WIW [4x gray and black]

Some recent black and gray work outfits! (Meantime, gloomy weather has returned so I'm back to more contrasting/colorful/bright/cheerful looks ^^)

#2 10.21 [work] - My favorite high-waisted pants, experimenting with how the lyocell fabric feels in cooler weather (result: just fine! surprisingly warm, actually). Worn with fully tucked sweater for maximum high-waistedness; skinny glitter belt and charcoal wool pumps for added texture; b/w hoops and white clutch to add a little extra lightness; cherry pink lipgloss to keep from being too washed out. Loved this, going to keep it in my pocket as a future holiday party option.
  Newer: pants, sunnies
  Older: sweater, belt, pumps, earrings, clutch

#3 10.20 [hair dresser, work] - Hadn't been planning for the hairdresser and booked the appointment last minute while half dressed. I had soooo little time to get ready and decided to just take the easy route and popped this new sweatshirt dress over the pants and shoes I had already put on. Very voluminous and super comfy. White clutch to pick up on the footwear, my biggest sunnies because I felt too hectic and big sunnies cure all, and a swipe of plum lipgloss.
  Newer: dress, flats
  Older: pants, earrings, clutch, sunnies

#4 10.24 [Sharan's for wardrobe editing!] - Really enjoyed wearing the sweatshirt dress outfit, so went with a weekend-style variation on it (swapped pants for leggings, and flats for booties). Bonus that this dress made me think of Sharan when I spotted it! I had a great time :D
  Newer: dress, sunnies
  Older: leggings, booties, earrings, clutch

#5 10.27 [work, sis's birthday dinner w/family] - A casual outfit for a casual birthday dinner for my sister following work (variation of an outfit worn earlier this month). Chose these satin checked flats because we both have a pair and yesterday was the last dry day for a while. It's not too visible in these photos, but when styled this way the ends of my hair are suuuuper wispy which has a very soft and pretty effect that I really liked against the dark outfit. Finished with a peachy nude lipstick and holo clutch because, well, holo. My sis was super cute as always, wearing a dark denim shirt with black skinny jeans and light purple sneaks.
  Newer: jacket, jeans, earrings, sunnies
  Older: flats, clutch

Comments, critiques, thoughts and questions welcome!

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26 Comments

  • Joy replied 8 years ago

    You are beautiful. I love the thought that you put into your outfits. 2 is my favorite because those pants are stunning on you, but all your outfits are great. I want to try something like 3-4. Would it work with flat footwear?

  • Aida replied 8 years ago

    Thank you Joy! I do think the dress over pants/leggings would work with flat footwear, especially if they're cropped like in #4. Low contrast will help further, and if you did a column of color or a low contrast overall look that would lengthen even more. I'm planning to try this dress over more voluminous pants sometime, too!

  • replied 8 years ago

    I echo Joy. You are beautiful and have such a way with styling . You also have the best shoes . I don't even own shoes! Well, not really :). Anyhow - I continue to love the use of a clutch in your outfits and am inspired to do it more myself . That's where a bit of craziness can happen and I love it ! The sweatshirt dress is quite great and I think I'll see about wearing one of mine over black skinniest or leggings .....and every time I see these cheetah boots I am reminded how much I want a pair . They are on my permanent "to find" list.

  • Karie replied 8 years ago

    Another fantastic set of outfits. I love the sweater dress over the leggings. Those boots are super cute, and since I would normally choose black footwear, the brown is unexpected and I like it a lot. 

  • replied 8 years ago

    Oh Aida!!!!  You look fabulous.  I can't express just how much I love these outfits.  You have achieved the "simple, easy, elegance" that I am striving for.  

  • Maneera replied 8 years ago

    Stunning! But then again, everything you wear looks fabulous! :) I'm making notes of everything you wear, Missy. It's finally getting cooler here, and I'm so going to try to create similar outfits for myself :D

    I love #2 & #3---I have a sweatshirt dress too that's grey & black! So that ones easy ;) But I especially love #4. A lovely casual look that's still so polished and so Aida...Love that sweater!

