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Can you help me analyze?

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

I've been thinking a fair bit about what makes me feel good in an outfit and conversely, what makes me feel yucky in an outfit.

Below are the 7 outfits that have made me feel the best in the last two months and I'd be interested to know what you see as the common denominator. To my eyes and IMHO, the reasons these outfits worked and felt good is because the individual items of clothing fit properly. There are no elements overwhelming my frame.

I think this might be why I really do not feel good and again, IMHO, look good in wide legged drapey trousers and anything with too much fabric. I have an odd little body to fit and having excess fabric, especially around the hips and thighs, just makes me feel yucky.

I'm narrowing down purchases I want to make and have taken drapey white trousers off my spring/summer shopping list based on how I feel in my grey wide legged trousers.

Anyway....would love your thoughts

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Dressing

43 replies

Latest reply was from lyn67

Anonymous

All have some combination of fluid with structure. All have a structured jacket, except for 2, but the skirt is pretty structured there.

I think that is a key point for you. You look great in all of these!

Astrid

Veteran

Besides the tailored fit the first thing that jumped out at me was actually the lack of color. All fairly dark, neutrals with a bit color thrown in but not as colorful as some of your looks in the past.

ETA

I agree with Ceit about the structure.

catgirl

Veteran

Shannon I have to go to a medical appointment so I'll come back to this. I will say I was surprised to see you say in your other post that you don't feel good in slouchy trousers, since you seem to have embraced that look so wholeheartedly, rock it often and have said (I think) that you felt good in it. Perhaps weight ties in? Do you feel better in more fitted outfits as you lose weight? I certainly do!

Will be back to analyze with you!

carter

Veteran

I could not agree more with excess fabric feeling yucky and schlumpy. I think your style is classic (witha modren twist), fitted and refined. It totally fits your body shape which is somewhat similar to mine. I'm passing on wide leg fluid trousers as well because the proportion looks wrong to me, but most importantly because I feel like my hips and thighs look much more fluid in those styles...so not the look I want.

Jules

Veteran

Just a thought - but to me these pictures and thoughts are somewhat in contrast with your desire to duplicate your Eileen Fisher dress. When you were looking at that dress in two sizes, my honest reaction was that the larger one was definitely too big, and that you were not assessing it well, due perhaps to body issues you have talked about. Because I think you generally assess fit very well.
I think you look great in all these pictures. They all have some degree of waist definition I think that dress lacks without a topper (to be clear, I do like the dress). I have to wonder, is your body image and idea of how you want to dress it in flux right now? If so, is it a good time to slow down on purchases?
Please consider this food for thought/observations and no more... I hope I have not crossed any line.

El Cee

Veteran

Shannon -- I think you and I are the same in that we just need/want a little more structure in our outfits to feel at our best. I am tall and yet I am not thrilled with "volume over volume" (on me) without something to rein it in. I think that having "just enough structure" is going to be different for each of us. You are such a smart lady for figuring this out. You really know what works for you and what makes you happiest.

Petite Marj

Fit and structure just bounce off the page when I look at just the small icons. Because of the column of colour that you have created, and the pattern that has been added which bookends your hair, my favs are #1, 4, 6 &7.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Una - I do feel good in slouchy trousers but with some "slimness" to them - i.e. slim BF jeans, slouchy in the waist but with slimmer and tapered legs, etc. It is the wide legged, drapey trousers I really don't feel good in (like the recent grey ones I added to my wardrobe).

Ceit - "fluid with structure" - YES! I have noticed that lately too. I'm adoring some fluidity like a drapey top or my new EF dress, but those must be combined with something structured.

Astrid - I didn't even think about the neutral color palette - great point!

Carter - I know what you mean. I feel like my hips and thighs are wide enough on their own without adding any extra fabric to them!

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Jules - no line crossed I agree that the larger of the EF dresses was definitely too large but I feel very good in the smaller size. Because it fits a little closer to the body, particular from the hips on down, I feel like it has just enough structure to it on its own and is even better with a topper like a jacket or vest. I think I always have some degree of body image issues...definitely food for thought and I thank you for your honesty.

Thank you El Cee and Marj!

Liz

Veteran

Looking at the thumbnails, I notice "black" as a theme.

