Reader Wardrobe Challenge

This is a wardrobe orphan in my closet. A very cozy, textured and streamlined black jacket for fall. Please teach me how to wear it with style. I’m blonde, so black can be harsh nearby my face but I like to dress monochromatic if possible, so this is a big challenge.

When I bought it for bargain, I thought nothing is simpler to wear than a black cropped jacket (I have a black denim jacket which I love so much.) But unfortunately that’s not that case. I find it hard to match with denim things as well. I have black jeans, but that’s too much… Perhaps with gray… blue denim, also difficult to match the hue…and shoes, and bag…so would be a big help to show me the way to start.

Wardrobe 911’s How-to Prescription

You are not the only one that has this very problem. A lot of us get tricked into thinking that everything has to match perfectly. As long as a color harmonizes with another (eg they are both blue-based or yellow-based, etc.) , it’s okay to wear – this is much easier to do when you’re dressing in neutrals. The black tweed jacket that you show is similar to one I found at Talbot’s which is featured.

Here I show two outfits, one for work and one for play that work nice with this black handbag by L.A.M.B.

Outfit # 1 – Work

• Dress monochromatically by wearing a neutral that is closer to the color of your hair.  These heathered latte wool pants by JCrew add just the right amount of sophistication for work.  Pair them with a heathered latte turtleneck (also by JCrew to maintain color consistency) for a classic vibe.
• For shoes, keep the color similar to the pants to create the longest leg line possible. It doesn’t have to match exactly – the values (eg. Light and dark) can be different. Here we show a tan pump by Vince Camuto.

Outfit #2 – Weekend

• Dark wash jeans work perfectly with a black jacket. Here we show AG’s Stilt Skinny jean which can be worn with flats or easily tucked into boots.
• A pretty green Michael Stars Shine 3/4 Sleeve Shirred Cowlneck tee will add a nice bit of color near your face.  Or you can do a crisp white shirt, Chanel style.
• Try some black knee-high boots that are a bit wider at the top to balance your hips (if you have them.) These Vina boots by Ralph Lauren do the trick.

Good luck and let us know if these solutions work out for you!

Are you having a wardrobe dilemma? Visit our ER Room and let us know your wardrobe challenge. Each month we’ll select one (or two) to feature.