Firecracker's Blog

WIW: a few diverse work outfits

December 7, 2014

Here are work outfits for the last few days.

The first one is pretty staid for me, an easy if not particularly fast fall-back (i.e., it's not necessarily something I reach for often).

Second outfit is fun and feels more like me.

Third outfit feels a little quirkier than I usually go, I think. I put on the faux-fur vest (or "minky" fabric, actually--usually used for blankets!)--which I made about 4 years ago as a class sample and have never worn-- for a day that I thought I would be working in a booth for our company at a craft fair. I thought the outfit would appeal to the craft-fair crowd. I ended up being called to the store instead, and I received some compliments on the vest and pants there.

I wonder if I look like three different people in these outfits. They seem rather diverse in style. What do you think?

The outfits:
1-3: charcoal crinkle knit skirt (made by me); navy v-neck cashmere pullover (Halogen); blue and red plaid scarf (Asian Eye); navy tights; wine lace-up Mary Jane pumps (Naya); ombre plaid coat (MICHAEL Michael Kors); black satchel (Elliott Lucca, Olvera).

4-6: scroll print sweater dress in wine, olive, teal, black, and gray (Nally & Millie); black lace knit shrug (made by me); black opaque tights; olive distressed suede tall boots (Donald J. Pliner, Devi); green trench (Gallery); black satchel as above.

7-9: dark sage linen-wool cargo pants (made by me); ivory long sleeved crew-neck tee (Caslon); ivory and green minky vest with green animal print lining (made by me); pewter metallic suede high-top sneakers (Paul Green). not pictured: same coat and purse as in previous outfit.

Thanks for looking! Thoughts and suggestions are welcome.

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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.

22 Comments

  • approprio replied 9 years ago

    a royal flush, madame! Love all of these. 

    I'm now wondering how the coat from 3 goes with the dress from 4, with a few inches of the scroll pattern peaking out from under the plaid. I expect you've already tried this. Does it work?

    And who makes the pattern for the cargo pants? I think I need a pair of those.

  • Elly replied 9 years ago

    I enjoyed all three looks as well-- I don't think they look like you have mulitple personality disorder. They all have the same undercurrent of mixing "artisan" sort of things in with mainstream pieces. Maybe that is because I can usually pick out what you made without reading about it--- even three, I see a very hip sporty undercurrent coming through but would automatically know that was a Minky vest and then both be surprised because it looks so good and sort of jealous because a Minky garment would be amazing lounge and streetwear if I could make it look that good.

    Two is my favorite, but I also love one, and love the elements of 3 but see how they are a step outside your normal asthetic, but totally appropriate for a fair environment.

  • cheryle (Dianthus) replied 9 years ago

    I really like all of them.  The plaid jacket is a beautiful shape and very interesting.  Your olive cargo pants are outstanding.  So interesting and they look fab on you.  I wish I had even 1/10th of your creativity and talent.

  • Angie replied 9 years ago

    I was just going to say that #4 and #7 look more "Sharan". #4 is Killer but #7 is Killer to the power of Killer. The first outfit looks perfectly stylish though. A muffler style scarf tie would work well too. 

    I LOVE the pants paired with the sneaks and fitted top support act in #7. And I think I spy your new specs too. xo

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 9 years ago

    It's good to hear I don't look out of character to you all. It's sometimes hard to judge for myself!

    approprio, thank you. I actually had not thought of trying the plaid coat with the scroll print dress. I like the idea! The pants pattern is the Trio pants from The Sewing Workshop. I lengthened the pants and tapered the bottom of the leg more on these.

    Elly, I appreciate your thoughts on the style differences here. The Minky vest is nice and cozy, like wearing sweats.

    dianthus, how sweet of you. Thanks!

    Angie, what a surprise. I'm flattered! Wouldn't have expected the last outfit to be killer, let alone K-squared. I like the idea of wearing the scarf muffler style with the sweater, too--thanks. And yes, those are indeed the new specs. I especially loved the colors on them with outfit 1. They are turning out to be quite chameleon-like.

  • Suz replied 9 years ago

    It's because the last one is "you" -- but you to the nth degree, if you know what I mean. It takes you further on your own style journey. It's something few others would wear with such panache. That's what makes it K2K. 

    I love #4 on you, as well. 

    It's interesting -- you see the variety (and goodness knows, you are right about that). Yet I also see consistency. While each outfit is quite different, all have that "arty" vibe. #1 just feels less evolved, somehow. Maybe more like the "old" you. 

  • Neel replied 9 years ago

    Wow! I really love outfit 3. The sneakers and slouchy pants are perfect! I might have to copy! :). I am a mood dresser myself .... So I love the variety here :)

  • replied 9 years ago

    I'm with Angie, the first look is perfectly fine and stylish. 4 and 7 though... wow! So different and fab. Those boots and that print in #4 are great!

  • Sharon replied 9 years ago

    I like all of these. I think the second 2 are definitely more interesting and fun and more in line with the arty side of your style. The sweater dress looks fantastic on you! I think the scarf, booties and the texture of the skirt prevent the first outfit from looking completely different in style to the others.

