November 30, 2014

So, already on Week 2, I am reverting to FFB and not quite making 5 silhouettes. Interesting lessons here.

1. WIW to book club. My Out of Print book cover tee -- Little Women. (That's not what we were reading, by the way.) Worn with Bleulab reversible legging jeans and the J. Crew sweater. Still wearing my sunnies due to surgery.

2. Toile and wide legs. On a rare sunny morning. It rained in the afternoon and I changed to my BR dress with boots and the sweatshirt, but did not get a shot of that. Theory Emery charcoal trousers from consignment and free to me (on credit).

3. This berry J. Crew cashmere "tee" has become a total workhorse for me. I LOVE it. Would love to duplicate because I find the shape so easy to wear. Worn with BR Heritage slouchy skinnies. And Zara booties. I need a pair of grey or taupe booties with pointy toes and a higher shaft. Cannot find.

4. Slouchy skinnies and fluid pullover day 2. (See? There is the FFB).

5. Denim skirt. I rarely wear this Vince boatneck tee or its navy sister. I guess I am not a "tee" girl at heart. I thought it would be a workhorse, but no. OTOH, I suspect I will have it for a very long time and it will come in handy now and again.

I am cleared to wear eye makeup again but haven't been brave enough to do so! Very excited about my new and better vision.

Happy Thanksgiving, American friends!! May your time with your families be full of blessings.

Posted in the What I Wore category

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.

28 Comments

Laura (rhubarbgirl) replied 9 years ago

Suz, I'm so glad your vision surgery went so well and that you're back in the saddle.

I bought the DH a Hunter S Thompson tee from Out of Print last Xmas and he wears it a lot on the weekends. Somehow don't own one myself yet though... (Maybe A Wrinkle in Time? Would be hard to choose.)

In outfit 6, you look cute, but somehow the vibe is a little off from what I normally think of as your style. Somehow a little frumpy and not edgy enough. Which is sobering since I wear denim skirts all the time myself.
Suz replied 9 years ago

It could be the "grandpa" sweater that is making it not edgy, Laura. I see what you mean. I wore the skirt and sweater together earlier in the year but with a silk top and a different scarf (and bare legs). So the tights might also be the culprit. Sadly, I need them now. :)

I got my daughter a bunch of shirts from Out of Print: 1984 (she loves), and the library stamp one (she looks great in greys), and also Watership Down, which is one of her favourite books! I am limited myself by necklines. This was the first one I bought for myself.
Jaime replied 9 years ago

Well #4 and #5 may be the same silhouette but I think the switch in color and pattern counts for something - I wouldn't call it a variety fail at any rate. I am charmed by your tee in the first one, delighted to see your new coat, the berry sweater is wonderful on you too. The idea of the challenge is to keep things interesting and you certainly have done that. And look terrific all around.
Windchime replied 9 years ago

The first thing I noticed before clicking on any of your pics was how cohesive your wardrobe color scheme is.

Then I gasped in admiration of your fab new coat in action-- WOW! And then admired how great your day 4 skinnies look with your turtleneck-- it may be an ffbo, but it's smashing on you!

I would hardly call this a 5-silhouette fail; if I saw you regularly in real life last week, I never would have thought your outfits had any type of sameness to them. The slouchy skinnies in 3 and 4 are very different from each other.

When I looked at outfit#5, I thought it looked great. I love the denim skirt and that scarf on you. Do you have a different shirt you might try with the outfit?
The tee seems a bit thin with the quilted skirt and tights.
carter replied 9 years ago

Not a fail in sight. Love the denim skirt. Would it work with a short chunky turtle neck, tights and boots/booties as well.
Beth Ann replied 9 years ago

Challenges are like the Pirate Code --- more guidelines than rules! I love the first look -- and will check out that site! Such an great graphic!

The coat is also a brilliant standout in a great week. I notice that you are still working your closet -- playing with new combinations. Loving the vibe in #5!
Firecracker (Sharan) replied 9 years ago

Well, maybe silhouette variation won't become your thing. These outfits all do look quite varied to me, even if a couple of them are similar in silhouette. You look terrific each day, Suz. Your wardrobe just works really well for you! Love the new coat, and I'm really taken with outfit 1. I do like an arty tee, though, don't I? If I were choosing one from that site, it would be the library stamp--so cool and retro! Glad to hear your eye recovery is progressing nicely.
donnat replied 9 years ago

That coat is gorgeous. I am also loving 4 and 5.
jackiec replied 9 years ago

Hi Suz! Laughing because A Suz-Fail is no fail, in my books! Good for you for stretching your brain and accepting the challenge. At least it makes you think outside the box and try more than FFBOs. At the same time, it can reinforce what really works for you. And I think that is just as valuable. You are looking great - I'm so happy about your vision! As an aside, I've been wearing my glasses more because I think I'm suffering from contact lens wearing overuse. I'd asked about getting surgery years ago and they told me my eyes were too dry (and more so due to overuse). Glasses drive me crazy!

