AUTUMN OUTFIT PROPOSAL: A LILAC SWEATER, JEANS AND HIGH HEELED BOOTS

Autumns often translates as: sweater weather. We all know sweaters are a cozy and comfortable choice when the weather isn't so warm anymore. It is hardly surprising that such a comfortable and practical choice as sweaters continues to remain popular (especially in the holiday season). Can sweaters also make us good look? Yes, they can! Absolutely! It is all about finding the right cut and shade for your skin tone and body shape as well as wearing it correctly. As with every clothing item out there, it is all about finding what works for you. I do believe that it is possible to be stylish, chic and feminine in the colder months. In fact, layering opens up many styling possibilities. 

HOW TO MAKE AN OUTFIT FEATURING JEANS AND A SWEATER MORE FEMININE?

 Don't worry about a sweater making you look bulkier. There are always ways to work around that. I'm always amazed by what a difference a pair of heels makes. Take this outfit, for an example. It is all about comfort. I'm wearing a thick lilac sweater paired with straight jeans and an oversize coat. This combo is pretty casual, right? However, a pair of high heeled boots changed it around and made it more chic. This sweater is not form fitting or tight, not exactly oversize but it is definitely on the longer side.  Paired with jeans, it can look too plain. That is why pairing it with heeled boots made so much sense. Heels elongate the figure. As for the straight cut jeans, they work wonderfully with heels. I had this pair of jeans for two years now and I wear them all the time. My husband actually bought them for himself, but changed his mind and gave them to me. He likes when I wear jeans, but I prefer dresses and skirts (most of the time anyway). But hey, marriage is all about compromises and I do enjoy wearing jeans occasionally. Jeans are truly a timeless piece and  I like how there are endless ways to wear them. If you're looking for some jeans inspiration, you can have a look at my visual guide for wearing jeans for autumn and winter.  Jeans paired with heeled boots are one of my favourite outfit formulas for autumn and winter. 

Now, this pair of platform boots isn't the most comfortable one but it works just fine for shorter walks. I admit that it was a fast fashion purchase made a few years ago but at least I still have them. As much as I do try to invest into quality shoes, I occasionally do buy a cheap pair of shoes. With years less and less, because as someone who walks a lot, I can definitely see the importance of quality shoes. If you live in Europe, the chances are that you will walk a lot, as a lot of historical city centres are actually closed for traffic and sometimes getting somewhere on foot is not only the fastest and the easiest way but also the only opinion. In most European countries, driving everywhere is not an opinion. That is why comfortable shoes are a must. However,  I actually don't have any regrets about buying this pair. They costed me practically nothing and I got to wear them enough times to make the purchase sustainable (apparently 30 wears is what we should strive for). They're also not terribly uncomfortable, just not suitable for longer walks. 

WHY I LOVE SHOPPING MY CLOSET SO MUCH?

 What else to say about this outfit? It also features a bag I got from my husband and the grey coat I blogged recently about. Thanks to warm weather we're enjoying in Croatia, I've been wearing this coat over my shoulders most of the time. There is nothing new about this outfit. I haven't actually bought any new clothes (retail or second hand) this autumn (and you know I took the summer slow fashion challenge). I guess that I'm just having too much fun shopping my closet to be tempted to buy anything new. Plus, I'm trying to be more sustainable. Right now, I'm not just dressing from my closet, I'm actually dressing from my suitcase and that's a bit more challenging but I'm managing. I've been forced into a capsule wardrobe, because I only took one suitcase of clothes with me to Croatia. I haven't had the time to travel back to Mostar for more and I doubt I will any time soon. I'm spending my weekends working on paperwork and stuff. Last weekend I did went to Split but only for a day, I had to come back because I had work to do. 

LILAC AND DENIM BLUE- A GREAT COLOUR COMBO 

If you want to jazz up your autumn wardrobe a bit, why not try pairing denim blue and lilac. I'm a big fan of purple and blue colour combo. Lilac is a great shade for autumn. Supposedly it works best for fair skin, while my skin type (olive) is better suited for vibrant pinks and fuchsia. However,  I think it sweater works pretty well even with my olive skin. It might be against the colour theory, but I like it.

In fact, if you have a look at my art (my paintings and illustrations), you will notice that I'm especially drawn to purple. I often illustrate purple and blue outfits. Lilac is also a shade I often use in creation of my paintings and drawings. So, clearly it is a colour combo I'm very fond of. It is great being able to recreate it with such a cozy and comfy outfit. I loved wearing this one!

MY ART IN A STICKER FORM! 

My message of the day: keep those you love close. I lost two family members last week. Two individuals I loved and I will never get to see or talk to again. Nevermore. You never know will you or your loved ones  live to see another day or wake up alive tomorrow. Now is all we have. Every moment is precious. So, make time for quality time with your family and friends.  At the end of the day, that might be the most important thing. Thank you for reading and have a lovely day!