How to bring the light in? Bookending in winter for the fair haired

Texstyle's musings here about the preponderance of dark outfits on the forum these days (and elsewhere, too) reminded me of a subject I've been wanting to raise, because I could use some help and styling suggestions. 

So. In winter, like most of us in the north, I always end up wearing darker colours more often. Partly it's what's available, partly it's what's practical in a rainy, snowy, slushy climate, and partly it seems to harmonize more with the environment and quality of light. 

I do continue to wear colour in winter - particularly reds and berries -- and increasingly, I see the value of adding light (winter white, light taupe, light silver grey, etc.) wherever I can. Not only does it help to lift my mood (along with the injections of colour) but it also looks good on me, with my fair colouring. An all-black or even all-ink outfit can be pretty harsh and draining. 

But here's my issue. I find it really, really hard to get lighter colours on the bottom. And that would be ideal for bookending. 

Okay...so I have my Petty booties. Check. I also have light taupe Report booties but those are really for warmer temperatures -- I don't wear them in the winter. 

I do think a pair of light taupe or grey booties would be a good addition. But the risk with those is that I sacrifice leg lengthening priorities -- because pretty much all my bottoms are dark in winter. 

I've been hunting and hunting and hunting for light taupe jeans, or light grey. I haven't had much luck. (Suggestions welcome.)

Trousers could also work, but realistically I would not wear them as much. One reason I WILL wear my white jeans (even in winter) is they can go into the wash. 

I also have on my shopping list a more FADED pair of blue jeans. Currently the ones I own are mostly on the darker side, except for my slouchy distressed skinnies, and they are starting to show their age after 4 hard years' wear. 

I would love, love, love to wear more skirts and dresses in the winter. But I always end up wearing the ones that are dark -- because I need warm hose, and those are opaque, and it's tough to find hose in colours other than navy, black, grey -- and even when I do, it doesn't look good on my stubby legs. Especially with booties. 

I was much enamoured of some of Vix's looks with tall taupe boots. So leg lengthening and beautiful on her. And on me, they'd have the added advantage of bookending. Bingo! 

But the heels on those particular boots were too high for me and so was the shaft height, alas (I never tried them on in person but just looking at the measurements it was pretty clear). Meanwhile, most taupe boots available are very casual looking. I would want something "in between" I think. And I am very, very hard to fit in a tall boot. 

Do any of you fair haired women struggle with this the way I am struggling? What solutions have you adopted? I would love to hear and see how you have solved this and brought cohesion to your own outfits! 

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.

63 Comments

  • E replied 10 years ago

    I struggle Suz! I complained in my outfit post today about how taupe shoes are always suede. A lot of grey ones are too. :/ I have exactly one pair of shoes that actually match my hair (suede booties), so usually if I want to bookend I do it by bringing the shoe colour up top instead. But of course that doesn't help you lighten up! I have a pair of medium taupe skinnies from Urban Outfitters (wearing them now actually!) but they're definitely not a stiff/sturdy fabric so not what you're looking for.

    Frye seems to have some lighter leathers; here's what's on Zappos in taupe (http://www.zappos.com/frye-wom.....t=sis%3A0#!/frye-women-taupe-boots/CK_XARCz1wFCAQtS) and grey (http://www.zappos.com/frye-wom.....t=sis%3A0#!/frye-women-gray-boots/CK_XARCz1wFCAQhSA?).

    I hate it say it, but until you find a pair of taupe/grey knee high boots, I think you might end up having to pick in the winter between bookending, leg lengthening (and you don't have stubby legs!!! :) ), and adding light colours. You can probably have two of the three, but not all three. :/ The only way I can think to do all three is to bookend your darker footwear with a darker scarf, over a light blouse, with dark on the bottom. Or use a top/blouse that combines dark & light colours in a print/pattern so you can bookend your dark shoes but still keep lightness in.

    I'll be watching this thread with interest, since I'm lighter haired too and moving up north next year.

  • E replied 10 years ago

    Oh I forgot to add my personal solutions other than putting a dark colour up top (often via a belt)! Since I'm not concerned with leg lengthening, I often use taupe or medium/light grey socks scrunched above my ankle boots to bookend a bit. And I have a pair of super pale pink, almost white/cream thick cotton tights that come in handy, as well as a pair of knee high cream wool socks that can peek out from my knee high boots.

