My first reaction to this outfit was that I would never have thought of pairing those two colors together and I didn't know if I liked the result. But my second reaction was that for a blonde, Diane Kruger looked very nice in that bright plum color. I have always thought that bright plum (or that shade of fuchsia) was a color reserved to brunettes (not that I am as blond as Diane Kruger but I am definitively not a brunette).
So yesterday, when I was in a store and I found the same cashmere cardigan in that same color for the incredible price of $34.99, I picked it up over the same one in black (now of course I regret not picking up BOTH for that price). If Diane Kruger can do bright plum, so do I, I thought.
I thought that it would be fun to try to recreate a similar look with this cardigan and something that I own. I don't have the Surf tweed charter skirt so I have paired it with the Drapey Drexel plisse skirt. And let's be honest, what really takes that outfit from preppy to a whole new level are the Lanvin heels (I immediately recognized the shoes when I saw the pic because my favorite shoe store had them in the window for a long time and I was swooning over them each time that I went grocery shopping, as the shoe store is on my way to the grocery store).
I happen to have a pair of similar heels from Zara that I bought in Italy just before getting pregnant. When I found out that I was pregnant I freaked out and decided not to wear the shoes until the baby was born, out of fear of falling over my heels and hurt the baby or worst (my husband agreed). In the end I never got around to wear them, because after having a baby you don't really feel like going around in a 4' heel.
But maybe, thanks to Jcrew and miss Kruger, they will have a second chance to be worn:
I have to say that this color doesn't photograph very well. If you have seen it in person you know that it's much more vibrant (and I hope that washing the cardigan won't change this) and I really like it with black, it's a nice alternative for the evening.
Here is a pic of the Lanvin-esque Zara shoes:
What do you think? Which look do you like better (you are allowed to say that you like Diane's look better, no problem)? Do you think that bright plum is for brunettes?
Wow! Love this outfit! The bright plum color with the black is very vibrant and stylish. This outfit can be worn now, and into fall! Love the shoes, I would never be able to walk in them, but they are s-e-x-y!!!! Where is the sweater from? Is this jcrew cardigan? For that price??
ReplyDeleteI'm a brunette and love bright plum! I grew up in the "Color Me Beautiful" 80s, where everyone was classified as a certain "season" and you were only supposed to wear those colors.
ReplyDeleteI don't agree with that any longer--I think anyone can wear any color, and if you're uncertain about a color, give it a try by mixing it with a color that you know you like!
i am a bruenette and i love the color.i have a cardigan and a scarf in it and often get compliments when i wear it(probably because otherwise i often wear neutrals).
ReplyDeletedefinitly great outfit on you,you should wear the the zara shoes to a date with your husband!
Love your look today! The Bright Plum is BEE-YOU-tiful on YOU!
ReplyDeleteNo, Diane Kruger looked good, but your version is much more wearable and therefore much more appealing.
ReplyDeleteI do love this plum color but I can never seem to find it for a good price, so I will hold off for now...but since I have the drexel skirt, and bright cardis, I have an option on how to wear it!
First of all...you have a cute shoe store on your way to the grocery store??? I only have a CVS! Next, I love the plum with the black, it's great when something goes on such a great sale that you can experiment. Great find.
ReplyDeleteLove the color on you! And what a score! I have the light berry color coming next week. But I love all shades of purple.
ReplyDeletemrs.anketell, now it's a little bit too hot to wear this cardigan and yes, it's JCrew, sorry I thought it was obvious. It's style 21842 which is $69.99 on the website but $49.99 in stores. With the 30% off promo, it came down to $34.99. It's exactly the same that Diane is wearing, but she must have paid FP ;-).
ReplyDeleteHexicon, I also grew up in the 80s and that "season" color classification still sticks to my skin, so I rarely experiment with colors. But this cardigan for that price was irresistible!
ina, yes if you are a btunete no doubt that this color must be very flattering on you. Maybe I am going to wear the skirt and shoes (less the cashmere cardigan) on our date night tonight, we'll see!
yogagirl, thank you!
dinagideon, I am surprised that you haven't anything in this color: you are the blog Queen of colors!
Sue(reBloomer), yes, that's an advantage (or disadvantage, depending on the point of view) of living in Mnhattan. Temptations are everywhere (the crewcuts store is just across the street from my grocery store and I have already used the grocery store excuse to go shopping for my DH).
jcrewphd, congratulations on the light berry color. They also had it in store but it's a color that doesn't look great on me. Kicking myself for not buying the black or navy for that price...
I think that is an amazing price for that sweater!
ReplyDeleteThe color looks great on you, and I love it with the skirt: perfect outfit. The shoes really kick up the outfit, but I can also see it with black tights and your Roadsters in the fall (you did buy the black, am I remembering correctly?)
So great buy, and yes it IS a color for blondes!
I have the wool "Ella" dress in the peony, which is a very similar color.
Fab outfit - love the sweater on you. And WOW on the price.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm with Sue - you have a fab shoe store on the way to the grocery?? :)
I do not think that the bright plum is only for brunettes, and I am one, it looks great on your skintone and with your lighter hair!
ReplyDeleteThe color looks great on you! Can I ask you what store you got the cardigan from? I ordered the exact same cardigan during the 30% off sale and received my order today; they sent me the wrong sweater. I got the featherweight crewneck cardigan in bright plum instead -- NOT what I ordered or wanted. I'm hoping to find the sweater and have it sent to me. Also, are you wearing a small or x-small? I think we are the same size and I usually order a small in cardigans. TIA!
ReplyDeleteDaniBP, yes I have the Vintage Roadster in black, will try them with the skirt in the fall, thanks for the suggestion!
ReplyDeleteHeidiG, thank you! Yes, that was an amazing deal. And yes, on my way to the grocery store I have a fab shoe store, a fab clothes store (where I bought the party dressfor my husband's birthday party in LA) and a Crewcuts! Thanks God the Collection store is in the opposite direction!
RachelZ, thank you. I appreciate the approval coming from a brunette ;-)
shopalot, I got it at the Rockefeller Center store in NYC. They had a couple in this color, you can try to call them. I am wearing a XS (for reference I am almost always a XS in V-neck cardigans and a S in Jackies and sometimes other crewnecks).
Thank you so much, Ema! I left a message for my online PS about the sweater. She located one for me and is having it shipped today. I'll bet it's from the Rockefeller Center store - will let you know when I get it.
ReplyDeleteLove this look and much prefer your version to Diane Kruger's. Great deal on a beautiful cardigan.
ReplyDelete