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Monochrome

For some reason, I’m in a grey mood this fall. I don’t know what it is. I mean, I always love wearing grey, but for some reason, all of my outfits lately seem to have at least one component that is grey. Today I went all out and put together several shades of grey and black with a variety of patterns and textures for a cozy monochromatic weekend look.

Monochromatic Fall Outfit: Grey AG Legging Ankle Jeans, Grey Donegal Mock Neck Pullover, Rag & Bone Margot Booties, Leather Bucket Bag

First let’s discuss these jeans because you’re going to be seeing a lot of them. I’ve had a love/hate relationship with grey jeans for years. I think I’ve bought and given away at least three pairs… maybe four over the last few years.

I was holding onto the Hudson pair from the #Nsale two years ago because I liked the wash (I finally realized that I prefer dark grey jeans to lighter shades), but they were always falling down and bagging out, and I also wasn’t feeling the ripped knee anymore. So basically, I would style them for the blog, link to similar styles (because they were discontinued), and then hang them back in my closet and put blue jeans on again.

Finally, I decided to bite the bullet during the last Bloomingdale’s sale and order these AG legging ankle jeans in the “shadow fog” — best purchase so far this season. There’s something to be said for sticking with what works, and there’s nothing like pulling on a brand new pair of jeans and having them look and feel like they’ve been lived in for years. That’s the magic of AG legging ankle jeans.

I’ve had these jeans for about two weeks now, and I’ve already worn them 4 or 5 times. I think I finally found a keeper! (For size reference, these are a 28. That’s my usual size in AG, but sometimes I wear a 29 in other brands, so take that into consideration if ordering.)

Monochromatic Fall Outfit: Grey AG Legging Ankle Jeans, Grey Donegal Mock Neck Pullover, Rag & Bone Margot Booties, Leather Bucket Bag

Grey jeans pair well with so many colors — burgundy, rust, yellow, black, white, all shades of pink and purple, and also other shades of grey! For today I put together a monochromatic look with a lighter grey sweater, black booties, and a black bag.

I ordered this grey donegal mock neck sweater from Anthropologie. I don’t know why I don’t shop there more often, but it’s a retailer I tend to forget about. For some reason, I started poking around on their site a few weeks ago, and I ended up ordering this sweater, this amazing scarf, this delicious pumpkin clove candle, and this sweet 2018 home ornament to commemorate our first Christmas in our new house.

PSA: If you love fall candles, you MUST order this one. It would also make a nice gift if you need ideas for someone.

Anyway! Back to this sweater… I’m a total sucker for donegal knits. I love the added interest the texture provides, and they’re the perfect way to keep monochromatic looks from being too plain. Also, aren’t the buttons on the shoulder a fun detail?

The only thing I don’t care for is the dropped shoulders. I can’t wait for that trend to end! But anyway. This sweater runs true to size; for reference, I’m wearing the small.

We must also talk about this bag. I’ve been carrying it quite a bit lately. It’s from a site called Mango, and it’s such a unique piece. I just love it.

I spotted it on another blog I follow, and I was so excited to click over and find out that it’s actually quite affordable at just under $200. It’s quickly replacing my R Minkoff satchel as my go-to black bag with silver hardware.

I love the shine, the texture, the shape and size, and how the long straps make it easy to push behind me when I need to bend over or move around.

Leather Snakeskin Bucket Bag at Mango

My only complaint is that it’s so stiff and square on the bottom. I keep hoping that as I break it in, it will give a little bit and have a little more slouch. Maybe I should put a brick in it and hang it up for a few days, ha!

I kept my accessories simple with oversized pearl earrings and silver link bracelet.

Leather Snakeskin Bucket Bag at Mango

I think I can safely say, this is one of my favorite outfits so far this fall. I suppose it could use a third layer to really finish off the look, but with the buttons on the shoulder of the sweater, and the different shades of grey and various textures going on, I think it stands alone just fine.

That said, this look would be amazing with the addition of a black leather jacket or black wool blazer coat. I’ve got to start remembering to bring appropriate outerwear for my photo shoots.

Monochromatic Fall Outfit: Grey AG Legging Ankle Jeans, Grey Donegal Mock Neck Pullover, Rag & Bone Margot Booties, Leather Bucket Bag

mock neck sweater // grey jeans (option) // booties (option) // bucket bag

photo credit: Alison Cornell

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36 Responses

  1. Hi JoLynne—this outfit looks great on you and I love the darker grey color of your jeans over a lighter shade.  I have a few questions that I struggle with when it comes to jeans.  First off I notice you have a few lines across the crotch area.  I’ve had that come up with jeans and I wasn’t sure if that meant they’re too large, too small, too long in the rise or just not fitting properly.  I’ve seen this problem on other bloggers’ jeans and often wonder if they’re not fitting properly and for the sake of the blog just showing a new outfit even though it’s not the best fit. 

    Second, I like the look of the shorter bootie and don’t always want or need to wear knee high boots but what do you do in the middle of winter when it’s freezing cold outside?  Do you wear socks, or just no show socks and leave that bit of ankle showing?  I’m in the Midwest and the weather is much like yours.  So many bloggers show fall and winter outfits sporting booties but they live in an area that doesn’t receive any snow or very little once in a while.  

    1. I don’t know, I guess I don’t see it as a problem. I have these jeans in a bunch of colors and washes, and they’re all the same size, and they all fit comfortably. If I wore them any bigger, they would sag. I doubt it’s noticeable in real life when I’m moving around.

      You can wear socks with most booties. In this case, I would wear black socks so they blend into the booties and the dark jeans. At some point, it gets too cold for certain booties — the ones that have the split shafts and look bad with socks. I just stop wearing those when it gets super cold out.

