Reinvention

Normally I love lots of structure with a defined waist and tailored details. This, although not outside of my comfort zone, is definitely not the look I have honed on YLF for the past year.  My inspiration was a clothing line I used to wear when I first started high school called Multiples. All the pieces were knit jersey and many of them could be worn multiple ways because they didn't have a lot of structure. I thought the fun I remembered having with those piece then, was a good starting point for this new wardrobe. I've accepted the fact that I'm going to lose my waist. With such a short torso, bust line and tummy will eventually merge. So I decided that waist surrender would be the best way to go. Although I am not sure dropping my waist for this outfit actually counts as surrendering completely, I won't tell if you don't :-).

So I am wearing one of my new flowy tops from Old Navy. I have a copy of this one in a flat gray. The material is a soft drapey knit jersey and is a size XXL. As a result I needed to do something, hence the belt, to keep the top from looking like a potato sack. As it get warmer I will wear it with a basic tank in either white or black. Currently I have my white cuddle duds thermal v-neck paired with this. I wasn't sure it would work when I pulled it out this morning but I wanted to be warm without the benefit of a sweater. I think the look works and provides the drama that I like without a lot of accessories. I am also wearing Old Navy skinny cords with timberland boots and my boot socks (Thanks Astrid!).

The second photo is what I wore outside to run today's errands. I feel like there is a military theme (combat boots and coat -- the belt is arguably my holster ;-)). Perhaps my new evolving style could be called "urban renegade"?

Do you think this shift in style is me? Why or why not?

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47 Comments

  • lyn* replied 10 years ago

    I think there's still some very Day Vies elements in the outfits that you posted - even though you may eventually "surrender your waist" - your second outfit is still tailored at the shoulders, and your first outfit has a strong belt to draw attention to your waist.

    Might I also add that in addition to tailoring and defining your waist, I always found that "showing off the legs" was something I always associated with your style (and a big smile!) - as well! :)

  • Nebraskim replied 10 years ago

    Dang. Both of those looks are super adorable. You are clearly going to have fun along this new journey. Congrats.

  • CocoLion replied 10 years ago

    The waist surrender is chic and modern.  And I do think it suits you.  You look really good.

  • Diana replied 10 years ago

    Wow!  I really love this!  And you are totally glowing, by the way.  

    I like this new style direction.  I can see you keeping a bit of structure by adding some hardware and tougher details.  

  • replied 10 years ago

    I love your Urban Renegade style DV! You are going to be one stylish mama-to-be. Both iterations are fab!

  • unfrumped replied 10 years ago

    The new top looks great. You may be able to keep doing the slightly low- slung belt concept for awhile.
    Also with your long legs, a stretchy tunic- dress that does not give the tent look, over leggings, could look really good. I'm so glad that styles have evolved so its okay to outline " the bump" instead of the days when everything was made A - line or gathered, and we just looked like tents on legs. Goldenpig had some great dress looks.

  • Karie replied 10 years ago

    You look fantastic in both photos. I love the belted top and that purse is so pretty. Well done!

  • Ornella replied 10 years ago

    Hello gorgeous hair!

    I just love how white peeks from underneath the top in #1 in odd number of places, it's arty to my eye! And #2 id fab too, again an original touch with pairing structured coat and very relaxed style of handbag.

    For someone thorough as yourself, this next stage will stretch your creativity a lot and it's already looking sooooo promising.

  • Beth Ann replied 10 years ago

    Pregnancy kind of demands a new style direction!  This may not be the look you've been working with in the past year, but its looks terrific on you and you seem to be perfectly at home in it.  Proportions are great and, as you know, you can wear all the colors of the rainbow!

    BTW -- I had Multiples, too!

  • Debra replied 10 years ago

    Absolutely gorgeous :)

  • Caro in Oz replied 10 years ago

    YLF. I think this silhouette is very flattering on you DV.

  • shedev replied 10 years ago

    You look adorable in both DV.

  • Sveta replied 10 years ago

    I think the belt and skinnies provide enough structure to that top. You look adorable!

