WIW Matchy Matchy Tomboy (Not Menswear)

I used to have a Big Issue with wearing orange with black - nowadays, I do it often, but I still felt a wee bit strange colorblocking orange and black. Hopefully no one thinks I look like a jack o' lantern! Browns chosen to soften the black here. Meeting with personal injury adjuster this morning, then chiropractor in the eventing, so I didn't want to be too put together or constricted. Normally, I would have more structure in an outfit, but today all there is is my chest pockets, of course a fitted shoulder seam, and my leopard bag.

I think the effect is very tomboy - not the usual menswear vibe with a vest and tie and such, but an overall slouchy effect like a boy in a school uniform who still wants to run about and cause mischief without splitting his pants. ;)

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25 Comments

  • Transcona Shannon replied 12 years ago

    This is definitely slouchy tomboy - and I LOVE it! This is the type of blouse I'm after - well fitting but still soft with the ability to tuck, not tuck or partial tuck. You look gorgeous in orange Rae - and no...you do NOT look like a jack o'lantern!

  • replied 12 years ago

    I'm loving your Purrrrrrrrrolex! So cute! I love the boots with this outfit and the way the brown elements soften the black against the orange. I love your bag, and that is a great structured shirt! Orange was made for you, Rachel!

  • Amy replied 12 years ago

    You look super, Rae, not like a jack-o-lantern at all. I do think the browns are very helfpul in making this a more sophisticated look. That watch is the cat's meow. Love it!

    I hope your appointment with the chiropracter helps you feel better.

  • Angie replied 12 years ago

    Love! So swish and no-nonsense. (I wear this combination of blouse, belt and trousers quite regularly now). To my eye, it's still a manish look - but we can stick to "boyish" if you prefer :)

    Wearing orange and black WITH a third colour will prevent that Halloween Feeling. Just as you did here you clever gal.

  • ManidipaM replied 12 years ago

    Not seeing Halloween here yet. Maybe if you got some green hair to go with it? :-p

    Until then, you *do* look fabulously, effortlessly stylish in a bit of a boyish way! Amazing arm candy, and LOVE the bag, which makes a huge difference to the vibe --- something that says there's a girl in here, not just a tomboy, either.

  • replied 12 years ago

    Rae, that orange is spectacular on you! And the kitties. .. . I die!!! Love!

  • cheryle (Dianthus) replied 12 years ago

    Fabulous outfit Rae. The first thing I noticed was the fit of the pants and shirt. I really like the way the two pieces work together. I would never have thought Halloween if you hadn't mentioned it in your post.

    Hope the meeting goes well.

  • Angie replied 12 years ago

    Oh! I got so carried away with the outfit I forgot to mention the AMAZING ARM CANDY!!!

  • rae replied 12 years ago

    Thanks, ladies! I came straight here for a pick me up, because the adjuster never showed up to our appointment! I'm disgusted and wrote a formal complaint letter about it - she has been regularly absent from the office, disorganized, and now stood me up which is of course going to delay things even more.

    But on the plus side, I have you all to brighten my day, so thank you for the kind words. I'm really liking how my Purrolex (LOVE, Claire!) peeks out from my sleeve when I sit my arms on the desk to type - now I understand why YLF loves watches.

    Angie, I think I do get a more manly vibe from this, too, but "menswear" usually carries the connotation of an Annie Hall look, no? Or maybe I've just not experienced a broader usage? I'm fine channeling a more rogueish man in a relaxed blouse. :)

  • ManidipaM replied 12 years ago

    Grr on your behalf, Rae! That is as unbelievable as the negligent doc!

    But also ROTFL at the Men in Blouse you're channelling! :-D

  • morethanbeige replied 12 years ago

    I used to avoid orange and black also, but this looks great on you! No signs of a jack o' lantern! I am loving the relaxed feel. I feel a copy coming on!

  • catgirl replied 12 years ago

    LOVE this! Where is that fab orange blouse from? I think this is somewhere between boyish and menswear - the pieces themselves are not inherently masculine, but the styling and the attitude gives them the androgynous spin. Whatever it is, it's a roaring success. :)

  • rae replied 12 years ago

    Una, this is the Nexx silk blouse suggested to me by Parsley! Got it at Nordies, and they have lots of fun colors.

  • Julie replied 12 years ago

    Looking Fab as usual, Rae. What boots are you wearing with this outfit?

    Perhaps you should use them to give the adjuster a kick in the caboose, then she might know how you're feeling.

  • Vicki replied 12 years ago

    Love the watch and does it "meow" on the hour! It's purrfect. ^_^

    As for the orange and black with brown accessories, I've been a frustrated Cleveland Browns fan for years and their colors are orange and brown, so you've removed any jack o'lantern effect with this smart addition. Your blouse is beautiful in every way and now ManidipaM has me ROTFL. p.s. Send your PI adjuster a bill for standing you up and then go shopping. How rude of her and unprofessional, too.

  • MsMary replied 12 years ago

    Spectacular! Love it!! You look about nine feet tall in that fabulous ensemble! And the watch is too, too fun!!!

  • Parsley replied 12 years ago

    Oh, YAY! I'm so glad the blouse worked for you! That orange is wonderful on you, and the fit looks perfect. Yipee!

  • Kiwichik replied 12 years ago

    Gorgeous in orange

  • CocoLion replied 12 years ago

    The shirt was such a wise purchase. It looks amazing on you, the color and the fit. This outfit has a simple classic femininity on top of the tomboy-ishness. And your watch cracks me up! So fun.

    Hope your meetings go well Rae!

  • christieanne replied 12 years ago

    Rae Solo! I see the inspiration clearly and love it. Breaking up the black and orange with brown is brilliant. And yes on the watch thing - a peek of a watch under a cuff is totally fun especially when it is your furbaby special Purrlex.

  • Meredith1953 replied 12 years ago

    Rae,
    you look gorgeous in the orange shirt! I have always like black and orange together but you soften it with the gray? color of the boots. Really a great look and the purse is so cute! Love the sweet kitty shot in the watch!

  • rae replied 12 years ago

    Thanks, everyone!

    Vicki, Browns colors sound just fine - DH is from Ohio, after all. :)

    Meredith, you are right - the boots do soften the colors as well. Gosh, I love these boots!

    And an update on the accident case:
    - I lodged a complaint against the no-show adjuster and got my case transferred to someone else - yay!
    - I bit the bullet and called the attorney that my chiropractor recommended. He even got me in to see a doctor next door to his office, right after I go in to see him. Having my consult with him in 30 mins. Hopefully he will take over the headache portion of this process...

  • replied 12 years ago

    Buahahahaha dying here @ Purrolex!
    Pairing orange with black and brown is BRILLIANT. I love it.
    I am so sorry these accident issues keep on lingering. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a speedy resolution. I hope the meeting with the attorney goes well.

  • goldenpig replied 12 years ago

    Orange is definitely your color! Wear often--no Halloween here (not that there's anything wrong with Halloween!) And what a fab Purrolex! Is that a DIY?

    Hope things go well and that everything gets resolved soon!

  • rae replied 12 years ago

    The attorney was fab! And so was his recommended neck specialist. This gal has an MRI ordered and does NOT have to talk with any more insurance agents. Huzzah!

    Natalie, yes, it was a DIY - salvaged watch face and salvaged leather. :)

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