4 Reasons to Try New Things | Navy, Pink and Lilac outfit, for work.

Never in a million years!

Up until a few months ago the thought of wearing navy and lilac would have left me cold.
Lilac was one of my "Never in a million years!" colours and nothing quite screamed Frumpy and Boring like navy and lilac together.
Yuck.

Navy blue reminded me of those polyester uniforms, from the 80's. Worn by the ladies who worked in the travel agents, or at the local bank.
And, lilac was something my great grandma would have worn for church.
These colours were definitely not for me!

I have to tell you that one of the (many) great things about blogging is that it really keeps your mind open to new things:

• Styles that I would not have looked twice at.
• Colours that used to make me baulk.
• Combinations that I did not think were 'my style'.
• Shops that I would never (ever) have set foot inside.
• Different ways of wearing my clothes that I would never have tried.

All of these things are open to me now.
Anything is possible!

I recently found some inspiring lilac outfits on pinterest.
There were some very interesting lilac-based colour combinations (lilac with pale grey and yellow, for example).
So I decided that lilac need not be frumpy, or boring.
I was determined to give it a try.

I started this look with a cardigan....

But, hang on a minute! 

Are cardigans not the epitome of frumpiness?

I agree that a cardigan may not be the obvious place to start when trying not to look frumpy.
They do have a bad reputation.
A reputation for being shapeless, dowdy and drab.
Not a great place to start for tackling a potentially frumpy colour.

Well fear not! Apparently, cardigans are back in style.
Cardigans are cool again.

{To be honest, living in Scotland means cardigans are always in style for me}

Cardigans are en vogue!
That is good enough for me.

After finding this COS cardigan in a charity shop, for less than the price of a coffee, I slowly began to warm to this lilac colour.

I decided to team this little lilac cardigan with a mini skirt and silk blouse.

Is a mini skirt, on the over 40 woman, not a bit sad and desperate looking?

Wearing a miniskirt, over 35, is one of those things the fashion police warn us about.

"Don't do it, you will look pathetic."

Well this fashion rule is one (of many) that I choose to ignore.
I like mini skirts, especially with opaques.
I will continue to like this look (on all ages) for the foreseeable future.

So, the mini skirt stays.

{See this spotty mini styled with 4 patterns, and also with a cape and boots.}

I felt that this outfit needed a little more in the way of colour and pattern.
A purple, navy and pink blouse was just the ticket.
This delicate silk blouse was another great charity shop find.
It is so beautifully made, and it cost me £1!
£1 for pure silk blouse (by second female) with a beautiful handle and wonderful details, like a hidden placket, I would have been a fool to resist it's charms.

The blouse and the cardigan were a fine enough gauge to allow me to tuck them into my skirt, which is a great way to wear a cardigan if it is a bit shapeless and frumpy.
Adding a skinny suede belt pulled everything together.

I wanted to keep the rest of my look simple so some navy opaques and ballet pumps gave the whole outfit a more classic feel.
Perfect for work.

Adding a pink watch and satchel, finished things off nicely.

4 Reasons why it is important to try new things...

1. Trying new things stops you getting stuck in a rut. An obvious one, but being stuck in a rut is miserable. Rut dwelling is depressing, it saps your energy and confidence. It makes you feel dowdy, sexless, invisible and old.
2. Trying new things boosts your confidence. Trying a new style, combination or colour takes courage. Overcoming that moment of nervous uncertainty really works wonders at boosting confidence in all areas of your life. Confidence breeds confidence. Courage is a powerful thing!
3. Trying new things keeps your mind active. Thinking about colour combinations, textures, fabrics and patterns can keep the artistic part of your brain active. This boosts your creativity, which you can apply to all areas of your life.
4. Trying new things will make you (and other people) smile. I know I have said it before but 'dressing up' and having fun with fashion (especially colour) can lift your spirits and elevate your mood. It really can help you through dark days or add a cherry to the top of the good ones! Everyone that interacts with you is also influenced by your mood. A smile is catching.

Do you regularly try new things?
Or, are you guilty of sticking to the same old, same old?

Are there any specific things you would love to try?

Please share in the comments....or send me an email samantha44blair(at)gmail.com.

Skirt: Boden (this one is plain and slightly longer, this one is nice too)
Blouse: Second Female (this one is pretty, this one has a boho feel and this is a plain one)
Cardigan: Cos (this is nice, from M&S)
Shoes: French Sole
Tights: Gipsy
Bag: Cambridge satchel
Watch: Rotary (this one is lovely)
Belt: Boden (this one is fun)

Get the look: