Pix-Elated

38 Comments

• Inge replied 10 years ago

  YES!-) Love it from head to toe, Suz.

• pil replied 10 years ago

  Love! What is the pattern on your shirt?

• Suz replied 10 years ago

  This is the houndstooth sequin sweatshirt from Banana Republic, Pil. It's sold out now so I can't link. Makrame was showing it this weekend, too. 

• El Cee replied 10 years ago

  Gorgeous casual outfit! Are those dark blue sequins I am seeing on the sweatshirt? Love everything about it.

• catgirl replied 10 years ago

  So inspiring! Can't wait to copy this - I DO have white jeans....

• replied 10 years ago

  Gorgeous, Suz!

• shemarie replied 10 years ago

  I seriously LOVE this Suz!  Such a perfect application of Angie's formula too.  Sparkle and comfort and animal print and winterized white...it's all just soooo good! Working from home, this is my "ideal" uniform (except my winters don't allow for a real coat, boo) and you've put it together so well!  Plus, in my quest to understand color/balance/visual weight, you've just given me another "aha!" moment on how fair hair and dark boots can indeed work!! Thanks for being such an inspiration!

• Neel replied 10 years ago

  Love it!  The sweater is a stunner!

• Suz replied 10 years ago

  The sweater is super soft and comfortable for work-at-home, too. :-)

  Thanks for the kind comments, and shemarie, I'm especially touched by yours because this business of balancing lights and darks has been seriously on my mind. I have been thinking about it for a while and then Claire's recent thread brought it more into focus. My winter outfits often become too dark for my overall colouring. It's hard to avoid this in my climate, really -- most of the available offerings are on the dark side (so to speak) and dark footwear and pants are more practical. But with light hair, this means that bookending becomes more difficult. And outfits can easily feel too still or heavy for my colouring, temperament, and style. 

  Anyway...to the point....the way I see it, with fair hair, it's nice to add something light on the bottom where you can. That can be the footwear, of course...but it can also be the pants or the skirt. 

  The part I'm still working out is how to effectively lighten up an outfit that is all dark on the bottom and create balance -- if you have light hair. One way is with a lighter bag. Deborah sometimes brings a bit of light into an all-dark outfit with a piece of strong silver jewellery, but I don't wear a lot of jewellery, and I don't find it brings enough light to me, personally, anyway -- sadly. It's okay if I'm wearing a skirt and showing some skin...but once the long pants come out and the opaque tights (for warmth) I start to flail a bit. Stay tuned for continued experiments....

• Beth Ann replied 10 years ago

  Terrific example of Angie's post!  I wish I had pounced on that sweater, too, copycat that I am!

  Interesting musings on dark outfits!  Of course, I have an easier time with it, with darker hair and higher contrast coloring.  What about midtones?

• Suz replied 10 years ago

  I do wear a lot of midtones, Beth Ann. But the winter neutrals tend to be dark -- navy, black (I know, I know...), even charcoal. All these look good (or good enough) on me, but a whole outfit of black, especially, can be pretty harsh with my colouring. 

  Anyway...midtones on their own often don't provide enough drama for me, personally. Because despite my gentler colouring, I do need drama! (That's the dramatic classic in me, you see...the closeted diva.) 

  One way it does work, for quiet drama, is in a tonal look. But too many colours at once aren't good for me. (So midtone with midtone with midtone is rarely a good combo). I am still in the process of working this out by studying the photos, but this is what I'm going to be focusing on in the next six months of so -- trying to get it right more often. 

• Amy replied 10 years ago

  Ha! I love that style descriptor, "closeted diva." This looks great on you, Suz!

• Joy replied 10 years ago

  This outfit looks fabulous and is masterfully done. The shine of those navy booties adds some light to the dark too. I tend to rely on scarves to add some light to a dark outfit, but it's not as good as footwear.

• kellygirl replied 10 years ago

  Ooh, I love this, Suz! You wear the white jeans so well! Love the sweatshirt--that's something I would love to have in my closet. It looks cozy but totally polished too!

• Thistle replied 10 years ago

  Oooh, I may have to copy this! 

  So fab, and a terrific inspiration.

