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Thursday, November 17, 2011

outfit post: Mustard Cashmere

Looking for a good fashion investment? Think cashmere.
At last, cooler weather! While it's still sunny out, and fall weather is ridiculously mild in my part of Northern California, there is just enough chill in the air to merit a dragging out of sweaters, and donning them.  This knitted article of sunshine was a good investment over 4 years ago from J. Crew. It's a 2-ply cashmere cardigan, and it's so lightweight, soft + warm. Still in good shape I might add, for being nearly 5 years old. That doesn't surprise me as I've held on to cashmere sweaters for as long as 20 years, and they were still in decent shape. In fact a GREAT investment is VINTAGE CASHMERE: it's that old adage- "they don't make them like they used to." Vintage cashmere is better, oh yes. Something about the long belly fur on those rascally Kashmir goats. Read about the advantages HERE, HERE and HERE.
But my mustard yellow cashmere sweater is a minor character in this story.  I think the star of the show was the sweet babydoll rayon dress, which is probably a year or two old, and purchased on the cheap at gasp! Forever 21. I am NOT a big fan of F-21, and to be honest, I'm not sure I got the dress there, but it was purchased new at a fast fashion shop before I decided to ban those kind of shops. The dress is lovely, however, with its navy floral print and cut out lace back. You can see the back and  how I styled the dress last summer HERE

So I'm going to give you a little style tip. When it comes to mixing colors you can't go wrong with combining the colors of red, yellow and blue. Then throw in some secondary color:  green. Look at the outfit and see how it works? While the colors are not the bright primary hues of red, yellow and blue, the muted tone of navy, mustard yellow and bits of burgundy just "go." Then when you see how it pairs with my amazing 1950's corduroy olive green coat you will feel the magic. Go ahead, ooh and awe.



Can you feel the magic? Wearing red, blue, yellow and green together somehow always matches.
PRESTO! Even the jewelry follows suit- note the bright turquoise (blue/green) and coral (red) beads and how they play well together with the brass (yellow). The jewelry is available at Fringe- they are 3 great pieces: two are artisan made necklaces, up-cycled from vintage jewelry, and one is a very old vintage rosary. I had written down the information on the pieces, but of course, lost my notes, so if you really, really want to know more about the pieces, let me know in the comments with your email address, and I'll get the info to you!

Now Wearing: 
  • Knitted Cloche, Etsy
  • My NEW navy sunglasses, Cuffs
  • Yellow Cashmere Sweater, J. Crew
  • Floral rayon dress, (maybe) F-21
  • Black as sin tights, my sock drawer
  • Bitchin' platform wedges, Heart Boutique
  • Vintage Corduroy Coat, yard sale
  • Vintage Butterfly broach, gift (Thanks, D!)
  • Necklaces, available at FRINGE
  • Vintage plaid bag, thrifted

27 comments:

mispapelicos said...

I love everything in this outfit: the babydoll dress, the yellow cashemire cardi,hat, glasses, accessories, ahhhhhhhh, but I just want those gorgeous sandals.
The setting is so perfect.
You have brighten up my day my dear Bella.
XXXXXXXXXXXXX

Sara Kristiina said...

So fun and playful look, really cute! the dress especially :>

Collette Osuna said...

How right you are Bella...I love bold colors...and your mustard sweater looks gorgeous on you:)

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Kitty said...

You're so right Bella, this colour combo totally works-and I love your hat. How many bloody lamps have you got there, btw??

Patti said...

I love vintage cashmere too - it's amazing how warm it is, and soft! You look fab and your green coat is the perfect top layer.

Unknown said...

I love your dress & the lovely lace detail along the bottom. Cool location for your pictures!

The Style Crone said...

Your eye for color is always a pleasure. I love the addition of the headwear. And the mustard pops.

Isquisofrenia said...

at first i thought you dyed your hair green i was like wow awsome, and then i saw it was the hat
but still awsome!

Anupriya DG said...

You can never go wrong with mustard yellow, I feel! It's one of my NEW favorite hues!!! :)

But the whole look is as smashing with that olive green coat!

