Ladylike CosmoPrep

Versatility and my new favorite sweater

February 19, 2015

Today's outfit was inspired by this pin. I have used this pin to spawn many similar outfits but this is the closets I've come to a copy cat.

I thought of this combination because I wanted to feature my new sweater -- a Talbot's piece I picked up on Sunday. The sweater is mixed media and features woven material paired with a thick jersey material (sweatshirt). It's open front and has a wonderful cut and drape (...reminds me of something Deborah might wear). I love it because it is both structured and fluid, casual and polished, cozy yet stylish. When I saw it I knew it had to come home with me because of its built-in versatility.

Do any of you have a piece you feel is as versatile? If so what is it? Also can something be versatile because you like wearing it and as a result you work it into as many outfits as you can get away with?

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Posted in the Inspiration 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.

24 Comments

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 9 years ago

    Had to pop in quickly to say, Love the outfit! And your hair! will have to contemplate the versatile-item question.

  • Vildy replied 9 years ago

    Gorgeous from tip to toe. Wonderful to see you back with your stylish outfits.
    I think I sometimes acquire pieces and think their versatility is a big plus and then end up wearing them in one favorite way. :D

  • MTBGirl replied 9 years ago

    I love your new sweater! And I totally agree with your descriptors of it as structured and fluid, casual yet polished, cozy yet stylish.

  • MsMaven replied 9 years ago

    Great outfit--very flattering. I like your colors (the pants) better than the pin. 

  • abc replied 9 years ago

    Love this from head to toe. Very nice piece. Looks like a winner addition to the wardrobe. I find washable items like this really important with kids. It gives the structure I liked in blazers but is more life friendly.

  • dashielle (Ann) replied 9 years ago

    DV, can I just say how amazing you're looking and it's nice to have you back into the fray! A thousand times yes to your new sweater AND to having these key fundamental pieces we love that work with everything. For me (right now) I'm loving my drapey black wool Icebreaker waterfall cardigan that I showed two outfits with last week. http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....of-outfits Makes me feel very Deborah as well ;-) it was key to my packing for a business trip to Frankfurt last year, for plane and bumming around, and luckily I bought another in navy with a white stripe when I got this last Summer, so I can transition to Spring. We even have cool evenings in the Summer here in the Northwest, so there I am...sorted, as Angie would say.

  • Jaime replied 9 years ago

    Masterful!

  • Day Vies replied 9 years ago

    Firecracker - The hair, yep I decided to straighten it out this week. By far it's been my favorite accessory this week. My happiness with my hair this week is the subject for an entirely separate post.

    Vildy - It's good to be back. I thought the same thing when I picked up this sweater It's so versatile BUT am I going to wear it the same way again and again simply because I like it that way? I think the forum is going to keep me honest.

    Msmaven - my pants have more yellow in them so my olive pops more than the muddy gray-toned olive in the pin.

    abc - you articulated the very concept that's been on the tip of my tongue since Sunday. I want stylish pieces that can go from the office to the weekend to the wash AND can stand up to DD's drool.

    dashielle - I marked that post as a favorite. I just loved how your version of edge works at the office and on the weekend. That's what I want for this sweater. I'll probably have to go back to that post often to remind my self to move on when I get too comfortable wearing it any one way.

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 9 years ago

    My harem pants fall into the versatile category, both because I can wear them different ways (with the legs long, or pulled up to the knees to create a skirt look) and because I like to wear them, so I create a lot of different types of outfits with them. Another versatile piece, just because it can be worn different ways, is my AllSaints Elgar cowl sweater; it can be worn upside down and backwards, and buttoned or unbuttoned.

  • deb replied 9 years ago

    Great sweater and I can see why you were drawn to it. Wonderful outfit.

  • Nannabella replied 9 years ago

    Ooh, I love this. There's something about the green and the stripes that hints at spring for me, and the black cardi adds a gorgeous contrast and flowiness. And straightened hair is always so fun to play around with! You look beautiful, top to toe!

