On Friday I talked about wearing things we’re not “supposed” to wear – in other words, items or outfits that are not deemed flattering to our own particular body shape, or patterns that are wrong for us, or colours that don’t suit us… le sigh.
So in the true spirit of the #iwillwearwhatilike link up, I thought I’d feature my new, fantastic multicoloured stripe sweater from Asos. That has big fluted sleeves. And has stripes in all the colours I’m not meant to wear with my colouring.
You’ve probably noticed I tend to wear a lot of orange. And peach. And yellow. And khaki. And coral. And all the lovely rich warm (what you’d call) autumnal colours. But hey, I was attracted to this sweater in all its pink, lavender, sky blue, mint, grey-blue and black “cold” colour glory. I ordered it despite me knowing it wasn’t made up of any of the colours that I know suit me so well, but you know what? I loved it anyway, and thought What the hell, I’ll just try it.
❝
OF COURSE IF I DIDN’T LIKE HOW IT LOOKED ON ME THAT’S A WHOLE DIFFERENT BALL GAME, BUT JUST BECAUSE IT DOESN’T FALL IN MY AUTUMN/WARM/WHATEVER COLOUR CHART THEN WHY SHOULDN’T I WEAR IT, I SAY.
❞
And of course I ended up loving it. Not only that, but when I wore it I received so many compliments about it, like Oh, what a lovely happy jumper! – isn’t that the main thing? That it made me feel happy in it, and I loved the colours anyway?
This one in orange, brown and yellow is much more what I “should” be wearing, but where’s the fun in wearing what we ought to be wearing, and not what we fell in love with? Of course if I didn’t like how it looked on me that’s a whole different ball game, but just because it doesn’t fall in my autumn/warm/whatever colour chart then why shouldn’t I wear it, I say.
SHOP THE LOOK:
As I wanted the sweater to do all the work I paired it with plain grey trousers in the end: Not very adventurous for me, I know, but I tried it with all my usual warm-toned trousers and none of them complemented the sweater. So grey it was – and the sweater stayed the star of the show.
(I have two pairs of pink trousers – which would have been perfect – but I can’t fit into them currently. The same goes for just about all my jeans at the moment… I can’t fit in ANY of them. Something’s gotta give on that front soon – I wrote about my weight and lack of confidence in that area the other week, you might like the read.)
And by the way, this is brilliant: This sweater comes in just about every fit known to womankind: Tall, Petite, Curve and Maternity as well as my Regular fit. So everyone can have a little slice of the happy that is this multicoloured bundle of knitwear… How fabulous!
So ladies: The moral of the story is, as always – if you like it, WEAR IT. Who gives a monkeys whether or not they’re “your” colours, or if you’re petite and wearing a maxi skirt, or any of those other nonsense “it must flatter you” rules. They’re just as bad as the age appropriate stuff ‘n nonsense.
Do you, and no one else.
(As an end note: I personally don’t think the colours look that bad on me at all… I normally don’t ask this, but in the interests of marketing – what do you think of the colours on me? It won’t stop me wearing the sweater again of course but it’d be interesting to see if the colours are so obviously “wrong” for me from the point of view of others.)
Scroll down to add your outfits to this week’s link up – and if you’ve added a link to here or my button to your post you may be featured next week!
DO YOU STICK STRICTLY TO THE COLOURS THAT SUIT YOU, AND/OR HAVE YOU HAD YOUR COLOURS DONE? COMMENT BELOW, OR TAKE IT TO TWITTER @NOTLAMB!
Sweater: Asos
Trousers: Asos (similar)
Earrings: Asos
Shoes: Asos (similar)
Bag: Cambridge Satchel Co c/o (similar, 50% off)
SHOP THE SAME SWEATER IN ALL ITS DIFFERENT FITS:
OTHER STRIPE SWEATERS YOU MIGHT LIKE:
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Thank you for joining the #iwillwearwhatilike link up! This started as a campaign on Instagram in August 2015 where women over 30 wore everything on a journalist’s list of “inappropriate” items for 30+ women (including leopard print, short dresses and oversized sunglasses. Yes, really). It was so popular that I decided to carry it on weekly where women of all ages link up their fabulous style, never mind what anyone tells them not to wear!
