But I know I can learn from mistakes, so let me confess this one and see if you can help me. I'm truly lost at sea here.
A week ago, my favorite retail store (Fox's) had an annual event with new fall fashions. I went and enjoyed myself. (I've gotten over my fear of shopping in public.) I found and bought a pretty cropped sweater in black with white spots. It's a cute piece.
But I really have no idea what to do with it. I spent a lot of time contemplating options and came up empty. The best I could do was wear it over a dress, and that's not working.
Later the same day I spotted a cute pair of red faux-alligator heels with a pointy-toe. Normally not something I'd wear but they're flashy and I want to be bold. Plus, they were only $8.
My mistake was, in my eagerness to savor these two purchases, I put them together. Big fail. They don't go at all. What was I thinking? Was I thinking? Yes, but with a lame brain.
Normally I can't wait to post outfit-pictures and put 'em up quickly. These, however, have been sitting on my computer for a week. I'm half-embarrassed to show them and totally-dissatisfied with my lack of fashion ability.
Let's assume we break the outfit up into two halves, the top and bottom. That cures the basic error. How could I wear this cropped sweater? And what would go with wild pointy-shoes?
Your advice is not only welcome, it's solely needed. Help!!
I actually like the idea of this outfit, but the colors don't quite work. I think layering the cropped sweater over a dress might work if it was a classic black or white dress. I think it would also look super cute with some skinny ankle pants or a high waisted pencil skirt! Those shoes are sassy! I think they need to take center stage and be the pop of color in your outfit, so again I would pair them with a neutral. You wore a flirty clack and white polka dot dress a while back that might be super cute with them. Or just a black lbd. I am a fan of skinny ankle pants, so I would say that, too. These are two fun pieces that can easily be remixed. I am excited to see how you wear them next!
ReplyDeleteI would try the shoes with a black pants or black skirt based outfit until you get a good feel for what they might go with in a brighter color. I think the top would be great with a loose tunic or button down underneath with a short skirt.
ReplyDeleteActually, the yellow is throwing me off the most. Maybe try the crop top on top of a floaty, airy white dress? Red shoes would still work in that case, but maybe with a different silhouette. Those types of shoes (not-so-affectionately known as pooper scooper shoes) look great with wide-legged trousers. I used to have a pair in brown and loved them. For some odd reason, my foot has shrunk over a size in the past 5-10 years, so they had to be retired.
ReplyDeletethe shoes are lovely indeed but yeah the bottom is just not as good as used to see from you. How about some belt?
ReplyDeletea) I'm so glad you're comfortable shopping in public! :D I think shopping can be such a stress reliever and a fun treat for us style bloggers that I am chuffed to bits that you get to immerse yourself in it, too.
ReplyDeleteb) Ooh, a tip of my hat to both of your pieces. Our fashion tastes can be quite different, but I like both of them! (Maybe that's your problem? Haha.)
I think your instincts to put the cropped sweater on top of a dress were solid, actually. Maybe the color is what isn't working? I wear my cropped sweaters and blazers over high-waisted pencil skirts and short to medium length dresses, because cropped length draws the eye to the waist and the small of the back. You can also try a dress with a lower neckline or spaghetti straps to show off just the sweater on top and the lower half of the dress below.
The shoes are such a nice pop at the bottom of your long legs. I like them with tights; maybe a darker color or lacey nylons would set off the bright red more?
I forgot to include that I totally mash my favorite items into a single outfit, especially when I am feeling anxious and in need of a pick-me-up. Enough of them and I feel like I'm armored and I walk out the door looking like a hot mess but I'm all 'IDGAF ಠᴗಠ'
DeleteLove that. I know what looking like a "hot mess" is like (see above) and I know what the acronym means. We bikers often put stickers on our helmets -- DILLIGAF.
DeleteHii :) Thank you soooo much for your lovely comment!!! <3
ReplyDeleteyou should wear the red colour as often as you can... this colour suits you so good! xoxo from Munich
OMG THOSE SHOES.
ReplyDeleteEveryone has fashion fail days. I usually text my friend about it. It happens at least once a week where I send her a "OMG I HATE MY OUTFIT".
I love those shoes, though. And Fox's looks amazing. AMAZING.
I can take you there when you visit!
DeleteYou and I are on the same wavelength, it seems - I just thrifted a slightly cropped top because I liked the pattern, although I had no idea how to wear it. Like others have said, your instinct to pair it with a dress is a good one - it just needs a little refining. I would love to see it over a black dress with a mesh inset around the middle - it would give just a peek of midriff, which would be very alluring!
ReplyDeleteI also like this look, with a drapey longer layer under the top ... http://www.pinterest.com/pin/152981718567921281/ I've also seen people use crop tops under a blazer/longer vest.
p.s. I went to a science training recently, and they said that "fail" stands for "First Attempt in Learning."
ReplyDeleteCool! A philosopher once said there is no losing in life; only winning or learning.
Deleteas someone who is wearing bra-size c-d every day i have discovered that cropped sweaters are only for "sport-bossom" - size a to max. b......
ReplyDeleteno or low contrast between sweater and the midriff section helps too.....
envy your red shoes - trés chic!
btw - if i have more then one new pieces i want to put they on together too - and fail mostly :-) carrie is right - "first attempt in learning"!!!!!
xx
Thanks for the help, buddy.
