Two WIWs: preppy goth, artsy goth

Ok, not goth - but perhaps goth-influenced.

I found a wonderful cotton cable sweater at Mango and I've been wearing it all the time the past few weeks. Here's a look from a few days ago - I was feeling preppy so I paired it with a button-down and tall boots. Today I'm wearing the same sweater with slouchy jeans, wool socks, and heels, but I don't have a photo yet.

And then yesterday's outfit, a bit dressier, to meet with collaborators on campus. The sun makes it hard to see, but once I added a short-sleeve merino cardigan (not shown) and the jacket, it pulled in the waist of the sheer tunic nicely. This was a very standard look for me last year, but one I've been wearing less recently. J Crew Collection wool minnie pants, Fluevog oxfords, Vince silk tunic, Helmut Lang jacket. I love this jacket - warm cozy wool, perfect to throw over most of my outfits, and necessary in this week's freak cold snap.

I've been alternating between no makeup and subtle makeup recently. Can't decide which I prefer, but I'm happy that finally I've learned how to do subtle, natural makeup that enhances my face. These photos are both no-makeup, and I think my lips could use a bit of color.

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24 Comments

  • AnnieMouse replied 10 years ago

    yay for grown up goths! I love the second look so much, and those boots in the first pic are TDF.

  • rachylou replied 10 years ago

    What a great sweater and tunic and oxfords!

    You're reminding me of super cool Tilda Swinton.

  • replied 10 years ago

    Love both of these looks a lot!

  • rae replied 10 years ago

    Ooh, especially love #2. You are lucky you can to volume on volume so well. I'm digging the goth influence around here lately.

  • Greyscale replied 10 years ago

    Thanks so much, everyone. And AnnieMouse, I'm glad you like the boots - I was concerned they were too big around the top. I guess they work fine with jeans.

    Sorry I haven't commented on many people's posts recently - I just started a new job and don't have as much down time. And of course my colleague came by just as I had my WIW photos up on my monitor today. Embarrassing! He was joking about it but entirely good-naturedly.

  • E replied 10 years ago

    Love them both, but that sweater is extra fabulous! I almost always wear subtle make up: it takes about 2 minutes to apply everything, if that. My key ingredients are eyebrow gel/pencil (I hate taking mascara off at night and thus don't wear it except on very special occasions so heavier brows frame my eyes), blush, and those Revlon lip butters! Other than that just a simple powder foundation depending on my mood/what my skin's up to, and I'm done.

    I really should try the J Crew wool Minnies on, because I always love them on other people. But that would require me to go to the mall since J Crew doesn't do free shipping, and I'm not a fan of malls. Especially at this time of the year. :o ETA I just called to find out the rise measurement & it's too low for me. Darn my long rise & torso! lol

  • Greyscale replied 10 years ago

    I found mine at a consignment store! They are fabulously cozy. The jeans and the gray button-down are consignment too. But I can tell I'm shifting away from used clothes, because everything else in the outfits was bought new (usually on clearance) - such a change for me.

  • gryffin replied 10 years ago

    Elegant, edgy, powerful.  Love it all!  Really like the cable knit sweater - not sure why but it makes me think of period quilted fencing jackets, which I adore.  Love the HL jacket and you look wonderful in that long tunic!!  Seriously crushing on your outfits!  PS you hair and skin are so lovely, I don't really see the need for makeup and your glasses provide the perfect counterpoint.

  • Ariadne replied 10 years ago

    I seriously adore your style and I'm so glad to have you on the forum!  I'm getting tons of inspiration from your posts.  That HL jacket is incredible.  And have I mentioned how much I love your gorgeous hair?  It's somehow simultaneously ultra-edgy and ultra-romantic.

  • Suz replied 10 years ago

    Gryffin's right - with your glasses, you don't need makeup (unless you want it). They bring a bit of dark up to your face which integrates the darks of the clothing. 

    Love both these outfits. That sweater looks amazing - what is the fabrication? It has a really nifty cut. And I love the second outfit as well. That jacket is amazing. And you're making me want to try the Minnies. 

  • Caro in Oz replied 10 years ago

    Loving #2 you look amazing. I love cotton knits too - no itches.

  • ironkurtin replied 10 years ago

    I started wearing a subtle smoky eye and it's been great IMO.  Basically you rub a bit of eyeliner pencil on your eyelid from lashes to crease for a tinge of color, then line the eye as usual.  I wear glasses as well and this does emphasize my eyes a bit without screaming YO I AM WEARING MAKEUP!

    One question: Aren't your ankles cold without socks?

  • Greyscale replied 10 years ago

    A subtle smoky eye look is definitely something I want to learn. I should play around with it. And yeah, I guess the glasses hide whatever eye makeup I do wear, so I shouldn't be so afraid to try a little more.

    I run pretty hot so my ankles aren't usually cold. Though today was actually in the 30s during the daytime - I don't think I've EVER experienced that in San Francisco before - so I made sure to wear warm socks today.

    Suz, the sweater is cotton - it's this one. I hadn't shopped at Mango before but I saw it on pinterest and it was perfect. It's sold out though.
    http://shop.mango.com/US/p0/ma.....=prendas.c

    Gryffin - you're totally right about the fencing jacket! I hadn't thought of that. I think part of it is the way the hem curves down a bit in the middle.

    I am so delighted by all your really generous comments about my outfits. I'm excited to have a new job where I can dress more creatively.

  • CocoLion replied 10 years ago

    Love them both.  As always your stellar sense of style -- and the attention you pay to texture and proportion -- are on display.  I believe I have the same Vince silk tunic/blouse/dress -- I've worn it to the opera a few times (legging jeans, booties, moto, everything black with a statement necklace), would wear it more often if I didn't live in the mountains.  

  • Makrame replied 10 years ago

    You look great!  I like the layering in #1 (what a fun sweater!), and the second outfit is outstanding!

  • Debra replied 10 years ago

    You look fantastic, I love the tunic and jacket, great look and the knit is lovely. Very cool and edgy :)

  • Neel replied 10 years ago

    Love your sweater the most! And the shoes in pic 3! Great outfits!

  • rebekahphoto replied 10 years ago

    I love these combinations! I have a weakness for fluevogs, boots and the HL jacket is to die for, such a great, interesting cut.

    Your glasses are such a nice shape, and you have such lovely skin I think the make-up no makeup i fine either way, I guess if if you feel like it putting in on
    Since experiencing lovely hot flashes, i have pretty much stopped wearing base, & enjoy no makeup in the summer, except maybe eyeliner & gloss

  • catgirl replied 10 years ago

    These are both inspirational to me, but the second look is especially stealing my heart because of the HL style and layers.

  • Lisa replied 10 years ago

    Both are lovely outfits, I like the textures you have here with this darker palette.

  • donnat replied 10 years ago

    Love love love. You really have a great sense of style.

  • annagybe replied 10 years ago

    I wishing that the shirt was a bit longer in #1.
    #3 is great.

  • Jeanie replied 10 years ago

    Just loving your style.  That sweater is the coolest!

  • Greyscale replied 10 years ago

    Annagybe, good point about the shirt length - I hadn't noticed that but I think you're right. I have a much longer gray shirt, almost tunic length - I wonder if it would work in this outfit and look a little edgier, or if the proportions are off. Definitely something I'll keep in mind next time I'm doing a simliar outfit.

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