Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Gateway Outfits - Leopard and More Yellow

I a couple of great comments from the lovely Cara (check her out) responding to new commenter Shawna regarding yesterday's outfit:

Of course she likes it -- it's a gateway outfit! Imagine having average interest in fashion, and then seeing a coworker dressing to the 9s every day. It's going to be overwhelming -- but when you wear a "gateway outfit" it allows her to take note of some of the more fun details (the fluttery collar, the made for you fit of that skirt...) that she can slowly adopt into her wardrobe! 

Such a perfect summation of it. I've always erred on the side of whackadoodle in  my dressing and I'm cool with that, but I do understand that many women can be intimidated by some of my bright colour combinations, not to mention some of the more "out there" outfits I do. 

What do you think? Is today's outfit a gateway outfit as well? 
That's a lot of yellow, but this is a good way to wear yellow (or any bright - really, any other coloured skirt would work here) without having it near your face. The dark brown is a solid neutral that helps keep the yellow calm, and the matching leopard shoes and belt provide nice texture.

This is my new-to-me vintage yellow pencil skirt that I picked up here (scroll down) last weekend at the WIN thrift store for $8.50. It is likely from the 80s based on: high waist, length, colour and a more modern label than earlier clothes.
When you have really good quality clothes, they are a pleasure to wear. This skirt is 100% wool, but it's a very thin summer-weight (I'll definitely be wearing it in warmer weather). It's fully lined and has two kick pleats in the back; it also has an overlapping two-button tab above the zipper so that the waistband doesn't pull. Those kinds of details are just not found in a lot of clothes anymore.

The sweater is another gorgeous item to wear. I last wore it here (2nd outfit) while being lame in January.
It's 100% angora, and to prevent allover itch, I wore my new-to-me thrifted vintage slip underneath (it was the perfect length under the skirt too) - this one (picture).

The stuff:
I love my leopard pumps so much. I think they are a shoe wardrobe necessity. I last wore them here in June 2013 with more 80s vintage. These are a smidge too high for me nowadays, but they'll have a place in my closet for a long time, even if I don't wear them more than twice a year.

Vintage bling:
The necklace was Grandma J's, and the bracelet was bought at a vintage fair. Both are by Trifari and are from the 60s.

Sweater (Limited, consignment), skirt (Mister Leonard, vintage 80s), shoes (Steve Madden), belt (Plum), necklace (vintage 60s, Grandma J's, Trifari), bracelet (Trifari, vintage 60s), earrings (don't remember).

19 comments:

  1. Oh yes....definite "gateway outfit" - and you look fabulous in it.

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  2. Oh very nice! Did it warm up in Victoria? I see bare arms! Would it be creepy if I said you have really lovely legs? Well if it is creepy so what. You do.

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    1. No, it's cold and rainy! But when my core is warm (as in a slip and fuzzy angora), I need bare arms for temperature control. Thank you, lol, for the comment on my legs - I walk a lot!

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  3. Oh I meant to say thank you for so sweetly linking to my blog. I feel like a bit of a stalker here, since I've been reading your blog for awhile and it feels like I know you only you don't know me. I guess that's kinda how it works in blog land.

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    1. You're very welcome - no worries. :) Keep posting - I like your blog.

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  4. Heh! I forgot what I had commented, and assumed it was Shawna you were quoting until it seemed really familiar (Shawna's comment wasn't visible when I chimed in!).
    This outfit definitely proves that "simple" and "conservative" and be "knock you off your feet" and "bold" all at once -- I love simple outfits that make a STATEMENT. I'm trying really hard to make my wardrobe like that, but I need more simple statement pieces... not always easy to find!

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    1. Ha, you're right - I forgot about that. I read all the comments in a row and sometimes it sounds like you're talking to each other.

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  5. Those 80's pieces are so popular that they are enjoying a revival....I love that if you hang onto things that they come back in style. Your sunny yellow is just the tonic needed to cheer up the past few rainy days. Do you find yourself reaching for colour more in the rainy season?

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    1. More colour? Sometimes, although I'm feeling a bit of spring in the air, and that makes me crave colour. I've worn a lot of black this fall/winter and I'm starting to really jones for lots of colour.

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  6. I love the leopard print touches, and of course the yellow! :)

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  7. So great - that you found this beautifully made skirt for under $10! I agree about the difference in feel with good quality clothes. I had missed the comment on "gateway" outfits, but thanks for that - now I can borrow it : >. You look cool and stylish, as ever. xo

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  8. Yes, I think this is another gateway outfit, and a perfect example of how it's easy for all of us to wear bright colours (so many people have a thing about not being able to wear yellow, more so than any other colour, I think). You can keep the lines simple, wear plain colour rather than print, it's sleek and chic, not wacky but not average either - no outfit featuring yellow and leopard print can be average, right?! Great jewellery, as ever. xxx

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  9. I would say it's a gateway outfit - I do love it though! The yellow is really brightening up a gray day - we're about to get some snow, so this just makes me smile!

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  10. That yellow skirt is like wool sunshine! Yes, that's kind of a gateway outfit - easy to emulate, not overwhelming but definitely has a little kick to it. I love the shoes!

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  11. It's definitely a great gateway look, but keeps core bits that make the outfit "you!" My more out-there looks usually get comments like 'cute, but I could never wear that'. People do like what they can see themselves in!

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  12. I was just thinking yesterday that I DESPERATELY need leopard heels....dammit, you have a dream pair! (In more ways than one!) Don't know about gateway, but this is slick!!!
    Ha, my Dad kept his Playboys in my cubby house!!!! I thought the ladies were beautiful too.....indeed, we need to start an International Boozewhore Bookclub!!! I've never been in a bookclub before........XXX

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  13. Love this! Definitely a gateway outfit. I must try this combo. You are always an inspiration.

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  14. Yellow, brown and leopard. The combination is exquisite on you. I had not thought of the concept of 'gateway outfit,' but I get it. I learn something new every day in blog land.

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