WIW 09.17 [seasons challenge: drinking pheasant]

For the fourth day of the challenge, I chose the drinking pheasant (#4).

[Challenge info and guidelines posted here.]

Initially I was drawn to the idea of reflection; I'd planned on doing a mirrored plaid outfit (plaid on top, plaid on bottom), but when I put the outfit on it felt too wintery so I'll shelf that idea and return to it later in the season. Instead I looked at the mix of color and pattern, and played with the idea of layered textures to represent the bird's dense feathers.

While I don't wear a lot of brown I do enjoy wearing soft muted shades particularly with cream and/or rust. I didn't focus too heavily on representing the tones faithfully, rather went for a similar overall "color feel". Also painted my nails a delicate gold (#3). It's actually sheer with little gold flecks, so at some angles/in some lights it just looks like plain shiny nails while at other angles/in other lights it's a very glittery soft gold.

For pattern I chose a peacock feather print blouse, textured tights that evoke feathers or an extremely simplified bird silhouette, and added my leo clutch as a nod to the somewhat dotty pattern on the pheasant's back.

As for texture, that ended up being my favorite part -- Every piece in this outfit has a different texture: the blouse is a sheer silk, cardigan a fine-yet-meshy knit, shorts are a soft woven tencel, boots a ruched faux leather; the clutch is pony hair, earrings hammered metal, sunnies are resin, and of course the tights are an open-weave crochet knit. (Whew!) Not sure if I've managed to put together quite so many different textures in a single outfit before, even one as heavily layered as this, but I really like the depth it creates. (And back to crazy 80s hair, yay!)

Comments, critiques, thoughts and questions welcome!

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19 Comments

  • rachylou replied 8 years ago

    I love this! It's all out!

  • Aida replied 8 years ago

    Hah Rachy yes! I'm all for More is More. I've been doing Minimally Maximal a good while now, which I quite enjoy. But I'm feeling A-Little-More-Than-Minimally Maximal this season. Not quite Maximally Maximal, something more streamlined than that while still feeling like More.

  • replied 8 years ago

    Not one, but two items with feathers on them!
    I think this is my favourite outfit of yours so far :-)

  • Jaime replied 8 years ago

    I love how you can combine so many colors and textures and manage to look like a work of art instead of a mess - rather like nature herself. I also love how you see drinking pheasant and I saw vain bird. Does not reflect well on the seer, does it ;-)?

  • Ankita replied 8 years ago

    Gorgeous rendition! I love how you layered and incorporated patterns...and you look amaaaaaazing!

  • replied 8 years ago

    Vain bird! Lol Shevia!

    Aida, you've brought together textures and shades here that all play so beautifully. How -do-you-do-it?? Fabulous! I think the light cardigan helps to calm the look down and of course, it's your signature light tones that you love dearly :)

  • BethT replied 8 years ago

    I'm amazed how this all works, but it does and I love it!

    The "crazy 80's hair" and large earrings help to balance out the top with the boots and textured tights.  (I often think my little head is totally swallowed up by my clothes)  Overall, just a super fun, casual, put together look.  I bet you were turning heads all day, followed by sneers of jealousy.

  • Lisa replied 8 years ago

    I remember that peacock printed top, it's nice to see it come out to play.

  • SarahTheWhite replied 8 years ago

    This is so great, and captures the spirit of the pheasant photo perfectly! The amazing textures throughout are fantastic. And as always, I LOVE your hair! Love love love the curls!

  • abc replied 8 years ago

    Wow. Your mixing skills are off the chart.

  • Carole replied 8 years ago

    Such wonderful textures together, Aida. I love how you've added tights to with shorts and all the colors work to create a soft and interesting outfit. Well done!

  • Angie replied 8 years ago

    How creative and fashion forward. Love. 

  • replied 8 years ago

    One word - WOW!

  • Sara L. replied 8 years ago

    Great look!  I love those textured tights.  I think they especially evoke the bird feathers.  The tones and textures work wonderfully together. 

  • Jenn replied 8 years ago

    I am in awe that you put together this outfit, and that it works. Wow.

  • Dee replied 8 years ago

    I looked at the pics before I read the text of your post and thought this was a) awesome and b) the most ALGO outfit I've ever seen from you. The combination of layers and textures gives it a lot of depth and references the inspiration in a unique way.

    More maximal is going to be a fun season for you. I'm looking forward to all your outfits!

  • Diana replied 8 years ago

    What fantastic pattern mixing!  I too am really looking forward to seeing some more of your More Maximal outfits. 

    I think it's brilliant how you have used all the different textures to evoke the detail and patterning of the plumage. 

  • Aida replied 8 years ago

    Wow thanks ladies! I didn't expect this to go over quite so well; I had the hardest time photographing it and felt like it was much better in person. Fun to hear I'm not the only one feeling like adding a Little More these days.

    Jaime, hah well I had a good chuckle at that! I think my view of the bird is skewed by the fact that we have a large waterfall/pond immediately on the left side of where these photos are taken and birds are constantly playing and drinking in it. Sometimes even while I'm taking photos! I see no eye of the beholder issues here ^^

    Diane, the cream certainly made me feel much happier with the outfit. I didn't have it on originally and almost changed, so am glad I thought to try it.

    Dee and Diana, teehee it is quite ALGO isn't it! This outfit is actually much more reminiscent of how I dressed when I first came to YLF years ago -- I had a particularly strong boho/layering streak in me then. It'll be fun to figure out how I feel like doing it this time around. In summer it's mostly manifested as Mixing All The Patterns ;)

  • cheryle (Dianthus) replied 8 years ago

    Aida, I am so glad you are posting WIWs again.  Your attention to detail and ability to mix interesting pieces is among the best I have ever seen. Thanks for sharing the thought process.

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