November 14, 2012

Today's Everyday Fashion: Seeing the Good


I know what you guys are thinking: wow, that is one furry coat! I had the same reaction, and while I personally wouldn't feel comfortable wearing her outfit, I appreciate her point of view and admire her gusto so much. I also think you can use outfits you don't necessarily like in a practical way. I took an element I liked about it - the color scheme - and used items I've had for years to come up with an outfit that works for me. One of the cool "side effects" of blogging has been learning how differently two people can feel about the same outfit. Over time I've come to believe that there is no such thing as right or wrong (fashion is art after all), and I love how varied we all can be on the subject of the same outfit. Ultimately there is some inspiration to be gained, no matter what someone is wearing, if you just practice seeing the good. How do you view differing fashion opinions?

Inspiration photo: FabSugar
Blazer: Banana Republic, $75
Shirt: Express, old (similar)
Belt: Gap, $3
Pants: Hwy Jeans c/o TJ Maxx, $15 (similar, similar, similar, similar)
Shoes: c/o eVanity, $30 (similar, similar
Purse: TJ Maxx/Calvin Klein, $120 (similar)
Watch: Michael Kors, family gift
Necklace: My Stella & Dot website charm $17 and c/o Jenny Present
Rings: My Stella & Dot website $39 and $69 and $39
Bracelets: My Stella & Dot website $59 and $59 and $79 and $19

1. Loehmann's  2. J.Crew  3. Banana Republic  4. Yook  5. Mango

34 comments:

  1. I probably would have had the same reaction when initially seeing the fur coat.  I like that you didn't dismiss the inspiration photo and was still able to use the colors to create a look that works for you.  Heather

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  2. I LOVE the color of the jeans! Did you get them recently?

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  3. If my "old" self from six years ago looked at my wardrobe now, I would have laughed and said "what the hell are you wearing?!" I grew up outside of Boston, wore a lot of downtown looks with lots of brown and black. Then I moved to Arkansas! And black is just too dang hot even in the winter. That southern sun is oppressive! So now it's dresses and tights in really overly feminine colors and cuts often paired with cowboy boots. 

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  4. I really appreciate your perspective. It's so easy to judge other people, especially in the fashion world. WIth each blog I look at I try to find one element of the outfit that I really like, even if I wouldn't have put it together the same way. Everyone has something to offer and to them, they found favor in that oufit! And what remains when this life ends anyway? Fashion..no. Friends, yes!

    www.beautyandbows.com

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  5. I've been the recipient of "the stare" from women who think they know more about fashion than me. They noticed me and I didn't fade into the background, I accept it. I think anything that doesn't reveal too much is fair game.

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  6. Love your take...I do the same as you, draw from color inspiration.  That seems to speak to me the most.  
    Jenni
    www.foundinmycloset.blogspot.com

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  7. Once again, I love the way you made the inspiration picture your own! I would definitely wear your version :)

    I enjoy differing fashion opinions. What I enjoy more is figuring out the source of the disagreement! While many of us wouldn't like the inspiration picture, we could all have so many different reasons "she looks like Chewbacca's cousin" , "it's impractical", "she's drawing too much attention to herself", etc. At the end of the day, though, I think fashion is like arguing about ice cream sundaes. Yeah, you can put potato chips on your ice cream; no one can say you're wrong. But, we can think it's weird and think there are better things to put on ice cream.

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  8. I have to admit I am not too much of a fan of this ensemble! Probably best with a dark red or green (maybe you already did that) 

    http://theworkette.blogspot.com/

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  9. Love your jacket choices. I believe that everyone is entitled to their fashion opinion and taste. I personally don't like fur but I won't hold it against someone else if they wear it. No matter what you do, say or wear you are bound to offend someone. Like you said there is always inspiration to be found in other people's outfits. Great recreation.

    Agi:)

    vodkainfusedlemonade.wordpress.com

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  10. I LOVE the Mango Military Jacket! Can you recommend any other sources for military style jackets? 

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  11. LOVE these cute colors together.  Great look!

    creamyclothes.blogspot.com

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  12. Lots of links in this post: http://www.jseverydayfashion.com/2012/11/everyday-fashion-plume-brooch-army-jacket.html

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  13. Love it Agi! I talk about that in my style seminar - no matter what you wear someone will hate it, but I see that a positive thing and there's so much freedom in that. Once you realize there is no such thing as winning a crowd over with your outfit, you feel free to wear things that make you happy! :-)

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  14. Love your attitude Elena! And I completely agree - nudity and dress codes are the two exceptions. Otherwise, wear what you want!! :-)

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  15. I love this Kim! I'm always thinking about geographical differences and how differently people dress. For example, people are SO casual and colorful in Florida, and the same outfits would often be "disrespectful" in Boston, where I used to live. Great point!

