Holidays…
When both Nigel and I were still working, every once in a while we attended holiday parties. Nigel’s company would sometimes have the party before Christmas or after the New Year. I actually liked them better after the New Year. But, Nigel wasn’t necessarily a social butterfly (though you’d never believe it these days) so we didn’t attend them on a regular basis. The fun thing about them was everyone dressed up. I loved that part even though my extroverted introvert self usually sat or stood awkwardly around as Nigel talked shop with his buddies. Now, when my school had a Christmas party, I only asked Nigel to go once. He made it clear he had no interest in going which was just fine with me! I could (and did) have more fun with my besties anyway! We rarely dressed up, but one year, we did go to a dinner theater. That was amazing. Unfortunately, the guys running the place just couldn’t keep it going, and it folded within a couple of years.
These days…
These days, we don’t go to any holiday outings other than Winterlights at Newfields. Since that’s mostly outside, we dress for the weather which means puffer coats, scarves, gloves, and hats! I dress up for church, but that seems to be the only place where I go to dress up these days.
Love of grey
I think I’ve mentioned it before, but I am drawn to grey in the winter. There is just something about the color that makes me feel all cozy. Weird, I know! I actually have to stop myself from buying the darker colors. In fact, I recently bought a sweater from Gudrun Sjödén, and I chose the black version. In fact, I’m wearing it right now. It’s OK, but doggone it, I should have ignored that voice in my head and bought the more colorful one.
Grey for the holidays…
While some may consider grey a bit blah for the holidays, I think it’s the perfect blank canvas. You can add either silver or gold jewelry. Since it’s a neutral, just about every color will go with it. In fact, I can’t think of any color that wouldn’t unless it would be another grey. If you’re thinking about the holidays, a sparkly brooch, statement necklace or earrings would definitely pop against the neutrality of grey. If you’re not a fan of grey, I’m not probably not going to convince you. I guess it’s the same for me when it comes to brown!
Dipping your toe into grey…
Of course, if grey doesn’t suit you, you could always get a pair of grey shoes or boots. Another option might be grey tights to contrast with your black, ivory or white shoes or boots. How about a grey scarf? See, the possibilities are endless! And, if you really want to try it, but you don’t want anyone to see it, how about activewear? And, guess what? Your greys don’t all have to match…mine certainly don’t!
The outfit…
This skirt may look familiar. I wore it here for a Style Imitating Art challenge. Like a fool, I sold it! But, then J Jill came out with it in this “Oxford Grey,” and I had to have it. This won’t be leaving my closet for a long time, if ever! The sweater is a cashmere Audrey from Talbots. This is from last year, but they still have it in a Petite XS! They also have another print (here) that would work with this skirt. I always buy these a size larger so the sleeves are longer because I get too cold to wear a three quarter length cashmere sweater! Talbots will likely have these on sale again before Christmas, or you can wait and get it during their Red Hanger sale. I can’t recall the last time I bought something full price at Talbots. I know, I know…that doesn’t help their bottom line. But, they have fallen victim to that “wait on the sale” mentality that Macy’s first introduced way back when. J Jill is a little more stingy with their sales though I try to wait for sales there, too. I have been watching Michelle King Keenan on Facebook (imported from Instagram, I think). She describes herself as an apple with a pear shape…I call it a zucchini! She always, always tucks her tops in her bottoms. So, I did that today because the sweater didn’t look good just hanging there over my skirt. Then, I added my “fat” belt bought in the April Cornell store in Asheville a few years ago. It was a game changer! I had a waistline! Let me just say I was very happy with the result!
The Lewk!
Yes, I did it again! I bought another pair of Miz Mooz boots! These are the Calla Cap Toe Lace Up Booties, and I’ve worn them a few times already. I haven’t even put my orthotics in them…they are just that comfortable. I’ve been wanting a grey pair of boots, and these were perfect! Since the sleeves of my sweater are bracelet length (on me anyway), I wore this coiled bracelet from Stella & Dot. The earrings are from Stella & Dot, too. The necklace, which gets lost against the pattern of the sweater, is an oldy but a goody from Banana Republic.
