Blogger Copycat Week, Days 1 & 2

*What* possessed me to copy Atlantic-Pacific?

I swear it was foolishness more than hubris. I *know* I don't have her figure, her youth, her bank account, or her closet. And I don't even *like* some of her outfits! Theatrical in the extreme, on the face of it they are not the most wearable for a MOTG who lives in a small, very casual city and who works from home.

But I *do* like the playful mix of high and low, dressy and casual. I do like some of the unexpected colour combinations. I do like the play of textures. And I *do* want to learn what works and doesn't work for me, and why.

Anyway, here goes.

Day 1: Daytime sparkle and gingham. This was a spring outfit of hers. We had spring-like weather yesterday, so it was appropriate.

Real-life wearability factor: 7. I went about my day in this outfit but I felt a bit uncomfortable. The layers were bunching and that bugged me. I felt a bit over-the-top. Not so much because of the sparkle (that was fine) but more because the multiple layers felt "stagey" somehow.

Happiness factor: 5 (love my white jeans), but to be fair, I might have been happier if I hadn't had a rotten cold.

Day 2: Navy and black colour block.

I hitched up my black gored jersey skirt to make a mini. You may not be able to see but I am wearing blue tights and my new blue Theory turtleneck, plus my Vince Camuto colorblock coat. I don't have a leopard bag so I tied a scarf to my red bag. I don't have the fancy Tory Burch shoes so I wore my Doc Marcies (at least they tie up) and hoped my buttons and bracelets would add the shine that her shoes give to the look.

Real-life wearability factor: 9

This totally surprised me; I thought I'd feel completely "costumed" in this very dark look with an unaccustomed short skirt, but I wore it out to the doctor's and felt comfortable. Also wore it to a virtual meeting and nobody squawked.

Happiness factor: 10

I would actually wear this again, even though it's a completely different look for me! I love the new sweater, love the coat, and love the Marcies. Combining them felt just fine.

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This post is also published in the youlookfab forum. You can read and reply to it in either place. All replies will appear in both places.

30 Comments

  • Raisin replied 11 years ago

    I love your looks Suz! The inspirations were great, and your takes we're great too. Gotta get me some white jeans like that...

  • Caro in Oz replied 11 years ago

    I love that you found a different look for you, through doing this challenge. I love both looks on you too - the shorter skirt looks fantastic.

  • Mona replied 11 years ago

    Suz, your comment about living in a small, very casual city makes me sigh. I dont work from home but I find people dress up so casually here.
    You dont have some of her attributes but that is what the challenge is all about. You take an outfit and make it your own. I think you have done it brilliantly. I like both your outfits but my favourite is #2. You look so comfy and huggable in your black jersey dress and turtle neck. Red bag and leopard scarf add a lot of pizzaz.
    I am also a big fan of daytime sequins. It is too bad that these layers were not comfortable enough. I am almost tempted to copy this look with my white long and leans from GAP.

  • Janet replied 11 years ago

    Both look terrific! I love that you chose something truly challenging for yourself. I especially love #2 -- it's unexpected yet very you!

  • JR replied 11 years ago

    I like both of them, myself. I don't find the multiple layers to be a problem, at least to look at, but if they were bunching, probably not a good idea to try again.

    You are looking much happier in black, strangely enough. But it does look great on you, at least in this iteration.

    I wish I had joined this forum years ago. I would have thought of getting some tall Docs to fix my boot problem, something that would have never occurred to me on my own. (It never did, there's the proof.)

  • Suz replied 11 years ago

    Thank you! Mona, I am glad I am not alone in my despair about this city sometimes....

    It's actually navy near my face (both sweater and top of coat are navy) so that is one reason I felt okay in it, I think. It makes a small yet noticeable difference. Not noticeable in photos, but noticeable in real life.

  • JR replied 11 years ago

    Ah, I see it now. That would soften the impact a bit, all right.

  • Sveta replied 11 years ago

    Suz, your adventures in blogger copycat are awesome!
    Is this a new color blocked coat - I don't remember seeing it before. It looks great and color combination of dark blu and black is so sophisticated...
    I have a flared 'just-above-the-knee' skirt I have difficulty styling and you inspired me...

  • MsMary replied 11 years ago

    Are you kidding me? These are fab! A-P should be so chic!!

  • Mochi replied 11 years ago

    It's interesting when our instincts reject a look that is visually appealing, which I think the first look is. On some other person, those layers might not have been noticeable. And again, fascinating that you uncovered an unexpectedly delightful look that really suits you. It's arty and atmospheric, but you are wearing it and not vice versa.

    Can I add that I keep falling in love with those Doc Marcies on you? If I weren't wedge-averse, I would be seriously considering them.

  • merwoman replied 11 years ago

    Oh yeah!! I far prefer your interpretation to the original. Love the Vince Camuto coat on you - fits and suits you perfectly.
    ...and to think you were going to dye those white jeans...(shakes head, smiles and and hits submit :-)

  • Deborah replied 11 years ago

    Dare I say it, but your outfits express more personality in my mind. I do love AP and check out her outfits daily but... maybe it's cos I 'know' you. You look fab and you more than do justice to AP's outfits.

