Neutral November & Your Own Twist Link Up #50
I have transitioned out of Halloween mode from last month’s Your Own Twist into a neutral take on fall fashion.
As much as I adore all of the beautiful tones of rich earthy fall colors as they make their way into our mid-autumn wardrobe rotations, there is something really special about a combination of gorgeous neutrals to stand out against a muted fall background. As the stunning colors of the changing foliage become more drab while the leaves lie too long upon the ground, it is the perfect time to brighten things up with winter white while matching my background with a mix of leopard print and ditsy floral.
Now you may be wondering what exactly constitutes “neutral” in terms of fashion. Maybe you aren’t wondering that all, but I actually was so I went searching for more information on the topic.
Long ago in the world of fashion, neutral colors meant black, white, or shades of gray, but we have come quite a distance from the long ago fashion world. In today’s overwhelming fashion markets, neutral can mean any color that essentially goes with any other color. It can be black or white or shades of gray, but neutrals also include colors ranging from tans and browns to blues as well as olive green and rust tones.
Identifying and pairing together neutral colors isn’t all that challenging. It’s easy enough to create a monochromatic or color blocked outfit in any combination of neutral colors. However, you can spruce up your muted looks with some fun prints that also classify as neutral in today’s sartorial terms.
Prints that I have grown to view as neutral because they essentially go with everything (just like a neutral color) include leopard and other animal prints, stripes, polka dots, camouflage, plaids, and ditsy prints. I also view denim in any color or wash as a neutral so I started this look with a pair of very light washed flared jeans and an ivory/winter white cable knit sweater.
I mentioned in my last Style Imitating Art post that I had to change that outfit into something more appropriate for Christmas shopping. I initially had worn this outfit with the ivory sweater from the SIA outfit. I wore the same boots and jeans with a black floral scarf and a black moto jacket for an afternoon of shopping with my husband. It wasn’t until we had gotten home for the day that I realized the outfit I was wearing was perfect for this particular Your Own Twist challenge. So I set all the pieces aside to re-wear the next day and take photos.
But when I put it on the next day, the scarf and sweater both smelled like the food court cheesesteaks Jeff and I had for lunch while shopping! I couldn’t bear it, so I grabbed a different ivory sweater and went for browns instead of black as my other neutral color.
At first I did a front tuck with my sweater but that technique does not work well with high waisted jeans. So I untucked and added a lace extender for some extra length and interest. I completed the outfit with a fuzzy pompom beret, wood bead earrings, and ivory lug sole boots. And I was feeling perfectly bohemian for fall in this cozy outfit.
About Your Own Twist
Your Own Twist is a monthly link party hosted by Monica of Monica Hayworth (formerly Jersey Girl, Texan Heart) and me on the third Thursday of every month with the goal of inspiring some of our friends to get creative with personal style.
The idea behind this collaboration is to take one common piece or theme and style it our own way with our own twist…Monica and I have both taken a lot of fashion inspiration from one another over the past few years even though we have totally different styles. It is always fun to see how we can interpret similar items in unique ways or what kind of twist we will each bring to the chosen theme.
We will let you know the themes well in advance in the event that you would like to use the theme for your own post and add it to the link party. However, any fashion posts are welcome regardless of whether you used the theme or not. Check out the graphic below which has some of our upcoming style prompts.
We invite you all to join us next month for Evergreen December!
Unfortunately, Monica was unable to join me this month but she will be back for Evergreen December. Do you wear neutrals or are you more into bright colors? Maybe dark and moody is more your jam? Or perhaps jewel tones are your preference? I do like to have options in all the colors and prints. It certainly keeps getting dressed more interesting!
Featured Favorite from We Heart Halloween
Angie of Your True Self Blog
Keeping it on the edge,
Shelbee
Joining these Fabulous Link Parties.
Outfit Details: Jeans, Coat, and Beret-Charlotte Russe / Boots-Shoe Dazzle / Earrings-Cato / Fingerless Gloves-Amazon / Scarf, Sweater, and Lace Extender-Old
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
I am a midlife woman, wife, and stay-at-home mother of 2 boys and 2 cats. I have a passion for helping other women feel fabulous in the midst of this crazy, beautiful life.
38 Comments
Jennifer
You look great in the neutrals!!
Jennifer
Curated by Jennifer
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks, Jennifer! I should wear them more often, I think!
xoxo
Shelbee
Tamar Strauss-Benjamin
Such a perfect fall look!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks, Tamar! Have a lovely weekend, my friend.
xoxo
Shelbee
Anne M Bray
I am so seldom donning deliberate “outfits” these days!
24/7 I’m wearing my “winter uniform” of chartreuse/green wool sweater, black turtleneck and cRaZy leggings that (mostly) don’t match.
I linked a rare occasion where I put in some effort for getting a haircut
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Me, too, Anne! I only get “deliberately” dressed for the style challenges on my blog. Otherwise, I have been living in my fleece lined leggings, my Umphrey’s McGee hoodie, and my Furkensocks! (Yes, I typed that correctly…my sherpa lined Birkenstocks that I wear with socks are now known as my Furkensocks.) And also, what’s a hair cut?! Hahaha. I don’t go for those very often anymore…maybe once every two years!
xoxo
Shelbee
Anne M Bray
Oh, and I love your tromping in the woods look!
