September 8, 2010

Outfit Of The Day (Falling Flat On My Face For Fall)

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First things first- this outfit was snapped and worn earlier last week, well before Labor Day and all of the "no white past Labor Day" rules.  Those rules are neither here nor there to me, as are most "fashion rules" (eh?), but you know.  Occasionally these things probably need to be pointed out, as you all likely aren't mind-readers and I always feel slightly sorry for anyone that randomly stumbles upon this blog and wonders what in the heck it is that I think I'm doing.  Oh, hello!

Speaking of rules, I did quite a bit of shopping this past weekend with the Labor Day sales, and started to map out exactly what I need to add to my closet for fall.  There were the usual suspects, of course: the heavier cardigans and skinny jeans and boots.  Easy peasy, done and done.

But then there are the TRENDS, being that of which are: velvet (yeesh), red (uh oh, oh no), embellishments (yes!), animal prints (yes yes!), camel (yes, yes, yes!), longer skirts that hit well below the knee (aaaand back to no), and the one that is giving me the absolute worst nightmare of a problem:

Over The Knee Boots.

They're back again this year, much to my chagrin, and I've already spent several hours hunting high and low for the perfect pair.  No matter how hard I try though readers, I just can't find the perfect pair to pull off.  I'm short, my inseam is ridiculously short (29 - 30"), and while my legs are muscular they are still  fairly thin compared to most others due to my shortness and proportions.  This trend just isn't working for me.

And don't get me wrong- over-the-knee boots, much like velvet and the color red and long skirts, can look great on certain people...but I think one of the best rules to follow with fashion is to know when a trend doesn't work for you and then to leave that trend the hell alone.  Easy enough, I think.

This trend is a big one on my list  simply because I just can't get it to work no matter how hard I try, and oh how I've tried. Much like velvet (because like corduroy, it only brings up bad feelings from Middle School), the color red (because it makes me look like a human tomahto), long skirts (see that vertically challenged thing again); any over-the-knee boots I try on make me look like I'm one camouflage vest and bucket hat away from THE fly-fishing trip of a lifetime. 

And what did we learn from my post yesterday?  I write the world's longest blog posts Errr, nothing good ever comes of bucket hats.

(Of course if any short person out there the same size as me has a recommendation for boots to try, I'd be happy to hear. But as of right now I want the 98.4 hours I've already spent looking of my life BACK.  PLEASE.)

That's my lament for today, but back to my outfit and occasionally breaking rules.  It's a bit passe to be  so matchy-matchy, but it makes me happy.  It's the Libra/identical twin in me- things have to be balanced or I feel all out of sorts and off-kilter, and no one wants an out-of-sorts or off-kilter Chloe.

Happy outfit:

Cardigan: Ann Taylor LOFT Woven Bow Cardigan (similar style here) (and here in "pumpkin spice")
Top: Anthropologie Floreat Top (similar style here) (would also be pretty) (similar color)
Shorts: Urban Outfitters (similar style here, on sale!)
Belt: J Crew (buy it here)
Shoes: Miss Sixty Rachel Pumps (similar style here) (and peep-toes here)
Pin: Etsy (buy it here)
Bag: Marc Jacobs Kristina Crossbody (similar style here) (and here, on sale)




What trends are on your list to try this fall?




Posted by Chloe
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30 comments:

  1. I feel the same way (sadly) about over-the-knee boots. I'm way to short to pull off the trend, even though I die when I see it on certain other girls. But the best thing is to know what trends to try and which to stay clear away from ;)
    I'm currently loving anything with lace. Little jackets with skinny jeans are a must! BTW Chloe, I am thinking of trying Banana Republic's skinny jeans in the petite sizes. Do they actually carry those in store, or is it only online? Thanks ♥
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  2. Hm! I ordered my BR skinnies online, so I haven't actually searched for them in stores. Hopefully someone else reading this might know the answer!
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  3. Love your express in the last photo. Wear white whenever you want. The perfect pair of boots is out there. You just have to wait! I hate waiting. x

    www.FashionSnag.com
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  4. I look goofy in OTK boots, too, so we will be untrendy together.

