WIW 03.18-22

I'm still working on my backlogged outfits for Jan/Feb, but in the meantime here is what I wore this week! Dressing in February and early March is definitely toughest for me, as this is about when it starts to sink in that we still have more gloomy, cold, grizzly, and rainy weather until May (which started in October). February is especially rough, but at least by March I am able to start incorporating one or two spring items to lighten up my look (and lightness always makes me feel better). This week I thought it'd be fun to pull inspiration from a few wintery outfits on my Pinterest board that I'd never gotten to, and to go ahead and start working in some of my new spring pieces. After all, spring started this week but someone sure didn't tell our weather about it ;) Feeling chatty, feel free to skip down to the photos!

#1 [Inspiration] - Olive+black has been a favorite combo of mine for a very long time, but I have to say.. after wearing this outfit I think I am over it for the foreseeable future. It felt very heavy and I wasn't in the right mood for it. I added the lariat-imitating-a-tie to try and add some shine without changing the moody colors, but I think I should've just gone with a non-turtleneck top along with pumps so that more skin is exposed (thus more lightness); I did feel a lot better once I added the clutch because of the bright yellow. Although the outfit is fine, for those who think I don't have misses here's an outfit I consider one. But at least I learned a good lesson. Trying out a new plum-colored lip tint.

#2 [Inspiration, bottom right] - A fairly straightforward copycat, since I had the perfect pieces for it. I almost always tie this bow-blouse in a simple knot because it feels more me than a bow :) The creamy-taupe boots don't quite match the cool tones in the rest of the outfit, but I feel like they still worked well. Popped on some neon coral earrings (new) and matching lipstick for some additional brightness (plus it picks up on the orange in the blouse).

#3 [Inspiration] - Happy first day of spring! It was RIDICULOUSLY windy all day; it started at 55F (and sunny, here's photo proof!), then later we had strong hail, and finally ended up with snow and 34F by the time I was headed home from work. Yay spring -_- Anyway! In honor, I wore the key spring colors I'm into for the season: white (tank), gold (flats), and light midtones (new earrings). After wearing this new sequined tank I can't imagine why I ever thought that the larger size was even an option, this one is more than loose enough! I don't think I wore this camel blazer at all this season, though I still love it so it's not going anywhere; it's a fall/winter weight so I wanted to give it at least a little sunlight before putting it away for the season.

#4 [Inspiration] - I had a ton of outfit ideas this winter that used this jean+boot pairing, but didn't try any of them; these slouchy skinnies are more like straights and the boots very slim, so I simply assumed they wouldn't work together. What a mistake to not even try before now, because they totally do work together! *sigh* Well at least I got to do one of the outfits, and I can probably sneak in another couple. I know these proportions won't be everyone's cuppa, but I was super duper happy in this ^^ New clutch (from the GAP, I also got the turquoise), neon orange makes me happy :D Also a new belt; you can't really tell but it's white spotted in black which picks up on the dark boots. And again, matching bright orange lipstick.

#5 [Inspiration] - Much looser interpretation for this outfit for a hectic morning. Today I was woken up several hours earlier than normal because of a surprise snowfall and needing to immediately drive both hubby and sis to work and school respectively since my car is AWD; unfortunately my husband's AWD SUV broke earlier this week and I didn't want him on a motorcycle although he is capable of riding in the snow. Initially I'd planned to wear a charcoal long sleeve tee and pumps with this moto vest (new) and pants, but it was tooooo cold for that so I substituted in a cashmere sweater and tall boots; can't tell you all how happy I was to already have a basic outfit planned for today with such a rushed morning! Added my new minty earrings for a semi-tonal effect, and plum lip gloss to go with the jewel tones. I had my sister take my outfit photos today at work, she did a good job ^^

#6 - Bonus photo of my front yard in the morning, still heavily snowing; most of the snow is probably gone by now, and it was only 3-4" so not a big deal. Just a big surprise! You can't see them, but I'd just planted a whole bunch of pretty violas there on the right -_-

Comments, critiques, thoughts and questions welcome!

