WIW 09.23,24 [hectic checks & gwen copycat]

The past two days have been very gloomy and wet, but it's looking like the weather should clear up for this weekend's crazy YLF festivities. Normally I wear something bright when it's glum out, but these past two days I've apparently been in a neutrals mood. Forgot I was doing newer/older, added that back in for today (newer meaning SS14 or FW14).

#2/3 - Ya'all may have noticed that checks are, by far, my favorite pattern. I have a lot of them in my wardrobe, and am not opposed to wearing several at once. I do realize that this is a rather hectic mix that may not be everyone's cuppa :) My initial plan for this outfit was with my checked pointy (silky canvas) flats to really have All The Checks, but with the heavy rain forecasted for the second half of the day I decided against them. Instead I pulled out cream booties that have some black blocking; the extra cream also helps ground the mix a bit. Popped on a silver belt and semi-tucked the sweater, even though I rarely do so with these pants (the rise is higher than I like), and turned the hems up for a sort-of-geeky-shorter-than-ankle-length thing. Accessorized with big crystal studs, white spiked purse, and better-than-nude peachy lip balm. Also extra crazy hair, but hey that works with the mix.
   Newer: belt, boots, purse
   Older: sweater, pants

#4-6 - Yesterday Jackie posted a great outfit of Gwen Stefani's, which I used as inspiration for today. The pants, blazer, and booties were all easy choices. For the top, my first thought was to go with something sparkly (go glam!). But after trying my sparkly tops, both of which are white, I didn't think the vibe quite lined up so instead I pulled out a gray/black striped tee and popped on a cream beret with silvery threads to add that additional white element back in. Sleeves up to echo the exposed calves and add lightness to the dark look. Finished accessorizing with some dainty punky jewelry, retro sunnies and, of course, bright red lipstick. It still didn't feel like quite enough glam/sparkle/shine, so I grabbed my taupe slightly-shimmery clutch (I did try my gold sequin clutch but that wasn't quite right either; something about sequins just didn't work with this look). Harder edge than usual, but still plenty of soft and glam so I am perfectly happy in this. Thanks for sharing the great inspo photo, Jackie!
   Newer: hat, bracelets
   Older: blazer, tee, pants, booties, clutch, ring

Comments, critiques, thoughts and questions welcome.

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22 Comments

  • jackiec replied 10 years ago

    Woohoo Aida!!! Love the Gwen outfit! So smart with the white touches - you are SO right - those white touches really make the outfit. The hat is a fab idea! And I can't believe how wonderful the pattern mix of checks looks. I don't think I own one check thing, can you believe it?! Brilliant to mix them up like this. Wow. You look so great - and I'm loving your haircut. I just got mine cut/coloured, and the stylist layered it more and scrunched it like crazy. Wish I had your curls, mine are more fuzzy and fine....ah but I digress - loving your outfits!!!

  • Suz replied 10 years ago

    Argh!!! You are slaying me!! 

    I can't believe how fantastic that hectic check outfit is. LOVE it!! Maybe I love it the more because I could never ever wear it, at least not in that high a contrast...alas. But boy, do I enjoy it on you. To me it doesn't read as "too much" in the least. Couldn't agree more about the choice of those booties. Are they comfortable for you? I really think the touch of dark on them is brilliant. Of course it bookends your hair which is great in itself, but it also allows you to blend them in both dark and light outfits. 

    Really like the "Gwen" look, too. 

  • Caro in Oz replied 10 years ago

    What a fantastic way to wear checks this works so well & the booties look just right. Love the GS look too - your hair, booties & clutch create a great juxtaposition with the "tomboy" look.

  • Jaime replied 10 years ago

    Love the crazy check outfit! It looks so good, and not too much, and I can only imagine how easy it would be for it to be over the top. Tempting to try though!
    Love the Gwen outfit too! This one I could almost copy exactly, hmm.
    Oh, you aren't just posting your outfits for me to copy? Silly me. Seriously, you are fab!

  • Diana replied 10 years ago

    Both of these outfits are so fun!  The hectic checks are just perfect. I think keeping it all black and white is key and prevents it from going over the top.  And I love your Gwen outfit too - all the different textures are really interesting and rich looking.  I am planning to do a similar copycat soon too, although I don't have white booties so I'll have to work the white in some other way.

