Quite a few outfits didn’t make it to the blog. This time of year is perfect to show them all to you in one go. The first one is my outfit of the day, the rest are outfits of “yesterday” or better said… this summer and fall.
The outfit above and below shows you a very good Max Mara skirt (yes, also from the outlet in Turin), colours are beige and soft pink.  (Photos were taken by colleague Jan.) The jumper is green and by Zara. Really soft high / low jumper which I bought in green, yellow and red as they were a steal. My opaque tights are green, the same shade as the jumper; found them at the back of my closet. The belt is a vintage one from Etsy two years ago. The booties are similar to my cream ones.
Below: see how the heel is shaped?
Below: a better look at the most comfortable booties you can imagine (brand Eijk Amsterdam).
Now…. onto the yesterday outfits.
Below: I will start with a yesterday outfit which never made it to the blog because I think it was bad. I wore this checked shirt before, but on straight jeans. That wasn’t bad, but worn with these boyfriend jeans the proportions are wrong. The first photo you will see is taken by my colleage Arian and the outfit doesn’t look too bad.
Below: now take another look at the outfit below. I think you will agree, I have got better ones. I look scruffy.
Below: the above photo was taken by Monique (below), a woman I work with from time to time. We were visiting the advertising agency and I cornered her to take pictures. Monique used to be a Paris model. Now she claims she doesn’t even know how to pose. Well, I think she does a great job. She is lovely (both her character and her looks). Very stylish.
Below: OK …on to the next one. We are going back to summer. This skirt suit is my first purchase when visiting Dan in Italy. The top underneath it, used to be a dress, but I felt uncomfortable in it and had it cut into a tunic. You can see both the dress and this suit (vaguely) in this post.
Below: and another summer (2015) photo. From left to right: me, Saskia (friend of Sylvia), Sylvia of 40+Style and Anja (Curly Traveller), having lunch in Haarlem.
Below: another photo of that day in which you can see three of our outfits a little better. Plus you get to see one of the typical streets of Haarlem. I bought the knitted jumper and the necklace on holiday in Spain. The trousers are divine and by Marlene Birger. (You can see them better in this post.)
Below: let’s finish like we started, with a winter outfit. Here is my long blue jacket (seen before at the end of this post). (Look at my face haha. Droopy Darling….) I am wearing the jacket with blue suede high heels, black and white body (Wolford) and a black & white legging. The legging is from my trip to Vancouver, bought in a thriftshop (see end of this post). All the women who were with me when I bought the legging, begged me to wear it with my black & white booties. But I cannot. It is a bridge too far for me (sorry girls, being rather conservative here). The brooch is black and white too – vintage.
I am reading a book on Dutch fashion at the moment. From the year 1500 till now. And apparently we Dutch have a nature (or it is banged in our heads by government and church) of never rising above average status. That is not done. I am trying to break away from this, but haven’t done so yet. I am sure one day I will. As long as I keep “hanging out” with other bloggers, my taste and style will evolve.
Greetje
I clicked through to your blog from a friend’s FB page. She would attest that I am not likely ever to be described as a fashionista, but I wanted to tell you how much I LOVE your sense of style. I would describe the first and last outfits in this post as “architectonic.” They are simultaneously au courant and elegant, especially the color sense. Hats off to you!
Thank you very much for this raving review of my outfits. To tell you the truth… I don’t really know how to style and combine very well. I have an addiction to creating outfits but no real talent. Lots of friends and shop assistents help me haha. But, after three years of blogging and looking at loads of other bloggers I am learning. Also my style has changed in these three years. I dare more. The outfits you like I put together myself for a change. So your compliments are extra special to me. Yay.
I think Mondrian has wormed his way into your thinking. Love the blocks of color.
Greetje you’ve got such a good eye for seeing what works and what doesn’t – you need to trust your instinct. The first outfit is indeed the star of the show, hence you put it first (you know what you’re doing!) It’s probably very tedious of me to keep saying how elegant you are, but that styling is what looks best on you. Dressing down is fine, but to showcase something on our blogs we inevitably want to look our best. I understand what you mean about the casual look, and think I’d be the same, but how good of you to still share it with us, it’s honest.