    Speaking of which, other than my dark boots I have a pair in faux suede medium/light grey which work really work as bookenders. Sadly the material limits their usefulness in wet weather! And they're not high quality (I got them at Marshall's for $18) although they've held up decently here in Texas I'm not sure what they'll do in the north. My 3rd (and final) pair of knee high boots are lace up waxed canvas from ll bean which are a medium taupe-y olive shade with a lighter sole that can bookend, although they're a bit dark compared to my head. But they're v casual and rugged (http://www.pinterest.com/pin/559924166143084704/) so not sure they're fit for an urban prince. My new Fryes (seen here: http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....-11nov2013)  are almost light enough to bookend: that's the slate colour. I don't know if any of that was helpful, but it's definitely a challenge.

  • Scarlet replied 10 years ago

    This topic has been on my mind lately too because I used to have taupe ankle boots that I could tuck skinnies into. Now they are worn out and my other lighter colored booties all seem to be too summery. At the moment I am making do with a pair of rust colored ankle boots that are also somewhat bookending for me, but a bit dark. I don't know if you need to be so worried about cutting your leg line with the color contrast. I have short legs and it can look surprisingly good in my opinion as long as the proportions are all working together. Have you really tried some "winter taupe" or light grey with black jeans or leggings already? Maybe you will be pleasantly surprised. I have never had gray shoes in adult memory, but the color has caught my eye several times lately and I have been contemplating how gray shoes would play with other neutrals in a winter wardrobe.

  • MsMary replied 10 years ago

    Honestly, I don't worry about it.  Bookending is a cool thing but it's not necessary for every outfit.  It's fun when it works out but if it doesn't, it doesn't!  ;)

  • lyn67 replied 10 years ago

    Great post Suz and I really know what you mean. E has right,  bookending, leg lengthening  and keeping dark colors on top  at the same time is so hard to achieve for us blondes in winter! I have had always the same dilemma through all my life and am mad for not  finding light colored boots nowadays but in suede only, as I always had some light boots for winter!

    In my teens I  had some yellow leather(not suede)/flat& midcalf/ boots  I am still mourning after. Wore them with a black and white gingham knee length wool coat,  a red men's plaid scarf(stollen from my DFather's:-)), black opaques and black baby cord mini skirt I loved soo much.

    Then I got a pair of suede midcalf kitten heel boots for senior highschool year-which ended being  worn to the ground in all the biggest slush and snow in my first 2 years of college to a navy ankle length cocoon wool coat-(but I always kept them clean somehow).

    Then I had a pair of custom made tan leather high heeled kneehighs, present from my DearFather to match a beatiful hooded, erlong length grey leather/fur coat....

    Sorry  for all this story telling, but  Oh-those were the times:-)).

    Then, I never ever found a pair of lighter color knee high boots  in all my adult life again, but once. But then, my DD/then 13-14yrs/ wanted them too, so had to buy them rather for her...Hm...If even I would have anticipated she will not be enough motivated for wearing true women boots yet,at her age, so soonly after had to make part with them....

    So I wore chock browns, dark greys and  jet black suede knee highs-which I still have. Each time I bought matching opaques to them, so I opted rather for the leg lengthening look. I also always had a light grey jean(or wool) pencil, and then I could wear dark on the top, again.

    I do have taupe booties-but they are suede, too:-((.

    Still struggle with this thema, and curious what others will say.

  • replied 10 years ago

    Why don't you bring black to the top? I have the reverse problem, so when I want to wear lighter bottoms or shoes, I bookend with a light necklace or something. Also, bookending can be ommitted too. Angie does it all the time! She wears dark outfits, no bookending. Your coloring is quite similar.

  • shemarie replied 10 years ago

    Such an excellent and eloquently expressed post, Suz!  I definitely need to mark this so I can come back later when I have more time to study and ruminate on all of these helpful suggestions and thoughts.  Thanks also for the link to Vix's post...just fabulous!

  • replied 10 years ago

    You don't have to bookend with your hair color. All you have to do is bring the bottom color up. For example, black pants with something black up top--like a necklace or scarf. You can do this with any color you want, and you'll always look more pulled together.

  • Suz replied 10 years ago

    Thank you for these replies! Lots to chew on. 

    I think I wasn't completely clear -- I guess my main goals are outfit cohesion (vs. bookending, per se -- just that bookending is a great way to achieve that), and bringing more light colours to the bottom of outfits as well as the top. 

    Zap, I do bring black to the top (or ink, or navy). Dark colours are everywhere and I have tons of them...but sometimes I want to avoid an all-dark look. 

    Lyn, I loved your stories! And you are so right. Non suede offerings in taupe or grey are strangely difficult to find. It is true those colours look especially lovely in suede, but is that any reason they can't also look good in smoother (more durable) leathers? Your solutions thus far sound a lot like mine. 

    Mary - yes -- it's not bookending per se...I think maybe you don't really experience this. You get to show some skin (at minimum in nude hose) all year. We can't really. Or I can't. It's just too cold. And the minute you take away the skin you get So. Much. DARK. I could easily wear all ink or black with legs and arms showing. Or even just legs. Or just arms. 

