Dark Floral Outfits: Splurge vs Save
Happy Thursday, ladies. Dark florals are always popular in the fall, so with vacillating temperatures upon us, I decided to create a splurge vs save comparison that can work for warmer fall days and quickly transitions to cooler temps by adding the vest.
Today’s look features a dark floral blouse paired with teal cords, blue flats, and a charcoal gray puffer vest. I added gray pearls, a silver necklace, teal framed sunglasses, a gray bag, and rose lipstick, which is great for a summer palette.
Navy shoes are always less plentiful than black, so I snap them up when I can. People worry that different navy’s never match. The same is true for browns, grays, and blacks so the idea is to harmonize.
You may be surprised at some of the stores these are sourced from. The save outfit is not a budget outfit but does have a few affordable pieces. Several pieces in the splurge outfit are on sale, and a few are priced just slightly over the save item. As always, I hope this can inspire you to recreate these looks with things already in your closet.
The save outfit came in at around $750, and the splurge outfit is around $3186.
Can you tell just by looking which is the splurge outfit? Is there one item that tipped the scales for you?
MORE DARK FLORAL TOPS
Thanks for reading, and remember to wear what makes you feel confident.
I bought teal corduroys when I was in college several decades ago, and they faded in the first wash. I haven’t tried teal cords since – maybe dyeing processes have improved?
I love the splurge vs save, and I guessed correctly. I agree with your thought on navy shoes. Navy is my basic neutral, and I am on the hunt for navy not-suede ankle boots. I have two pair of suede that I love, but I really want a pair I can wear in wet weather.
Miz Mooz has leather boots in several shades of blue. They arenāt waterproof but would tolerate damp, especially if treated with water resist spray. I have the Louise in red leather and they are beautifully made, soft leather and very comfortable. Highly recommend the quality for the price and wide range of colors. Good luck.
I like the first outfit better, for a number of reasons: the shape of the sunglasses, the proportions and matte texture of the vest, the straight leg pants, the toe shape of the shoes, the purse shape. The winner for me is “save”!
Thatās awesome!
I love teal and it is so hard to find. I was surprised by the navy shoes. I would have chosen black. So, I have to ask, why?
I think I answered my own question. The background colour of the floral is navy, not black.
I chose navy to keep a slightly lower contrast than black with the cords.
I love both outfits! The lipstick gave it away for me (Hermes) š gorgeous splurge bag, ohhh I would love to have it!
Ditto. I love that bag.
I got it wrong this time! I like the “save” vest better because it hides the zipper, and for the lighter color. Save or splurge is a fun game!
It is fun and points out that price is no indicator of great style.
I love the puffer vests as a transition piece for fall. I bought an Eileen Fisher vest about 5 years ago and it is a favourite of mine. I think your two longer vests would offer better warmth for our climate thoughā¦the shoes and bay kick this outfit out of the park too!
I have big grey pearl studs so now I need to go shopping for those fresh new items you have shared Jennifer.
BTW the spend and splurge posts are probably my favourites right now!
Iām so glad youāre loving them. These grays are particularly pretty. I love all pearls.
It is funny the things that divided the āsplurgeā from the āsaveā for different people. For me, it was the handbag. The splurge handbag is just beautiful and well detailed. The other one just looked blah to me. Of course, that could be because I love handbags and if Iām going to splurge on anything, it will be a handbag. I love the grey pearls on both sides; although, I do think grey pearls should be set in silver, not gold. Teal, grey and navy are some of my favorite colors to wear. I, also, love bright prints on a dark background.
I agree about gray pearls and silver. I was so surprised to find them both in yellow gold.
The vest tipped it off for me…I was pretty sure the more streamlined vest was going to be more spendy and yep, I was right. Can you imagine spending $600 on a vest, LOL!!!? (I would love to have it though.) Love these posts, Jennifer – it’s really fun and also educational.
I spotted the splurge set by the dark floral blouse. The splurge one just looks more expensive to me. That said, I love both blouses. Like others, I’d never dream of wearing a puffer vest with either blouse. Too much of a disconnect for me.
I really loved the splurge dark floral and I donāt wear florals!
Happy almost Friday. So true about shades of blue, black, etc. A real blurring of “Save” and Splurge today. Like Bea, I’m not fond of the vests with the dark blouses. Just on a practical note, these vests are meant to be worn outside, and the blouses are not: if I wore the vest inside, I’d roast, and if I wore the blouse outside, my arms would be red from cold. So a real mismatch on fabrics for me. I’ve been huntng for cords and am probably going to splurge on Anthro ones. I love the Talbots jeans, but the reviews aren’t great. The Appleseed pants have elastic inserts that some might like.
It did blur a lot today which I like.
Love this segment Jennifer! I picked the splurge based on the vest and sunglasses. The handbags were very similar, but there was just something about the splurge one that said “pick me.” š¤
I think I would have had a hard time with this duo.
I love the splurge verses save segments. This reminded me that I bought a dark floral blouse from Nordstrom that I haven’t even worn yet. I’m going to try and duplicate this outfit. It really looks like a great fall outfit. I think the shoes tipped me off but I’m never sure.
Thatās awesome! Shopping your closet is perfect.
I have a new, sad, little floral top in my closet that has spent the summer just āhanging outā. There just never seemed to be a time that it was my choice for the day.
For me, the multitude of colors and patterns in a store can cloud my mission to find wearable clothing. Something might look good at the store but once at home, itās simply not for me.
Also, the floral top with fashion sunglasses, earrings, necklace and bright lipstick are a whole lotta detail around my face. Add eye makeup and a specific hair style, it becomes too much.
I am definitely streamlining my style these days. Maybe these examples help me to better define who I am today.
Iām glad they help, Jan.
Love these comparisons! The lipsticks clued me in to the spurge box! I just love dark or moody florals for fall/winter. I would prefer the flowers in rusts, olive, and gold colors rather than blues, and I love the longer quilted vest for something different.
Thatās fascinating. The lipstick!
Well done! With the exception of the puffer vest, I think the two outfits are practically identical! I especially like the teal sunglasses!
Finding similar colors was a challenge with this one and thatās what bumped the price up.
Good morning. I was able to guess the splurge outfit because of the finely stitched puffer vest. Those narrow channels were a clue for me. Having said that, I do not care for the dark floral blouses with the puffer vests. I can see myself wearing the blouses (which I love) with solid color, less busy jackets or sweaters. I wonder what others think.
P.S. That teal blue color is wonderful! I probably would wear black pants and choose the teal blue for the jacket or sweater.
Iām a big fan of teal too.
Hello Jennifer! Iām really enjoying these splurge vs save features! With this particular segment I do prefer the splurge shoe, handbag and puffer vest. The remaining pieces are a ādrawā to my eye. Iām curious to read what others think!
I love these too.