  • Nebraskim replied 9 years ago

    I love your new hair look. And the sweater is great. Don't you love it when a piece serves so many functions? I try for that in my own wardrobe. My most versatile piece by far is a white denim jacket from Gap that I wear with all sorts of pieces, from very casual to office business casual to throw over a nice summer dress for a wedding, etc. I got a French blue knee-length wool cardigan this winter that has been worn so much in the month since I got it. It's warm and functional and seriously a good buy. I try to think of three to five ways to use any piece and this certainly stretches my wardrobe and makes me feel creative when I mix something up in an unexpected way.

  • Beth Ann replied 9 years ago

    I purchased three (woops, make that four) similar sweaters this year, and they've been workhorses.  I would have liked to purchase a new blazer or two, but I wasn't finding any that I loved, and the sweaters are dressy enough for my uni and home teaching. I love them with a pencil skirt, or skinnies -- much like you're wearing them here.

    The second and third photos below are from Macy's (INC).  These sweaters have the most gorgeous fabrication --- thick enough to be substantial and drapey, but really refined and smooth at the same time.

    Love your colored pants --- the shade is fresh and appealing in winter.  And you make wonderful use of Pinterest, for all of your frustrations with the platform!

  • Day Vies replied 9 years ago

    Beth Ann - As a result of my thread last week I have resolved my issues with Pinterest. No more "picked for you" tacky questionable pins. It's now my little slice of heavenly inspiration once again.

  • replied 9 years ago

    That's a great sweater/cardigan. Love it. I'm actually making a long version of something similar and I hope it will be as versatile. I love how you styled yours and what a fab colour your jeans are! Also I've just got to say you look so lovely and fresh, your hair is fab... what are you on lady?! :)

  • unfrumped replied 9 years ago

    The cardigan has great drape and proportions-- nips in and out where it should. I have a jacket from WHBM that doesn't seem like it would be special but it seems to have " universal proportions" and I can toss it on over many outfits and it works. I think that Is key-- an item that reliably has good proportions.

  • Karie replied 9 years ago

    I like your outfit better than the pin - that mixed media sweater is gorgeous. I have a poncho that I bought this year at F21 that's turning out to be a real workhorse in our super cold winter. It fits nicely under my winter coat (no bunching) and it keeps me snuggly warm. I wore it again today to go to the movies and it was like I was sitting in a recliner with a blanket.

  • CocoLion replied 9 years ago

    I love my sweaters passionately.  They are just so cozy and also have a refined feeling.  So of course I love this outfit.  The colors are surprising and fresh, that's what takes this to a higher level.

  • catgirl replied 9 years ago

    Fantastic!  Reminds me of my Helmut Lang sweatshirt jacket - just enough edge.  And I LOVE your hair!

  • replied 9 years ago

    I thought I commented yesterday, but I guess not.  If I had commented earlier, I would have told you how incredible you look and how gorgeous that sweater is.  Right after looking at your WIW, I went to the Talbots website to look for that sweater.  It is that gorgeous on you.  

    I want to second what Unfrumped said about proportions.  Sometimes a piece just works of you and it might come down to perfect proportions for your body.  That sweater is perfectly proportioned for you. 

  • Day Vies replied 9 years ago

    Sterling you raise a good point about proportions and stores. I think once you find a store whose proportions match your own that should be your first stop when you're looking to add to your wardrobe. Clearly the fit model used to develop patterns for Talbot's clothing must be a body double of mine.

  • crutcher replied 9 years ago

    DV..You just rock that pin copy look...smile...I love your hair and the outfit...Definitely a style keeper that you will want to repeat many times...

  • Transcona Shannon replied 9 years ago

    This outfit has so many things going for it - beautiful shapes and portion, fab pattern and wonderful colour combination. And I can see why you love that sweater DV - fab on you!

  • anne replied 9 years ago

    Fab as always!

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I am fascinated with the process of getting dressed every day -- to me this is more challenging than getting dressed for a big event because what I wear is dictated by my activities, work environment, and the weather. Living in a climate that guarantees four seasons (or at least two extremes) provides both challenges and inspiration.