    Scarlet, you might be right, and I will try it...but our proportions are different. You've got lovely slender limbs. My legs are more muscular. I don't actually like the look of my legs with skinnies tucked into booties even if they are colour matched! It's got a bit of a super hero vibe. vs. the elfin urchin vibe that I might prefer. :) 

    E -- those are really interesting suggestions. I can see how every one of them would work for you. I love your lace up boots -- super cute. But there, you show skin, so that provides the "light" in itself. I think this is part of it...the inability to show any skin...

  • texstyle replied 10 years ago

    I don't own many light shoes either but I did buy a pair or leather Frye's in taupe last year with this in mind (for this winter). I def. think lighter wash jeans look esp. good with them.

    I have a hard time finding *any* shoes that I like in a similar color to my hair. I finally found one pair of sandals last year that work really well but aren't really comfortable enough for days where I'll be walking a lot. I have fussy feet, just a bit wide and I require comfort so that makes it more complicated. There are a lot of "nude" shoes but many are high heels or narrow styles from my shopping experience. I really want a pair of taupe fidjis but have yet to find them.

    And the elusive taupe jeans have been on my list for over a year too. Where in the world ARE they?

    I have invested in at least one charcoal, almost black bronzed type necklace and I do use it for bookending so I think that's a good idea.

  • E replied 10 years ago

    Everyone has such a good point too: bookending is definitely not necessary all of the time! :) I don't usually bother, although since I was answering your questions up above I probably sound like an obsessive bookender. lol

    I don't always show skin: I wear my ankle boots with tights & socks when it's cold enough. And when I wear them with trousers or jeans there's no skin since I'm always wearing socks. I actually wear the cream knee socks over my jeans or trousers so they can still show (they're super heavy Scottish things so the texture goes fine with denim). Unfortunately I don't have any pics to illustrate. :/

    >>And the minute you take away the skin you get So. Much. DARK. I could easily wear all ink or black with legs and arms showing. Or even just legs. Or just arms.

    What about layering tops, either a lighter cardigan over a darker inner layer, or a lighter long sleeve top under a darker one? Might not work for your style, just the first thing that occurred to me when I saw that.  Of course, that won't help with your goal of bringing more light colours to the bottom. Do you have any patterned skirts/trousers that have light shades in them? Or maybe try wearing your white belt? It'll naturally tie in with your hair so you don't have to worry about it being the lightest thing in an outfit. I think getting light wash jeans will be an excellent solution for you; I hope you can find them. 

  • Angie replied 10 years ago

    Three items:

    • White Jeans (and I live in gross wet Winter weather)
    • Faded Blue Jeans (you touched on this already)
    • Light Wool Trousers

    You can wear all three with dark booties. I have been doing that this season. 

    Tall light boots (a great idea) - easy to find in casual styles - impossible in dressy styles unless you can wear 4 inch heels. A true HEWI. 

    I think I may have found some blush wool trousers. They don't have belt loops though so that's what I am hesitating. 

  • E replied 10 years ago

    Oh I just came across these boots: 
    http://www.zappos.com/miz-mooz-femme-grey
    http://www.zappos.com/miz-mooz-caddy-khaki
    http://www.zappos.com/miz-mooz-pauline-khaki
    http://www.zappos.com/miz-mooz-foster-khaki
    http://www.zappos.com/miz-mooz-salome-khaki
    http://www.zappos.com/miz-mooz-fiji-grey
    http://www.zappos.com/miz-mooz-lissie-grey
    http://www.zappos.com/miz-mooz-nicole-taupe
    http://www.zappos.com/miz-mooz-foster-khaki

    And now I covet these: 
    http://www.zappos.com/miz-mooz-bloom-stone

    Ok, going to shut down the computer for a bit. But I just wanted to say that your outfits are always stunning, even when they're mainly dark. :)

  • Suz replied 10 years ago

    That's just it, Angie. The boots are easy if you want super casual and rugged. Which is not my thing. And I cannot do the 4 inch heels. So...the struggle continues. 

    White jeans, I have. 
    Faded jeans -- on the list. 
    Light wool trousers -- on the list. Maybe I will ebay a pair of light grey....hmmm. 

    E - you hit on a great idea with a pattern on the bottom that includes light. I had a skirt a few years back -- I wore it constantly. A pattern with blues, taupe, black, and winter white. LOVED it. Wore it out. I need to search for something similar. 

    Tex - I also really like your idea of a darker necklace to bookend. I rarely wear necklaces but something like this could be super useful. I am getting tired of always using scarves for this purpose. 

