Festive blues

Angie's happy colour is tomato red. (Well, one of her happy colours, anyway). 

And everybody knows that (one of) mine is blue. 

So here's what I wore yesterday for a walk to campus and a long day of meetings with students. It also fits Angie's light blue and dark red ensemble. 

  • J. Crew cashmere oversized sweater (also not pilling yet after a year -- yay, J. Crew) 
  • Gap velvet "leggings" 
  • Burgundy plaid scarf
  • Aquatalia boots
  • Sparkly brooch that you can't really see
  • Ruby studs & brighter lippie.

Outwear was my Vince Camuto colour block mixed media pea coat (still going strong 3 years in), hat, gloves, and the cranberry red muffler. 

Why did it feel festive? Soft, luxe textures (cashmere, velvet). A bit of red (scarf, earrings, lips). The muffler has big sentimental associations - made by my deceased sister-in-law for me more than a decade ago and makes me remember her in a happier time. 

As for the "leggings" -- they're actually almost identical to the BR side-zip pants, with a similar fit.  (High five, Una, Greyscale, and Merwoman -- I think you said they were more like pants, too, and recommended them to me.) As with the BR side zip pants, I had to size up from my usual GAP/ BR size,  but I will wear them more like ponte pants since that is how they feel to me. They are stretchy but definitely structured. 

I got both blue and burgundy. The burgundy ones creep down on me a bit more than the blue. But both pair work much better on me than typical leggings. 

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40 Comments

  • Sara L. replied 8 years ago

    I love those velvet leggings!  The fit is flattering and they looks so soft and luxe.  I like your pops of red.

  • Rambling Ann replied 8 years ago

    I love this, it says friendly, fun AND grown-up. Perfect for a late fall day on campus.

  • merwoman replied 8 years ago

    High five velvet legging sister! These look great on you! How's the slippage factor?

  • Angie replied 8 years ago

    You are SOOO ADORABLE all bundled up in #4, I could eat you up. 

    *chomp, chomp, chomp*

  • Angie replied 8 years ago

    YOU ARE WEARING LEGGINGS!

  • Angie replied 8 years ago

    Blue is your happy colour and it loves you right back, Suz. Adore the subtle festive features of this outfit. Burgundy and light blue look fabulous together. And bless your sentimental muffler. A wonderful loving touch. 

  • abc replied 8 years ago

    Love! And the one all bundled up is adorable. I think sometimes I forget how your outerwear plays into the overall look.

  • Maneera replied 8 years ago

    You look FANTASTIC in blue!!! The soft blue sweater truly lights up your face and looks stunning with the luxe leggings & muffler.

    And you look really really adorable all bundled up in #4. Superb outfit!

  • Gail replied 8 years ago

    Love the outfit you look lovely, blue is my favorite color too. I just bought a pair of skinny mid rise cords from old navy that are more like velvet leggings with pockets. They were 40% off and are really comfortable for me as I am having comfort issues with the lower waistlines these days :( 

  • Jaime replied 8 years ago

    The blue leggings/pants are just gorgeous on you Suz! Definitely my happy color too. You look prepared to meet the day in style!

  • Bonnie replied 8 years ago

    Velvet and cashmere are beautiful fabrics and always look festive. I love this outfit and you look beautiful!

  • replied 8 years ago

    You look very huggable in those lovely textures :) Such a lovely cosy stylish look

  • catgirl replied 8 years ago

    Yay, the pants are TERRIFIC on you!  I wish they fit closer in the calf on me - I don't like the fitted thigh and baggy calf look.  But they do fit like pants and not leggings, so I guess it's okay.  I predict these will be a workhorse for you in winter - dressy yet comfy.

