WIW: All the neutrals - summer version

We're on our way to the city today and will be taking my mother out for supper before heading up north to get my daughter from camp tomorrow. That will be a very different outfit. ;) 

It's unexpectedly cool again and it seemed like a perfect time to try a summer version of Angie's formula. I started with the Okalas, which include brown, black, and off-white, and went from there. 

Pony hair Okalas.
GAP linen trousers in grey. 
J. Crew NAVY tee (it may look black but it is not)
Cognac belt from consignment.
Danier black and bone bag. 

Toppers: My options here are quite limited -- it's too warm for a blazer and in truth I wouldn't want a topper at all except for air conditioning. But here are some options. Which works best? 

Lands End Mariner sweater (stripe is ink). 
Blue denim. (The Bay -- ancient) 
White denim. (Old Navy kids' department)

I think proportions are off with denim jackets but it looks more strange in photos than IRL where you could see that the jacket did not end exactly at my belt line and tops are semi tucked to drape a bit. I must be standing weird here. 

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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.

40 Comments

  • jackiec replied 9 years ago

    Great rendition of Angie's formula today! You look very country-club chic :) I also prefer the sweater-over-the shoulders version to the denim. I don't mind the blue denim but something seems off with the white. I do LOVE the brown belt paired with the grey & blue. Angie is brilliant!!

  • Gracie replied 9 years ago

    Oh, I love 1 the most - more impact from the contrast, I think, and the added specs are the perfect finish to all looks. You look fantastic – I hope you have a great day in the city with your Mom.

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 9 years ago

    Wow, great job with the neutrals, Suz! I like both versions a lot. The proportions seem fine to me, too.

  • Tanya replied 9 years ago

    Great take on the formula Suz, the Okalas really make the outfit. I like the first outfit the best. The denim jackets are a great idea, but they look a tad short to me.

  • texstyle replied 9 years ago

    #1 is perfect Suz - great rendition of the dark neutrals them with a light neutral added.

  • Angie replied 9 years ago

    Elegant, On Trend and Radiant. Modern take on Classic Euro style. Have a lovely lunch with Mama. 

    I vote Killer x3. #2 is my favourite. xo

  • Transcona Shannon replied 9 years ago

    Gorgeous Suz. You have curated such a brilliant closet when you can read Angie's ensemble post and voila! - recreate it from what you already have.

  • E replied 9 years ago

    Look at you! So sharp! I think either 1 or 2 works beautifully depending on if you want to skew more conservative or casual. The white in 3 seems to overpower the other pieces a bit to my eye, but I know you enjoy high contrast looks, and it doesn't overpower you, so that one works too. And those are linen light grey trousers?! Ohhhh...I might have to visit Gap myself.

  • Beth replied 9 years ago

    Oh yes! This is a wonderful look! I really like the mix of stripes with the pattern of the Okalas, but #3 is my favorite. The white denim jacket provides a summery pop and recalls the white/cream in your shoes and bag. 

  • columbine(erin) replied 9 years ago

    I like your sophisticated take. I think the proportions are good.

  • Suz replied 9 years ago

    Thank you all! Very interesting that opinions vary on which topper! I guess that is actually a really good thing. 

    Well, it is now warming up so much that I might have to rethink the outfit a bit before we leave, LOL. 

    Oh well. It was fun to play with this and maybe I can come up with a slightly cooler option. Off to see if I can. 

  • Beth Ann replied 9 years ago

    How do you do this?  You manage to execute Angie's formulas on the very same day?  I'm still in lounge wear!

    Love them all, but the classic #1 is my favorite.  Something about the preppy energy in the stripes offsetting the Okala print.

  • Phatgranny replied 9 years ago

    Love this.  I prefer the sweater-over-the-shoulder look, especially with the Okalas.  Very chic.  Have fun today!

  • karymk replied 9 years ago

    Suz you've soooo got it! It's the shoes that are magical; they give you a perfect jumping off point.  I was just about to dump my white denim jacket but hold on--I need to keep it and WORK it.

    If you were going to take these looks down a notch by wearing a flat, what would you choose? Cognac or black sandals? White tennies? black d'orsays?

    I would totally be the mom that showed up in one of these ensembles for camp pickup!

  • Sveta replied 9 years ago

    Love it and going to copycat soon!
    Visually I like the version with the breton tee but it may not be the most convinient topper to put on and take off in a hurry. #2 would be the next preference.

