The "Favorite Piece, Three-Ways" Challenge
A few weeks ago, Karen experimented with using a favorite piece to create three different looks, and challenged us to give it a try. It sounded like a worthwhile (and fun!) endeavor, so here goes:
Last year I’d purchased this Talbot’s cardigan, but had only really built one workable ensemble with it, which I wore quite a bit last summer and fall. This ensemble below served well for casual office days and weekends. (There are white jeans in this mix, a bit hard to see against the light background.)
Tank: Chicos
Jeans: NYDJ
Sandals: Seychelles
Bag: Gerard Darel
Necklace: Ralph Lauren
Here’s closeup so you can see the detail on the cardi.
Occasionally, I do need to dial the Corporate up a notch for meetings or visiting Higher Ups, but don’t want to lose my newfound twist. Below, I buttoned up the cardi and added my navy blazer, taupe trousers and the orange ‘Vogs. As a variation, I could probably add a camisole under the sweater, and unbutton one or two of the top and bottom buttons to create more of a waistcoat effect. We’ll still have plenty of cool-ish days to give this a try before summer kicks in.
Trousers: Banana Republic
Jacket: Talbot’s
Shoes: Fluevog
Earrings: Argento Vivo
“Paris” pin: Chanel
Forgot to add the bag, but would probably carry the brown YSL Muse with this grouping.
Forgot to add the bag, but would probably carry the brown YSL Muse with this grouping.
Finally, here’s the Saturday early-movie-and-dinner-avec-le-monsieur ensemble. This is my favorite so far!
Crinkle silk tank: Eileen Fisher
Jeans: Gap Edition
Bag: vintage magazine clutch from ebay
Necklaces: Nordstrom and JCrew
Watch: Raymond Weil
Thanks Karen, for issuing this fun challenge! It was a great exercise and helped me find multiple ways to style this cardigan. If you find yourself grouping the same pieces over and over, I’d highly recommend an hour or two of playing Polyvore on the Floor to experiment with new combos, and snapping some pics to assess the overall looks. Look for more POTF here in coming weeks, as I continue to explore new Twisted Classic ensembles.
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I like that you pose the legs of your outfits all “action-y.”
I love how the cardi lifts the navy blazer! And how shoes change the entire tone.
Needless to say, I like the one with the navy blazer best. Like oxymorons, and syncopation, I like the energy of constraint and opposition.
These are great, Pseu, and I’d be hard-pressed to pick a favourite I like them all so much. I’m very envious of that Paris pin as well as of that gorgeous magazine clutch. You obviously have many “twists”in your wardrobe that are beginning to acquire a certain synergy with those new shoes in the mix.
Gosh what super outfits! I really like the “corporate up” one… But I love how you’ve made very different “feelings” for each outfit!!
Another vote for “like ’em all.”
I struggle to make my more casual looks interesting/personality-appropriate, so I’m shaking my head over your ability to just gaily toss together TWO of these creatures.
You definitely seem to have a new energy around your style now that you’re letting your inner imp out…watch out, world!
I love these polyvores…you have a great eye for accessories and there’s an energy that comes through here…I like the Eileen Fisher crinkle combo…and of course THE SHOES ORANGE…drooling now!
Love all three looks! Oh and the orange shoes are fab!!!
I love all 3 and hope to see pix of them ON your bod! It seems that the patterned jacket makes your look more vibrant and playful, not so somber. One of my favorite posts so far.
I love all three outfits but I prefer it with the navy blazer and the color coordinated shoes.
Nicely done Pseu!
I have this cardi and love the options you’ve paired with!
Yeah, your POTFs are really fun!
And I LOVE that cardi. I have found that I really enjoy paisley a lot, having had to get over some of the aspersions that were cast on it in the 1960s and 70s that I still remember.
Plus, I love orange. Those shoes…ROCK. They are tempting me even as we speak.
Your outfits are great.
Great results. I’ve got to try POTF soon.
You have turned a new page in your own fashion history. Suddenly you have found a side of yourself, not yet seen by me. Bravo! I now understand too the interest in the orange shoes, which have already proven their versatility. Btw, I used to have a similar vintage magazine clutch, maybe it was in the 80´s? I really like the idea of building different outfits around one favorite piece of clothing. I just might be inspired by your post. Thank you.
