When you think of Autumn colours, what springs to mind? Russet? Burgundy? Purple? Teal? Golden brown? All those traditional Autumnal colours probably. But what if you want a softer palette? Can you wear pastels in Autumn?
Absolutely!
Especially if you’re sandwiched between two London buses with a tree growing out of your head that makes you look like you’re wearing a head piece from a Las Vegas show!
Now I love the rich, deep colours of Autumn but they can look and feel a little heavy on days when it’s still warm and there’s a big, blue sky above you that seems to go on forever.
Just like this.
On these days, a lighter palette is called for. For a day out in town on Saturday with the in-laws, who are in the UK visiting, I chose shades that still acknowledged the current season; khaki, taupe, blush and I carefreely tossed over my denim jacket, a plaid cape in soft, slightly mottled colours of camel, grey, pink and blue.
I have to be careful with certain shades of green as khaki and olive can be unkind next to my face but khaki is a great colour for the lower half of my body, making the blush bag and taupe wedge ankle boots stand out.
It seems capes and ponchos are de-rigeur this season. You can’t land on a blog or walk into a shop without thinking you’re at the Cape Crusader Convention 2015! I’m not a blind follower of anything, never have been but I do take note of trends. However, I only follow a trend if it works for me. Until now I’d stayed away from capes (or ponchos, or wraps or… deary me, so many names!). Being petite, I couldn’t find one that worked for me. I’d tried countless ones on and every time ended in a cape cul-de-sac. I was about to give up on embracing this trend when I thought I’d give it one last go. It was the last chance Cape saloon.
So what changed? Two small shifts. That’s all it took.
Whilst in TKMaxx last week I tried on a cape in black watch tartan. Now usually darker colours look good on me and black watch is one of my favourite tartans. But that one made me look like a disembodied head was stuck on a pic nic blanket. Such a big expanse of dark tartan was too much for my frame. It completely sucked the colour from my face. Back to the rack it went. Then I spied 3 lighter coloured ones and thought… um… I wonder…?
First one on was a pale pink and camel, fringe-less cape. We moved from an epic F to an improved D-. But I still felt like a swaddled waif.
Next up was a pale pink and camel, fringed cape. We did a veritable leap from a D- to a B+. But a B+ wasn’t quite good enough to make me part with my moola.
Final one on was a pale pink, camel and blue fringed cape. Well knock me down with a feather, it voomed straight to the top of the class. A++!
So there we have it. A fringe and a lighter colour was all it took to avoid me looking like poor Annie orphan. With the fringe there’s less material drowning me and the lighter colour makes the cape look less heavy on my body
If you want your light coloured cape to casually drape open rather than be casually tossed over one shoulder, wear a deeper colour underneath that tones with it for balance.
Oops, my head piece seems to have slipped to the side. Back of the chorus line for me.
And to show off my ankle boots abit more, I rolled up the hem of my jeans a couple of times. It would be a shame to hide the full design of them with their turn over tops.
Here’s a lovely close up, showing the soft colours of the cape in a better light. The raspberry of my top gives the outfit depth against the pale denim jacket and the cape. Cream or even pale pink would’ve been too insipid.
And the embroidery anglaise is a contrasting texture to the plaid.
Although my bag and boots are on the brown-ish spectrum, for my accessories I picked out the grey in the cape with my grey and glass necklace.
Now as luck would have it, only on Thursday I popped into Peacocks as I’d seen an adorable owl patterned snood online that I thought I might buy, and whilst in there, I stumbled upon the grey and opal bracelet. And darn it, if it wasn’t very similar in design to my grey necklace! Both have a big central glass bead with 2 glass teardrops either side. They now make a very happy pairing together.
And the owl snood? Yup, that came home with me too, cos I’m a wise old owl.
Regular readers will know I’m big on bags that are multi functional. This has a grab handle but it also can be worn across the body as it has a detachable strap. This is such a useful design. We spent part of the afternoon at the Museum of London and I was able to slip the bag across me and be hands free as we went around the exhibition.
I fell in love with this bag when I saw the gorgeous caramel coloured swirls. The clasp resembles amber.
Plaid Pastel Cape TKMaxx
D Perks Light Denim Jacket & Khaki Jeans
Bhs Embroidery Anglaise t-shirt (old)
New Look Taupe Wedge Boots (these wedge Wallis ones are similar)
Jane Shelton Bag from TKMaxx
Joythestore Necklace
Peacocks Opal Bead Stretch Bracelet
Tip of the week courtesy of Talking Heads and Led Zeppelin:
If you’re on the road to nowhere, change direction; you just might find the stairway to ‘cape’ heaven.
Linking with / Style Nudge / Visible Monday / Style Story / Confident Twosday / Garay Treasures / Turning Heads Tuesday / TARDIS Tuesday / Fresh Fashion Forum / Style Me Wednesday / Color and Grace / Fashion Should be Fun / 40+ Style
i think you chose beautifully with the pale tartan wrap, PSV. I love the tree coming out of your head, as that is a very familiar look for my photos : >
-Patti
http://notdeadyetstyle.com
Thank you Patti, I've rather fallen in love with it and it feels a little bit different to all the other ones I've seen. I didn't even know until I got home and look at the photos and thought – oh darn it, every photographer's nightmare, there's a tree growing out of my head! Still, thought I'd make a feature of it!
I knew it: there must be a cape for you somewhere!
It took a while to find me, but we made it!
