Thrifting Queen

WIW: A beautiful mistake

February 5, 2014

I ordered these navy with black stripe tux trousers on Boxing Day and when they arrived, they were too big. However they were sold out of the smaller size and when I called, were not planning on getting in any more. Then I forgot about the trousers and didn't get them returned by the return expiry date. I was stuck with them. So I decided to try and deliberately shrink them - they are machine washable on cold and hang to dry but I figured "what the heck" and tossed them in the dryer on warm to see what would happen. They shrunk to the perfect fit! I got them back from hemming last night and am debuting them today.

The navy and black trousers are paired with my favourite asymmetrical ruched tank and topped with my black blazer from my skirt suit, with scrunched sleeves of course. Footwear is my black patent booties - what I took with me to the seamstress for the hem length. Jewelry is my silver wedding band and a chunky gun metal cuff. I went with my olive yellow/cobalt snakeskin clutch for a handbag and finished off the outfit with a swipe of dark red lipstick.

To say I'm pleased with this outfit is an understatement. I feel great in this and I wish the colours showed up better in the pics (dark outfits are so difficult to photograph). As opposed to yesterday's outfit, this is the new ME style - some softness with drape, crisp lines and strong shoulders with the jacket, and a bit of edge.

So what do you think? Do the trousers now work? As always, all comments/suggestions welcome.

Blazer & trousers: Nygard
Tank: Attitude by Jay Manuel
Booties: Ara
Clutch: Trouve
Cuff: 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.

36 Comments

  • ramya replied 10 years ago

    Sigh :). You are so resourceful!!!

  • Jaime replied 10 years ago

    The biggest problem is it is just hard to see. I love the look of the tuxedo trousers although they still look sort of big on you, but it really depends on the material and how they drape, which brings me back to the first point. The jacket, bag and bangle are fantastic!

  • Astrid replied 10 years ago

    Totally awesome! And what a luck you have that it worked perfectly.

  • viva replied 10 years ago

    I am inspired by your resourcefulness!!! I agree with Shevia that it is a little hard to truly assess the fit of the pants, but from what I can see they look great on you and certainly the right length. The whole outfit works well, and that clutch is just fantastic.

  • Aquamarine replied 10 years ago

    Beautiful, Shannon. A little hard to see but the drape looks good and you look happy. I too am Impressed by your resourcefulness.

  • Janet replied 10 years ago

    From what I can see, they certainly look nice -- drapey rather than bulky. Way to boss your wardrobe around! I love the simplicity and strength of this outfit, and I'm glad you could salvage the mistake so brilliantly.

  • replied 10 years ago

    Great salvage, I would have done the same, what's the worst that could have happened? :)

  • El Cee replied 10 years ago

    Amazing save! (Only wish my own "mistakes" looked this good.) Great look… modern, edgy, fantastic. I love the Trouve clutch -- such fun colors and textures.

  • Joy replied 10 years ago

    I wish I could see this better, but black and navy is such a stylish combination and the silhouette on you is fabulous.

  • Beth Ann replied 10 years ago

    I remember these pants from your original post on them.  They look perfect, and the whole outfit is easy chic.  Very creative solution, Shannon!

  • Transcona Shannon replied 10 years ago

    Darn those dark outfit pics :(

    Shevia - the fabric content of the trousers is a crepe wool/polyester blend that has just the loveliest drape and hang. The trousers are very fluid. I do want to assure you they are no longer too big. The waist is quite high and snug and the high hip/behind fit perfectly.

    Janet - definitely not bulky. "Simplicity and strength" seems to be where I'm heading in my style direction.

    Ceit - right? Nothing to lose. I wasn't wearing them the way they were anyway.

  • replied 10 years ago

    I love them.  

  • Thistle replied 10 years ago

    Truly they were meant to be. What a gorgeous mistake!  Love it with the clutch!

  • Aziraphale replied 10 years ago

    Yes, the outfit absolutely works. You look great! Those shiny boots are cool too. And now I'm noticing your bright lipstick. ;-)

  • Diana replied 10 years ago

    I wish I could see better too, but this looks great. This type of slouchy but not baggy trouser silhouette is just fantastic on you. Great save!

  • Sara L. replied 10 years ago

    I can actually see the color difference between the navy and black!  The pants look great on you and it's so lucky that they shrunk to exactly the right size.

  • Angie replied 10 years ago

    Killer

    You look chic, sharp and professional. And wear dark colours sooooo well. 

    Love that the pants finally fit. xo

  • Suz replied 10 years ago

    You are so clever! And what a gorgeous outfit. Love the pants. 

  • rae replied 10 years ago

    I love this and would totally wear it myself in a heartbeat! maybe your subconscious knew you could shrink the pants all along? I love the asymmetrical neckline of the top, and I have definitely had this problem with dark colors photographing as well. I can just imagine how awesome it looks in person!

  • MsMary replied 10 years ago

    Wow.  This outfit is epically fab!  Love those pants, and you were so clever to save them!

  • Transcona Shannon replied 10 years ago

    Trust me ladies - I wasn't clever. I was LUCKY!

  • replied 10 years ago

    You look great Shannon. I like your 'drape', 'structure' and bit of 'edge'. You nailed it.

  • Mochi replied 10 years ago

    OMG Shannon, you look plonkworthy and that clutch is fantastic. You look like you've been at a chichi spa for the last three weeks! What a great silhouette. 

  • deb replied 10 years ago

    I shrink to fit all of the time. We used to do it to our levi's in the 60's and 70's and I continue to do it with some items. Your pants look great and I am glad it worked for you.

  • Lyn D. replied 10 years ago

    So Good!
    It is handy that you did not need to preserve the length either, Shannon, and this outfit looks fantastic!

  • Caro in Oz replied 10 years ago

    This is just fantastic Shannon. Love the neckline on the top on you & under the jacket. 

  • Debbie replied 10 years ago

    Love this outfit. You clutch is gorgeous!

  • Vicki replied 10 years ago

    Shannon, I like the way you roll, or dry!  That's the way to get what you want and without an expensive alteration.  Way to go.

    You look stunning and I especially enjoyed reading how you explained your new ME 2014 style.  I think this is so helpful to all of us as we find what pleases us and when we feel great in an outfit.

  • gryffin replied 10 years ago

    Shannon - this outfit is so awesome!!  I am a huge monochromatic fan and the blue with the black is fantastic.  Love the top and blazer.  Elegant, refined with a great pop of color!!  Talk about things sometimes being meant to be!!  So glad this "mistake" has a great ending!!

  • Petite Marj replied 10 years ago

    Don't you just love it when the universe decides to smile in your favour? Your look is professional with an edge. Outstanding!

  • Elizabeth P replied 10 years ago

    You are hilarious.  Great save!

  • Sona replied 10 years ago

    Beautiful mistake= serendipity.

    It was meant to be.

  • Karie replied 10 years ago

    Great save on the pants! Serendipity! YLF.

  • sarah replied 10 years ago

    I love it when things like that work out. Way to go! You look fab.

  • Deborah replied 10 years ago

    Wow!  I just love this look. There is something so elegant but a little edgy about blue and black together.    May I ask about the fit?  From the pics it does look like there might be a little too much fabric at the thigh.  This is one of my personal fit concerns. I only mention it because it could be easily rectified, and I realise that it could also just be how you are standing.  But this aside, absolutely stunning!

    P.s. do you know how hard it is to be in the middle of a heatwave watching you rock these fab cold weather outfits.. as my Master 10 would say...it's not fair!

  • Lantana replied 10 years ago

    Dazzling outfit topped by a dazzling smile.
    Definitely one of your best imo Shannon.

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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.