Wrap it up, Marsha!
Some of you may have noticed the photos are a little brighter. Well, someone (that would be me) had to be at church very early so I asked Nigel if we could do some photo shoots when I got home. Poor guy! It was cold and windy, but he did it! That’s why the photos are so different, and I think I was squinting just a bit. So, can we talk? How do you feel about grey? Is it a color you gravitate towards at any time of the year? Or, is it a great big no for you? Please leave me a comment or two, and we can talk. I promise to respond as quickly as I can.
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The skirt is really beautiful, I would look terrible in it, but I love the look on you and I love the grey tone. The boots are beautiful, too. Comfy sounds wonderful.
I’m very drawn to grey in my bead buying, so if I did fashion, there would probably be a lot of grey, too. I also really enjoy black and white movies thinking about it! 😀
Cat
https://catswire.blogspot.com/
Thanks, Cat! I knew how it would fit as I’d had the blue one. The color is even better IRL. Ah, see, you love the grey things, too! Black and white movies are really so good, aren’t they? My favorite is probably “Some Like It Hot.” What’s yours?
It’s hard to pick just one favorite.
I will have a blog post about my favorite Christmas movie next week (no spoilers ;-)), but others are “Lilies of the Field” (the first movie I watched completely when I was a small child, my mother said I was glued to the TV), “The Philadelphia Story”, “Dracula” …
I don’t think I have ever seen “Lilies of the Field.” But, if you’re talking the really old “Dracula,” I loved that! I can’t seem to subscribe to your blog. Do you have a regular schedule of posting?
Yes, the one with Bela Lugosi!
Blogger seems to have problems with notifications (among other things). I sent you an email notification, but also have an email subscription button on my blog now, maybe one of those will help.
Hello Marsha,
I love your grey outfit, it would look terrible on me – I just can’t wear grey.
You have inspired me to get my jewellery box out and wear more instead of the same earrings and necklace.
Hello Marsha,
I love your grey outfit, it would look terrible on me – I just can’t wear grey.
You have inspired me to get my jewellery box out and wear more instead of the same earrings and necklace.
Thanks, Linda! I’m glad I’ve inspired you with your jewelry. I have so much fun jewelry so I love wearing it all the time!
It’s not just the color….it’s the shine and texture PLUS the dichotomy that makes this look incredible. Heck, you should wear it to the grocery store…I bet you’d get a ton of compliments.
XOXO
Jodie
Thanks, my friend! I wondered what you’d say about my grey! I honestly could not not buy this skirt. It’s just gorgeous in person! Well, I rarely go to the grocery store…we pick up our groceries. But, I could try it at Target!
Oh, and I’m glad your electricity is back. That’s something we take for granted, eh?
XOXO
Jodie
Luckily, my Libby still worked on my iPad so I could read!
Our school always had Christmas parties on Wednesday afternoon right after dismissal. After an hour or so it was over and done with – I loved it! My husband would not have enjoyed it and I had a better time without him – ha!!
We don’t go to too many parties anymore and that is A-Okay with me!
I think grey can be great for the holidays!
xo,
Kellyann
Thanks, Kellyann! Our holiday meal was always a couple of hours later, but since I lived a distance away, I just stayed at school. A bunch of us would always carpool which only increased the hilarity. Lots of times, we’d get to the venue, and everyone thought we’d already been imbibing. Nobody ever drank because our principal was such a teetotaler! I wouldn’t mind one or two parties, but we don’t go to any.
The outfit goes together really well Marsha.
We have a storm here this evening too. Plenty of wind and loud bangs, I hope that the fence is still standing!
Thanks so much, Rosie! I don’t mind thunder and lightning, but I really don’t like wind storms. This one was really powerful. It knocked our deck box over…and it’s really heavy. Luckily, it didn’t spread all of the contents all over the neighborhood!