    Thank you all so much, and the hunt for the boots continues! 

  • Suz replied 10 years ago

    E--- those would all look fabulous on you. I want you to get a pair. And thank you for link hunting for me! They are all a bit detailed for my style and not..."strict" enough. Even the Nicole, which comes closest. And this is part of the problem. My colours don't go with my style. Weird situation! 

  • replied 10 years ago

    Suz, I don't know if this will help or not, but what about tweed? My hair isn't light, but it's not too dark, either. I like wearing tweeds (pants, jackets, skirts, coats) and "heathered" fabrics (knit tops, sweaters) to lighten things up a bit. Tweed is great for fall and winter.

  • replied 10 years ago

    I see, well I have seen lighter colored booties (Taupe, blush, off white) in leather but they were mucha moola. Check Acne and Rag and Bone... The rest... all suede, why?

  • replied 10 years ago

    And l saw some cole haans low heeled taupe light knee high boots last spring... Umm...

  • Diana replied 10 years ago

    What about some type of ombre pattern in the boots?  LIke these:
    http://miista.com/shop/kia-black-white/

    Obviously I do not have light hair, but I do have a pair of taupe boots that have a slightly ombre shading to them, so the toe is dark.  This works better for me because I have dark hair and totally light boots often look out of place.  The Miistas I linked above are similar, with darker toe and lighter top, but I wonder if the opposite exists?  NOt sure I have seen any though...

  • Lisa replied 10 years ago

    I have a pair of knee high boots in a camel/tan color and I sport them with darker jeans in winter.  I used to own a pair of light grey tall boots and also paired them with darker jeans.  The trick for me, was lighter colored scarves.  This way, even if the rest of the outfit is dark, the scarf ties in the lighter boot.  Yes, you do shorten the legline with the light against dark pairing on the bottom half of the body, but I don't mind because the lighter color scarf would draw the eyes up the the face anyway.  Of course, lighter jeans/trousers is a great idea, but I agree they are in shorter supply right now.  My desire for straight leg white jeans is on hold til spring collections.  And my tall boots (and I have a taupe mid calf pair) were both purchased in the spring.  I try to stock up on lighter colored footwear that I can sport in the cold months when spring styles come out.

  • Diana replied 10 years ago

    Ooh, what about these?  Too rugged?
    http://miista.com/shop/sandra-black-silver/

  • replied 10 years ago

    Suz, these were the Cole Haans.
    http://www.saksfifthavenue.com.....GLPRADS001

  • replied 10 years ago

    Would these pants work, Suz? I have them in the khaki sand color and in the java color; love the way they fit.

    http://www.coldwatercreek.com/.....7&

    Also, I don't know if these boots would work, but they are dressy and they aren't suede:

    http://www.zappos.com/nine-wes.....ey-leather

  • annagybe replied 10 years ago

    http://www.shopbop.com/short-b.....1&fm=

    http://www.shopbop.com/carlo-b.....38;fm=othe

    http://www.shopbop.com/point-t.....431&f

    http://www.shopbop.com/beatle-.....3437430211

    http://www.shopbop.com/scale-s.....4374302112

    http://www.shopbop.com/ring-fl.....1&

    http://www.shopbop.com/lace-ra.....2&

    http://www.shopbop.com/origina.....3743021124

    I looked at Shopbop because I know they ship to Canada, plus I really think Nordies shoe buyers totally missed the mark this season.

    Size down 1/2 a size 
    https://totokaelo.com/store/pr.....a/nocciola

  • sarah replied 10 years ago

    Ah, Suz, a question near and dear to my heart. My strategies so far this winter have been:

    1) wear black booties with black blazer or sweater or sweater with black pattern up top and avoid the issue altogether. (Zap's solution)

    2) wear non-black bottoms with my putty Petty's or grey booties and just not worry about the leg-shortening thing. I've recently purchased ink blue trousers and brown/black tweed trousers from AT, and I have some lighter plaid trousers from last year's NAS that have been working well with these booties. I also have wine-colored trousers from Express from last year that I feel fine about wearing with my lighter colored booties. I think that wearing lighter colored booties with non-black trousers is much less jarring/leg-shortening than wearing them with black trousers, which I don't do.

    I will not wear white jeans from now on - I know Angie thinks they are OK in winter, but slopping through salty black slushy street snow is simply incompatible with white jeans. It's completely different living in a climate like ours (see I can be as stubborn in my opinions as she can ; )  ).

  • replied 10 years ago

    It's too bad the Setasides didn't work because I think they come in a light colour.

  • sarah replied 10 years ago

    Angie: in case you're reading this. I just took a pair of trousers to the tailor to have belt loops put in. She said she does this all the time, and even if they don't have an exact match for material, she can often "steal" it from the hem or the waistband (and replace those with something else). I was so excited that I'm going to take her two more pairs of belt-loop-less trousers to add belt loops to.

