Maximal challenge: London Romantic

I couldn't resist. I've been shooting for something more minimal lately, but this is too good to pass up. Angie, you got me. Sorry for what I said.

I've been clearing the decks for the new season. There are always a few things hiding in the closet, things I love, things that speak to me even when I find them hard to wear. These are two of them. I've never thought of putting them together before but today they make perfect sense. They come from the same place, after all.

The blazer is classic Westwood, the one she called Bettina. I'm slightly obsessed with this design and I bought it on deep discount when I was teaching myself tailoring. It's a size too small but I wanted to learn from the best. I ran up a few Westwood copies at the time and I made a creditable imitation of this one. It fits me far better than this, but it lacks that vital sensuality, something about the sharp shoulders and the wasp waist that I couldn't quite pull off.

I think I bought scarf around the same time. It isn't my colour and I never know how to tie it, but the print takes my breath away and moves me to tears. Still, it's not my ultimate act of emotional shopping - that would be the skull scarf I bought a few years later when he died. You can't see the thorns in the picture, or the falcons lying in wait for the songbirds. It's so beautiful and so tragic and so very McQueen.

I put it all together with gold pants, made by my friend and fellow London girl in Amsterdam, and George Cox creepers, another English classic. It all seems to work but I couldn't tell you why. I probably shouldn't wear salmon pink but it picks out the orange stripe in the plaid. The mauve taupe shirt echoes my new hair, which I'm already struggling to tame, but the cognac shoes don't bookend any more. And gold? No idea how that fits in. Should have gone for more pink in the lip.

1
2
3
This post is also published in the youlookfab forum. You can read and reply to it in either place. All replies will appear in both places.

25 Comments

  • Jaime replied 7 years ago

    The jacket is stunning. I can see right away that it is a cut above (so to speak). The pattern mixing is a bit maximal, but each piece stands alone. The shoes are brilliant with your hair. A breathtaking outfit.

  • Tanya replied 7 years ago

    What a gorgeous jacket, it is a totally the star of the show. I like the pattern mix and how the whole outfit comes together, nicely done.

  • Sisi replied 7 years ago

    Oh my, that's too much fabness! I am speechless.

  • replied 7 years ago

    Oh Liz...that jacket! I'd love to have a close look at it's construction. Gorgeous. The scarf is stunning with it too. I think the darker shades in your scarf ick up on the rich tones in your hair. What a fabulous maximal look.

  • approprio replied 7 years ago

    ah cheers ladies! Glad you like it! 

    DianeG: the light's fading but here are a couple of snaps. The cut is genius - the peplum is shaped in the pocket bag and the tuck in the bust creates the revers of the collar. She borrowed heavily from Dior and I'm pretty sure Marc Jacobs has cribbed from her since.

    PM me and I'll dig out my pattern pieces. You'd have to grade down a couple of sizes but I bet you could make a sensational version of this. 

  • Sara L. replied 7 years ago

    Nice!  The jacket and scarf go together so well.  I love the pattern on that scarf.  The pants look great with the jacket.

  • Angie replied 7 years ago

    Killer

    YAY. That's what I'm talking about. LOVE the pattern mixing - and don't earth tones look great with your hair. The scarf IS your colour, and you've tied it just fine. 

    BTW, isn't brown looking fresh again. 

  • Inge replied 7 years ago

    I am all over this outfit too, so excellent Liz! The individual pieces themselves are stunners of course! Terrific pattern mixing, and very interesting to see how earth tones work so well with your new hair colour (I didn't have a chance to comment on the other thread, but both colour and cut are brilliant - and it looks really good styled by yourself too:-)

  • viva replied 7 years ago

    Stunning jacket and scarf. Really, GORGEOUS.

  • Banoffi replied 7 years ago

    You are rocking the London look.

  • replied 7 years ago

    Oh thanks fir the extra pics Liz. It is such a genius shape. I've always loved VW'S tailoring and I've got several images pinned on my Pinterest pages. I'd love to Pm for more details thanks!

  • JAileen replied 7 years ago

    Oh I love the jacket!!!

  • El Cee replied 7 years ago

    Gorgeous jacket and fab outfit! I adore your pattern mixing.

  • Style Fan replied 7 years ago

    That jacket is incredible.  It is gorgeous.  I can't believe how beautiful it is.  Great pattern mixing with the scarf.  I love earth tones.  Looks amazing with your hair.

  • approprio replied 7 years ago

    Thanks ladies, you're very kind! Wasn't expecting so much love for my poor orphaned VW jacket. 

    DianeG: I'll hunt down those pattern pieces and let you know what I've got.

    I do like this look, but I'm not sure which lifestyle activity it's good for at the moment, except dressing up to post on the internet. It wasn't warm enough today and I had to take it off and put on a jumper.

    Bah. Already craving spring again.

  • Sal replied 7 years ago

    Really wonderful, I love the tailoring, the pattern mix, and the colour blend.  Wear this again!

  • viva replied 7 years ago

    Loving your hair, too. Sorry I didn't comment on that earlier. The cut and the bright ombre are just fab.

  • Cerinda replied 7 years ago

    What a synergy!  So wonderful, and so wonderful on you (oh, please, FIND a reason to take this out in the world).  The scarf simply slays me.

  • Mochi replied 7 years ago

    WOW!

  • Momo replied 7 years ago

    Gorgeous! And gosh I love that ring.

  • Greenjeans replied 7 years ago

    Yeah, you have to wear this every day.  

    Kidding!  (Not.)

  • peacechick replied 7 years ago

    Love your outfit! I agree with everyone, the VW jacket is wonderful, and those sharp shoulders are very very current. Glad it is no longer na orphan!

  • bella replied 7 years ago

    Awww! so so pretty! think I would try tucking the scarf into the jacket at some point as well - just to see how it works. 

  • Lucy replied 7 years ago

    Oh my gosh! Sensational. Love that jacket, adore the whole look. Winner. 

  • lyn67 replied 7 years ago

    Wow, Bettina is gorgeous on you! Indeed a genius cut thanx for spoiling us with the close ups!

You need to be logged in to comment