Sunday, 11 January 2015

I can do pastels!

pastel colors over 40

I have avoided pastels my entire life...

Not because I didn't like them, but because I always thought they would make me look pale and sickly or make me blend into the wall. And they're sort of cute, too, and I don't do cute.

winter coat
coat: Marks and Spencer / bag: Chanel / sunglasses: Tiffany & Co (old)

But then I saw this coat... 

and I needed to try it on. So, I ordered it online and had it delivered to my local Marks and Spencer near Homebase 2, picked it up and... It was one of those things that could go either horribly wrong or be spot on.

I was a bit uncertain at first: I've never had a coat in such a pale shade before. Or anything so... pastelly. Thus, the coat hung unworn in my wardrobe for a couple of days while I was making up my mind whether to keep it or not.

Brooch : Viaminnet
I finally decided to have some photos taken to see (more objectively) how it looked on me. And I thought it needed some accessories to come alive: something to toughen it up a bit, make it less pastelly sweet. And to avoid the dreaded sickly-pale-blend-into-the-wall effect, I reverted to the same strategy I use whenever I have to wear black: put some colour between my face and the coat...

over 40 blogger

You know what? I really, really like the colour... Strange, isn't it?

But I'm actually glad I do like it as I've been looking for a lightweight, sort-of-winterish coat for my British wardrobe.

Yes, I've finally decided to stop carrying bulky coats between the homebases. And winter weather is so different in Finland from what it is in Britain (dry and very cold versus humid and sort-of-cold, respectively) that I really need to have outerwear appropriate for each climate.

At least my suitcase will be a bit lighter in the future...

What do you think? Not too cute?

Tiina
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PS: Dilettante Artist has her own blog now, The Dilettante Artist's Gallery,  where I will be posting (very infrequently) random pictures: illustration, photomanipulation, that sort of thing. And there is a pretty, new widget on the sidebar to take you there...

Linking up with Visible Monday and Style Sessions

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16 comments

  1. It's a gorgeous coat, very beautiful color, and you styled it to perfection! I just love it! And I It was a great decision to purchase it and to keep two separate winter wardrobes for two such different climates. Just fabulous, Tiina - bravo!

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    1. Thanks, Natalia. My minimalist super ego always makes me feel so guilty for accumulating "too much stuff" that I find it very difficult to justify getting a new coat if I already have one...

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  2. I love, love, love the combination of that light blue with the magenta in your scarf and flower! It's unexpected, but absolutely perfect. Actually, I think light blue goes with just about any color, so you should have no trouble styling this coat to suit you.

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    1. Thanks, Val. This is a new colour for me, but I should look at is as a challenge...

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  3. Oh, this color combination is a winner! Love, love, love! This post reminds me that I have a few Camellia brooches from Chanel (yup, I was crazy for them once) somewhere.. should start using them or sell them. I can't do pastel too well, I will disappear in some pastel shade. Yellow skin tone is just not pastel friendly I guess..

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    1. Thanks, i really like these colours, too, but the blue took some getting used to. You should definitely start wearing your brooches again. Sometimes you just get tired of a piece, stop wearing it for a long time, and when the time is right, you rediscover it and are happy kept it. This happens to me all the time.

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  4. Beautiful coat and you wear it so well! Thanks for sharing with Visible Monday, and have a wonderful week ahead. xo

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  5. Oh this is pretty pretty! I love the colour combo. Especially with your hair.

    bisous
    Suzanne

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    1. Thanks, Suzanne! Sometimes we need something pretty, right?

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  6. I too agree that you can wear this paler colour but I do think it needs the jewel tones next to your face to lift the colour.Clever idea leaving this one in London, no more heavy suitcase.Enjoy your week.

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    1. Thanks, Jill. yes, with a pale face like mine, pale colours can be draining, but adding a stronger colour to the mix saves the day.

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  7. I am not a huge fan of pastels either but I am surely facing my fears. You look great. http://fashionablyidu.blogspot.com/

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    1. Thanks! I guess it's good to try something new... I'm not very good at that, but I sometimes have these weird fashion crushes and end up experimenting with something I've always "hated".

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  8. I know you'll enjoy the rest of your rigorous winter in this very fine coat! So good as a canvas for all your color styling skills. Excellent on you ... how pretty you look.

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    1. Thanks, Jan! Yes, it's a great coat for warmer winter days, and the type of coat I've always wanted: a pretty one that adds some colour and fun to my very utilitarian wardrobe.

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