Eclectic Joy

Angie Challenge: 2/25, 2/26 (added, scroll down)

February 25, 2019

Today, Monday is starting out cold with some snow and ice on the ground but sunny skies. It is supposed to reach about 47 F this afternoon then go below freezing tonight.
I am a retired elementary school teacher and DH is retired, so casual.
DH likes for us to go someplace each day. Often watching the grandchildren who are toddlers is another daily activity. This all means I need to be ready to go at a moments notice and be ready and able to crawl on the floor. Today we will probably go to a medical lecture on heart valve replacement.
Despite a casual life, I like a dressy style.
Other clothing rules are no sandals or heels and easy, quick access to my stomach for insulin injections 4 times a day. I also need a bag big enough to tote medical supplies and emergency food, a shopping bag ( area stores expect you to bring your own), and the usual purse stuff. I try to be minimal but usually need at least a satchel.
I am 72 years old, grey hair, and 5’3” tall,
small boned, a rectangle with definite apple tendencies.
Today’s outfit is quite “me” because I like to mix in thrift, consignment, and low end with pricier items. Here the jacket and trousers are thrifted, the tee is Ted Baker and I used my red Kate Spade bag. The trousers are probably the only pair I have, are wool, lined, and side zip Dana Bucanan... a brand from the past. I wore red coral dangly earrings Do you have any ideas for improving the outfit? Your thoughts and comments are welcomed. I will add outfits to this thread this week.

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Posted in the Dressing category
This post is also published in the youlookfab forum. You can read and reply to it in either place. All replies will appear in both places.

35 Comments

  • taylor replied 5 years ago

    Beautifully done Joy. YLF
    High end and thrifted items done to perfection. I love the wool lined trousers , so hard to find these days .

  • Barbara Diane replied 5 years ago

    I love the top and the whole outfit.

  • ChristelJ replied 5 years ago

    Yay for high/low combos! You look great in red, and I like it that you put together outfits that let you be ready for anything. Fashion that looks fab and functions well during the day can be a real challenge, so congrats!

  • Angie replied 5 years ago

    So RUTH. You always mix it up in an eclectic and interesting way. Usually patterned or patterned mixed with bells and whistles. Never boring! The pattern here screams you, and so do the lovely flats. You are FABULOUS. 

  • Bonnie replied 5 years ago

    You look lovely and perfectly put together. Love the flowered top and cardigan and it looks like your shoes are red too. I admire you thrifting skills. 

  • kkards replied 5 years ago

    so nice to see florals on this cold Feb day! i love the way you've matched your shoes and your sweater. FAB

  • Joy replied 5 years ago

    Thank you.
    Angie, the flats are also a floral pattern.
    Christel, you are right. It is a challenge but often Angie's ensemble outfits are just right with ideas to make dressier pieces seem more casual
    Barbara Diane, I loved the top from the mi ute I laid eyes on it and it works well in my "cold spring" capsule with the flowers mixed with black. It is usually worn with a black jacket so the flowers peek out.
    Taylor, you are soooo right . I have been looking for wool trousers in a black and white tweed or plaid for years now. They are all baggy in the back. I am thrilled that you like them.

  • Suz replied 5 years ago

    Joy, you are a champion pattern mixer (and matcher) and the Empress of Eclecticism! You're a beauty and an ongoing inspiration. And I like the subversive humour of wearing red to a lecture on heart valve replacement. :) 

  • Joy replied 5 years ago

    Bonnie and Kkards, thank you! What looks like a sweater is actually a darkish red unlined jacket. It blends with the red of the flowers. It is often very close to getting purged because it is not my best red, but it is still useful. Same with the flats. There are times like this that they seem to be my best choice. Tomato red is too bright for the tee.

  • Joy replied 5 years ago

    Suz. That is funny. Thank you for the kind words. The ideal pants for me with this outfit would be black with a thin red or pink pin stripe trousers. I used to own some. In my eclectic mind, they seemed to go with everything.

  • Katerina replied 5 years ago

    I love your style, Joy. You are always an inspiration. You have impeccable taste and your outfits are always interesting and elegant with wonderful accessories. I admire your wardrobe and how you mix second hand pieces with pricier ones, old and new, and some arty accessories.
    Today’s outfit is beautiful as always.

  • Helena replied 5 years ago

    So pretty and polished!

  • Cardiff girl replied 5 years ago

    The dark florals with the red look fabulous with your hair colour.

