When I was ordering this cardigan and top from the LOFT site, I was having trouble choosing the colors I wanted. I preferred the top in thie wild berry shade more than the other options, but none of the sweater colors I was looking at were going to go with it. Then it struck me: why not buy both in the same color, and wear it as a monochrome set?
Seriously, that had never occurred to me before! I always try to buy tops that will "go with" my cardigans, but I've never bought one that actually matched. Turns out, I really love the look! The floaty tie-top part was so cute I decided to forego a necklace so it didn't detract.
(Wish I had looked in the mirror before taking these; the top looked way cuter, more French-schoolgirl, tugged down so it lay flat all the way down. Oh well, next time!)
Say a fond farewell to this Merona Fit skirt. I've worn it literally to pieces this summer; the fabric is pilling terribly, and I ripped up the liner Spanx too much. But it served me well, and I wish Target was still making them so I could buy another one. A new black skirt hunt begins!
The shoes are a great black patent Anne Klein peeptoes that I got at DSW this summer. I got a reader email asking if yesterday's outfit contained hose, and the answer is yes -- as does today's outfit. I picked up several pairs of Oroblu nude fishnet stockings at the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale this summer, and it's finally time to break them out. Angie at YLF sings the high praises of these stockings, and I totally understand why; you're wearing stocking without them feeling like sausage casings, and they are so comfortable on days when it goes from cool to hot very quickly.
I thought the turquoise glasses were a nice unexpected touch.
+++++
This weekend's project is already underway; I am sorting out all my clothes into the various sizes, putting things into storage in an organized fashion, and being honest about what fits and what needs to be put away for awhile. Expect a photo essay possibly on Sunday about it!
I love how the tone on tone looks and that berry color is one of my absolute favorites! What a gorgeous outfit!
ReplyDeleteThat is a great combo! I like to do monochrome-y things like that sometimes, it works best with a top that's got some detail like that.
ReplyDeleteTarget still has those skirts in the store, so maybe you can snatch another one up. I don't know why they'd stop making those - they're great skirts! I almost bought that cardigan at Loft a couple weeks ago, but I was waiting for it to go on sale - I got a tank in the same color instead. It looks great on you!
ReplyDeleteLove that look - I did sweater sets years ago and this is a more stylish version...so pretty. Of course that berry color is my favorite by far. Nice that you got so much wear out of that skirt - mine is still in good shape but I've only worn it a handful of times. Hope you can find another one.
ReplyDeleteRe the hose: are they really fishnets?
What a great color on you! What a great outfit!
ReplyDeleteI love this outfit! I'm normally not into sweaters matching tops, but I think these two look great together without being too "sweater-set"ish.
ReplyDeleteI've got two great black skirts from JCPenney. Both are Worthington. They are slightly longer than yours, but could easily be hemmed.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely concur on the Oroblu hose. They are so comfortable that I can forget that I'm wearing them, but add just enough visual interest and make me feel a bit more polished. I'm glad that you were able to stock up!
ReplyDeleteThe top and cardigan are gorgeous - I love the pretty berry color. I think you were right on with foregoing a necklace and letting the detail of the top take center stage.
The gray striped top that you asked about was from Anthropologie a while ago, not the Gap - but I actually know what Gap top you're talking about. I picked one up. The fit was a bit different since it's a long shirt, but I liked it on me and have been trying it around the house under unbuttoned vests.
I like matched sets. They're dressy and matchy but they are easy to put on. My issue is that if I marry them in my head I rarely wear them seperately.
ReplyDeleteI do think you save yourself grief by buying dyed to match parts together. Again, it's mental on my part, but if I have two things and I "know" the color doesn't match then I find fault with the outfit combination and don't get all the wear out of it that I should.
Love this look! That pink is perfection on your skin tone and hair color, good choice!!
ReplyDeleteIt's high time we all revive the twinset. It an be done, as you've proven. And what makes it spectacular is that lovely fuchsia color. That color used to be on my hate list, but somewhere along the way I decided it was tres flattering and I wear it all the time now. :)
ReplyDeletexo
Ahhhh ... Kristen in a boyfriend cardi ... that is definitely one of your top style sweet spots!
ReplyDeleteI think your next black skirt should be more of a pencil skirt, what do you think? What about that Halogen skirt that's got the vertical seams?
Natalie, thanks! That berry color pulled me in too.
ReplyDeleteCynthia, I agree, the detail of the top made it work.
Anne, I looked in Target tonight but they don't have my size. They have a close one online without the Spanx that I think I am going to order. LOFT puts some of the same sweaters on sale if they sell out most of the sizes; the yellow one went the week after I bought it and it is long gone from the store and the site now!
Shelley, I used to do sweater sets too, but this didn't feel like that at all. Maybe because the top is more a t-shirt knit. And yes, the stockings are "micro" fishnet. I will take a close up picture next time I wear them!
Rebecca and Diana, thanks!
Lynn, thanks for the tip. JCP isn't one of my usual haunts because the only one in my area isn't very nice, but I will keep an eye out the next time I am at a new mall. I love checking out new malls, LOL.
Kari, I knew at NAS I wasn't at my optimal weight so I didn't want to buy a lot of clothes, I knew for sure I wanted to stock up on those Oroblus! I bought 3 pairs; I am going to be paying attention to see how long they last, and if I need to buy more pairs next NAS. :)
Rose, I have the same mental block with suits. Once I but it together I have a hard time wearing them separately.
Kendra, thanks!
Julia, hee "twinset". That word didn't even come into my head when I put the outfit together, but you're right, that's what it is. I usually think of that as more the shell top being the same fabric as the sweater, more structured a la the 1950s twinsets. This is the 2010 version!
Laura, I've tried a few pencil skirts as replacements, and I am just not loving the look on me right now. The expanded dupa and belly in Kristen v.2010 is not working the pencil skirt well. :) The a-line feels more comfortable for the time being. But oh, I wish I could have gotten that olive-gold Halogen skirt from NAS. That one was stunning!