A Queen’s Gambit-Inspired Monochrome Outfit

Queen's Gambit-Inspired Monochrome Outfit: Mustard yellow top and wide leg trousers, cream fedora hat | Not Dressed As Lamb, over 40 style and fashion

Remember that final scene in The Queen’s Gambit where Beth is walking through the Russian park in head-to-toe white like the white queen chess piece?

If you haven’t, I suggest you watch the whole series now. Like, RIGHT NOW. I’ll wait.

[pauses for anyone who hasn’t seen The Queen’s Gambit to binge watch and come back here]

Everyone caught up? Gooooood…

 

Photography by Giles Caldicott

Disclosure: This blog uses affiliate links (at no cost to you). The cruise was provided by Virgin Voyages in exchange for guaranteed Instagram content but blog content was not required. Full disclosure

[Reading time: 2 mins]

 

Queen's Gambit-Inspired Monochrome Outfit: Mustard yellow top and wide leg trousers, cream fedora hat | Not Dressed As Lamb, over 40 style and fashion

Shop the look:

 

Okay, I’ll be honest and say that the all-yellow outfit you see here was just coincidently shot on a giant chess set (meaning the link with Beth’s monochrome Queen chess piece outfit is exceptionally tenuous – but hey, I’m running with it). So no, it’s not a vintage 60s look, but more of a “dressing in one colour to look like a chess piece” kinda thing.

And yes, I am fully aware that many people’s BS-detectors are going haywire right now. Well, my story is that it was inspired by The Queen’s Gambit and I’m sticking to it, mmkay?

Although I’d LOVE to have a giant chess set in my back garden (how glorious would that be?!), this wasn’t shot at home… it was actually onboard the Scarlet Lady as part of my Virgin Voyages cruise trip a few weeks back.

And once again, more utterly divine photos from the lens of Giles Caldicott. I merely wore that outfit on the hot, sunny day we had onboard the ship and he selected the location for shooting. Turns out a giant chess set is the best prop in The History of the World Ever, and shot from above it makes you look like you’re starring in your very own Chanel perfume advert.

Queen's Gambit-Inspired Monochrome Outfit: Mustard yellow top and wide leg trousers, cream fedora hat | Not Dressed As Lamb, over 40 style and fashion

It may be the end of summer (she says sat with her heating on for the first time this side of June, ughh), but I won’t be tiring of the sunshine-filled outfits anytime soon.

However, add a crisp white shirt under that top and you’ve got the start of an autumnal outfit right there. That’s the beauty of saturated colours like mustard yellow, pumpkin orange, navy and olive; summer or autumn, they work in both.

This week I’ll be tackling my twice-yearly wardrobe switchover. Tartans, knits, jackets and coats: I’m coming atcha. So Gird. Your. Loins.

What are you saving from summer to incorporate into your autumn outfits? Or are you still pretty much experiencing summer where you are (not jealous at all. Nope. Not a bit). Comment below…

 

Stay safe, XOXO

Catherine signature

Top: Asos (similar)
Trousers: Asos (similar)
Hat: Hats & Caps (similar)
Sunglasses: Asos (love these!)

 

Other mustard yellow separates you might like:

 

Linking up to… Monday: Stylish Monday (second Monday of the month), Inspire Me MondayMy Glittery Heart, On Mondays We Link Up || Tuesday: Style With a Smile, Trend Spin/Walking in Memphis in High Heels, Turning Heads Tuesday, Spread the Kindness, Confident Twosday, Happy Now Blog Link Up || Wednesday: WowOnWednesday || Thursday: Chic & Stylish, Ageless Style Linkup (third Thursday of the month), || Friday: Neverending Style, Fancy Friday, On the Edge, Fabulous Friday’s Link Up

Queen's Gambit-Inspired Monochrome Outfit: Mustard yellow top and wide leg trousers, cream fedora hat | Not Dressed As Lamb, over 40 style and fashion

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30 Comments

  1. 16 November 2021 / 11:07 pm

    Fabulous photos! I haven’t seen The Queen’s Gambit…but now I’m intrigued! I may have to go and watch it! Thanks for linking up!

    Emma xxx

    • Catherine
      Author
      17 November 2021 / 11:12 pm

      Emma you must!! Everyone I know who’s seen it says it’s AMAZING…!