  • Suz replied 10 years ago

    You guys are great. 

    Sarah - fab solution for Angie's issue! And thank you for your ideas. I tend to agree with you about the white jeans. I'm still wearing mine (we are without snow) but once the snow falls I don't really wear them anymore until it's gone. Alas...

    I obviously should have searched for non black non dark jeans/ trousers last year. Finding them this year is really difficult! 

    Anna, I LOVE the Dieppo Riestros. Gorgeous. Hmmm. I also love some of the SHopbop offerings and seeing the silver ones reminds me that Zara has silver beatle style boots similar to the ones I got in ink. I might try that route since the ink boots worked out okay for me. 

    Ruth, I am sized out on the pants at Coldwater creek, plus I think the rise is a bit high for me. Alas. They otherwise look as if they would work! The boots are a bit too dressy, I think -- ironic, isn't it? I have to be careful about narrow heels in my town. (That is why my Donald Pliners don't get worn much.) Yet I don't want super casual. I guess if we are fussy no wonder it is difficult to find stuff. ;) 

    Zap, those Cole Haans are beautiful. Maybe still too dark. Knee highs I absolutely need to try on because with my short legs they are often too tall. Which was the problem with the Weitzman Setasides, as Ceit notes. 

    Diana, those are a bit on the rugged side for me, yes...I can see them on you, though! ;) 

    And Ruth - tweed or pattern for bottoms is a really good idea. And I am on the hunt for it. 

    Thanks so much again, everyone. It helps to get your suggestions because even if they won't work for me, I get to figure out WHY and that helps me refine my style. Which might put me farther from my immediate goal but gets me further in the long run! 

  • MsMary replied 10 years ago

    Ah.  I get it now.

    I love my light gray trousers and my small black-and-white houndstooth trousers that read as gray.

  • Caro in Oz replied 10 years ago

    Sympathies Suz. I know this sounds daft & maybe not urchin enough but my silver leather booties worked brilliantly with my inks, blacks & navy :)

  • Deborah replied 10 years ago

    Suz, interesting discussion. Sometimes I do want to lighten up my winter outfits and do the bookending thing with my hair:). I have posted some pics of footwear that I felt worked well for this purpose.

    #1 wedge sneakers, black with the white soles provided a subtle bookending.

    #2 taupe suede boots work great with black and also with medium wash jeans creating a lower contrast and not stumpifying my legs.

    #3 black and white animal print, like the sneaks, subtle bookending.

    #4 black and white oxfords.

    #5 white booties! I loved wearing these with skinny black jeans and oversized black topper. Nice and clean and simple and the high contrast looked great. Very distinct bookending.

    What I notice is that for winter footwear that is black AND white would be my go to for bookending.

  • Suz replied 10 years ago

    Not daft at all, Caro. I admired yours tremendously and I have just put these in my shopping cart.  

  • Suz replied 10 years ago

    Mary - meant to say -- YES -- I would like some light grey or houndstooth pants or trousers. Or jeans. Or whatever! Jeans would be best, actually, because washable. 

    Deborah, your taupe boots are the ones I am dreaming of!  In fact, your outfits with those are some of the ones I have in mind in forming this ideal. If only I could find similar here! It's a bear to find reasonably dressy but not too dressy wearable taupe. I don't know why. 

    I love your other choices, too, and you are right - perhaps more than one colour in the boot helps to make it work. Hmmm. Good point. 

  • Caro in Oz replied 10 years ago

    Love those Suz - but you probably knew that :) 

  • DonnaF replied 10 years ago

    Is caramel/tan too warm for you?  Seems like that might open more leather options than taupe, but again hard to find in a non-rugged boot. 

    As to bottoms:  Do you wear corduroy?  I think J Crew always carries a multitude of colors in winter, but I've never tried them so can't comment re cut, sizing, etc.

  • Suz replied 10 years ago

    Thanks, Donna. I have a slight prejudice against corduroy. Which seriously limits my options, I know. Cords always, always bag out on me in a bad way and end up feeling frumpy. But I'm open to persuasion by the right pair -- they definitely offer the cozy factor. 

    And caramel/ tan is *okay* in footwear and I don't rule that out when I am looking. It's just...you're right. These tones tend much more to be done in rugged casual footwear. 

  • Carole replied 10 years ago

    If you are thinking boots, I can highly recommend the comfort and style of these http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/na.....ot/3289545. They are on deep discount at 6pm shoes, also. The heel is a smidge high for me or I would have them in my closet but they are super comfortable and easily go with skirts pants etc.

