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Un-Fancy

Outfits: Winter, winter outfits

5.6 what makes an outfit complete?

01/09/15

winter-outfits-114 winter-outfits-115 winter-outfits-113

I know we’re only a few outfits into winter, but have you noticed the lack of accessories going on these days? It feels strange to look at this outfit and realize there are only four parts to it — sweater, jeans, boots, bag. No scarf, no earrings, no necklace, no hat. I’m digging the four part outfit — and I love how it makes getting dressed so simple + quick.

I’ve discovered that I like to pare back on accessories in the winter. Mostly for utilitarian reasons: I typically shy away from bracelets in winter because I don’t want them to get caught on my sweaters. And I always feel like a chunky sweater isn’t the best match for a dainty necklace.

But to me, the outfit isn’t lacking, you know? Even though it’s just four parts, I think it looks complete.

I’m not exactly sure if I can define what makes an outfit complete in my book. I think it changes often. Right now, I think an outfit looks complete when the color balance (or neutral balance) is just right — and mixed with some texture for interest.

That’s probably because it’s what I’m comfortable in these days. So … On second thought, in my book, an outfit is complete when it feels comfortable and feels “me.”

How about you? When do you know your outfit is complete?

sweater: forever 21

jeans: old from gap (similar)

boots: charles david

bag: nordstrom

31 Comments

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Comments

  1. Biberlee says

    January 9, 2015 at 7:20 am

    Imust say that this is by far the best blog and an idea I came across lately! I have read a couple posts about creating capsule wardrobe, not word by word, I admit, so my question might be answered somewhere else, I apologise for that :)
    I have noticed you live in Texas, and the winters are a bit milder than Norway :) Do you have any advice on creating a capsule wardrobe in areas with cold winters? Thank you!

    Reply
    • Tanja Hagen says

      January 9, 2015 at 10:17 am

      Read the post from two days ago :)
      Tanja

      Reply
  2. Tegan says

    January 9, 2015 at 7:29 am

    I can’t believe your sweater is just from Forever 21, it’s so nice!

    Reply
  3. susan says

    January 9, 2015 at 7:30 am

    Hi Caroline,
    This is the first time for me to post a comment so I wanted to tell you that I enjoy unfancy and look forward to each post.
    To complete a winter outfit, I like to wear a small pair of simple hug type earrings. They are close to the ear so they don’t get caught or tangled in a sweater or scarf. Also, I’ll wear my favorite silver chain bracelet that has one dangling charm to slip out of a sleeve. And , of course , my wedding rings.

    Reply
  4. rae says

    January 9, 2015 at 7:48 am

    Although wearing less accessories is both a minimalistic and practical choice (like you mentioned, it’s so easy so snag jewellery on sweaters, esp. with delicate knits) I have personally never really worn much jewellery. Partly because I forget to put it on most days, but also because when I do, I always feel too cluttered. Part of the reason is probably because I have piercings (in ears and septum) that just tends to make things look too cluttered when I add too much to it.

    rae of love from berlin

    Reply
  5. sonja says

    January 9, 2015 at 7:59 am

    I agree! When I’m getting dressed on these super chilly mornings, the idea of a cold metal necklace on my skin all day makes me shiver! I think the amazing textures of winter clothing are their own accessories! Much more interesting to look at than my beloved spring/summer cotton that begs for a gold necklace. :)

    Reply
  6. Sara says

    January 9, 2015 at 8:21 am

    Totally agree about accessories in the winter! Esp when chunky warm sweaters are involved ;)
    Thank you for your site! Started purging my closet last night after some weight loss… It was super hard to let things go but felt amazing. I realized I had been holding on to things for years that I didn’t like or wear anymore out of pure guilt (silly). Not completely done yet but much closer to my capsule :) thanks for your help and inspiration!

    Reply
  7. Jamie says

    January 9, 2015 at 9:16 am

    Caroline-

    I discovered your blog this summer and just love it! I just love your style and have a request for you. Would you ever consider sharing your measurements and the size of clothes you’re wearing? I know that’s uncomfortable for people, but it would help in knowing what size to order for myself when shopping your looks! :) thank you!

