Velvet leggings and mismatched greys

With this morning's rain I wanted a cozy outfit, so I wore my new Gap velvet leggings with a long silk/cotton tunic shirt. They're woven, soft but structured, comfortable, and flattering.

The problem: these leggings are "soft black" but in daylight they look like a faded chocolate brown. Once I got outside I realized that the black shirt clashed horribly with the warm grey leggings. I have one grey silk shirt that's the same color as the leggings, but otherwise, I'm just not sure any of my black clothing will really work.

Question: should I go back and duplicate them in the solid black? They're half price today... I think the grey has more visual texture; the solid black is a little too much like a black hole. But the mismatched color is a real problem.

A few older photos too. I've tried to lighten everything so color and texture are more visible.

Photos 1-3: Today's outfit. #3 is in natural light, unedited, to show the color difference at its worst. Gap leggings, thrift store Pure DKNY shirt, Madewell boots.

4: Everlane short-sleeve merino sweater. It is so me. Worn with my R13 crossover jeans and Allsaints boots.

5: Juuust barely flattering enough? The Marc Jacobs main line silk pants, remarkably found at Crossroads, are great. But here I'm wearing them with my combat boots. What do you think? (My feet were sore, so these boots won out over my sleek pointed-toe ankle boots.)

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9 Comments

  • Angie replied 7 years ago

    The new velvet leggings look GREAT. 

    Love the bootie and pant pairing in #5 too. 

  • Aida replied 7 years ago

    I like how the velvet leggings look with the black. If they look mostly as #3 shows it just looks like a black-brown pairing, which I'm fond of but I know it's not everyone's cuppa. As you said it's a little richer looking than black would be. I even think you could toss some lighter gray in there for a more maximal neutrals mix (along the lines of these two posts of Angie's 1 | 2). Combat boots are fun in #5 ^^

  • Suz replied 7 years ago

    Well I think the leggings look fantastic on you. I would definitely duplicate in black if they are comfortable. I don't mind the black/ brownish mix myself, but if it bothers you then maybe add some more lighter grey/ taupe to the outfit. 

  • Jaime replied 7 years ago

    I like the velvet leggings! Somehow velvet leggings have more presence as bottoms than plain black ones. Like Aida the combination even when they look brown doesn't bother me, but I do like the idea of true black velvet leggings. I also like the MJ bottoms with those boots, plenty flattering enough.

  • catgirl replied 7 years ago

    The reviews said they ran brownish. I think they look good that way! Looks like a perfect fit. I am hoping to wear my blue ones this week.

  • Joy replied 7 years ago

    How about duplicating in blue to wear with your black? Like the others I don't mind the colors together in #3.

  • Style Fan replied 7 years ago

    I like the velvet leggings.  I wear black and brown together all the time.  I like that combination. 

  • replied 7 years ago

    I like the velvet leggings too. The texture is lovely and the colour combo in #1 doesn't bother me at all. Love the unusual proportions in #5 as well.

  • replied 7 years ago

    I love these leggings on you.  You look amazing.  If you decide to duplicate in black, you should be able to find them at 50 percent off.  My Gap store is running a sale.  I am not sure if you have to visit their actual store though.  

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