  2. I’ve noticed several bloggers styling their jeans unfolded with booties. Has the folded hem trend ended? Are there new rules for folding your hem with booties? I must say, I hope the trend is coming to an end as my ankles sure get cold!!

    1. Yeah, I’ve also noticed this as well. Most are just letting the jeans fall where they may — they may crunch a little where they meet the booties, or they tuck them in. It’s a neater look — that cuff breaks up the leg line. There are really no rules, it just depends on the jeans and the booties and what works best with that particular combination.

  3.  I have also ordered and returned multiple pairs of gray jeans. Going to go for it with these but wondered what size you got? We are the same height and weight. 

  4. Hi JoLynne,  I won’t be able to view the webinar but I do have ideas that might be helpful to write about in your blog posts.  The thing I have the most trouble with is accessorizing and taking an outfit to the next level by GREAT accessorizing or layering.  It would be nice to know what type of accessory basics we should buy that would be versatile.  I never know what to buy and I never seem to have the right accessories!

  5. Hi! I love your blog and always get ideas from it. I just have to say that I totally agree with the dropped shoulder thing. That is so unflattering in my opinion. Thanks for all the great outfits!

  6. Hi Jo-Lynne
    It is 5 degrees Celsius (41 degrees Fahrenheit) here in Northern Ontario today. I love my ankle length jeans and my flats like yours (Uggs, Leopard, etc) but I am finding it very chilly. Can I style these shoes/ jeans with socks? I’m trying to hold off wearing boots as long as possible as we have such a long winter season ahead of us. Your frozen sister north of the border!

  7. I *love* this outfit! And I am also a lover of gray. My husband asked me once when he was putting clothes away if I needed a special shelf for all of my gray clothes. 😀 Apparently he thinks I may overdo it. I really would like to order the AG jeans, but I have a pair of Old Navy Rockstar skinnies in about that shade that really do fit well and hold their shape, etc, and don’t feel like I can justify it unless they go on sale. So naturally I did click for the sale alert. (I love the two pairs of AG legging jeans that I have!)

    And I also love Anthropologie. Some of their things are waayyy out there, but the few things I’ve gotten from there are some of my favorite things in my closet. I also love that when school is starting, they have 20% off for teachers. 🙂

  8. Sending lots of positive vibes and good luck 🍀 wishes to your daughter.  Having a dead tooth, especially in the front, doesn’t sound like fun.  I like this outfit also.  There are so many colors that are basics and also very versatile, that I forget about.  I need to wake up the creative side of my brain when I’m in my closet putting outfits together.  Oh, I now own a leopard print handbag that I love.  I think I will get more use out of it than leopard print shoes, so I’m a happy girl.  Have a great day!

  9. You look fabulous and this sweater is gorgeous. I have a hard time pulling off the dropped shoulder though because I have broad shoulders and am small chested so it just doesn’t seem as flattering as other looks.
    Btw, I really like that you are posting some outfits without a jacket on top. I intend to let my sweaters be the focal point until it’s just too cold to go without another player and your outfits really help me put great things together.

  10. I love an all grey outfit! It’s so easy to put together. And, makes a nice base for a pop of colour. A plum leather leather jacket would really set that outfit off. 
    When I try on jeans and they bunch at the crotch, I always assumed they were not the right cut for my body shape. There are so many other brands that fit me properly that I leave those behind. 
    Your sweater looks so warm & cozy for when it cools down a bit more. 

  11. I love it! I’ve been wearing a lot of gray lately too! Don’t know what it is, but it’s really appealing to me right now. When I shop I actually have to be deliberate about looking at color because I just keep gravitating to gray. Lol

  12. I was wondering if you weed out your fashion jewelry  like your closet as I do not because it all seems so sentimental but as the styles change organization is a problem 

    1. Yes, most definitely!!! I weed out stuff I’m not wearing anymore a few times a year. Of course, I buy more than most people, but I would still recommend going through it at least once a year.

  13. Great outfit.. what is it about grey and black? I feel like I head right for it in the stores.. today I wore a two tone sweater it’s cream on top and drops into a grey bottom.. just to change it up a bit from just the solids… I’ve always been a sweater fanatic but your supply of sweaters is un real:) how can you chose what to wear?  lol. I did just added a cranberry color sweater I  figured I needed some color in the closet.  Have a great day.. hope your daughter made out ok😀

  14. The candle is lovely. I wonder if the scent is artificial? Just a word of caution, artificial scents often bother people with allergies and sensitivities. However, it would make a great gift for the right person. 🙂

  15. This is cute. I don’t know why I would’ve never thought to put my grey jeans and sweater together, but it definitely looks good on you. I’ll top it off with my black leather moto if I ever copy this look. Love that you always let us know when you think of something later on that would’ve made an outfit better. 

  16. Love your posts!! 
    Curious about what lipstick you are wearing with the grey outfit today oct 23 – love it !! 
    I have similar dark hair and have been looking for a less bold daytime shade 

  17. I’m all about grey lately too. I have my sweaters stacked by color and I have way too many grey sweaters especially for someone who lives in the south! Love your outfit today!

  18. What a gorgeous outfit—So happy you’re styling a sweater from Anthropologie, one of my favorite retailers!  

  19. My husband just bought me for my birthday an MK Wallace quilted handbag and I love it! It is so light to carry and has so many pockets AND it comes with 3 different straps- a casual one, a leather one and a chain one! it was well worth the splurge- i got it during Bloomingdale’s friends and family sale.

  20. Love this casual outfit! I recently got a couple lighter gray sweaters that I will have to pair with gray jeans this winter. 

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