  • JAileen replied 5 years ago

    Your outfit is lovely, but what really makes it is your gorgeous hair.

  • The Cat replied 5 years ago

    Beautiful top. Lovely colour combo.

  • Angie replied 5 years ago

    AHA. The pattern mix is even MORE you :)

  • anchie replied 5 years ago

    You always have the best patterns. I don’t know how you do it but you always manage to have some new and interesting combinations. You are inspirational.

  • karen13 replied 5 years ago

    I love how you can mix patterns and pull together a polished outfit so effortlessly. You look fab in red. I love the way the top has interest yet blends into the black pants for a column of black effect.

  • Joy replied 5 years ago

    Thank you! I will be back later to comment. Entertaining a 15 month old who would like to use my iPad. Time to make it disappear.

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 5 years ago

    The Ted Baker tee really shines in this outfit; I like how you've let it take center stage. The outfit does have a dressy element--I didn't really identify that part of your style, but now that you mention it, I see it, certainly. Beautiful, and I enjoyed reading your analysis and learning more about your outfit creation process!

  • Cee replied 5 years ago

    Striking :)

  • rachylou replied 5 years ago

    Yes. You do have eclectic pieces but it always comes together in a classic, classy way. I do like you in dark strong colours like this!

  • Mainelady replied 5 years ago

    You have fabulous style. I really like that you like to dress up a bit. I think reds look gorgeous on you.

  • Jaime replied 5 years ago

    A great look and representation of your style. I enjoyed reading all the considerations that go into it. I love the floral top on you!

  • Joy replied 5 years ago

    Thank you for all the kind, encouraging comments.
    Katerina, I would love to have the style that you think I have. Your own is what I hope for but cannot pull off your polish and elegance and drama.
    Torontogirl, thank you. Polished is something I hope to achieve.
    Cardiff girl and JAileen, F thank you for the compliments on my hair. It needs more attention than it has been getting.
    The Cat, karen13, Firecracker and Cee, the colors in the top really stand out against the black, don't they?
    Angie, I should have mentioned the pattern mixing. It is very much my style
    Anchie, I rarely wear outfits the same way twice.
    Rachylou, it is eye-opening that you like the dark, strong colors on me. I am beginning to realize that it is my dark eyes. I need to add at least a little dark color to compliment them or I can look washed out.
    Mainelady, I used to try to dress to blend in. Maybe it is getting older or all those years of teaching, but I no longer am bothered to be the most dressed up in the room. Most don't seem to bother with the little extras like adding bracelets or a third piece.
    Shevia, thank you for reading. I am glad that you like the tee.

  • Joy replied 5 years ago

    Day 2: this outfit is for a cold day. It is me because I like this light neutral and lots of texture. The sweater is cotton and linen with zippers. The shell under it is EF silk. Booties are SE Petty in bone. Worn with nude knee highs. The necklace with leather and pearls is thrifted. The jeans are Target and my highest waist. The oversized earrings are a bit unexpected and fun. This will be worn for a shopping trip and babysitting with time on the floor. I welcome your comments. Do these jeans fit ok? Would a scarf be better than the necklace? I usually wear this sweater with lots of white.

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  • JAileen replied 5 years ago

    You are such a stylish grandma.

  • taylor replied 5 years ago

    I love the fit on the jeans ...I prefer the pearls to a scarf any day.
    You really look great Joy....:)

  • gryffin replied 5 years ago

    Joy - both really great outfits.  Elegant, warm, cozy, interesting.  You look wonderful in red!!  I like the second sweater a lot.  It reminds me of Una's UWP sweater - really nice detail on the side splits and change in stitch and love the necklace with it.

  • Angie replied 5 years ago

    I love the playful pearl accents. 

    Another joyful JOY look, and you are a stylish babysitter! Light neutrals and fun additions are YOU. 

  • Mainelady replied 5 years ago

    Joy, this is one of my favorite looks on you ( and you have many)! I love the light neutrals and the details on the sweater are so fun! While I do like a good scarf, your necklace is perfect! I bet your grands love to see you coming!

  • Bonnie replied 5 years ago

    Love the sweater and pearls and the pants looks great. You have white boots, too.

  • Katerina replied 5 years ago

    I love this Joy! The interesting pearl necklace is great with the outfit.

  • Sal replied 5 years ago

    I like both these looks Joy. I like necklace with the sweater - it is delicate and soft but modern.

  • Brooklyn replied 5 years ago

    Both fabulous Joy!

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