You Transfix Me Quite

"You transfix me quite." Rochester (in Jane Eyre)

This outfit came together slowly over time. First, I found the sweater at Modcloth. I love the colours - a "is it brown or is it grey?" background with abstract roses in shades of blue and peach. Then I found the shoes, and much later the skirt, which echoes the base colours in the sweater and adds a contrasting print.

As much as I liked how the pieces worked together, with matching colours but diverse fabrics, I just wasn't feeling the focus or the passion of outfit. And then yesterday I found a necklace on Etsy that brought everything together.

Made with peach aventurine and antique brass, the necklace is the perfect colour and the perfect "mood" for the outfit. And the artist named the necklace "Jane Eyre" which totally explained it all. Jane Eyre (the character in the novel of the same name) was a study in contrasts - romantic and sensible, strong and tender, passionate and restrained.

The outfit also is all about contrasts - the comforting merino wool of the sweater, the sturdy heavy cotton of the skirt, the romantic whimsy of the flowers, the regimented tradition of the stripes, the practical low heel of the shoe,the soft elegance of the necklace.

(And how appropriate to post a Jane Eyre outfit during the week when the DVD of the 2011 version of the story is being released.)

Away in Margaritaville

Casual chic...perfect to wear while sipping a frozen drink after a long day of sunshine.

A simple blouse with ruffles from UrbanMinxx

Accessorized with fun jewelry (earrings and necklace) with an orange square motif

Comfy yet elegant shorts from French Connection

And sandals from Ghigo

She Ain't No Angel

This black and brown animal print jacket and corresponding lariat-style necklace get a pop of colour with a blue Dolce & Gabanna silk dress that continues the animal print theme. Lace-up black boots complete the outfit with vampy flair.

Queen of the Jungle

This burnt sienna cashmere sweater is paired with a basic black denim pencil skirt. The outfit goes to the jungle wearing these shoes - burnt sienna with leopard print accent. A necklace with leopard print and turquoise beads both ties the outfit together and adds an extra pop of colour.

Somewhere It's Spring

This amazing chartreuse-turquoise-yellow flowered jacket makes a bold statement all on its own. Dress it up with a turquoise blouse and flared white skirt, or take it casual with a denim trouser and a timeless white v-neck T (both from Banana Republic). Take your pick of shoes - either a yellow flat with a turquoise swirl design, or a white flat with a peek of turquoise at the toe. 

Of Wildfell Hall

This outfit brings to mind Helen Graham, the protagonist of Anne Brontë's novel "The Tenant of Wildfell Hall," who is solid and practical but also believes in fairytale romance.

A conventional grey and brown  jigsaw herringbone skirt from John Lewis and a practical shoe in the same colour scheme is offset by the ultra-feminine aqua blouse with bow from Miss Selfridge. A fitted curry velvet jacket is both sensible and whimsical. And pinned to that jacket is a brooch that bears what could possibly be the silhouette of Helen Graham, with dangling poetic charms. 

The Misty Moors of Scotland

There's just something about this outfit that brings to mind a drafty stone cottage, fox hunters on a misty morn, bagpipes, and hot toddies. 

A riding skirt from John Lewis in brown-blue-green plaid is paired with a mocha sweater with scalloped neckline from Modcloth. Add some unexpected delight with heather blue boots from Chloe. The necklace (from Etsy) with browns, blues and greens pulls the outfit together, and also adds a pop of contrast with burgundy and pink.

Let It Snow

This outfit is simply comfortable. Men's retro wool slacks in a two-tone brown checked pattern paired with a cozy indigo blue sweater from Monterey Bay. Accessorized with a cowl scarf from Etsy and sturdy ankle boots from Barney's NY.

See the same sweater with some vamp in this post. 

Wild Winter

An orange ruffled blouse from The Limited gives pizazz to basic black trousers and an indigo blue cardigan from Monterey Bay. And the whole outfit gets vamped with leopard-print boots from Christian Louboutin and snazzy leopard-print earrings from Etsy. Who says winter can't be a little wild?

Want to see the same sweater gone casual? Check out this post. 

Breakfast At Tiffany's

This outfit features a 60's retro Tiffany blue sweater with a scalloped neckline offset by a bold burgundy shrug, paired with black trousers that have an Audrey-Hepburn-cute bow at the waist.

With Christian Louboutin peep-toe pumps in black and blue

And this Paloma Picasso necklace (from Tiffany's, of course)

See a better photo of the necklace at the Tiffany's website.

Prada Gets Hippy

This boho-chic outfit features a vibrant blue Arlanna blouse from Coast and an artistically wild Kaleidoscope skirt from Viyella.

With cork wedge sandals by Prada

And this very granola necklace (from Etsy)

Putting On The Glitz

This outfit is all about glitz and glam, with an elaborately embellished skirt from Adam + Eve and a Prussian blue top with fluid cowl neck, graceful bell sleeves, and a textured satiny sash (from ModCloth).  There's a subtle medieval air to this outfit, as well.

With Christian Louboutin "Eugenie" suede blue pumps

And this stunning choker (from Etsy)