• Transcona Shannon replied 10 years ago

  Oh my goodness - if those white jeans I ordered fit, I am SOOOOOOOO copying this!!! Gorgeous Suz, just gorgeous :)

• Debra replied 10 years ago

  Gorgeous outfit, love the jumper :)

• NDMom replied 10 years ago

  You gorgeous thing! How do those booties run? Have had my eye on them for a bit.....

• Suz replied 10 years ago

  Awww. Thank you, NDMom. 

  These booties run true to their European size, I think. I wear a 6.5 or 7 in American sizes (depending) and these are 37 or 6.5. They're actually quite roomy for me, because I have a narrow heel and I have short toes. If you have long toes, the toe box might be uncomfortable. 

  They are very stiff (as are most Zara shoes) and not the most comfortable shoes in the world, but mine are breaking in pretty well.  

• Caro in Oz replied 10 years ago

  Love this.

• Robidi replied 10 years ago

  Beautiful...love that sweatshirt!

• Janet replied 10 years ago

  Love this.

  I wore my white jeans today, as you astutely noted! I don't know why, but all of a sudden I'm enjoying my white jeans when previously I felt self-conscious in them. Maybe my body acceptance has reached a new level. :-) Funny thing is, my sister talked me into buying the black and white patterned shirt I wore today, and one of my first thoughts was, "This will look nice with my white jeans." :-)

• Suz replied 10 years ago

  Janet, I didn't comment on the shirt but I really liked it and it does look great with the jeans. 

  As I said on Deborah's thread a few days ago, it took me at least 10 to 15 wears before I got over the feeling that my thighs looked like two whales in white jeans. I really felt that every time I put them on, and then suddenly, I just didn't feel like that any more. A mystery!

• Day Vies replied 10 years ago

  YES! This is the Suz I know and love. Love the peacoat and the contrast with the white jeans. Simply purrrfect! 

• NDMom replied 10 years ago

  Thanks for your reply, Suz, and for the inside info on the boots. I am really trying to wear only very comfy shoes, so they might not right for me....even if they look exactly what I am looking for....Thanks for sharing!

• Jaime replied 10 years ago

  Gorgeous! And I love the fit of your white jeans.

• Susie replied 10 years ago

  You look so pretty in navy! I really would like a navy sweater but I haven't found the right one yet. And I think we are boot twins!

• Mo replied 10 years ago

  Yay!  More white jeans outfits!  :)  Do you have trouble with the stark contrast between the white and the very dark booties and sweater?  I guess, as you mentioned, having lighter hair helps to balance.  I am trying to think if I've ever done black shoes with white pants, or white shoes with black . . . although I did toy with the idea of my black patent ankle boots to go with my grey sweatshirt and white jeans, I never tried it.   

• sarah replied 10 years ago

  Lookin' great, Suz. Better keep wearing those white jeans before the snow falls... ; )

• Suz replied 10 years ago

  Thanks, all-- and as usual, thanks Angie for the inspiration. Susie, you're right we are bootie twins! NDMom, I would definitely try these on before committing. They're not horrid, but you know....they're not house slippers, either! :-) 

  I don't have trouble with this stark contrast, Mo. I am wondering if I should, though. :-) I mean, maybe this is not the best look for me. I do think it helps that the booties have a heel. Not a huge one, but it's almost 2 inches, I think. And I also think the belt helps to bridge because it's mid-toned, similar to my hair, with a bit of dark. I'm trying to work out this stuff now...what works best for my particular colouring and proportions (and personality) in terms of contrast. 

• Lantana replied 10 years ago

  You look fantastic in this dark contrast. The white jeans cannot fail to succeed whether you go dark or light for a top.
  Hey, the belt designer is one of my favourites. I've tot a lot of his/her? stuff.

• Mo replied 10 years ago

  Oh, by no means did I want to imply that you should have issue with the contrast, just curious if you do.  I sometimes wonder about these things.  Like my post on long sleeves with shorts.  It's a big no for some, yet tanks with booties and jeans makes sense to them . . . ya know?  I was trying to think back on high contrast outfits and I did wear - a white button front with black skinnies, but the shoes were red peep toes.  I wonder how I'd have felt with light shoes?  Hmm. . .  
  Anyway, just curious, no criticism whatsoever!  Sorry if it might have come across that way.