And I have to join in with the other voices that are asking to see the b/w boots and leggins combo, but only when you’re ready. We’re all so keen to see how that looks.
Happy New Year x
Anna
Anna’s Island Style
My friend Anja (Curly Traveller blog) suggested to do a post about the b/w leggings with boots. Just for fun. After all.. a camera doesn’t lie as much as the mirror does.
Of course I am vain enough to want to showcase the best outfits. But my need to entertain is stronger than my vanity. So expect some more “bloopers” in the near future. Happy New Year to you too Anna.
I loved reading this post and all of the comments and your detailed replies – I learned so much!
I love the first outfit, too. And those black/white leggings are fabulous. You’ll wear them with the boots when/if you are ready! 🙂
I also like that you shared an outfit that wasn’t the best as is but could easily be improved with different pants (and maybe shoes.) That’s why I love taking photos of outfits – I see things I often don’t see in the mirror… And sometimes it’s just a little change that would make a difference.
Wishing you a very happy & healthy 2016!
And a happy and healthy new year to you too Andrea. I totally agree with you… the camera gives us the true picture. The mirror doesn’t give is a reflection, but the perception we already have. I will share some more “bloopers” in the near future.
You are ending your blog year 2015 with a bang. Love your first outfit. I know you for 25 years now, and I can tell you that you changed your way of dressing extremely. When I picture you in the beginning, you had lovely outfits but all worn like the ladies in the shop told you. Now you have developed your Greetje style, one day daring, next day chic, following day boho chic. But it still is your own style. So who is complaining . And you certainly are not dutch and conservative, because thrifty and stinginess are not a part of you. So I am looking forward to new posts and reports in 2016. Happy New Year.
Happy New Year to you to darling. Your bag is much loved by me and will be on the blog somewhere in January,
My favorites are the green pants (which fit you like a dream), the booties with the fun heels, and the pink suit (a gorgeous color on you and would love to see how you style that jacket separately). I think the blue jacket outfit would look good with some slimmer pants or jeans. Your friend Monique is gorgeous, and I love what she’s wearing in that photo.
I always rather envy a minimalistic look like Monique is pulling off so well. Does not work so well with me. The blue dress/jacket with jeans and white sneakers is indeed a good look. I am getting better in making more than one outfit with an item?.
Greetje…those leggings (in your last shot) are gorgeous AND you should try to be brave and wear those booties with them.
You are not most certainly NOT “average” and perhaps other women (who are fearful of looking different) will love and admire your style and push their own style-boundaries a little more.
You could start a revolution!
I honestly believe that what we wear does not really matter that much to other people anyway….they may do a double take from time to time but otherwise they just move on.
If your heart says bold then just go for it!
Goodness know you could pull it off with style.
XXX
Samantha
I fully agree with you Samantha (lovely name by the way). People are not that interested in what we wear. I mean so you are wearing something different? So what?
I will let my style evolve at the pace it needs. And it will evolve, I am sure of that. Thank you for all your kind words.
Wonderful post Greetje. As Marianne has said it shows that your style has really evolved. There is something ‘Greetje’ in each of those looks and I love how you are experimenting with different silhouettes and styles. Loved to read more about the Dutch and the history of fashion in both your post and the comments. I hope you can tell us more in subsequent posts!
I cannot promise you anything but I will keep the book for when you come over. I have no idea what the “something Greetje” is but I will take your word for it.
Wishing you all the best in 2016 – Happy New Year!
Rebecca
http://www.redtagchiclosangeles.com
And you too Rebecca. May life be happy and prosperous to you.
The book that you are reading sounds very interesting, about how fashion has changed through years …
I especially like your first outfit and find it really good!! You have matched the colours so nicely …
I remember the summer dress you bought with me!! Is it a t-shirt now? Nice!! It’s useless to keep something and never wear it! Me too, often personalize my clothings.