DeleteTry the shoes with black or grey cropped trousers maybe to show them off
ReplyDeleteSmart choice. I so rarely think of trousers because I'm limited to them IRL.
DeleteI like that idea. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHaha, we've all been there!! The only difference is that you have the guts to post your outfit fails :)
ReplyDeleteThe cropped sweater would look cute with a long, solid-color cami under it and maybe some cute jeans. I'd do a wider-cut leg, maybe even a trouser leg, because the sweater/camisole would be so form-fitting. Or you could be SUPER bold and wear it without anything underneath and pair it with high-waisted pants :) That is apparently a trend these days, but one I refuse to try.
The shoes are stumping me. I'd be inclined to pair them with wide-leg jeans or trousers as well, because I love pointy and box toes peeking out from under such. Or maybe with a mid-length, full skirt or dress?
You can wear both together! I would get: a white top to layer under the sweater (maybe a camisole? They have them at Target for cheap), and a pair of jeans/jeggings, or even black pants.
ReplyDeleteI have NO idea how to wear crop tops like this- though not sure it accentuates your bosom in the best way with this outfit. Maybe a straight line?
ReplyDeleteThe shoes are like Dorothy's x
I think those shoes are lovely ! Actually, it's the yellow color that feels a bit strange, but I like to experiment so I don't think this is a fail at all :) I would wear those shoes with a circle midi skirt, possibly in denim, and the crop top would go well with it if you match a black straight top underneath :) Kisses
ReplyDeleteFashion and Cookies
I really love those shoes. They are like Dorothy shoes. Very vintage hip.
ReplyDeleteWhen a sweater is that short they are harder to style. I would go with a solid colour dress with a lower neckline so it only looks like the sweater is the top of the dress if you know what I mean. Otherwise if that doesn't work I'm at a loss.
All that aside, I really love your hair and makeup!
bisous
Suzanne
Hi sweet Ally, I've been MIA and its great to 'see' you. I'm too old to wear crop tops, but I think they're intended to show off a little skin. I'm not sure what to suggest, but to err is human.
ReplyDeleteHugs
Wendy
I like Emmas suggestion!
ReplyDeletei'd wear it over a looser fitting black dress for a seamless transition and to lengthen [the illusion] of your torso. or over a top paired with pants. i see no problem wearing them both.
ReplyDeleteat least you are playing a with it and having fun rather than just being conservative and careful :) we learn the most when we take risks and get adventurous :)
ReplyDeleteI agree with the comments above- I think its the yellow thats standing out. Even if you kept the same outfit and swapped the yellow tights for black it would smooth it out abit more. I'm not a crop top person myself but agree that perhaps the crop top with flowing pants would be nice. What about even the crop top with a black tank underneath.. black flowy pants and the red shoes.. might be elegance looking. Those shoes are cute and you can wear them with alot of things.. even with some skinny jeans and a blue and white polka dot top would be cute. Thanks for your playfulness and glad you are freely able to be out shopping! Rock on :)
High waisted stuff goes well with crop tops. I also like them layered over dresses, but I think the neckline on that dress is the problem. The shoes are really cute, I can see why you snagged them.
ReplyDeleteI'm well behind in my blog commenting so by now you really don't need my advice as it looks like you've gotten great suggestions. I definitely agree with whichever Bird (Nora or Megan) who responded first and with Day2daywear just above me.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you are comfortable shopping in public. I think that is wonderful and empowering. We all buy things that later we have trouble incorporating. Sometimes they do end up being a mistake but often it just takes a bit of reworking it. We also all put together less than wonderful outfits. I have found, and many bloggers agree, that the camera is a better test than the mirror. On a day when I just look in the mirror but don't take a photo until later I have often thought oh dear, that didn't really work. If you aren't making outfits that don't quite work then you are not taking risks or being creative. Remember you said you wanted to be a funky, fun, interesting, unusual sort of person? That sort of person puts together questionable outfits not a constant stream of perfect ones.
xoxo
Thanks, Shawna.
DeleteActually if you switched the yellow dress and leggings with a t-shirt and jeans (I like the yellow that you picked, but it should be shorter), I'm feeling it would work! In your case it would also work well with a dress (a-line preferably) because cropped sweaters just add volume to the upper part of the body and you need to balance the bottom somehow for the sake of symmetry. (beauty needs some tricks too!) - kisses
ReplyDeletep.s. - you're so adorable trying this outfit. I love you for being you!
The shoes are cute. The sweater? I think the print is too small on you. That being said, try layering it over a plain white button down. It may work.
ReplyDeleteI like some of these elements, just not all together, I agree with some of the comments above. Maybe layer it with longer top or to be honest I would probably make it into a crop cardigan, splicing down the centrefront. The shoes are my favourite!
ReplyDeleteOMG THOSE SHOOOES I WOULD WEAR THEM WITH EVERYTHING. I can understand why you wanted to put them together. I think the sweater should go with a fuller bottom. Cropped, tight tops should be balanced with a fuller bottom. If I wear wide leg pants, I pick a slim top, if I wear a voluminous top, I wear skinny jeans or leggings.
ReplyDeleteI don't do cropped sweaters but if I had to wear this one it would probably be over a black dress.
ReplyDeleteI think the pieces work individually.. not together - and it's ok, at least you did not leave home like that ! I have left home looking hopelessly bad.