4 August 2010 – Kind of Neutral, originally uploaded by academichic.
Sources:
- Top: Target
- Belt: Old Navy
- Skirt: Banana Republic Factory
- Ring: c/o Lala B Jewelry
- Bracelets: gift
- Sandals: Jeffrey Campbell, via Rue La La
End Notes:
For this week’s color module on neutrals I really wanted to push myself to combine neutrals in a new-to-me way. So, I steered away from my preferred navy+brown+gray or black+brown combinations in favor of playing with neutrals that have a bit more of a specific color cast to them: an olive-heading-towards-gray top, a violet-heading-towards-gray skirt, a gray belt, and cognac sandals.
Neutrals, originally uploaded by academichic.
Perhaps because I grew up in Hawaii, where, as a teenager, mainland style rules like “no white after Labor Day” were as foreign as the idea of actually wearing a belt and closed toed shoes, I went off to undergrad blissfully unaware of the supposed taboo against mixing neutrals. As I struggled to figure out how to dress for multiple seasons for the first time, I remember distinctly thinking — thanks to my color theory exercises in 2D design! — that I should be able to wear my brown cardigan with my black long sleeved shirt. After all, a neutral color is created by mixing multiple colors together, so that means it should be able to “go” with any color, including another neutral. So, I wore my black shirt and brown sweater together and one of my roommates — a Texas debutante — almost had a heart attack. She — and I, by extension — was only saved by someone else pointing out that JCrew had recently started styling models wearing black and brown together.
Because, you know, if JCrew does it then it’s a-okay.
Anyway, that was the beginning of my neutral mixing, and I have since unsettled many a sister-in-law and friend by blithely wearing black and navy, brown and gray, or black and brown together.
On the other hand, to make a bad pun, I’m kind of neutral about this whole outfit. I think it’s an interesting play on neutral tones and it’s a little different for me, but I’m not sure if I’m totally sold on it. Still, these color wheel modules are doing what they’re supposed to: encouraging me to experiment with new pairings and to figure out how to successfully translate theory to practice, even if the practice is a little shaky.
4 August 2010 – Kind of Neutral, originally uploaded by academichic.
I like the combo of the olive green with the gray! I actually tried on that top in Target recently and passed on it because I thought it was too casual for anything but weekends, but you’ve made it look really pulled-together and professional–this look would definitely work in my office for the summer.
Love that skirt!
That’s funny that you mention Hawaii ill-preparing you for fashion “rules,” b/c my roommate freshman year at an east coast undergrad was from Hawaii, and she was the No-Gray-and-Khaki-Together-Ever police! No one listened to her, though, b/c she wore socks with sandals. :)
That’s an adorable story about you and your college roommate. Truly cute.
I love how you do the color sets based on actual clothing, it makes it so much easier to really understand what you are talking about.
dressedupgirl.blogspot.com
I like this color combo and I also LOVE gray and brown. I think it’s super chic!
Love the story about the Texas roommate :) And love the mixing of neutrals!
I adore all of your outfits, and I wish I had your sense of style!! So lovely :)
I’m not neutral about this outfit at all. I think it’s gorgeous! Really like the richness of the colors and how well they suit one another. And I especially appreciate how this is a way to re-think the idea of “neutral.”
Well, I’m a huge fan of this. Sometimes muted looks are just the thing, and I love how an all-neutral outfit lets some of the more “saturated” neutrals stand out and become the pop of color!
It’s funny–I was definitely raised with the “No black/brown ever!” rule. I’ve loosened up on that, but I still feel extremely awkward if I wear them together. I have to feel like it’s obvious that I did it on purpose.
You can make your own rings with wire, a threaded bolt of some sort and wire cutters. It’s very meditative. But wear eye protec~:,