Feeling shirty. And how to shorten the skirts? - YouLookFab Forum

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Feeling shirty. And how to shorten the skirts?

Suz

(website)

Veteran

As requested, some more photos of the BB shirts.

# 1- 3 I chose to put on the white shirt, thinking the contrast would show you better how short it actually is...but the jeans are so dark I'm not sure it worked out as well as I had hoped. I would say there is WAY more than 3 inches between the bottom of the shirt tail and my..ahem...crotch. It's not wearable as a shirt untucked with pants.

Apologies for the wonky collar. I did not realize it was standing up in that mad way. I was moving quickly so as not to tax my photographer.

# 4- 7 I am wearing the striped version tucked into a skirt. It is the perfect length for that. Not a lot of excess fabric to bunch around. I love the way this one can be made into a little pretend "stand" collar. And the backs of the cuffs, and placket are in a soft blue ditsy floral pattern - so fun!

#8-9 Tucked into the boyfriends....not intended as an actual outfit, just to try tucking again. Honestly, it does not work. the final button of the shirt falls above the beltline. You can't really see it because of all the tag action, but there is exposed skin there in the front! SO...these shirts do not work for tucking into trousers, except maybe higher waist trousers. I do have one higher waist jean, but the BFs are hitched up here a bit, so with low -rise, it's a no go.

What do you think? Worth keeping, or should I keep trying? It feels awfully extravagant to me to think I might need separate tops for skirts and pants. Am I living on a strange planet? I mean, I don't have much space in my closet. Do others have separate button downs for skirts and trousers? Or do I just need the darn regular size vs. petite? The fact that the arms would be too long would be...well...my old normal.

Now: the skirts. I really love these and would like to keep them. I have tried them with tights and they will work with a slip. They are easy to dress up or down, a fun shape, they don't wrinkle (and I travel a lot) and they just feel "right" to me. The question is, how to shorten them.

1. Do I just clip off the hem? Is that safe, or will I lose the curve of the skirt? I need to take off about 2 inches to make the skirt the length you see it.

2. Do I have the alteration done at the waist?

3. Do I do as I have done here (and Denise suggested) and simply roll the waistband up? I've got two rolls here.

Thank you for your considered opinions and thoughts!

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Dressing

20 replies

Latest reply was from krishnidoux

Tina

Veteran

What about a compromise, keep the striped and return the white. The white actually looks too short in the waist as well as overall. I love the blue striped one though and think it's worth keeping even if for skirts and high waisted pants only.
Re the skirt, I would shorten at the waist, you can see how that will look. You do not know if cutting will ruin the drape of the hemline and that is risky because that cannot be undone. Love the fit of the skirt (s) and I hope you can make them work.
I have thoroughly enjoyed all your k/r posts. I admire those of you who go to the trouble of trying different outfits, taking photos and posting. It is helpful for some of us bystanders!

Caro in Oz

Veteran

I can't answer the shirt question - it's so personal but I do love them on you - could you keep the one you love most?
I would take the skirts to a dressmaker/tailor - they would drive me mad rolled up but if it doesn't bother you then leave them. A tailor would be able to take the skirt in a little at the sides to maintain that curve.
Hope you're feeling better.

Anonymous

I just love you in that skirt with the BB shirt! The structure of the shirt with the softness and drape of the skirt (a new take on a classic style) is so fresh and SUZ. Love it!

I do have some shirts that I just cannot wear with my jeans (esp. the low rise jeans). Even the ones that are long enough, are borderline by Angie's standards. I think shirts have been cut short the past few years (maybe because they were meant to be worn with skirts? IDK). You might have some luck thrifting some shirts that are longer, even boys' shirts would probably longer than these. And I think Gap has a boyfriend shirt now too, which might be longer and just the thing to wear with jeans. I am even on the hunt for a V-necked grey sweater vest (pullover style) to help me "mind the gap" between my shirt tail and waistband.

As for the skirt, I'd lay it out and see if there are actual curves in the cut or if that's your hot little bod providing the curvature. If the design has curves, I'd take it to a tailor. If not, and the edges are already raw, I don't see why you can't shorten it yourself. If you roll the waistband, are there *hips* in the skirt that wind up in the wrong place?

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Thanks, YLF friends!

The design of the skirt has curves. Curves out at the hip and in at the bottom. That is its secret. But when I roll the waistband it doesn't make "hips" on me. It lies just fine. I don't know if it would fall down or become uneven over the course of a day. Denise says it works for her when she does that. I guess I could try it that way for a while and see.

Anonymous

Suz, I would keep the striped one and I think it looks great with the skirt. I don't like the white one -- it almost looks like it is too small in the waist and poofing up a little on your hips, adding to the short issue.

