WIW Backlog: November work outfits

It's been a while, eh? ;) As most of you know, my work is very casual (I essentially work from home) but I still like to dress up! When I last posted, I had commented on how I was starting to divide my outfits into actual work and weekend "styles", primarily to split up my style personas and achieve more cohesion. "Work" gets my more urban/70s glam and experimental outfits, and "weekend" gets my more boho/rugged and also extremely simplified outfits (hubby doesn't appreciate experimentation ;) ). I have been keeping this up and it is huuugely helpful in reducing stress, especially during Nov/Dec which are by far my MOST busy months of the year.

Here are my "work" outfits from November.
#1 : 11.01
#2 : 11.02
#3-5 : 11.06-08
#6 : 11.16
#7-11 : 11.26-30

The outfits in brief! #1: punk pants make me happy! #2: I keep wanting to wear my white skinnies in outfits, but they are soooo baggy that it doesn't always work; I have really enjoyed wearing them when I can make them work, though. #3: mixing prints and whites. #4/#11: forays back into very dark outfits, something I had been avoiding in fall/winter previously (too much black makes me sad) but am now enjoying again. #5: my pencil skirts are all sitting lower on my hips these days and I am enjoying the look. #6: one of my favorite ways to wear this blouse in fall. #7: this is the lovely furry vest from Zap by way of Rita, which I loooove so thanks Zap and Rita! #8: more white skinnies! Also please pardon the wet hair -_- #9: fresh hair cut in preparation for the Seattle YLF meetup + volume on volume. #10: inspired by this outfit here. #11: a fun top-to-bottom gradient of black->charcoal->gray; I quite like the light shoes with a very dark outfit. Also a beautiful ring my mom gave me which she got in Holland many years ago.

Whew! Comments, critiques, thoughts and questions welcome :)

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40 Comments

  • rae replied 11 years ago

    OOH, big fun! Especially drooling over 10-11. I also really like how the cream in #1 is much softer than an optic white would have been with the red pants. And I totally missed the acquisition of the vest in 7 - yay furry vest!

  • Kiwichik replied 11 years ago

    I love your split personality and as always find it difficult to identify my favourite look as they all look fab to my eye. I can however select a favourite piece - your houndstooth cardigan - I am inspired to search out a similar piece to add to my own wardrobe.

    Aida you are the bomb.

  • Transcona Shannon replied 11 years ago

    YAY! I love Aida posts!!!

    Very interesting how dividing your wardrobe into the two capsules has made things easier for you.

    Of course, all of these outfits are fantastic - I swear you never get anything wrong! I particularly drawn to gorgeous colour combination in #8 and the proportions and moodiness of #4. And that fur vest is all kinds of fab on you!

  • Suz replied 11 years ago

    Oh my!! So much fabness I hardly know where to begin. It's wonderful to see you post this veritable feast of beautiful outfits. And you're looking terrific!

    LOVE the plaid pants and the houndstooth scarf with them - so much fun.

    White skinnies -- I actually like them loose like this! They look great, particularly in #8, to my eye. Do yours start out more or less okay (or in your case, a bit slouchy, since they are now too large for you officially) and then just get looser as the day goes on? Mine do. Will you replace, do you think?

    Not only do I like the way your skirt is fitting but I also like the looser fit of your pants. (I mean all the pants, not just the white). The green ones look sensational.

    And #4 - oooh! So moody and beautifully textured.

    #10 - such an interesting, unexpected colour combination with the blue top, green jacket, black pants - but it works beautifully.

    Adore that blush moto on you - it's so lovely with your skin tone, making you look beautifully fresh. And in theory it seems it should not work, for you to wear light grey shoes with black opaque tights. Yet somehow it does! How do you do that? Amazing.

  • Marley replied 11 years ago

    Alright! Some Aida outfits! (I've missed them!) OK - first one that just made me gasp outloud was #1 - love those pants paired with the cream top - but then when I clicked onto #4 I let out a big "whoop!" I love the neck on the blouse and the filmy essence of it teamed with the black jeans and gray boots - just. so. cool. Also, #6 really got my attention- fur with those great big slinky sleeves? LOVE! And, finally #10 - the jacket is perfect! (Also, I have a special fondness for #2 because I was with you when you bought that sweater and helped me pick out mine - nice memories!)

