WIW: Red, black & white

The combination of red, black and white seems to be a favourite trio of mine these days - whether it be dark red or a true red, like this blazer.

Today's outfit started with my black/white abstract print dress. I topped the dress with my red blazer and cuffed the sleeves to show the black/white houndstooth lining. Semi opaque black tights will keep my legs warm and I chose my black patent booties for footwear (although I'll have my knee high Blondo boots on outside and will carry my patent booties with me for the office).

I finished off the outfit with my black/cream leather handbag, silver wedding band, red specs and red lipstick. It's funny - I have three pairs of specs these days but constantly reach for my red ones.

So what do you think? Does it work? Proportions ok? As always, all comments/suggestions welcome.

Blazer: Cleo Petite
Dress: Cleo Petite (thrifted)
Booties: Ara
Handbag: Danier Leather (thrifted)

Quick hair update: had a trim last evening - took just the tiniest bit off, thinned it (I have ridiculously thick hair) and shaped it. I'm going to continue with the asymmetrical shape with the longer fringe on the right side and will grow the top a bit more to give it a bit more movement. Both my stylist and I agreed the messy Jennifer Lawrence look wasn't going to work for me - a giant pain in the you-know-what to get to look right! I'm really happy with how it's coming along.

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20 Comments

  • Jaime replied 9 years ago

    Love the pattern on the dress and the jacket adds structure and a bit of professional to the look. Your hair is looking good!

  • trekkiegirl replied 9 years ago

    This outfit is stunning! I really like your style. One comment I would have, and I noticed this in your dark red/olive outfit as well, is that I think you could go a bit lighter on the blush (or if you have naturally rosy cheeks use a bit of concealer on them) when wearing red lips and clothing, and especially with red lips and specs. I just think a more muted facial palette would allow the pop of color at eyes and lips to stand out more. But the outfit is killer!!

  • Elizabeth P replied 9 years ago

    Fantastic Shannon.  You know I love red white and black!  And I also really like the subtle pattern mixing that the jacket sleeves provide.  And your hair looks great.

  • lyn67 replied 9 years ago

    Modern classic fabness!

  • Dana replied 9 years ago

    Really cute and it looks comfy, too!

  • Sara L. replied 9 years ago

    Love this outfit with the bright red and black/white pattern.  Your hair always looks great and today is no exception.

  • rachylou replied 9 years ago

    I'm with you on red, white, and black right now. Great dress, so cool you  have a red blazer too.

  • harmonica replied 9 years ago

    I like the red/black/white! I love how the bag picks up the white from the dress. Also love that you wear red in Jan. I was thinking red - at least dark red - was a very Dec'ish colour. You got me to to rethink that idea ;-)

  • Angie replied 9 years ago

    FABULOUS  all round. What a happy outfit. Doesn't red look and feel fresh all of a sudden? Soooooo high giving you, Shannon. (I want to wear Tomato Red-Out this year). 

    WOOOHOOOOO. Go Team Red. And the hair looks killer after the trim last night. Better than Jennifer Lawrence. xo

  • qfbrenda replied 9 years ago

    I think this answers the question I've had lately about if black and red together look dated. I'll take this photo as a "no" and run with it! Great look!

  • Transcona Shannon replied 9 years ago

    Ahhhhh.....thanks all! Sorry I'm late popping back in. Don't you hate it when your job gets in the way of YLF??? Lol :)

    tr3kkie9rl - I'm afraid I look fairly flushed in my morning pics most days because I'm ....well....fairly flushed! The joys of menopause :) Not much I can do about it.

    Elizabeth - it was actually the lining that sold me on this red blazer. I just ordered the exact one in purple which has black/white paisley lining. I love little hidden presents like that.

    Angie - high five right back at ya! Red has always been one of my favorite colors and it tends to come and go from my closet. It seems to be having a moment in my wardrobe these days. I can hardly wait to see you in your Tomato Red-Out! Thanks for the hair compliment too. It's finally starting to look like a style, not like I just forgot to get it cut. I figure another 6 weeks and it should be just about right.

    Brenda - it's funny how black and red together gets a bad rap at times. In my world, it's always good :)

  • replied 9 years ago

    Stunning!

  • trekkiegirl replied 9 years ago

    Shannon - I sincerely hope I didn't offend you, and I definitely don't think it looks bad at all. I'm a fan of strong blush, or flushed cheeks, just not with red lips lol... Have you tried a green-tinted concealer? I also have a lot of redness to my skin tone due to cystic acne and rosacea, and covering it up can be challenging!

  • Transcona Shannon replied 9 years ago

    No offense at all :) I won't be trying a concealer or anything though because the flushing comes and goes several times per day and so the redness completely dissipates. It's like when you get sweaty and red from exercise and once you cool down it's gone.

  • Joy replied 9 years ago

    Like Angie, I thought how fresh this combination looks right now. Closet shopping time:)

  • Missey replied 9 years ago

    You always look sharp!  But, what always really gets me is your smile..it is glorious and your best accessory.  Lucky you!

  • Nebraskim replied 9 years ago

    Wise decision on your hair. I actually tried to deal with the messy Jennifer Lawrence look the past several months (using the same photos you used) and it was so much work to look "effortless." Now I'm happy with a look like Amy Robach, a news anchor on Good Morning America. She growing her hair out after chemo, so it's short, but sleek.

    You really rock the black, white and red.

  • catgirl replied 9 years ago

    Shannon, how is this such an effortless combo for you? I love it but can't make it work for me - I always feel off, like I'm trying too hard or as someone mentioned, that it's somehow dated. Yet here you are looking utterly modern chic. Spill your secret!

  • Beth Ann replied 9 years ago

    I've been wearing this color combo, too, Shannon, since purchasing my red ponte blazer last fall.  It's a classic because it's phenomenal, with to opposites bridges by a strong power color in the middle.

    Hair looks great!

  • Transcona Shannon replied 9 years ago

    Spill my secret Una? I don't think I have one - lol! is it the combination of dress with a classic blazer that throws you off? IMHO the combo is too classic for you. Now swap the classic blazer for an edgier jacket or more avant guard blazer and it probably feels more like you.

    I suspect footwear has quite a bit to do with the outfit not looking dated. Swap the patent booties for classic pumps and the whole outfit has a different vibe.

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