Now it is perfect with the fuchsia suit …
Your beautiful colleague Monique looks really lovely and stylish!!
I am pleased you like my styling of the MM skirt. I get lots of compliments over that skirt. You picked a good one. As for Monique… yes she is lovely and I love this minimalistic approach. So chic.
A lot of fab looks, Greetje. Apart from the one you don’t like yourself. I agree with you.
I think you could try on the look of the BW leggings with the BW shoes, even if it were just as an experiment.
To take pictures of it, to write a post about it and to have fun with that.
Then see what you think of it looking at the pictures you made of it. From various angles.
Why not? What do you have to loose?
I have absolutely nothing to lose by trying. And yes it makes a good post. I remember I had an idea for another post, which I got from you… And it slipped my mind again. Getting old.
I learned more about culture and fashion from you, gorgeous Greetje. Love that bright pink suit. xox
-Patti
http://notdeadyetstyle.com
If you want to learn even a little more about the Dutch and fashion, come back to the comments and read my reply to Ally’s comment. The pink suit is quite an eye catcher isn’t it? It was a steal (in the sale and again another discount).
I enjoyed your photo collection! I think all your outfits look great but it is brave of you to post the ones you were dissatisfied with in some way. I have to say I was surprised by your scruffy look – not because it’s bad but because I never see you this way. Haha! Your taste and style evolve but you help other people evolve too. You always bring something cool and unique to the party. Those boots are divine! Monique is striking too.
I didn’t realize that about Dutch fashion history. My limited knowledge mostly comes from famous Dutch paintings, with sumptuous fabrics, partly from Dutch success in trade. I am surprised. Or maybe it’s just the amazing light in the paintings that makes everything look jewel-like.
I just learned from the book that the Dutch were excellent cloth/fabric makers. Especially with the difficult colour black (and also red). That required in the old days (1500/1600) ingredients from far away places and there were only a few of such sources. The cloth had to be woven and painted several times. Apparently the Dutch had the best material and because we were indeed very good tradesmen, we sold all over the world and the colour black became synonymous with “I’ve got money”. Another thing happened a couple of ages later (1870 or so) .. lots of Jewish people came from Germany to The Netherlands and were not allowed to work as civil servants. Which is why they chose to go into the textile business and they were very good at that. Big department stores full of opportunities for the ladies to upgrade their wardrobe. It seems we were a big backwards beginning of the 1900, fashionwise.. That’s what you get with being stingy.
That’s a shame, as I really love these shoes.
Hope to see them in another combination agian, then.
//Gaby
http://www.stylishsalat.com
You mean the black and white booties?? In Spring you will see them again.
I love the look with the pink skirt suit. It looks so fresh. The cut is very interesting too.
It is a very well-made skirt. And I surprised myself with the styling haha.
Hi Greetje
Thank you so much for your very enjoyable posts. We are the same age and I find your clothing choices inspiring and your photos of your country and travels equally fascinating. One day I might be able to visit Europe and see all the wonderful old buildings and streets in real life but in the meantime your posts are wonderful!
I wish you a Happy New Year.
Serena
Thank you too Serena. For your lovvely comment which gives me the boost to carry on. I love blogging, but I often wonder whether people appreciate what I produce. So a comment like yours. Is very welcome.
I LOVED that dress and I’m happy that you were able to alter into something that you would feel more comfortable wearing. You are wearing it as a top more often, yes?
One day, I’d love for you to share your closet system if you care to. I have very little space for storing clothing, footwear and accessories and it’s like eye-candy for me to see the sometimes grand, sometimes modest, storage spaces of others.
Actually I am not wearing it as a top more often. A) because I have so many clothes (….) and B) because, even as a tunic, I still saw a lot of belly. Now that I have lost weight, it might be better. Next summer we will see.
Showing you my storage space will be a huge disappointment for you. But thanks I will make a post of that. It will be hilarious. Nobody would think that of me, but as soon as there is a closet door hiding everything from the world, it is chaos behind it.
