Styling a rather classic skirt, like this flared black midi skirt, isn’t easy for me. I tend to make it look frumpy, old-fashioned. I will show you a couple of previous styling to prove my point.
Below: I will start with the most unflattering styling of all. This is the skirt with the matching jacket. I bought both at the Max Mara outlet in Turin. Especially the shoes make this suit look very old-fashioned. I have always had a problem with modern shoes.
Below: Again the shoes are too old-fashioned and the belt sits far too high in my waist, making my short torso even shorter.
Below: The boots made it better but the turtleneck made my breasts look even bigger than they are. No turtlenecks for me. (I had to let these boots go because they were too wide which hurt my knee. Such a shame.) You can see the structure of the skirt fabric very well in this photo.
Below: We are moving on. This styling isn’t too bad, although still rather classic.
Below: I like this styling with the red cowboy boots and the oversized necklace. The jacket is back but this isn’t an old-fashioned look.
Below: And this is how I styled it this week. With a sweater and my combat boots. I really like this now.
Loes took the photos with the new camera. We tried a couple of camera features which didn’t really work out. But no biggie. The photos turned out very nice.
Below: Loes in a perfect bokeh photo.
Below: With all that red in the outfit, I had to wear my red earrings by Lara Design. That was a no-brainer. (The tip of my nose is red too.)
Remember that my niece saved this sweater by printing a few rose petals on the 4 stains? It looks as if they have always been there. The red belt is Max Mara and a birthday present from my mum a few years ago.
Below: Trying a pose which didn’t work out that well haha. “Here’s looking at you, babe”.
Below: We were in a park with beautiful houses, called Kenaupark. As soon as Loes saw the bench, she directed me to it. She knows me well LOL.
Below: Bright sunshine is just as bad for photography as taking photos inside. Well, not really, I should have used my flash but that is still in its package. I never used a flash before that you had to mount on to your camera. Anyway the tree is nice.
Below: In the old days rich people had houses around this park, often as their summer residence.
Below: One of the statues in the park is of Hannie Schaft, a famous Haarlem girl who did excellent work in the resistance during World War 2.
Below: There were other people in the park but not many. Monday afternoon everybody is at work.
Below: And it was COOOOLLLLDD.
Below: Loes, back at my place to warm up.
What happened in my life this week
Saturday went by without me doing anything. The shops were open again, but the restaurants and terraces were still closed. Only that Saturday there was a ‘demonstration’. Meaning the terraces were full with people drinking from 12 till 5 p.m. Oh well.
Sunday I visited mum. She was all dressed in black, which is highly unusual for her.
Below: I told her I would take the photo from a low point of view to make her look taller haha. She is tiny (5ft1 / 1m54).
I found some old photos. Below: Mum and my brother. Wasn’t she a beauty? 19 years old.
Below: And this is my dad at the age of 30. He was very debonair, a great dancer and always beautifully dressed. He swept my young mother off her feet.
Monday Loes and I took the photos for this post and the only exciting thing that happened on the Tuesday was my trip to the cobbler. Luckily I had a Facetime conversation with Susan of Une femme d’un certain âge in the evening. Always great to talk to her.
Wednesday was dull with just a visit to the physiotherapist…Really, if I have to fill this section of the post with drivel like this, I’d better stop writing. Of course every day we have French conversation lessons and French lesson on the app. Baby steps…
Thursday was a better day. Marcella came and we created a little video. We now have to see how we can edit it. In the afternoon I went to the cobbler to pick up Marianne’s boots which had to be widened. We both shouted ‘hurray’ when I was able to get them on her feet in a few seconds instead of the 25 minutes it took before. Below: Marianne.
Friday was a wet day. I bought Smart LED light bulbs that work with an app. You can change the colour of the bulb from very white to yellow to almost orange with the app. Plus switch the light(s) on and off. A new innovation in our home. There will come a time we will operate everything with an app on our phone. Some of our friends are ‘tech savvy’ and already operate their television, the lights, the front door and their music system like that, but we are late adaptors.
So all in all, rather an uneventful week. On the bright side: my knee is improving a lot.
Saying goodbye this week with a photo that promises spring.
Greetje
I’m in the minority, but I like the skirt with the jacket. I think you look so very pretty and elegant – like a princess or a queen. The other looks don’t come close for me. I love pretty and feminine looks and almost never deviate from that, so my opinion is slanted! (I’m old-fashioned and nostalgic, but never frumpy.). That said, I follow your blog because of your eye-catching outfits, narrative, sense of humor and scenery! Plus you have a dog and a cat. What’s life without critters?