    Jamie

    Reply
  8. Katie B. says

    January 9, 2015 at 9:31 am

    I HAVE to wear earrings. I keep a spare pair in my wallet zipper just in case I forget them in the morning! I also recently got into the habit of wearing a watch, so now I feel naked without it too! But I have not worn many necklaces or bracelets this winter for the same reasons as you’ve mentioned.

    Reply
  9. Rachel says

    January 9, 2015 at 9:48 am

    Love this sweater.. But I cannot wear clothes that are itchy.. Before I go and copy you, is it itchy?? :) love your blog!

    Reply
  10. Kate says

    January 9, 2015 at 10:09 am

    Hi Caroline,
    I stumbled across your blog via Small Things Blog and have become a daily visitor. Almost a year ago, I quit my job when my little boy arrived. Before that I had a job where I had to wear a uniform so I never really had to worry about outfits and what to wear. Weekends and nights at home I was almost always in comfy clothes. Add to that years of Catholic school where, again, uniforms were in place. Once I started to have to actually “get dressed” everyday I realized how much I was struggling to put together pieces and get out of my new mom funk. My body was and is so different- probably forever- and my pre-baby clothes just made me feel awful every time I would fling open my closet and see tops and bottoms I used to be able to wear. I would curse myself when that one piece STILL DIDN’T FIT. The first day I read your blog, that very night I ripped through my closet, bagging up everything that made me feel less than great. I was left with very little, but it was a starting point. I’ve slowly added pieces that fit my new lifestyle. I haven’t quite reached a true capsule wardrobe, but I no longer keep things that I might someday fit into, or someday wear. I have items in my closet that I love, that I know I’ll wear, and I feel great when I put them on. You’re a beautiful woman and thank you for your blog! And I always love a woman who appreciates comfort :)

    Kate, new mom from Nashville

    Reply
  11. Victoria B says

    January 9, 2015 at 10:52 am

    I love this outfit! I love that large sweater front tucked into the skinny jeans. Just perfect!
    My outfit fills finished when I put shoes on. Since I don’t wear shoes in the house, I never feel fully put together until I pick out shoes. :)

    Reply
    • Bev says

      January 9, 2015 at 3:40 pm

      Completely agree! The shoes make the outfits :)

      Reply
  12. pichi says

    January 9, 2015 at 12:11 pm

    hi would you consider having a favicon for your site? i mean just so there’s a little icon up there on the tab handle and not just some blank paper thing coz you’re on my bookmarks page and everything has a favicon logo to easily identify the website they make things all pretty and labeled and organized u kno and yours doesnt lmao i kno selfish request tho kbai xo

    Reply
    • pichi says

      January 9, 2015 at 12:17 pm

      i mean yeah it prolly doesnt apply to you coz u might be using safari and favicons dont usually appear on the tabs there when u switch but yah haha *nervous laugh*

      Reply
  13. Hannah says

    January 9, 2015 at 1:50 pm

    Such an interesting perspective on what makes an outfit ‘complete’, I really like your ideas and your blog is so refreshing!
    Hannah x
    Hanniemc.co.uk

    Reply
  14. Laura says

    January 9, 2015 at 2:35 pm

    I am totally an accessories person, so I definitely have to have earrings on for an outfit to feel finished. :-) I have an infant, so for me I am loving the minimalism in jewelry trend right now. I just wear a really simple chunky rink, a simple bracelet (no bangles) and simple stud earrings. To complete an outfit, for me, its all about the right shoes. The right shoes just finish an outfit. Also, a little tip I find SUPER helpful (but maybe a bit vain, ha!) is that every day I take a picture of my outfit in the mirror at work (on the weekend I dress down a bit more or just duplicate an outfit from the week). It has been TRANSFORMATIONAL in how I dress. I can see what I like on my body and what I don’t. It has been REALLY interesting to see what I have liked. For instance, I always wore v-neck t-shirts but now I realize because I am large chested (nursing) and short waisted and super curvy that they do.not.work and look kind of slubby. I like the look of u-neck shirts and button ups so much more! Also, I just so.so.so advocate wearing what you love. I am a bigger gal (size 32) and love the way high waisted denim looks on me because I have great legs and a bigger post partum tummy. Love your blog and watching your style take shape.