I love the look with pencil skirt. The skirt is cute, and the combination of colors of the outfit, I love it.I Love, indeed, the last outfit, with the oversize proposal so curious and bold. It is a very modern and courageous design. Even if your face does not seem of satisfaction. LOL.
That last photo with the oversized dress/jacket was taken in the camera shop. And I was worried about a feature on my camera haha. By the way, the skirt I am wearing is not a pencil skirt but an A-line skirt.
You’re absolutely right, not a pencil skirt, I was wrong to write fast.
Oh Greetje – the pink booties – I wore the black ones on Christmas Day you are right so comfortable but another pair in January I really cannot [yet!!!] Looking forward to 2016 and your inspiring blog. Happy New Year
I am glad they didn’t disappoint you. I have to say I waited a couple of months too after my first purchase. But now they were in the sale and I saw a girl in the shop who had them on and she tried at least 7 outfits and they went with everything. That closed the deal for me.
Happy New Year to you too and I am glad having you as a reader and commenter.
The hot pink suit is a perfect Greetje outfit. Like Melanie, I thought it was brave of you to post an outfit you weren’t happy with. I would agree with you that the blue jacket/plaid shirt outfit is not very flattering on you – you look a bit rumpled, which is definitely not the Greetje I’m used to seeing.
I laughed at your “bridge too far” comment regarding the black and white ankle booties. Looking at the outfit at the end, I still think it would look very cool to continue the black and white line onto your footwear. If you continue to hang out with other bloggers I’m sure that at some point you’ll give it a try!
As my friend Marianne said in her comment, my style has changed very much since I started blogging. And I presume it will evolve a lot further. I like uniqueness and realize that I am still mainstream. Doesn’t matter, apparently I am happy with it. Otherwise I would change it. Right?
In two weeks time I will put some more pictures in my post I am not happy with. Just to show the world that what I show is only the best photo. Not necessarily the truth.
Dear Greetje, I love that first outfit, beautiful colours and style, great booties. By the way, your necklace in your blog profile picture has the same cream and pink in it… Also loved that last one with the blue long jacket. Would love to see the booties and legging even if it is just for once:) Thanks for a year of inspiration, great pictures and entertaining texts. XK
Sweetheart!!! Thank you for your loyal following of my blog. Very much appreciated. As you know.
If you want to see the black and white booties together with the black and white legging, just click on the link in today’s post (in the sentence with the word Vancouver, just above the blue jacket). At the end of that post you’ll see a picture with that combination and my hair all gone wild haha.
How interesting — and obviously true — that the particular culture we grew up with and live in affects the way we dress. Even invasion of modern fashion from other places on the Earth has limited effect in changing our customs. Your conservative style doesn’t surprise me based on what you describe. I’d like to learn more about different societies and the lives of women within them.
The book mentions that the influence of Paris was huge on the fashion in The Netherlands. Paris fashion was the standard. But…. most women adjusted their old garments to suit the new fashion. Which meant for instance: new look at the front, but pleats and a train at the back (is train the right word?) were kept even though it was already out of fashion in Paris. “It would be such a waste to get rid of such rich and beautiful piece of fabric….”
It says in the book: “The French were more frivolous as to toss a garment out when it went out of style. The Dutch rather had something which lasted them longer.”
The Dutch are still known for their stinginess haha.
Beautiful, that pink is wonderful on you. Thank you for giving your time and thoughts this year, and I look forward to the next!
It was my pleasure entirely Jennifer. Thank you for reading and commenting. That is what bloggers do it for.
I love that first outfit! It looks great on you. I envy your long legs which allow you to color block the way that you do.
Whether colour blocking works on somebody also depends a lot on the hight of the boot or the shoe, the length of the skirt etc. I think. Colour blocking isn’t easy (at least not for me, this just happened and wasn’t preconceived) and has a lot to do with proportions. A friend of mine can do it with 2 mm of a bright pink colour which comes back at the edge of a shirt for instance. And she does not have long legs.
That is interesting about Dutch women and fashion.
I love the heel on those booties! You seem to find some great unique footwear out your way.
