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.

Ask The Edit, Style

share this post

Leave a Reply to KC Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  1. Chloe says:

    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.

  2. Amy says:

    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….

  3. Ms. C says:

    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).

  4. SC says:

    Great outfits!

  5. KC says:

    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…

  6. TR says:

    Absolutely love both outftis! The epitomy of classy and chic. Thank you!

Join The List

Stay up to date on the latest from Capitol Hill Style!

sUBSCRIBE

Ask Me Anything: March 2024

It’s almost the end of March, so let’s get to some of the reader questions that came in through Instagram last night. Time for Ask Me Anything.

5

READ MORE 

Recent Posts

The Find: A Cute Spring Dress

Need a cute dress for a spring event? Something simple and easy to wear, something you can dress up or down? This is the dress for you.

2

READ MORE 

Beauty Review: Bondi Boost

As I age, I notice many changes in my body. Most are fine. Some are frustrating. Like many women, I lost a lot of hair in my postpartum phase. Being anemic for more than a year after, it didn’t grow back in to its former glory. So I’ve tried any number of shampoos, pills and […]

2

READ MORE 

VIEW ALL POSTS

Ask the Edit, Style, Top Posts | March 28, 2024

Ask Me Anything: March 2024

It’s almost the end of March, so let’s get to some of the reader questions that came in through Instagram last night. Time for Ask Me Anything.

5

READ MORE 

Fantastic Finds, Posts, Style | March 28, 2024

The Find: A Cute Spring Dress

Need a cute dress for a spring event? Something simple and easy to wear, something you can dress up or down? This is the dress for you.

2

READ MORE 

Beauty, Posts | March 27, 2024

Beauty Review: Bondi Boost

As I age, I notice many changes in my body. Most are fine. Some are frustrating. Like many women, I lost a lot of hair in my postpartum phase. Being anemic for more than a year after, it didn’t grow back in to its former glory. So I’ve tried any number of shampoos, pills and […]

2

READ MORE 

Fantastic Finds, Posts, Style | March 27, 2024

The Find: Shirts That Don’t Gape

I remember when Rochelle Behrens launched The Shirt — a button-down blouse with anti-gape technology (a patented internal button that keeps the look smooth). The idea seemed brilliant, but at the time, my bust didn’t require an extra button. One baby later, I understand the need for some extra security.

6

READ MORE 

RECENT POSTS

©2023 CAPITOL HILL STYLE | SITE BY LEIGH THE STUDIO