  • Carole replied 10 years ago

    Oops, I think I linked to a red pair but they come in grey!

  • Suz replied 10 years ago

    Carole - thank you! Sveta and Ceit each have those boots in a different colour. Hmm. I might have to check them out. Thanks again! 

  • JAileen replied 10 years ago

    I bought these slate Frye oxfords last year thinking they were black. It turns out they were grey. I was kind of mad, but since then I've gone grey myself. They are really comfortable. In fact the first time I wore them was for a dancing class! I'm thinking of buying them in another color.

  • Angie replied 10 years ago

    I thought you were looking for tall taupe dressy boots, Suz? Taupe booties - casual and dressy - are easy to find at the moment. 

    The tall taupe booties Zap linked to are beautiful - but still casual. Unless that level of casual is okay. 

    Thanks for the info, Sarah. 

    Suz, I was in the Loft today and they have rails of taupe jeans. 

  • replied 10 years ago

    Umm, I see. Like Angie, I though you were looking for tall boots. Booties, thay should be much easier to find. I am afraid I got "nothin' else for ya" but I have seen the Cole Haans in person. They are gorgeous and the suede part is elastic. They fit a range of calf sizes. I'm sure you'll get all sorted, as Angie would say.

  • Aida replied 10 years ago

    An interesting question with great responses! The things that popped into my head (some repeats here):

    - printed pants that include light color(s)
    - taupe, cream, or gray wool trousers
    - tall light boots (something flat or baby wedge so there's more urchin-ness)
    - create light colored vertical lines (e.g. with long light colored/printed scarves)
    - a light colored coat
    - darker shoes with light soles
    - hats (either light or dark, depending on what the outfit needs)
    - head-to-toe light to dark gradient (or the inverse)

    Also, you will always be showing some skin, your face :)

    I don't know if you remember but I've got a bit of a personal vendetta against wearing All Black All The Time in the winter. Often I throw bookending out the window entirely, however with very fair skin and very dark hair I can kind of cheat because I always have at least a little light and a little dark in any outfit. I think for incorporating lightness for you it's going to be more a question of OVERALL balance, rather than simple verticality. So it will be more a matter of including enough light elements in an outfit when the footwear is light; or dark if dark. Any way of achieving this while drawing the eye UP vertically is going to help with lengthening, of course.

    A few pins for ideas (these would need Suz-ing up, of course!):
    - Mostly dark with light shoes and a light printed scarf.
    - Gray and black with a light top, dark hose, and light shoes.
    - A single black element, and another one of Angie.
    - The reverse, a single white element.
    - Light shades all around.
    - All dark with a POP of light shoes.
    - Head-to-toe light-to-dark gradient.

  • Gaylene replied 10 years ago

    I think Aida is spot on with her ideas about balancing light and dark in an outfit. Angie also suggested a series of ways to repeat colour/bookend in this post:
    http://youlookfab.com/2013/10/.....ookending/

    If finding the right footwear, or pair of bottoms, proves too difficult right now, why not consider using a light-coloured bag to bookend a dark coat/pants/boots outfit? LIght-coloured accessories are usually much easier to find than the perfect pair of boots. And, to Aida's point about overall light and dark balancing, even wearing a pant, or legging, in a mid-gray tone with a dark colored jacket and boots could still give the illusion of bookending and lightness.

  • deb replied 10 years ago

    I pinned these this morning after I read your thread. Are the too dark for you?

    http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/ni.....rt&co

  • Gigi replied 10 years ago

    Suz, I'm dark haired but I share the same frustrations as you in trying to "lighten up" the fall and winter wardrobe. I love darks in winter, but I feel like I am wearing *too much* dark! I too have been looking for taupe-colored pants and can't find anything. And I'm sick to death of black boots but can't find much brown (I'm like you and extremely difficult to fit in a boot). And I'm not a big fan of suede boots either, and as another poster pointed out, the lighter-colored boots tend to be suede. 

    I too have a prejudice against corduroy, but when I went to Gap the other day, I started changing my mind. The SA had on a pair of Gap cords that were an extremely fine corduroy--they looked like velvet. I had to take a close look to see that they were actually corduroy, because I couldn't believe it. So you might want to check out some cords just to verify that you really don't want this look. (I will say that the Gap cords were quite thin, though, so if you're looking for warmth, I wouldn't recommend. And it was only one line of their cords that was like that; the other lines were not so fine.)

    As far as the boots go, I wonder if you waited one more year if you could find something. Lower heels are coming back in, and maybe next year there will be something more wearable. I was at White House Black Market today, and I heard the SA saying to someone, "Yes, we have lower heels now," so hopefully that trend will take off.