  • TraceyLiz65 replied 11 years ago

    you seem like you are having such fun with this and your style is fantastic! So great to see a bunch at once... I so want those red/black pants in #1!

  • krishnidoux replied 11 years ago

    I am completely won over by 4 (deconstructed reconstructed with a bit of attitude), 9 (Charm in person) and 10 ( energetic and iconoclastic). And 11! You look so good in a body con dress! What a genius idea to have paired it with dark tights + pale pumps (and dark nails). It makes the style! I'm learning here.

  • Joy replied 11 years ago

    What a treat! Every outfit is a winner and there are details I love about each one. So inspirational!

  • Aida replied 11 years ago

    Thanks for the very insightful comments, ladies! I am always so happy that you gals notice those all-important small details that others usually miss, and really appreciate hearing your detailed thoughts :D

    Suz, the white jeans are just big all the time now, though they do stretch out a little on top of all that. For some reason they photograph MUCH less slouchy than they appear in person (same with the green pair for that matter). While I like slouchy skinnies, I have decided that I do not like them in white. So I would very much like to replace these with a slim pair and then I'll chop these up into clams. For #11, the key to making those light shoes work is my very light skin! Exposing the neck, face and forearms (and actually the tee has little sheer stars across the collarbone which also help) is just the trick to balance out the shoes; the charcoal tights also help soften the contrast. The effect of the light shoes was much more striking when I wasn't standing in a box of white, though ;)

  • Sveta replied 11 years ago

    Oh, Aida's WIW again - what a treat! I missed you, girl.
    They are all great but I am especially enamored with #1 (those red plais pants are incredible) and #4 (superb mix of different layers while keeping look streamlined thanks to monochromatic colors).
    Please spam us more!!!

  • christy replied 11 years ago

    Aida, so great to see you post you cutie, you! You know I love your style and I think all of these are great. But the one that I keep going back to is #4. I just love it - all of it. The feather top, those fab skinnies, those amazing boots. Perfection. But for some reason I'm back to black for myself, so the darker outfits are appealing to me.

    I also particularly like 1 & 2 - what's not to love about plaid pants? And of course I love the Miz Mooz! 9 is stunning and in all ways awesome, especially buttoned up with the jacket and bag. And I think I just might be able to steal an idea or two from #10...hmmmm....

    You look amazing!

  • amiable replied 11 years ago

    Oh my! they are all wonderful! 1-4 and 8 are my favorites I think, but really, they're all so terrific!

    I almost tried on red plaid pants today... now I wish I had!

  • deb replied 11 years ago

    These are great but my favorites are #4 and #9.

  • Beth Ann replied 11 years ago

    So good to see you post again, Aida! I love your plan for work/play capsules. You do ana amazing job of remixing pieces that you have chosen well.

    I'm feeling bold today -- drawn to those red plaid pants. Now, for a more subdued mood, I'd try the greys in #5!

  • Mo replied 11 years ago

    Loving 4, and 10 - 11! Off to read other responses . . .

  • Caro in Oz replied 11 years ago

    Everyone is fab. #9 is my all time favourite - the wide-leg pants & houndstooth are just so cool on you.

  • tarzy replied 11 years ago

    I think your style has evolved quite a bit from when you first started posting. I love how you're adding some more sophisticated pieces, yet still keeping that edgy vibe you do so well. Great outfits!

    (I have to ask about the grey boots in #4 (I love this one the best, I think!) I've been looking for a pair that height. Do you remember the brand/style?)

  • ManidipaM replied 11 years ago

    Mmm. What a treat to see a bunch of you, Aida! :-) This makes me very happy.

    I have a big soft spot for #1 and #5 --- those textures and patterns are so delightful together. Many of them have a certain 'rustic' implication (plaid, tweed) and yet are so polished the way you do them. Very intriguing.

