Lightening up, late winter
I looked for a good while at a recent photo of Scott Schuman's, posted on his blog, The Sartorialist. This sprite is too young to hang out in The Passage, yet she offers some lessons to those of us who are older.
The main one is, relax about buying the latest trend. Nothing she is wearing, from the striped wool coat to the booties, is particularly current. And the he/she mix of the fedora with the pink skirt? Familiar enough since Chanel's time. Animal-print scarf, black tights. Is the distressed bag which provides an off-kilter insouciance new? You may know it's provenance, I don't.
As I often do, I scrolled to view the ensemble without her Natalie-Portmanesque face, and I think this would look interesting on a woman of any age (though the boot heel may lower.)
These items are so classic that they are not hard to reference, if not replicate.
You may swap a beanie or beret for the man's hat (especially till it's warm enough to expose your ears), but you can see it's role as a counterpoint—so if mild enough, why not? Nordstrom's wool felt has a leather bow.
Another lesson: shake those neutrals up. If you firmly resist pastels, a rich damson could provide that chic complement; the version shown is on sale at John Lewis.
A black and ivory cashmere zebra-print scarf, nicely on sale:
A black-and-white wool peacoat, in a similar casual mood:
Shorter, lighter, in a knit with cool leather accents: the "Grenoble Jacket":
Over everything, she's added a black and white knit sweater, shrugged off her shoulders. That shot was taken in Florence, where mid-winter permits such effects, but here, in another month or so, we will coax spring clothes onto our backs, and like early-blooming forsythia, take pleasure from their burst of new life.
I will keep this young woman's style in mind, as the days slowly lengthen and shops begin to fill with spring things.
Maybe nothing new is needed, just a fresh eye, I first thought—but then decided to scoop up a pink v-neck the shade of her skirt, enabled by Eric Bompard's flash super-sale of several styles I wear all winter.
The main one is, relax about buying the latest trend. Nothing she is wearing, from the striped wool coat to the booties, is particularly current. And the he/she mix of the fedora with the pink skirt? Familiar enough since Chanel's time. Animal-print scarf, black tights. Is the distressed bag which provides an off-kilter insouciance new? You may know it's provenance, I don't.
As I often do, I scrolled to view the ensemble without her Natalie-Portmanesque face, and I think this would look interesting on a woman of any age (though the boot heel may lower.)
These items are so classic that they are not hard to reference, if not replicate.
You may swap a beanie or beret for the man's hat (especially till it's warm enough to expose your ears), but you can see it's role as a counterpoint—so if mild enough, why not? Nordstrom's wool felt has a leather bow.
Another lesson: shake those neutrals up. If you firmly resist pastels, a rich damson could provide that chic complement; the version shown is on sale at John Lewis.
A black and ivory cashmere zebra-print scarf, nicely on sale:
A black-and-white wool peacoat, in a similar casual mood:
Shorter, lighter, in a knit with cool leather accents: the "Grenoble Jacket":
Over everything, she's added a black and white knit sweater, shrugged off her shoulders. That shot was taken in Florence, where mid-winter permits such effects, but here, in another month or so, we will coax spring clothes onto our backs, and like early-blooming forsythia, take pleasure from their burst of new life.I will keep this young woman's style in mind, as the days slowly lengthen and shops begin to fill with spring things.
Maybe nothing new is needed, just a fresh eye, I first thought—but then decided to scoop up a pink v-neck the shade of her skirt, enabled by Eric Bompard's flash super-sale of several styles I wear all winter.
Comments
Pseu; It is definitely not a North American upscale mall look, not that you do not see that in Europe, too. You are right, would fit in here. And here I do see petite women in this kind of mix; I think the key is not choosing oversized or baggy pieces.
materfamilias: As I said to Pseu, I see short women here in such mixes, especially young ones who are making their clothes work especially hard... they like to layer no matter their height. They often wear heeled boots which I guess helps?
Duchesse, if you added the EB V-Neck: I just got their Mail that a few items are on SuperSale. The item you've shown here is now only € 90, which is a very good deal (of course classic colors like grey, navy etc. aren't included).
BTW you inspired me to check the Bompard sale again and now there's another package on it's way :-)
I am in the short camp so I would shy away from this combination but can see it on a taller woman.
LauraH: That sale is hard to resist when you have as much winter left as we do.
hostess: Here in Montréal (and I am betting when you are in Paris) you will see short women wearing contrast, layers and bold pattern; I don't see it as overwhelming if scaled and well-fitted.
http://www.bluefly.com/dex-black-and-white-long-sleeve-jacquard-cardigan/PRODUCT_FEED/342417901/detail.fly?referer=cjunction_4441350_10436858_n-qs7e2bbbnf--550876273&partner=Gate_AFF_4441350&cm_mmc=cj-_-4441350-_-10436858-_-na&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=4441350&utm_term=342417901&utm_content=n-qs7e2bbbnf--550876273&utm_campaign=10436858&mkwid=yc81JCJw&pcrid=54215973668&pmt=&kwd=&pmid=&gclid=CJK0h_2B_cACFQQT7AodK2cASg
Sandra: While the exact clothes may be too heavy, the play of pattern and ue may not. As noted to others I have long seen short women dressing like this. That rule is being challenged same as the one that says voluptuous women should only wesr "slimming" darks.
Anon@ 7:21: Thank you! And lucky you, now sold out. The Dex sweater shows that one does not need to buy high end designer; the eye trumps the label. Yes, a sweater over a jacket is a fresh way to wear it.
Thanks so much for contributing this!