Boots, coats, scarves and a hat

I’ve been having an acute case of the February blues this year so I hope you’ll forgive my glum expression. And I need a bit of dental work, so no big smiles today.

The good news is that I’m particularly enjoying my cold weather style this year, which has to be some kind of first. I’m applying more discipline in putting outfits together while still being creative with things that weren’t getting enough wear. This is not to say that every outfit is a complete success, more that I’m sharpening my awareness of what works and what doesn’t.

A friend gifted me a box of ceramic push-pins, saying she was pretty sure I’d know what to do with them. It took me a while to work out what that was exactly, but in the end I cribbed an idea from the Accidental Icon by way of an older gent I spied on the Metro. There’s a joke in here about daisy roots and a Lonnie Donegan song, but only British fabbers will get it.

I have Mr Edge to thank for the lovely winter coat he chose for me over Christmas. Shown here in my natural environment with gold pants and my vintage steel-capped Docs. These are my old safety boots from when I used to work in the oil business over 20 years ago. They are Made in England originals and have been with me longer than any other item in my closet.

Only one hat seems to be working with my longer hair, and it’s this beanie. I hereby declare this colour Winter Orange, because it’s the only shade or orange I seem to be able to wear successfully. I’m wondering whether I should go back to a shorter cut, or find different hat styles.

I knitted the scarf mostly over Christmas in a reversible double knit. I’m enjoying the colours, but it’s a slightly awkward shape. I made it mainly to go with the vintage tapestry coat, but I’m seeing this as something of a “shadow style”. I quite like this quirky urban boho look, but I think I prefer something a bit more refined and sporting.

The reversible faux fur I made a while ago is proving amazingly versatile as a layering piece, which was exactly my intention. It’s great for throwing on over jackets and has enabled the resurrection of the velvet blazer, which has been a key player this season, worn high-low style with jeans or casual pants.

The OTK boots are another fantastic addition. Side eye and random compliments in the street abound for this look. In combination with the fur, the beanie and the St Pauli soccer scarf, I find I’m suddenly and accidentally very, very trendy, at least in Amsterdam if not here on YLF.

Unlike my jeans, which I am still wearing vey baggy and at full length.

Your thoughts and feedback are always welcome and much appreciated.

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27 Comments

  • LaPed replied 7 years ago

    These are all absolutely wonderful. I think 8 and 10 are my favorites, but they're all splendid.

    Love your beanie, which reads as very nearly red on my screen. I bet you could wear a cloche well, too. Maybe a navy one? 

  • Ledonna N. replied 7 years ago

    Dang You are just the flyest kid on the block. I don't have a favorite because. I love it all.

    Hubby has great taste.

    Whoch fit was your favorite & what makes you feel at ease with your winter style now?

  • replied 7 years ago

    Wow - this is all so cool and European looking (well, duh, I know) - and just what I like about urban dressing.  I admit to liking the new coat outfit (that coat is gorgeous!) and the 9/10 scarf outfit the very best. The sleeker silhoutte is very flattering and lean-and-mean.  I recognize thought that it could be my own prejudice speaking, but it's a very chic look on you.  There is something about that Winter Orange that is perfect on you without being shouty.  I am so impressed, too, that you made it.  I see the scarf as still being very sportif because of the rigid striping.  Anyways, your hair is really nice at this length and finding other beanies shouldn't be too difficult, no?  

  • Joyce B replied 7 years ago

    Such fab outfits! My favorite is number 10 and I cannot get over how fab the booties look with the rose pins!

  • Angie replied 7 years ago

    Absolutely LOVE #10. Those sour colours are beautiful on you, Liz. I love the way they compliment your hair. Super cute shoe pins and stunning new scarf. Your style does not reflect your blue mood! Rock on.

  • replied 7 years ago

    I'm not sure what "shadow style" means but if it means a departure from your dominant style this version is consistent with your sophisticated and defined overall look.
    These are gorgeous and enlightening, you're so good at balancing creativity and structure.

  • approprio replied 7 years ago

    Cheers all. I think I may need another thread to go over the hat/hair conundrum before the next cut, which will probably be soon.

    7/8 is one of my favourite things to wear at the moment. So easy to throw together and feel instantly fab. I love the colours in 10, and its a great outerwear option, but I'm not wild about those skinny pants for some reason. Now wondering if I should be looking out for my perfect red trews.

    LaP: you're so right, I do look good in a cloche, but they're a fail on a bike or in a high wind, so not a great option sadly.

    Ledonna: oh you just made my day!! I'm running a distant second to your good self though ;)

    lisap: thanks! I'm always a bit conflicted between the tailored and the unstructured looks. It's nice to have the option on both. And what often strikes me when I come here are the subtle differences between European and American/Canadian style. 