Loving this look. Your cape is perfect…pastels definitely DO work well in Autumn, in fact any colour works ANYTIME if you rock it!
The denim jacket is a great touch, I love my capes with a denim jacket….it just seems to tone everything down just enough, and the cape gives the jacket more warmth. Great for our freezing one minute-quite warm the next type weather.
And those boots….ahhh…I love them! I can hardly believe they are from New look!
XXX
Samantha
Fake Fabulous
Indeed – I've never prescribed to the theory of only wearing certain colours at certain times of the year although, autumn does lend itself more to that because of how nature gives us these glorious colours. And a cape is good for temperature control! I was abit naughty with those boots – they're from a couple of seasons ago and I ended up buying the same pair in khaki as I loved the taupe ones so much!
I think the cape looks great on you. It's a good color combination. Your bag is really pretty, and I like your shoes! I bet the wedge makes them more comfy. I love it when the trees are that pretty yellow!
Amy Ann
Straight A Style
Thanks Amy. The wedge does make them comfortable – I'm a sucker for a wedge shoe! The colours are glorious at the moment.
Pastels certainly are not the first thing that comes to mind when I think of fall, but this outfit definitely screams "autumn" to me. Your cape is gorgeous and I love the way you styled it with the bag. I wish the weather here would allow me to wear something so elegant for the season, but alas it is still over 100 degrees here!
-Katie
We're still in that transitional period where it seems too soon to be wearing the richer colours so some lighter tones were in order. I'm glad it still says Autumn though. I shall do my 'cool weather' dance for you, Katie. I don't know how you manage in that kind of heat! It would exhaust me.
I love the pretty pastels of this blanket scarf/cape/poncho! It's so soft and looks ever so cozy. Also, that necklace! Ooh, so sparkly pretty but not too much so either.
Jacqueline, I've been seeing you so much on Insta; it's nice to get to know you now here too!
Thanks for linking up to my very first Style Story Link Up!
Love,
Ann from Kremb de la Kremb
I am abit of a magpie when it comes to necklaces. It's difficult sometimes getting the balance right between being sparkly and not ott. Thanks Ann – likewise – been great getting to know you too.
That cape is such a pretty colour combination on you.I find some combinations remind me way too much of picnic rugs .The denim jacket and pink jumper perfect .Your bag is quite the find , pretty and practical.
I know exactly what you mean Jill. Which is why I think this one works being in a lighter colour. I'm all for the double 'p' – pretty & practical!
What a lovely color palette! It's definitely not what I expect for Fall, but it suits you entirely. You're wearing the trendy shapes nicely, too!
Alicia
spashionista.com
Thank you for your compliment Alicia. The colour palette was something abit different for Autumn.
great cape and it's definitely great for fall.
xo,
nancy
http://www.adoretoadorn.com
Thanks Nancy. Glad you like it.
Jacqueline, first of all I have to say that you wear that head piece so well, especially for such a petite dancer, but you do carry it off very well. The rest of the outfit is very well put together as always. You have such a good eye for colour and always know what works for you. I particularly like the cape, and have to admit that I too have fallen for this trend. The pastel palette is very flattering and great with the taupe of boots and bag. Yet another lovely post xx
Anna
You know Anna, it was quite heavy to wear too, that headpiece!!! Thank you; I do love colours and working out what works and doesn't is half the battle! I look forward to seeing how you style yours!
That is a great cape- so pretty- looks fairly simple but you look close and it is a wonderful pastel palette!x
It's deceptive – I thought at first it was only a couple of colours but when I looked closer I realised there was a lot more to it than first met the eye and so I was hooked.
YES! We are cape/poncho twinsies today! Thanks for linking up with TARDIS Tuesday. That Underground sign alone makes this post aces in my book. 😀
Ha, ha, I'm working the London landmarks to their max in this one!
Isn't it amazing what a poncho/wrap can do for an outfit – love your poncho and your suede booties. Thank you for linking up with SHOE AND TELL on Style Nudge!
Cherie
http://www.stylenudge.com
Definitely lifts an outfit. Thanks Cherie.
I love the colors of that cape!! I felt the same way about wearing capes since I'm short…but then I decided to at least try a couple (just like you did). I found one that's reversible…it's probably a little too big, but I love how you wrapped it around you—I'll have to try that! jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
I felt very cocooned in my cosy cape! I'm glad you've found one – look forward to seeing it on you!
That is such a beautiful cape on you! I'm glad you took the chance to give them a try, it looks so cosy for cold weather! 🙂
Away From The Blue Blog
Thanks Mica. Unfortunately it's definitely turning colder now so I got it at just the right time!
Hello, I am Ada. I am glad I found your blog. Such cute style and you live in a great city. I adore that gorgeous plaid cape. The soft earthy colors are perfect for Autumn. =)
I welcome you by my blog as well. Thanks, Ada. =)
Thanks Ada. I'm lucky to live in a city where there is so much on our doorstep. Thanks for popping over.
Lovely neutrals, and cape. I need to invest in boots like those too, very nice fall look.
Thank you for linking up to "Bloggers Who Have Inspired Me"
Rachel xo
Garay Treasures
I find wedged boots so comfortable. They'll be a great investment for Autumn, Rachel.
I love the colors in the scarf you have. I love the orchid tone and pink shades with the olive, and the wedges. You look great!
Thanks for linking up with Turning Heads Tuesday!
jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
Thank you Jess. All the colours were so soft on the eye they were the perfect ones for the cape.