Call for opinions: Does this ruched top work on me? - YouLookFab Forum

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Call for opinions: Does this ruched top work on me?

Kari

Veteran

I feel bashful starting another thread so soon (plus I was commenting to threads like mad on Monday when I was at home sick) but need help figuring out if a "top-on-trial" works on my body. I remembered a Nordstrom gift card that I hadn't used yet and am trying out this Karen Kane ruched top. It's a different look for me and I'm not used to it enough to determine whether it's flattering.

I like that it:
* fits my breasts
* is a good color for me (and for spring)
I'm not sure about
* the draping effect of the fabric - is it flattering/curve-friendly?
* the length - when I pull it all the way straight it is 2" below crotch length and hugs my butt, and the salesgirl confirmed that the shirt is intended to be worn kind of ruched up below, too. Not sure if it works.

I was really torn in the dressing room, but now that I see photos of how I look in it, I'm thinking that maybe it works but I'm not used to the effect yet. Then sometimes I think maybe I look messy and wide. I don't know. I would really love some help/feedback about the top (and I also welcome suggestions for what you think I should try to wear it with. I'd probably wear a jacket if I pair it with skinnies.)

Apologies for my post-gym hair -

With wide trousers:
http://karip.smugmug.com/photo.....ptXi-L.jpg
With pencil skirt:
http://karip.smugmug.com/photo.....9yg8-L.jpg
With skinnies and boots:
http://karip.smugmug.com/photo.....muNc-L.jpg
Side views:
http://karip.smugmug.com/photo.....8gKn-L.jpg
http://karip.smugmug.com/photo.....qVPS-L.jpg

I originally was planning to use my gift certificate towards Me Too "Garner" flats (fake snakeskin that comes in a variety of colors: purple, orange, yellow.) The foot bed was so comfortable but the toe box didn't fit my weird toes no matter what size I tried. Sad. But I'm okay on flats.

Dressing

14 replies

Latest reply was from JewelryGirl

Inge

(website)

What a great find Kari! And don't worry, you can post as much as you like.

I love the colour and cut on you. Very much! It fits you beautifully. I prefer the look 'ruched up' with pants (love it with both the light trousers and the skinnies). I think it's a bit too long for a skirt, but maybe others will disagree?

And the material looks so soft too, I like that;-)

tarzy

Veteran

It definitely looks amazing for your waist - makes you look so shapely!

Now, to be perfectly honest, I don't love the way it fits at the breasts. But that may just be my own personal dislike of drawing attention to my breasts. The way the fabric drapes at the front does, in my opinion, call attention to the breasts - but if you are comfortable with that, it may not be a problem for you. You definitely look fantastic and curvy and tiny-waisted! As I say - this may just be my own personal discomfort issue, so I don't want you to think it looks bad, because it doesn't! At all. Does that make sense? Don't let my own weird "don't look at my breasts" issues sway you if you love the top!

FYI - I tried on this knit top at BR and I really liked it. It has a sort of wrap effect, and looks rather elegant, with an almost Grecian kind of style. (I think It looked nicer on than the picture would indicate.) If you love that green color, it might be worth giving this top a try if you find yourself in BR!
http://bananarepublic.gap.com/.....=629266012

Lee Hovey

OMG Kari it's gorgeous on you!! I think the ruching/draping is perfect for your figure, and the color is amazing with your complexion.

It looks so cool and trendy with skinnies and boots. Grab a clutch and I can imagine this as the perfect "Night on the town" outfit....

I am totally lusting this top now!

Ariadne

Veteran

I really like it, Kari! The colour is wonderful, especially!

carissa

(website)

Hi Kari,

First of all I just want to say that you are precious, especially in the side views, such a serious look on your face!!

This style shirt is so prevalent, despite the ruching it is a clingy knit. So while it doesn't look bad or offensive, it may not optimize your curves, which understandably there are not a lot of shirts that will optimize your great bustline.