    Also, that sweater in #2 is MAGIC! Love how it tones into the skinnies and boots, and even bookends the boots at the shoulder while echoing your hair colour. A very, very effective piece for your colouring --- and a clever way to maximise its appeal in the wearing.

    Like Suz, I'm charmed and surprised how well the pale blush jacket and light grey shoes work with the black and charcoal here. Even with your explanation, I'm left wondering --- how *do* you do it?! So stylish.

    EDIT: Also, ADORE you in those wide-leg pants. Such a fresh silhouette when skinnies are still the more mainstream look (well, around me, at any rate).

  • CocoLion replied 11 years ago

    Wow.
    Wow.
    Wow.

  • Jules replied 11 years ago

    Thanks Aida, loving these outfits. Amazing outside the box combos. I'll comment specifically on the layered necklaces in #7, love it!

  • Jjsloane replied 11 years ago

    I could not get past 1. LOVE! Although 10 is another favorite, you have some great YOU looks here.

  • replied 11 years ago

    I'm blown away by all the delicious looks! I can't possibly choose a favourite!. When I can prise my DS off his Star Wars game on the main computer I'm gonna do some pinning!

  • Karie replied 11 years ago

    I had just joined and was loving your outfit posts, and then you disappeared! Nice to see you back again.
    I love #1, I like that you paired the plaid pants with the cream top - I always think I have to be matchy and bookend black on bottom, black on top - I like that you chose cream instead of black, it looks great!
    I like your use of scarves and necklaces to add extra interest to your outfits!

  • merwoman replied 11 years ago

    Gorgeous Aida!! Love all your looks, and if my arm is twisted and I have to pick a fav - then 4,9,10, 11 would be my choices. Simply beautiful - you look like you're having so much fun!

  • Angie replied 11 years ago

    Aida, there is nothing left to say but that you have KILLER style and that I especailly enjoy your outfits when your happiness factor is high :)

    I LOVE your '70s inspired looks! I hereby crown you Queen '70s. Perhaps your descriptor should be Urban 70s Glam Queen. You know - punk fashion started in the late '70s so there's your further connection.

    Never grow your hair out again!!! It's so perfect at the shorter length - which I saw irl - I could cry.

    You had me chuckling at hubs and his lack of outfit experimentation appreciation. Oh well! That's what work weeks are for.

  • replied 11 years ago

    Great seeing your outfit posts again. LOVE #1 and #7

  • texstyle replied 11 years ago

    I also LOVE Aida posts! I think 3,4,5 and 10 are probably my favs but these are all so great and fun too.

  • kellygirl replied 11 years ago

    Aida, you certainly have hit your style stride. You have such an eye for detail and manage to make it look so effortless! Great use of color, texture and pattern. It would take me all day to put together one of these! It's hard picking a fave because they are all so fab. I love the punk element of , the subtle neutrals of 2, the bold graphic pattern mixing of 3....that's what I mean, every one of these is SO visually interesting that it kills me!

    Off to read the comments of those more eloquent than me. SO nice to see you back. I missed you!

  • pil replied 11 years ago

    1, 4 and 10 oh my goodness! Now I know why Angie has all of those fainting spells : )

  • Tina.b replied 11 years ago

    Aida you have such great style, perfect proportions and fit, and most importantly outfits that really speak to your style. Love the 70's inspired looks in particular. My major interior design inspiration is 1970s luxe, and that is the focus as I work on completing the furnishings in my interior. You would fit into the vignettes just perfectly!

  • MsMary replied 11 years ago

    WOWZERS!! These are all super fab!!

    *waving at my sized-up-for-slouchiness sweater twin*

    I love them all but I have to say my fave is #7! That color! Those stripes! The fur!! LOVE!!!

  • moira replied 11 years ago

    What style you have!
    These were worth the wait.