🙂
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Hehe, thanks, my friend! There will be no more tromping in the woods for a while now…we just got about 3 feet of snow yesterday!
xoxo
Shelbee
Di
Shelbee the wood nymph! Lovely neutral outfit and autumn 🍁 🍂 in New York scenery! I’m glad the term neutral is being interpreted more and more loosely, lately and with more fleibility. I love a neural outfit as much as I love a colorful one! Enjoy your week and thanks you the inspiration and link up!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Di! I might like to be an actual wood nymph! Except I do prefer indoors over outdoors most of the time so maybe I wouldn’t be very good as a wood nymph. Haha. This beautiful fall background is now buried in about 3 feet of snow so I will have to make the transition from woodsy to wintery now! I hope you have a wonderful weekend, my friend.
xoxo
Shelbee
Michelle
This a wonderful neutral outfit, Shelbee! The ivory is a wonderful color in your with your dark hair. Ha! I had to giggle about your other sweater smelling like the food court. I get it. That would demand a change for me as well.
Michelle
https://funkyfashionstyle.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks, Michelle! I am noticing that I can wear colors now that I stopped dying my hair that used to look awful on me! And I have a super hyper sense of smell so the tiniest stink stuck to my clothes will force an immediate wardrobe change! Hahaha
xoxo
Shelbee
Patrick Weseman
So very perfect for fall. Looking very nice.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Patrick! I hope you have a wonderful weekend, my friend!
xoxo
Shelbee
Joanne
I rarely think of any print as being a neutral but you definitely captured a more monochromatic look and still look nice and comfy in your clothes!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Joanne! I never considered a print as a neutral either until I started blogging and mixing prints! Then I started realizing that some prints lend themselves to combinations with just about any color or other print…making it fit the definition of a neutral! And now I consider many prints as neutrals. I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
xoxo
Shelbee
Jacqui Berry
You always layer so well, well done I lovethe whole look. Jacqui xx
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Jacqui! Living where I live, I have definitely had many opportunities to master my cold weather layers!
xoxo
Shelbee
Marsha Banks
Shelbee, I know you really love colors, but gosh, I think you look simply splendid in this neutral look! It really suits your hair so well! This outfit makes your legs look soooooo long! And, of course, I’m envious of that!! Thanks for the link party!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Marsha! Now that I am letting my gray hair come in, I am noticing that colors that used to look awful on me are looking not all that bad anymore. I find it fascinating how much my complexion has changed in recent years as well. I read that our skin coloring can change around menopause but I didn’t really believe it because it just sounds kind of weird. But now I am living it and my complexion has definitely changed with age! I hope you have a lovely weekend! We are snowed in!
xoxo
Shelbee
Your True Self
Hi, Shelbee – First of all, I want to comment on your post. I usually forget about using stripes, polka dots, camouflage, plaids, and ditsy prints as neutrals. Thanks so much for mentioning that; it’s a great reminder! And I love your boots; they look perfect with this outfit. Makes me want to get some, after looking at them online and thinking how they didn’t seem as if they would go with anything. Lol! Secondly, I want to thank you for choosing my post, “How to Get Inspired by Gothic Style,” as the featured favorite from the We Heart Halloween link up. I really appreciate it! Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving – Angie, http://www.yourtrueselfblog.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Angie! I never viewed prints as neutrals until I started blogging. I remember the first time I combined camouflage with florals and I was completely hooked on print mixing. From there, I started to realize how versatile some prints are, making them more neutral than we would expect. As for the lug sole boots, I was so excited when they started trending again. They are the best footwear for our North Country winters! I think the chunky lug sole boots go with everything from leggings to jeans to dresses and skirts! It was my pleasure to feature your post. Thanks so much for joining the link party!
xoxo
Shelbee
Laura Bambrick
Love your neutral look! It’s different but fun! I really like those boots!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Aw, thanks, Laura! I really appreciate that!
xoxo
Shelbee
Jill
Beautiful neutrals! Your beret and coat are fabulous! Thank you for the linkup!
Jill -0 Doused in Pink
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Jill! I love this silly pompom beret but it is really itchy! It has the tiniest bit of wool content that is enough to drive my forehead crazy! Haha.
xoxo
Shelbee
Amy Johnson
I am so in love with this layered look! I love all the layers of cream and leopard. Thanks for the party.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Amy! I was really happy with this cozy outfit, too!
xoxo
Shelbee
Emma Peach
I love your faux fur coat and cute hat! The chunky boots are fab too – I’m pondering over whether to buy some…they’re in my online basket just waiting!
Emma xxx
http://www.style-splash.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Emma! Lug sole boots are so great for our crazy winters! I like nice sturdy footwear when the ground starts getting icy. I think you should get that pair waiting in your online basket!
xoxo
Shelbee
Mica - Away From The Blue
This is a lovely winter white outfit and a great way to showcase how stylish layering neutrals can be! I can never resist adding a little bit of colour when I wear a neutral outfit, feels more me!
Thanks for the link up! Hope you are having a wonderful day 🙂
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks, Mica! There is definitely something special about brighter colors and I, too, like to add some splashes of color to neural outfits! I hope you are having a lovely weekend!
xoxo
Shelbee
ratnamurti
Love that cheeky touch of peeking-out-lace, Shelbee 🙂 xxx
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Aw, thanks so much, Ratnamurti! I have this lace extender in black as well and they really come in handy!
xoxo
Shelbee
Jessica A Jannenga
Love this outfit head to toe! You had me laughing that your clothes smelled like cheesesteaks! Ha! Could be worse! The leopard and all white outfit really is beautiful – love the location too, showcasing the fall leaves.
I go through spells of wanting neutrals, then color.
Have a great week!
jessxx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Jess! I had a feeling you might really like this look! It does remind me of something you might style. Sadly, the leaves are all buried beneath 5 feet of snow now. So I need to wear clothing that stands against a snowy background!
xoxo
Shelbee
Alexandra
Love the lace detailing peeping from under your sweater.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Alexandra, thank you so much! I really appreciate your kind comments!
xoxo
Shelbee