Combining clothes which are already in your wardrobe is sustainable and THE thing to do nowadays. That, and buying second-hand.
Both are challenging for me. 1) Because I can never imagine how something will look on me, when I see it hanging on the rack in a shop and 2) -related to 1-, I have a hard time coming up with a good outfit which means I hate the process.
Everybody always thinks that I am really good at styling and I am not. OK, I learned a few things in the ten years that I blog now (last month was my 10th blog anniversary). But really, it is more blood, sweat and tears than knowing what I do. Especially proportions, which is so important, is a blind spot in my head. Combining different textures to add interest is only theory for me; no idea how to do that. I spend many styling afternoons with a heap of clothes, shoes and accessories on my bed and the feeling of despair at the end of the exercise. I am much better at buying clothes with a stylist in the shop, who makes sure I combine the right items. Not sustainable and at the moment also impossible as I need to recoup a lot of money into my saving account, after spending too much.
Today I combined the oversized men’s blazer with the wide cream trousers. The latter I bought with this blazer in mind, but I first showed it on the blog with a fitted top.
I wanted a simple, streamlined look, so opted for a loose fitted cream top. It is cream in reality but it comes up white in the photos.
As I put it on, I thought it was rather boring and I wanted to add some interest. The beaded belt did the trick and goes well with the golden/green earrings. The Wandler bag is chic and neutral. Black boots with the right heel height. Wide trousers are very tricky to style when it comes to heel height.
Let’s get to the photos. They were taken by my friend and former colleague Arian. She is a marketing manager and a very smart cookie. Turned out to be a good photographer as well.
Below: Arian.
We met at Utrecht Central station and walked into town together.
Below: First stop was restaurant Joseph for coffee. Quirky interior.
As we had lots to catch up on, we stayed there for quite a while.
Below: First photo spot was the garden of an old building, providing a great background.
Below: We crossed the inner courtyard and saw this mural.
Below: Arian took photos of the mural from two sides.
Below: We proceeded through Utrecht, yet another old town. Of course, bicycles everywhere. They are becoming a plague.
Below: I love street artists. They make me happy.
Below: We found another secluded garden with old ornaments in the wall.
A photo with my long black coat. I am laughing at people who entered the garden and saw Arian in action with the camera. They didn’t dare come between Arian and me.
Below: We spotted a bench and as it was still a bit wet from the rain, I put my coat on it before sitting down.
Below: This is an example of a photo that usually doesn’t make the blog. I don’t think I need to explain why. At least it shows the earrings by Lara Design quite well. The golden branch and green glass button go with the beaded belt.
Below: Onwards…past pretty buildings. I think this is the Academy building.
Below: No idea what this is, but it looks like part of the Dom church.
Below: Part of the impressive Dom church in Utrecht. I can only show you this renovated part as the big tower is still being done. It was quite dirty. Here is a link to Dom church in Google pictures.
Below: We had lunch at restaurant Ruby Rose. Not only do they have delicious food, their ambiance is a real cornucopia.
Below: We both chose this ‘sandwich’ and it tasted as delicious as it looks.
Below: Here we are, after lunch. The cheerful waitress offered to take our photo.
Below: This photo of Arian shows you the elaborate walls.
It was one of these days that gets an A+.
What happened in my life this week
It was rather a quiet week with two days of having the new sunshades installed. Getting the workmen coffee, answering their questions and so on. I was wrong in thinking that I could Facetime with my friend Anja while they were doing their thing. That wasn’t possible, they needed my attention so I only spoke to her for half an hour. Which is better than not at all.
On Saturday I rushed through town shopping for all sorts of things and it was so unbelievably busy. Then I remembered that the Sint Nicolaas celebration is on the 5th of December. That means presents and funny surprise wrappings and poets. It is like Santa Claus but more fun. Everybody was shopping for presents and searching for big white boxes (for the surprise wrappings. They can be very big sometimes. Often with a tiny present in them.)
Mum hadn’t tried the new jumpers I had ordered for her as she wanted to try them on when I was there. For a second opinion. She was wearing jeans and I said: “Ah, you are wearing jeans because you thought I would probably too?” But no, she wore jeans because she remembered me saying that any jumper or top looks good with jeans… I found that very endearing. She tried on 7 jumpers and kept 4. Not bad.
Below: This is mum in a modern outfit. The black and white striped polo neck peeked out under the green jumper. I thought the layering looked quite good on her and it is something entirely different from everything she’s got. Even though she is not smiling in the photo, mum liked it as well. If not, it would have gone back of course.