What a stunning outfit, Marsha and you look so beautiful. Those colours certainly suit you. For me, Mike and I are going to a Christmas luncheon today so I’m decked out in a festive Red dress and I managed to get Mike into a Festive Shirt with Santa’s surfing. LOL 🙂 He is definitely out of his comfort zone. x
Thank you so much, Sue! I was really pleased with how the skirt and the sweater seemed so perfect together! You will look fabulous in your red dress as it’s so very much your color! Ah, your Mike is such a good guy! I hope you have a wonderful time!
This is really pretty! I love the whole combination and while some people might think grey is drab, I love it! I am wearing a silver sparkly sweater today and I had quite a long period of time when I would buy grey tops all of the time. We have never gone to Christmas parties (I guess most of our friends do not entertain) so I just dress up for myself. Tomorrow my running gals and I are having our annual Christmas breakfast , but that means we will be wearing our running clothes. Crazy us are meeting at 630 am!
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
Thanks, Mireille! It’s only been in the last few years that I’ve been so drawn to grey! None of our friends hold Christmas parties, either. I do dress for myself…Mike always asks who I’m dressing up for, and I tell him myself! Oh, I don’t think I could do that! 6:30 am is not my time of day anymore!
What a gorgeous look Marsha! I saw on Insta and was instantly smitten. That color grey of the skirt is so pretty!
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Thanks, Kathrine! I do love this look, too! i had totally forgotten about this sweater until I went searching for one. Luckily, all my cashmere is stored in the same place!
Oh I love this outfit, especially that belt! It looks so good on you! Perfect for a holiday alternative for red and green!
Thank you, Laura! I loved the skirt and just had to have it. Luckily, I had this gorgeous sweater to wear with it. I’ll need to build lots of outfits for it!
This outfit looks gorgeous on you! I love it! I also really love grey and black and wear them both a lot. Lol. I’ve been hanging around in the /coloranalysis subreddit the past few weeks though, and I have learned that they are good colors on me. I think they are on you as well!!
Thanks, Erin! I was really happy with it. I hadn’t thought of this sweater when I bought the skirt…I usually have a rule of already having three things to wear with something before buying it. I threw that one right out the window when I saw this skirt!
This is a smashing outfit and a very elegant way to do holiday dress! The mix of textures is *chef’s kiss*.
Aww, thanks, Sally! I was really happy with it, and I didn’t even see the textures until Jodie mentioned them!
What a lovely outfit. I think it looks elegant and festive! I am partial to grey and think of it as a neutral.
Thanks so much, Beth! I really liked the way everything worked together!
I love wearing grey, and this outfit is absolutely gorgeous! Since I work remotely, I dress up anytime I leave the house. Miz Mooz has the most comfortable shoes! Love your boots too! Happy weekend!
Jill – Doused in Pink
Thanks, Jill! I don’t know what it is about grey, but I love it. I wore a grey tunic (which was a dress on me) with black and grey striped tights with my new Miz Mooz boots to the mall today. I felt pretty doggone sassy! I do love their boots, but they are spendy. I usually wait until Nordstrom has a big points sale, or I’ve gotten enough notes to offset the price a bit.
Hi, Marsha – I weaned myself from black only to gravitate towards gray. My best colors (that go with my dark blonde hair, etc.) are camel and tan. I guess that should be my next goal: to buy more of those colors. Also, violet brings out the green in my hazel eyes and makes me glow. I should get more of that. I love your boots, of course, as I always enjoy seeing your accessories. Thanks for this treatise on gray! – Angie, http://www.yourtrueselfblog.com
Oh, you sound a lot like my daughter. She has dark blonde hair and wears lots of camel and tan. But, she has blue eyes and wears more jewel tones (especially greens and blues). I have green eyes and love to wear shades of purple. I have always loved shoes and boots and have really splurged on both the last few years. I’m so glad you enjoyed the post, Angie! Thanks!