The Outfit That Got Compliments (and Why It Worked)

You know that moment when other women look at you and you know that you look good?

I was meeting a friend on Sunday when I noticed two women clock my outfit. As I was going into a shop, one of them tapped me on the shoulder and said, “Oh, we just wanted to let you know you look really nice.” It genuinely made my day. It really made me smile.

What struck me afterwards was how those tiny little shifts completely changed the vibe of the outfit.

The outfit shapes itself was actually very standard for me. I was wearing wide legged sky blue linen trousers and a brown V-neck tie-waist top. Totally aligned with my Natural style essence. I was experiment with the colour pairing- brown and blue are complementary colours - but the base and foundation of the outfit still felt very me.

As it was a Sunday, I didn’t reach for my usual accessories. I don’t even wear a watch on Sundays, and I didn’t want to wear my usual trench coat, so instead I reached for this denim jacket because it has a more relaxed feel. It’s also a men’s denim jacket, so it has a slightly different cut. It actually belonged to my dad and I haven’t worn it since he passed away, but I grabbed it because it felt comfortable and suited the relaxed feel of the day.

It was also sunny, but instead of my usual larger cat-eye style sunglasses that I usually wear, I wore another pair that I bought recently which have a much more rounded 60s shape. You can really see for yourself the difference that changing the jacket and wearing a more trendy pair of sunglasses made to the overall look.

So I started thinking- what was it about this outfit that felt and looked different?

Swapping my usual trench for a denim jacket made the outfit look younger, more relaxed. Trench coats have a much more classic feel, which can read as slightly more mature on me, whereas the shape and texture of the denim jacket was more casual.

My biggest take away was that specific shape of the sunglasses changed the energy entirely. The shape of them is pure 60s retro, vintage, and to me they have a boho vibe. (Or ingenue as they are so round? Experts weigh in!) Either way, these sunglasses gave me a new look, so I won't be retiring them any time soon.

This is definitely one outfit that I’m going to put in the bank of “looks that work” because it was really interesting to me that it was just those two styling changes that completely shifted the feel of the outfit.

I’d like to end this by saying: if you see someone wearing a fantastic outfit, tell them. It genuinely made my day and gave me such a warm glow inside, so please do let people know when you think they look wonderful. Anti-Beige Diaries outfit prompt:

• Try pairing blue and brown together. Let me know if it works for you!

• Switch your usual jacket for one you don't often wear

• Try a different style of sunglasses (Tiger has a good selection that won't break the bank.

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