    I love you in this cardigan, though - I look goofy in that color (but I look good in red!). I guess there's always a fair tradeoff in the end!
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  5. I have the same, same problems being a shorty. Over the knee boots come closer to crotch boots when you're just over five feet tall.

    I also have the added problem of having extremely musuclar calves that do not like being put into boots.

    At least you know you aren't alone in your boot struggle! :)

    Lorraine
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  6. For Fall I want to delve into animal print(easy) and OTK boots, but that will be 5x harder for me with my 28inch inseam legs : ( You can pull it off, I'm sure of it. Just wait for the right pair to come along....
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  7. I think that's the best fashion rule I've ever heard :) I'm excited about camel, lace, and yes, red and over-the-knee boots. Having a long inseam (35") and muscular legs, I will be staying the h-e-l-l away from the knee sock trend!

    Love the outfit, as always :)
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  8. Honestly, I have not seen anyone look good in over-the-knee boots. I don't think it's a trend that should continue.

    But, I think they should make boots in petite sizes like they do with clothes. I don't understand why they don't. I have a problem with boots that should go below the knee coming up too high. I don't know how many times I had to send back brown boots before I got the right pair.
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  9. I think you could pull it off! I'm still debating whether I can or not. I just blogged the first pair I tried on last night (I think we are of the similar proportions).

    You can see it here if you want: http://curls-and-pearls.blogspot.com/2010/09/otk-boots-to-keep-or-not-to-keep.html

    still undecided if I'm keeping them.
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  11. I'm 5'8, but have to buy all of my pants in the petites thanks to my 29" inseam, and all of my tops in tall. And because I have the shortest legs imaginable for a person my height, I cannot pull off the over-the-knee boots either. I look like some sort of midget pirate standing thigh-deep in something.
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  12. deleted (above)due to typo.

    I hear you, over-the-knee boots don't look good on me either (i'm 5'2"). But I also don't fall much for this trend, IMO they make us petites look even shorter.
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  13. http://www.victoriassecret.com/ss/Satellite?ProductID=1265294364880&c=Page&cid=1265295714585&pagename=vsdWrapper

    Shorter people...like me too..cannot get away with over the knee boots. However, a good pair of knee high boots will do the trick for us. The problems is that most of us small girls do not get the right boots and even those look dumb on us. Our calves are usually smaller and when we wear these boots there should be NO HUGE SPACE between the boot and our leg at the top...like a farmer. I had AWESOME luck with these boots I linked above. They are stretchy, fit right up to the knee, and are comfy!
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  14. I looooove this outfit! I never would have thought to pair my Wavelet Blouse with that color cardigan, and now I can't wait to! Thanks for the inspiration!
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  15. Lovely pumpkin/red pairing! Who would have thought it would look so good together?

    I am determined to wear Minnie pants this fall, even though I swore never to wear skinny pants again. :)
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  16. The color combination is gorgeous! Your styling is always so impressive.

    <3, natasha
    http://poshxoxo.blogspot.com
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  17. I work at BR. Select stores carry petites and if they do, they should definitely have the denim skinnies. Also, love the orange and grey. I have an orange cardigan I've been thinking about getting rid of because I can't think of anything creative to wear with it. Maybe this will provide some inspiration.
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  18. I am short too, and have been on the same hunt. I am going to try the BR Hero OTK boots. I emailed CS, and they said that the shaft height on the 5.5 is 18" (seems rather short for an OTK boot, but I will give it a try). I also may stick a small lift in the boot to elevate me a bit. I am also going to try them with a similar color pant (i.e. black boot over black legging or denim) for a more streamlined effect. I'll let you know how it goes.

    The other option is to have the boots "shortened." You need to find a really good shoe place, but some places can shorten a boot shaft.
    ReplyDelete
  19. love love love the new couch. I am 5'10 and I don't know if I can pull off over the knee boots...just not sure where I would wear them?