My bottom line is how do you feel? Are you confident or self-conscious in the top? For example, Tarzy wouldn't enjoy wearing it because she would feel self-conscious. You may feel fantastic in it.

shiny

Veteran

I like this top best with pants - it seems long for skirts, unless you bunch it up a lot more. Can you do that, or does it get too bunchy? The color is quite lovely, and I adore scoop neck on you. Yes, the ruching shows off your waist.

I am afraid I'm with Tarzy about this type seaming on the bust - not my personal favorite, but probably it's my own prejudice. However my reasoning is different than Tarzy's - I don't mind drawing attention to my bust so much (depending on the occasion). But, I tend to steer clear of this sort of seaming, because I have it in my head it somehow makes my bust look droopy. But heck, I'm 43 so my bust IS droopy compared to someone younger. As evidenced by the fact you don't look droopy at all in this top.

I think it is a keeper.

shell

i quite like it! great color! do you love it?

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I think the top looks good and best with pants. The sleeves are borderline okay. I’d have preferred them sleeveless or longer than they are. I like the way the top drapes over the bust area. Do you feel self conscious about that?

Kari

Veteran

Thanks so much to all of you for the helpful and honest feedback!

Okay, for starters: I actually don't mind or feel uncomfortable with the fabric over the bust. (I don't feel like it accentuates my breasts in a trashy way and honestly, I'm thrilled to find a "fitted bust" top that is large enough on top but fitted through the waist.) But it's always good to check. And Tarzy/Shiny - no worries, I think it's always OK to share something that could be a potential turn-off if it were you wearing the top.

The main thing I was worried about was my midsection. I don't want it to look larger or lumpier than it already is, and when first tried on the top yesterday I felt like my waist looked huge. Today after stepping away from the top and the photos for a bit, I'm getting used to the look of my figure swathed in ruching and draping and think I can make it work - or at least, the concept of this top is growing on me.

I've kind of got used to the fact that very few trends work on my body, so whenever I try something new (such as skinny jeans, which I still only wear when I feel funky and comfortable with my curves) it takes a while before I can decide if it works or not. This body is not easy to dress.

I think I'm going to keep the top on trial for a few days with the tags on and wear it around the house with pants (I agree that it's too long a top for skirts, but the salesgirl suggested pairing it with a pencil skirt so I figured it was worth trying - it doesn't hang right if I scrunch it up any farther.) I'll also keep playing around with styling to see whether it works with what I already own.

Again, I really appreciate your help!

Kari

Veteran

Tarzy - that Banana Republic top looks beautiful. The green color probably wouldn't work on me (that shade tends to make me look washed out) but the blue or ash are more saturated and might work. I may try it if it's available at the store to see if it works, though I can only afford one of the two tops since it is from a gift certificate. Thanks for the suggestion!

Carissa, your comment cracked me up. I tend to look oh-so-serious or angry (in real life or in photos) if I'm not smiling. Really, I'm just a goofball.
I totally concur that it's really rare to find a top that's flattering to the large bust (your tops excepted - I can't wait to buy one. Depending on the job/income situation, it's on my wish list for fall.)

Kari

Veteran

Okay - showed it to my mom and she also said that it looks great and to keep it, especially after she found out it was essentially free. I think it's going to stay.

tarzy

Veteran

If you love it and feel comfortable in it, that's the most important thing! I think everyone here agreed it looked super on you!

I'm still searching for the right green for me. I do well in some greens, like olive and moss, but not in the more yellowish greens. I would love to find a great green that complimented my eyes, but didn't make my skin look sickly! That BR shirt in green did not work for me, either.

shana

Veteran

Kari, I this top looks wonderful on you! The color is gorgeous and the fit is very flattering. The girls look fab!!! And you can totally pull off the cap sleeves since you have such a delicate shoulder line. I agree with the others that it seems to work better with pants - unless you can scrunch it up more without it looking weird, it's probably too long for skirts.

JewelryGirl

Kari, I think it's a keeper too. I like it with the wide leg trousers actually better than the skirt. Nice color, you always put things together so well so enjoy reading your posts! I think your mom is right on!