Firecracker's Blog

WIW: a few gray work outfits

February 24, 2015

Here's what I wore to work and to teach sewing classes the last few days--a few gray-leaning outfits.

1-3: dark gray-green wool-linen cargo pants (made by me); mixed print gray, dark olive, and mauve print high-low t-shirt (made by me); piano-wire necklace and bracelet; pewter metallic high-top sneakers (Paul Green); taupe trench (Calvin Klein); taupe shoulder bag (Aunts & Uncles).
A bold move for me: No Third Piece! I felt pretty good in this outfit. It was comfortable, which was key for a day of being constantly on my feet and "on."

4-6: black slouchy skinny pants with zipper pockets and bling (MosMosh); gray, sage, ivory and black blurry-starry print tee (made by me); gray leather collarless jacket (Halogen); black belt with studs, rhinestones, and ornate buckle (BedStu); gray shimmer oxfords (Naot, Kedma); black packable raincoat (Cole Haan); taupe shoulder bag as above. High happiness outfit.

7-9: stone wool tuck-front trousers (made by me); gray silk blouse (Vince) under gray and taupe open-weave high-low hem sweater (Hinge); taupe wedge oxfords (Born); green trench (Gallery); taupe shoulder bag as above. I can see I need a longer or shorter coat with these wide-legged trousers. . . . Fortunately, I think the effect looks less odd in movement.
I'm not loving these trousers, as much as I want to. But I like this outfit with them best of all I've tried so far.

Your thoughts? Thanks for looking!

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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

  • Joy replied 9 years ago

    Once again I am in awe of your designing/sewing skills. I really like the trousers in 7-9, but the proportions seem a little off, although it may just be the angle of the photos. Have you tried a soft gauze or silk tunic over the trousers?

  • rachylou replied 9 years ago

    #1 is so it. The leather jacket with the peplum was also a good buy. Have to admit the light colour trousers aren't weird enough for me, but if I saw you in the street I'd probably admire you for going traditional.

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 9 years ago

    Thanks, Joy and Rachylou!
    Joy, I can't think of anything gauzy to go with the trousers. I guess I wasn't inclined to wear a tunic with them, because I thought it would be even more stumpifying. Perhaps it's worth a try.

  • lyn67 replied 9 years ago

    1-6 are TDF outfits-amazing sewing skills and styling ideeas! nr 7-9 is a more average outfit, classic and well put together, and love that one, too!

  • Summer replied 9 years ago

    I really love 4 - 6.  I'm impressed by the print tee that you made, and love that beautiful leather jacket.

  • approprio replied 9 years ago

    Loving the first two outfits, great proportions, patterns and textures. The third does look a little quiet. Would those pants work better with a top in a high-contrast print, maybe the one you're wearing in 1-2?

  • celia replied 9 years ago

    4-6 is my favorite outfit of these .
    I like the first outfit  and think you can be even bolder and tuck or semi tuck the shirt ;)
    I like the trousers on the last outfit ,maybe there is a smidgen of extra fabric in the back?But don't take my word for it because I am no sewer.

  • Sara L. replied 9 years ago

    Great outfits, but I like the second outfit the best.  I think the pants in #3 look a tad bit short.  Do you have a shoe with a shorter heel or a maybe pointy toe to wear with them?  I like the sweater you've paired the trousers with for an effortless chic feeling.

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 9 years ago

    Thanks, everyone! I appreciate hearing your favorites and your suggestions!

    The more I think about it and look at the pants in the third outfit, I'm thinking I may give up on them.
    I've tried a higher-contrast top, as you suggest, approprio, and that didn't work so well, either (got suggestions for lower contrast. . .). Sara, I like the idea of a pointy toe that is lower, but haven't found one. I envisioned the pants working with a lot of things in my wardrobe, but everything I try looks so-so at best.

    Celia, the top in outfit 1 is already semi-tucked. Maybe it doesn't look like it, because there is no belt? (The pants don't have belt loops, so I didn't wear one.)