  • replied 9 years ago

    I'm not sure I can pick a favourite either.  I have those trousers in the white linen - snagged them at the Gap at full price and without even trying them on (typical ) but when cuffed linen pants come around, i jump. I finally had to stop wearing them to wash them, that's how much I love them.   Love that neutral mix - it really works easily , doesn't it?  Have a nice day in the city - and I'd also be the one at camp in my heels :)  

  • Alana in Canada replied 9 years ago

    Brilliant. Those shoes are magical--but you truly shine in all these ensembles. 

  • Alexandra replied 9 years ago

    Fabulous! I vote for #1 with the striped sweater. It looks very fresh. The blue denim jacket is nice as well, but the stripes win in my book.

  • Alassë replied 9 years ago

    #1 is my favorite, then #3. This time I was on the lookout for your Angie ensemble post. :)

  • Karie replied 9 years ago

    Oh I love this and I don't think the proportions look off at all. #3 is my favorite. That white jacket bookends the white in your shoes nicely.

  • Urbanfae replied 9 years ago

    As a preppy princess, I vote #1. You truly look fab.

  • replied 9 years ago

    Fantastic outfits Suz! I think I have a very minor preference for the denim jacket out of the two you've shown and I rather like the sweater too, I'm not much help in choosing am I :). Your Okalas look great with this too. Have a lovely lunch!

  • CocoLion replied 9 years ago

    Excellent execution of Angie's ensemble.  I vote sweater as the maybe-you-need-it-maybe-you-don't topper.  I like the way it looks with the other pieces, plus it's more practical when you're not wearing it (you can tie it around your neck as shown for extra chic points).

  • K. Period. replied 9 years ago

    Super! I love these combos, especially #1 and #2.  New inspiration for ways to pair my charcoal skinny cargos! 

  • Sharon replied 9 years ago

    You look great in all of them, but I especially love the insouciant sweater over the shoulder look. So cool.

  • kkards replied 9 years ago

    Love the subtle but totally there use of brown in these outfits. Just fab! For what it's worth, my fav is the denim topper, but I think they all work.

  • carter replied 9 years ago

    Beautiful! This is going to be such a fun ensemble to play with. I think #1 is my favorite, but I really like the other two as well.

  • Joy replied 9 years ago

    Love this summer version of Angie's ensemble formula.  I can't pick a favorite as each looks fresh.  The Okalas are perfect with the brown ankle strap. I hope you had a wonderful day.

  • Mona replied 9 years ago

    Lovely bookending in #1. White in the striped topper and shoes. You look on trend and very comfortable for the day. Enjoy your weekend.

  • Caro in Oz replied 9 years ago

    Love #1 & I agree with Angie very modern euro chic.

  • Suz replied 9 years ago

    Thank you all! 

    In the end I had to change out of this outfit because it was just too warm!

    But Karen, I think I'd throw on my wedge Cons with this for the camp pickup. Actually, I'm switching into jeans, Cons, and the Mariner sweater tomorrow because it's going to be cooler and maybe rainy tomorrow! :)

    ETA: Karen -- I can't wear true flats -- they don't stay on my feet unless they are lace ups. So that limits my options a bit. So....what I'd like to wear and what I'd have to wear are a bit different....

  • Vicki replied 9 years ago

    Wonderful trio of summer neutrals and I know what you mean about going "topper less" as it's really warm here, too.  I've been looking for a white denim jacket, so thank you for the Old Navy lead.  Great idea.

  • Lyn D. replied 9 years ago

    #1 showcases your shoes to perfection Suz!

  • MsLuna replied 9 years ago

    Suz, you look elegant in these outfits! I see what you mean by the odd proportion on the denim jackets, but I don't think it's too bad - it still works quite well!

  • unfrumped replied 9 years ago

     I really like those combinations! Have you noticed in these copycat neutral outfits that a 2-tone purse sometimes really ties things together? It makes me want to get a brown and gray or brown and black purse!
     (Psst--after seeing Sveta in her fab outfits with gray Gap pants,  I tried them and was amazed that they seemed to fit. I bought some & hope to show some outfits. I committed to a size (already worn) but have the next size up as well and am debating on it.)

  • Jaime replied 9 years ago

    Love how the cognac belt mixes it up! The white jacket is a great topper. 

  • Gigi replied 9 years ago

    I adore the color combo in #1!

  • Lisa replied 9 years ago

    Great casual summer look.  I really like that light color brown paired with the light grey trousers, very elegant.

  • Deb replied 9 years ago

    The first photo is my favourite of all your outfits on your blog....classic Euro, natural, subtle colours.....very much how I like to dress and ideal characteristics for petites. A really nice look Suz!

  • ElleH replied 9 years ago

    Wow Suz. Great outfit! Great colour combo.

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