Sources:
- Rust Top – Banana Republic
- Denim Pencil Skirt – BR Outlet
- Red-Orange Belt – BR Outlet
- Navy Blazer – Ann Taylor Loft
- Wedges – Kenneth Cole Reaction, via DSW
- Bag – Crystalyn Kae
- Earrings – Gift from A2
Endnotes:
That’s right, not only am I sporting orange, but I’ve pulled together three items in orange! I usually leave oranges and reds to E. and S. (although I do think L. pulled if off beautifully) but there is something about this unique rust color that I think works for me. Then, A2 bought me these lovely little orange earrings and I decided what better way to embrace the Fashion 101 Challenge then to do Monochromatic Orange!
Both the earrings and the top have quite a bit of red in them so I added my red-orange belt and a few neutrals to complete the outfit. I like how the orangey tone of my cognac tote bag from Crystalyn Kae, adds to the monochrome and draws out a similar shade in my old stand-by brown wedges. Monochromatic does NOT mean you need to dress from head to two in one color but rather that the only non-neutral you wear is one color. Personally, I think neutrals are essential for keeping a monochromatic ensemble from looking to costume-y. Here I chose to mix my neutrals – brown and navy, which I think adds a bit of sophistication to this orange number.
Earlier this summer, I asked for suggestions on where to find a cropped navy blazer to replace my increasingly faded and misshapen one. A couple readers pointed me to Ann Taylor loft, where I found this 3/4 sleeve cropped blazer with a striped lining – perfect! I’ve had it all summer and wore it a bunch in the classroom and have a feeling it will get tones of year-round use.
What’s a color you usually shy away from? Do you have one item in that color you keep returning to?
You’re gorgeous in the orange! It’s cold enough to wear a jacket there? Lucky lucky =D
Such as simple outfit, but gorgeous! Looks so classy and pulled together.
So lovely! And a great reminder that monochrome looks needn’t be all-out.
Peaches, corals, and pale pinks make me look positively ill, so I tend to steer clear. At least near my face.
I used to avoid yellow like the plague (mostly because my mom told me that people with my coloring should never wear yellow and orange) but over the years I’ve learned that I can get away with certain pale, creamy lemony yellows, and occasionally a muted mustard. When I get done with my GAAD, one thing I might look around for is a yellow top or two.
This color scheme really works for you! I used to shy away from orange myself, for no good reason other than its association with Halloween, but I’ve recently discovered how much I love the way it looks with my hair and skin tone.
I’m surprised how well the orange works with your hair, if you’d shown me just the top I’d have guessed that it wouldn’t work, but it looks fab!
I never understand why people think redheads can’t wear reds and oranges. I’m a redhead and I love to wear oranges!
I actually tend to shy away from black just because it makes me look too pale. I do have this Michael Kors dress that has since become a shirt because it shrank in the wash that I love but makes me look witchy if I don’t style it right.
As a redhead, I have always completely avoided purple. This year, the Gap has this amazing purple shade that looks great on me. I know this miracle shade will dissappear by next year so I have been buying everything I can in it and getting a ton of compliments. I’m still a “no” on pale purples though.
I love green and return to it over and over again. Hunter, emerald, olive, I feel pretty wearing all of it.
This is really pretty on you. For some reason I feel much stronger and happier in rust than in other oranges.
Those earrings are gorgeous!
Great colors, especially the earrings!
I’m pretty afraid of orange, although I love how you ladies use it. Yellow is risky for my skin tone.
I’ve realized lately that I am ADDICTED to teal. Sweaters, dresses, scarves, shoes, jewelry, it’s everywhere. Maybe I need to mix it up a little.
Love the outfit, love the skirt, love the orange. Beautiful. All of it.
My coloring is a bit darker than yours, with auburn hair, and orange is a staple for me. There are many colors that I fear, but it always depends on the EXACT shade. Two colors can just be SO close together, and one looks great, the other, horrid. (The sage/moss/olive continuum is especially tricky this way!) I think it’s more about depth or undertone or clarity or… something….. for me. Some day I’ll figure it out!
Your earrings are gorgeous! Beautifully-made.
[...] your eyes are not failing you; this is neither a monochromatic ensemble nor do the colors make a split complimentary combination. I am sporting a triad (pink-blue-yellow) [...]
Lovely outfit! I love seeing the looks you ladies come up with! I was reading through your past posts and came upon your slogan tees one. If I may offer another different voice, I am a conservative woman living in a very liberal, small college town. I find it fascinating and sad that my views (for example my car sports a Palin sticker) are summarily dismissed and even violently opposed by my liberal colleagues. I have actually been spit upon and had my car vandalized. How ironic that those that scream and demand tolerance on the left, so seldom grant it to those of us on the right. Just food for thought, tolerance is a two way street and those of us that are on the more conservative side deserve it as much as my friends on the left.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/04/AR2010020403698.html Here is an interesting article supporting my post above. Not to offend, but just to enlighten and perhaps broaden your perspective. It’s good to learn new things and open our minds to other views, right?
cute.. the orange looks great on you!
[...] really wanted to push myself with this go at the Fashion 101 on color mixing. I already tried out this red-orange shade in my monochromatic look, but this time I took it a bit further by incorporating it into a split complimentary. As E. [...]
[...] love A.’s style because she always looks put together and yet is not afraid to take a risk. Among other things, she taught me that you should (always) show off your smallest part with a [...]
[...] that we love Crystalyn Kae‘s unique bag designs. A. has raved about her Troubador Tote many times and E. and S. both love their little pleated clutches. L. has been happily sporting her Matinee [...]