WIW: sporty luxe w/ sweatshirt

I was influenced by the Karen's Summer Style post in which Karen wore a short, rolled-sleeve sweatshirt with a step hem over jeans. I loved the style on her and wanted to make something like it for myself.
Then I saw this "Valentin0 butterfly montage brushed wool" fabric on Emmaonesock.com and thought it would make a great sweatshirt to layer over long-sleeved tees (or blouses--if I had any that would work). The fabric was expensive, coming from current season designer ready-to-wear. I only needed a yard, to make a short-sleeved top. (I considered making it long-sleeved, but I thought it might feel pretty bulky, and it would have nearly doubled the cost of the garment!) It turned out there was only a little over 3/4 yard left, so I took the end of the bolt, and it worked out fine.

Today is its first wearing, as the weather hasn't been quite cool enough until now for fleecy wool. I decided to give the sporty look a little luxe with metallic sneakers. I think this sweatshirt would look chic over culottes, don't you? I don't have any yet.

The outfit (worn for a rainy day off): dark wash, undistressed boyfriend jeans (Kut from the Kloth, Catherine); eggplant crew-neck long-sleeved tee (Caslon); mauve, gray, olive, and ivory butterfly and flower print wool fleece cap-sleeved sweatshirt (made by me); pewter metallic high-top sneakers (Paul Green); black packable coat (Cole Haan); black satchel (Elliott Lucca, Olvera).

What do you think? How'd I do? Other styling ideas? As always, I welcome your thoughts and suggestions. Thanks for looking!

1
2
3
4
5
6
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.

17 Comments

  • shemarie replied 10 years ago

    I'm still behind the learning curve, so I'll leave the styling suggestions for others, but I just had to say I love this.  You had me at sporty-luxe...the sweatshirt (doesn't feel like a worthy name for such a beautiful - and handmade! - piece) really dresses up a casual, chic outfit!  So fun!

  • Mona replied 10 years ago

    The sweatshirt is awesome and yes, it will look great with culottes. What about the burgundy ones that MsMary has?

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 10 years ago

    Thanks, shemarie!
    Mona, yes, I may "need" some of those culottes. Same ones Krishnidoux posted, too. I do really like them. I don't know how much wear they'd get, honestly.

  • Angie replied 10 years ago

    WOW. Those are your spot on moody colours in a baroque floral. And then you turned it into a sweatshirt. How fab is that juxtaposition. You did a great job styling it already, Sharan. I bet it would look fun layered over a shirt with grey pearls.  

  • Carole replied 10 years ago

    Fantastic casual outfit! I love your modern fun shoes, statement, right?

  • Adelfa replied 10 years ago

    Gorgeous sweatshirt, well styled!

  • Suz replied 10 years ago

    What a beautiful piece! I love it. There is my "casual statement."  Perfect!!

    I love the idea of wearing this with the burgundy culottes. But it will also look great with white jeans! And you can try it with some of your greys and taupes, also. 

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 10 years ago

    Thanks, Angie. I will try it over my gray silk blouse. And I have some gray pearls that it would be fun to get out again--they are freshwater (the uneven shaped ones, right?).

    Carole, yes, I agree these are statement shoes. Thank you! I kind of adore them. :)

    Thanks, Adelfa and Suz! Right, Suz, casual statement. I'm all over that idea. That gives me a new way of thinking of dressing for my lifestyle. Since joining YLF, I've had the goal of bringing more sophistication to my casual style; thinking in terms of statement elements is easier to envision and might achieve the same end, which is to look like I care, basically.

  • Caro in Oz replied 10 years ago

    I love this - YLF & I love the other suggestions for more outfits too.
    Hope you don't mind me asking but did you have a pattern for this? Everything here, in this sort of shape, is polyester in the worst sense of the word. I don't mind synthetic fabrics but only if the hand is good. So I was thinking of dusting off the sewing machine :) It has been a while so I would need a pattern.

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 10 years ago

    Thanks, Caro! I used the Eureka Top and Skirt pattern from The Sewing Workshop.

  • Diana replied 10 years ago

    I am in love with your sweatshirt! The print, the style, the colors, everything!

  • Joy replied 10 years ago

    I love the shirt and colors on you. I'd love to see it with lighter neutrals or even silver jeans for more lux. Is the fabric too stiff to wear a long cardi over the top? It's just another styling idea.

  • Angie replied 10 years ago

    I look forward to seeing that rendition, Sharan. 

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 10 years ago

    Thanks, Diana!

    Joy, I like your ideas. Yes, it's too bulky, I think, to wear a cardigan over it.

    Angie, I'll give it a try. Maybe later today I'll have time.

  • Caro in Oz replied 10 years ago

    Thanks for the link :)

  • Neel replied 10 years ago

    You know you wear these colors beautifully :) ... I love the subtle hi low hem of the top and the pretty neck and sleeve details. With the metallic hi tops this is brilliant ^_^

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 10 years ago

    You're welcome, Caro!
    Neel, these are among my favorite colors. Thanks for your compliments!

You need to be logged in to comment