  2. 14 October 2021 / 8:07 pm

    I also watched the series, was very good and your outfit is super. Glad you got inspired from it. Many thanks for sharing your style. Jacqui x

    • Catherine
      Author
      14 October 2021 / 9:41 pm

      Thank you Jacqui – it was such an incredible show for so many reasons, wasn’t it 😀

  3. 12 October 2021 / 9:27 am

    Love this monochrome look and these shots are brilliant!
    xoxo
    Lovely

    • Catherine
      Author
      13 October 2021 / 10:53 am

      Thanks so much Lovely xxx 🙂

  4. 8 October 2021 / 9:52 pm

    LOVEd that show! So good! And of course, the fashion!
    Love this pictures and the lighting! The mustard monochromatic outfit looks wonderful and I like how you would transition with a white shirt underneath. Very nice!
    thanks for linking!
    jess xx

    • Catherine
      Author
      13 October 2021 / 10:57 am

      Thanks Jess… I think everyone that’s watched TQG has absolutely loved it and fallen in love with Beth/Anya Taylor Joy, she’s so mesmerising isn’t she 😀

  5. 8 October 2021 / 8:20 pm

    Such great shots! I love the yellow outfit so much- I have a jumpsuit in the same colour and fabric…I’m definitely going to style this up for the fall. YOu’ve inspired me! As for my summer clothes- I transition so many of them by layering over them. Tanks and even bralettes can make great vests or corsets. Creativity and a bit of imagination goes a long way! Have a wonderful weekend xx

    • Catherine
      Author
      13 October 2021 / 10:58 am

      Aaaaaargh I’d love a mustard yellow jumpsuit Lucy! Thank you xx

  6. 8 October 2021 / 8:17 pm

    Such an amazing look sweetie!

    Danielle | thereluctantblogger.co.uk

    • Catherine
      Author
      13 October 2021 / 10:59 am

      Thank you lovely Danielle xx

  7. 6 October 2021 / 9:47 pm

    I love how these photos turned out! What amazing shots! Love your monochrome look too!

    • Catherine
      Author
      13 October 2021 / 11:00 am

      Thank you Laura… I can’t believe how amazing these shots are, Giles is a talented boy!!

  8. 6 October 2021 / 4:08 pm

    An amazing photo opportunity and how brilliantly it turned out! Loved The Queen’s Gambit. Thanks for linking x

    • Catherine
      Author
      13 October 2021 / 11:03 am

      Thank you Gail – sooooooo pleased with these shots!!

  9. 6 October 2021 / 2:46 pm

    OMG Catherine, how cool is this!? I freaking adored The Queen’s Gambit so I can totally see why you were inspired by the Giant Chess set! And I also happen to love mustard yellow so the outfit is pure perfection, not to mention the AMAZING photography by Giles!!
    Hugs
    Suzy xx

    • Catherine
      Author
      13 October 2021 / 11:05 am

      Awwww thanks Suzy… wasn’t TQG just amazing? Plus you can imagine our delight when we saw the giant chess set for the first time on the ship – we both went, “We HAVE to shoot something there!!” 😉

  10. 5 October 2021 / 1:44 pm

    Mustard is a colour I just really can’t wear.

    I haven’t tried yellow in such a long time either but even with my silver hair now it’s still not a colour I’m drawn to.

    I haven’t even chose it really when we’ve been renovating apart from some accessory accents in my youngest’s bedroom and that was HIS choice not mine!

    Looks fab on you though, Catherine…. as everything you choose always does.

    A reminder that I still haven’t watched this show as well. It’s on my watch list but that’s as far as I’ve got. I’ve been watching lots of Zombie and horror stuff for months now … what does that say about me?

    Binged 7 episodes of Midnight Mass on Netflix while we were away this past weekend, too.

    We love a good chill when we’re all away together! xo

    • Catherine
      Author
      6 October 2021 / 12:34 pm

      I seem to remember my mum saying that she wore all the saturated colours (like mustard and tobacco) back when her hair was (naturally) black, but when she went grey/white she just couldn’t anymore. I might have to keep dyeing my hair forever so I can continue to wear my favourite colours, LOL!!!! 😉

      We’ve been carrying on watching The Walking Dead but this series is pretty poor despite it being the very last one ever. Keith reckons it might be a big let down like the final series of GOT was…!

      Thank you my lovely x

  11. Sue Dunlop
    5 October 2021 / 1:26 am

    These photos are stunning. I am really enjoying Giles’ and your collaboration. I’m a big fan of monochrome and tonal dressing. It always looks good. Except maybe all black – that can be dreary imho. Anyhoo, hope you’re well even though it’s rainy where you are. Thanks for another great post.

