Pix-Elated

So, I've been making up for not shopping in London. In fact, what with this, that, and the other, I've been on a regular shop-a-thon. 

You saw my off-white Gap mesh sleeve sweater last week. It does stretch out with wear, as others have said, but I figure I can get two wears before wash, and that is okay. Now it's time to consult about the cobalt. Keep or return? 

Funny, Sveta mentioned that this colour did not seem intense or saturated enough to her. I am worried it might be too intense for me. 

It is very close in colour to my Vince Camuto tube midi skirt, so in some of the photos I am showing them together. IRL the colour values are even closer than they appear here. Okay to wear together, or not? 

And now the footwear. I have temporarily given up the search for actual shoes. True to typical form, given our current weather patterns it looks as if I would only have six or eight days in which to wear shoes anyway! The way things are going, it will be downright cold for another couple of weeks and then WHAM, we will be straight into summer. 

I buy sandals every year. I usually buy several pair. I have been thinking about this. Given that I only wear them for three months of the year, am I buying for a fantasy life?

But no...because I wear almost nothing else for those three months. None of my sandals are orphans (if they work out, I mean, in terms of comfort). And I'm tough on them (much more so than I am on my other footwear) so I pretty much have to buy new each year. I have two pairs that are still usable from last year; both are black. 

Up for review: Clark's Pitchmint. These are billed as "gold" but I don't know as I would call them that. They were extremely reasonable in price from The Bay (on sale last week when I bought and with an extra discount even less). Pros: they are Clark's, so quite comfortable, and I think they work with jeans and pants. Cons: they are a tiny bit big (no half-sizes available) and are they too clunky? 

Next is Sam Edelman Sutton. These ones (despite being the same size as my Pettys) may be a tiny bit small -- but I think the next half size will be too big -- the strap up top is already loose for me (and not adjustable). These are a bit dressier and more refined; I have a wardrobe hole for something like this because otherwise, all my sandals are very casual, except for one flat black pair that can swing both ways. 

Note that I can keep both. 

Would love your thoughts, and thank you for reading this far! 

1/2: Cobalt mesh sweater
3: sweater with VC skirt and Clark's
4-7:  Pitchmint
8-12: Sutton
13: Dressing up the cobalt with my version of a floral jacket (from BR two years ago, in fact).
14: Dressing down the cobalt with ON denim jacket and Reports
15: Slouching around in the Leiths. 

Took my daughter to her tae kwon do tournament in Toronto yesterday (and got in a little shopping while she was warming up - thank you for your help yesterday!) :-) 

Cold was keeping us in its grip, so I wore layers. 

Boots: SE Petty
Jeans: Gap original fit selvege (now being worn by my daughter) 
Navy turtleneck: Theory
Belt: Micheal by MK
Leather jacket: Danier
Scarf: China souvenir
Trench: Theory, courtesy BJ1111

Today it has warmed up so much that I only need the leather jacket. And no turtleneck. 

Yesterday's outfit was all about a relaxed silhouette in graphic black (and navy) and white, with a pop of red. 

Today's outfit is soft white with black and a touch of grey. Soft felt right, because the occasion was a baby shower for one of my daughter's teachers. 

It warmed up a tiny bit, and we were in the car, so I didn't need a heavy coat.Yippee!

 This is the debut of the Gap mesh sleeve sweater. I hope I got the right size and I hope it won't stretch out too much. I took the tag off. Do you think it works for me? 

I also bought a cobalt one which I will show you when I can so you can judge whether the colour's good on me. I quite like this soft white. 

Leather jacket: Danier
Scarf: Banana Republic (it felt just a bit too chilly to bare my neck yet). 
Sweater: Gap
Cami: BP
Slouchy trousers: noir
Booties: Sam Edelman
Belt: Michael by Michael Kors. 

Every single one of these items is a direct result of my participation on YLF. Either Angie recommended, forum recommended, or inspired by other forum members. 

My husband said I looked fab. 

Thanks, YLF!! 

Trying my best approximation of Angie's fab look.   Wearing nude hose with pride. 

Which jacket? Have to leave in a few minutes! 

In Krista's thread here, Day Vies commented: 

"I feel confused now because these looks are my idea of casual but I know that I have some friends who believe these looks are "dressed up" and I would be asked "where are you going?" (in that who do you think you arekind of way). Does anyone else struggle with what exactly casual means?" 

I think it's a good question. Krista posted simple, straightforward, yet pulled-together looks that I, personally, would consider casual. Yet I agree with Day Vies, too. A lot of times, when I wear something like that, people still think I am "dressed up."

Typically, this doesn't bother me. I just wear what I want to wear, you know? But Krista was talking specifically about wanting to fit in and feel comfortable in a particular environment on the weekend. And sometimes it's quite important for us to fit in. 

I guess there are degrees of "casual" just as there are degrees of formality -- and different environments call for different combinations. It sounds as if Krista has nailed this. But does anyone else struggle with this question?