    I have to say though my goal this year is to buy regular boots...period! I don't own any except for UGGS! I need serious help. Just a black pair with a thicker heel (not a stiletto) that are super versatile (wear to work, casually, can be dressed up). I just have no vision or style sense when it comes to boots :(
    ReplyDelete
  20. I think OTK boots are a trend for those only of a very limited height, as at 5'8" with a 35" inseam most OTK boots hit me at mid-knee if I'm lucky, which looks very odd. I finally did find a pair but I think I tried on about 75 other pairs first. :p
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  21. OTK boots aren't for me either. And I love that anthro top and am so sad I missed out on it. I need to find it on ebay. Love how you've worn it here!
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  22. Hi Chloe, very funny post. I wish you could hear me laugh here. In terms of over the knee boots, I actually bought a pair of Via Spiga boots last year that works both ways (OTK or fold over). I have never tried wearing it OTK. I will take it as a challenge and see if I can pull it off. Those boots were notorious for being way too skinny and short for "normal" people, so it works great for short people like me. Stay tuned.
    ReplyDelete
  23. Over the knee boots are gonna be a challenge for me as well. I have longer legs than you lady (31 inch inseam) but I am afraid that they are not gonna look good on me. But I am gonna try them, just to see how they look.
    Oh and I am not sure if you have tried the skinny black pants at Gap, totally recommended.
    ReplyDelete
  24. Over the knee boots would make me look like a hooker! I'm so tall I'd have no idea how to wear them tastefully without looking like a giant ho! Pass on that trend for me.

    I'm dying to try J. Crew's Velvet Ruby Jacket, and Anthro's Best of the Bunch Cardigan and Cream Confection Jacket. That's pretty specific huh? If I can find a copycat soft velvet jacket I'll try that since I doubt I'd be able to wear that jacket more than a season or two before it goes out of style. Doubt I'll find good copies of the Anthro jackets...
    ReplyDelete
  25. Beautiful outfit as usual, and lovely autumnal colours! I wouldn't worry about over-the-knee boots so much...riding boots are my absolute favourite for autumn and I think they're so classic and chic! <3
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  26. Over the knee boots are a huge don't for my 5-foot, 2-inch self as well. I do wear boots to my knee. I don't really care if that's a trend or not. I just like the way they look.

    I can rock longer skirts for some reason. I have a long torso, so maybe that's it.

    And I love me some red. I always wear red.

    Skinny jeans have always been tough for me. My body is too bootylicious for them. Or, I just try on the wrong types.

    I'm currently prego, so all of these things are kind of moot for me at the momento. Can't wait for my due date of Nov. 8 to meet my little guy - and buy some new threads. If that's wrong, I don't want to be right.

    Love your shoes!
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  27. You look cute, love this outfit! I am still wearing my white jeans way past Labor Day I am just gonna winter them up a little if that is even a saying:) I am on the hunt for anything animal print, lace and looking for the perfect pair of buttery leather tan boots!!!

    http://www.afashionfixation.blogspot.com
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  28. OTK boots = love for me, ha.

    I have a pair of flat gray OTK boots from last year, loving having those around.

    This year I've picked up a pair of heeled black suede OTK boots.

    I consider myself a shortie (5'4"), and the way I do it is just to have the boots and something simple on top, usually just a tank top. I have to say I've never really considered that they may make me look shorter, but I love them and will rock them anyhow. :)
    ReplyDelete
  29. I love your cardigan, the color is so pretty! I agree on the over the knee boots, but that's probably cause they'd come up to my hips for me with my 5' height lol
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  30. What about making some a la lovemaegan.com?

    http://www.lovemaegan.com/2009/08/leather-over-knee-boot-spats-diy.html

    I think hers look pretty good. Plus then you don't have to spend the money on something that will be out of style shortly!
    ReplyDelete

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♥ About...

Chloe, Colorful Colorado. 5'8" (only) when teetering in her highest 6 inch Miu Miu platform heels. Likes fashion, broccoli, ice cream, clarifying that she does not eat ice cream with her broccoli as to not cause worldwide panic, hoarding beauty products & pretty shoes, tickle fights with her husband (he would like to clarify that he does not like them back, OKAY?), anything covered in sprinkles, any alcoholic beverage made with Tang, live music, clicking the camera, sarcasm fonts, vases stuffed full of pretty flowers, and laughing hard until her belly hurts. Wants an adventurous life, lots of puppies, to never obtusely wander around with her fly down, and to be an iconic Diane Von Furstenberg wrap dress with a bright, festive print when she grows up. This is where she bravely documents it all. (oh you really want more, do you?)