The link up goes live every Monday at 3pm UK time and will stay open for a week. Whilst the original article was of course aimed at the 30+, you can be ANY age to link up. The only criteria is that you’re wearing whatever you damn well like!
Linking up etiquette…
CLICK HERE to read the rules of linking up (and to grab the #iwillwearwhatilike button). Basically it’s just good manners to link back to here – to leave a comment is even nicer!
Featured favourites
My favourite outfits from last week’s link up:
(L-R) Style Splash | Fashion Fairy Dust | A Pocket Full of Polka Dots
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Linking up to: iwillwearwhatilike, Shoe and Tell, Visible Monday, Fake It Until You Make It, Turning Heads Tuesday, Brilliant Blog Posts, Fun Fashion Friday, Passion for Fashion Friday, Saturday Share Link Up
The colorful sweater is beautiful and you look good! Thanks for sharing
Found you via a Google search for this jumper – how can these colours be 'wrong' they look amazing on you. I've just bought this jumper, so far I've only worn it with jeans, but I love it mixed with grey.
You look amazing in that sweater! And I love your bag too! I find the colors quite soft and flattering to your skin tone. Nice post, you look fab, oh and I love your trousers. But there are many people who are healthy and obese so they should wear shapewears to get a perfect shape.
Hello Catherine, and thank you for hosting the party today! I think the sweater looks lovely on you, and I like the way you've combined it with your lip color, purse, pants and shoes–it's beautiful.
Thank you for talking about color this week! I have the same issue with pinks and have decided recently, to hell with it! If it makes me feel good, I'm wearing it. That is all.
And these striped sweater you've linked are a godsend. I want them all!
Heidi || Wishes & Reality
Cute bag, I love the scalloped edges!
– http://www.inmyjoi.blogspot.com
I think you're absolutely right about colour being subjective Catherine but right now all I see is your BAAAAGGGG! Omg it is sooo divine & I'll have those earrings too please 😉 xx
I think it looks great on you!!! I love the shoes!
I absolutely agree with you, Catherine – we should wear whatever colours make us feel good and you can tell that's exactly how this jumper makes you feel! You look gorgeous in it. Gorgeous and happy!
Suzy xx
Suzy Turner at Yogadocious
I actually think the pastels are flattering on your fair skin-tone!!!! I would have thought it was your colors!! I think tone of color near the face can be something to work with in general—so most people can wear flattering shades of any color!
Catherine, I don't mean to come across as argumentative, but I think these are your colors! Remember a while back when your picture was in a purple and orange (maybe) face shot? I think I'm going to try to pull it up….Found it! http://post40bloggers.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/P40B-profile-pic-Catherine-Summers-Not-Dressed-as-Lamb.jpg
Here you are looking amazing in navy blue and purple! I love these two colors on you. Remember? This sweater looks smashing on you! You have blue eyes!! Work them girl!!
Love, Annie
PS It's been a while since I linked up, so thank you for this opportunity! A x
"Your colors" or not, I think it looks gorgeous! And I am a huge fan of wearing whatever you love even if it isn't always the most flattering. Thank you so much for the shoutout Catherine!
Debbie
http://www.fashionfairydust.com
There's no doubt about it, dearest Catherine…wearing what we love (as opposed to what the "rules" tell us to wear) is the only way to ensure maximum personal style confidence!! And this striped sweater looks GORGEOUS on you…I personally love cool tones worn with coppery hair!! XOXO
http://www.StyleIsMyPudding.com
This sweater looks fabulous on you! Don't I detect a bit of pale peach an:-)d also a coral right at the neckline? Perhaps not, but there's no denying that you look very pretty in this multicolor sweater. Jude Gramith
Catherine, you and I are similar in colouring and I have no qualms about wearing all sorts of forbidden shades and colours. I'm sure you know that these rules are just part of fashion propaganda and not to be taken on board, ever. The stripey sweater looks adorable on you and I'm sure will go with endless items in your wardrobe. Thanks for another link up party and I hope you have a lovely week!
Anna x
A) That sweater is amazing. I'm coveting it on ASOS as we speak.