But remembering your past posts and how you've identified that you're an emotional dresser and shopper,I wonder if part of your analysis should be, "What emotions am I feeling these days about my life? What emotions am I feeling about myself (body, clothes)?" Those answers might help you as much as analyzing outfits helps.

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

I would be really interested to see your outfits"from the other side" as well so I can compare to these ones.
I agree that "just enough" structure is different for all of us. I also with you on the fit: I can never feel great in ill-fitting garment - be it tailored or fluid, the fit should be just right. It is also easier to get tailored clothes right: unstructured and fluid fit can go into frump very quickly which could also affect your feelings.
I can also get why excess fabric on the bottom makes you feel less fab: you bottom part is your slimmest part. I have the same relationship with my waist and midriff: as soon as they are surrendered I have to work much harder to feel fab in the outfit and not feel "huge". For the same reason it is easy for me to wear excess fabric on the bottom because it actually makes it look slimmer than a body con look.

Peri

Veteran

Well, I have never seen you look yucky. But if that is how you feel sometimes, and feel great in these looks, that's what matters.

These looks are trim and sophisticated. Business creative instead of business casual. Based on what you say, feeling trim matters to you. Go with that.

But rats...I was hoping you would find some good white trousers for me!

celia

Veteran

Apart from the structure while I was looking at your outfits I was thinking that, except for #2 , they all have a column of colour being in the inside or the outside)the jacket being the same colour as pants for example).

rachylou

Veteran

I notice your necklines are pretty free from "frou" too...

Gaylene

Veteran

I'd say polished was what jumped out for me. Even if the item is fluid or slouchy, I'd say that it leaned more towards a polished interpretation rather than a boho or arty feeling. The EF dress, in my opinion, has this sense of polish.

I also get the feeling that you prefer outfits that just skim the hip area and which have interest at either the top or below the knee. You'll surrender your waistline but not if it means adding bulk and extra fabric at the hip. The same goes for colour on the bottom half; you'll embrace it as long as the item is tailored or skims nicely over the hip. A very loose or wide-leg pant probably just doesn't give you the slimness you need to feel comfortable.

One other thought: Do you think your new position is making you lean towards more of a polished, business-executive look rather than the more business-casual look you wore in your former position? All the looks you posted here would look good in a boardroom--even the ones that are a bit more creative like 1, 5, and 7. Your creative touches are there, but in a very professional, polished way--nothing that would cause any raised eyebrows in a group of executives, male or female. Just a bit of envy in your female colleagues who would be mentally taking notes for their own wardrobes.

Emily

Veteran

Here's what I see:
-structured shoulders
-either a standout colour or print
-the garments are simple in shape and relatively free of embellishment
-everything fist beautifully
-most ensembles have high contrast elements (Except #4/5).

rachylou

Veteran

Gaylene makes a good observation - you are liking a sharp look these days.

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

I agree with your assessment. I looks particuarly like the right amount of snugness on the bottom half, and just right hem length on the top?

ETA - fitted on bottom, skirts just below the knee. length of top most layer hits above the curve of your hip, I think.

I agree these looks are all flattering on you. Esp. the skirt in #1, which is a little pegged, paired with the shorter jacket.

MsMaven

Veteran

I think you have proportions down very well. Just the right skirt length for you, and the right length for tops to go with sirts and pants. The slimmer, semi-fitted silhouette suits you.

Diana

Veteran

I think you like a tailored fit, and that you prefer items with some structure to them. Specifically, 6 out of the 7 have jackets, and all of your jackets have strong and defined shoulder lines. And this may sound weird, but I think you like your clothes to be fitted around your shin/calf (sheer hose, or tapered pants, or fitted boots), which might be why you don't like wide leg pants. Which is not surprising as you have great legs!

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Wow - this a fantastic batch of replies! And many of the things you've all pointed out I didn't even realize or notice.

Liz - any season, black will always feature a primary role in my wardrobe. It is my favorite color of all time. And you are right - I am indeed a very emotional shopper and dresser so need to look at that side of how something makes me feel too. Thank you.

Sveta - interesting...so we both like to make sure our slimmest part looks that way and not bigger than it is IRL.

Peri - I might still look for white pants, just not drapey wider ones!

Celia - didn't even notice the column of color. And especially didn't notice it both "inside" and "outside". Subconsciously, maybe that makes me feel taller and slimmer?

