Thrifting Queen

WIW: Orange, black and animal (ETA different outfit)

January 15, 2013

This looked WAAAAAAY better in my head and I think is an outfit fail, but no time to change so it's going to have to do for today.

I love the pairing of orange and black and it doesn't worry me at all that it makes some people think of Halloween. I also like the pairing of animal print with orange. So I combined these two "likes" and put together my pumpkin coloured skirt with my black asymmetrical tie top and my animal print Doc Danielle's. I then added my Fossil handbag to pull out the rich tones of the shoes, which also have a bit of black in them.

I think there's a disconnect between the shoes and the top though and that's what is throwing this outfit off course.

What do you think? Does this work or not work, and why? As always, all comments/suggestions welcome.

Top: Cleo Petite
Skirt: Winner's
Shoes: Doc Martens
Handbag: Fossil
Bangle: Michael Kors

ETA: Hated this outfit so much that while my car was running to warm up (It's -33 C this morning), I quickly ditched the skirt and just slipped on a pair of simple black trousers and my black Clarks shooties. Kristin took a quick pic so you could see. Nothing fancy but I feel better - and actually two people have told me this morning I look "slim" and "sleek".

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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.

27 Comments

  • replied 11 years ago

    I wouldn't say a fail -- I think you do need to get some lighter orange or something on top to bookend the shoes.

    The shoes look cute with that skirt!

  • Jaime replied 11 years ago

    I like the top with the skirt a lot but I think other shoes would work better. Not sure which other shoes, but would try booties for sure. Would not call this a fail by any means!

  • rute replied 11 years ago

    I don't think it's a fail, I like it! It's minimal, sleek and fun!

  • replied 11 years ago

    I love the shoes. I don't think it is a fail. I like the shirt with the boots and the skirt with the boots. Maybe it's the orange and black that I don't love together but I know you said you do so putting it all together it works for you!

    If you do try a different shoe, I agree, a bootie in a different style would be awesome also.

  • Joy replied 11 years ago

    The black and orange with no visual relief seem jarring to my eye. The same outfit might
    be better with a Cognac or camel skirt, but that's probably too predictable. I love those booties!

  • Sara L. replied 11 years ago

    I thought the first outfit was fine - maybe a scarf or necklace to tie the orange into the top would help (although I don't think you wear many accessories so maybe that solution wouldn't work). I completely understand being so uncomfortable that you feel the need to change though. I've had those days and much prefer a plain outfit than I'm comfortable in than wearing something that makes me uncomfortable.

  • replied 11 years ago

    I hate days like that! But I am glad you were able to salvage a good outfit :)

  • replied 11 years ago

    I like your Ninja Shannon black outfit!

  • Suz replied 11 years ago

    Wow, you are so smart. I actually really like the first outfit and think you look pretty darned sleek there....but I hear you about the shoes and the bookending. I think you're right that something tan or orange up top would have helped. Balance and proportion...these are the things I struggle to learn from our photos. I just can't see it as well in the mirror for some reason, try as I may.

    LOVE outfit 2. Gorgeous on you!! Simple is sometimes best.

  • Transcona Shannon replied 11 years ago

    I'm noticing two trends in my style lately and I think this outfit may illustrate it the best: I'm reaching for my skirts less and less and I'm liking simple and sleek more and more.

  • Emily replied 11 years ago

    I'm not loving the orange skirt, but that top looks fabulous on you. I'm glad you kept it when you did your quick change. Why not the animal print booties with the all black outfit?

  • Transcona Shannon replied 11 years ago

    I wish I could Emily but these trousers would be horribly non PPL with the animal print Docs, which have a 3 inch heel.

  • Lisa replied 11 years ago

    What about some darker hose to have some black on the bottom half and a lighter color scarf of large necklace to draw some lighter colors for the top half? The all black outfit is a lovely improvised outfit.

  • Diana replied 11 years ago

    OK, so I actually quite liked the first outfit, although I agree that maybe it needs something light up top to balance. (Maybe just doing an orange top and black skirt would work too). Love those Docs with skirts!