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45 Comments

  • Inge replied 11 years ago
    I don't think I've ever seen you have a "bad style" day, Aida. This is, again, a great set of outfits. And outfit one was actually one of my favourites, I love the black and olive together, thanks to the silhouette and fabrics (they look mid-weight in the photo?) it doesn't feel heavy to me at all. Agree that the clutch is a fantastic touch. My second favourite is outfit 4, feels so fresh with the white bottoms and vibrant red jacket.

    Thank you for the snow pic, I love the sound of your violas too:-)
  • Aida replied 11 years ago
    Thank you Inge! You are right, #1 is all mid-weight fabrics. I meant more that the feeling the outfit gave me was heavy because it's so dark. I like the outfit well enough, but it didn't feel great that day; if I was in a lighter mood or we had more cheerful weather I think it'd have been fine. Silly mood dressing! #4 is one of my favorite outfits ever, glad you liked it! I'll probably wear a version of it again next week, which is saying something for me ^^

    EDIT: The violas are cheerful spring colors: yellow, lavender, white, and orange! I hope they survive the snow.
  • catgirl replied 11 years ago
    So I notice you left out details on that fab orange jacket!  These are all Aida-rific, but that outfit is really stealing my heart.
  • kellygirl replied 11 years ago
    Always such a treat, Aida. Love how you show your inspirations. You really are so creative--my inspirations are all SO much more literal (unfortunately.) My favorites are 2 and 4. I just love the blouse, the boots, the skinnies. It's so sophisticated to my eye. Everything just works so well together. I also love the color pairing and silhouette of 4. I have a hard time believing you are my height (thereabouts) because you look SO tall in this when everything about it makes me think it should make you look shorter with all of the horizontal lines. It's brilliant and I'm not sure how you did it! I also really adore 5--again, I would think the white would look out of place with the dark column of color but it looks positively fab. OMG--are "our" boots in the snow? Are they all weather? gasp...I can't even wear mine in the rain! LOL! 

    Another fab outfit post! Thank you for sharing!

  • Aida replied 11 years ago
    Una, the rusty-orange jacket isn't new, but hasn't gotten too much wear yet. I got it from Nordstrom Rack, it's by Blanc Noir. It had been planned to go to LA for the meetup but I ended up bring the blush moto instead; I think I pointed it out to you, Sylvie, and Rae when we hit up the Rack while shopping in LA actually! I have definitely plans for variations on outfit #4 :)
  • Aida replied 11 years ago
    Kelly, we were writing at the same time hehe! Thank you for the lovely and detailed comment. Heels add a lot more to our overall visual height as shorties! The heels on all the boots (#1, 2, 4) are all 2.5-3" which puts me at a more "normal" height of 5'6"-ish so I definitely will look taller in those. I also have proportionally long arms/torso which helps. And yes I took The Boots out in the snow! It was only a couple inches and I waterproofed the heck outta them at the start of winter because, well, if I waited until there was no rain I'd never wear them at all ;)
  • catgirl replied 11 years ago
    It's awesome!  I have on orange leather jacket I've been waiting to bust out from last year, and I need inspiration from you. :) 
  • Aida replied 11 years ago
    Una I will try to come up with some spring outfits that use it! I have a big mental block against rust at any time of year other than Autumn, so that will be a good challenge for me.
  • kellygirl replied 11 years ago
    Aha, 3" heels--that probably doesn't hurt :) Thanks for pointing that out.  LOL about the boots. I guess that makes sense where you live!
  • replied 11 years ago
    All fantastic Aida. It's great to see your inspiration too. At a push if I had to pick favourites it would be 4 and 5.
  • Aida replied 11 years ago
    Hah most definitely, Kelly, it's a 4.5% height increase! Any time you see me in flared jeans... there are 4" heels underneath. Though the bulk of my heels are down to 3" and under now 0:)

    Diane, thank you!
  • CocoLion replied 11 years ago
    You have great style Aida so all of your outfits look good.  1 and 4 are my favorites.  #1 because, boy do you look amazing in black!  Add a structured blazer and wow, just wow!  There is something incredibly chic about this combination of black, structure and your loose black curls.