Rachy - quite right. I don't like anything around my neck, either ruffles or much in the way of necklaces either. Funny 'cause I used to love ruffles...

Gaylene - your analysis is brilliant - thank you! Your thoughts regarding my change in position is most likely spot on, although I hadn't really consciously thought about it. I do seem to be moving towards a more polished look which suits the new position a bit better.

Emily - YES! I definitely like structured shoulders (I have very narrow and sloping shoulders) and not much in the way of embellishment.

Jenava - interesting you mention top hem length. I have recently put a few tops in the donate bag that I now find too short or too long. I guess I have a "sweet spot" for that hem length now that I didn't used to.

MsMaven - "semi fitted" - which is probably why I'm off body con and not liking oversized.

Diana - wow, didn't think about wanting more fitted around the calf/ankle. But you're right.

Honestly ladies - this has been incredibly insightful for me and can only help with my future purchases. I can't thank you all enough for taking the time

Gigi

Veteran

Haven't read the other comments, but what I see:

-simple
-high contrast (if not in the outfit itself, then in the handbag)
-lots of neutrals, esp. dark ones
-whimsical (graphic tees, animal prints, printed tights)
-love for metallics or some kind of shine (even if just in leather)
-tailored, esp. in the top; pants sometimes add some fluidity

Beautiful outfits, Shannon!

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I think everything I thought has been said already - but I will add that as much as I like all of these, #2 is absolutely my favorite. I think it has to do with figure flattery and color combo on you - and maybe how simply classic and perfect it is.

unfrumped

Veteran

Aren't those all great!

I echo the structure comment, though I think you're a genius at combining just the right amounts of drape here and there with other items. And I think you don't like to lose your legs. The tapered pants define some leg; with skirts, you tolerate some leg-chopping (with dark booties and sheer tights or bare legs, for example) more than you do leg-hiding in full-length wide trousers. For your figure, I think the former turns out not to be so leg-shortening for whatever reason, perhaps because you choose and style the footwear so well and you wear the look with panache, that it suits you and looks energetic, compared to the wide trousers.
I think also the wide trousers, which I still would love to wear, are still problematic when we don't wear a high heel, so many of the wide trouser "looks" that seem so elegant are built on a high heel. Corporate Cubicle Mary's pleated trousers with flats notwithstanding, but she's really TALL

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Shannon, I think your slimmest part of the body automatically adds structure to the outfit if it is highlighted. Which does not mean I don't like to surrender it BUT I have to be extra careful when I do it to get details and proportions just right to feel fab. In comparison highlighting my waist and slimmer upper body is always a slam dunk for me - and for you it is a slim pencil skirt or pants, right?

Neel

Veteran

Things that come to my mind - Structured
Refined
Subtle Edge
Pop of colour
Column of neutrals
A dash of fun
Figure flattering

I love those outfits on you too. And I must admit that the wide legged gray pants must be my least loved items that you own. I returned a very similar pair from Next because I felt exactly the way you feel. Excess fabric, too much volume on thighs. BUT I love my slouchy BFs, my bootcuts and even harem pants! I think whether a silhouette works for you or not depends on finding your sweet spot and threshold for slouch. I realize I need a bit of slouch with structure and anything in excess makes me feel blah. Have you tried slim bootcuts yet?

deb

Veteran

I see structure. And a jacket in all but one photo. Do you think it is the jacket that is pulling the look together for you?

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Great replies here & nothing to add except you look fantastic in all of these - the last one blows me away

Deborah

Veteran

Shannon I haven't read comments yet but I would agree with your assessment. Funnily I relate to your comment about having an "odd little body to dress". And I think I face similar dressing challenges. I think what you are finding is a sleek slimline silhouette is what makes you feel good and is what you like seeing on yourself. I love slouchy pants BUT they have to be slim line, otherwise I just don't find them attractive (on me). Boyfriend jeans are a no go for me because all I have tried have too much excess fabric in MY wrong places. I have challenged myself in terms of "is my eye just so used to these favored silhouettes" but for the most part I don't think that's it. I think I have found what works for me, like perhaps you have too. It doesn't mean we can't experiment with new things tho and maybe the white pants will come back onto your wish list at a later date:). BTW, you have great legs!

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