    Reply
    • Anita says

      January 9, 2015 at 5:51 pm

      Oh I agree about earrings finishing an outfit. I have had my ears pierced since I was very little and on the rare occasion I forget and leave home without earrings I feel naked! I prefer large earrings and no other jewellery, but because I work in the corporate world have had to get some smaller ones more appropriate for work wear.

      Reply
    • Jen says

      January 9, 2015 at 8:31 pm

      Huh. That is a REALLY great idea, Laura! I’m sitting here wondering exactly how self-conscious or embarrassed I would be to be caught snapping selfies in the (very busy) bathroom at work…and if I could get over it enough to start doing this. :)

      Reply
  15. Bronwyn says

    January 9, 2015 at 5:32 pm

    A great hair cut is the perfect accessory sometimes.

    Reply
  16. Christen Barnes says

    January 9, 2015 at 6:09 pm

    Random question…. As your style has evolved, if you were to get married today what dress would you pick?

    Reply
  17. Cody Doll says

    January 9, 2015 at 6:50 pm

    My outfits are usually the same.

    Reply
  18. Tessa says

    January 9, 2015 at 8:59 pm

    I feel like an outfit is not finished unless there is something interesting or eyecatching about it. I would have added a statement necklace or a cuff bracelet to this, and then felt uncomfortable allll day until I took it off. Why can I not just keep it simple?

    Reply
  19. Tanya says

    January 9, 2015 at 9:51 pm

    I almost bought that sweater, but I must admit that I am slightly afraid of the turtleneck. There is not a forever 21 near me, so I can’t go to try it on. Does the neck part feel constricting at all?

    Reply
  20. Angelika Dąbek says

    January 10, 2015 at 9:07 am

    I love this sweater – looks such comfortable! Honestly in last weeks I’m almost completely gave up with scarfs or jewellery in my outfits, but it’s probably winter’s fault. In other seasons I like accessories, because they trully add character to my outfit.

    Reply
  21. Chilli says

    January 10, 2015 at 12:27 pm

    do u have any online fashion blogs, similar to your own, that you enjoy following?

    Reply
  22. Audrey | Brunch at Audrey's says

    January 10, 2015 at 2:54 pm

    My outfit feels complete when I’m warm!! Usually a scarf is thrown on as well :) -Audrey | Brunch at Audrey’s

    Reply
  23. Carmen says

    January 10, 2015 at 4:40 pm

    I love your jumper and your hair – both so cute! I agree, I feel an outfit is complete when it feels comfortable. Also when you don’t have to think about it the rest of the day, at which point it the outfit becomes like a second skin :)

    Carmen Ri.

    Reply
  24. Mun says

    January 10, 2015 at 11:36 pm

    I don’t have a formula but I think it’s the feeling that I get when I see myself in the mirror. That gut feeling that ‘right, everything’s on and I’m ready to roll :)’

    Reply
  25. cheyenne says

    January 11, 2015 at 5:07 am

    this is just the perfect winter outfit to me. lovely!
    xo, cheyenne

    Reply
  26. Ali says

    January 16, 2015 at 11:10 am

    Hey Caroline!
    How do you like the faux leather tote from Nordstrom? I keep thinking that it would be a nice addition to my own wardrobe, something a little more casual than my everyday work bag, especially given the price! The quality looks good on the shelf, but I really dislike faux leather that begins to fray at the edges after some wear. How has yours held up? Also, does it smell weird? Strange question, I know, but word on the street at nordstrom.com is that it smells terrible. XO Thanks for such a great guide to wardrobe planning!

    Reply

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