    And as for #4, I adore the colors here, very dramatic and I envy how you can pull off white denim!

    Is the vest in #5 from H&M?  I tried one like that on last month and really wanted it but didn't let myself go there, I felt a little too old for it.
  • Carole replied 11 years ago
    Your interpretations are so creative, Aida. Love that. These are all great but my  faves are 4-5. You have a fabulous coat collection, as it should be living in the PacNW!
  • qfbrenda replied 11 years ago
    Great week!  I like everything, but I really love that moto vest.
  • Aida replied 11 years ago
    Denise, thanks for your thoughts! You can see my dilemma about black; it looks very good on me and is quite versatile especially in light of my style goals, yet it tends to make me feel down. I have to be very particular about what days I wear a lot of it. The vest in #5 is the one from H&M, I think it's pretty good quality for faux leather. I think if you wear moto vests at all, then this is a decent option short of paying much more for real leather, though of course that'll up the luxe factor of the vest for sure.

    Carole, thank you! My jacket collection thanks you as well, we certainly do need many options here in the PNW.

    Brenda, thanks! Have you gotten your denim vest yet? I hope we'll get to see it in action soon :)
  • Susie replied 11 years ago
    These all look so good. I love your style, Aida. You always look like you have such fun with it. You may put a lot of thought into your outfits but you may it look effortless and unfussy and I adore that.

    My favorite is #4. I literally said "WOW" when I opened it!
  • Nicole D replied 11 years ago
    Don't give up on olive and black!  That one is one of my faves!  And the red/orange jacket. And the teal jeans.  I really love your use of colour and mix of shapes.  You can join Team Peacock anytime.
  • rachylou replied 11 years ago
    I do not know how you knock these outfits out every day! All are wow! I really really love #3. The clutch is perfectly subversive, in a good way.
  • harmonica replied 11 years ago
    #1 is my favorite and the shades in #2 are amazing! You are such an inspiration, Aida. Always a treat to see your strong outfits
  • Ingunn replied 11 years ago
    WOW, this is a great week! I see what you mean by not wanting the black+olive combo again in a while, but you do look great in those colors. My favorites are #1, #4 and #5. Great colors, textures and as always an eye for details. You have great style, and I LOVE reading about your inspirations an elaborate thoughts on your ideas.

    I do have a lot more snow in my back yard than you, and I really wish I could hope it is gone by tomorrow :)
  • Saretta replied 11 years ago
    What a lovely snowy landscape, but I imagine you must be tired of it!

    My fav look is no. 5. Very cute and flattering, plus I like that you have matched the dark boots with the dark pants. My only comment on some of the other outfits is that the dark pants w/light boots, or vice versa, are not my fav.

    How nice to have a sister to take pictures of you :-)
  • Aida replied 11 years ago
    Thank you for the comments, ladies! I'm glad to hear that #1 is going over well, I guess even if I'm feeling off I don't have to look it. This is a total 180 from where I was when I first came to YLF 2 years ago, so it makes me happy! Also glad to hear ya'all find my thought process on these interesting, sometimes I worry I am too wordy about it ;)

    Nicole, no worries I don't plan to give up olive and black; they are two of my core neutrals, but I am executing a fairly strict no-new-items-in-black policy for sure. I just need to add a healthy dose of something light to the combination right now, either by a light colored item or having more skin exposed. I'm all about white!

    Rachy, the punk in me loves your subversive clutch comment ^^ It's the spirit of the intent for sure: to take an otherwise classic type of outfit and add in a little chaos.

    Saretta, actually this is the only proper snow we've gotten this year so I was thrilled to see it! Just not so dang early in the morning. I love snow, but this was an off year for it (it alternates here in the PNW). I can see how the high contrast between pants/boots doesn't appeal, it can certainly be a jarring effect and isn't necessarily the most flattering type of pairing so one would have be to OK with that. Thanks for the honesty!
  • replied 11 years ago
    Love 4 in particular! 5 is good too.

    i love to read about your inspiration and thought processes.
  • Jonesy replied 11 years ago
    These all look fab, but I especially love #4--you look smashing in that color (with matching lipstick too!) and the silhouette is rockin'.
  • MsMary replied 11 years ago
    Ah, Aida!  My beloved Pinterest-copycatting blouse-twin sister!  I love all of these, and ironically my very fave is #1, the one you consider a "miss!"  Go figure, huh?  I love all of these, and even more so when I get to see the inspiration behind them!