  • replied 11 years ago

    What a treat, an Aida post. First, I am very happy that the fur vest has found its rightful owner and that Rita so graciously send this out to you. I have concluded furry vests and I do not get along. As a matter of fact, the Express one I bought around the same time as Rita, is on the 'bay" right now, along with the B44 dress. Heresy there on the B44. :)

    Wow, I don't even have a favorite, because I like all of them. I think these are interesting and playful, but still really urban and really you!!!'

    I hope this means you are back to regular schedule. I missed your WIWs.

  • Niefern replied 11 years ago

    There is too much for me in this post to absorb at once, but I will say I *love* 5, 6 and 11. So great!

  • Jaime replied 11 years ago

    Wow, pure fashion eye candy! Just love all of them, and can't pick a favorite, but have special respect for the one with the black print blouse over jeans (#4), as whenever I try something like that it looks wrong. Will come back and examine later - thanks Aida!

  • Aida replied 11 years ago

    Wow ladies, thank you all so much for the thoughtful comments! I really appreciate the detail and hearing which ones (and why!) you're especially drawn to. #4 really stuck a chord with everyone, which is great because that had a super high happiness factor for me!

    Tara, yes my style has definitely evolved quite a lot since coming to YLF! I feel like the underlying elements and overarching styles are still the same, just much more refined (and a bit less eclectic) now. The boot are Madden Girl "Sheldun" from a couple years ago. I did a quick search and didn't see any currently for sale on the bigger shoe sites, but if you hunted a bit more you might be able to find a pair.

    Manidipa, ooooh great observation on the textures in #1 and #5, that is not an association I'd made before! I am certainly drawn to those rustic-type prints/textures and to a lesser extent the dressing style (for weekends though), but certainly feel much more me when wearing those elements in a sleeker, urban way. Skinny jeans are the prime mainstream pant here, too, especially since it's just so PRACTICAL to have them tucked into boots with all the rain we get. I pounce on any "dry enough" day to pull out my floor-skimming hems! I very rarely see super wide hems like those in #9, at least in jeans; they do pop up in trousers on drier days.

    Karie, since my hair is very dark I can get away with having a single black element in my outfits. Since your hair is lighter, sometimes it will require a little extra bit of black to balance out depending on where/how much there is. I have to the same thing with light shoes or a lighter lower half (which generally work more easily with light hair), especially if I want to wear a dark top; I often will solve that by showing some skin on my arms :)

    Angie, aw thank youuu! Queen 70s checking in :D I like Urban 70s Glam Queen, that about sums me up (I'm finally working on getting more of the glam and rocker influences in my style this year now that I have my core wardrobe mostly in place!). I do find it amusing that now matter how sleek or non-70s I've tried to make myself look, or even in just a single outfit... I always seems to have that 70s flair! It is truly part of my style soul :) And BIG YES on the early 70s punk! I LOVE that part of punk style, has all the attitude of punk with a good dose of the natural look of the 70s. In fact that was exactly what I told with my hair stylist when I got the short 'do initially: "I want a late 70s early-punk vibe." Clearly that discussion paid off! And no worries, I have no desire to grow it out any time soon, although with helmet season coming up I am getting nervous about what I can do to combat helmet hair without my ponytail ><

    Zap, too bad about the furry vests but at least you've figured it out now! I tend to wear mine more in spring/summer/fall than in winter, and have lots of fun ideas for the upcoming season for my pretty from-Zap longer vest <3 I am mostly back to regular schedule, just less time for the forum than before. So once I get these backlogged outfits up I'll be back to my usual weekly WIW posts :)

  • Scarlet replied 11 years ago

    Wow, you are looking especially wonderful! 1, 2, and 5 are my favorites.

  • Aida replied 11 years ago

    Thank you, Scarlet!

  • Astrid replied 11 years ago

    All awesome outfits! I always love looking at your outfit posts. I think my favourites are #2 and #9. I just love all the soft colors in #2 and the widelegs are such a great change from all the skinny jeans looks I'm seeing IRL at the moment, just awesome! I think I also want a pair.

  • Sarah A replied 11 years ago

    I am SO SO glad you spammed us. I cant choose a favorite, but will come back to study the finer elements which create the whole i am sure! Glad you are back and sharing your WIWs.

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