Thrifting Queen

And now for something completely different

May 23, 2013

I found these two pieces at Cleo Petite last week and they found their way home with me. I adore the combination of these sour brights but will be honest in that I'm not sure the proportions are quite right here. I think this swishy skirt needs to be paired with a shorter sweater.

Anyway, I'm wearing a lime green/citron full pleated skirt with a bright orange 3/4 sleeve back zip slouchy sweater. I've kept the rest of the outfit neutral with my taupe pumps and snakeskin handbag. Jewelry is my gold watch and a chunky gold ring.

What do you think? does it work together? how are the proportions? I do feel this is not a traditionally flattering silhouette. It is one of those outfits that looks much better in movement.  As always, all comments/suggestions welcome.

Sweater & skirt: Cleo Petite
Pumps: Cole Haan
Handbag: Elliott Lucca
Watch and ring: thrifted

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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.

35 Comments

  • krishnidoux replied 10 years ago

    Shannon, I'll be honest. I like either pieces, but not together. The orange top would look fantastic with a white bottom. I am not sure about the skirt's shade... but maybe with royal blue or taupe... 
    The cuts on both of these is wonderful on you. It's just the colours. 

  • RoseandJoan replied 10 years ago

    Stunning Shannon, the colours shout but work well together IMO, I also think this combo would work really well with metallic accessories for evening. The proportions are perfectly modern.

  • replied 10 years ago

    I like this a lot Shannon! Great orange.

  • TraceyLiz65 replied 10 years ago

    I think you should trust you instincts as i see what you do with the proportions.  I do like these colors together!!!

  • Deborah replied 10 years ago

    Wow Shannon this colour combo is fabulous! I do think this works rather well. It's just a newish silhouette we need to get used to. You could try a belt and a semi or faux tuck to lengthen your bottom half but honestly I find this look very attractive.

    Ps...it reminds me of Angie's outfit of red pencil skirt and citron blouse...

  • Archer replied 10 years ago

    I think the colours work really well, especially with the rest so neutral. Fab outfit.

  • donnat replied 10 years ago

    It is a fashion forward look,not traditionally the most flattering. I like it.  I will bet it looks very nice in action.  The colors are great too.  I give this 2 thumbs up!

  • ruthe replied 10 years ago

    You look like a Lifesaver (candy) and completely delicious. Love it! :)

  • Joy replied 10 years ago

    I like it too, worn like this and each piece for its mixing potential. The skirt falls softly close to your body very attractively. It would be sharp with optic white and I can see it with aqua, blush or tomato red or deep purple or grey....

  • amiable replied 10 years ago

    I like it!  Especially like that sweater!

  • Jaime replied 10 years ago

    I guess I am out of touch with what traditionally flattering is because this looks very flattering to me. I absolutely love that skirt on you and the orange top is terrific too. Cleo Petite strikes again!

  • Mochi replied 10 years ago

    I can see both sides of it. The combo is this overload of BRIGHT. NEON. That said, I think it's very cool and modern and fun! I also see Shannon stepping out of a comfort zone with this (not that she's ever played it safe stylistically-she's quite experimentative). I definitely love the top anyway, could see it paired with neutral colors like greys, and the citron is a color I'm easing into (felt daring buying my own citron trench recently). I like the cuts of both of these items, and together they're so energetic and pizzazz-y! 

  • Transcona Shannon replied 10 years ago

    Thank you so much for the feedback - I always feel quite unsure about my choices when I'm trying something new so this is very helpful.

    Krish - I totally appreciate your honest :) This is precisely my issue with the outfit as well. I like both items but am less sure together because it is a different silhouette for me.

    I do love the colors together and Deborah you are so right as I thought of Angie's outfit when I put the two together. I'm not sure a semi tuck would work with the wide and rather high waist band of the skirt unfortunately and I think a belt is out due to the zipper up the back and the two small pockets on the lower front with small gold grommets. I think that would just be too much going on.

    Shevia - I consider it not traditionally flattering because the outfit completely obscures my waist and body shape. It is definitely a more fashion forward silhouette in that respect.

    I am looking forward to experimenting with both of these pieces. The sweater has tons of mix and match potential, the skirt probably less so. Thanks for chiming in everyone.

  • Sara L. replied 10 years ago

    I think the shapes and proportions of the two pieces look good on you and good together.  However, I wouldn't wear those two colors together.  They both look fine on their own though.

  • Mary Beth (formerly LBD) replied 10 years ago

    I grew up in Florida, and I LOVE the colors together.  I like this entire outfit,and how you've kind of grounded it with the very pale neutrals.    It makes me think of orange trees and sunshine and sand on the beach.

    I get what you're saying about the shape, because I am completely obsessed about having a flattering shape - but oddly, I didn't even look at the shape or see anything amiss because I was so taken with 1) the big happy grin on your face  2)  How great your legs look in the shoes, and 3)  the happy colors

    Overall, I really do like this look you've put together!  If your happy expression in the photos is a lasting feeling, you should take this outfit out for a spin :)

  • rae replied 10 years ago

    I DO like them together! It looks really modern to me. Just like the others said, it reminds me of Angie's outfit. Love the color combo!

  • Angie replied 10 years ago

    I'm on Team Flattering here! I LOVE IT!!! So 2013! The low contrast pointy pump is the final flattering proportional touch. It's k-word worthy in my book. WOW!!

    Course I love those colours together :)

    Shannon, outfit creation is a true hidden talent. You have an innate sense of proportion, and it's a treat for us to see it in action. xo

  • replied 10 years ago

    Well, what a different look! Lovely!