  • catgirl replied 10 years ago

    I am blown away by how gorgeous you look in that coat!

    I think this is a great and budget friendly way to go - and if you decide it's not you, in a few months it will all change anyway!

  • Catnip replied 10 years ago

    Both of these outfits are great!  I love your hair... and your smile.

  • Day Vies replied 10 years ago

    Lyn* - I agree with you, leg showcasing has been a part of my style. Today we're getting thundersnow -- not exactly the day I want to feature a skirt. But I will not overlook skirts in the weeks to come since skirts are more forgiving than pants.

    Diana - yeah I wasn't expecting to gravitate toward tougher details. They're in my wardrobe but really haven't come to the forefront. This should be interesting, because I have no clue where this journey is going to take my style. I like it.

    Unfrumped - Oh am I glad we're not dealing with tent shows. I just got another delivery today of purely maternity tops. This top and its twin is non-maternity. I certainly want to continue to stretch and challenge my fashion sense during this time.

    Ornella- yep my hair is freshly washed and therefore prone to doing it's own thing. I thought my hair looked best today piled on my head. I agree with you this look is kind of arty to my eye as well. I really didn't see this style turn coming but I guess some of the styles we admire in others can influence/inspire our next move (I'm thinking Rae and Caro).

    Beth Ann - I really got into my Multiples. My mother bought me several pieces They were so easy to work with even if you didn't know exactly what you wanted!

    Caro - I actually had both you and Rae in mind as style inspirations, so it's nice to have your seal of approval :-D

    AlaskaGirl - The coat I actually picked up 2 months ago simply because I loved the style and it was on sale. I'm not sure how much time I've got to fit into the coat though. I'll have to wear it open if I wear it at all.

  • replied 10 years ago

    You look great DV!

  • shemarie replied 10 years ago

    Congratulations and you look fabulous! Love the drape + structure.  Urban combat chic! And I think we are Timberland boot twins and so of course I love them (and love seeing how you style them)!  I love that they have a wonderful, grippy sole and I can walk in them for hours and most any weather, but yet they don't look "gearish." Sadly since it's now in the mid 80s here, mine are ready to be packed away unless I take a trip to the cold, where they've become my travel go-to footwear. 

  • Angie replied 10 years ago

    Fresh, pretty, current and gorgeous as always. xo

  • Suz replied 10 years ago

    You can do no wrong. You look absolutely sensational and inspirational in these outfits! I love everything about #1. I definitely see the DV touches of brilliant smile, fun hair, and superb attention to detail, with proportion working perfectly. You have got it going on! 

  • E replied 10 years ago

    You look stunning in both of these! You still look classy & polished, so you look like you. I'm sure you'll maintain your stylishness throughout your pregnancy (congrats by the way) even as it requires adjustments. :)

  • Jaime replied 10 years ago

    I really love this! I remember multiples and you nailed everything I liked about those looks. Gorgeous!

  • Sara L. replied 10 years ago

    You look great!  I like the belt for drama in #1 and the coat and purse look great together in #2.

  • Aubergine replied 10 years ago

    You look great in both! The dropped waist and belt in #1 really make it an amazing look. And I remember Multiples too! I had some of the kids' version; I think my favorite was a black and white striped top with one of those tube belts in red.

  • Deborah replied 10 years ago

    I saw your post this morning (I read while I dry my hair but can't comment) and then had to rush to work but had to come back and tell you just how fabulous this outfit looks on you.  I think it is still very you.  Stunning.

  • Lucy replied 10 years ago

    You are just rocking these looks - you are one stylish-mama-to-be! 

    But I did have to laugh at your reference to "Multiples"  - is this a sign there might be twins on the way !!!???

  • Gigi replied 10 years ago

    Day, this looks so great on you! It is really stylish and confident. I can't wait to see what you do next.

  • kkards replied 10 years ago

    oh, i remember multiples, what a great concept that was.
    you look great. love that belt, and the layers are fab! and i love the punk hair!

