Anatomy Of An Outfit
Thanks so much for all your great suggestions on Monday. You ladies are the best. Today, I want to do a postmortem on two outfits I wore over the holidays. I’m going to explain what I observe and why I prefer one look over the other…on me, for me.
What doesn’t work for me in this outfit
As I look back at this outfit it has a distinct “toy soldier” vibe to me. I prefer a more elegant look. I love the gold buttons on this quilted velvet jacket but they needed to be considered as a piece of jewelry. My necklace and earrings are enough detail for me here so the pin is overkill.
I love a great white shirt…but not here because it chops up the outfit. The color has too much contrast and the cuffs make my arms look short.
I love these loafers but not with this outfit. Seeing a part of my foot between the shoe and pants adds enough extra busyness to make this outfit not work for me. The jacket is quilted, the corduroy pants have a raised wale and the shoes have a velvet nap which is too much texture for my style.
What works about this outfit
I’m smaller above my waist than below. Bright red pants enlarge the look of my bottom half and the black jacket makes my top half look smaller. It provides balance.
The next time I wore this jacket and pants I streamlined the look.
I skipped the loafers and wore smooth black boots that tucked under the pant leg so no ankle showed. Next, I swapped the white shirt for a smooth black turtleneck. These are the same hoop earrings but I skipped the necklace and pin. I am much happier with this look because there are fewer details grabbing the eye.
In this side-by-side picture you can see that even though my shoes and boots have the same 1″ heel, I look a bit taller in the image on the right. Yes, I’m having a better hair day on the right too:)
I hope you found this postmortem entertaining.
I’d love to hear your feedback.
Loved this postmortem! Your description of the ‘whys’ will help me avoid mistakes. (And I giggled at your ‘toy soldier’ analogy!) Thanks!!
I totally agree with your assessment. Look #2 is my fave as well. Great post today. Anatomy of an outfit with comparison photos is so helpful.
This should be a regular feature. Thanks.
Loved this post! I like the jacket and pants but outfit 1 is just not my style. I’d make two changes to outfit 2 so it would reflect “me.” I don’t wear turtlenecks so I’d choose a crewneck top. I like the look of booties but I have a high arch and have yet to find a pair that is a good fit. I’d wear a ballet style flat or a small wedge.
I agree with the others. This was a very helpful post. I do prefer the 2nd look, but I would add a simple chain necklace to define the space between the jacket and the sweater. Of course, you know I prefer the boots to the loafers! Thanks for this post!
I love this lesson! It gives me an insight on why clothes work, I get dressed but never understand why some outfits work and some don’t. I would love to see comparisons more often. I Love your blog and I listen to your advice.
Thank you for working so hard to keep your readers entertained in one of the most difficult times. Happy new year to you and yours!
Second outfit definitely a winner! Thanks so much for doing the comparison. Now I will definitely be doing a comparison myself when an outfit just doesn’t look right. Small changes make a world of difference!!
Jennifer, this was a such a helpful post. WOW! Thank you so much. Between your DRD and this picking apart outfits, I have completely changed the way I shop my closet and stores.
Thank you so much.
This was so helpful. Thank you. I, too, would love to see more posts like this.
Loved your analysis! Once again you demonstrated your considerable expertise in fashion/styling. I plan to apply the concepts as I resolve to dress more meaningfully in 2021.
I’d love to see more like this. The details that make the difference.
I have to agree…..definitely the way you are wearing the outfit on the right…
When I first saw this outfit I thought the red pants looked too bright. What was Jennifer thinking? The jacket looked too small – too short in the sleeves and too tight. The buttons too big and too bright. In the second outfit, with the column of black, the pants are ok and the jacket is elegant. Wow! Perhaps, we all need to take a picture of our outfits before we leave the house. Lol This was a good lesson, Jennifer. More please!
I agree with the changes you made! The version on the right makes you look taller and slimmer!
Such simple changes but they made a tremendous impact!
I appreciate this post, also, Jennifer. We learn so much from your analysis.
Although you look great in just about everything, you hit a home run with the second outfit. This gave us a lot to think about , thanks for the informative analysis. I ,for one, could use more of these type posts.
I’ve always been a minimalist dresser. Preppy/classic – not much in the way of accessories. I’m slowly earning to add pretty silk scarves and bracelets.
I really do gravitate to your simpler choice, with turtleneck (wearing it today as its freezing here). You look taller! I think that’s partly because if the boot over loafer as you mention. Nicely done!
This a terrific post! Really interesting.
My first impression was that outfit 1 is just fine…I’ve worn the same type of ensemble many times . But after your analysis of it, I have to agree with your comments and understand now why I never felt as good in that look as I felt I should have. Each piece was good but the sum of all good parts didn’t equal success. It screams “ Trying too hard!”
Seeing the modified outfit was a real eye opener. I love that look so much more! It’s relaxed , sophisticated, casual, and elegant all at the same time. Compared to outfit 1, I’d choose 2 every time. Again it shows that less is more.
Thanks so much for this reveal!
Love the side by side pictures. Great comparison. Good teaching tool. You look awesome on the second picture.
Great post! It’s interesting to see how much the details of an outfit can make a difference. Initially the white shirt and loafer seemed “ok” but the black top and boots make such a difference.
You are so right, Jennifer. I remember seeing the first picture and thinking it didn’t look quite right for you. Seeing the two outfits side-by-side makes it obvious what was throwing the first outfit off. The jacket buttoned up with those big gold buttons draws the eye to your middle instead of to your face as you would expect. The white shirt does chop your arms off and the peek of your feet between the pants and shoes does the same for your legs. The second outfit does make you look taller. Since I am only 58 inches tall (4’10”), that is important to me.;-)