  • bj1111 replied 10 years ago

    WOW!  super flattering .  who would have thought to put sour colors together as a matching element?!?!

    ps...i got the helmut dress that failed you in bruise.  i don't think i look as fab in it as you do in this outfit!

  • Transcona Shannon replied 10 years ago

    Sara - yep, these two colors together are definitely not everyone's cuppa.

    La Belle - wow, thank you so much! My big grin is still going :) and I'm now referring to these shoes as my "leg shoes" 'cause every time I wear them someone comments on how good they make my legs look.

    Angie - you have completely made my day :) I have decided that these neutral  pointy toe kitten heels pumps are one of my best spring 2013 purchases. For one, they are incredibly comfortable and secondly, they work with so many things, make my legs look longer and make me feel pretty and lady like. It's interesting that you mention I have an innate sense of proportion because I feel like that's the one area of style that I struggle with the most.

    bj1111 - only because of Angie's previous outfit using her tomato red pencil skirt and citron blouse would I have thought of putting these two colors together. Glad to hear you got the HL dress - are you happy with it?

    Rae & Diane - thank you.

  • MNsara replied 10 years ago

    I'm in favor :-)  I love the gentle flow of the skirt, and the sweater seems to have a fine hand too.  The colors are not for the faint of heart, but totally work together, reminiscent of Angie here
    http://youlookfab.com/2012/04/02/embracing-colour/
    and here
    http://youlookfab.com/2011/09/.....nd-simple/

    I appreciate how Angie specifies how your pointy-toe neutral pumps add the right touch.  Must keep that in mind when I feel a colour fling coming on :-)

  • Beth Ann replied 10 years ago

    These colors are gorgeous on you, Shannon, and the simplicity of the outfit keeps the overall effect friendly, rather than "demanding."  You know what I mean?  High-contrast, high-color combos can almost demand attention --- they can boss the passerby, and not just the wearer.  What you've done here is share a little sunshine, so the passerby leaves with a happy smile on her face!  The softness helps in this regard. 

    I think the proportions are fine here.  You've bloused the sweater, which helps the look.  I'm thinking of adding drawstrings or bands to the bottom or some of my tops that run long (not knitted sweaters, though).  I hope to be able to move the length up and down depending on the outfit combination. 

  • Diana replied 10 years ago

    I really like this, Shannon, and I do think it's flattering, if not conventionally so.  Your great bare legs and those shoes add the structure element that Angie talked about a couple of weeks ago.  And everything looks soft, swishy, drapey, and not boxy or stiff. 

    Plus, I love the color combo!

  • replied 10 years ago

    I think the proportions are perfect! How did you manage to find such a flattering blousey sweater and full skirt? Neither are bulky in the slightest. I like the way they drape back against the body. The length of the skirt is perfect and the way you semi-tucked work too. I actually thought the sweater had a "shark bite" hem. The color combination is 100% modern in my book. I love the shoes (as you know) and the snake bag adds some pattern. Nice work!

  • MsMary replied 10 years ago

    Add me to the Hallelujah chorus!  I love this!  Different and fun!

  • catgirl replied 10 years ago

    This is a STELLAR color combo and fit!  It's very Indian, if I may say so - I have an outfit in those exact colors!

  • Nicole D replied 10 years ago

    OK, I love the colours (on you and together), love the shoes and bag (so dainty- your ankles), but I do not think the silhouette is as flattering as most of your other outfits. I feel like you surrendered your waist or something. But I am in the minority so...take it for what it;s worth. It seems to have high happiness factor for you, so I am glad.

  • Caro in Oz replied 10 years ago

    A - mazing imo. Love the neutral accessories with it. 

  • annagybe replied 10 years ago

    Looks good.

  • Suz replied 10 years ago

    I am very late today to comment, but I love it and think it is terrific. The skirt reminds me of a dress my mother had years ago; I always loved it. She had great legs like yours and wore kitten heeled pumps. (Not nude but matching her skirt in that case.) I always think "pretty" when I think of that outfit. 

  • Transcona Shannon replied 10 years ago

    Nicole - no worries :) It is definitely a waist surrendering outfit and I guess it comes down to whether or not we are individually comfortable with that. I didn't think at first that I was, but I felt better and better about the outfit as the day went on. Always fun to experiment!

    Una - oooohhhhh....I like that it has an Indian vibe due to the colours. That's something I hadn't thought about. Thanks!

    Thank you all - now to figure out all sorts of other ways to wear these two items!

  • celia replied 10 years ago

    When I think you cannot surprise me anymore....
    I am honest, I wouldn't pair the colors together on myself but you seem to make everything work.
    You remind me of my mother, she just plays around in her wardrobe and comes up with fabulous outfits that are daring, sometimes unconventional but utterly perfect.

  • Astrid replied 10 years ago

    I love it, it's awesome! I do think that the proportions aren't the best for figure flattering purposes, but who cares when the outfit is so much fun?

  • Ingunn replied 10 years ago

    I'm sorry for being late, Shannon! Work has been crazy lately. I love your outfit, though, and I think the neutral colors in shoes and bag and the pattern on the bag really makes it shine. The colors are so fab, and the silhouette really modern. Well done - you are definitely  on top of it!

  • ElleH replied 10 years ago

    Shannon I love this! Nothing wrong with it at all.

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I started playing dress up when I was 4 years old and haven't stopped since! My income doesn't match my tastes so it's all about figuring out how to thrift my way to a fashionable life while tossing in a few delectable items.