What to wear with pastels

There are a handful of stores where I will pay full-price for an item, and COS is one of them. I've already shared my appreciation for the Swedish chain in this post, but to reiterate, I love their clothes so much, I often see something and need it immediately. That was the case with the two-tone cardigan I'm wearing in this post—I saw it featured in an email of theirs, I clicked to the site, and purchased it, all in a matter of about 30 seconds. Coincidentally, it's pastel, which is a big trend for spring and, with the exception of pale pink, a category of color that I usually stay away from. Styling it was a bit of a challenge, but one that I was up for. Here's how it all came together.



I fell in love with this cardigan because it's unlike anything else in my closet. It's hard to see because of my trench, but the sleeves and the hem have a two-tone layered effect, so it looks like you're wearing a shorter top over a longer one. The closures are hidden snaps, so the shape is very streamlined. The weight is perfect for springtime layering, too. For size reference, I'm wearing a medium but probably could have gone with a small.



Unfortunately the weather was not quite cooperating with this shoot, so I had to layer with a trench coat. I wanted to keep the look light and springy, however, so I went with my khaki trench. I've had this one for 10 years—and it kind of shows—but it's such a classic. A.P.C. has been making this double-breasted style for years, and it's just so perfect. It's not waterproof, but it's lined, so it's nice and warm. I tied the belt in the back à la Parisienne so you could see the rest of my outfit.



Wearing the cardigan with regular blue denim looks too same-same, so I went with white jeans for this look. I also came to the conclusion that my other white jeans don't photograph so well, so I broke out this ancient pair of Michael Kors jeans, which are also probably close to 10 years old. (I was inspired to get them after I met Tory Burch, who was wearing a similar style.) I have yet to find another pair of white jeans that's as good as these, but in the name of blogging, I will keep looking.




If you follow as many bloggers on Instagram as I do, you've probably seen a ton of round raffia bags lately, but for good reason—it's the must-have shape of the season. Mine is from Zara (you've seen it here before), and I've been carrying it nonstop. Also back are my Madewell shoes (last seen here), although this time I'm wearing them as mules, rather than slingbacks. They may be even cuter this way!




We shot these photos under the cherry blossoms of Japantown, which is a little Japanese-themed mall and surrounding neighborhood that, coincidentally, I lived across the street from when I first moved to San Francisco. Because even if it's not actually spring here yet, I wanted it to at least look like it!


OUTFIT DETAILS: A.P.C. trench coat || COS cardigan || Michael Kors jeans (current season here) || Zara bag || Madewell mules || Stella & Dot Setta necklace


8 comments

Lydia said...

You certainly can never go wrong with that trench, no matter if it's decades old, it's still gorgeous! Love your straw bag and those fabulous cherry blossoms.
https://www.iamchiconthecheap.com

Jessica Jannenga said...

Love the shoes and the bag! Both will be fab to carry with many outfits, the shoes the perfect neutral and gorgeous leather. What a pretty sweater! I love the steel blue color with the neutral, and your trench is classic, so wear it until it wears out!
lovely!
thanks for linking!
jess xx
www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com

mummabstylish said...

Lovely outfit, and I adore both your bag and those shoes - ohhh I love!! Thanks for sharing today, hope you'll join my #chicandstylish #linkup Jacqui Mummabstylish

Claire Justine said...

Great look Cheryl. Love your bag and sandals :) Thanks for sharing at The Wednesday blog hop.

Unknown said...

I think it's perfect with the white jeans and khaki trench. I know you said you don't do pastels often, but you look right in your element!

Abriana said...

Great blog. Shoe design and dress designs are unique and beautiful. Thanks for sharing this article. Loved the way the blog is written.
gunmetal
Gunmetal denim jeans

Abriana said...

Simple yet elegant. Loved it a lot. Continue sharing.
gunmetal

Oliverjames said...

commercial contract disputes lawyer
The article offers a comprehensive guide on how to style pastel colors, providing creative and practical outfit ideas for various occasions. It includes visual examples and mood boards showcasing different pastel color combinations, explaining their versatility and their ability to complement a wide range of skin tones. The article also includes tips on accessorizing pastel outfits with jewelry, shoes, and handbags, allowing readers to personalize their looks. Seasonal considerations and layering techniques are suggested to ensure the incorporation of pastels into the wardrobe year-round. Balancing pastel colors with neutrals or bolder hues helps achieve cohesive outfits without overwhelming the delicate nature of pastel tones. The article also provides insights into current fashion trends and how pastels can be incorporated into contemporary styles. The article encourages readers to embrace their individual style and experiment with different combinations of pastel colors.