Nothing special…
I had really high hopes for this look. I wore the cover up in this Ageless Style post featuring holiday looks. The Regency Cover Up in Rich Red is really luscious. Some people suggested wearing it as a dress, but it only has two buttons. If you look closely, however, the closing is very much lower than my bust! I’d definitely have to wear a cami under it and then figure out how to keep the bottom section closed. I thought wearing it with leggings would be perfect. I thought wrong…at least, with this look.
Now what…
I think when we make mistakes, though, we can learn from them. I haven’t really had the time to sit back and analyze why this outfit just doesn’t work. Suggestions will be appreciated. As I said, those two buttons are quite low and hit at a weird place on my body. But, look for this to show up again on the blog in a different iteration.
What works…
I like the leggings with the cover up. I am not 100% sure the denim shirt does, though. I was concerned about proportions as I built this outfit. I do think the proportion of the length of the denim shirt is right with the cover up. I think the boots and jewelry work. So, that leaves the top portion of the look and and maybe even the cover up itself.
What doesn’t work…
Do you ever look in the mirror and convince yourself an outfit looks really good? I do it all the time. Then, I see the photos or a glimpse of myself in the mirror at the store. And, I absolutely hate the look. I think, in this case, the denim shirt doesn’t work because the hem is curved. I think if it were straight, it might be better.
What might work…
One thing might be to wear a belt over the denim shirt which would give some definition to my waist and help the proportions. Another option would be to tuck the denim shirt into the leggings. They’re a bit thin so that may create some lumpy bulk. So, a further option would be to go with a shorter shirt altogether. I have a couple I bought for my trip to Ireland and Scotland (that I never wore) which might work. Oh, a graphic tee would be really cool!
What about…
I have been wondering about shortening the cover up just a titch. I think it gives dressing gown vibes. If I lived in a manor house in the countryside, a dressing gown would be perfect for those cups of tea on the verandah or in the back garden. I could just wear it around the house as a dressing gown, but it’s so gorgeous. I don’t want to relegate it to that status. I think, if I took off a few inches but left enough so that it wasn’t the exact same length as any dress I wanted to wear over it, that would work.
The outfit…
I love the pima leggings from J Jill. This year, they had them in “Emerald Classic Gingham” which reads as a green/black check to me. I think it’s funny they call it gingham, though, I suppose, technically, it is. I specifically ordered these (when they went on sale) to wear with this Regency Cover Up. Then, I added an old Old Navy denim shirt in a darker wash. I tried all different ways of styling the cover up. I buttoned it with the ties tied in the back. I took the ties off. But, it just looked best left unbuttoned. I can’t decide if this look is too Christmas-y or not. The green is a Christmas green. But the black tempers it enough that the pants don’t appear that color. I dunno…
The Lewk!
These Ocean colored Miz Mooz Leighton boots have become a staple in my wardrobe. If you think you see them a lot on the blog, you should see how often I wear them not on the blog! I guess you could say I bookended the outfit with the denim and the boots. In reality, I thought the blue of the boots looked really good against the green/black check. Because I was going for a festive look, I threw on these earrings and necklace from J Crew. The jewelry from J Crew seems very similar to what I used to buy at Banana Republic. Both items are on sale with a really good discount! Shipping costs aren’t too bad, either, with J Crew.
Wrap it up, Marsha!
So, you’re probably wondering why I even posted a look I don’t like and won’t wear again, right? The answer is two-fold. I wanted to get some feedback from you, my fellow fashionistas. Everyone likes constructive criticism, right? I also wanted to do a fashion post on Thursday. So, can we talk? How would you change this look? Or, do you think it works the way it is? Do you think the cover up should be shortened knowing I have mad shortening skills? How would you wear this cover up? Please leave me a comment or two, and we can talk. I promise to respond as quickly as I can.
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Marsha, I think that the colour combo does work in some ways. I do like the richness of the cover-up and lean towards suggesting that it deserves to be paired with more than the dressed down denim and leggings. The cover-up is a special piece and that’s where my line of thinking is heading.
Thanks, Rosie! I believe you’re right. I was trying to do a casual look with a specifically non-casual item! Look for a follow up post soon!
