WIW 08.08 [black + pastels]

Hi ladies! Angie's post about pairing pastels with black this morning is right up my alley. One of my favorite ways to wear black, actually. As I commented on the blog, I wear this most in winter and spring; in summer I tend to swap the black for white with pastels or else simply black+white, and in the fall I tend to pair both the black and the pastels with richer more saturated shades like rust and teal versus with each other. Was inspired by the post today to do a semi-summery version for some semi-summery weather.

This tunic was an easy choice because it's black, cream, and three pastel shades (pink, yellow, blue) -- the whole post all in one go! (The colors aren't nearly as saturated as the stock photo shows.) Added peach studded flats, blush moto, and peachy-orange sunnies for a few more pastel shades; leatherette capris for texture contrast; and for some extra sparkle my sequin clutch and layered gold+silver earrings. Finished with a swipe of cherry lip gloss. Easy peasy! Somehow forgot to put on my watch (!) prior to photos, but rest assured it's on now ;)

Comments, critiques, thoughts and questions welcome ^^

1
2
3
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.

35 Comments

  • Aida replied 8 years ago

    [ Ack! Somehow managed not to link from the blog post. Blast. Is that fixable, moderators? ]

  • catgirl replied 8 years ago

    As usual so uniquely you and perfectly put together. What a great tunic. Remember that floaty floral top at Nordstrom? Do you still have it? As I recall it wasn't so pastel though.

  • Aida replied 8 years ago

    The dark Topshop one we bought in LA (#4 here)? I do still have it! That's very autumnal and rustic though; sheer black with saturated rusts, yellows, reds etc. Similar colors to this H&M blouse (which I also have) but in bright shades.

  • chewyspaghetti replied 8 years ago

    Love it!

  • replied 8 years ago

    In my mind, you are the Queen of Proportions.  You always get it right.  Always.  

  • Suz replied 8 years ago

    Oh-- I love this. So clever to mix the blush with that yellow black and silvery white top! I guess the top has the blush in it also but the yellow pops. 

  • catgirl replied 8 years ago

    I thought there was a more vivid chiffon one but my memory is always a mess with shopping!

  • Jaime replied 8 years ago

    This combination is made for you - no wonder you love it. Gorgeous and I love it with the jacket!

  • Sal replied 8 years ago

    Nice balance of light and dark here (your colouring really helps you here).  The tunic is also light fabric which assists.

    Love your hair here.

  • Tanya replied 8 years ago

    Gorgeous outfit, Aida, it looks so pretty with your black hair!   I have a different H&M top in the same pattern,  and agree it is perfect for pastels+black combo.   I will need to wait for fall to wear it though, it is very hot here these days.

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 8 years ago

    Such a pretty combination, and you look so good in it!

  • JAileen replied 8 years ago

    Black and pastels really work for you. You look great!

  • Brooklyn replied 8 years ago

    Welcome back! You haven't posted in ages. Your outfit is really pretty. I love the floral tunic and those leatherette cropped pants get me everytime. Leather in summer is so unexpected but they still look seasonal. I am currently thinking about a pair of coated white jeans (cropped) for our upcoming summer (I think coating gives a leather vibe). Somehow I think you would approve :)

  • Ledonna N. replied 8 years ago

    Let me pick my jaw up.off the floor. Lol okay loving this look. It is kind of rocker Chic

  • Summer replied 8 years ago

    This is lovely on you, Aida.  I have to admit that blush and black looks especially good on those with dark hair.

  • skylurker replied 8 years ago

    Beautiful palette, love the pairing of the tunic with the pink moto and gold clutch.

  • Elizabeth P replied 8 years ago

    Perfection!  As Sterling says, Queen of Proportions.

  • Maneera replied 8 years ago

    Love that tunic! Is AMAZING! You look gorgeously summery here...even though you're wearing black. Love the accessories. And I am blown away by your perfect curls. Seriously - how do you do it??? I need a lesson!!! My curls are driving me NUTS as they are frizzy as hell these days!

  • Karie replied 8 years ago

    Gorgeous! Those vegan shorts are amazing and you've paired them perfectly with the tunic.

  • harmonica replied 8 years ago

    Beautiful colour palette for you and the outfit is has your signature all over! Agreeing with sterling.

