WIW: ink uniform, kitchen sink mix my way, lilac coat.

I haven't posted a WIW for a while. My teen has the DSLR again to shoot movies -- I think maybe I need to get a second one for myself! In the meantime, my phone will have to do. 

Here is what I wore to a talk at the university's creative writing club yesterday. FFB smart casual -- ink blazer, turtleneck, denim crops, booties. It was bitterly cold and I needed a puffer coat and hat and mitts. Not a particularly imaginative outfit but one that always serves me in any winter occasion. I notice that especially for presentations of this kind I have a uniform and I truly like to stick with it. Lately the uniform is becoming even more ...um...uniform...in the sense that I like to keep most everything to ink blue. I do love to wear colour at other times -- but oddly, both at home (for work at home) and for writing related speaking gigs, I seem to be drawn especially to dark navy/ ink. I must do some meditation on that. 

On a warmer day I got to wear a raincoat (!) and play with kitchen sink maximalism my way. Stripes, plaid, necklace. That's a lot for me! 

And a photo of the lilac coat back in January in Toronto. Love that coat so much. 

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36 Comments

  • Sal replied 7 years ago

    These are all terrific looks Suz.  I can understand why navy is a uniform in these situations - it is flattering, modern, trustworthy and not distracting.

    I love your lilac coat - because it looks so modern.  I struggle with pastels - I do associate them with either my teenage years when I wore pink and aqua and apricot, or with my Grandmother, who wore them for her Church Suit.  I have struggled to wear them in a modern way - I have finally got there with blush.  This shows me how to do it!!  You look great.

  • tulle replied 7 years ago

    Super pieces.  I do love that lilac coat!

  • rachylou replied 7 years ago

    I Love All of these, Suz. Polished but tough. Gotta heart this thread.

    Maybe I should go back to a bob, neaten up my appearance...

  • Lyn D. replied 7 years ago

    Love your turtle neck Suz- perfect with your hair.

  • Joy replied 7 years ago

    I love your kitchen sink look with stripes and the plaid scarf, but I want to steal that lavender coat for these cold spring days. It looks more midtone than pastel to me. A navy uniform makes sense to me as navy blue is gorgeous on you. Maybe you can try mixing a little of other colors or neutrals with navy in patterned tops or accessories.

  • Style Fan replied 7 years ago

    I love all your looks Suz.  The navy uniform looks so polished and gorgeous on you.  I can see why you would reach for it.

  • citygirldc replied 7 years ago

    Love everything from your head to your toes. You definitely can't go wrong with stripes.
    Love that pixie hair style of yours and I'm so missing mine these days. 

  • replied 7 years ago

    You look so great in your creative writer uniform ;)  I am envious of you being able to wear a blazer under a coat- I feel constricted just thinking about it !   Is #3 the raincoat pic? I can't make out detail...

    That lilac coat is beautiful on you too - I love a pastel coat in our winter light - so pretty.  

  • replied 7 years ago

    I really like all of your outfits. The lilac coat is just gorgeous and looks great on you.

  • Suz replied 7 years ago

    Thanks, all. Those who are mentioning that the lilac coat is really more mid-tone than pastel are correct. Or perhaps it is a bright pastel. It's not washed out at all. More vivid IRL than even in this daytime photo, I would say. I think that's why it works on me. Like Sally, I really struggle with true soft pastels. I do like this one with the dark burgundy...it works a bit unexpectedly. 

    LisaP, I am very lucky that I can wear a jacket with a coat over top. I do have to pick and choose -- and I tend to buy my coats a bit on the larger size to accommodate. This was worn under the puffer coat which has a fair bit of wiggle room. And yes, #3 was the raincoat. I'm sorry about the darn lighting and photo quality. Will try to improve soon. 

    Joy, I will definitely mix in white with the navy in the warmer temps! I seem to like the way that navy recedes in these situations; it helps me feel comfortable somehow but also professional. 

    Naz, I love you in a pixie but your longer hair also looks beautiful on you. I suspect like me a pixie is your "home base" cut but it's nice to have a change! 

    SarahF, Style Fan, Lyn, Rachy (polished but tough -- love it!), tulle -- thank you! 

  • Bonnie replied 7 years ago

    I love all of your outfits but the lilac coat is my favorite. January in Toronto looks pretty.

  • Jaime replied 7 years ago

    Well of course a writer would want to wear ink :) ! The uniform is great on you - not distracting but every component is well chosen and styled as befits the discipline of writing. The lilac is brilliant on you. Wonderful to see you and yes, you need a second camera!

  • Brooklyn replied 7 years ago

    You look great. The first outfit is my favourite. I can see why you like blue. Such a great substitute for black. The lilac coat is bright and pretty against the snow.

  • Angie replied 7 years ago

    Clearly, you feel powerful, authoritative and confidant in ink blue, Suz. LISTEN TO YOUR EMOTIONS. And it loves you right back. I like that you've developed a signature style for your casual writing gigs and speaking engagements. It's professional and relatable. AND you look fabulous.