  • lyn67 replied 10 years ago

    Love the ideea of the thermal V neck peaking out from under, and dressing it for warmth. I don't know how you do it-but you just look so great in these!  I've just put a sad comment on Angie's today blog, that I cannot put on a slounchy tee neither on my holidays without looking like a shapeless homeless...sigh:-(.

  • Neel replied 10 years ago

    Wow!! Love that fluid top on you. I think I still see a lot DayVies in this outfit. Like Lyn* said, long legs and a structured topper! You look gorgeous!

  • Day Vies replied 10 years ago

    I'm so happy I'm not the only one who remembers Multiples :-D!

    Shemarie - It took years to break these boots in! I have a wide foot and when I first got them I was training for a half marahion so all of my shoes were a little off because my body retained so much water (little known fact they don't tell you about marathon training!) They fit like a dream now and I absolutely love them. They are pretty good in the snow I've not felt them leaking but I am not going to push my luck.

    Suz - I guess I can't get away from that attention to detail tick ;-) I guess that will always be a component of an outfit I put together. I'm sure where ever this reinvention takes me I'll never quite capture and pull off a RATE look.

    Lucy - as far as I know there is only one. Though I did wonder early on because heartburn started immediately.

    Lyn67- I understand what you mean about too much volume. I had to laugh about your homeless comment. I've always been afraid of too much volume for that reason. Maybe you could try volume in small doses?

     

  • Alassë replied 10 years ago

    You look absolutely great!

  • Hil replied 10 years ago

    Oh wow! I think I must have missed the news! Congratulations!!!! And you look so so so gorgeous in both of these. Killer IMO.

  • Em replied 10 years ago

    The first outfit is EXTREMELY flattering for you, Day!

  • Asingh replied 10 years ago

    You carry the flowy top with the skinnies rather well, DV! :)

  • replied 10 years ago

    OMG.  Yes.  You look breathtaking.  Fresh and breathtaking.  

  • Transcona Shannon replied 10 years ago

    Love the flowy top on you DV - pairing it with skinnies and reining it in with a belt totally keeps the volume from getting away from you. And that military-esque coat is fab on you. You are looking radiant :)

  • Lisa replied 10 years ago

    Urban renegade, I like it!  I like this shift towards interesting details from the clothes as opposed to from the layering (the drape of the top in #1, the buttons on the jacket in #2).

  • Von replied 10 years ago

    One month later, and you're still not totally invested in flowy. I'm used to seeing you as very structured. I looked at one of your pics the other day and thought how long in the torso you must be because you're still not showing.  You never know, you could carry very high and be able to wear many of your same styles.  I wore my non-maternity pants up until 8 months or so because I carried high and had lots of low rise pants. 

  • calmwave replied 10 years ago

    you really look fabulous.  my favorite look on you so far.  whether it;s a Day Vies look or not, I don't know but when it looks this good, maybe it should be.

  • rachylou replied 10 years ago

    #1 looks great on you (so does #2), but as to whether you have it in you to persist with such a style shift... I don't know! Do you feel... any sort of attachment to the outfit? Are you loving it?

  • Day Vies replied 10 years ago

    Thanks for your continued support on this thread but my body has changed since last month. I am not sure I could get away with the same type of belt all day. I can't stand most of belts at this point.

  • rachylou replied 10 years ago

    I was figuring the belt would go. Do you still reach for the topper?

  • catgirl replied 10 years ago

    This is still you because it is all stunning and elegant. Really great and that coat is a fave of mine!

  • Thistle replied 10 years ago

    You look fabulous!  I love the new direction, and the 80s vibe. I know you were thinking military, but to me, this has a definite 80s flavor.

  • gryffin replied 10 years ago

    DV - I am just in awe of how stunning and radiant you look!!  No matter what you wear there is such elegance of line and detail!!  Just major wow!!  Hope you feel as fabulous as you look!!  I honestly cannot wait to see what you, stylish mom, are going to come up with next!! 

  • Kiwichik replied 10 years ago

    I think the fluidity of this top looks absolutely beautiful on you and is so flattering to your lovely curves and definitely hits that dramatic note that you want.

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