Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Porcelain Paisley and Pink

Good morning all! 

Today I am trying out the porcelain paisley/pink combination, as shown on the JCrew website:



I was actually planning on wearing the nude sandal with it, but my husband implored me to wear the pink aldo shoes.  Apparently there is something about an ankle strap that some men find becoming...

I really like this look, and while I am not wearing a jacket, I think it is more than dressy enough for the office..



The blouse is not J Crew - it is actually Ralph Lauren.  I have been shying away from button downs until recently, but you all are making me braver!  Plus, this morning, I could zip this puppy all the way up and breath!  That is an accomplishment.  I still have about 10 pounds to go to get back to my regular size, but I am feeling better after the first 5!  As you can see, the humidity is really getting to me - it was 7 am when I took this picture and it is already very curly!


Where I am in the wardrobe renovation:

Over the weekend, I went through all of my clothes from summer and winter.  It was a cull - in fact there is still clothing lying on the floor in the backroom, like war dead.  it is very sad, especially when I think of the collective $ amounts involved...  I have a couple more items I will be seeking your advice on, as I just can't decide!

I am working on the fall/winter right now. I will need to take some photos.  I have actually done an excel spreadsheet last night on what I own (could I be any geekier?) by category!

My next pass through will be identifying those things I LOVE.  Then what I LIKE.  Anything I am still MEH about is leaving me as well.  Unless you can help me figure out how to make it work!!! 

What I know for sure now:

I need a trench coat for Fall.  A grown up one!

What I am contemplating:

J Crew icon :

Collection Icon trench

The midnight trench:

Midnight trench

Or the BR trench:



This one suddenly made the cut as it is on sale from $240 for $144 today.

What I also know for sure - I can wear the khaki, but I will need to wear a lovely scarf with it as it can be draining, but it is so classic.  I do like the midnight version as well.  Opinions?

Soo... Any advice on how I should move through this wardrobe reno?

As always, have a wonderful day!  You always brighten mine!


17 comments:

  1. I'm now on to gutting my shoes and feel the same remorse amount money spent albeit mostly ten years ago ish when I worked full time - now I want wearable options that don't cost the earth, investment purchases don't work for me, every ten years or so I will want to redefine my style.
    I was very good ten minutes ago, the Boden wedge ankle boots came but at three inches, that's just too high for my everyday life, I was going to keep them "because they are lovely" aargh that translates as 'will sit on a shelf forever' - they have gone back and the search continues for a low heeled navy boot.

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    1. I keep telling you - they need to get the two of us in a room and "B^&*(-slap" us! Yesterday, i went into my local shoe store and saw a gorgeous pair of red patent franco sarto platform heels. I tried them on. Oh they seemed comfortable in the moment. But I knew i could only wear them sitting down! Arrgghh - left behind for a woman with a different life than mine! My new mantra is - could I wear this to an event where I had to chat with someone standing up for an hour? Could I walk to the event?

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  2. PS That is your ideal skirt length, it lengthens your torso, it's very flattering on you.

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  3. Nice outfit!

    I can see why you like the midnight trench - that color will be nice with your coloring. Is it shiny? I usually have the same issue with khaki around my face, but I've noticed that some khakis look better on me than others. You might want to try several on in different shades of khaki. My Banana trench is surprisingly good with my coloring. Others have been very meh on me. Do you have a winter coat in a deep midnight blue? I think you need some kind of outerwear in this color. Also, watch the length on the trench you buy. I agree with Tabitha that this skirt you're wearing is an ideal length on you. Make sure your trench doesn't overwhelm you.

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    1. Thanks Cate - I do not have a midnight blue winter coat. last season, I bought a beautiful 100% virgin wool cinza rocca coat in a beautiful blue-red colour. I love it! I agree - I should try on a few colours in the coat. I may order the BR coat today and then I will have something to compare it with vis-a-vis the JC version.

      I love the comment "makre sure your trench doesn't overwhelm you"! it is true! I think that could be the problem with the pea coat!

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  4. You look great: Pink is your color!
    That midnight trench is all nylon. I like the JCrew Icon trench myself, as you know (the cotton they use is very nice), but BR does a very nice trench coat, one of their better pieces I think.
    Another super-hot day here today, we are melting too!

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    1. p.s. - looking above - my heart is reaching out to the icon trench. It just looks so darn classic. That is what I am looking for in a trench!

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  5. Oh - I did not notice the trench was nylon. That would not do at all! It has to be cotton or nothing for me! I am hoping the icon trench will be in store to try on this weekend. I don't mind alterations! The other day I found a beautiful grey and silver polka dot pencil skirt at winner by Calvin klein. Yesterday I took it to have it shortened and the sides brought in - without hips, if a pencil skirt flares, I go quickly into an ugly place!

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  6. I got my BR trench last year, on sale for about $120. It fit me better than the JCrew Icon did, as the smaller sizes had short-enough sleeves. It's very well made and a slightly more flattering color against my skin than the more yellowish JCrew color. So, try them both on in person before deciding!

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    1. Thanks fidele! The one thing that worries me about the BR are the epaulets on the shoulders - I generally dislike them - I don't know why! I will try both on, but I am thinking it will likely be the icon with a lovely scarf. Thanks for the advice!

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  7. I love this outfit on you, WMM! You look very pretty in pink, and I agree with the comments about the skirt length being perfect for you, too. Congratulations on your continued weight loss, btw! Five pounds is a great accomplishment, and you should be very proud of yourself! :)

    I think the trench is a really good item to have on your list this season. As you know, I have the Icon trench and love it. I tried both the BR trench and the Icon trench before deciding, but much preferred the one from J.Crew for myself. I know of several other JCAs who have the BR trench and prefer it over the Icon though, so as fidele suggested, try them both on before deciding (if at all possible).

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    1. Thanks FFM! I imagine there will be a BR pretty much on top of the JC in Boston, so am hoping it won't be an issue!

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  8. Love the porcelain paisley with pink! It looks awesome on you! I will definitely be pairing mine with pink too.

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    1. Thanks! I am now going to be searching out your denim top this weekend!

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  9. All three coats are lovely. You can never go wrong with a classic trench!

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    1. Thanks overarch!

      I chose the icon in the end - pictures to come this week!

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