    I wish I had more constructive suggestions for you! I guess all I can say is that I am sorry you are having such a difficult time. It's frustrating.

  • replied 10 years ago

    Hi Suz, so I haven't read all the responses but what about more mid browns and grays instead of super light tans and whites. I have similar coloring as you, natural mid to light blonde hair, blue eyes, fair skin. I had never heard of bookending until I joined this forum. I like to pair my cognac colored booties with dark and black jeans. I never really understood why this seemed to work but maybe it is because the color of the booties is very close to the darkest color in my hair. All dark is very harsh on me too, just stepping it back a bit with shoes that are a mid tone really helps.

    PS. Your style is so impeccable, I am sure you will find something that looks stunning.

  • Sveta replied 10 years ago

    I have dark hair but I have plenty of light footwear and bottoms for winter;
    - taupe Editors (unfortunately for dry fall and spring days only before snow comes because they are wide legs);
    - taupe micro-check slouchy trousers
    - cream trousers
    -now also plaid Martins - they are on the  light side too!

    I actually struggle to have more dark bottoms but this year I have added black straight leg trousers and black ponte skinnies to my old black cigarette pants so I am all set for that!

    I felt so rebellious wearing my winter white trousers last winter, it felt pretty good to defy the norm! :-)

    BR has grey jeans and cream jeans and these micro check grey trousers (they are gone in your size but may come back). You can always taper them to straight legs, it is a very simple alteration.

    Express Columnist has some selection of lighter pants too. They are in Canada now but even if shipping from US it is fast and not too expensive. This is the style which Angie wears so it should work for you too. Check them out when you are next time in Toronto!

  • Transcona Shannon replied 10 years ago

    I obviously don't need to worry about light book ending but I have found this post and the responses positively fascinating. FWIW I think Aida has some fantastic info here.

  • Suz replied 10 years ago

    Thank you all so much. Some great ideas and thoughts here. 

    Thank you, Marin. And yes, I think you are right that I can use some mid-tones to bookend -- they don't have to be super light. So I will definitely consider a mid grey or mid taupe. For pants as well as footwear. 

    Gigi, I think I saw the cords you mean. I might try them. Thank you. 

    Deb, alas -- those boots would be too tall and too wide in the shaft for me. I am really hard to fit in tall boots. 

    Gaylene, thank you; I thought of Angie's great post. I do have a light taupe bag that I can use to bring some harmony in. But I find it doesn't work all that well on its own, i.e. without other taupe or at least lighter elements in the outfit. Or at least it doesn't work when I try to combine colours. It's good with all black or all navy -- that works. Excellent with those and my darker taupe leather jacket. Not so good when I try to wear denim and a coloured top. Plus...my bag isn't always with me. I am in search of a wide taupe belt which could do the trick. 

    Aida, thank you for those suggestions and the inspirational pins. 

    "Often I throw bookending out the window entirely, however with very fair skin and very dark hair I can kind of cheat because I always have at least a little light and a little dark in any outfit. I think for incorporating lightness for you it's going to be more a question of OVERALL balance, rather than simple verticality."

    This is the issue, exactly. Aiming to find that balance, still....

     
    Angie, Zap - I'm actually looking for both. I think the tall boots will be a HEWI and that is okay. For now I would settle for some booties -- not super dressy, not super casual -- the kind I can wear in my daily life. Not rugged. Not "urchin" (not sure how that word crept in, but it's not part of my style description.) Refined and simple. Low heeled but not completely flat -- that doesn't work for me. 

  • Tanya replied 10 years ago

    Suz, this is a fascinating thread,  and I have been reading it with great interest. I have  extremely similar coloring to you so all this would apply to me as well.  My brain is pretty fuzzy these days so i can not offer any useful advice but I have spied a few potentially interesting items for you:

    1. These boots!!! I am in love, but they are oh-so-pricey.  The look more light grey on my screen, but the description says taupe.  Check out their measurements:
    http://www.saksfifthavenue.com.....38;PRODUCT

    2.These jeans ( I believe Angie has them in white).. they look more grey on this site but more taupe on the other:
    http://www.agjeans.com/the-sat.....;utm_campa
    http://www.zappos.com/ag-adria.....cigarette-pant-sateen-gosling


    3.These are more caramel, but they look like a cool, rosy caramel to me if that is not an oxymoron.  I have them on order and they should arrive tomorrow:
    http://www.amazon.com/Habitual.....id=1385003

  • Jaime replied 10 years ago

    Oh the links on this thread are killing me! Nothing else to add since you are already in good hands!

  • Aida replied 10 years ago

    (Oh Tanya, those caramel jeans look awesome! I'd love to hear how you like them and the sizing runs, I've been wanting camel jeans forever now.)