  • replied 8 years ago

    Beautiful! I adore this floral tunic/capri pant pairing and the jacket is so perfect with it. The colours in the floral are pretty and there's just the right amount of black in the print to make it all cohesive. Fab proportions too.

    I actually have a 1 metre length of some Dolce and Gabanna fabric which is large blush tulips on an black background. I'm excited to design something to wear over skinny crops now :)

  • Roxanna replied 8 years ago

    @Manny - Aida has the BEST HAIR. As a fellow curly, I lust over it and bemoan the state of my curls whenever she posts a WIW too :)

    Aida - this is perfection. That blush pink moto looks fabulous, and is making me covet it!

  • Jane replied 8 years ago

    Beautiful! Unusual and stylish. Love those ear-rings!

  • Amy replied 8 years ago

    Awesome.

  • Angie replied 8 years ago

    Killer Fab. 

  • Aida replied 8 years ago

    Thank you ladies very much :D

    Sterling, ah thank you, I do enjoy playing with proportions. I should mentioned that I did tweak the sleeve length; at full length it was a little off, so I pushed the elastic part under to just below my elbows and billowed the rest of the sleeve over the top. Voila! 3/5 sleeves to echo the capris ^^

    Tanya, isn't it a lovely pattern? I'd love some silky shorts with it. I saw the top too but sprung for the tunic because it was a more unique piece among my wardrobe items. Plus the woven rayon feels wonderful. Looking forward to seeing what you do with your blouse when it cools down.

    Brooklyn, YES to coated white jeans! Have you already found a pair?? Please share when you do, I'd LOVE to also get some. I agree with you on the "leather look" of coated jeans; and I do find my coated jeans more comfortable than the leatherette, plus a bit cooler in warmer weather too.

    Maneera and Roxanna, hah! My curls would be blushing if they could. If it makes you feel any better, I do spend quite a lot of time, for curls, on my hair -- 10-15 minutes daily, 30+ on wash days -- plus a whole bucket of products. I definitely don't have those "oh this? i woke up this way" curls ;) I'll do a quick write up of what I'm currently doing to style my hair and post later in the week. Honestly the more work I put into it on wash day, the better hair I have for that wash cycle. And to be fair, this outfit was on an extra fabulously good hair day!

    Diane, that sounds lovely! And would work with your pretty blush moto, too ^^

    Angie, I meant to post from the blog but apparently didn't. Is there a way to fix that?

  • Jenn replied 8 years ago

    Such a great outfit. You're the queen of wearing trendy pieces flawlessly, Aida.

  • Brooklyn replied 8 years ago

    I love your enthusiasm Aida! Re the coated white jeans. I haven't tried them yet but these are the ones. Trenery is an Aussie brand. I would prefer them to be a little less skinny but I can only try and see. I will keep you posted :)

    https://m.trenery.com.au/shop/.....-Jean.html

  • Angie replied 8 years ago

    Don't worry, Aida! And I answered you on Una's silver booties thread, and back on Diana's fringed jeans hack thread. Take a peek when you have a moment.

  • Windchime replied 8 years ago

    I love this on you! The tunic is gorgeous, and it's awesome that you wore it with your leatherette capris. Thanks for posting. :)

  • Vicki replied 8 years ago

    This is the way you do black and blush and I "see" what you mean about the clarity of the pinks as you shared on another thread.  You look amazing and I'm going to keep trying with this black + pastels ensemble of Angie's.  I tried, yesterday, with black and light blue, but I'm still missing an element, either with the pants or the shoes or both!  You're showing me how it's done, Aida!

  • Aida replied 8 years ago

    Thanks for the comments, ladies!

    Brooklyn, definitely looking forward to your report on the jeans. I haven't seen anything like them and am very interested. My other two pairs of coated jeans (black, charcoal) are a little jealous! ;)

    Angie, thank you! Hmm slimmer sounds good, hopefully I can find a way to try them out.

    Vicki, I appreciate your extra detailed and sweet comment as always <3 For black+light blue I think you personally would need to add a little white and/or metallic to echo your light hair. Maybe a cuff, the shoes, or bag.

  • Roxanna replied 8 years ago

    @Aida - DYING to hear your curly hair routine :)

  • Bonnie replied 8 years ago

    This looks really great and the colors and styling are perfect. 

  • Tammyb replied 8 years ago

    This looks really great!

You need to be logged in to comment