I think you’ve got it just right Marsha. The cover up works nicely with leggings and the denim shirt is a flattering length without being too much. Xx thanks for sharing. Hope to see you on the linkup today Jacqui x
Thank you, Jacqui! I appreciate your kind words. I am pretty sure I did link up already!
Hi Marsha, that cover up is amazing, rich and gorgeous. If you hadn’t said the leggings were green I would have said they were black. I really love your boots. The look is casual but could be made dressier as Rosie suggests.
Thanks, Debbie! The leggings didn’t photograph well. I should probably do closeups of things like that. I think Rosie’s suggestion is a good one, too!
That is one gorgeous red ‘cover up’. It’s not a look we do in the UK btw, it’s just not a thing. I bet it’s gorgeous with a dress. I’ve looked at the link and there it is with a dress with red roses that pick up on the rich colour of the ‘cover up’. Think also Gudrun Sjoden and layer it with a dress (and unlike the link) one that is either slightly longer or slightly shorter than the cover-up. Tbh I don’t think this beautiful rich red item goes with dressing down to leggings or jeans or pants, it’s definitely a dress cover up. There you are – these are my thoughts. But it is a really great item – and such a beautiful colour.
Thanks, Penny! I saw the dress it was paired with, but I think that had metallic strands through it. I don’t do well with lurex. But, I definitely have lots of dresses and Gudren Sjoden to play with! I think you may be right about not being a casual thing, but I thought I’d try it. Look for a post soon!
I think this cover-up is fabulous. To my mind’s eye, the jean shirt and leggings work fine with it (for a smartish-casual dinner) but I’d reject the necklace because it clashes with the buttons on the shirt. If you insist on a necklace: shorter please.
I think the cover-up would work better with cleaner lines under it: i.e. one colour and closer fit …. then try a longer, chunky necklace or two. Look forward to seeing it again soon!
Thanks for the suggestions, Mary! I think you are right about the necklace and the buttons. I initially picked the jewelry before the shirt. I’m going to put together a post with lots of looks!
I’m not a fashionista as you know, so I’ll stay out of this discussion, but I really do love the fabric of the cover up (also in navy). I’m not fond of the buttons, but that’s probably because those would never work on me.
Cat
https://catswire.blogspot.com/
Hahaha!!! I love it, Cat! That navy is pretty, isn’t it? But, even though I do buy doubles, this piece is so unique, I only need one (how’s that for a run-on sentence). You know the weird thing about the buttons…one buttonhole is vertical, and the other is horizontal!
Thanks, Cat!
Oh I just love this topper. I think a lot of time making an outfit work is all about our own confidence and how we feel about the outfit. If you hadn’t said you didn’t think it worked well I would never have given this a second thought. But perhaps swapping out the denim with a black shirt or something just a tiny bit dressier would work better?
Thanks, Joanne! You are definitely right about the confidence! You can see it in my face when I really like an outfit. I’m going to try lots of different ideas soon.
The cover up is so pretty! I’d do an all black base with it. I think you might light the denim shirt better if you tucked it in maybe? I don’t think the outfit is bad at all but I can’t wait to see what you do with it!
xo,
Kellyann
Thank you, Kellyann! I think the leggings are too thin to tuck in the denim shirt because it’s so long. I like the black column idea. I’m going to try lots of different things because this is too pretty not to wear a lot!
I like the outfit as is but I do think a belt over the denim shirt might make you like the outfit more. I love the richness of the cover up! It’s such a beautiful burgundy!
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
Thanks, Mireille! I need all the suggestions I can get!
Oh that happens to me all the time Marsha! Seeing the photos and thinking, gosh I look so stupid! I think the dress would be perfect a bit shorter, worn closed over leggings with a belt! It’s a gorgeous colour.
Thanks, Nancy! It’s good to know I’m in such wonderful company! I really do think it’s a tad too long. I may pin it up and see.
Oh, that cover up is something else. So glamorous and almost exotic.
Maybe you switch up the idea of leggings. I know there’s the guideline of fitted with flowy, but sometimes it’s good to break the rules. Maybe a flowy pair of pants or another dress under it would mirror the same shape of the cover up??
And I do think with some magnets or brooches you could hold it together enough to make it a dress. Sure…with a cami, but it would still be amazing.