I do like the skirt with the jacket, but only with the red cowboy boots and the big necklace. I have deviated from the pretty and feminine path, although you always look smart in it. I think it is funny that you do call my outfits eye-catching, even though you have a different taste. You are probably a woman with an open mind. I am flattered by all your compliments and I learned a new word: “critters”.
First: kudos to you for experimenting and trying to make this skirt work. And indeed: your last creation is the best and most fun and modern.
But other than that: I still don’t really like it. For you. Too bulky. Not your best silhouette.
Every blog post you make is entertaining and fun to read and look at. I admire you so much for that!
Let’s agree to disagree. I think the shape is really good for my shape. And I love that you are honest with me. So little honesty in this world.
I love your midi skirt, it’s very elegant. And, of course, I love the elegance of the outfit when you dress it with the same color blazer. I really like the look with the yellow shirt, it’s my favorite combination. The sweatshirt with the rose on the chest is cute. Your father was a very handsome man.
Ah my friend, here we differ in opinion. I don’t like the black skirt with the yellow shirt at all. My upper body is far too short because of the belt and the shoes (although elegant) make the outfit look old-fashioned. Well, that is my opinion.
Oh, I love the tulips – so gorgeous.
I really liked seeing the evolution of your styling on this skirt, Greetje. The final outfit is perfect. Love that print on the top.
This process with my black midi skirt is an example of my whole evolution in styling. Blogging has taught me a thing or two.
Great styling with the black skirt. The combat boots were good! Interesting to see the photos you didn’t like. You put a lot of thought into your selections.
Even though everybody thinks differently, I am not a good stylist. Not by nature. I put outfits together with blood, sweat and tears. (Well, a bit exaggerated.) A stylist has a vision for an outfit, takes the different items and voila, here is the perfect outfit. I have a vision, I take the different items, put them together, look in the mirror and sigh: “What was I thinking of?” Which is one reason why I don’t like “playing with clothes from my wardrobe”.
Niet die wijde lange rokken, Greet. Maakt veel te oud. Waarom niet zo’n smal geplisseerde rok? Die vallen supermooi!
Nou, dat zal ik je zeggen. Mijn lichaamsbouw is die van een omgekeerde driehoek. Brede schouders, flinke boezem, niet al te smalle taille, geen heupen en geen achterwerk. Wel een buikje trouwens. Smalle geplisseerde rokken benadrukken deze driehoek. Ik heb wel plissérokken, maar dit maak ik aan de onderkant wijder door er een petticoat onder te dragen. Vandaar dat een wijd uitlopende rok zoals deze zwarte goed is voor mijn silhouette.
Kokerrokken staan me gek genoeg ook goed (tenminste, als ze mijn buikje verbergen) maar ja, gepensioneerd zijn en kokerrokken…het gaat niet heel goed samen. Ik vond de rok met de combat laarzen en de sweater niet oud maken, integendeel. Veel van de andere voorbeelden wel.
I am such a fan of combat boots with skirts and dresses, so this outfit gets a huge thumbs up from me, Greetje! Good to hear your knee is improving!
Hugs
Suzy xx
The combat boots and the sweater, both have the ability to update an outfit. I am so pleased I found the combat boots. You know I had to go back to the shop and ask for advice how to style them ! Everybody always thinks I am a good stylist. I am not. I get my ideas from others. People help me, usually shop owners.
I really like the latest styling of the skirt. Like you, I have a short torso, but long legs, so can struggle to style skirts with high waists. I now do not buy such skirts when I remember to do so!
It was lovely to see the photos of your parents when they were young.
I found that if I wear a top which comes slightly over the waistband of the skirt, I am fine. It elongates my upper body.
Only the top has to be fitted or fitted at the waist with bat wings and just the right length. Very hard to find.
The more fitted sweaters or jumpers tend to show lumps and bumps and are usually longer.
Mum and I were going through a little pile of photos when I saw these. I thought it would be nice to share.
I love the rose sweater so much, and the outfit with the black skirt is so chic! Your mom looks very elegant in black. Thanks for sharing the old photos of your parents — I enjoyed seeing these.
That rose sweater and those combat boots make all the difference. Both items update an outfit.
Mum reads the comments, so she will read your compliment.
I love the pairing of the skirt with the rose sweater…and how clever of your niece to disguise the stains! Your mom looks very chic in her monotone outfit…lovely necklace!
I am so grateful to my niece for saving this sweater as I love it. Like the combat boots, it gives a modern vibe to an outfit.
Mum reads the comments, so she will read your compliment too.
I thought the black jacket skirt combo made you look slender, yet shapely. Classic does not mean frumpy. Love a pump as it lengthens the leg. You look almost Dior New Look in that photo. Love it
I know classic doesn’t mean frumpy but somehow I seem to hit that spot. I also love a pump, so elegant. Funny you should say the suit almost looks like the Dior New Look, as I thought the same when I bought it.