    You look fab in the all black outfit too and it is indeed very sleek and polished looking. Not bad for a 5 second improvisation!

  • replied 11 years ago

    Shannon, I think your cognac jacket on top would have saved it.

  • Tina.b replied 11 years ago

    I really like both pieces of the first outfit and I think a jacket would have made it work. It is definitely a tricky combo and you are very close. You do look super sleek in the all black outfit, I'm very partial to outfits like this. Looking great as always!

  • Ornella replied 11 years ago

    Shannon, I love both the outfit made of two likes and the ninja one :-) And even though it sounds great and fun, and while I actually see no reason to feel anything but fab in the first one, I totally get what you mean - it's how you feel (or felt) in it that was a big deal *for you*. Exactly what's been on my mind lately and I've touched on that in my travel summary post.

  • Beth Ann replied 11 years ago

    Um.. I like outfit #1 better than #2. But I understand the sensation of not being at peace with an outfit.

    There's the obvious issue of orange and black = Halloween, and high contrast bottom to top can create a "2 outfits in 1" feeling. Still, what I feel might be missing is structure in the pieces -- they're both "soft" and drapey. The shoes, while heavy, are still rounded.

    That said, I like the silhouette on you a lot!

  • Transcona Shannon replied 11 years ago

    Thanks for the feedback all!

    Ceit - I wondered about the cognac jacket but I don't it would work with the orange - strange sort of "off tonal", if you know what I mean.

    I'm not really feeling the love for this orange skirt anymore and didn't really wear it that often. I'm finding the colour kind of difficult to work with.

    Onward!

  • Deborah replied 11 years ago

    Shannon I'm smiling because I occasionally do things like that (i.e. run back into the house and change my outfit.. in fact I have been known to be late for work for that very reason lol

    I like the first outfit a lot. I agree the disconnect is with the shoes. I feel that a dark leg/bootie combo, or even a long black boot would connect the outfit perfectly :)

    The outfit you actually wore is lovely. Streamlined and stunning. Cannot go wrong with this.

  • Day Vies replied 11 years ago

    Aren't you just sassy with your side tie sparkles and cheetah shoes! Love it. Even though I miss the pop of the orange I still like the shirt with the black trousers. It's so unexpected --the side tie- perhaps it doesn't need much help to be visually interesting. I like my color anyway!

  • Sarah A replied 11 years ago

    I like both incarnations of the shirt, but happiness is key! Great to have such things on hand to be able to instantly create the ninja back up as a speedy change out! :)

  • Amy replied 11 years ago

    I really like the first outfit, except the shoes don't work for me. I would have preferred dark shoes to bookend the black top.

    The second outfit is nice too! You look really happy and comfortable in it. :)

  • Joy replied 11 years ago

    I came back to suggest a simple gold pendant and found your sleek black outfit. Love

  • catgirl replied 11 years ago

    It's not terrible at all but I understand the twitchiness of wearing something that just doesn't work for you. I think it's lacking in the pattern you love, and it's not as saucy as your outfits usually are. Maybe a punchy scarf?

  • ManidipaM replied 11 years ago

    Like Beth Ann, I liked #1 rather more than #2, Shannon! But then that makes sense maybe because your 'failure' outshines my best efforts by far.

    Maybe it's just that you're out of love with the skirt? Or the fabrication of the top feels more casual than your heels? I'm sure the orange/warm tones can be bookended with accessories pretty easily, even a pin or belt --- but maybe that isn't what bothered you in the first place?

  • goldenpig replied 11 years ago

    I don't think the black and orange color combo bothers me but the lack of structure/crispness/pattern of both pieces makes me think they are best split up into two outfits. I actually like the orange skirt with the animal print booties and bag! Don't blame the skirt...I think it was the top's fault actually. I think you need something lighter colored, crisper and more structured to go with that outfit. How about something more in the cream/brown/tan family to go with your bag and boots? Like a white shirt and cognac jacket instead? I'm thinking of the outfit I wore before (the skirt is actually knee length but I had to hike it up over the bump):

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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.