October is a bit depressing. Not quite as depressing as November, but depressing enough to make me want to curl up on the sofa and shut the world out, at least for a moment. It’s getting painfully clear that the wonderful, sunny but crisp autumn days are coming to and end. The days are getting shorter, at an ever-increasing pace, and the sun seems to be playing hide and seek even on good days. Rain and storms dominate the weather forecasts. What are you supposed to wear?
I have a very utilitarian approach to changing seasons. If I have to leave home in the middle of the night (well, it feels like that, leaving before sunrise), then walk through rain and wind to the bus stop, I will be wearing something that keeps me warm and dry. And the rain is going to turn my hair into a frizzy mess anyway, so why bother with blowdrying? Late autumn is a survival course, not a catwalk show. Accept that, and move on to more important things, that’s the idea. There’s always another spring, just a few months away, might as well start planning for my spring wardrobe. Or at least dreaming about it…
However, accepting that this time of year is challenging as far as style is concerned doesn’t mean wearing all black or depressing, muddy colours. Bad weather (combined with bad hair) is depressing enough; add boring and stark fashion and we’d get borderline suicidal.
Yet, I understand the allure of darker colours in late autumn. They feel safe, reassuring, fitting in with the overall darker mood. And some people look fabulous wearing darker colours, even black. But I’m not one of them.
The thing is, most dark colours are a bit… somber. At least on someone like me: very pale skin, very light eyes of indeterminate colour, and mousy brown hair. My own colouring seems to scream for bright pinks and blues and reds, but somehow these colours seem a bit too much right now.
My solution is to go for a bit darker, more muted versions of ‘my colours’: plum, aubergine or purple instead of pink, and grey or navy instead of blue. The overall impression is darker, without being somber, yet still in harmony with my own colouring and the darker autumn mood.
Outfit details:
down jacket: Beaumont (old) / top: Gant / jeans: Next (old) /
scarf: Marja Kurki /shoes: Ara / bag: Chanel
What are your ‘autumn colours’?
Tiina
Linking up with:
Not Dead Yet Style, Elegantly Dressed and Stylish, Garay Treasures, High Latitude Style, The Pleated Poppy, Style Elixir, A Labour of Life, Doused in Pink, Curly Crafty Mom, Fashion Should Be Fun, Rachel the Hat, Sincerely Jenna Marie, More Pieces of Me, Color and Grace, The Wardrobe Stylist, Not Dressed As Lamb, Style Nudge, Coco et La Vie en Rose, Living on Cloud Nine, A Well Styled Life, Elegance and Mommyhood. Posh Classy Mom, Nancy’s Fashion Style, Shelbee on the Edge Over 50 Feeling 40 A Pocketful of Polka Dots Style Splash, The Fashionista Momma, Tina’s Pink Friday, Fake Fabulous. Lazy daisy Jones, Vanity and Me, Sheela Writes, Jodie’s Touch of Style, Glass of Glam
I love these rosy colours on you. We have been wonderfully lucky this year…we are still in summer! AMAZING! In the west of Canada they have already had a snow storm but out here it is hitting 26C daily. I'd love it if winter just forgot to show up this year. Suzanne
Thanks, Suzanne. Oh, I envy your weather! And I'm not too keen on hot weather, just fed up with rain…
I hate this season! What is there to like about lightning candles and all that! I want to sit outside at night and wat my dinner outside and enjoy the sun! Haha, happy weekend!
Oh, I love autumn! The warm, sunny autumn (that was September…), not this rainy, cold autumn. And I agree: I've never understood the whole lighting candles / getting cosy in front of the fireplace thing. For starters, candles are a fire hazard…
Your hair isn't mousy brown! It has the colour of antique oak (http://www.antiques-atlas.com/antique/oak_candle_box_18th_century/as493a003) – an interesting, deep brown colour! Anyway, you've found some really gorgeous colours, and I may have to try and copy parts of this outfit. I already have a slightly shorter version of your jacket in almost the same colour but miss that perfect scarf of your. Thank you for sharing Tina!
Oh, you're so sweet!This jacket is fantastic. I absolutely love, and I wear it all the time. It's warm, goes with anything, and travels well (= weighs nothing and fits into a small trolley without a problem).
I absolutely love the fall–October hosting the most amazing colors here in Colorado! Guess it's from being born and raised in Southern California where folks mow the lawn year round. All that said, I love your color pairings–and your wonderful curly hair š
I know what you mean, the lovely autumn colours! And I love autumn, too. Early autumn, that is. And in Finland that would be September. Now we're getting the late autumn rain and storms, and the temperature dipped below double digits…And thank you for your lovely comment about my hair. I'm still trying hard to get along with my curls, at the tender age of 52, and at best it's a love-hate relationship…
Love these plum tones on you, Tiina. It's still steamy hot here and will be till mid-November. I am coveting your sweater and scarf! xox-Pattihttp://notdeadyetstyle.com
Thanks, Patti. I would love some steamy hot summery weather right now, getting a bit tired of constant rain here…
lovely color combo, those aubergine-plum colors look fab and you look really comfy&cool wearing them!. I think that wearing a colorful scarf, as you do, could make a difference!I agree with you totally, we don't need to dive into a sea of black clothes!besos
Oh yes, I find that wearing colour is never more important than this time of the year when days are getting shorter and everything is grey and grim.
I know exactly how you feel. I dread November once the clocks have gone back. Bring out the colour to help cheer the mood I say and I love these colours on you. I try to avoid black in winter like the plague or if I do wear it, pair it with a vibrant colour.I hope you're fully recovered now.https://petitesilvervixen.blogspot.co.uk/
I forgot about the clocks! Not that it makes much difference; it's still going to be dark when I leave home in the morning. Sometimes I wish I could just hibernate till March…
That jacket is such a beautiful color!
Thanks, Jamie! I fell in love with the colour and just had to get the jacket.