I think rolling the waist looks fine, or Claire's suggestion is great too -- if it doesn't curve or taper markedly I think you could just cut it off.

Anonymous

Suz, I read your post the other day about the petite BB shirt being too short. Now, I see. It really is short! The striped one looks great tucked into the skirt. Is it as short as the white when untucked?

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Yes - these shirts have exactly the same cut and fit identically, except the white one has French cuff sleeves and the striped one has the flowery backing.

JR

Veteran

I don't think the white one fits you very well, in any event, at least not untucked. Are those skirts the only high-waisted things you own? If so, it probably isn't worth holding on to both shirts, unless you have few other options with the skirts.

I wish I could say something intelligent about the skirt adjustments, but I can't. I'm listening and learning.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Thanks for the extra effort, Suz

I see that the shirt is too short for jeans and trousers, tucked or untucked.

I think it's worth keeping the striped shirt for skirts, Suz. It's too KILLER to return! (Note yesterdays outfit too). And you can wear it with more of your skirts, surely. Wear a cropped jacket over it. Layer a vest over it.

catgirl

Veteran

Suz, i'm sorry for your shirt pains! So you've said you are short waisted and short-legged? Does this mean you have a long torso? Just trying to learn for future reference in finding things for you!

Anonymous

I'm sorry to hear that, Suz. I love the BB shirts. But I am learning from YLF that almost isn't good enough, especially when it comes to fit. I think you should return them and look for something that fits you fabulously.

Diana

Veteran

Agree that the shirt is definitely too short for pants. I love it with the skirt though! I bet it would also work UNtucked with a skirt - you need a shorter top for that anyway; that might be cool with a waistcoat or blazer over.

Re: shortening the skirt. I assume it has a hidden elastic band or something at the waistband? If so, then rolling should be fine - I do it all the time with skirts with banded waists. It doesn't work so well if there is no actual waistband, since there's nothing to hold the roll in place. You can add a safety pin if you are worried it will move during the day. If you pin at the side, you don't even have to unpin it to take it off.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Thank you, one and all.

Some decisions made. I will keep the striped shirt to wear with skirts. I have a number of them, and I like to tuck, AND it was on super sale for half the regular price...so it is actually a bargain.

I think I will return the white one. It just isn't feeling good enough. My Banana Republic shirts fit better than this, although the material isn't as nice. So back it goes.

For the skirts, I will take them to my WonderWoman East and see what she says. I intend to keep them regardless...and so....

Thanks again, all!

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Great decisions made Suz - see, all is not lost!

Jonesy

Veteran

Sounds like a good plan! I love the striped shirt on you.

Kyle

Veteran

No. 8? One of my favorite combos ever, ever, ever. Oh, my. You are too fab for words.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Una, just realized I did not answer your question.

I am quite short waisted. I am slightly (but much less than I thought) long in the rise; it just looks long and sometimes I have fit issues there, because my waist is so high.

And yeah, I am short-legged, although again, not as much as I thought , or maybe not technically at all - when I measure, the proportions are pretty much identical to the upper body ones. But what makes me look more short-legged than I actually am is that my calves are the short part of me. It's the opposite of Rae - she has long calves relative to the rest of her. If you have that going for you, you will always look leggier.

What throws my whole proportions off is my HEAD size, which is big for my body. Who'd a thunk it? well, I did think it every time I tried to buy a non-stretchy hat. But you know what i mean.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

I have a big head too - no really..........

sarah

Veteran

Ugh, Suz, what a headache. I'm glad you'll keep the striped shirt for tucking. And that you've got a trusted tailor for your skirt!

krishnidoux

Veteran

Here is my take on this:
Keep BOTH shirts to wear with skirts, because you will develop a more "dressed up" capsule and they will come handy for that. Striped is a keep, absolutely. White is very handy. It can go with many other colours. Keep, this fantastic fit does not come by often.

Length: no, Petite is your size, but I know that shirts are made either short waisted or long waisted. You might have tried a long waisted version of the shirt when you were in NY, check to see if this is possible. And yes, it is normal to own two different length because it makes all the difference depending on what you are wearing. By all means, I would keep them.

Skirts: now this ink blue skirt looks awesome in that length! Keep it: have it altered by a professional. Don't just roll the waist: people notice (I use to do this myself thinking I could get away with it until I was told... by my boss...). Anyway, it makes a big difference to have it done correctly by someone who knows what they are doing, not that you don't, but a professional hand is needed for this I think. They may decide like you said that shortening from the waist is the best way to go given how it fits you when you roll the waist.

This skirt is obviously chic wear: it deserves to be altered by a professional. You'll be so glad you did it.
You just look SO good!