  • replied 8 years ago

    I continue to be mystified by these pants. (that so many of you have and love !) I first saw them a few weeks ago and did an inward "yay" because I love a velvet pant for Nov and Dec. But they look so incredibly low in the rise, and so teeny tiny for the size label, that I couldn't even bring myself to try them on.  I try to limit soul-destroying fitting room experiences where possible.  I pick them up and examine them each time I'm in the Gap (which is , like, every week) but the cut just looks off to me/for me . I am still hoping to find some that fit like skinny jeans, or even a flare/crop thing, which would be super cute.  These  look terrific on you , and I am happy you've found a pair of holiday wear pants that are so gorgeous in colour!  

  • catgirl replied 8 years ago

    Lisa, they do run a bit small (at least for me) and they don't have a lot of stretch, and they are really pants, not leggings.  But the rise is not that low - you should try them on and see.  Don't let a stupid pair of pants destroy your soul!

  • AviaMariah replied 8 years ago

    Aren't those Aquatalia's the best?  Today is our first day of snow and my feet are all snug in mine too.  Blue is a happy color for me too and and love what you're wearing.  

  • Suz replied 8 years ago

    Ahttp://www...thank you all. 

    You're a sweet bunch and I am blushing. 

    Aviamariah, the Aquatalias are total workhorses for me. Snow day for us today, too, so I will have mine on again when I step out. 

    Una, I wish they fit looser in the calf on me (more pant-like) but hey, beggars can't be choosers. At least they stay up more than most leggings do on me. And they're already workhorses. I've worn nothing else but the burgundy and blue ones for the last five days. :) 

    Lisa, they are high rise. I sized up by one size and they come right up to my navel, which is unheard of, and may be the reason they stay up on me (sort of). I think if I had sized up another size they would have been even more pant like (less snug on the thigh and bum -- which would have been nice for wearing shorter tops or tucking...) but then they probably would have been loose over the tummy/ waist area on me so I felt like this was probably the right size. 

    I would definitely go for a pair of velvet skinny jeans in this same fabric. Or flares. It's nice and stretchy yet feels like a pant not a legging (to me). 

    Thanks, Diane, BonnieG, Shevia. And Gail, I hear you on the tummy issues and yay for a new pair of luxe cords!! 

    Maneera, abc, thank you. Yes, outerwear is it around these parts and I need to step up my game a la Angie!! More COATS!!! 

    Angie, thank you!! And yes, isn't it amazing that I'm wearing leggings? But, well, they're sort of mis-named. They're definitely not your usual leggings. They have a zip and a real waistband, for one thing. 

    Sue, they do slip some, but not as bad as my usual with leggings (probably because they are more like ultra skinny pants). They grip me a bit tight above the knee -- that muscle seems to be what yanks the rest of the leg down. But hey. I am managing. :) 

    Thanks Sara and Rambling Ann

  • Elizabeth P replied 8 years ago

    Looking good Suz! 

    I do find it interesting that you can wear them as pants... when I did my K/R, it was suggested I wear them as leggings, with long tunic tops :).  Guess that speaks to the shape of my thighs...

    Lisa, try them!  I sized up one, if not two, sizes on mine.  I consider it THEIR error...

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 8 years ago

    What a great outfit, Suz. It looks festive to me, too, like something you ought to be wearing while sipping hot chocolate in front of a fire. I agree with you about luxe fabrics feeling festive.

  • Marilyn replied 8 years ago

    You look wonderful, Suz.  And #4 looks very appropriate.....snow on the ground this morning ***sigh***.

    I wish the velvet leggings came in petite.  I took a quick peek at them and just know that the higher rise would swallow me up.

  • CocoLion replied 8 years ago

    Thanks for sharing, what a great way to go festive.  Also great to hear that J Crew cashmere is holding up, pill-free.

  • rachylou replied 8 years ago

    Oh wait... I have been completely waylaid by the leggings... I can't remember what else I was going to say... those are so cool!

  • TraceyLiz65 replied 8 years ago

    A fabulous tone on tone look, love the velvet bottoms whether they are pants or leggings, lol! Adorable all bundled up look!