The whole outfit with the green tights is very striking. The a-line shape is so flattering.
That pink suit is stunning! I am shocked to hear you cut that dress into a tunic. I suppose though it you didn’t feel comfortable it was a great solution.
Hope you had a wonderful Christmas!
bisous
Suzanne
I explained a bit more about the Dutch and fashion and their stinginess in my reply to Ally (above your comment).
I am rather taken with the green/pink outfit myself. Never thought it would turn out this good. And yes, it did pain me to kill the dress, but all I could see was a belly sticking out. There were pleats to hide the belly but in my case they just emphasized it. And I loved that dress. I thought it was striking. But also too short. So I added a rim to elongate the dress and then I didn’t like the blue/purple rim with the pink jacket. And I needed the jacket to hide the ugly arms… In the end I decided it was too much hard work. Tough.
What a great selection of outfits. I particularly love the Max Mara skirt and the bright blue jacket looks stunning on you! 🙂
http://www.thevelvetrunway.com
Ah.. well … the bright blue jacket looked better on me in this post:
https://www.nofearoffashion.com/2014/06/blue-jacket
Thank you Jolanta. Nice of you to leave a comment.
What a fun post…getting to see quite a few outfits. I’m always amazed at how the pictures can make you see an outfit in an entirely different light (even though it was studied it in the mirror too). Your first pictures are divine—quite elegant!
As for that Dutch fashion book—interesting concept, and time for you to prove it wrong!! jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
I am taking babysteps Jodie LOL
I clicked through to your blog from a friend’s FB page. She would attest that I am not likely ever to be described as a fashionista, but I wanted to tell you how much I LOVE your sense of style. I would describe the first and last outfits in this post as “architectonic.” They are simultaneously au courant and elegant, especially the color sense. Hats off to you!
Thank you very much for this raving review of my outfits. To tell you the truth… I don’t really know how to style and combine very well. I have an addiction to creating outfits but no real talent. Lots of friends and shop assistents help me haha. But, after three years of blogging and looking at loads of other bloggers I am learning. Also my style has changed in these three years. I dare more. The outfits you like I put together myself for a change. So your compliments are extra special to me. Yay.
I think Mondrian has wormed his way into your thinking. Love the blocks of color.
Greetje you’ve got such a good eye for seeing what works and what doesn’t – you need to trust your instinct. The first outfit is indeed the star of the show, hence you put it first (you know what you’re doing!) It’s probably very tedious of me to keep saying how elegant you are, but that styling is what looks best on you. Dressing down is fine, but to showcase something on our blogs we inevitably want to look our best. I understand what you mean about the casual look, and think I’d be the same, but how good of you to still share it with us, it’s honest.
And I have to join in with the other voices that are asking to see the b/w boots and leggins combo, but only when you’re ready. We’re all so keen to see how that looks.
Happy New Year x
Anna
Anna’s Island Style
My friend Anja (Curly Traveller blog) suggested to do a post about the b/w leggings with boots. Just for fun. After all.. a camera doesn’t lie as much as the mirror does.
Of course I am vain enough to want to showcase the best outfits. But my need to entertain is stronger than my vanity. So expect some more “bloopers” in the near future. Happy New Year to you too Anna.
A lot of fab looks, Greetje. Apart from the one you don’t like yourself. I agree with you.
I think you could try on the look of the BW leggings with the BW shoes, even if it were just as an experiment.
To take pictures of it, to write a post about it and to have fun with that.
Then see what you think of it looking at the pictures you made of it. From various angles.
Why not? What do you have to loose?
I have absolutely nothing to lose by trying. And yes it makes a good post. I remember I had an idea for another post, which I got from you… And it slipped my mind again. Getting old.
I loved reading this post and all of the comments and your detailed replies – I learned so much!
I love the first outfit, too. And those black/white leggings are fabulous. You’ll wear them with the boots when/if you are ready! 🙂
I also like that you shared an outfit that wasn’t the best as is but could easily be improved with different pants (and maybe shoes.) That’s why I love taking photos of outfits – I see things I often don’t see in the mirror… And sometimes it’s just a little change that would make a difference.
