Eclectic Joy

32 Comments

• Suz replied 10 years ago

  Joy, you look amazing in each and every one of these. Wow, you have honed in on your best neutrals and you wear them with such panache. 

  I adore #1. It's really difficult to tell about the cuffs because with both arms raised you don't get the full visual effect. I would go with whichever version feels best to you. You can't go wrong, really. 

  3/4 is simple elegance on you. 

  And the last outfit, with or without the fur collar, is just extraordinary. What fun! 

• Debbie replied 10 years ago

  I love all of these absolutely stunning. I don't know how you do it!

• karymk replied 10 years ago

  Joy your head is chopped off on your "wall" pick but I knew right away who it was! :)  I especially like that taupe knit dress! Do you realize that the cowl drape perfectly reflects your head shape? You couldn't have designed that better! Where'd you get the dress? I would love to look at more of your pics and try to start dressing more "light" neutral. K

• Liz A. replied 10 years ago

  I love #3.  Want that dress!

• Pame replied 10 years ago

  You totally rocked them all! Looking good! :)

• celia replied 10 years ago

  Everything here is delightful.The sparkly sweater, the ombre dress and that cardi are my favourite pieces. 
  Since you asked I prefer #1 with the cuffs showing.

  Fabulous Joy!

• E replied 10 years ago

  You look lovely in all of these but 6/7 is extra stunning!!! I usually like cuffs peeking out from under the sweater sleeves so I like #1 w them.

• Windchime replied 10 years ago

  You are so elegant! Re cuffs in 1, I like how they look, but know I'd have those sweater sleeves pulled down for warmth.
  Nice cozy blazer in 2 and clever combining of dress and lace top in 3/4. Your long cardigan in 6/7 is fantastic!

• Ornella replied 10 years ago

  Love x 8.

  "We try to be sensitive..." How thoughtful.

• Niefern replied 10 years ago

  You really look great in all the photos.

• Angie replied 10 years ago

  You are gorgeous, Joy. From white jeans in Winter to dramatic faux fur duster coats with riding boots. You inspire us all with your fashion flair and beautiful spirit. xo

• Sarah A replied 10 years ago

  Joy, you look fantastic in each of these outfits. I dont think I have seen you in so many dark neutrals before but you find a way to bring light and balance to each look. I am esp. taken with 1 and 4 :) I am sure your Christmas charity work has spread much kindness.

• Shirley replied 10 years ago

  That modern coat stole my heart. I love it. All your outfits are ver y sophisticated.

• minimalist replied 10 years ago

  Joy! Each outfit brings cheer. The cuffs in #1 both look good; I'd personally opt for flipped back, but that's just me.

  The sensitivity thing is a challenge. When I was 6 or so, a neighbor girl invited me to her church's Christmas party. Some members of a sponsor church in the city brought presents, which of course was exciting, but more than that I was awed by the way the visiting/charity women dressed. (When I got home, my parents were horrified that I'd accepted a present, because we didn't need it. I didn't understand that until much later.) The most lasting gift was the impression those women made on me. They were dressed so beautifully, looked so comfortable and warm in a more elegant way than I'd ever seen in our rural community.

  Joy to the World, however you're dressed!

• pil replied 10 years ago

  Beautiful color palette, Joy. You look amazing in all of these.

• Jaime replied 10 years ago

  Wonderful! I love #1, and the black dress with furry collared cardigan is just amazing on you. You have fantastic style!

• Joy replied 10 years ago

  All your kind, wise comments overwhelm me. About the sleeve question. I ended up wearing the sleeves own this time for extra warmth. The sunshine was deceiving and the air was frigid outside and in the building.
  Suz, as I get older, I'm liking the lighter neutrals more for a softer look and as a change from the sea of black. We went to the symphony on a cold night and I'm not exaggerating that at least two thirds of the women...all ages...were wearing black pants.

  Debbie, I could never live up to your fabulous honed style. Thank you.

  Karmyk, the dress is Connected Apparel from a women's clothing store called Saffees from over a year ago. At the time I bought it I had a hard time deciding between this on and the same ombré style in purple. I never noticed the cowl drape mirrors my head shape. What fun! And how observant of you.

  Liz and Pame,thank you for your encouragement. The ombré dress has worked out better than I ever expected.

  Celia, E and Windchime, I liked the cuffs showing too and will definitely do that on a warmer day. Windchime, you were right. Warmth triumphed.

  Ornella, you are sweet. I've been involved with this about 30 years and we noticed that our "clients" were often very shy and dressing down made us more approachable. We use about 3000 volunteers just at holiday time and some come all dressed up in festive outfits with lots of jewelry and furs, talking to each other about the expensive restaurant they will go to when their shift is over in front of the people they are there to serve...those whose sons are sharing a coat and to whom shopping is so strange an experience that they pick out gifts and even food for their families and themselves with great difficulty.
  Niefern, thank you for the kind words.

  Angie, your encouragement keeps me trying new-to-me looks and ways to wear what I have. I'm loving wearing white jeans this winter because, as much as I like them, our spring season for white jeans is very short.

  Sarah, thank you for mentioning your favorites. That black sweater dress is very dark and a change for me. The duster and scarf and my hair help lighten things up, something I need to be more conscious of. I'm glad that you pointed that out.

  Shirley, I love that you feel these looks are sophisticated! You made my day!

  Amy, thank you for sharing your childhood story. It is very helpful to get that perspective.

  Pil and Shevia, thank you for giving me a big boost of confidence.