    Angie: thanks. I'm very torn about how I should be approaching colour at the moment. I'm thinking a few more colourful accessories like this could make all the difference. 

    Isabel: I'm not sure I know what it means either. I thought I'd seen it mentioned around here, but all I can find is this thread from goldenpig. I can identify with what she's talking about.

  • tulle replied 7 years ago

    How do I love this post? Let me count the ways:  I love your old workboots (which I assume lacked the waxy white blossoms in the oilfields?) and the glam licorice-stick over the knee boots equally;  I love all the intense persimmon touches with your somber city colors; I love that new coat--so elegantly strict; and that heaped-up scarf, that baggy fur, and the long jeans (hear, hear!) I'm not surprised that you've been turning heads--you look so now, and so you.

  • Bonnie replied 7 years ago

    Every outfit is amazing! You are so creative and you can knit, too. I love and look forward to your WIW posts. 

  • Style Fan replied 7 years ago

    I love all the looks and I am kicking myself for getting rid of all my Doc Martens.  Your new coat is gorgeous.  You do look amazing in that bright sour colour.  But my favourite is the last look.  #14.  The long slouchy pants are so cool looking. 

  • JAileen replied 7 years ago

    The scarf you made is gorgeous!

  • cindysmith replied 7 years ago

    Love #9

  • replied 7 years ago

    Nice texture and accessories. I like the hair and hat.

  • Jaime replied 7 years ago

    I can't pick favorites outfits because they are all greater than the sum of their pieces but the pieces are amazing - flowers in your boots, fantastic coats, scarf of many colors, slouchy boots and all. 

  • approprio replied 7 years ago

    tulle: you're too kind! I should point out that the work boots are not the ones I decorated with daisies, but the boots in #4. They're the classic Chelsea style with elasticated gores. SF: I'm very pleased I hung onto them. They are a connection to my younger self and I want them to go on forever.

    bonnie: knitting is really not difficult. I only started with it about a year ago. But it does take practise. And patience. Funny story: I did a spreadsheet calculation to figure out the stripe design so I could get the most out of the colours. Embarrassing. 

    JAileen, CWS, shevia, JoyceB, delurked... thanks! I'm thinking I should wear that patterned coat more often.

  • replied 7 years ago

    WOW.   I could not pick a favorite. 

  • rachylou replied 7 years ago

    A whole string of awesomeness. Yes to the pins! Also: you know how Roberta a hat. The colours on the knit scarf are wonderful.

  • Momo replied 7 years ago

    I can see why you are enjoying your winter style. It is really wonderful, I love everything,
    So so love the shoes with the pins. I was just the other day looking up how to do something with pearls on a pair of black shoes. I didn't find anything but your shoes give me some ideas !

  • UmmLila (Lisa) replied 7 years ago

    I love the scarf and the pants in the last pic

  • Emily K replied 7 years ago

    Numbers 8 and 9 are my favorite!  I love the striped tights(?) peeking out in 8 and your scarf is fabulous!

  • Jane replied 7 years ago

    Amazing! I love the scarf that you knitted and the striped arms and legs look under the knitted jumper dress. So achingly cool. And your hair! Wow!

  • Sisi replied 7 years ago

    All very interesting outfits! My favourite is nr. 4 - I like the color of your hair in the natural light, the slim coat, the pants, the boots, everything. Also, the "floral" booties are very funny and the scarf is lovely!

  • Suz replied 7 years ago

    Adore, adore, adore. Wow, you know how to dress yourself, and this is urban style at its best. No wonder you're getting compliments. I love *all* the outerwear on you. I'm really taken with 4 and 9/10. You wear these silhouettes so very well. And the scarf/ beanie are genius on you! Love how the colours play with your hair and specs and make you shine. 

    #8 is amazingly super cool!! And I really love the little pushpin idea, too. So clever. 

  • Sara L. replied 7 years ago

    These are great!  I especially like #6, 8, 11, and 14.  The scarf is amazing!  I love that you made a spreadsheet to figure out the stripe pattern.  

  • replied 7 years ago

    Ooh the haiiiirrrr! Love the hair! Love all of your outfits too Rio. You've really honed your Winter style for sure. Fab toppers, interesting layers, textures...so much to delight the eye. The push pins are great and add a nice touch of quirkiness and that scarf you knitted is wow!

  • Angie replied 7 years ago

    Liz, honey-pie. I vote experiment with purple, red and orange more often! 

  • Greyscale replied 7 years ago

    Seriously this post is inspiring me to up my fashion game. Thanks for posting all of it.

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