    • Catherine
      Author
      6 October 2021 / 12:31 pm

      Oh Sue I’m so glad you’re loving the photos! And I agree about all black being dreary… it has to be an exceptional all-black outfit with lots of texture for me to like it. Thank you thank you xx

  12. 5 October 2021 / 12:02 am

    Our crazy weather here in SoCal varies from day to day, but along the coast that generally means in the 60s and 70s (Fahrenheit, I’m afraid!). So while I might style shorts and a cute top one day, the next might be a jeans or trouser outfit! BUT, YOU are totally rocking the Queen’s Gambit style here, Catherine. I love that mustard look with the cropped top and full pants. You look amazing in that scene!! Lol!

    xx Darlene

    • Catherine
      Author
      6 October 2021 / 12:30 pm

      Thanks Darlene – that sort of weather sounds perfect for me (in October). The thought of still being able to wear shorts at this time of year here is too hard to comprehend!!

  13. Elaine Ness
    4 October 2021 / 8:10 pm

    Hi Catherine,

    Greetings from the Amazon area of Ecuador. I live in the small city of Macas, which is not far from the jungle to the east. The climate is temperate and predictable so we virtually have no change of seasons. The mustard outfit you wore in the photo would fit this weather very well. I am from the Pacific Northwest (Washington State in the U.S.) and I have to say, I miss the changing of the leaves.

    A word about something I observe in your handwriting. I have been a professional handwriting analyst and instructor so it is second nature to take note of signatures, even on the computer screen. Your handwriting says you are extraverted and tuned in to things happening always. The fluid transition you employ between the ” t” in your name to connect to the “h” indicates a very agile mind that seeks to find efficient ways to do things. (Quite rare to see in writing.) True also in the way you write your small “a” (it also shows a bit of nonconformity in your personality–I’d say you named your blog very appropriately). You are able to learn from others, given you are open-minded. Would you agree that you may procrastinate about little things? There is one indication of it in your name but that’s not a lot to go on. Self-reliant people often draw a line beneath their signature, most commonly if both first and last names appear. Not so common to underline a first name. You tell it like it is being a person without pretention or phoniness. A loyal friend, me thinks.

    My middle name is Catherine; it is spelled the same as yours.

    I am new to your blog. Thanks for the interesting content.

    • Catherine
      Author
      4 October 2021 / 10:28 pm

      Elaine I am COMPLETELY freaked out… have you secretly known me since birth?! EVERY single thing you said was absolutely spot-on, you were literally describing my personality!! The only *tiny* adjustment I’d make is the “I tell it like it is” part… I’m not someone who’ll say things that are brutally honest just for the sake of having to say them out loud, in fact I’m the opposite of that and always think of other’s feelings – though that IS what you then went on to describe!

      But you must be so good at your job because to get all of that just from the way I write my first name is incredible!

      Anyway it’s lovely to have you here, thanks so much for reading, and I hope to see you again… in the meantime please send some of your Ecuadorian heat this way, would you?? 😀

  14. Pilar
    4 October 2021 / 7:11 pm

    Well I live in Arizona so I have 9 months of Summer being four of those scorching hot! Like melting soles hot (literally I ain’t kidding) I am still wearing sandals and shorts dreaming of cooler temps.
    That said, the only things coming with my cold wardrobe are jeans and sneakers ☹️
    Although you have inspired me to go get a set like yours and a crisp white shirt, but maybe in orange or olive, I look terrible in yellow, any shade of yellow

    You look AMAZEBALLS!!! And that hat I need a hat!!!

    • Catherine
      Author
      4 October 2021 / 9:51 pm

      Pilar thank you – you’re dreaming of cooler temps, I’m dreaming of summer starting all over again. As I type I can hear the most horrific wind and rain outside (it’s dark now)… it’s sooooo depressing!!

  15. 4 October 2021 / 6:54 pm

    Love it! Queen’s Gambit is set in my home town (although none of the series was shot here), and we ATE IT UP round here…My one pair of wide-legged trousers is rust-colored and made of linen, bought on a trip to Milan and beloved for all those reasons. It’s in heavy rotation right now. Congrats on those abs worthy of showing off – I know you work hard for them! I’ll be on the lookout for giant chessboards when I’m wearing something photo-worthy, as well.

    • Catherine
      Author
      4 October 2021 / 9:49 pm

      WOW to TQG being set in your hometown, MK – I love it when I see places I know on TV shows or similar so I totally get you all eating it up! 😉

      Thank you re. the abs… they’re totally non-existent right now. I’ve fallen completely off the wagon since these were taken (doesn’t take me long, LOL), so I need to get back in shape ASAP. A few wet days in a row and I get out of the habit of walking every morning, and that has such a knock-on effect on my day. Need to find my mojo again!!

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