  • replied 8 years ago

    Gorgeous as ever, Aida! Such well thought out choices. Grey & black is a great colour combo on you. All of these are supremely fab, but I share Joy's love for the pants outfit--not only do you look amazing in those pants, but I love how the textured top balances the pleats. Also agree with Lisa about your use of a clutch. How do you do it? I'm afraid to use one, but I really want to cut the emotional cord of needing to be 'attached' to my bag at all times.

  • Jaime replied 8 years ago

    Well gorgeous all around of course. I really love the first outfit with the high waisted pants and textured sweater. The sweater is fantastic on you. Great mood change with the sweatshirt dress. And again the texture of the last jacket suits you so well - because of your texturey hair perhaps? Love the details too.

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 8 years ago

    The high-waisted trouser outfit is amazing on you. The pants are such a perfect fit. The short-sleeved sweater and pumps keep the look ladylike  while adding a good dose of cozy texture.
    That said, these are all super fab looks. (I agree with Sterling!) I have a special fondness for the sweatdress, of course, and I like it both ways. (I can't believe they call it a "knit shift dress"--huh?) And your wispy faux-bob is so pretty!

  • lyn67 replied 8 years ago

    Perfect and a big love from me  for all your black&greys here! Esp love the dress looks-but all are fab!!!

  • celia replied 8 years ago

    I am partial to sweater dress over leggings so of course I love that outfit. However all outfits are fabulous and the first one is especially polished imo.

  • Meredith replied 8 years ago

    Love these, especially the dress with the leopard shoes!

  • Angie replied 8 years ago

    Super cute as always, Aida. 

    I'm going with pic #4 - wearing our boots - as my fave because it's deliciously '80s. Killer combination, and it's nice to see leggings again. (Isn't our mild weather AMAZING)

    *passes the shoulder pads* 

  • kellygirl replied 8 years ago

    Wow! You have such amazing style. I don't even like trousers--but I love your version. Gorgeous outfits all the way around. You look stylish and accessible and every outfit looks so interesting! How do you do it?!

  • Carole replied 8 years ago

    Wow...what a great week! You wear black and gray with such panache, Adia. I'm noticing your fantastic footwear, too! Love the sweater dress/tunic outfits and your showing how versatile a piece like that can be. Well done!

  • replied 8 years ago

    Oh, Aida, these all look fab. Black and grey is such a versatile combo. I'm very inspired by the sweatshirt dress outfits. Both versions are fab. The dress looks like it would be very comfy and easy to wear. I'm curious...did you wear a topper over the dress? If you didn't, I'd love to know what sort you might pop on over the top of it.

  • UmmLila (Lisa) replied 8 years ago

    I love black and grey everything. In particular, I like the shape of that vest on you; it's such a great fit.

  • K. Period. replied 8 years ago

    Definitely seconding (tenthing?) the adoration of the sweatshirt dress/legging combo!  It looks so fun and comfortable.  I have a sugar eye for dress tunics and leggings, so I always love seeing them.  The jacket looks fantastic too!  

    (BTW, I am now hooked on a couple of Oribe products and I blame you. TIA.) 

  • Sara L. replied 8 years ago

    Great looks!  Your shoes are perfect, as usual.  I love the checked flats - plus you reminded why I love sunny NM and not having to worry about wet weather interfering with outfit choices.

  • Aida replied 8 years ago

    Thanks for all the lovely comments everyone! Seems like gray and black are resonating with many right now. Fun to hear lots of love for the sweatshirt dress too. It felt like a wildcard purchase, aaalllll the way at the very far end of JFE ;)

    Lisa, the cheetah booties are still available at Zappos if the exchange rate isn't too awful right now.

    Maneera, looking forward to seeing your sweatshirt dress outfit ^^

    Aliona, switching to clutches was super easy, particularly because I already don't like using bags with shoulder straps. I don't carry much which helps too. If you tuck it under your arm it's plenty secure; I hold them both that way and in my hand as my photos show. Never had any problems leaving them anywhere. I vote give it a try if it's a look you like!