XOXO
Jodie
Thanks for the idea, Jodie! I have flowy pants. I think I’m going to do a post on all the suggestions! I don’t think it would come together enough because it’s truly a scooped neckline, but I’ll try!
A white, lacy maxi dress or printed maxi dress and button the cover up. Think Stevie Nicks style.
Oh, that would be wonderful if I had a white lacy maxi! But, I have lots of other maxis! I’ll try to channel my inner Stevie!
Thanks, Tee!
I do love this duster so much! I think doing a fitted knit underneath would be helpful. The buttons on the shirt break up the lines of the duster. I still adore this look though!
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Thanks for the suggestions, Kathrine! It is the buttons, isn’t it? I didn’t see that before!
The duster is sumptuous but it’s hard not to think of a dressing gown, I have to admit! This may be a case where the dressy + casual juxtaposition isn’t quite right? I’m not sure. I always say that you can wear a denim shirt with anything but this outfit is putting that statement to the test. The duster is definitely a high drama piece of the type that doesn’t fit with my more laidback style so I’m not sure how to style it! I do wonder how it would look over a simple column of color (maybe black) with some fancy jewelry to bring the balance of the look a little dressier…maybe? The column could be a simple T + leggings but would possibly fade into the background more rather than competing with the duster. It’s funny, if this were a blazer made from the same material, I think it would work with the denim very well. But as a long topper, it’s easy for it to overwhelm everything else.
Thanks, Sally! I am glad to see I wasn’t the only one who thought dressing gown! It really is sumptuous and very grand. I thought the same thing about a denim shirt…I’m a breakthrough on this, right? I’ve gotten many suggestions so maybe I’ll do a post with all of the suggestions!
I love that statement duster! I would let it shine with a black turtleneck and black leggings then button it up and possibly add a statement belt. I can’t wait to see you experiment with it more!
Thanks, Laura! I love that idea! I’m going to experiment and maybe do a round up of ideas!
Sometimes, I think an outfit looks amazing in the mirror, but when I see photos, I realize the outfit really isn’t that great, or it just doesn’t photograph well. The rich color of your duster is gorgeous! I think you should try belting the denim shirt or layer a black turtleneck under it and leave the denim shirt open. Have a great weekend!
Jill – Doused in Pink
Thanks, Jill! Everyone has had so many wonderful suggestions. I am going to try a bunch of them…maybe do a revisit on the blog if I find one I really like. It didn’t help that it was too cold to take the photos outside where the lighting would have been better. But, honestly, that probably wouldn’t have made a difference.
I don’t think it’s a bad look at all. Love the colors. I know for myself, I find that full length outer garments make me feel even shorter than I am. But I say “feel”. I don’t if it’s true that I look shorter as well.
Thanks, Michelle! I know we vertically challenged people aren’t supposed to wear longer things, but then that means I couldn’t wear a maxi skirt or dress. Pfft! I’m wearing them. But, I do think this duster/cover-up is too long. I think taking just a few inches off will make all the difference. Now, let’s see if I actually get around to doing it!
That is a fabulous coat! #TrafficJamreboot
Thank you so much, Lydia!
You need black thigh-highs and black leather pants and a black leather tank top with that coat. Take my word for it. You’ll turn heads! Ha! I agree that the denim shirt doesn’t really work but I do love the coat and boots.
Hahaha!!! Trust me, that look will never appear on the blog! I can’t get boots up over my thighs anyway! But, yeah, that would be a look! Thanks for the guffaw, Lisa!
Hi, Marsha – I think this outfit is just fine. When you asked for advice on it, the first thing that came to mind was a black maxi dress in a non-bulky fabric, like a jersey or silk satin. This beautiful coverup is romantic and deserves to keep its fanciful style overall. I agree with Penny that it’s probably best over a long dress. The length is part of its drama and I would caution against losing that by shortening it. This is perfect for your style and absolutely fits into your wardrobe. I don’t think you need to dress it down. Just be daring enough to wear it for any occasion that comes up. It has the personality of a smoking jacket. Those are worn for an evening at home as well as for going out. Enjoy! – Angie, http://www.yourtrueselfblog.com
Oh, Angie!!! A black jersey dress would be fabulous under this cover up! I love that idea. You are right…I need to wear it out and about and just be confident while wearing it! Thanks for all the good ideas!