Sources:
- Skirt – Gap
- Tank- H & M
- Belt – BR Outlet
- Shoes – Banana Republic
- Necklace – gift
- Earrings – island souvenir
- Cardigan – Banana Republic
Endnotes:
Like E. and S. both said themselves, mixing neutrals is no real challenge for me. I love my neutrals and love to mix them and was in fact crowned “our neutral-on-neutral queen” by E. last fall. I’ve never shied away from black and brown, wearing it for both casual days and teaching days, and frequently pair navy with brown, with grey, or cream. But, I think my favorite neutrals palate involves mixing shades of grey, brown, and beige as I have done many, many, many, times before.
I like that nothing in this ensemble exactly matches. With the cardigan on I am wearing at least 6 different shades or either brown or grey (including beige). The cardigan spent the entire day in my bag because it is ridiculously hot here in Academichic Central – so hot, even the over-air-conditioned campus buildings didn’t require an extra layer.
My favorite part of this outfit is hands down my new suede shoes! I have been watching these shoes at Banana Republic since early this Spring, waiting for them to go on sale. By the time they were within my price range, my size was gone (online and at the three stores withing driving distance from me) so I added them to my ebay search but had pretty much given up on them. Then I got a text from L. last week telling me she had found them in my size on super sale! She picked them up for me and gave them to me when we saw each other in NYC last week. I couldn’t wait to get home and build an outfit around them. These shoes might just give the beloved brown wedges a run for their money as most worn shoes this fall!
I often see things for E. S. or L. when out shopping and once in a while have even just picked an item up for one of them on occasion. It’s so much fun to have three other shoppers out there who know my style (and size and proportions) so well, but also a bit dangerous for the wallet!
Do you have anyone out there with an eye out for clothes or shoes you will love? A.
Glad you nabbed those wedges! It feels so good to snag something you’ve wanted for ages.
My sister not only keeps an eye out for things for me, but for my husband, too! It’s great having a bargain personal shopper on the look for us!
i can see why you stalked those shoes! They are fabulous, both color and style.
I love that outfit and I admire your pedicure… what do y’all think about nail polish on academics? For some reason, I think polish on fingernails is too much (in my academic setting, anyway), but I never let my toes go naked in the summer… and I’m tempted by the funky blues and greens that are trendy this year, but wonder if they’d be seen as “edgy” or if they’d undermine my credibility.
My mother is a MASTER at nabbing pieces that are absolutely perfect for me and my sister has been getting surprisingly good at it.
I have to say that I love your mixed neutrals here. There’s something so classic yet edgy about all those neutrals together. And those shoes are a great find.
What a beautiful blend of neutrals. I agree it’s the fact that no two things match exactly that really makes the outfit work.
What a cute outfit! Fabulous!
Patience worked out for you with these shoes…
I am mostly the one who buys or looks for things for others. My one friend always brings me home baking (not my strength) and I always look for clothes for her and her little girl.
This outfit is perfection. Perfect for work, but take off the cardigan and it’s perfect for cycling, happy hour, whatever. Love the proportions.
Unfortunately, I don’t think anyone’s looking out for clothes I like, but maybe old cameras :)
Those are great shoes! I also love mixing neutrals. Maybe it’s because they are neutral that you can wear several different shades with none matching exactly? Very nice look!
- Meredith
I love the shoes…and getting the lusted-after shoes at bargain price is even better.
Susan, I usually have the same policy on nails – no naked toes, and just clear on my fingernails. In the summer, I think things tend to be a little more relaxed, and on impulse, I took a risk with a gorgeous metallic blue on my fingernails this week. I have to say, it’s been a fun accessory (“not afraid to be interesting”) to pair with my usual conservative style, and I haven’t had any negative feedback.
Super like! I hate that BR in Canada doesn’t carry shoes, but it gives me yet another reason to go cross-border shopping.
what’s cool about your neutral pairings–is that one neutral will bring a shade out in another piece that you wouldn’t notice until you pair them.
for example, my living room walls are grey. Just after it was first painted, it looked SO purple and I was seriously afraid I had made a serious mistake. Once the furnishings were in place, it looked great and the subtle lavender went away.