Friday, November 8, 2013

The Happy Accident Skirt

When I went shopping for skirt fabric last week, all I knew was that I wanted corduroy.  I really didn't have a particular color in mind, and when I came across this shade I thought it wouldn't really go with much.  But I loved the color so much I couldn't leave the store without it. 

Happily, it turns out I was wrong!  When I got home, I realized it went with my new Renfrew, and I was pretty excited.  But yesterday after I finished the skirt, I went digging in my closet and came up with about ten different sweaters and tops that look great with this color!  So now I'm even more excited!  This morning I did a little outfit roundup of my favorites from the pile.

You'll notice that I left this skirt pretty long.  The first time I made this pattern I took quite a bit off the bottom, but for winter I'm kind of digging mid-calf skirts and dresses over tall boots.  Of course, not one of these looks incorporates tall boots, LOL!

First up, the full-sleeved Renfrew, along with my beloved Frye Carson Oxfords (SO comfy) and winter white legs:


Next, with the "Betty" sweater I made two years ago and have worn . . . never!  Such a pity because I love this sweater!  But I never had a skirt I felt looked good with it - until now!  It's such a cropped style that it requires a skirt (or pants) with a higher waistline like this one.   These Cuban-heeled Seychelles "Scene of the Crime" pumps are from 3 years ago.  They were sold at Anthropologie under the style name "Ancient Woods Heels."


I'm pretty excited about the next one - look how great this color goes with my latest Archer shirt!!  It's like they were made for each other!  Also, I'm wearing this sequinned leather belt I bought from Loft years ago and haven't been able to wear much, because it's waist-sized and most of my jeans and pants hit me at the hip.  Glad to have a use for it, as I think it's a very pretty belt.


And finally, here's my very favorite look.  This is a sweater I bought probably ten years ago from Anthropologie.  It's always been one of my favorite pieces, and I used to wear it quite often when I was still teaching.  I haven't worn it for a couple years though because it's a little small on me now, and so has to be worn as a top rather than as a cardigan.  The colors in the print are just perfect with this corduroy - I'm so excited to be able to make an outfit with this sweater again!  The shoes are Kensington Suede Loafers from J. Crew probably 5 or 6 years ago.  I think they are so amazing - I bought them in three colors (black, aubergine and the vicuna shown here) and I'm so glad I did.  I wear them all more frequently than I do a lot of my fabulous shoes, because they are actually quite comfortable.


By this time, I was getting tired of changing clothes, but here's a little peek at another old sweater that looks great with this skirt.  This one is probably about ten years old too, a floral printed lambswool/angora cardigan from Boden that I used to wear all the time.


So, what a happy accident!  Probably it wasn't an accident at all - I guess all these items were tucked away in some deep corner of my memory, which nudged me on to pick up this fabric.   Does this ever happen to any of you?  You're drawn to a fabric and can't figure out why, and later you discover it fills in a hole in your closet?

33 comments:

  1. You're so right: subconsciously you remembered how many garments you had that would go well with this color and style. Well done - and nice to see you wearing that Betty!
    -- stashdragon

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    1. Thanks, Gretchen! I am very excited to be able to wear the Betty now!

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  2. These are great pairings! How did you do that? You even have accessories that match. I don't think this has ever happened to me. Basically something catches my eye at the fabric store or online and that's it. I figure out what will go with it later (and about only one thing ever does :).

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    1. I do that by having a closet that's bursting full because I have things from literally 20 years ago! My motto is that if it wasn't really in style (i.e. fad) when I bought it, it won't go out of style too soon, right? Also, I think I have a "look" that's stayed pretty consistent over the last 20 or so years, so barring any major weight fluctuations, a lot of my old stuff still works.

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  3. You are too cute. I love how your neutral skirt goes with anything. Where do you find your vintage modern shoes? They rock.

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    1. Honestly, most of my shoes these days come from Zappos. But the heels are from Anthropologie, and I used to buy a lot of shoes from J.Crew - on sale, of course! I've always found their shoes to be of very good quality. I think that may still be true, although it's probably been 4 or 5 years since I've bought any there.

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  4. What a happy surprise! I love that Anthro cardigan and the heels. If I ever find out your shoe size you might be in trouble - I'd steal most of your shoes given the chance!

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    1. Thanks, Lisa! You know - I'd like to find out my shoe size too, LOL! My two feet are drastically different in size - two half sizes! Makes shoe-buying difficult sometimes. But obviously it hasn't stopped me :-)

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  5. I envy your closet! I'm so glad you could pair it with that stunning knit of yours! Your skirt is lovely. As always! :)

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  6. You have the best shoes! All the outfit look great, especially the last two. The Archer shirt looks so nice paired with the skirt.

    What is it about corduroy that makes garments look so lush. Love me some cord.

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    1. Thanks, Mela! The last two are my favorites too. I think there will be more cord in my future. It is lush!

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  7. How funny! What a happy accident! This really does look great with all these tops!

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  8. It's a great skirt - and to be so versatile in your wardrobe is an absolute bonus. Happy indeed!

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    1. Thanks, Jacq! I really like this pattern. I'm thinking I ought to try the other view for half-circle and circle skirt one of these days too!

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  9. Love the catwalk - what a great collection! And your shoes, I'm so jealous of your shoes....

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    1. Hehehe, catwalk. As if! Same old awkward poses as always, LOL! I loves my shoesies . . .

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  10. Happy accident indeed! Looks like you got yourself a classy staple that goes with a bunch of stuff in your closet. I especially like it with your Betty sweater, and I can't believe you've never worn it! You need to make yourself more high-waisted skirts, friend!

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    1. It was quite a surprise when I realized how much this color goes with! You can't tell from these photos, but there is a strand in the yoke colorwork that's very close to the color of the skirt - that kind of matching makes me happy!

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  11. This totally happened to me with a dusky purple corduroy skirt a few years ago! I thought I could wear it with a couple neutral tops only, but as soon as it was made I discovered it matched nearly everything in my closet! Your skirt is lovely and really does go well with all of those tops. It's a winner!

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    1. Such a great surprise when that happens, isn't it?!

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  12. Wow, I love the skirt with the little blue sweater. I hope you will wear the sweater a LOT now!!

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    1. Thanks, Rhonda! I think another reason I didn't wear the sweater is that although it's basically sleeveless, it's wool, so it's tricky, temperature-wise. But now that I'm a lady of a certain age, I don't need to stay as warm ;-)

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  13. This is so inspiring! It just goes to show that it is a good idea to follow your instinct and buy the colour that sings to you :)
    And as the others have already said - the shoes, the shoes! :)

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    1. Thank you, Roo! I'm also fully on board the solid-color train now, LOL! Solid colors go with SO MUCH!

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  14. I love the last look! And you've got such great taste in shoes. I may have asked already, but have you heard of Fluevogs? They have a shop in Chicago and have such unique shoes! Pricey, but excellent quality.

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    1. Thanks, Pam! You're not the first person who has recommended Fluevogs to me! I do like some of their styles, but some of the funky-heeled ones I don't care for. I knew there's a shop here - I've been doing my best to avoid it!!

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  15. love how this skirt came out, and yay for finding loads of stuff to wear with it! and seriously, you have the best shoes ever...

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  16. Came across your blog searching the frye oxfords. Do you have recommendations on size? Reviews are saying to size down 1/2 size??

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    1. Hi Brandi: I got 8.5, which is the size I always take in Frye. They fit me just right, but my feet are on the larger end of 8.5 - in other brands I sometimes take a 9.

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  17. Commented twice sorry! I'm on my phone and just noticed. Thanks lady

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