  • Suz replied 8 years ago

    Elizabeth, I imagine there are many here who will say I should wear them only as leggings completely covered front and bum, too (and I will be covering my bum in all cases). And YOUR thighs are a heck of a lot better than mine, if it comes to that! 

    But..I don't know -- sometimes I think it's purely a proportion thing on all of us. These don't show "lady bits" so that is why I consider them more like (skinny) pants. They don't have pockets, either, though, so I prefer to cover most of my (somewhat sagging) rear. 

    Marilyn, maybe give them a try -- they might work. I am almost petite, after all....

  • Marilyn replied 8 years ago

    I might just do that, Suz.
    And, I agree that the fit, fabrication and the wearer are all factors in determining if the "lady bits" need to be covered when wearing leggings.  What constitutes leggings is so varied.  So, sometimes yes and sometimes no.

  • Runcarla replied 8 years ago

    Yay for blue! Yay for cashmere! And special yay for integrating a sentimental piece...

  • Elle replied 8 years ago

    Those velvet leggings look amazing on you - really much more like pants than leggings. The whole outfit looks comfy and elegant.

    Despite my vow to simplify, I may have to copy the leggings.  Do they bag out at all?

  • Brooklyn replied 8 years ago

    You look so stylish and warm. The blue top reads almost lavender to me. Love it with the burgundy.

  • Aida replied 8 years ago

    You look delicious in blue Suz. And those textures! Sounds uber cozy. Every time I see you gals sporting those velvet pants I am tempted to order a pair, even though I'm not really a velvet gal. Maybe I'll pop by my GAP tomorrow before work and see if they have the green in stock.

  • Suz replied 8 years ago

    These velvet pants are great -- they are not crunchy but not overly soft either. They have stretch and give but so far mine haven't bagged out at all, Elle. Aida -- try 'em!! 

  • Aniko replied 8 years ago

    Suz, you look marvelous! And the burgundy color is especially luxe.

  • Cococat replied 8 years ago

    Beautiful Suz. The jumper is a lovely colour and it really suits you. You look very toasty in your coat and gloves.

  • Eliza replied 8 years ago

    Love those blues on you, Suz. Nice textures. I have the Aquatalias also and I lived in them last winter. Our cold weather has been slow to arrive this year (not a complaint), though I expect to wear them often. I find that height boot warm, as well as easy to drive and walk in. YLF!

  • Beth Ann replied 8 years ago

    What a sophisticated casual outfit!  I always associate navy with starry skies and Hanukkah (with silver, particularly).  So glad the leggings worked for you!

  • lyn67 replied 8 years ago

    Cashmere, velvet, mixmedias with leather, muffler, burgundy these are all screaming festive  for me, you did (and looked) so great, Suz!!! Score!:-)

  • dakotacheryl replied 8 years ago

    Snow fairy..blonde and blues are a match made in heaven!!

    All photos are happy and gorgeous...but I LOVE the last photo where you are bundled up...too cute for words.

  • unfrumped replied 8 years ago

    So fab the way burgundy and black winterize the bright blue sweater. Looks rich but not too moody-- that may be key to deep dark winter happy color combos, maybe? Juxtaposing a less typical winter color . I do that some, as in lilac wool sweater or similar, but maybe I need to be even more intentional. It really gives outfit energy. It could be as simple rethinking scarf colors.

  • Joy replied 8 years ago

    I wonder if the blue leggings would work with a navy cashmere sweater. I am unhappy that I didn't buy navy jacard jeans when I had a chance. Love your blue festive outfit.

  • Deborah replied 8 years ago

    Such a great look.  Blue is most definitely one of your colours.  The leggings look fantastic!  I had black velvet leggings when I first started on the forum and wore them a lot.  Im a bit sad now that I passed them on:)

  • Lisa replied 8 years ago

    There is a reason why blue is your color, it is lovely on you.

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