Hi, What I see is that your style is changing (maybe evolving?). It seems you have become more playful with clothes. I do like the skirt with the flower sweater much more. Your mother is a cutie and so is Loes. Thank you for sharing.
Yes indeed, my style is evolving. My friend Anja says the same; she is very pleased with this change. I used to be too classic. This is more modern, more fun but I do struggle to know how. Hit the jackpot with the combat boots.
I love the flower sweater with the skirt and boots. The red color looks great. I don’t like the yellow top with it, I guess because I just don’t like the color yellow! The jacket and skirt looks like a work environment outfit. something you probably needed when you worked!
I love the colour yellow but certainly not in that outfit. I bought the jacket and skirt when I was still at work, so perhaps that is why they have that vibe. But it didn’t matter what I wore to work, jeans were fine too, anything really. Although it was a bank, it was the marketing / advertising department of the bank. Very relaxed. I just like being dolled up.
I love how you updated that skirt. I had a friend ask me the same question on how to take older, more outdated pieces and make them more modern. I actually did a blog post about it. I have to get ideas from somewhere. Ha, ha. I guess great minds think alike. I love what you did with the sweater and the combat boots. So fresh and very up to date. Well done. Your mom reminds me of my mom, who is probably only 5 feet at this point and so thin, but at 95, she is still living on her own. Have a lovely week. – Amy
I had a peep at your blog and will read some more in a bit. You look young.
Those combat boots are making every old piece of clothing modern. And to think I had to go back to the store where I bought them to ask for advice how to style/use them haha. As you say, I have to get ideas from somewhere.
My mum is 93 and also lives on her own. Aren’t we blessed?
Glad to hear your knee is better! Fighting with mine right now! Ouch! I want to ask about your eyebrows. Do you still like them? I am thinking about getting mine done. We are about the same age, but I gray/silver headed. Would you do it again? Love your blog❤️
Knees and getting older…a painful combination. Wishing you a speedy recovery.
My eyebrows…yes I would do it again BUT, next time I would ask the lady who is going to do it, to draw the shape she has in mind in pencil before I say yes. With mine she already made the outlines and I said I thought they were too wide and too angular, but she shushed me and said, they were only the outlines. However, I think they came out too angular and one of them is too high in my opinion. Nobody notices it, but I am not going back to her. I am waiting for the eyebrows to fade and then I have another address who creates them more natural, more my style. There are friends of mine who envy me for my eyebrows but I think they are too fashionable. I just want normal eyebrows of which you’d think they are mine.
Still, I am pleased with the permanent make-up. It makes such a difference when you get up in the morning and it saves a lot of time.
I enjoyed seeing all of the outfits with the black skirt, but I was distracted by the couple in the background in the photo where you are posing by the Hannie Schaft statue. They both have their arms up, and I kept wondering what they were doing.
I think the couple in the background were doing exercises. If not, they perhaps were imitating the statue of Hannie Schaft?? No idea.
Next time I’ll delete people in the background with Photoshop Elements haha.
Love this post showing the development of an outfit. I’m not a skirt person, but I really like the skirt with the flower sweater the best.
Loes’ eyes are amazing and gorgeous.
Your mom looks great in black and her necklace is perfect.
Marianne, as always, looks very chic.
Beautiful tulips! Have a great week.
We agree then Anne, the skirt with the rose sweater wins.
And everything else in the post also got your approval. Thanks you very much.
I have passed on the compliment about Loes’eyes.
The rose print sweater is one of my favorites, and looks really good with the skirt. I like this latest outfit the best.
I just looked up Hannie Schaft and read about her. What a courageous woman!
Your parents…they both look like movie stars! They must have been such an attractive couple together.
I was so pleased that my niece saved this sweater by adding the ‘rose petals’.
I think my parents were indeed an attractive couple together. And moreover, they both danced as if they had wings. Dancing was big in their days. So perhaps they were a dream pair haha.
Lovely as always! That black skirt, like a black jacket , can be worn so many different ways. I like all your styling and the different looks.
As you have read, I certainly don’t like all styling and different looks, but about three of them. Still, it isn’t bad and who knows what I might come up with in the future.
Wow – that necklace! gorgeous.
Great outfits Greetje, as always you look great!
So does your mum, black suits her!
The long necklace was made by a friend who normally only made short necklaces. I insisted she made a longer one and then she came up with this one. As if to say: “You want a longer one? You shall have a longer one haha”.
Thank you for all the compliments.
Your new camera makes quite a difference. I look forward to your posts every week!
I am very glad to hear you are looking forward to my posts Alice. And yes this camera is much better, which pleases me but my husband even more.