I tried to create new outfits for myself with things from my wardrobe and as I explained at the top of this post, that does not bring me joy. On the bright side, I did manage to come up with two outfits that are half decent.
A great day was the day spent with Marjolein at Rotterdam, visiting Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen. Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen is the first art storage facility in the world that offers access to a museum’s complete collection. The Depot has a different dynamic to that of a museum: there are no exhibitions, but you can wander through the building, surrounded by 151,000 artworks, alone or with a guide, and get behind-the-scenes glimpses of – among other things – conservation and restoration. It was Marjolein’s idea to use it as background for a photo shoot. You will see the result next week; loads of photos.
Below: Marjolein and me in the circle. We photographed ourselves in the ceiling mirror of the Depot restaurant.
After postponing our appointment once, Marita and I saw each other again for coffee. A very enjoyable couple of hours.
Below: Marita and me. Marita was dressed in a brown leather pencil skirt with a grey/green jumper (sweater) and brown boots. So sorry I didn’t take a head-to-toe photo. It was late and already getting dark when we said goodbye.
Below: Meeting Marita I had put on the same outfit with the wide cream trousers. I wanted a photo where you could see the belt a bit better. You also see that the trousers crease a lot. The photo was taken by one of the girls at my hairdressers who are next-door to the coffee restaurant. While I was waiting for Marita, I left a bag and coat in the restaurant to secure our table as it was very busy and popped next-door.
Friday evening Ron and I had dinner at restaurant Coster 52 in Haarlem (below) and that was really good. It is called ‘eetcafé’, literally translated: ‘eat café’. It means a simple restaurant with simple food. We didn’t expect much and were pleasantly surprised by the quality of the food.
Below: I was finally able to take a good picture of our townhall, without too many people or too much sunshine.
Greetje
You find such beautiful places to include in your blog. I am always so impressed with the restaurants/coffee shops and the beautiful buildings. As for designing the outfits you share, I cannot imagine spending that much time on clothes but you look very good. Plus your jewelry always adds something special. Thanks for sharing.
It is far from easy, finding a good spot for blog photos, but we try hard. We, as in the photographer and me.
I hear what you are saying about spending that much time on clothes. What can I say? It is a hobby and it pays off. I have always been overly interested in adorning myself. Very vain.
Lovely photos and outfits Greetje. Reading your blog is like having a chat with a friend. I’ll share a handy tip for when you want to take pictures of a ceiling: put your camera on selfie mode, and then you can just hold it in front of you at chest height or lower and see exactly what you’re getting in the shot. Saves your arms when you’re touring a grand palace or church and taking lots of ceiling shots.
That is a very good tip. Thank you very much. Also thanks for the nice compliments. I always appreciate that, as you can imagine.
By the way, you might not have gotten the email with the blog post of last Sunday. This is the link:
https://www.nofearoffashion.com/2022/12/11/olive-coloured-wide-trousers/
Your outfit with the beaded belt turned out very well! I am glad you enjoyed the outfit.
Everywhere you went was beautiful! I loved the mural and did look at the google pictures of the magnificent church!
Please tell your adorable Mum that the green jumper looks wonderful on her!
I’ll email you what I wore while styling this week.
Thank you for the compliments. I saw your email and replied.
But you got the wrong email announcing a new post due to a glitch in my email program.
Here is the link to the current blog post of the 11th of December:
https://www.nofearoffashion.com/2022/12/11/olive-coloured-wide-trousers/
Am I having a deja but moment? I could swear I have seen this post previously but never mind..the bldgs are beautiful to look at again.
I have sent you a link to the current blog post of the 11th of December. Sorry, there has been a glitch in my mail program.
I received this post today, Dec. 11, seems I didn’t receive last weeks until today. Dec 11 is missing! Mom is an inspiration!
I bought a pair of super wide pants and really like them. You styled them well. I liked the long coat. I think a short cropped jacket would also work.
There has been a glitch in my email program.
Here is the link to the current blog post of the 11th of December:
https://www.nofearoffashion.com/2022/12/11/olive-coloured-wide-trousers/
As for a short cropped jacket on these trousers…yes that would work but not with my body shape, I’m afraid.
This post just showed up in my inbox — based on the comment dates, it’s apparently a week late. No problem! But I hope I can still ask what’s in the sandwich? It looks absolutely delicious.
There has been a glitch in my email program. You received last week’s post with the first sentences of this week’s post. Aagghh. This is the link to the current post: https://www.nofearoffashion.com/2022/12/11/olive-coloured-wide-trousers/
As for the sandwich, it is toasted and has meat balls in them with drops of two diffent sauces.Really good.
