19 January 2010 – Pick a Scarf, originally uploaded by academichic.
Sources:
- Blue-green scarf: very old, origins unknown
- Blue ombre scarf: Chinatown
- Patterned scarf: Chinatown, gift from SIL
- Orange pashmina: France, gift from SIL
- Gray dolman sleeve cardigan: Ann Taylor, gift from MIL
- Belt: Gap Outlet
- Mustard top: Forever 21
- Jeans: Target
- Wedges: thrifted
End Notes:
Baby e. and I made a trek to the library yesterday (via stroller and foot, respectively) to begin collecting books for a new semester. I wanted to look put together, should I run into professors or other grad students, but given the gray, foggy weather I was loathe to change out of my jeans and slouchy cardigan. A scarf held the promise of finishing off the outfit nicely, but I ran into a bit of trouble when trying to decide which scarf to wear.
So I tried four.
I continue to be amazed by just how much a scarf can change the whole feel of an outfit. The bright blue ombre scarf gave the look a more playful feel:
19 January 2010 – Pick a Scarf, originally uploaded by academichic.
The orange patterned pashmina worked nicely as an analogous color combination with my mustard top, and while I’m usually a fan of close, warm pairings I just wasn’t feeling it yesterday:
19 January 2010 – Pick a Scarf, originally uploaded by academichic
The thick, patterned scarf — mixing olive green, peacock blue, mustard, and brown — did elevate the outfit and add a certain richness. But, perhaps because the tones were too close to the gray of the cardigan, I felt a little dark and dowdy.
19 January 2010 – Pick a Scarf, originally uploaded by academichic
And so, I settled on the blue-green scarf, as shown in the top-most photograph. It created an interesting color pairing with the mustard and still popped against the gray. Still, I’m fairly confident that I’ll return to this outfit at some point and switch out scarves for one yesterday’s rejects. Which one do you like best?
Cute outfit! I like the scarf you ended up wearing best. The thick, patterned one would be my second choice. :-)
I think, if I was standing in front of my closet, picking out a combination, I would go for your choice or the patterned scarf. But seeing these pictures I have to say I really like the combination with the blue ombre scarf. It’s fresh and it really stood out for me. Great to see the difference such a choice can make.
I love the entire outfit! The blue-green and blue ombre were my favorites.
I feel a little silly asking, but is Chinatown a part of your city (like in San Francisco) or is it a company? You always have cute stuff from Chinatown and I wasn’t sure if I could easily get them too. :)
E, for the last month I’ve been meaning to ask if you all would be willing to do some posts showing the hits and misses of the process of putting together an outfit. This is great! It’s helpful to see a few different looks along with your explanation of why they might work (or might not work–at least for a particular day). Thanks!
And I love the result!
I like the blue-green scarf you ended up with, but also like the patterned one in the last photo. Either way looks cozy but stylish!
My favorite is the one you ended up choosing! The blue-green color looked the best with your hair and skin tone. But all were adorable, of course!
oooh, can I play? I actually really like the warm effect of the orange and yellow analogous mix. That one is my favorite.
This is such a great example of how one little accessory change can make for a whole new look. S.
Oh I love the first and last combos! I also love that belt.
I love them ALL … but the last one, with the autumnal paisley, really speaks to me. Scarves are the ultimate tie-it-all-together accessory, aren’t they?
Teal is my favourite colour so I like the blue-green the best, but I really like the orange one too.
I love the blue-green scarf. That’s what I would have picked too. It’s so amazing how much adding a scarf can change your outfit.
I love the orange scarf! They all look fabulous with the outfit, but the orange and mustard go wonderfully well together.
Surprisingly, I like the orange one! I’m normally not drawn to orange or analogous colors.
Love your hair too!
I like the first one the best too!
Your final choice would definitely be mine as well. Great outfit!
This outfit is so cute! Thank you for going through each of the scarves with the outfit – that is exactly what I said I’d like to see more of when I entered the last Friday Giveaway! I think it’s great to see the process you go through to choose what to wear, and it’s cool to see the varied feedback and which readers like which combos.
I too like the thick patterned scarf or the last pix. You look so sophisicated!
the blue green scarf is my absolute favorite! it looks just splendid with the mustard top… and I adore that slouchy cardigan on you!
I like them all! I think I would have chosen the last one.
You have THE. BEST. scarf collection.
Thanks, everyone! I love my scarves, as you can tell, and I loved sharing the evolution of an outfit, something we’ll be trying to do more here in the coming year.
@MET: When I say “Chinatown” I really should clarify. I mean Chinatown in New York, which really has a fabulous selection of scarves at very affordable prices. A. and I have each bought a scarf or two during every research trip in NYC!
I’m glad I’m not the only one who stands in front of the mirror, holding one scarf after another in front of myself and slowly contemplating them! You have a fabulous collection. I especially like the teal green and the orange scarves with this outfit because they make your mustard yellow top stand out.
I would have chosen the blue-green that you did– the saturation of that color works really well with the mustard top, making your colors feel like a modern art painting. I would have paired the peach and/or lighter blue with a more lemony tank (going for an impressionist palette) and the last one with a brown cardi (aiming for something Northern Renaissance)
Yep, I combine colors the way artists have done before– a rut I’m learning to break out of with this blog’s help– but I figure that way I can’t lose! :)
It’s so great that you showed how something so small makes such a great impact!
The first one is my favourite but they are all gorgeous options!
i love all of the combinations, and youre right — just changing the scarf really does change the feel of the outfit! the ombre and the orange were my personal favorites. :)
I like the one you wore (blue green) the best. But I also really like the blue ombre AND orange.
I’d have gone for No.1 too – the colors popped! You looked great. I’m Asian too and have never worn mustard before (yellow against yellow undertones, etc) but now you’ve got me seriously reconsidering…!