Anyways, what resonates with me is your comment about the Vince boatneck tshirt. I feel the same way!!! I've had it since May, and have worn it once. It's beautiful, and flattering, but I don't reach for it. I'm not sure if it's because mine is black, or it's a tshirt fabrication. Not sure. I'm going to try to wear it more.....

My fave is your FFBO with the pink top ;)
Karie replied 9 years ago

It's a very busy time of year, so you get a pass to do lots of FFB outfits! When I created my list of silhouettes, I knew there were some that I wear a lot more than others, especially when life gets busy. But then I suppose part of the point of it all is to use the silhouettes to create additional FFBOs in each silhouette category (which will then make things easier in the long haul).

I LOVE the tee in #1, and I don't think the denim skirt outfit looks frumpy in the least. To me it looks preppy, comfy, cozy, and extremely appropriate for the cold weather.

What I see here are beautiful outfits created with gorgeous colors and patterns that are very flattering on you. And that, my friend, is worth repeating!
lyn67 replied 9 years ago

OMG Suz, all are hits to my eyes! Surely, I don't have your new, laser vison but putting on reading galsses and still couldn't make it through that amazing leather sleeved coat to see the berry J. Crew cashmere "tee" you menion, in nr 3. (pun intended, but LOL: -1.have you changed up picties, -2.my vision is so bad:-(, or -3.have I missunderstood something?)

Esp loved outfit nr 2 mixing up high and low ref.style and formality, but last one is also remarkable, as we rarely see you in a skirt nowadays. But again, love them ALL!:-)
thimblelina replied 9 years ago

I want to fail like Suz!
Aubergine replied 9 years ago

The outfits all look great and varied to me too. And, to me, the different color schemes in #4 and #5 plus the difference between the crewneck/scarf and the turtleneck seems like plenty to make them feel like very distinct looks. Also absolutely love how the toile sweatshirt looks with the trousers.

I love the Out of Print t-shirts! I have the Animal Farm one and got my husband the Fear and Loathing one.

Forgot to say in your other thread because it was only later that I got back to it, but was incredibly flattered that I helped inspire your dress look!
Suz replied 9 years ago

Thanks, kind people. Lyn, you made me laugh!

And I encourage anyone who is into books to get a tee from Out of Print -- they are nice quality and really fun conversation starters. I love the Animal Farm one, Aubergine. I think that will be my daughter's next gift, after she reads the book. :) And the library stamp one is also one of my faves, Sharan. I'm tempted to get one for myself.

Jackie, dry eye is a definite risk both of contact lens wear and of the surgery. Although I think it is worse with LASIK surgery than what I had. I am using drops now for dry eye to help the healing process. PM me if you want more info.

That's so interesting about the Vince tee. I saw it on Vicki and Jeneva and HAD to have it so picked up two during last year's sale. I was sure they would be workhorses, but they are not! I feel a little bit ashamed about that, given that they are very pricey for tees, even on sale.

After this experience, I ordered the J. Crew linen ones with great trepidation (for summer wear). Would those be another fail? NO. Those ones DID turn out to be workhorses. I don't get it. What is the moral? I wear tees in summer but not in winter? So weird. I do find these Vince ones flattering and comfortable. Maybe I will challenge myself to come up with some more outfits with them.

Carter, that's a great suggestion for the skirt -- I will try it with my chunky short pullover soon.

Beth Ann, I love that -- "pirate's code." :)

Windchime, thank you -- your comments are always so generous and kind. I do have a lot of colour cohesion going on for sure, in both winter and summer closets. Basically, I wear variations of BLUE. :) In all seriousness -- I have blues with white in summer, and a bit of soft fuchsia; and blues with grey and off-white in winter, with a bit of soft fuchsia and cranberry. :) I also throw a bit of taupe into the mix, but this pretty much describes the entire wardrobe with only a few exceptions. It does mean that most things could theoretically mix and match, if the proportions work.