    Very fun kitchen sink combo in #2. Grey pearls are divine with your silver hair. 

    And #4 is Killer. Lilac and burgundy is a sublime pairing on you.

  • replied 7 years ago

    Suz -- you look fabulous.  So happy and healthy.  My favorite is number 2 because I in love with stripes.  

  • Karie replied 7 years ago

    All of your outfits look great, but I adore that lilac coat! It's like a breath of fresh spring air on a cold winter day.

  • JAileen replied 7 years ago

    Ink! Shevia, you're so right!!

    Suz, the lilac coat looks so pretty on you. It would be nice for a chillier spring day, too. And of course I love ink. Blue and dark blue are favorites of mine.

    When I did a few days of the maximal look, I kind of got used to all the crazy patterns together. I really enjoyed it.

  • Jennib12 replied 7 years ago

    I love all of your looks! The lilac coat is really stellar. Your hair is great, too. It's making me think twice about growing mine.

  • Ledonna N. replied 7 years ago

    Suz I just don't have the adequate words when it comes to the joy u find in your style. I never thought i would like something like this but the stules you wear are so ummm pleasing to me.

  • replied 7 years ago

    Completely in love with your Kitchen Sink outfit. :)

  • Mirjana replied 7 years ago

    These are all beautiful looks, I can't say what is my favorite love all. You really look adorable.

  • Summer replied 7 years ago

    Fabulous as always, Suz.  Your lilac coat is a real winner.

  • kkards replied 7 years ago

    you had me at ink....

  • lyn67 replied 7 years ago

    Aw, what a treat to see you, Suz! My absolutely fave is nr 2-surprised myself to choose that, too, but that's it!:-) Your lilac coat and burgundy accessories are K2K and all other looks are a very clean and strong smart casual looks of one  stylish lady as you are! 

  • viva replied 7 years ago

    Hi Suz! You're looking so beautiful! I love #1 especially. Such pizzazz and authority here, and your hair is ON POINT. I aspire to feel the way you look here; I'm falling short these days.

  • replied 7 years ago

    I really like the downtown field jacket! It IS imaginative compared to the environmental norm of black puffers.
    I too revert to ink/navy in the winter and have gone off any sort of mid-to-dark grey. I even prefer dark blue pants.
    Let's just say: I'm really excited for spring/summer dressing!

  • Suz replied 7 years ago

    Smittie, me too! When will spring come! I really like the field jacket - it turned out to be a super practical purchase for me. Lots of pockets and although casual, still manages to look a bit stylish. I get lots of compliments on it. 

    Vivian, thank you -- the hair needs a serious cut but off to get it this week!

    Lyn, Jlpp, I think we need to see your own versions of kitchen sink then! 

    Shevia -- so true about ink and writers! Maybe that explains it. I an happy to think so! 

    Ledonna, such sweet words from you. Thank you. 

    Jenni, Summer, Karie, JAileen, Bonnie -- the lilac coat is really going to come into its own in March and early April. For sure! 

    Bonnie, as for January in Toronto -- well, it's cold! Although this year was not too bad, I have to confess. 

    Sterling, kkards, Brooklyn -- thank you. 

    Angie -- thank you and that is such a good insight. The signature style for these gigs is very helpful -- the clothes convey authority but not stuffiness (because of the denim). Of course there are other kinds of gigs, too, where I would dress up more, but most are held in classrooms, bookstores, bars, etc. so you don't want to be too "precious" -- especially as you never know where you will be sitting. I did wear my wool culottes for teaching and I would also switch out the jeans for navy trousers in a current cut and switch out the turtleneck for a different kind of top (weather permitting) -- but it's nice to have that clear core. 

  • RobinF replied 7 years ago

    I love all of these. What really stands out to me are the accessories, the shoes, bags, belts - perfect!

  • lpr200 replied 7 years ago

    You look awesome in all those outfits!

  • Sara L. replied 7 years ago

    Great looks!  I like the patterned belt with your ink ensemble.  The lilac coat is such a beautiful color.  

  • Momo replied 7 years ago

    Fantastic Suz., I do love the lilac coat too!

  • replied 7 years ago

    Tell me more about the rain coat/field jacket - do you have a link ?

  • Lisa replied 7 years ago

    If a uniform works, stick with it!  My go to for client meetings, when I don't have to dress up formally, is a black blazer and jeans and boots.  The black keeps it dressy, the jeans and boots are comfy and a nod to casual.  The lilac coat is lovely on you.  And yay to making the maximum trend work for YOUR style.

  • Sisi replied 7 years ago

    You look very well in the ink uniform and in the the lilac coat ! Fab as always.

  • replied 7 years ago

    Ooh la la, Suz!  You sure know how to handle cold weather stylishly.  Brava!

  • Angie replied 7 years ago

    INDEED, Suz. Do you have denim AND wool culottes? 

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