    Jaime, yes I think the texture is a big part! I was just thinking this morning that all the newer "solid colored" pieces I've been buying are heavily textured; they function a lot like my beloved patterns.

    Angie, I hadn't thought of #4 as being particularly 80s but of course it is! *stuffs shoulders*

    Kelly, filling my closet with color, pattern and texture so that everything is just that right bit of crazy when combined? ;) More seriously though, that is what I am trying to do. I've been disciplined about NOT buying "basic" essentials except in a few strategic places -- everything else needs some level of interest whether that's in the color, cut, fabric, texture, pattern, shine, you name it. The key is identifying which handful of "basic" essentials are necessary for your style.

    Diane, I didn't wear a topper either day with the sweatshirt dress but it's cold enough now that future wears for the season will require one. If I were to wear a jacket I'd likely opt for something very cropped for a dramatic hem difference. I do need to have a play and see what will work with it, though. My winter coats are also probably long enough to fully cover the hem, too.

    KP, hah I apologize for nothing! Don't you love how the whole Oribe line smells that same yummy!? Which ones are you using these days?

    Sara, that must be nice, I have no idea what that's like ;) Weather is the #1 driving factor behind ALL of my outfits, every single day; almost always start from the feet.

  • Stephanie replied 8 years ago

    I think I've figured out what I love so much about your outfits. Texture!! Your outfits always have really great texture, even when 100% neutral. This is something I'm currently aspiring to in my own wardrobe. I have a lot of poly/sheer/chiffon type tops and am always craving a little more visual interest and contrast. Thank you for the inspiration.

    Also, your outfit in 2 is so fabulous I can't get over it. You wear the chic menswear look SO well. Favorite favorite favorite. And just because I want to compliment you some more, your hair is fab.

  • Aida replied 8 years ago

    Stephanie, thank you! You know, though, it took me a looong time to get to this even after years of telling myself "more texture" (seriously, years). I started with small differences and slowly increased, but I'd tell years-ago-Aida to just bite and go big right away -- it really does up the ante of neutral heavy looks. TOTALLY worth it. I've been extra disciplined about limiting plain fine gauged items and making it a top priority to focus on texture followed by color and print with a side of interesting cuts (and of course, fit is always tops).

    Sheers are particularly fun paired with highly textured knits! You get an extra dose of texture contrast that way versus pairing with other fine knits/wovens. I have a few sheer tops that I used to wear with jackets but this year I'm planning instead to pop textured cropped sweaters over.

    Thanks also for the menswear compliment ^^ I don't wear it often, but the 1940s are one of my main inspirational decades so that's the way I most enjoy doing menswear.

  • Stephanie replied 8 years ago

    Well, that makes me feel a little better at least :) I'm intrigued by leather leggings and your advice is making me thing I should just take the plunge. I think what you said is totally what I need to focus on -- limiting plain items (since I feel really good about what I have in that department) and shifting my focus to color, pattern and texture as all 3 are lacking in my wardrobe. I feel like even just a few bold pieces could really give me a lot more variety and options. Thanks for the sound advice :)

  • catgirl replied 8 years ago

    Well, yay!  You're wearing my colors, and of course you look great.  I love the variety of silhouettes and styles here.  You really can't go wrong.

  • Aida replied 8 years ago

    Stephanie, go for it with the leather leggings! Instant texture, and will be a nice juxtaposition with your chiffons and sheers (plus also super fun with cozy chunky things). I have been wanting a pair too, but recently came into two gifted pairs of fabulous coated dark denims so a third pant in that style is probably overkill, heh. I like your idea to shift focus now that you've got good plain options. Always good to have those foundation essentials in place before expanding! Plus a whole closet of crazy doesn't work for most of us (though mine is headed that way ;) ).

    Una, heee I figured you'd like these ^^ Thank you!

  • TraceyLiz65 replied 8 years ago

    A wonderfully successful set of outfits. All are Fabulous. Have fun with color to curb the drab days.

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