I soooooo agree with you dear.....we should TOTALLY get together & play colors! :))

Vix said...

I'm envying that coat, it's divine.
The cashmere cardi rocks, loving the Buying from those fast fashion shops is fine if you wear the stuff you buy, it's the fools who buy in bulk and chuck it out unworn when it's passed it's fashion sell-by date a month later.
You are fabulous. xxx

Tomye said...

I love this look...it is like East Coast Urban. -T

theequinebovine said...

Super! Thanks for the links, Bella. I love you in your green coat..My favorite on you. Well, one of my many favorites. Also, funny thing I totally passed up on a mustard v neck cashmere sweater yesterday. there was to much piling going on. But now, I wish I got it..Take care, and keep being the fabulous woman that you are.

Susan Tiner said...

You are amazing! I love the way you think about mixing colors. It always works.

I love the color of that sweater. Mustard is so evocative of Fall.

Selena said...

you always have such entertaining facial expressions :) i LOVE that dress, sweater and trench. killer stuff my dear!

xxx theSIREN

The Closet Shopper said...

You say the star is the dress. I say the star is your cute FACE!!

The dress is great. That mustard sweater is pretty great too. I'm loving our cooler weather.

xo,
Tracy

Please may I? said...

Fantastic outfit! Not only do I love the cardy but that hat is to die for! I would love that to be able to keep me snug during our miserable winters!

X x

styling fabulous said...

yes...i am oohing and awe-ing over that olive green coat...i'm surprised it is corduroy...in the picture it looks like a plush velvet...either way...my fave color...beautiful color combinations all around...and...great examples of how to take your summer frocks and work them into fall!

Unknown said...

Love the color mustard yellow and it does go well with the midnight blue dress and the reds. You look amazing! I am not 39..will turn 38 soon so 40 is just around the corner. Freaks me out sometimes but then I see someone like you and I am inspired :)

Ashley said...

Love this outfit! And I have no cashmere in my closet, I really should invest in some, I love it but can never bring myself to splurge on it!

-Ashley
http://breakfastatsaks.blogspot.com

The Foolish Aesthete said...

I love that opening photo as if you're skirting danger like some Hitchcock heroine! And your outfit came together so beautifully. I really love the bottle green velvet coat and that embellished cloche. Yes, big fan of cashmere too. In fact, I have a drawerful of old, moth eaten cashmeres that I still use! I can't bear to part with them. xx

doradadama said...

Amor,
I eyeing your cape from last post. your dress is fabuloso,mustard cashemere is so gorgeous. I need me one.eyeing your fantastic hat.
besotes

SeƱora Allnut said...

love how you've created a so great color combo, your dress and hat are fabulous pieces, but I like specially that corduroy coat!, so wonderful color and so nicely matched!.
And you're right (as usual) about cashmere!, they don't make it than they used to!
besos & fun

Unknown said...

I too am honestly tired of F21. Same same ole sameness. I'd better shush when i look around the sites,LOL! The hubs finally got the message when so many things i had chosen were so friggin tiny!
Oh, and that green coat!!!!!!
YUMMMMMMMM!
Hugs and love always,
Reva

Kimberlee said...

I am oohing and awwing over that coat :) I sadly don't own anything cashmere but they definitely do make clothes like they do. It's always fast fashion so I'll have to keep an outfit for a cashmere cardi when I got thrifting!

Unknown said...

Ooh I heart winter florals like what you're wearing! That's kind of a goal for me this winter ... wear more dresses! I'm tired of always turning to pants and skirts/tights when it gets cold.

Everything looks beauuuuutiful, especially the cloche hat, dress, sweater and coat! Love the prints & colors! Colors always make me feel better when it's gloomy outside.

Your post reminded me of a recent article on Jezebel.com about cashmere sweaters and how good an investment they are. I never realized that, so thanks for writing about it!

Heather Fonseca said...

Very chic! I'm rather conservative when it comes to mixing colors. but I'm trying to experiment more. Love the floral dress. Isn't it funny how something cheap often becomes a favorite. It happens to me all the time.

Jenmarie said...

I'm enjoying the cooler weather myself! Layering is one of my favorite things!