    And oh my goodness!  What a lovely snow bunny you are in #5!!
  • cheryle (Dianthus) replied 11 years ago
    I love #1.  I really like the way you wear slim jeans.  I didn't say skinny because you always seem to get the fit just right so they fit close but don't look tight.  It is a really good look and I wish I could duplicate it.  :)
  • Angie replied 11 years ago
    I'm with Jonesy! It's all fab, but I especially LOVE #4. It's like a dressage lass married into the jockey community. (I'm horsey - don't know if you know what that means). Now I can finally see how big those white jeans are - very on trend. I'm going with a KILLER to the power of KILLER for that outfit :)

    We had a little snow in the city this morning too.
  • Aida replied 11 years ago
    Thanks ladies :D

    Jonesy, I love to match my lipstick to my outfits although the color does get washed out in the photos much of the time; they're always much brighter in person. But I'm especially fond of matching orange for some reason.

    Mary, YES! I keep getting stumped in the mornings and then thinking, why pin 'em if we don't use 'em eh? So many ways one can interpret an inspiration outfit. I've been using Pinterest a LOT this season, and find it hugely helpful when I feel slumpy.

    Dianthus, to be honest, I get that fit because most of my skinnies fit about 0.5-2 sizes too large due to very slow weight loss over several years. Luckily, this is on trend ;) That said, if I were heavier they would still fit me correctly which I am finding is both a blessing and a curse when wearing baggier skinnies; sometimes it's hard to tell if they are actually oversized, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. If I wanted to get this fit in a new pant, I would find one that fit well and then simply size up, or pick one that I were in between sizes for and go with the larger size.

    Angie, right! That was totally in my mind when putting this outfit together. I had a longer top on underneath the jacket with it open at first, but switched to this version because it felt more equestrian (even though the boots/jacket aren't really so) which is just what I was in the mood for. I think their jackets and especially the tails are longer though, yes? And woo for a K2 rating, as I said above this is one of my favorite outfits ever and will definitely make it through my repeat filter ^^ Re the white jeans, I figured eventually one of the photos would capture how big they are ;) I'm coming around to them for the white, but I think I'd still like another pair that's slimmer for sleeker looks. Hope the snow didn't cause too much trouble for you!
  • Transcona Shannon replied 11 years ago
    Aida - how on earth do you come up with such fantastic outfits week after week??? I wait for your WIW posts like a pre-schooler waiting for their birthday presents!

    I think you might be convincing me to try a faux leather white vest rather than looking for real leather - this one is fab on you. And Denise - you are not too old for the vest!!!
  • Kyle replied 11 years ago
    I happen to love the black and olive combo, including the lariat -- it's sophisticated but young and polished and it feels just right for you. Black looks amazing on you, by the way. And your hair gives a whole new level of polished chicness to every outfit.

    BUT, #4 knocked me out. I've had to go back and look at it several times to try and understand what makes it so fab, and the only answer I can come up with is, everything. Perfect from head to toe. 
  • texstyle replied 11 years ago
    Such an amazing and professional set of outfits Aida -  the colors, textures, silhouettes, everything is just coming together so well. You, Shannon, Ingunn and a few others have been so inspiring, especially in the last few months.  I really also love the extra art in your photo displays.  I need to go see now if you have your own blog because I can't remember. I'm also very interested to see how the orange/rust blazer is styled in the future - I have a very bright neon orange/coral jacket that I've so far only worn a couple of times, usually on cloudy days when I think a shot of color would be nice.

