Caitlin said I should stop wearing so much black. I never really got it until I took these pictures on Sunday. I wanted to enter Tiffany’s statement piece style challenge, and I wanted to wear this jacket I thrifted for $2 at the store right next to my apartment, but when I looked at these pictures I realized that I look old. The rep lipstick is a bit of a departure for me as well, and I’m not sure I think it’s a good thing (That Husband didn’t like it either). I don’t hate the outfit overall, I just don’t like it on me. When I gain weight, black is my security blanket, and it’s hard to let go of that as I go down in size.
I’ve been working to avoid black in my thrifting, but after seeing this I’m going to redouble my efforts. Look how much younger I look in these bright colors!
I do love this necklace though, it’s from my in-laws, but I don’t wear it as often as I like because it’s so loud. Tiffany’s challenge was fun because it forced me to take a few minutes and think about how I could wear one of my loudest pieces of jewelry. Actually all of my jewelry I’m wearing with this outfit is from Poland! The earrings and necklace I have on that you can’t really see are from TH’s aunt.
Do you use a color or type of clothing as a security blanket when you gain weight? Are you like me, finding it difficult to let go even as you lose weight?
November 29th, 2011 on 8:51 am
Hmm, you say “old,” I say “sophisticated.” I personally prefer this outfit, but think a lot of the differences can be chalked up to the haircut (more sophisticated as well?) and seasonal differences. The first outfit looks like spring day to me, this one is more fall/winter night. But then again personally I love black - I think it’s ageless and classic and versatile.
And I love the lipstick
To each their own!
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Marissa C Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 12:52 pm
I agree with the first line…it was exactly what I was going to say!
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November 29th, 2011 on 9:01 am
I actually really like this outfit! I love black and grey though, and dress in these colors a lot. The necklace and jacket are really cute together too. I think if you changed out the lipstick and tried grey stockings instead of black it might make it look younger? or tie your hair back. But I do like the outfit; those subtle changes might fix it for you. Black is definitely my ‘security’ blanket…half my closet is full of it!
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November 29th, 2011 on 9:04 am
I love black. I am wearing black now. I think black is my professional security blanket — and I just like it.
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November 29th, 2011 on 10:06 am
I love leggings with tunics/dresses and tall boots. Such a comfy way to look chic, but so easy not to notice if you gain a few punds!!!
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November 29th, 2011 on 10:06 am
*pounds
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November 29th, 2011 on 10:57 am
As a working professional, this outfit resembles a lot of what I wear on a daily basis. Then again, it’s best for me to appear older than I am because of the industry I work in (age=respect), so I’m gungho for this outfit! I don’t think you necessarily look old, but rather as though you’re going to the office for a day of work…respectable.
I wear color on occasion, but it’s almost exclusively in a tank top or piece of jewelry. All other pieces are dark shades of blue, brown, black, or gray.
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Nodakademic Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 10:44 am
Yes. Exactly.
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November 29th, 2011 on 11:50 am
I actually really like this outfit. especially that jacket! great thrifting find! i think if you popped some color in with your necklace or a bracelet or a broche or something it might look younger. or even a colored undershirt with a black skirt might look cute. But i think for a winter look it looks fabulous!
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November 29th, 2011 on 12:08 pm
This isn’t a bad outfit, it’s just a bit severe. It’s not just the black but a combination if things. The length and shape of the skirt paired with the slightly crop jacket is lightly awkward. In the photo you linked to you look happier & more comfortable. This look just screams pastors wife!!
I’ve recently discovered your blog and don’t know quite what to make of it yet. Its different and I kind of like it
I think you’d be an interesting person to meet in real life.
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November 29th, 2011 on 12:14 pm
Do you have brightly coloured tights? Like maybe teal or red? I think that might change your mind about it. The dress & jacket together are fine, but the tights weigh it down, I think. I think a more subtle lipstick would help, too. Or maybe just a little brighter? But I know what you mean about not loving the colour, at least with this outfit.
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Stephanie C Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 3:38 pm
I agree with this. I don’t think the dress or jacket are problems, it’s the tights.. that’s an opportunity for more colour!
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Rachel Reply:
November 30th, 2011 at 12:09 am
I like the outfit too. I think the tights and maybe different shoes perhaps. These shoes kind of cut off the leg. I think a different color of tights and a shoe without a strap over the ankle or maybe some boots would help with that and the severity of the outfit.
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Rachel Reply:
November 30th, 2011 at 12:13 am
I read further down and agree with the pencil skirt comment as well.
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November 29th, 2011 on 12:19 pm
I don’t think it ages you, but I wonder if wearing eyeliner would change the look a little. This is kind of random, but it also looks more like a Winter (referring to skin tone colors) outfit and I think you are more Summer, so like you had said, the lighter colors work better for you.
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November 29th, 2011 on 12:24 pm
I love this outfit - it looks stylish and sophisticated.
Comparing this photo to the other, I can’t say the black is the culprit. I think it’s your makeup and expression that makes you look more mature in this photo.