  • celia replied 9 years ago

    My bad  Firecracker ;o) Do you have a looser top to tuck so that it looks more square and semitucked instead of full tucket in the front?
    ETA: I am nit picking here, your outfit is brilliantly artsy as it is. Just suggesting another way to use those pants.

  • replied 9 years ago

    I love looking at the colors, textures and shapes in your outfits. Rich and subtle and a little playful too. With #1, I think I'd prefer the top untucked. #2, spot on. That's a great jacket on you -- fit, color, quilting, the peplum at the back -- just yes. #3, I'm always confuzzled by wide trousers. I agree with Sara L. that maybe they look too large from the back. Did you ever try a longer tunic with them? By the way, I don't think you ever have to worry about stumpification in clothes -- your natural line is long enough that you can play around with elements that aren't traditionally "leg-lengthening."

  • Angie replied 9 years ago

    I can't get past outfit #1. 

    WOW.

    Killer look. 

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 9 years ago

    Celia, aha--thanks! I do have some tops I could do that with.
    Gauche, I haven't tried a long tunic with the full trousers. I can give it a go. Maybe my long gray cardigan would work. I've been trying shorter tops, to show the full length of the trouser, but maybe I've been barking up the wrong tree. And you're too kind--thanks for your comment on the long line.
    Angie, once again you surprise me. It's always fun to get your take on outfits. Eventually I learn from hanging out here at YLF; it's a continual process (and entertaining, of course).

  • Greyscale replied 9 years ago

    I love those pants in #1! The shape is fantastic - I like how they're slimming at the top with all the extra volume lower. I'm not always a fan of cargo pants but these are excellent.

    Do you think a shape like those pants would work on short legs?

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 9 years ago

    Greyscale, thanks! I think they would probably suit short legs, too. I altered the pattern at the bottom of the leg, to get more taper. The pattern was also for cropped pants, so I lengthened them, while keeping the pocket intact--it's a very long pocket, placed low on the leg. I think the cropped version might be more flattering on a shorter leg, to show a little ankle. Here's the pattern.

  • AM replied 9 years ago

    #1/2/3 was jaw dropping. Fabulous! Can't say enough. (I want to see a more modern coat over top of this. Trench feels too classic).
    #4-6 chic. Love the darkness with the light highlights in the shirt. I'd prefer this will your All Saints moto jacket. Something about the collar of the jacket doesn't feel right about where it hits (too low). I'm being picky.
    #7-9 looks very classic but doesn't have your panache. Can you do a sash belt that would emphasize high waist with a tailored shirt/blouse (tucked in) and then throw the taupe leather jacket in images 4-6 on top. Again, just brainstorming...

  • replied 9 years ago

    I think this comment of AM's is spot-on: the third outfit "looks very classic but doesn't have your panache." That's a great word for your style and could be used as a kind of rubric for putting together your best outfits: "Does this have Firecracker's panache, or not?"

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 9 years ago

    Interesting thought on the coat in the first outfit, AM. I tried my mauve pleated-collar packable coat, but thought it was too long and shapeless. I'm afraid my coat collection is lacking in the modern category. I see what you mean about the collar in 2; I used to worry more about coordinating necklines with my collarless jackets than I do now, for some reason. And I like your idea for outfit 3. I've worn the jacket with the pants before, but haven't tried a sash belt.

    Gauche, yes--that's a good little test, isn't it? Panache isn't quite drama, which seems a little too bold for me. I'm not comfortable with drama, but I think I can handle panache.

  • E replied 9 years ago

    Those trousers in #1 are SO cool! And then I saw outfit #2, and you upped the coolness even more into total badass territory (in the complimentary sense, hehe). I wonder if you need more contrast in outfit 3? Your face just seems to come into really sharp focus in the two darker outfits. 

  • AM replied 9 years ago

    E makes a good point about darkness -- and how it brings your face into sharp focus. I absolutely agree. 

  • Tania replied 9 years ago

    I love number 1.  Your sewing skills and combinations are totally fab.  

  • krishnidoux replied 9 years ago

    Those cargos you made are SO cool! I want a pair!

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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.