; this one is a bit too earthy/boho (of course it's a great purse, just not quite meshing with this outfit to my eye). Also I adore those stacked pearls with this outfit!

  • goldenpig replied 11 years ago

    Thanks MaryK, Kyle & Aida!

    Yes I was struggling trying to pick a bag this morning. I thought about using my orange slice bag but I wasn't sure if that would be too whimsical.

    Do you have a suggestion from my handbags?
    http://goldenpig.lookfab.com/p.....do-you-own

  • Angie replied 11 years ago

    This is the right blue button down! It looks delish with the orange jeans. I love this outfit on you, Natalie.

    I think you need a more Summery topper though. Try your brown leather jacket.

  • Aida replied 11 years ago

    From your list I would try: 1, 4, 6-8, 11, 13, 20.

  • Transcona Shannon replied 11 years ago

    I love the simple chic look of the outfit in #1 and #2 - gorgeous shirt on you and the colour combination of blue and orange is fabulous!

  • Kyle replied 11 years ago

    I think the yellow bag would be really lovely.

  • Ana replied 11 years ago

    I love the orange and blue, Natalie! The animal print shoes look really nice as well. :)

  • Alecia replied 11 years ago

    That shirt is heads and tails above the others. (Is that the right way to say that? I feel like I often mix my metaphors.) In any case, I adore this look. Orange is my favorite color so you had me at the pants.

  • cjh replied 11 years ago

    The shirt looks like a greats fit, though not in your usual more ladylike bent. The orange pants are a great match. I though of the orange slice bag myself, and maybe your blue blazer with the neat lapels and peplum, I forget the name right now. It isn't too dressy for the ensemble, I don't think. Or do you have a military style jacket in taupe or olive? I can't remember.

    (I know I would be boiling in long pants, long sleeves and a pea coat!)

  • cciele replied 11 years ago

    Great color combo! The orange definitely punches up the classic button-down.

    It's been coldish here recently -- I can see why Natalie was wearing long pants and a pea coat. I was wearing a fleece coat -- in the mid-50s in the mornings and even drizzly rain one day!

  • jayne replied 11 years ago

    Shirt is horrid, just send it to me and I will eh em...hide it for you! I have my own orange jeans I can wear it with, and copy you!

  • Scarlet replied 11 years ago

    I had the same reaction as Kyle. I adore 6, but then I feel like this is a more fall outfit and would also work better with darker accessories (black?), but Angie's suggestion would work with accessories you show here. I think you will enjoy that top.

  • goldenpig replied 11 years ago

    Thanks Angie. I initially was going to go for the brown leather jacket but I thought maybe it clashed with the orange pants since they're vaguely similar shades but not really. What do you think? Also I tried on my white denim jacket--but was not sure if it's OK to wear cropped jackets with long button down shirts. And finally, I tried it on with the ink blue jacket that cjh suggested, but I feel like it doesn't work so well buttoned up over the buttoned shirt--makes me look like I have a pot belly. Aida, Kyle & cjh, thanks for the bag suggestions! I like the orange slice bag and the straw and navy bag the best, I think. Thanks Shannon, Alecia, Ana, Cathy, Jayne and Scarlet. I wore the shirt and pants plain for the office, but since it was cold, foggy and a bit drizzly in the evening and DH and I were going out, I decided to grab the wool peacoat. I have some more options posted in the original post. Do you think the leather jacket is too close in color to the orange pants? What about the cropped white denim--is it OK to wear cropped jackets with button down shirts? Also I tried the blue peplum jacket that cjh suggested but it doesn't work at all.

    Thanks everyone for the boost and your suggestions!

  • Angie replied 11 years ago

    The brown will look great with the orange :)

    I agree that the yellow bag will look fab. That said, I love how you kept your signature Fossil printed bag in the mix. It also works well to my eye.

  • Tanya replied 11 years ago

    Lovely outfit Natalie! I like it best with the brown leather jacket.

  • replied 11 years ago

    It's a great basic shirt and you got a wonderful deal on it! I think it's one of those items that is more of a supporting act, and I bet you'll wear it more than you think. Don't forget about tucking into skirts for work, too!

  • Kari replied 11 years ago

    Absolutely gorgeous! I love the colors, and they look particularly great with you standing in front of those awesome, bright vintage prints on your wall.
    I prefer the lighter (white and brown) jackets.

  • CocoLion replied 11 years ago

    Can't believe you almost purged those AG jeans! They look fabulous and will work come fall as well. For summer, I like this outfit with the two light colored toppers (the ones at the end) and also the last topper which has a lighter feel than the other dark jackets (pictures 9,10,11).

  • Kari replied 11 years ago

    Natalie, off topic, but this pin series made me think of you and your floral pants:

    http://pinterest.com/racheljay/dup-a-look/

    And there's another one farther down the page with orange jeans and a light blue shirt!

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