June challenge: The Olive Capsule (with Coral)

This week I am asking for your feedback on some summer wardrobe pieces that have been around for awhile.

Both photos feature a 4-5 year-old silk Halogen sleeveless shell with a pattern of watery dots of coral from pale to almost deep red and olive-grey on a cream background.  The general look is floral.

In the first photo, I have the top paired more casually with cotton olive cargo pants that end just below the knee, although they can be rolled higher; and with a bright coral red cardigan with ruched sleeves. 

In the second photo the top is worn with a coral-pink Halogen seamed pencil skirt and long asymmetrical Bobeau rayon open cardigan. 

In both the necklace is pieces of red coral and flats are cream Dr. Scholl's ballet flats with a large silver buckle.  Everything that you are seeing  is several years old.  Tell me what looks good and what doesn't and other possible ways for styling.  I don't think the coral necklace is working out very well here.  It is an old made-by-me and could be made longer or redone some other way.

The top skims the body without being fitted or oversized.  It is heavy enough not to show underwear lines.  The cargo pants are very comfortable, cool, and give coverage.  I usually wear them with a black or navy knit top.  The skirt gets worn most in spring and summer because of the color.  I like the fit and length.  I like the weight of the Bobeau cardi but wonder if it is dated. 

I would love your thoughts on the pieces (keep or donate) and ways to improve styling.  Thank you so much.

Thank you

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16 Comments

  • Sal replied 8 years ago

    The colour is lovely on you Joy and I really like the first look - it seems a very practical every day look that would take you many places.  The top is a good shape too.

    I don't like the second look as much, I think it is the cardigan that is putting me off.  I wonder about a non- matching topper - cream/paler pink or even khaki, whatever is in your closet.  I like the top and the skirt together though.

    I can't see the details of the necklace but it looks fine in the photos.

    As always you look stunning!

  • Suz replied 8 years ago

    What Kiwigal said! You look gorgeous, as always. But the "matching" topper/ skirt feels too conservative, especially with the ballet flats. You could adapt the look with different footwear and/or a different topper. I think the first look works! 

  • UmmLila (Lisa) replied 8 years ago

    I like the first look best. Generally I like all the pieces, except the flats, which between the buckle and the round toe seem a little dated. I couldn't get a good impression of the necklace in the photos.

  • unfrumped replied 8 years ago

    I like #1 and find certain florals very useful for tying items together.
    #2 does look a little conservative and maybe "too much" coral.
    Maybe a jean jacket and the top untucked.
    Not sure how to assess the cardigan on it's own merits but it seems to need to be paired with different items. I might like it better with similar solid top over a different solid bottom, or worn over a column of bright print (like a dress).. Hmmm.

  • cjh replied 8 years ago

    I love the top, and it looks great with the casual pants to me. Agree with the others that the second combo is too pink maybe? It looks a bit flat with the cardi. Try the red topper with the skirt, too? That could work - coral and red.

    This type of top is a uniform piece, because as you say, the fit and fabrication make it so wearable. I have similar tops that I wear all summer in many different prints/color schemes.

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 8 years ago

    I think the top is a keeper, and I like it with both the cargo capris and the pencil skirt. I agree with others that I would try a different topper with the skirt outift; this look seems a little office-y or perhaps conservative, as others have pointed out. Or not quite as current as your usual style. I can see a cream jean jacket or long vest (I'm picturing some I've seen you wear, but don't know if they are the right shades). Or a blue jean jacket.
    That said, I don't think the sweater itself is out of date. I would try it with outfit 1, for starters, and with skinny jeans. I think this kind of long open-front cardigan is still very useful and stylish--I'm hoping so, anyway, 'cuz I rely on them quite a bit.
    I like the necklace with the top, from what I can see! It goes really nicely with that cardigan in outfit 1, too.

  • carter replied 8 years ago

    Ah! I WANT that top! Love it. My favorite look is the first, but I think the second might be better with either a cream bottom or a cream cardi...more contrast, I think.

  • Brooklyn replied 8 years ago

    The first look is great and not dated at all IMO. The pants are cool. I agree with others on the second look - too much coral, too office-y. I am not sure whether I would hang on to the topper in photo 2 to be honest. From the little I have seen, you have nicer pieces! Maybe give it a go with more relaxed bottoms - like jeans - before deciding. 

  • Jaime replied 8 years ago

    Agree that the first outfit looks terrific and the second is a bit too something. The same things with jeans or clams might work great though.

  • Joy replied 8 years ago

    Sorry to be so late getting back to this post. We had a long meeting tonight and now my eyes are heavy, but you have had so many insights and great styling ideas. Thank you for your help

  • Rambling Ann replied 8 years ago

    I'd wear #2's sweater and blouse with jeans, long over lean. Same shoes. Ditch the necklace (actually keep it, but not with the blouse/sweater combo, it'd be awesome with a white button-down and the same sweater.)  

  • Olivegreen replied 8 years ago

    I like both outfits...have a sugar eye for olive and pinks, but the harmony of the suit and the top is very attractive.
    You and pink, seems so right with the hair.

  • Meredith replied 8 years ago

    The others seem to have you sorted, just wanted to say YLF in coral!

  • Joy replied 8 years ago

    Thank you, Meredith, coral is one of my favorite colors to wear.
    Olivegreen, thank you. I needed to be reminded of my hair color in all this. It can be a force to be reckoned with when considering any outfit or purchase. Maybe someday I will go pink on top too :)
    Rambling Ann, I like your idea for the necklace.
    Shevia, I will try the top combination with clams as a good hot weather MOTG outfit, I hope. Great idea I'd not considered.
    Brooklyn, I am having thoughts about letting this cardigan and some others like it go. Thank you for giving me a boost in this direction.
    Carter, you have a good eye. I have an ivory cardigan that may work. That top was love at first sight for me years ago.
    Back later to address the rest of the posts.

  • replied 8 years ago

    Like others I love that top! I think the first outfit totally works. I would love to see the second outfit with a denim jacket maybe? The cardigan would work maybe with the pants in #1?

  • Joy replied 8 years ago

    Sharan, your memory is accurate. I do have a white denim jacket, long off white vest and blue denim jacket to try. Excellent ideas. Also using the long cardi with skinny jeans. You are right that the necklace also goes well with the shorter cardi.
    Diane, thank you for further encouraging these ideas. I will put them to work soon.
    Cjh, it is fun to put red and pink together. I'll try it next time I wear the skirt. It gets worn most for church.
    Unfrumped, I like your ideas for the cardigan. I do have one dress that is a bright print which might work with that cardigan. I can also do a different, solid top over a different solid bottom. I need a block of time to play in the closet.
    Suz and Ummlila, thank you for pointing out the datedness of those flats. They are old and worn that day especially because we had had lots of rain and there was a good chance of having to walk through parkinglot puddles. I appreciate your comments as just what I needed.
    Kiwigal, thank you for your preferences and suggestions. They were well thought out and helpful.

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