  • replied 11 years ago

    The second outfit kills me. You look tall and sleek and lovely! Those Marcies make the outfit and I love your creativity in fitting the inspiration to your existing pieces.

  • CocoLion replied 11 years ago

    Love your second outfit Suz. It's flawless. The first is great too except I'm seeing different footwear -- something lighter in color or more lightweight in character (but that is the trouble with white jeans in the fall, isn't it)?

  • TraceyLiz65 replied 11 years ago

    You did an incredible job here and I loved reading your take on how each outfit fits into your life...

  • krishnidoux replied 11 years ago

    I far more prefer your interpretations!

  • Suz replied 11 years ago

    Denise, I know exactly what you mean. She had it right with her pretty Tory Burch shoes (I think that's what she is wearing). But I couldn't do it in my weather (not to mention the fact that I had nothing even remotely similar.) Well...I DO have some purple slingbacks I could have posed in, but it wouldn't have been real life at all. I couldn't wear them. And I decided to do this challenge as a *wear* it challenge. I can interpret however I want as long as I actually *wear* the darn outfit. So....wrong shoes. sigh...

    Mochi, the layering problem is partly a matter of my actual clothes. My gingham shirt is a BF shirt. The layering tank was snug and so it was tough to make it feel okay (even though it looked all right). It was also partly a matter of me not really wanting so many layers. I think I am into more streamlined, minimalist looks these days. So it's ironic I have chosen a maximalist or at least an ALGO blogger to copy!!

  • Sveta replied 11 years ago

    The booties in #1 are not your Report ones, right? I think Report booties are lighter in color and may look better with white jeans.

  • Suz replied 11 years ago

    Yeah. You are right, Sveta. I didn't wear them because they feel like warm weather booties. But really, I should have. They do look better with the white jeans.

  • Transcona Shannon replied 11 years ago

    I can't stop looking at your second outfit Suz - the layers and the colour mix is just gorgeous on you. It is indeed different than your usual style but gosh....it looks fantastic! That colour blocked coat is fab and is going to work really well for you. Wore my Marcie's today too - don't you just love them more and more each time you wear them?

  • Suz replied 11 years ago

    Oh, I DO, Shannon! They are so lightweight and I just love how they make me taller yet I don't feel "fussy" in them. I also like the shape of the toe; there is a delicacy to it (despite their being sort of like a combat boot in every other way.)

    The only thing that still drives me nuts is that the tongue on mine still wrangles around (won't stay put.) People gave me smart solutions to this problem when I posted about it but then I stopped wearing them over the summer; I need to return to that thread to solve it.

    Thank you for your kind words. I think there is enough that is "me" in that second outfit (navy, turtleneck, military touches, funnel neck coat, soft texture, Marcies) that the part that isn't me (short skirt...really, that's it) gives it the added tension or twist that makes it fun to wear.

  • goldenpig replied 11 years ago

    I love both of these outfits! Brilliant interpretations and you look so fab in both of them.

  • Jaime replied 11 years ago

    I love how you look in both outfits and think you really took what you wanted from the inspiration pictures. The color block coat is divine on you. I am so impressed how you hitched up your skirt and went with a mini, and look fantastic with it. The white jeans look great with the jacket and layers, but no need to wear something uncomfortable when you have so many great looks that feel great too. With this week's challenge posts I feel like I am receiving a graduate level course in how to work with inspiration photos.

  • soobee replied 11 years ago

    Both are great interpretations of A-P. I love her outfits, although my figure and climate are so far removed from her that I may as well be on the moon:) You, on the other hand, have the figure to carry off those outfits and look every bit as chic. I'm especially loving the second outfit, YLF.

  • Carole replied 11 years ago

    Both outfits are absolutely fantastic, but 2 wins my heart, just love love love everything about it!

  • sinead replied 11 years ago

    These are both great and I especially love #2 with the turtleneck. It has a sort of mod-60's vibe going on that looks fab on you. And I agree with Shevia, these are wonderful lessons in how to inspiration photos and make them our own.

  • Beth Ann replied 11 years ago

    Take inspiration anywhere you find it, Suz. These are fabulous, and, while they aren't your "signature" looks, you've adapted them very well to your style. Keep it coming!

  • catgirl replied 11 years ago

    LOOK AT YOU!

    Your second look is SO K-worthy! Both are, actually - should I award them in Angie's absence? :) I can't believe how stunning you are in a black t-neck. You are making me jealous!

  • replied 11 years ago

    So K--ute! I can say that, right? Love these. I understand your discomfort with the layers, even though you looked fab. I LOVE the second outfit. The tights tend to make the short skirt look less short, if YKWIM. I long to wear black and navy, but most of my navies are so dark that you don't really get to appreciate that there is a contrast. Your coat is amazing!

  • Kristin SF replied 11 years ago

    I just discovered A-P while sick at home today - I was struck by her amazing style but did think, gosh who could ever dress like that in real life? You have taken her outfits and adapted them for real life, I love the inspiration! Kudos to you!

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