• Beth Ann replied 10 years ago

  Oooh!  Sparkly gold and white for the Holidays!  Love it on you!  I go for the scrunch and touch of cuff, but I hear you on the cold --- it looks amazing with the blazer, too.

  I'm really partial to #5 -- love the line and modern print.  All of these are sleek, simple, modern and flattering.

  Sounds like your charity work requires a lot of energy, but is close to your heart.  I hope it continues to go well!

• Lantana replied 10 years ago

  I was tempted by your title. The prospect of seeing you in silver, taupe and white raised my expectations and I was not disappointed.
  I prefer the cuffs concealed. I feel there is enough white in the outfit without them.
  I'm very interested to see you wear brown so successfully because it is a colour I am drawn to for our next winter.
  Joy I think you look smashing in all these outfits and I don't see any need for improvements. Penny

• Alexandra replied 10 years ago

  I love them all! You look great.

• unfrumped replied 10 years ago

  Great outfits! I like showing cuffs if that's not considered so over. I want that cowl dress! Perfect sweater dresses are my HEWI's.
  The long cardi is so special- ave you tried creating a winter- white type outfit with it? You look fantastic in those tonal light shades.

• Day Vies replied 10 years ago

  #1 and #2 are my favorites. I think it's the rich textures, sparkles, and color palette. It's airy and luxe all at once. I'd love to copy the feel of these outfits myself. Very soft and elegant.
  #3 and #4 are stunning. I actually like the sweater dress better with the scarf than without. Perhaps its because I am going though a cheetah print phase right now. I think the dress is perfectly elegant on its own and doesn't need any help, but the addition of the scarf speaks to me.
  #5, #6 and #7 I like the contrast between the coat and the black better than the black and the taupe. So the boots seem out of place to me although they are echoed in the coat. However I like the blend between the taupe boots and the coat (with and with out the fur -- so fun!) I think I would love the combination if the base pieces that are now black were a charcoal or mid-tone gray.

• replied 10 years ago

  These are all lovely. Joy.

• Joy replied 10 years ago

  Beth Ann, thank you for your helpful comments. I was inspired by your festive outfits.
  Penny, I was craving brown last winter and have sought it out. It's not my best neutral but less harsh than black, and I'm used to wearing the color. My eyes are dark brown.
  Alexandra, thank you for the boost.
  Unfrumped, I'm forever on the lookout for sweater dresses, especially not black. I love the idea of using the long cardi with white. Thank you for the idea!
  Day, your thoughts are so wise and like gold coming from such a stylish woman. I love cheetah above all animal patterns except possibly snake.
  I appreciate your thoughts on wearing the taupe coat. My third sweater dress is a medium grey, so I will have to try the duster with it. I can also do a charcoal pant and top under it. What a great idea!
  Thank you, Ceit.

• carambola replied 10 years ago

  You look elegant and beautiful in every one of these! I love how you show the variations of each look. It's amazing how the addition of the scarf in 3/4 or the fur collar in 5-7 changes the flavor of the outfit while maintaining the essence of your style.

• Neel replied 10 years ago

  First - you are stunning and have amazing style! I wouldn't change a thing in your outfits!

  Now to your questions - I like the cuff turned up in pic 1. I love the black sweater dress with the fur collar. Looks glam!

  The ombre dress is beautiful!

• Debra replied 10 years ago

  I love all of these looks especially the sparkly jumper and ombre dress.
  You look lovely :)

• Vicki replied 10 years ago

  Tasteful and elegant in every photo, Joy, and how very special to be considerate of your clients in your dressing.  I love your taupe velvet blazer and kept eyeing one at J. Crew, but that color was sold out in every size.  It's beautiful on you!

  Your ombre and black sweater dresses are stunning, either with the long cardigan, scarf or on their own.  Those are wardrobe pieces that have legs and can be worn easily with all your nice accessories!  

  What kind of class are you taking?

• Joy replied 10 years ago

  Carambola, I enjoyed your comments. My outfits tend to evolve during the day for different activities. I consider that when deciding what to wear.
  Neel and Debra, it is very helpful to know what appeals to you. Thank you for commenting.
  Vicki, I have Kat to thank for that taupe blazer and enjoy it's level of warmth. You're right that the sweater dresses can be accessorized in different ways, which makes them valuable in my winter wardrobe. The class is one I teach (or rather, lead), a Montessori based religious education program. I have mixed ages 9-12 a couple of times a week. It often involves sitting on the floor so I have to dress carefully.

• RunswithDolphins replied 10 years ago

  You have chosen such an elegant group of neutrals in silver, taupe & white and created absolutely stunning outfits with your pieces.  I love that cardigan and went back to look at it several times.  Such an unique piece and how clever of you to add the fur collar. 

  Joy, your kindness in helping others at this time of year and your sensitivity to their situations and feelings is heart warming.  Style is not just about the clothes you wear but about the way you live your life and you strike me as a very stylish lady in every way.

• sarah replied 10 years ago

  Gorgeous, Joy. I LOVE #1!!!!!

• Karie replied 10 years ago
  I haven't read the other responses (yet) here are my preferences:
  Cuff out
  No scarf - it competes with the pretty neckline on the dress
  The cardi is gorgeous no matter how you wear it - I like to mix things up for variety. That said, closed and with the collar is beyond stunning.
  I hear you on sweater dresses that are a little short. I do the same thing, wear them as tunics with pointe pants, skinny jeans, etc.
  It sounds like you are very involved with your charity - what a wonderful way to help those less fortunate. Thank you!