But even if you do look slightly older here, you don’t look OLD.
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November 29th, 2011 on 12:58 pm
I mostly like this outfit too. I feel like it is the lipstick and the lower half that ages you. My thoughts would be:
- Use your normal lip gloss color
- Add a pair of jeans
I feel like the jeans would tone down the outfit and make it “younger”, but the shirt/jacket/jewelry really dress up the jeans too.
If jeans aren’t your thing, perhaps some pants in black orrrrr a gray close to that of the jacket.
I have to agree with the pastors wife comment. I really think it’s the longer skirt & lipstick, but that’s just me. Don’t hate!
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Courtney Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 1:00 pm
OK so it’s no too long of a skirt, but I think it is the illusion of it being longer with the tights. I had to keep going back to the picture, because in my mind I kept thinking it was a ankle/calf length.
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Jenna Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 7:17 pm
Someone below said pencil skirt, and I think that’s the key. Pencil skirt that hits just at or just above the knee.
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Heather S Reply:
November 30th, 2011 at 12:37 pm
I agree! With your normal lip color and either jeans or a pencil skirt, I think you feel entirely different!
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November 29th, 2011 on 1:16 pm
I do like this outfit, but I get what you’re saying about feeling “old.” But I don’t think it’s old age-wise, I feel like you have a kind of old hollywood glamour look, which I like! And dark colors are totally my security blanket when I gain weight. Like you, I’m trying to branch out!
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November 29th, 2011 on 1:54 pm
I think some more eyeliner/mascara would be perfect for this outfit! And maybe a different color lip since you said you didn’t really care for it. Otherwise I think it is a keeper!
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November 29th, 2011 on 2:25 pm
The red lipstick look can be aging on some women. I agree with others this just looks professional and sophisticated. I dress like this for work mostly and use accessories to try and express my age
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November 29th, 2011 on 3:03 pm
I don’t use black as a security blanket, but I wear it a lot. The thing is, I look fantastic in black and it is enduringly chic. I really don’t feel like I need more color. My clothing aesthetic is very … french? I think that’s any easy way to describe it.
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November 29th, 2011 on 3:45 pm
I’m not sure the jacket fits - I think you might be a bit busty for the cut. Maybe try it unbuttoned? I agree with some of the other commenters that the line of the jacket calls for a different cut on the bottom - either a pencil skirt or tailored pants. You don’t want to extend the A-line of the jacket’s hem further in your lower body.
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November 29th, 2011 on 5:30 pm
Before I read the rest of this post, the first thing I noticed when I looked at the pictures was the lipstick. But when I looked at your October 7 post, my first thought was how pretty you looked, without anything immediately jumping out at me. That’s an important difference, I think. Clothing and makeup are supposed to enhance you, but here, the rest of your face seems to recede behind the lipstick.
Is black your best color? Probably not. Look up “Color Me Beautiful” or Google seasonal color analysis to help you find your best colors. But looking at this post…
https://thatwifeblog.com/2011/06/fashionably-modest-the-outfit-i-didnt-actually-wear-out-of-the-house/
You look really cute and I don’t think it ages you at all!
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Jenna Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 7:19 pm
Yes, I thought that same thing about that outfit. Features black, but looks young. I think it’s the cuts and the fun print.
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November 29th, 2011 on 5:34 pm
I think it’s the outfit that ages you a bit (not that it’s a bad thing), not the lipstick. I would give the lipstick one more chance with a more casual outfit before writing it off!
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November 29th, 2011 on 8:16 pm
I like the dress, jacket and necklace together! For me, I’d wear nude nylons, “lighter” shoes, and I’d go for a light lip gloss. For me the dress, jacket and necklace are so “heavy” that I’d lighten everything else up.
In general, I find red lipstick or really any lipstick old looking.
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Sophia Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 8:23 pm
I like it on other people (including Jenna here), but on me- yeah, all kinds of oldster-making. I see all these hipster chicks wearing blood red lips and looking so cute, so then I try it out- oh, look! Suddenly, I’m a washed up hooker/showgirl.
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Heather S Reply:
November 30th, 2011 at 12:38 pm
HAHAHA! Sophia, that is exactly what I think when I try to wear a red lip. I love it, but I look ridiculous!
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December 1st, 2011 on 12:06 am
The red lip and jacket look awesome on you! I would agree with other readers that the bottom half could be better. Pair the jacket with jeans or a more fitted skirt and it will look fresher. You are gorgeous. Miss you dear friend.
Ps. I still owe you those amazing maternity pics you did for me. I’ll let you know when I upload them to dropbox and then you can finally have them again.
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Jenna Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 9:06 am
I miss you too! When I come to Utah next summer I want to see you and your three cute little ones. No rush on the photos, but I would love to have them whenever you can send them my way!
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December 13th, 2011 on 10:36 am
Jenna, you are looking fantastic! I love the blazer and the necklace is gorgeous! Thanks for being part of the challenge
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