• replied 10 years ago

  Oh yes, this is awesome, and that pea coat is super-sharp contrasted against the jeans. And NO, your thighs don't look like two whales in them! You're hilarious. Your legs always look beautifully toned so no worries in that regard. I just bought some black riding boots which I need to "Ask Angie" about, and I was trying them on with white jeans and a black blazer just this evening, wondering, "Can I wear black boots with white jeans?" so thanks for showing me how it's done!

  PS My new(ly thrifted) white jeans sort of bagged out a bit--and not enough to look like BF jeans. I don't like the way they make my legs look in pictures. They have been in and out of the donate bag several times in the last week. I think white jeans make a lot of us paranoid! But you can't argue with the wonderful crisp look they create with winter outfits like yours. I love the drama of this "reverse waiter" look. From one closeted diva to another. ;)

• Suz replied 10 years ago

  Mo, no offence taken at all! Claire has got me seriously thinking about this colour value/ visual weight thing; it probably goes along with my thoughts about going grey (not that it would change my overall look all that much -- I'd still be "light" on top.)

  Claire, these jeans are totally fab, but they also bag out! It actually doesn't bother me all that much now that I'm used to looking down at my pet whales. In fact, I kind of like it. They're not boyfriends, they're not slouchy, but they get looser in bum and thigh as the day advances...and...well...it is what it is. 

  I think you can absolutely wear black boots with white jeans. Emmanuelle Alt does it, so you can, too! 

• shemarie replied 10 years ago

  Thank you so much, Suz.  You've given me so much to think about!  I feel like you should be charging me for your insightful color analysis as I'm just blown away by your thought-provoking insight...so deep and so thorough and so right on the money.  

  Like you, I've always struggled with winter/dark bottoms/dark footwear (especially the ubiquitous dark denim).  White or winter white
  pants/skirts/shorts have always found a place in my wardrobe, not
  because I knew anything about color, but just because they somehow
  "worked."  And like you say, dark dresses with skin showing on
  the leg likewise.  (Another light bulb clicks on!)  But until reading
  your comments and Claire's post, I never, ever understood why, so I thank
  you!  

  Finally, and then I promise I'll stop hijacking your WIW :-), I grew up in
  the upper Midwest, but moved to the desert Southwest over 15 years
  ago.  In some regards that has made the winters, such as they are, a
  bit easier color wise at least, as I can wear white longer.  I too
  wish I could pull off strong silver jewelry like Deborah does so well, but it
  just doesn't seem to suit me.  Maybe it's because gold works better for my
  coloring, or because jewelry overpowers me somehow, despite my height.  I
  did accidently discover though that I can throw on a leopard print scarf,
  or cognac tall boots, with black, and just "feel" better.  Now
  I see why...and I clearly need to experiment more and follow along as
  you so beautifully lead the way!  

• Suz replied 10 years ago

  Shemarie - I don't consider this a hijack at all! Angie's a great inspiration of course -- she manages to bring light into almost all her winter outfits. But I'm very much still a learner. I share your love for the leopard, though -- I use a leopard print scarf a lot in winter, too. It ties my hair to the navy, charcoal, or black and unifies the whole outfit. 

  Another trick I have learned from Angie is patterned footwear and belts. You see the belt in action in this outfit. Patterned footwear can be similarly unifying. I really like the way a leopard shoe or snakeskin pattern work. 

• jayne replied 10 years ago

  Gorgeous.  I loved last years version with the turtleneck and am so impressed you switched out for daytime sparkle..you are really keeping up with the fashion!  I must say Suz, I think you are the poster prince for YLF, you are obviously having such success and fun these days!

• DowntonAbbey replied 10 years ago

  Great interpretation of Angie's formula!

  Suz, to be honest I learnt from this blog that they"re different colours for Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter.I'm wearing  same colours year around.Except maybe in summer lighter shoes and bag.I'm Soft  Summer BTW, and look up to you for colour inspiration. And thank you very much for your taupe epiphany!