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  16. Lauren, I got the jeans about 1.5 years ago! Everything else is 2-5 years old! 

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  17. Kate, I love your point about there being different "reasons" a style doesn't work for us. It is fascinating to see what those are when people are able to identify them (a lot of times they just say "I hate it")!

    I think saying "there are better things" to put on ice cream is definitely telling someone their viewpoint is wrong though. [Not saying you are telling people this, but people in general.] Imagine the same scenario in regards to someone's sexual preference or weight loss! Taste buds are taste buds, and a person can't change them. Telling people they are "wrong" for that is something people do a lot in our society but it's not cool in my book.

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  18. Totally! Even just in Arkansas it varies. Where I live now, in Northwest Arkansas, is very VERY midwest hipster/casual (likes jeans to the opera, kid you not) whereas Little Rock is more Southern housewife style. It's crazy to see that amount of variation in one state. 

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  19. So true! That coat is a bold statement, bolder than I consider my personal style to be, but like you said, I appreciate people who 1) are brave enough to give it a try and 2) can pull things off such as this. And she totally works it!

    www.whenwewander.blogspot.com

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  20. Love your interpretation of your inspiration photo.  Super cute!

    xx,

    Abby

    www.alldolledupblog.com

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  21. I love this and you are so right if we all look at the good things about an outfit we learn to love that certain aspect!  I love how you have a dark grey with the camel pants.

    XO http://shesaidhesaid-fashion.blogspot.com/

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  22. love this idea! great way to appreciate things even that seem out of your realm!

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  23. great version. I agree...not always practical (the furryyy), but your take on it works really well.

    cheers.

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  24. WOW you did an AMAZING job recreating that look to fit your style!! Great job :)


















    thriftthick.blogspot.com 

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  25. I love how you----(in order to draw on the "mood" of your Inspiration Photo)----used a gray belt and shoes;  plus a nude-beige purse, i.e., instead of a darker-brown belt/shoes/purse.    A  *really nice* and very-wearable Outfit Interpretation!!

    To simply practice "seeing the good" in whatever someone is wearing is smart and very fashion-savvy advice............ (and also quite *compassionate*, too, if you honestly think about it)!!


    "Seeing the good"............ IN  ALL  THINGS  (fashion-related)............ reminds me of this quotation, directly Below;  (and I "took license" to change the gender from male to female, i.e., o.n.l.y.  because it's applicable here!!)............ and it also reminds me of your wonderfully *artistic*;  and growing/open/evolving approach TO fashion, too, J. ............ which you share with all of us!!: 

    "Nothing is lost upon a woman who is bent upon GROWTH;  nothing wasted on one who is always preparing for her work and her life by keeping eyes, mind, and heart OPEN to nature, women/men, books, experience.    Such a woman finds ministers to her education on all sides;  everything co-operates with her passion for GROWTH.    And what she gathers serves her at unexpected moments in unforeseen ways."     ---Hamilton Wright Mabie

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  26. Love the jacket. I think that all the people entitled to
    your own fashion taste and opinion. Personally wear it, but I hate the hair, it
    does not force you to others.

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  27. Love the last jacket in the post...the military style one! I want it! :-)

    www.creativesideofme.com

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  28. Love all those blazers! I've already got a black, white, and pink one - but I think grey is exactly what I need to complete the collection! I've been looking for a tweed blazer in a grey hue - this post was the deciding factor that it must by my next purchase!

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  29. Can I just say that I LOVE your hair in this pic? Super pretty!

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  30. I love your outfit, J! I also love how you are able to find inspiration from anything. So many people write off an entire outfit because of something trivial that they don't like--like the shoes, for example. It's refreshing that you can look beyond even a wild fuzzy coat and draw inspiration from the overall picture.

    On another note, I always love when you wear those pants. With each wear, a little itch creeps up in me to get a pair in that color. You look great!

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  31. Great color scheme! Glad you skipped the big furry coat! Lol

    [nat in love]

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  32. I love the color combo!  

    I find I say "it wouldn't be how I would wear it" when I see someone who catches my eye.  I only say "ew" if someone is wearing pajama's in pubic.  I try to find inspiration everywhere to make what I used to think of as "my boring closet" into something fun and new every day!

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  33. I really love how you interpreted the inspiration photo.  I always try and "see the good"  as you put it, in inspiration photos.  I cover up most of my body regardless of the season, due religious reasons.  Therefore, I mostly have to interprete my inspirations to meet this requirement first.  I think there is a lot to be learned from others who have differing styles from our own. For me, it has served to enhance my own personal style.

    coverupchic.blogspot.ca

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