Last week, I received an e-mail from reader Elizabeth. She wrote: "I bought a jacket. A bit of a branch out in style for me, being a denim military jacket, but one of those things I liked more as I looked at it, despite myself. I've included a photo of it below, and it's what I would love you to build a board around. I can't blow my budget on an outfit—I have a never-worn pair of very dark, almost black, slate skinny jeans which I thought I might wear with it, but is it a sin to wear denim with denim??? I'm open to suggestion on bottoms, anyway. I love an eclectic, slightly boho look. I love scarves; layers; soft colours, but mostly neutrals; and texture. I fall into the so -called "petite" category, which is to say, I'm short and small but not super skinny."
 
 
 
And here's how I put the outfit together. To appeal to Elizabeth's earthy side, I choose this mossy silk blouse. I thought the ruffles would give her the kind of scarf-like detail she likes, without adding too much bulk to the already-embellished jacket. The blouse is also soft (read figure-flattering), so it will skim over any trouble-spots.
 
I don't think denim-with-denim is always a sin, but I would always avoid matching two shades of blue denim. Instead I've opted for a black legging pant. I paired it with some classic boots and a suede purse with fringes, which again I thought would appeal to Elizabeth's boho ways, but in a new and updated way. As with last week's sequin skirt, when you're wearing something with details and embellishments, you really don't need a lot of jewelry. I liked these stacked rings because they pick up all the colours; the cool silver for the jacket, the brassy colours for the earthier shades.
 
 
 
A note about prices: You may have noticed that I include a lot of designer items in my Style Inspirations. Though I do believe in investing in some pieces (good winter boots, coats, suits etc.), the real reason I include these items are practical: I know I'll find an image I can easily use in the inspiration boards (finding images photographed on plain backgrounds is a huge challenge!). Also, these style inspirations are meant to be just that—inspirational. I don't expect anybody to follow these verbatim. The idea is that you are inspired and then you can hit the highstreet with an image in your mind's eye. I definitely do not shop in the designer ranges myself, but I always start there for inspiration... after all, it all begins there!
 
Product information: Military denim jacket - image supplied by reader / Grosgrain gather top from J.Crew / Texture Stack of Rings from Painted Metal / The Brownstone Suede Bag from Madewell / Pixie pant from J.Crew / Maison Martin Margiela Knee-high leather boots from Net-a-Porter

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