If you follow me on Instagram you’ll have seen the below photo I posted about a week ago during the height of our Indian Summer. I spotted the tree on my way to work. Look at it, quite rightly, flaunting its leaves in all its cinnamon spice glory. I don’t love the heralding of shorter days but I do love the ever changing canvas of colours this season gives us.
Then a couple of days ago, I also posted one of fallen leaves. Don’t they look like Autumn confetti? Both photos reminded me that I have a skirt with swirling leaves in these colours – pumpkin and cinnamon. Up until this weekend, I’ve not felt very Autumnal but with the leaves finally turning and falling, I’m ready for Autumn now. It’s really arrived.
I played around with the styling of the outfit. I knew I wanted a layered effect whilst still showing off the pistachio in the skirt and cami top but layers can be tricky. Too thick and they can add bulk.
I’ve had this cami top for ages, bought specially for the skirt but it’s not a colour that works on its own with me. It has to have a companion colour to tone it down, hence the contrasting green. To allow each shade of green to stand out, rather than compete against each other, I layered a cream shirt in between.
Originally, I tied the shirt in front but what looked fun in the mirror, screamed NO, NO, NO on camera! It only served to make me look really heavy around my waist. The dreaded bulk. Too much flapping material! And flapping in this case, is NOT a euphemism for a swear word beginning with ‘f’! It literally was too much material flapping about my midriff. I don’t quite have a long enough torso to work that look.
Darn my short-waistedness!
When faced with a dearth of length, employ the old trick of creating an optical illusion! By tucking the shirt in but keeping it open the pistachio was a long ‘v’ in the centre, drawing the eye upwards. Bingo! Much more streamlined.
To add a little more visual interest, I flipped the shirt cuffs over and slipped on a trio of Autumnal coloured bracelets and one of my favourite necklaces I wore with my Vintage Style Gladstone Bag and Denim Shift dress.
A pumpkin coloured bag to fit the season and tone in with the colours of the skirt. A light counter-point to the greens.
I’m feeling a little smug about this bag – yes, it’s my favourite shape – another mini tote. I work to the school of ‘if it ain’t broke…’ I’d seen it when it first arrived in New Look back in August. I bided my time and a couple of weeks ago, it was in the sale and under a tenner! Looks perfect against the pistachio, nutmeg and cinnamon colours.
Do you fancy a pumpkin latte now?
The material of the skirt although lined, is quite thin. Wearing it this time of year really means donning some warm woolly tights or knee high boots. I want to hold out wearing knee highs for as long as possible though. Gawd knows they’ll be on intensive rotation for at least the next 4 months.
For now I’m sticking with either ankle booties or shoe boots. Or are they booty shoes or faux boots? Or even,
I’m-hedging-my-bets-and-covering-two-bases-here, footwear?
White Stuff Swirling Leaves Skirt (preloved e-bay)
Monsoon Pistachio Cami (preloved e-bay)
Cream Shirt (ancient from the Emporium of I Forget)
Dorothy Perkins Waterfall Cardigan SS15
New Look Mini Tote (sold out online). Here’s a Brown snake winged Tote, River Island
Necklace (gift from my mum-in-law)
Bracelets (thrifted)
Bhs Shoes Boots (AW14)
Throw over a cape or a trench and you’re good to go!
Still fancy that pumpkin latte? Good job I never drink coffee. I’d be rushing to the nearest coffee shop with all this talk of cinnamon and spices. I’ll see you there though. You have a latte, make mine a … green tea.
Linking with / Style Nudge / Visible Monday / #iwillwherewhatilike / Garay Treasures / Confident Twosday / Turning Heads Tuesday / Style Sessions /Colorandgrace / Style Me Wednesday /
The perfect Fall look – love those booties and bag! Thanks for sharing.
-patti
http://notdeadyetstyle.com
Thanks Patti. I trying to stay with light colours for as long as possible!