  • Neel replied 10 years ago

    *fanning* Gosh these are super hot! Love love love the hectic pattern mixing nirvana and the Gwen Stefani copy! You have nailed the looks IMO! And wow ... You have an impressive collection of clutches and jewellery. The skull rings are too cool! You wear berets like nobody's business and I love your thought process in choosing your outfits (I know I have said that before :) )

  • CocoLion replied 10 years ago

    Love your checks outfit -- brilliant!

    Do you have another jacket to go with the Gwen outfit?  I feel as if the fabrication is too workwear for the other pieces.  Your pose in picture 4, left side -- looks very Harajuku / anime -- is that what you were going for?

  • Karie replied 10 years ago

    Both outfits are gorgeous! My fav is #2. I am wearing my black windowpane pants today (also with a rise slightly higher than I like) and I wish I had a checked shirt to go with. 

  • Joana replied 10 years ago

    Both are fab, and both very graphic. You look great in bold and high color contrast patterns.

  • Niki Lea replied 10 years ago

    OMG, awesome! Out of this world, Aida. Looks incredible!

  • sparlingo replied 10 years ago

    Wow - you look amazing in both outfits!

    I never would have thought to pair a houndstooth with a windowpane. Brilliant!

  • replied 10 years ago

    Really, really love the mixed check outfit - in fact, I'm not sure it could be any better on you.  The green belt too ?  Nice!  To have those boots in your closet to wear with outfits like this is a great thing - way to go!! 

  • texstyle replied 10 years ago

    More love for those checks on checks - really nicely done! 

  • Emily replied 10 years ago

    I especially love the Gwen Stefani inspired look!  So fab.  You look adorable in a beret.

  • Angie_T replied 10 years ago

    I'm inspired! Great looks, Aida.
    ps - love your clutches!

  • Lisa replied 10 years ago

    #2 is pattern mixing, graduate level, and it is a super combination on you!

  • Sara L. replied 10 years ago

    I love the pattern mixing but I could never wear it myself.  The two black/white patterns are a great combination.  Great interpretation of the Gwen look - I love your white booties.

  • Aida replied 10 years ago

    Oh wow thanks so much for all the great comments and feedback ladies! Nice to hear the hectic checks go over well, the mix makes me happy ^^

    Jackie, I am shocked -- shocked -- that you own nothing checked! Hmm methinks we need to find you an orange, white, and navy plaid shirt, yes? You know, my curls are rather fuzzy left to their own devices (and can also unwind into waves as the day wears on). Will you be in Seattle this weekend? We can chat curls!

    Suz, so far the booties are quite comfortable but I haven't yet done any extreme walking with them. I am thinking of wearing them for the big shopping day this weekend though, so I should know for sure soon ;) The black bit is wonderful, as you said, for pairing with both light and dark bottoms. That's part of why I decided they were a good second cream bootie option over the pair in the second outfit, which is solid cream.

    Jaime, why yes I am posting outfits for you to copy and I'd be flattered if you did :D

    Denise, good thought on the blazer but alas this is my only black blazer -- a favorite piece of mine, vintage, and leftover from way back in my band days. It would be nice to also have a softer less business-y looking black blazer!

  • MsLuna replied 10 years ago

    Love both outfits but the checkers on houndstooth.... WOW!!!!!

  • Tanya replied 10 years ago

    Both outfits are fantastic Aida!  The hectic checks are so much fun and the Gwen copy is brilliant.

  • Beth Ann replied 10 years ago

    Both outfits are absolute stunners --- the second is my favorite:  I love it when an outfit is a bit retro, a bit fashion forward and still manages to seem cozy and comfy.  Awesome!

    You make the hectic mix in #1 look amazing.  Pattern mixing isn't common around here, so I always feel conspicuous, but I do so enjoy seeing it done so well!

  • catgirl replied 10 years ago

    How did I miss this?!  LOVE the hectic checks (checktic?) but the first outfit.  THE FIRST OUTFIT.  Insanely cool and fab to my eye - you are better than Gwen because you don't have a gazillion bucks and access to every designer on earth. 

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