outfit edit: the fab five
Sometimes we get a clearer picture of things and can better see patterns emerge in retrospect. Going back through my outfit posts from this year to select my five favorites, I noticed that most of the ones I chose were from the second half of the year. I experimented more with color and pattern in the spring and early summer, but feel that I really hit my style groove again around August, when I made a conscious decision to quit worrying about whether an outfit was “interesting” enough. The number one take-away lesson? Try new things, but don’t over-think or over-style. I added boyfriend jeans and a long cardigan to the style mix, but ultimately backed away (again) from lots of color and print. My favorite outfits were the ones I put together with a “shoot-from-the-hip” approach, relying on my gut and sticking with favorite simple pieces and silhouettes. If I have to work too hard to make an outfit come together it never feels quite right.
You can click on each picture’s caption to read the original post.
How did your style develop this year? Did you experiment or stick to a formula? Did you have any new revelations about what works for you?
FAVORITES EDIT:
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
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Love and would wear all five!! You had such a good year…happy New Year’s Eve!
I dress much like you every day and ‘dress up’, but still day wear, one day a week. It’s pretty much formula dressing for me now, I can’t really be bothered fussing.
I really have learned a lot from your site! Thank you. I’m moving toward the Emmanuel Alt, uniform, less fuss and so much easier to pull myself together. Even at 66, I feel the need to stay away from frumpy, it helps to have women like you to look to for guidance and confirmation that we are still very vital in our sunset years!
Can’t remember all your outfits, but these 5 were definitely at the top. I would say I made the least number of wardrobe “mistakes” in purchasing this year, than in previous years. Stuck to my formula as well.
love the long sweater coat although but o contraire on black being a colour; you have done really nice things with it but black is great at shading, shaping, and framing but it’s everything else in those outfits that the black sets off so well that make them work.
digging those leopard pumps too!
Love them all and especially love that long cardi.
I agree! I am a fan of using my instincts and not over thinking. The mirror tells the story. Your style is inspirational and love the five photos above. Happy New Year and looking forward to your process in 2015!
I have fun experimenting with more bells and whistles, but I too find myself most confident and content in something simple and chic. Love your looks! Looking forward to another year of outfits from you in 2015!
OXOX
Dawn Lucy
http://fashionshouldbefun.blogspot.com
I agree with the lesson you pull from your retrospective. Stepping back enables us to see ourselves from a new perspective. I always admire how classy your outfits look. They have a panache I could never muster. Happy New Year!
Stylish and comfortable, a winning combo! I love my boyfriend jeans too. Happy New Year!
I love these!! I’m traveling now but when I return home I’m going to put outfits together as you have done here and clear out my closet!! You’ve inspired me!! (And you look gorgeous as always…..)
Enjoy the new year! I’ve enjoyed your blog posts so much.
I was counting the Fab five as the individual pieces:) Top, jacket, pants, shoes ,purse…Each photo is great! I like your style..when I over-style, I am self conscious all day long and can’t wait to tear off the clothes!! Enjoy 2015 and keep up the inspiring posts…
So I have to say, “I get it!” and I’m right there with you. So often I’ll think need to make my outfits more interesting and these are the ones that just never feel like me. I do love color but find that I rarely wear a lot of color and I actually feel the most like myself this way. I think I’m learning the difference between what I like and what I feel good in. It does no good if I like something but feel goofy in it. Like you, if I think long, I think wrong. I’m totally feeling all your looks! Ageless and sophisticated all at once! Happy New Year! Serene
You are so good at picking silhouettes that are stylish, look great on you, yet have a timeless appeal! My favorite outfit is the first one, because of my bias at seeing you in softer, lighter neutrals– the dove gray, taupe-ey and fawn shades are so harmonious with, and flattering to your gentle, ethereal coloring. I bet you also can carry off many complex, mysterious off-colors like blush, smoky blues, etc.
I think I stumbled into my own “style” some years back– after many trial-and-error experiments. It’s hard to be objective about what works, what doesn’t! The outlines of my clothes need to be unstudied, simple, have a certain femininity. Jewelry and accessories give the juice. Labels don’t get me excited, but decent workmanship and a certain classicism does.
Oh, here’s something nutty I only just realized the other day while watching “The Roy Rogers Show” on our nostalgia channel with my son. As a kid I ADORED Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, and it suddenly occurred to me that Dale is a sort of style inspiration! Not for her overtly Western look and Fifties panache. But in the beautiful tailoring and close-to-the-body, yet ladylike, fit of her separates. Her western shirts were gorgeous, not overly fussy, and she very often wore swingy skirts, despite having to jump on her horse Buttermilk at the drop of a cattle rustler! She always looked so comfortable in her clothes. Roy also, with his classic checked shirts, custom boots and jaunty bandannas. This natty couple were my first, remembered TV style influences…
So even though it’s Fred Astaire, and Claudette Colbert whose timeless style inspires me, there’s a lot of Roy and Dale in there too.
I do think we all have to listen to that inner voice telling us what feels right…and comfortable…for each of us! I just feel good in some kind of leggings or tight crop pants, a camisole, and some kind of tunic or over-the-hip top. Add a chunky necklace and maybe a pashmina or scarf and I’m good to go. When I try to do jeans it just all falls apart! But that’s just me. It takes years of experimenting, I think, to get it right!
Love these all on you! I’m in your camp about over styling. Simple shapes, neutral colors and accessories telling the story works best for me. I’m particularly fond of “up with olive”! Happy New Year!!
I think your style is very definite – always tasteful, comfortable, and versatile. I think I’ve learned not to overdo my own style, although I love to see others wear wild clothes. I want to aim for the “gentlewomanly” style that Alyson Walsh advocates – maybe I’ll get there someday!
I’ve enjoyed your blog so much this year – especially the travel tips. My best wishes for a happy and healthy new year.
I love your style and thank you for the inspiration in 2014. Anything goes here in San Francisco and its fun rocking vintage punk with classics. I love the sexy Los Angeles designs and look forward to creatively mixing them into my wardrobe.
J’aime lire ce blog! Je me retrouve tout à fait dans le style de vêtements que vous portez car j’ai le même “dressing”. Très bonne année 2015 et bonne continuation à vous.
Merci bien Annick, et très bonne anneé à vous aussi!
I love you in that long black thing!