I love that tip for tucking in your shirt but keeping it open as a "V"—I'm going to remember that for Nancy since she's also short waisted!! Love the tights & ankle boots—I'd have only thought to wear brown tights, but I like how the light ones show off the ankle boots more! jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
It's a neat trick, isn't it? I buttoned the shirt up underneath to stop it sliding around but the long v really works and then there's less emphasis at the bust. Can't wait to see Nancy rocking the look! To be honest, I did start by wearing brown but looked in the mirror and the boots were totally lost so off came the brown!
I have a short waist too, Jacqueline!
And it can be a right royal pain in the bum….especially with full circle skirts or tucking in.
I love the flow of this outfit and the soft palette.
Of course the cuffing works a treat to pull everything together…so simple yet so effective.
I love your ribbed tights.
I have a similar pair (erm…okay then, pairs) and I love that cheeky "school girl" vibe they give. There is something a little cheeky about ribbed tights (I am not sure why!)
Another great look.
XXX
Samantha
Fake Fabulous
Yes, a right royal pain in the bum! With the ivory shirt and ivory tights and the long V it does make it flow – well, that was what I was going for!
Thought you'd like the ribbed tights especially as you are the Queen of Tights! They are kinda cheeky!
A lovely colour combination , perfect for Autumn. I agree with you about not wearing long boots to soon , I have the same rule. Winters are always long enough.
True, time enough for long length! Thanks Jill.
Loving your bag and boots! That olive color was the perfect pairing for your skirt. Isn't it funny how something can look so different in photos. I've learned a lot blogging!
Amy Ann
Straight A Style
Indeed. As soon as I saw the first photo, I knew it was wrong, tied up at the front! But out of that came this end result so we got there!
Your pictures of the fall foliage are delightful and your outfit is just spot on! I love the skirt you have on and the way you played with color. I think it was a great idea to layer the shades of green to bring out the colors of the skirt.
Thanks Katie. I really wanted to bring out the colours so I'm pleased you think I have.
cute outfit! I really like your purse!
lifeisashoe
Glad you liked it – thank you.
Gorgeous, I love all of the layers! You accessorized this so beautifully!
Hailey
http://www.themiddlecloset.com
Thank you for your lovely compliment, Hailey.
Wonderful outfit! I too have the dreaded short waist, but I've gotten used to it. That's why I love belts because they help define my waist. Happy Autumn!
Belts can really help but I find I have to get just the right size! Happy Autumn to you too.
Beautiful autumn colours, I mean your outfit of course. The leaves look lovely, too.
Ha, ha, the leaves aren't bad, are they.
Ah you are the personification of jasmine green tea with floral blossoms in!!! The layering works superbly and the colours are sublime!! I'd love white knitted tights!!
Well, green tea is my favourite, Kezzie! Knitted tights are fun, aren't they?
Cute outfit, very fallish! Nice styling..love it!
VAlerie
Fashion and Travel
Thank you Valerie. Glad you like it.
You wear colour so well! 🙂
That is such a pretty skirt and you know just the right pieces to wear with it!
I wish we had an autumn where the trees would turn red like that! The closest think I can think of is right now, as we near the end of spring the jacaranda trees start to lose their purple flowers and almost every street in Brisbane gets covered in pretty purple petals!
Away From The Blue Blog
Aw, thank you Mica.
I shall imagine you walking on purple petalled streets as you do your Frocktober Challenge!
Such pretty fall colors! Yes, fall confetti is a great descriptor for your skirt. Your textured tights and booties look so cozy on you and complete your look wonderfully!
Thanks Jennie. With a skirt of this pattern I had to do an Autumnal layering post!
This outfit does have fall written all over it! Love the leaves falling on your skirt, and the citrine, olive and the brown booties just give it a great mix of colors What a perfect match the bag is as well. One of my favorite looks on you, friend!
Thanks for linking up with Turning Heads Tuesday!
jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
Aw, thanks Jess. What a lovely compliment.
I was so lucky the bag was such a good match – it just lifts the look and balances the greens.
I just love these colors put together just so! I especially love the addition of the bag because it keeps the whole look from being too somber. Lovely print on the skirt as well.
I, too, am short-waisted, so I understand all too well the challenges it poses. Your choice to leave the shirt open was a wise one!
Alicia
spashionista.com
Thanks Alicia. I was so pleased that the bag was on sale as the colour is so autumnal yet bright.