Minimally maximal

Last week it was still so unbelievably warm. I had a long day of walking so wanted to wear the sneakers and this was my minimally maximal outfit. 

The only maximalism, really, is the pattern mix. :)  I wanted to wear my culottes but had a laundry bottleneck. 

On CrazyOne's recommendation I picked up this J. Crew perfect shirt. It's not, in fact, "perfect" for me as it is for her. In my regular size the shoulders just barely fit, and while the bust darts are in the right place and miraculously, I fill things out there, there's still a bit of extra fabric in front and back -- in other words, this shirt is *perfect* for a curvier, less elliptical figure than mine. But I adore the colours, the soft cotton makes it collapse into the body in a forgiving way, and the price was right. JPE (just perfect enough).  ;) 

The sweater is part of a LE twinset I gave to my mother a few years ago and kept after she died. Sentimental. 

Sorry the light is poor here. I need to set up the DSLR -- I'm having some problems with pics on the iphone. 

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31 Comments

  • Tanya replied 7 years ago

    What a lovely tribute to your Mom, Suz.  I love the colors and pattern on your new shirt, too; and the pattern mix is great.

  • Beth Ann replied 7 years ago

    Great way to make maximal casual!  I love the print of the shirt, and pairing it with your mother's cardi is lots of fun.

    (And I'm relieved someone else has laundry bottlenecks).

  • Jenn replied 7 years ago

    I do think the pattern mix gives your outfit a maximal feel, and I love the sneakers. Your hair is looking great, too!

    I kept several of my mom's things after she died, too. It's a complicated feeling, wearing them, but I'm glad to have them.

  • texstyle replied 7 years ago

    Looks great - love the colors here and the shirt looks perfect even if it doesn't fit quite perfect.

  • replied 7 years ago

    I think it is so wonderful that you can remember your mother in this way. The colors/prints harmonize nicely!

  • replied 7 years ago

    Nice job!

  • crazyone replied 7 years ago

    the pattern mixing absolutely makes this outfit maximal!  What a wonderful tribute to your mother.

    I'm glad you like the perfect shirt, though I'm sorry the shirt doesn't fit you as well as the name implies. I am surprised that it was tight in the shoulders--I think of us as being similarly "shouldered", but I am a lot more hippy so the extra material at the bottom was welcome--and a good change from the straight cut button downs which can pull at the hips (I usually have to undo the bottom button to get around this).

  • Angie replied 7 years ago

    I adore the pattern mix. Fabulous, and very nicely done, Suz. 

  • Inge replied 7 years ago

    I think this is delightfully maximal because of the addition of your Mum's beautiful cardigan, Suz. Love the mix of the floral and fern prints! And the colours work together beautifully too.

  • UmmLila (Lisa) replied 7 years ago

    This is such a great print mix.

  • Mirjana replied 7 years ago

    Maximal, maximal good look Suz, I adore your shirt and cardigan, beautiful pattern mix, you really look great.

  • Sara L. replied 7 years ago

    Nice!  I really like the sneakers and frayed hem jeans with the button down shirt and cardigan.  A pulled together casual look.

  • replied 7 years ago

    Oh, this is lovely Suz! I think the pattern mixing works really well. What great casual outfit.

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 7 years ago

    This is a maximal pattern mix in my book, and the white sneakers amp up the look, too, with high contrast. You look adorable and current! I wonder about adding some pearls for more max?

  • Cerinda replied 7 years ago

    Check out that scale!  Maximal mixing for sure!  Love it on you. Hoping some of your bravery rubs off on me.

  • Suz replied 7 years ago

    Sharan, pearls would be pretty but a bit too much for me, I fear. Although I'm on the hunt for some for wearing on other occasions. I just can't see myself going to class in them. 

  • Chris987 replied 7 years ago

    Such gorgeous pattern mixing! Really nice. Somehow the combination of the two patterns looks more cohesive (or something like that) than either one would be alone.

  • Karie replied 7 years ago

    Looks great! Perfect pattern mixing.

  • Suz replied 7 years ago

    Thanks, all. And Chris, that's a good point. I think it's because the white of the sweater echoes the footwear and then there are pinks and purply tones in the sweater as well, plus a similar sort of swirly shape -- so it ties things together. I agree it is surprisingly cohesive. I think that is what those of us who fear maximalism are really after in this type of look. A contained busyiness. 

  • Helena replied 7 years ago

    Lovely!!

  • Jaime replied 7 years ago

    Well the top might not be a perfect fit but it looks fantastic. Hair is looking wonderful too!

  • lyn67 replied 7 years ago

    Shirt looks perfect and love the pattern mix here as they are  different scale and  the background of that beautiful cardigan lightens up the outfit to bookend  the sneakers& edgy hair! I know what you mean pearls to be too maximal, I too cannot let myself wearing  my older  strands  again for a matter. Maybe our eyes have to adjust more or we need some new strands instead:-).

  • replied 7 years ago

    Your new shirt is great. I love the colours and print.
    I prefer the shirt without the cardigan but the maximal look Is more fun :-)

  • RobinF replied 7 years ago

     I like this maximal look. The cardigan seems really updated when worn this way and is a fun way to remember your mom.

  • TraceyLiz65 replied 7 years ago

    Love the pattern mixing and the sweater is a wonderful way to feel your mom around you. 

  • lady replied 7 years ago

    This is a great pattern mix. You carry it well.
    It is sweet to be able to wear sentimental items; it adds special meaning to those outfits. Something that makes you smile whenever you look down and see it. :)

  • catgirl replied 7 years ago

    Well, that's another Indian looking print! This is fabulous and I see no fit issues. Maybe I could wear the burgundy boots with the hot pink top. Such a good color combo!

  • Eliza replied 7 years ago

    "A contained busyness"- somehow I think that describes more than your outfit, Suz. Lovely pattern mixing and it is indeed a cohesive look, which makes it less overwhelming than many maximal looks would be. Great outfit and how nice that you can enjoy your mother's sweater. 

  • Emily K replied 7 years ago

    Pretty pattern mixing!  And I really like the sneaks with this outfit.

  • rachylou replied 7 years ago

    OMG! LOVE!

  • rachylou replied 7 years ago

    Ok ok. I'm back amd calmer. The reversal light over dark is soo intelligent!

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