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 9 years ago

    Thanks for your thoughts, everyone!
    Suz, it's good to have others' eyes on the question, so see what I miss. I agree, the first outfit is kind of the old me. But also a kind of outfit I wear now, occasionally. I actually felt fine in it. Not fab, but fine. 

    Neel and Diane--thank you!

    Sharon, thanks--I can see how those details in outfit 1 keep it from being as plain as I might have thought.

  • unfrumped replied 9 years ago

    I love the second outfit for its youthful but elegant vibe and the third for sporty panache.
    I like the elements if # 1 and it's a lot like something I would wear to work. I'm having fun thinking though about what would make it more you- now and also what I want to go for with similar pieces myself. Something about changing one thing , or one proportion, to look more sporty or bouncy but still with the more formal or classic vibe for a work situation.

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 9 years ago

    Unfrumped, thanks! I can picture the scarf worn muffler-style as Angie suggested (one tail hanging down in front and one in back, is what I'm interpreting), and I think that change alone would give a jauntier feel to outfit 1. Very small change, but I'm imagining a considerable difference in effect.

  • shedev replied 9 years ago

    I'm totally in love with the minky vest and cargo pants.

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 9 years ago

    Thanks, Shedev!

  • catgirl replied 9 years ago

    All amazing as usual, but wow, #7 is my absolute fave here.  The proportions and fit of everything are just spectacular.  Those pants!  You could open a business on YLF orders alone, I bet.   I hope I'm not alone in that as I haven't read the comments.  Also love that ombre plaid coat! 

    Off to see if I'm the spanner!

  • Joy replied 9 years ago

    All fabulous but different outfits.
    1-3. The crinkle skirt takes this more classic outfit to a new level. I really like the length of the skirt on you. I would like to see the skirt with white for a different look although I don't think of you in high contrast outfits.
    4-6- love the scroll print tunic! How does it look over skinny jeans? The print adds curves.
    7-9: an amazing study of silhouette and texture. It looks lux. Your legs look miles long. I forgot to mention that I love that green coat.

  • replied 9 years ago

    I love the second outfit! I don't think you look like three different people, but maybe you're a mood dresser? And you have such a great collection of outerwear to go with everything (I guess that's necessary where you live)! Thanks for always showing it in the pictures. :)

  • jackiec replied 9 years ago

    These are all so great, Sharan! I was reading Angie's comment about your new glasses and was laughing, since I was totally focused on your glasses as well! I thought they looked different, but the reason I was noticing was that I think I ordered some similarly shaped specs for myself on Friday! Sounds like yours have some cool colour going on...wish that was the same for myself. Anyways, back to the outfits - yes - 3 different people and I love that!!! My fav today is #2. I'm drawn to that tunic type dress - I love the pattern and it all looks so cozy. Of course 1 is a nice FFBO type outfit, and I do like the skirt. And #3 is so fun and different. Your footwear, as usual, is stellar.

  • Transcona Shannon replied 9 years ago

    All stupendous outfits Sharan but I can't get past that fab scroll print sweater dress. That's exactly the type of outfit I'm craving these days.

  • texstyle replied 9 years ago

    I really love the second outfit!  I don't think they are all totally different, but I do feel that the last one is different from what I usually see you wearing so I imagine it does feel a bit different to you too. It's also more light on top, which I don't know if I see you wear as often. I think it always takes me a few wearings of a new shape or item to feel myself in it.  Great coats too!

  • rachylou replied 9 years ago

    Royal flush: perfect description :D

    And I do see style consistency through all three outfits... albeit the Ombre coat threw me for a bit of a loop. It's got an angular quality that I don't see echoed in the softer skirt and sweater.

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 9 years ago

    Ah, Neel and Claire--that's it! I'm a mood dresser.
    Joy, thanks for your thoughtful analysis and ideas. You're right, I don't have a lot of white in my wardrobe, though I agree, if I had a white sweater I bet it would look good with the skirt. The dress over skinnies is a good idea, too. I always try to wear it over a sleek layer, because it's a pretty close fit. But who knows, until I try? Hey, I just had a thought: what about the ivory top and vest over the charcoal skirt?
    Una (Alaskagirl), you weren't a spanner at all, now, were you?
    Texstyle, you're right--the ivory color in the last outfit probably threw me, as much as the Minky did. I think of it as a layering color, usually.
    Jackiec, I look forward to seeing your new glasses! Here's a link to a post with a closeup of mine.
    Rachylou, great observation--I hadn't thought of the coat in that way. I tend to think of both it and the skirt as classics, but I can see they are quite different in character.
    Shannon, I think the dress outfit is similar to one you posted this week, but with leggings instead of tights.

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Welcome to my style blog. Dressing is something all of us do each day, but for me it is also a hobby. I like to find new ways to wear the clothes I have, make new clothes to add to my wardrobe (yes, sewing is another hobby!), shop for clothes, read and discuss fashion. Following You Look Fab has fueled my interest in taking outfit pictures to see where I've been and to get different perspectives on style. Thanks for joining me. I always appreciate hearing your thoughts.