Shevia, donnat, Karie, thimbelina, thank you. The coat is pretty awesome. Really glad to have another coat option.
TraceyLiz65 replied 9 years ago

Well, I never knew about Out of Print Tees.. I want to thank you, as my oldest is getting a master's in Literature and this would make a great Christmas Gift!
I love the Danier coat and yes the denim look is more classic than most from you...Changing the sweater for a moto jacket might work better...
replied 9 years ago

You know I would click right over to the Out of Print site :) I , like a few others, like the Library Stamp one. Great gift idea! I'm glad you are loving your new coat - it is so wonderfully statement-worthy. I am also intrigued with carter's idea of pairing your denim skirt with a chunky, modern , cropped sweater . I think it would bring the skirt into more current territory and you can really rock the cropped sweater look. A blogger I follow recently posted a denim skirt with a cropped statement jacket (not your type of jacket at all, but the idea of the cropped silhouette over denim was cool) and it was really a great look .

I am also intrigued by reversible legging jeans!
replied 9 years ago

p.s. I have also been looking for a refined looking higher shaft grey or taupe boot this fall, and cannot find anything either. let me know if /when you see something!
Neel replied 9 years ago

This could be a silhouette fail ... But definitely a week full of variety and fun! You look lovely in every single outfit .. The wide legs outfit especially steals my heart :). I find the denim skirt outfit fab too ... No frump in sight. Glad your eyes arebetter now :)
Quietgirl replied 9 years ago

Love the denim skirt look. Will have to do it too!
Alassë replied 9 years ago

I think you got plenty of variety in this week!
Elizabeth P replied 9 years ago

OK this is bizarre, because I also could have sworn that I commented on this already.

You may have felt like you resorted to your FFBO, but the looks are different enough that there is no danger in boredom, at least to the ones who see you! You have wide legged pants, a skirt, a cardigan, plaid pants, turtle neck plus crew neck... lots of variety. But I gress the point is really whether or not you felt like you were pushing yourself in a direction you want/need to be pushed. And if not... there's next week!

But you truly looked great, every day. That coat is to die for.
Debbie replied 9 years ago

I don't see any fails here. Every outfit is perfection. I am glad your eye surgery went well.
CocoLion replied 9 years ago

My favorite is #5. The turtleneck highlights your lovely slim torso and has an overall elongating effect. I think this is an excellent wardrobe piece for you as it's super flattering. I might be a bit burned out on the oversized trend, as I've been preferring things with a fitted aspect *somewhere* on the body lately.

I do think there's plenty of variety here, so no fail -- not at all. I still haven't come up with 5 different silhouettes to create my own challenge -- I might have to let go of wearing jeans every single day to do that.

ETA -- I'm glad your surgery went well and that you are happy with the results.
Suz replied 9 years ago

Ha, Denise, no kidding, eh? It's tough!! I keep thinking I need just one more jean silhouette, but one that won't drag in the mud. I love my flares but so seldom get to wear them.

Thanks for the compliments on the turtleneck. They are definitely a winter "essential" for me -- I have light grey, charcoal, black, navy, ivory. And would be happy to get a few more. I can't really have too many of them because they always work -- it's good to have a few in different cuts.
tulle replied 9 years ago

Good news about your eyes! I can't seem to get all that picky about silhouettes for you, you have such a nice, twiggy shape, but whenever you wear that orchid pink cashmere, it's magic.
unfrumped replied 9 years ago

What thimblelina said!
All look great to me.
Denim skirt// maybe you would like more juxtapos there rather than classic on classic. A roomy high- low sweater, or the cropped over shirt look.
viva replied 9 years ago

Suz, I love this post and all your silhouettes -- but you are too tough a teacher! Must have 5!!! Seriously, this is so not a fail. I especially love #1 (that tee! the boots!) and #2 (swooning over the pants, which I love with the cute sweatshirt).

I remember when I had my Lasik done, I was chatting with a sister-in-law about not being able to wear eye makeup, and she pulled back in horror: "Oh no! Not even wake-me-up mascara???!!!" So funny! I am so glad your surgery went well and I hope your first eye makeup application is not too scary.
replied 9 years ago

I read this earlier on my phone, but didn't comment. First of all, I'm so glad you are enjoying your new better vision! My first thought was that you should wear your glasses if you can't wear eye make-up, but duh! You don't need them anymore!

I think you're doing a great job with your silhouette variety. At least you're wearing more silhouettes than if you didn't do the challenge, right?

I personally love the classic jeans skirt outfit. Whenever I have tried this in the F/W, something doesn't feel right, like the skirt sticking to the tights or the slip getting twisted around. I love it on others, but haven't been committed enough to buy the correct underpinnings to make it work.

I will always love the wide legged Theory slacks on you. Glad you had a dry morning so you could sport them. The scarf you're wearing with the orchid sweater is especially pretty on you. The ivory turtleneck is so flattering on you, and with the plaid skinnies. Love. And the NEW COAT, I die! What an incredible statement piece. I hope you get to wear it a whole bunch before it gets super cold. :D

Pix-Elated

WIW: Little Women (5 silhouette Fail)

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