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.

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. 

Poppies In October

In the poem "Poppies in October," Sylvia Plath expresses wonder at discovering poppies on a frost-heavy autumn morning. This outfit captures that same feeling with a ruched green blouse by Betty Jackson and a ruffled brown denim skirt with a splash of poppy red provided by the shoes.

With Miz Mooz "Tania" red slingback

And a delicate necklace with a poppy-like flower (from Etsy)

Poppies in October by Sylvia Plath

Autumn Splendor

This outfit from Nordstrom would be lovely for autumn. And overall it's a great retro look.



with Heatherette lace-up platforms from Kathryn Kerrigan



And this necklace (from Etsy)

Winter Wonder

I love the classic Pendelton plaid wool skirt. And when you pair it with a crushed velvet jacket it creates a bit of unexpected glamour. I was delighted to find this photo of a J. Crew Eden jacket, because the colors of the layers pull the whole look together.



And these retro boots are perfection. (found on EBay)