Wishing you a very happy & healthy 2016!
And a happy and healthy new year to you too Andrea. I totally agree with you… the camera gives us the true picture. The mirror doesn’t give is a reflection, but the perception we already have. I will share some more “bloopers” in the near future.
Wonderful post Greetje. As Marianne has said it shows that your style has really evolved. There is something ‘Greetje’ in each of those looks and I love how you are experimenting with different silhouettes and styles. Loved to read more about the Dutch and the history of fashion in both your post and the comments. I hope you can tell us more in subsequent posts!
I cannot promise you anything but I will keep the book for when you come over. I have no idea what the “something Greetje” is but I will take your word for it.
Wishing you all the best in 2016 – Happy New Year!
Rebecca
http://www.redtagchiclosangeles.com
And you too Rebecca. May life be happy and prosperous to you.
The book that you are reading sounds very interesting, about how fashion has changed through years …
I especially like your first outfit and find it really good!! You have matched the colours so nicely …
I remember the summer dress you bought with me!! Is it a t-shirt now? Nice!! It’s useless to keep something and never wear it! Me too, often personalize my clothings.
Now it is perfect with the fuchsia suit …
Your beautiful colleague Monique looks really lovely and stylish!!
I am pleased you like my styling of the MM skirt. I get lots of compliments over that skirt. You picked a good one. As for Monique… yes she is lovely and I love this minimalistic approach. So chic.
My favorites are the green pants (which fit you like a dream), the booties with the fun heels, and the pink suit (a gorgeous color on you and would love to see how you style that jacket separately). I think the blue jacket outfit would look good with some slimmer pants or jeans. Your friend Monique is gorgeous, and I love what she’s wearing in that photo.
I always rather envy a minimalistic look like Monique is pulling off so well. Does not work so well with me. The blue dress/jacket with jeans and white sneakers is indeed a good look. I am getting better in making more than one outfit with an item?.
Greetje…those leggings (in your last shot) are gorgeous AND you should try to be brave and wear those booties with them.
You are not most certainly NOT “average” and perhaps other women (who are fearful of looking different) will love and admire your style and push their own style-boundaries a little more.
You could start a revolution!
I honestly believe that what we wear does not really matter that much to other people anyway….they may do a double take from time to time but otherwise they just move on.
If your heart says bold then just go for it!
Goodness know you could pull it off with style.
XXX
Samantha
I fully agree with you Samantha (lovely name by the way). People are not that interested in what we wear. I mean so you are wearing something different? So what?
I will let my style evolve at the pace it needs. And it will evolve, I am sure of that. Thank you for all your kind words.
That’s a shame, as I really love these shoes.
Hope to see them in another combination agian, then.
//Gaby
http://www.stylishsalat.com
You mean the black and white booties?? In Spring you will see them again.
I love the look with the pink skirt suit. It looks so fresh. The cut is very interesting too.
It is a very well-made skirt. And I surprised myself with the styling haha.
Hi Greetje
Thank you so much for your very enjoyable posts. We are the same age and I find your clothing choices inspiring and your photos of your country and travels equally fascinating. One day I might be able to visit Europe and see all the wonderful old buildings and streets in real life but in the meantime your posts are wonderful!
I wish you a Happy New Year.
Serena
Thank you too Serena. For your lovvely comment which gives me the boost to carry on. I love blogging, but I often wonder whether people appreciate what I produce. So a comment like yours. Is very welcome.
I love the look with pencil skirt. The skirt is cute, and the combination of colors of the outfit, I love it.I Love, indeed, the last outfit, with the oversize proposal so curious and bold. It is a very modern and courageous design. Even if your face does not seem of satisfaction. LOL.
That last photo with the oversized dress/jacket was taken in the camera shop. And I was worried about a feature on my camera haha. By the way, the skirt I am wearing is not a pencil skirt but an A-line skirt.
You’re absolutely right, not a pencil skirt, I was wrong to write fast.