  • Suz replied 10 years ago

    Oh, Tanya. You NEED those boots! Those are gorgeous and wow, what a beautiful elegant wedge style. I think we both should have a pair. Hmm. I might have to stalk them. They might be a bit too narrow in the shaft for me -- my calf is about 13.5...but it depends on how much give the leather has. The shaft height would be ideal. And what a great combination. Elegant, textural, yet super comfortable with a wedge. Probably worth every penny. I would love to try them on. 

    I adore the AG jeans, too. Those look wonderful. I think I am going to go on a hunt for them. The colour (actually, several of the colours shown) would be just right. 

    And now I'm off to chase down the Amazon link. Rosy beige is good! 

    Thank you! It is so sweet of you to stop in when I know your poor brain must be exhausted and you have much more important things to be thinking about. 

  • Tanya replied 10 years ago

    Oh, I could never afford those boots Suz, not in a million years. Especially now that I am super broke with all the medical bills. I would need to rob a bank or something.  ( and my calves are 12.5").  In my experience, calf circumferences are always a little bigger than stated for very narrow boots.

    You know, at this point, I do not want to think and worry about those more important things.  I need a distraction, and fashion/YLF looks like a perfect one.

    Here are the AG jeans in another potential color:
    http://www.agjeans.com/store/p.....orid=10237

    (Aida, will report on those jeans tomorrow/over the weekend).

    More taupe options:
    http://www1.bloomingdales.com/.....inny-in-ta
    http://www1.bloomingdales.com/.....fur-mocha?
    http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DE.....n&cre

  • Tanya replied 10 years ago

    And just because I couldn't resist:

    Blush dressy pants:
    http://www.barneys.com/on/dema.....38;utm_sou

  • catgirl replied 10 years ago

    Suz, I haven't had time to read through this whole thread but I have been solving bookending issues with hats  I just bought a light one as I have the opposite issue from you. 

    Also, remember that bookending doesn't have to occur.  It was so brilliant and eye-opening when I first learned of the whole concept here, and still helps me with dressing every day - but sometimes it's not possible and that is okay too.

  • Lantana replied 10 years ago

    Fascinating thread Suz, thanks for asking the question. I'm settling down now with a pot of Lady Grey to follow the links.

  • CocoLion replied 10 years ago

    I hear you!  That's why I love my taupe wedge oxfords from DV (a few years old) and my grey Rag & Bone Newburys.  I have a variety of grey jeans in different shades, I'm on my last leg of acquiring quite a collection.  It's been hardest to find a lighter grey pair.  I think I found a pair from Elizabeth and James, but am not 100% sure yet.  Maybe I should post a k/r?  Anyway I've noticed a lot of grey jeans at retail and on the internet.  True it's harder, much harder to find a matching pair of grey ankle boots for the leg lengthening approach but that is what I have persevered with, almost successfully.  Now the only thing I'm missing is a pair of grey low heeled booties, I found a taupe pair and hung onto them for way too long but the color was ultimately warmer than what I wanted.  So I returned them.

    ETA -- I think you know what side I lean on, I go for leg lengthening over bookending.  Because I think you can bookend with other things than hair -- a bag, belt, jewelry.

  • Jeanie replied 10 years ago

    I am with you on your search as I am trying to shift away from black in general.  I recall a knitting book I borrowed last year which had patterns all done in winter whites and grays and taupes.  I think these colors mirror the snow and grey shadows we see in the winter.  The book had me longing to make more outfits with these colors.  However, finding the clothes and the boots has been a challenge!

  • replied 10 years ago

    (Just to say that my very well dressed friend swears by AG skinnies. The fabric is very soft and fit fantastic. They do not sag either. I think she bought those caramel ones, when she came to visit me. The caveat is that they are very short. I would say, they will be too short if you are 5.7 or taller)

  • AnnieMouse replied 10 years ago

    I haven't managed to make it through all the comments yet, but something that springs to mind that might work (I've done it in NYC in winter, which isn't QUITE the same, but it's the closest I have): double up on dance tights in nude for the flash of "skin" - they're heavier weight, and much more durable than standard tights (I've had good luck with these: http://www.discountdance.com/d.....=532544108).

    Alternatively, a heavy weight nude or white fishnet over a dark tight, to give that flash of lightness might be interesting and help lighten up. I've noticed you wear a lot of skirts with tights, so this is what immediately springs to mind. 

    (Sorry if these have already been suggested)

  • replied 10 years ago

    Just chiming in to say AG is my new "go to" brand of jean. I like the ones that are 98% cotton and only 2% strectch. I tried "The Stilt" model and they were a bit to wide in the legs for me, so they might be perfect for you. Good luck!

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