Love your outfits Deja… they all look fab! Such a great idea – you have inspired me to look at some of my items with a fresh eye….x
These are all great looks, but the navy blazer + cardi version gets my vote for snazziest — navy and orange are a great combo! I love how much play your orange shoes are getting, too.
I’m going to play POTF a lot in the next couple of weeks, as I figure out what to pack into one suitcase for a two-month stay in Madrid with Don Pantalones. And I need to plan carefully — as a size 18, there aren’t a lot of places in Spain where I can just pick something up. (Well, except for shoes and handbags — and it’s not accessories I am short of!)
I love how you manage to get those new orange Fluevogs into your new outfits!
I love these! Your foundation cardigan is beautiful. Other favorites are your bag from the first ensemble, and the orange Fluevogs.
Best of all, though, are the mixes you came up with.
All your thinking and trying is really paying off. You are looking great (and I think it’s mostly with stuff you already had, right?), and seem to be having loads of fun. Congratulations. I love all the outfits, but especially the last two.
You did a great job, I just love all the outfits you put together.
All 3 looks are fab!
*applause*
Fantastic! You, dear lady, will look like a million bucks in any one of those outfits.
Super. No you’re learning to shop your own closet. In number two maybe you could add a green scarf inside your jacket collar for another piece to your color story on this outfit. Either that, or a colored bag. Love the movie night one!
Love that cardy- best pattern and colour!
You did a fantastic job with the process Pseu! I also really learned something about my own way of dressing while analyzing your three outfits; I am much better at putting together style set #1 but weaker on putting together style sets #2 and #3. Something for me to work on but now, with the guidance from you and Karen I think I can do it. Also, your fantastic orange shoes are really becoming a “signature” piece for you.
WendyB – thanks! I’ll credit materfamilias with that inspiration.
Someone – thank you! I find paisley’s easier to wear than florals, go figure. I’m so very glad that Karen and others urged me to get these shoes; they’ve really helped break me out of my rut!
Duchesse – thanks! It had never occurrec to me to pair the cardi and the blazer, but now that I have I see they were made for each other!
Tessa Scoffs – thank you and I hope you do try it. It’s FUN!
metscan – thank you. I do feel as though I’m re-finding my groove. I’d love to see what you’d do with this challenge!
LPC – thanks, and yes, I get that. A little frisson is good for the soul.
materfamilias – thanks so much, and yes, I think the shoes really were the catalyst that bumped everything up. Thanks for being the first to find them and post them to inspire.
spacegeek – thanks! I really wanted to challenge myself to use this sweater for some very different looks.
sallymandy – thank you, and it’s good to “see” you again!
vix – thanks! Love the idea of “inner imp.” I definitely feel as though I’ve found some new energy that needs to be expressed.
hostess of the humble bungalow – thanks so much! That crinkle top is also a favorite piece that I now have a new way to wear.
Kira – thank you!
Allegra – thanks! I’ll see what I can do to show a “live” pic. The vibrancy of this cardi is what drew me to it initially. I’m happy to figure out how to harness and balance it.
Belle – thanks! I love being able to find new ways to wear this blazer, as it’s such a great piece.
LaShaune – isn’t it a great cardigan? And much more versatile than I’d originally figured.
Semi-Expat – thanks, and would love to see what you come up with!
Rubiatonta – thanks! *Two months* in Madrid? I’m so envious!! Have fun putting together your wardrobe and especially on your trip.
Imogen – thank you! What really amazes me is how much these shoes inspire new combos, and how easy they are to coordinate!
Jen – thanks so much. Yes, the shoes are relatively new, but all of the others were from the closet, some a few years old.
Karen – thanks, and thanks to you for the inspiration! How about that green Lancel bag with the navy blazer combo? 😉
Lesa – thanks so much!
Make Do Style – thank you!
Marieanne – thank you so much! I’m really looking forward to wearing all of them.
Faux Fuschia – thanks! And thanks for taking time from your vacation to comment.
Laurie Ann – thank you! And yes, the shoes are definitely getting “prime time.”
Fabulous outfits, and I adore the way your POTFs seem ready to take off on their own. Obviously all you needed was a little inspiration get that twist into high gear.
Great outfits, all three of them! You’ve really hit your stride.
LOVE the outfits!!!