    You definitiely look fab.
  • Thistle replied 11 years ago
    How did I miss this post?  Wow, you look so fab day after day, week after week! You really know your style and it just shines.  Love #4.  Orange looks so fab on you, and I love the vibrant color with all that snow!
  • Mo replied 11 years ago
    #4 rocks!  I like the necklace as tie in #1, too.  Looks like you have more snow than me right now :/
  • Debora replied 11 years ago
    Aida, all are stellar looks. I especially love #1 and #4. That orange jacket is just amazing on you.Thanks so much for sharing!
  • Jaime replied 11 years ago
    Well since #4 has already received much (well deserved) love, I will focus on the spectacular color of the top in #5. I love it with the oversized white vest. I understand what you mean about the colors in #1 being heavy, but I love that outfit on you - so sophisticated from the lariat to the tip of your open toes. And the coat and blouse in #2 are just perfect on you. And the fit of the green jeans (how clever are you to achieve current fit through shrinkage). And I love that clutch. That is the best I can do without flipping back and losing my what I have written - is there a save draft option I am missing?
  • Sveta replied 11 years ago
    Count me in with those who loves olive and black in the first outfit! It does not look heavy at all...but I understand this longing for lighter and more cheerful colors in the early spring when winter just does not want to go away...like planting violas ;-)
    I also like ##4 and 5 very much. This red jacket is amazing on you, please wear it more often. And I am in love with the vest in #5!
  • Kalli replied 11 years ago
    Hurray an Aida Smorgasbord! Lots of yummy eye candy for me to peruse. Thank you!
  • Day Vies replied 11 years ago
    Now how the heck am I supposed to pick a favorite when they all look do stunning! (Eye candy wonderland!) OK, so #3 is my favorite because I love the color palette -- I've been thinking about this mix for a while and have not yet tried it. #4 is super cute I love the red jacket! I also adore the coral earrings with your coloring. Simply gorgeous! 
  • Karie replied 11 years ago
    Your outfits are always fantastic, but I just love #2. Your top looks nice and flowy (my favorite kind of top) and I love your tan boots!
  • Caro in Oz replied 11 years ago
    They  are all fantastic outfits & I love to hear the your thought process too.
    I'm another one with lots of love for #4 - I can see why you feel you need a shot of colour, you look fantastic. 
  • rae replied 11 years ago
    Yikes! Now that doesn't look like spring at all. I can definitely see how you'd be over the cold by now and ready for some lightness. The outfit with the new vest totally jumps out as my favorite - the white sleeveless jacket somehow makes it feel springy despite the black and jewel tones. Also really digging your lariat necklace and the PB tied in a knot. I no longer own any PB blouses, but I preferred to knot as well. 

    On another note, it has to be a sign that one is Truly Stylish when she has to reveal her own "misses." I'm sure we'd have never known. :)
  • dlb1960 replied 11 years ago
    Love the vest in no 5!
  • Tina.b replied 11 years ago
    Aida, all incredible outfits, I need to study them piece by piece. #1 I'm totally stealing. I love the dressy blazer and dark top paired with the more casual army green pants, perfect juxtaposition! and the booties, gorgeous!!!
  • cciele replied 11 years ago
    Everything here is so so fab. My fav is #4 -- the colors, the silhouette, your attitude/poise!
  • Aida replied 11 years ago
    WOW thank you all so much for the wonderful comments ladies! I really appreciate them. I'm still quite surprised that #1 was such a favorite among these, I find the disconnect with how I felt in it so interesting. But I loved #4 so much that I'm already wearing a variation of it today :)

    Shannon, I enjoy having both real and faux leather in my wardrobe; they each have their uses, and I can certainly wear my faux pieces with a lot more security of mind since they are massively easier to clean! (And I need, like, 5 boost buttons for your sweet comment, thank you! <3 )

    Mo, I hope your snow level went back up! I was out of town this weekend and found it very comical that we still had snow in our driveway when we got home late last night even though it had been 60F all weekend. Our property doesn't get much sun, heh.

    DV, thanks! I also really like the colors in #3, the camel is a bit softer than black but richer than taupe.

    Cathy, hah! The attitude in #4 is very spunky looking yes? I felt just like that wearing it :)

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