There are so many beautiful places in Utrecht. I particularly love that amazing mural…it looks like you could walk right through it! I’m also very impressed with the Ruby Rose restaurant. What a fabulous place! The decor is something else. Gorgeous.
Needless to say, I love your outfit because I’m a huge fan of wide-legged trousers. I like to wear them with sneakers but it also depends on the length of the trousers, doesn’t it? Especially if it’s been raining! I hate it when the hems get all wet.
Big hugs
Suzy xx
I agree about the trousers. These ones are very near to the ground, so dangerous. But if I wear them with a higher heel, they look silly. Next Sunday you will see a different kind of wide-legged trousers which are no problem with sneakers or wet hems.
That belt is fabulous and really makes the outfit. Thanks for again taking us on a wonderful tour!
I agree, I thought the outfit could do with a little ‘zing’, hence the belt. And the tour is entirely my pleasure.
What a lovely and fun post, as always. You look wonderful … but your mom may have stolen a bit of your thunder this week. (Hope that odd phrase translates??)
I know the phrase haha and I don’t mind anyone stealing my thunder. As long as this blog is entertaining as that is the goal. And thank you for the compliments. Always nice to hear.
Another series of marvellous photos! I love the mural you found, as well as the other locations in Utrecht. Another reader commented on the “French chic” of your outfit — I agree! Your mom looks lovely in the green jumper — that’s a very pretty outfit too.
I am quite surprised that this outfit got so much positive feedback. I wasn’t entirely sure. And ‘French chic’ is quite a compliment.
Mum is pleased with her jumper. She forgot that we had decided on the black and white striped top underneath it and wore it without last Sunday. Looks good too as you will see in next week’s post.
Thanks for another Sunday-brightening post! I love the blazer and cream pants outfit – very menswear chic. I think you have to be tall and have long legs to pull it off. I’m 5’6″, but I have short legs, and I don’t think I would look good. But, at least I can dress vicariously through you!
Have a good week.
I haven’t got the skills to advise you on this, but I have seen many small women pulling off oversized blazers and wide trousers looking ever so cute. I have to be careful not to look like a man.
My husband and I lived in Bangkok Thailand when we were first married. He had a beautiful batik sports coat made for him. Now, of course, it does not fit him after so many years. The coat was just too gorgeous to send away. I decided to keep it for me! I cuff the sleeves which have an equally stunning printed satin lining. Oversized is sometimes fun!
Your Mom is so cute, too.
The trend of oversized men’s blazers for women is also a very sustainable and cheap thing. The only thing you have to do is dive into your husband’s wardrobe and take out a suit which doesn’t fit him anymore. Guaranteed success haha, as you have experienced yourself.
Mooie stoere combi en wat leuk om Arian te zien!
Ja, grappig he? En niks veranderd. Ik ben een beetje verbaasd dat de outfit zulke goede reviews krijgt. Maar ja, wat weet ik nou van stylen haha.
I read somewhere trying on and taking off clothes uses lots of calories. Think how thin models are :). Your mother is so lovely, how lucky you are to have her. Some lovely photos especially the giant trompe l’oeil.
Wat gezellig dat je met Arian op stap was!
Dat was het zeker. We hadden al een afspraak gemaakt voor het AAB-feest. Nou jij en ik nog. (Hint)
Nice try haha, but I am afraid the models are thin because they hardly eat anything.
I am indeed very lucky to still have my mother. And in good mental health. Just imagine, I am 68 and still someone’s child.
You look very “French chic” this week Greetje! And you’re spoiling us with the amazing photos of Utrecht – I used to go there a lot for IT conferences but haven’t been in years. It’s changed quite a bit. Love the mural and the Joseph and Ruby Rose interiors are wonderful. What was in the sandwich? Looks like meatballs or something, very original anyway. Have a good week!
I don’t think Utrecht has changed a lot; I just showed you things you haven’t seen yet.
The sandwich was a ‘to(a)sti’as we call it. Which is usually two slices of bread with ham and cheese between the slices and then toasted). In this case it was two halves of a baguette (grilled/toasted) with beef croquette balls (yes meat balls) and a couple of sauce drops. It was really delicious.
I found your blog via Nikki’s MidLifeChic. So sweet that your mum wants to try on clothes and have your opinion. I think your wideleg/blazer combo looks great.
How lovely you found my blog. And commented as well. I hope I can entertain you for a long time as entertaining is the main goal of my blog. Welcome.