Ask Belle: Winter White Outfit Ideas
Oct 18, 2012
Hi Belle!
Love your blog and tell my friends about it whenever I can. I am in possession of a winter white/ivory/cream wool blend knee length pencil skirt from J.Crew circa 2005/06. I love it but year after year, it hangs in my closet and rarely gets worn. Frankly, it is because what I usually pair it with is a boring all black ensemble that consists of a sweater/top, tights and either heels or boots. Do you have any ideas on ways I could spice it up and let it see the light of day more than once a season?
Thanks so much! TR
Black and winter white is an easy and chic combination, so it’s no wonder you went that direction. But there are a few other combinations you can try, let’s take a look at two of them.
Skirt: Tibi Jacquard Skirt ($390)
From the Left, Sunglasses: Cole Haan Square Frames ($78) Belt: Mango Obi Belt ($45) Bag: Dooney Dome Satchel ($299) Shoe: Stuart Weitzman Daisy Pump ($199) Necklace: Carved Collar Necklace ($42) Shirt: Steven Alan Leopard Blouse ($101)
From the Right, Bracelet: Kenneth Jay Lane Python Cuff ($65) Tights: Falke Tights ($48) Bag: Tory Burch Medium Satchel ($525) Sweater: DKNY Azurite Pullover ($270) Boots: Jefe Stretch Suede Boot ($499) Sweater: DKNY Azurite Cardigan ($270)
These two looks are fairly straight forward. On the left, a brown combination with leopard a punch of orange. On the right, a vibrant teal sweater combination with grey accessories. No black in sight.
Leopard isn’t for everyone, it takes a special kind of woman to wear it without looking cheap. Styling, confidence and grace are the keys to wearing leopard. This blouse is sold out in most sizes, if you’re looking for something similar try this one. If you’d prefer to lose the brown and try snow leopard with black or grey shoes, this Joie blouse has you covered.
The layered sweater look above works best with drape cardigans and with cardigans of the same color, from the same brand. For those of you in very professional offices, it’s a good alternative to a blazer for more casual work days. For those of you who lead more casual lives, it’s a great way to dress up a basic trouser or pencil. If two sweaters isn’t for you, you could easily replace the cowl neck with a teal bow blouse.
Looking for a pair of grey boots, but don’t want to pay $500? Also has a lighter pair that look pretty good to me for just $180.
You can pair winter white with navy, grey, camel, chocolate, burgundy, teal or any jewel tone. Wearing winter white is a great way to lighten up your cold weather wardrobe.
Alternative to that leopard top, that I just bought, from Banana Republic: https://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=5043&vid=1&pid=427161&scid=427161022. Leopard has become one of my new favorite items.
Love these ideas! I think I have that same J.Crew winter white skirt, and aside from wearing it with a camel turtleneck, it doesn't get out much.
BTW, that DKNY cozy is $195 on the Bloomingdale's website. Still more than I want to spend, but it is a beautiful color….
I was just lusting after that Joie blouse when I came across a very respectable (and $22) alternative at Target. It's a collar-less Merona that I cannot find on the website but is well worth swinging by a brick and mortar for. It would also pair beautifully with that outfit (which i really think is incredibly chic, Belle).
Great outfits!
How closely do gray tights have to match gray boots? I really want to get some tall gray boots, but I worry about finding tights that match, and I know I won't wear them without tights…
I think I have the same JCrew skirt! I have restyled it this year with this cardigan and am loving it.
https://www.talbots.com/online/browse/product_details.jsp?id=prdi29497&rootCategory=cat70008&catId=cat110042&sortKey=Default§ion=Regular&conceptIdUnderSale=cat70008
Absolutely love both outftis! The epitomy of classy and chic. Thank you!