WIW: Plum and Cognac

Here is WIW to work today. Sorry for the funny lighting. I think the color is closer to 1 & 3 indoors and 2 in bright light/outdoors. This plum sweater is from Nordstrom from the HYS. Does this purple look OK on me? I'm still trying to figure out how to wear purple because there are a lot of shades and I'm not sure which one goes best with me, but I think deeper saturated plum and eggplant shades are probably my colors. By the way, Andrea offered to buy that purple Anthro dress that I got on eBay off me and it's on its way to her as we speak! I'm so glad because the purple is more muted and lighter than I thought and I think it will look much better on her coloring. I can't wait to see it.

I love obi belts--I got one in cognac as well as the black. These wide obi belts are great for us apples! I also have the cognac Timberland boots to match the belt. And my magic pattern mixing floral bag. The Ann Taylor floral skirt is a wardrobe orphan from the 90's and it has some plum flowers to match the sweater as well as cream, brown, and beige. Previously I only wore it with brown tops. Is it too dated or have I rescued it? Normally I would wear a camel coat on top but since I don't have one anymore, I tried the brown puffer. I kept the tags on and wore it only in the car though because I'm still deciding whether to keep it.

Feedback welcome as usual! Thanks!

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20 Comments

  • modgrl replied 12 years ago

    I really like this combo! I think you did a nice job rescuing this orphan. Which obi belt is this? did you get it recently? My YLF meetup belt died. I couldn't find one that I liked and actually ended up getting one custom made. Did you try tucking the turtleneck and using the obi belt that way? I think that would look nice too. Great combo with the cognac leather belt, boots and bag!!

  • Mochi replied 12 years ago

    Love all the parts and the WHOLE. These happen to be some of my favorite colors, and they look great on you. Plus the obi belt is wonderful.

  • goldenpig replied 12 years ago

    It's this obi belt from Nordstrom:
    http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/an.....ltback=347
    I got both colors, cognac and black. I haven't tried it tucked yet but that's another good option.
    I like this sweater because it's like a turtleneck but without that constricting feeling around your neck!

  • rae replied 12 years ago

    Would not have guessed that skirt is an orphan - it fits your ladylike aesthetic wonderfully. I also love the contrast of the parka with the rest.

    I know what you mean about turtlenecks - I only recently started wearing them after a lifetime of not being able to stand them. As my favorite comedian once said, "Wearing a turtleneck is like being strangled by a really weak guy, all day."

  • soobee replied 12 years ago

    Love the rich colors, especially like that belt around your little waist!

  • annagybe replied 12 years ago

    I'll be the odd one out. The skirt fits you well and colors are nice, but print looks dated to me.

  • amyreh replied 12 years ago

    Skirt doesn't look dated to me, I love all the colors here together and that belt is perfect on you!

  • Angie replied 12 years ago

    I LOVE being strangled by a really weak guy all day! Turtlenecks are my favourite neckline.

    I think you updated this skirt beautifully. Well done!

  • Isis replied 12 years ago

    Great silhouette, GP! The obi belt brings everything together. I think that purple is a great shade for you too!

  • Girl X replied 12 years ago

    I love that shade of purple on you!

  • replied 12 years ago

    Oh Natalie! THIS is your purple. I can't believe the skirt is that old! I ADORE the obi belt next to *the* bag. I just love these looks and colors on you!!! I don't care what you do with the puffer because the other things are so awesome.

    P.S. Do you really need a puffer in your climate, though? I don't think I'd buy one unless I had to!

  • Suz replied 12 years ago

    Natalie, you look ah-MAZ-ing! I love this combo. Great rescue of an orphan, and the sweater is gorgeous on you, not just the colour but also the shape. I need to get an obi belt like that. I love the shape and structure it lends to any outfit.

    I was wondering the same as Claire...in your climate, is a puffer coat really needed? I dunno...it DOES get cool in the Bay area, I realize, with a damp cold...and it's possible that I'm a hardened off Canuck. But I don't wear my own puffer coats until it gets below zero, really. (Or 32 F) They're just too warm for me if it's a lot warmer than that. Also, I find puffers ideal on cold, clear days. On damp cold days I might prefer to layer (maybe using a down vest) with a waterproof layer on top.

    But I realize people differ in this regard. And puffers differ, too, with some being much warmer than others. And some will depend on how much you layer underneath. Years of living in this climate have made me a winter layerer. (Is that a word?)

  • Parsley replied 12 years ago

    Lovely outfit, Natalie! That turtleneck with the obi belt gives you a great silhouette!

    I have such a hard time believing that you're an apple figure type! You seem way too little through the middle to be an apple. (Granted I'm no expert!)

    Question about the obi belt: How does the sizing run? I've looked at that same one on the the Nordstrom website, and they only give the sizing from end to end, and not just the waist part without the strings. I'd love to buy one if I could figure out what size.

    I love all your WIWs. You have beautiful style!

  • AJ replied 12 years ago

    Luv everything about this outfit! Nicely styled!

  • christy replied 12 years ago

    Beautiful color on you and you've done great job rescuing the orphaned skirt!

  • goldenpig replied 12 years ago

    Thanks everyone for the kind compliments!

    It's hard to see in the pic, but it's actually a fold over collar sweater rather than a turtleneck, which makes it comfier to wear. (Sometimes when I wear turtlenecks and I think about it too much, I have to fight the urge to tug at the neck so I can breathe ;-)) LOL Rae about being strangled by a weak guy!

    Come to think of it, no wonder I was happy in this outfit--it's very similar in silhouette to that sweater dress outfit I posted recently that I really loved:
    http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....ater-dress
    They both have the sweater with fold over collar, obi belt, and knee high boots.

    Parsley, thanks for the compliment--I guess I must be doing OK if you don't think I look like an apple! I'm a thin apple, but definitely an apple...having two kids did a number on my waistline. I can't use size charts anymore because even though my bust and hips are size 4-6, my waist is a size 10-12 if you go by the size chart. That's why I love obi belts and wide elastic belts--they work wonders on the apple tummy! I bought the obi belts at Nordstrom last month. I bought a size S/M. It also comes in M/L and L/XL. My natural waist is 31 inches and I usually wear size 4-6 or size 27-28 jeans, if that helps with picking your size.

  • goldenpig replied 12 years ago

    Suz and Claire,
    LOL about me not needing a puffer. Busted--I guess I am a wimp about being cold! I grew up in Arizona, that's my excuse. I can't sleep if I don't have a down blanket covering me up entirely (even if it's the middle of summer). I always wear socks at home and often a sweatshirt. It's usually foggy and cool year round here and mornings can sometimes be in the 30s in the winter so that's why I wanted to get a nice warm parka. I think I would freeze to death if I lived somewhere where it actually snows!

  • Sara L. replied 12 years ago

    I love the obi belt! I think the outfit is great. I'm not a huge fan of the puffer coat, but I totally understand about being cold all the time.

  • shipskitty replied 12 years ago

    Oooh love the outfit! That is a fabulous bag too :)

  • Parsley replied 12 years ago

    GP,
    Thanks for the obi belt info. I have the same issues with a waist measurement that doesn't line up with the rest of my size, so I have a hard time knowing what size to order. I may just order 2 sizes and plan to return one. The people at the Nordstrom return desk are starting to know me- eek!

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