I LOVED that dress and I’m happy that you were able to alter into something that you would feel more comfortable wearing. You are wearing it as a top more often, yes?
One day, I’d love for you to share your closet system if you care to. I have very little space for storing clothing, footwear and accessories and it’s like eye-candy for me to see the sometimes grand, sometimes modest, storage spaces of others.
Actually I am not wearing it as a top more often. A) because I have so many clothes (….) and B) because, even as a tunic, I still saw a lot of belly. Now that I have lost weight, it might be better. Next summer we will see.
Showing you my storage space will be a huge disappointment for you. But thanks I will make a post of that. It will be hilarious. Nobody would think that of me, but as soon as there is a closet door hiding everything from the world, it is chaos behind it.
Oh Greetje – the pink booties – I wore the black ones on Christmas Day you are right so comfortable but another pair in January I really cannot [yet!!!] Looking forward to 2016 and your inspiring blog. Happy New Year
I am glad they didn’t disappoint you. I have to say I waited a couple of months too after my first purchase. But now they were in the sale and I saw a girl in the shop who had them on and she tried at least 7 outfits and they went with everything. That closed the deal for me.
Happy New Year to you too and I am glad having you as a reader and commenter.
The hot pink suit is a perfect Greetje outfit. Like Melanie, I thought it was brave of you to post an outfit you weren’t happy with. I would agree with you that the blue jacket/plaid shirt outfit is not very flattering on you – you look a bit rumpled, which is definitely not the Greetje I’m used to seeing.
I laughed at your “bridge too far” comment regarding the black and white ankle booties. Looking at the outfit at the end, I still think it would look very cool to continue the black and white line onto your footwear. If you continue to hang out with other bloggers I’m sure that at some point you’ll give it a try!
As my friend Marianne said in her comment, my style has changed very much since I started blogging. And I presume it will evolve a lot further. I like uniqueness and realize that I am still mainstream. Doesn’t matter, apparently I am happy with it. Otherwise I would change it. Right?
In two weeks time I will put some more pictures in my post I am not happy with. Just to show the world that what I show is only the best photo. Not necessarily the truth.
I enjoyed your photo collection! I think all your outfits look great but it is brave of you to post the ones you were dissatisfied with in some way. I have to say I was surprised by your scruffy look – not because it’s bad but because I never see you this way. Haha! Your taste and style evolve but you help other people evolve too. You always bring something cool and unique to the party. Those boots are divine! Monique is striking too.
I didn’t realize that about Dutch fashion history. My limited knowledge mostly comes from famous Dutch paintings, with sumptuous fabrics, partly from Dutch success in trade. I am surprised. Or maybe it’s just the amazing light in the paintings that makes everything look jewel-like.
I just learned from the book that the Dutch were excellent cloth/fabric makers. Especially with the difficult colour black (and also red). That required in the old days (1500/1600) ingredients from far away places and there were only a few of such sources. The cloth had to be woven and painted several times. Apparently the Dutch had the best material and because we were indeed very good tradesmen, we sold all over the world and the colour black became synonymous with “I’ve got money”. Another thing happened a couple of ages later (1870 or so) .. lots of Jewish people came from Germany to The Netherlands and were not allowed to work as civil servants. Which is why they chose to go into the textile business and they were very good at that. Big department stores full of opportunities for the ladies to upgrade their wardrobe. It seems we were a big backwards beginning of the 1900, fashionwise.. That’s what you get with being stingy.
You are ending your blog year 2015 with a bang. Love your first outfit. I know you for 25 years now, and I can tell you that you changed your way of dressing extremely. When I picture you in the beginning, you had lovely outfits but all worn like the ladies in the shop told you. Now you have developed your Greetje style, one day daring, next day chic, following day boho chic. But it still is your own style. So who is complaining . And you certainly are not dutch and conservative, because thrifty and stinginess are not a part of you. So I am looking forward to new posts and reports in 2016. Happy New Year.
