Make It Work: Champagne/Grey Color Combination

My new Make It Work series of blog posts (inspired by my future-self of the present, Tim Gunn) begins with this first one.  I'm excited about this because we'll find really great looks and accomplish a similar look or effect with things already in our closets.  Fun for my frugal and fiscally responsible, yet fashionable followers. 

I came across this runway picture of a guy wearing an awesome champagne jacket with grey underneath.  I LOVE champagne and grey together, so I went through my closet and tried to pull together an existing/no-purchase-required pairing to match the inspiration look.  I came up with this Dolce & Gabbana jacket, grey shirt from J Crew, grey cardigan by Shades of Greige, dark jeans by Marc Jacobs and skinny tie by Diesel.  Although not an exact match, many elements are mirrored: the color combination being the most obvious, but also the textures.  In just one look, we find a shiny coat, coarse cardigan, structured shirt, soft dark tie and overall awesome layering!  You'd be amazed what you can make work with your existing wardrobe.  It's all about mixing it up and viewing each piece in a new light.  

Repurposed: Vintage Napkin

It's always fun when you can take a unique find and create an alternate or updated purpose. This is a quick and easy way to make the ordinary extraordinary. Take for example the vintage napkin I've used as a pocket square in the picture below. I found this napkin with a hand-embroidered grey and white "A" at a local antique shop in Franklin. In addition to having my last initial embroidered, I was drawn to this vintage piece for the incredible detail. I had this altered to be a smaller handkerchief-like size, then used as a pocket square in this navy herringbone Giorgio Armani sportcoat with gray and blue details. Under the jacket is a slim fitting Dolce & Gabbana white button-up with a subtle herringbone pattern as well.

Always keep an open eye for beautiful things. If something catches your eye and you can't immediately think of a way to use it, pick it up anyway and then play around when you're feeling creative. Or email me and I'll give some tips, then write a fun post about it!