B) That sweater is amazing on YOU. I think "color" is so much more complex than "red" or "blue," there's tones and hues and saturation and combinations and all that stuff that plays into what we like on ourselves.
C) WEAR WHAT YOU LIKE! (ha, where have I heard that before?)
Bettye
https://fashionschlub
I love the sweater, and I love the sweater on you! I totally think the colors work. And the sleeves are fabulous!
Thanks for the link up & have a great week!
Wrong or right. That freaking sweater/jumper/chandail is fantastic and looks great on you. I' headed to ASOS now. Bye! Buy!
This is now one of my favourite pieces on you. The cut, the colours. Really, the sleeves are stars. I've never really "done" colours. Their mixes can tend to the warms or cools so there are infinite variations. And a "wrong" colour can be close to our face or away, which also makes a difference. I'd hate to limit my options. Heh. Thanks for the linkup!
I think because the peaches and pinks of the sweater have yellow undertones it works. Interesting how we find things when we step out of our comfort zone.
I think you're probably right Nelson! x
Those shoes and bag! Love. I think the jumper works on you because of the light pink stripe. I think it's a little bit orangey undertoned, and that color would look lovely on you.
https://bespokebaroque.blogspot.com/2017/09/double-red-le-tote-ann-taylor.html
I agree about the pink stripe Gina, but the other colours are definitely cool… but hey they work, so who cares eh?! thank you xx
I think it's a glorious jumper! It really suits you, the pinks in it are lovely with your hair and skintone. Here's to more happy jumpers!! X
Thanks Sarah… it could be the happiest jumper in the world! hehe xx
So sweet and lovely colors 😉
https://4highheelsfans.wordpress.com/2017/09/09/tuscany-siena/
Nice post, you look fab, oh and I love your trousers! Jacqui Mummabstylish
As a trained colour consultant, I sometimes look at women and think according to the 'rules', that shouldn't work but it does. And I don't know why! Yes the jumper looks fab on you. I think possibly because your hair is mid-toned and the colours in your jumper are mid-toned too so complement each other. Maybe if your hair was a much deeper shade, it might be a little bit more difficult to pull off. That said, I break the rules ALL THE TIME. I think it's all about confidence and knowing how to tweak things here and there. So if I'm wearing a stronger colour (I 'should' do soft ones and I know I look better in them), I'll wear a stronger lipstick and take my hair off my face. I find it all absolutely fascinating. You mentioned purple last time, I think you said that it didn't suit you. According to Munsells theory of colour, purple suits everyone because it's not too deep or too light, not to warm or too cool and not too soft or too clear. It's one of the very few colours right in the middle of the colour wheel. Personally, I think I look sh*t in purple but then there are many different shades and maybe I haven't tried the right one. Great post Catherine x
I didn't know that about purple Donna… I think a cold purple definitely doesn't suit me, but a warm reddy/pinky toned one does. It's all complicated – I think I just need to stick with what I like the look of and then "feel" looks right!! Thanks hon 😀 xx
You look amazing in that sweater! And I love your bag too!
I find the colors quite soft and flattering with your skin tone. And it is happy and very lovely sweater, indeed! I also have been addressing issues of breaking out of the "appropriate trap" this week on my blog. I am linking up the posts…one I have quoted you from your Saturday Link Up post…so thank you for the inspiration.
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
Shelbee thank you! xx
I don't think that you can go wrong with a mixed palette of colors like those in your sweater even if colorists would advise against those hues. You look lovely in this outfit. Thanks for the insightful thoughts and for the link up.
Rena
http://www.finewhateverblog.com
thanks, Rena (I was very interested to hear your thoughts after Friday's comment)! x
I'm not a great person to ask for advice on colors, Catherine. For some reason, I don't see them as good and bad. Maybe because I like color so much, so I concentrate on the color itself and not so much on how it looks with someone's complexion.
So when I say I love this sweater on you, it purely from the fact that it's not only fun with the colors and stripes, but the sleeves make it even better!
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
I think I'm with you on the colour analysis, Jodie!! thank you x
I love your pink bag and shoes! You are fabulous in this outfit, happy Monday!
xo
Valerie