Skin sandwiches, statement vest, surprising winners, and column of navy for Joy

Phew, that's a long title! 

Mr. Suz had medical appointments in Vancouver and I went over with him. I was also supposed to present at the WritersFest but ended up coming home early due to sick child and sick cat. C'est la vie -- it's actually nice to be home for a few days since I have to go away next week as well. 

We had two dinners out, one with friends, which was a real treat for us. I decided to wear a skin sandwich both nights, along with my fab Rag & Bone statement vest (waving to Angie), and new Franco Sarto loafers. 

First night: 
Wide leg crops, BR
Vest: Rag & Bone
Denim shirt: J. Crew
Scarf: H&M 
Shoes: Franco Sarto

The next night was cooler so I layered with merino and slim wool blend pants instead, but it's essentially the same outfit. I carried my pewter bag. 

Pants: Kit and Ace
Sweater: Lord & Taylor

Nothing here is new except the shoes.

Last photo so you can see the pattern mix. I'm sorry for the dark photo conditions. I've tried and tried to no avail to fix this. 

So. My questions and observations: 

1. Is it a "skin sandwich" in Amy's definition of the term -- or not?  Regardless, does it work to your eye? To my eye, it does. For sure on the first night, balanced with the scrunched sleeves. But I pushed up my sleeves the second night, too. :) 

2. I love love love love love this vest. It's my favourite statement item. It was pricey for me even on sale and I rarely get to wear it (never during the pandemic) but oh, how I adore it. I need to make more occasions for it. Full stop. 

3. These loafers are working surprisingly well. Yes, I did develop a bit of blistering despite my body glide and prophylactic bandaids. But I've also managed with some no show socks in them and have walked a fair bit. I'm really enjoying the option of transitional shoes that are not sneakers! And navy! And shine! 

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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

  • Stagiaire Fash replied 1 year ago

    That first outfit is all sorts of adorable, but if a skin sandwich (I’m too lazy to look up the link myself) requires crops, I’m out. Also, it must be warmer there than here; no one here has that much skin showing. Then again, some people here wear black tights all summer long.

  • Suz replied 1 year ago

    Thanks, SF. A skin sandwich is a bad thing, in Amy's view. :) I'm not sure what I think myself. I think whatever works for the wearer works.

    It has been unseasonably warm here, yes. It was 20 degrees in the daytime the first day (much cooler at night). It's cooling down now, but still feels like early autumn, not winter. Our climate is probably a bit "softer" than yours since we are on the coast. 

  • Angie replied 1 year ago

    *waving back*

    KILLER looks - all of them! Our gilet is an incredible piece. It looks perfect every season. Beautiful design and cut. Well worth the splurge!

    Suz, your skin sandwich is awesome and works beautifully. Especially loving #3 and #4. That top is so pretty! And the pattern mix is fun :)

    The denim shirt is fabulous too!

    I'll be back...

  • CarolS replied 1 year ago

    Not a skin sandwich when the ankle shows!  And you look FAB!

  • Angie replied 1 year ago

    The way I understand it, Amy Smilovic has a dislike for certain hem length and width combinations. She likes some amount of skin showing between the footwear and hem, but only with a certain type of hem width - or shoe. Or no skin showing at all. Or you need to wear socks to cover up some skin. It's not entirely clear to me....

    If her guidelines work for you - use them! If they don't appeal to you - ignore them! It's that easy :)

  • CarolS replied 1 year ago

    It seems to be the little sliver that shows between the top of a short bootie and the hem of a pant or skirt. 

    Like Angie, Amy also says if it doesn't bother you, don't worry about it... But if you've been feeling 'off' when wearing that proportion, the "skin sandwich" might explain it.

  • Suz replied 1 year ago

    Angie, I'm as confused as you are! I looked at the little video Sal mentioned and I am almost as confused as I was the first time. But as I understand it...according to Amy  -- 

       a narrow straight horizontal band of skin between footwear and bottoms is unpleasing...

    especially 

       if the bottoms in question are snug vs. loose. 

    On the other hand, she also acknowledges that if it's not a problem for you, it's not a problem! :) 

    If Carol S. is right and when the ankle shows it's not a skin sandwich, well, then, I guess I'm okay with that.   :) 

    Anyway. It's all interesting to ponder. Personally, I am not a fan of the slides with socks that she favours because the practical side of me rears up and gets all agitated about seasonal confusion, wet and cold feet, sloppy feelings, my own dislike of socks, period, etc. etc. 

    I do like those "Brancusi" jeans she shows, though! And agree they can work with a tight shaft bootie. 

  • Mirjana replied 1 year ago

    Suz, you look adorable like usual. I really love your style. You remembered me for my black vest which I haven't worn for a long time. That loafers are so beautiful, I like them.

  • LJP replied 1 year ago

    Oh give me those Brancusi jeans pls !! But the price !

    Anyways , your skin sandwich works here because we forearms and neck / chest . Why do I feel like I’m writing for a serial killer show ? Anyways, if the ankle was the only bit of exposure , I agree that it would be unbalanced . That vest was the beat purchase ever , I agree . You wear it so well .

  • kkards replied 1 year ago

    You had me at navy. Love them all

  • Irina replied 1 year ago

    That vest is fantastic. Love seeing it on you and Angie. 

    The whole outfit is fabulous, the shades of navy, juxtaposition between casual and structured. 
    I don’t really care about a skin sandwich or whatever it is. We all have our sweet spot when it comes to proportions in an outfit. 
    In any case, everything works beautifully here!

