Ask Angie: Horizontal vs. Vertical Silhouette

lala

Angie - As a 40-something that is a rectangle (to the point of being cinderblock) and medium height , should I be layering as is the style on YLF? I feel that when I layer a t with a fitted cardi I'm creating horizontal lines across my body that stop the visual "flow." How do you feel about mono-chromatic dressing as a base with a longer duster or longer cardi left open to create a more vertical visual flow? I'd love to hear your opinion on this and would love to get feedback from other members as well. Thanks!

17 years ago

Dressing

2 replies

Latest reply was from Angie

Anonymous

lala, as a 60-something rectangle I used to dress more as you describe.... After testing Angie's ideas of flop-proof dressing, I feel much shaplier and get many compliments. You could still do monochromatic in a way or add texture. One of my favorite casual outfits is grey jeans with a long black cotton knit AT v-neck top belted at the high waist with a silver belt and black athletic maryjanes (although red is even better) Black tops with dark rinse denim is also a good combo, but creating a waist makes a big difference.
Experiment with belts. You may like a belt better slung low or a long belt shortened like Angie does but it also creates a vertical line:
http://youlookfab.com/2008/09/.....ing-trick/

Look at the photos of members' outfits posted on the forum. Buttoning a cardi at the waist and/or wearing a belt with it usually looks best. You can post your own photos for comment and advice.

17 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Well answered Joy and good question la la. Leaving a jacket unbuttoned does add vertical interest to an outfit, but a cropped cardigan left open does not achieve the same look – it lacks the structural integrity of a woven jacket. Boyfriend cardigans are a little better when left unbuttoned, but the V-effect of a cropped cardigan once buttoned in the right place is extremely effective, especially when you’re rectangular.

I’m not a big believer in the strength of monochromatic dressing to give one a longer and leaner line. It can be effective when you’re 5ft but it’s not a rule in my book. Shiny is 5ft and looks just as long and lean when she layering as when she’s not because of her attention to detail to fit and silhouette.

That being said lala, this is much easier to clarify with pictures of yourself sporting both looks. You might have body modifiers that favour an unbuttoned cardigan look as you suggest.

17 years ago

Category