Does Beige Have to Be Boring? Not if it’s McQueen

Blouse: Alexander McQueen | Lace Skirt: Free People | Ballet Flats: Chanel | Clutch: Marie Turnor
Blouse: Alexander McQueen (Consignment) | Lace Skirt: Free People (Lord & Taylor) | Ballet Flats: Chanel (Consignment) | Clutch: Marie Turnor

When I think beige, I think blah. You know what’s beige? Corrugated cardboard. Manilla envelopes. Best Buy employee chinos.

But what if that something beige is by Alexander McQueen?

This McQueen blouse was a rare find at a consignment store. The McQueen exhibit at the Met boosted the designer’s cachet — and since his suicide, his designs are now “collectible,” with consignors snapping up pieces at any price. (Not to be macabre, but L’Wren Scott items are in even higher demand — her designs don’t even wind up in consignment.)

Yes, this top falls on the neutral side of the spectrum, but the elaborate sleeve “tattoo” designs save it from being boring. (Without these sleeve details, I wouldn’t have purchased it, McQueen or not.)

Blouse: Alexander McQueen (Consignment)
Blouse: Alexander McQueen (Consignment)

I debated wearing this top with a plain, beige pencil skirt from Ann Taylor Loft, but the combo looked sooooo corporate and dated. I went with a riskier, but more interesting piece: a woven pencil skirt I found at Lord & Taylor. I don’t wear this skirt often — the fabric  is unforgiving to pantylines, making Spanx non-optional. But the inconvenience paid off in compliments: A colleague asked me today if it was Chanel! Not only is the skirt NOT designer, it only cost me $20 on clearance.

I decided to push the limits of good taste and just beige it up head-to-toe, down to my trusty nude flats and Marie Turnor’s Picnic clutch, which looks just like a paper lunch bag.

Okay, okay, beige. You win this round.

Clutch: Marie Turnor
Clutch: Marie Turnor