  • Dee replied 1 year ago

    You’ve nailed it again in navy Suz,  love that gilet. I don’t get the skin sandwich thingy myself and with colder temps coming soon, I guess it wont be much of a concern for me lol.

  • cat2 replied 1 year ago

    In addition to not giving a hoot about skin sandwiches, I can only imagine the reaction if I showed up with socks in my pumps or slides with socks! The column of blue is fun.

  • Cardiff girl replied 1 year ago

    Great looks as usual.l ve been considering loafers as an alternative to trainers and l am very tempted given how cool they look on you.

  • Nadya replied 1 year ago

    Love these and you look so happy to be wearing your favorite piece! You and Angie have convinced me I need to unearth the gilet I haven’t worn since the pandemic started either. Maybe I’ll. Try mine with jeans to dress it down a bit for my tech lifestyle ;).

  • Indigoprint replied 1 year ago

    I think you look FAB. I cannot comment on skin sandwhich cuz I do not Insta. And when I googled "skin sandwhich" X rated info popped up.
    Love your vest, I'll bet if you make it a challenge you will use it alot.
    Love the shoes, I have been looking for a similar style for the same transitional purpose so thank you for the objective input.

  • Indigoprint replied 1 year ago

    Oops hit submit twice.

  • rachylou replied 1 year ago

    Rockin’ it!

    I think not a skin sandwich. I think the skin sandwich is like the lunch you make yourself as a child - one slice of baloney between bread. A thin, sad sort of sandwich. You’ve got several inches of leg showing there, which offers structure.

  • Jaime replied 1 year ago

    Not a skin sandwich according to my new understanding (via Sal's thread) and not a problem by any definition. You look fab - actually my only concern about this outfit is cold ankles :) . Yes to bringing out statement vest more often! Yes to enjoying chunky loafers! Hope DD and DCat are feeling better!

  • Suz replied 1 year ago

    Thanks, all. Surprisingly, it was still too warm for cold ankles, but I admit there is a narrow window for a wool outer garment and bare ankles and arms! September/ October (and maybe, in a good year?) April/ May in my climate. 

    I think you're right about the skin sandwich, Jaime and Rachy  -- it's not really a skin sandwich if a fair amount of skin is showing. The baloney sandwich analogy is hilarious and on point! 

    Dchild has Covid.  :(.  Just before their booster shot, too! Oh well. Dcat has who knows what. Old age. 

  • replied 1 year ago

    I'm on team not giving a hoot about skin sandwiches and team no Insta :) To me, fashion rules need to be personal and for the point of making it easier to dress and manage your wardrobe.

    These look great to me! Love the long vest and scarf!

  • Minaminu replied 1 year ago

    I think you look great, love the navy shoes!

    Hope child and cat have quickly recovered :)

  • Janet replied 1 year ago

    I think the point of the SS is that it looks like a mistake? Like your pants are just a little too short, almost. The sliver of skin can come off this way, or at least I have felt this in the past without any name being put to it, perhaps out of a lifetime of trying to avoid or mitigate too-short hems with dark socks filling in the gap. :-D

    So, I don’t see that here at all! You’ve got a definite crop style paired thoughtfully with a nice substantial loafer, showing your ankles and a few inches of skin. It looks deliberate and season-appropriate.

    In short, YLF! I continue to love that gilet, and I smile when I see that scarf print. I finally surrendered my tops with that print, and maybe I should have tried making a scarf from them!

  • Helena replied 1 year ago

    Indigoprint your comment lol!!!

    I'm also on team who cares about skin sandwiches lol ... Although I wonder if this is why DD has taken to commenting when my socks aren't visible above my booties *ponders*.

    Suz you look fantastic as you always do. I completely understand what you mean about that unicorn weather where both a bare ankle and a jacket makes perfect sense ... Enjoy it while it lasts!

  • ChristelJ replied 1 year ago

    Another lovely example of how you always get proportions just right for you. Interesting and flattering layers with just the right amounts of skin showing. You are an artist!

  • Runcarla replied 1 year ago

    This is a lovely outfit, Suz.  Navy is so good here!  


    Frankly, I’m finding the tone of some of these Instagram folks a bit mean and terms like ‘chill’ an affectation.  I understand that there can be some instruction and interesting points regarding what is a ‘hot’ trend - but prefer diversity of people, shapes, sizes, and fashion expression.  I also prefer fashion advice that is delivered in a gentler voice.

  • SarahD8 replied 1 year ago

    Super cool looks both, Suz. I especially like the gilet with the casual denim shirt -- not a combination that would have occurred to me but it's wonderful!

    I hope that my current search for pieces with ~drama~ will eventually yield a few items that are as enduringly satisfying (and useful!) as your gilet. Definitely something to aspire to.

    I agree with others that the skin you show here is not the undesirable skin sandwich that Amy S. describes. Your definition of the concept in your follow up post chimes with my understanding and I know I am biased because of my (our) profession but I think the concept would maybe be more effective if she would just... explain it in straightforward words?? Haha I am a bit cranky at the moment I admit.

  • Sally replied 1 year ago

    I like it and think the cropped pants look great with the loafers. I thought a skin sandwich was a slice of skin when you fold your skinny jeans up and then you wear booties. I like to cuff my pants with my boots so when I sit down you can see some leg. Maybe that is a skin sandwich

  • lyn67 replied 1 year ago

    This is NOT! I  think yousr legs how more than a "skin sandwich" rather a bit of well needed  "structure"-at least  in my head- but couldn't make up 100% what she is really saying and why exactly, that insta was too succinct for me....and I won't take an aspirin when not having a headache!:-)

  • RobinF replied 1 year ago

    Love this outfit! The shoes and vest are fabulous together. 

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