Monday Musings on Outfit Failures
Happy Monday, ladies. This week, I’m reflecting on some recent outfit failures. I know I’m not the only one who regrets clothing combinations, and I thought you might get a kick out of seeing a few of mine.
Color
Our weekend was chock full of holiday activities that required festive attire. For my first luncheon, I chose to wear the one-and-only red sweater I own. Eileen Fisher called it Azalea, but it’s red on me.
I bought this on sale last year thinking…”it’s in my color palette, so I should be able to wear it confidently”. Not a chance! I was uncomfortable and hated every second I had it on my body. It didn’t look bad on me, but I hated how I felt in it. We did not take a photo of what I was wearing because I was in a rush to get home and change. Personal color palettes are intended to help us wear colors that flatter our complexions, but if you don’t feel great in a specific color…skip it!
It’s now folded and ready to be added to my donation bag. I considered hanging it back up and waiting until next Christmas to see if I felt differently, but I don’t think that makes sense. I’ve worn it twice in 12 months and felt uncomfortable both times, so the chances of me changing my feelings are slim. I’m grateful I got it on sale.
Color with Fabric
My next failure was when we went out to dinner and saw The Nutcracker.
I’ve been wanting a tulle skirt for years and thought wearing one to the ballet would be fun. I really, really wanted a black one, but I talked myself into this gray. It’s in my palette, and I’ve been trying to avoid wearing so much black.
I ordered three pairs of gray tights, but neither was the correct shade. Since the skirt was long, I went bare-legged with my gray ballet flats (no longer in gray). I loved the way I felt wearing this skirt, but I hated how it looked. Tulle, by its very nature, is a feminine fabric that’s a bit outside of my comfort zone. I would have preferred the seriousness that the color black would have given the tulle and I could have worn it with my black suede booties.
Accessories Overload
Mercifully, this outfit never saw the light of day other than to capture this photo. I was experimenting with how to wear my new wine red cardigan and added way too many details. I can happily wear this red, but not with all the other distractions.
A plain black sweater would have suited me better with my faux leather pants. The shine of these booties is also too much with the pants, and the color is distracting. Black suede booties would have been preferable because they lack shine and would have visually receded. I’d likey skip the black poof brooch as well.
I like to walk the line between minimalistic and accessorized so too many details feel heavy and overdone on me.
Care to share any of your latest outfit fails?
The Eileen Fisher looks beautiful on you, especially with your lip color, but I get it. It’s important to feel good in what you wear.
I love that red sweater on you. I think it looks fabulous. What top did you wear with the tulle skirt?
I wore this gray cashmere tee.
I love this post! I have also talked myself into garments or outfits. It made sense in my head or in my wardrobe plan, but when I actually wore the outfit or garment – nope. As you explained, it just didn’t feel right. I am trying to slow down and really assess if a garment is exactly right, or if something is off – fit, color, style, whatever. Ordering online and having time to try on at home a few times has really helped me decide whether something is so close to right, but still not quite right. And it reminds me that I have plenty of clothes to wear. I don’t need to add a garment to my wardrobe unless it is exactly what makes me feel confident!