Happy New Year to you to darling. Your bag is much loved by me and will be on the blog somewhere in January,
What a fun post…getting to see quite a few outfits. I’m always amazed at how the pictures can make you see an outfit in an entirely different light (even though it was studied it in the mirror too). Your first pictures are divine—quite elegant!
As for that Dutch fashion book—interesting concept, and time for you to prove it wrong!! jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
I am taking babysteps Jodie LOL
Beautiful, that pink is wonderful on you. Thank you for giving your time and thoughts this year, and I look forward to the next!
It was my pleasure entirely Jennifer. Thank you for reading and commenting. That is what bloggers do it for.
Thank you Jolanta. Nice of you to leave a comment.
I love that first outfit! It looks great on you. I envy your long legs which allow you to color block the way that you do.
Whether colour blocking works on somebody also depends a lot on the hight of the boot or the shoe, the length of the skirt etc. I think. Colour blocking isn’t easy (at least not for me, this just happened and wasn’t preconceived) and has a lot to do with proportions. A friend of mine can do it with 2 mm of a bright pink colour which comes back at the edge of a shirt for instance. And she does not have long legs.
I learned more about culture and fashion from you, gorgeous Greetje. Love that bright pink suit. xox
-Patti
http://notdeadyetstyle.com
If you want to learn even a little more about the Dutch and fashion, come back to the comments and read my reply to Ally’s comment. The pink suit is quite an eye catcher isn’t it? It was a steal (in the sale and again another discount).
That is interesting about Dutch women and fashion.
I love the heel on those booties! You seem to find some great unique footwear out your way.
The whole outfit with the green tights is very striking. The a-line shape is so flattering.
That pink suit is stunning! I am shocked to hear you cut that dress into a tunic. I suppose though it you didn’t feel comfortable it was a great solution.
Hope you had a wonderful Christmas!
bisous
Suzanne
I explained a bit more about the Dutch and fashion and their stinginess in my reply to Ally (above your comment).
I am rather taken with the green/pink outfit myself. Never thought it would turn out this good. And yes, it did pain me to kill the dress, but all I could see was a belly sticking out. There were pleats to hide the belly but in my case they just emphasized it. And I loved that dress. I thought it was striking. But also too short. So I added a rim to elongate the dress and then I didn’t like the blue/purple rim with the pink jacket. And I needed the jacket to hide the ugly arms… In the end I decided it was too much hard work. Tough.
How interesting — and obviously true — that the particular culture we grew up with and live in affects the way we dress. Even invasion of modern fashion from other places on the Earth has limited effect in changing our customs. Your conservative style doesn’t surprise me based on what you describe. I’d like to learn more about different societies and the lives of women within them.
The book mentions that the influence of Paris was huge on the fashion in The Netherlands. Paris fashion was the standard. But…. most women adjusted their old garments to suit the new fashion. Which meant for instance: new look at the front, but pleats and a train at the back (is train the right word?) were kept even though it was already out of fashion in Paris. “It would be such a waste to get rid of such rich and beautiful piece of fabric….”
It says in the book: “The French were more frivolous as to toss a garment out when it went out of style. The Dutch rather had something which lasted them longer.”
The Dutch are still known for their stinginess haha.
Dear Greetje, I love that first outfit, beautiful colours and style, great booties. By the way, your necklace in your blog profile picture has the same cream and pink in it… Also loved that last one with the blue long jacket. Would love to see the booties and legging even if it is just for once:) Thanks for a year of inspiration, great pictures and entertaining texts. XK
Sweetheart!!! Thank you for your loyal following of my blog. Very much appreciated. As you know.
If you want to see the black and white booties together with the black and white legging, just click on the link in today’s post (in the sentence with the word Vancouver, just above the blue jacket). At the end of that post you’ll see a picture with that combination and my hair all gone wild haha.
What a great selection of outfits. I particularly love the Max Mara skirt and the bright blue jacket looks stunning on you! 🙂
http://www.thevelvetrunway.com
Ah.. well … the bright blue jacket looked better on me in this post:
https://www.nofearoffashion.com/2014/06/blue-jacket