How to make this style work?

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ChristineB

Active Member

I have seen tons of blouses similar in style to this one

http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/.....=633852012

everywhere it seems. Either pleated or gathered neckline, without shaping near the waist. They look so comfy, but they also look hard to wear. Can you belt this type of top? What about layering a more fitted cardi or something over top?

Any ideas? Thanks!

17 years ago

Dressing

13 replies

Latest reply was from Ellen

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Good question, Christine. This is not a good top for pretty pears unless it’s belted. It’s good for adorable apples and racy rectangles as is. I hope that helps.

17 years ago

Violet

Active Member

Thanks for the information, Angie and thanks for asking the question Christine. I was just in Old Navy this week and saw a ton of tops like this. They looked really cute on the hanger, but to big and shapeless when I tried them on.

I might try one with a belt to see how it looks. My only concern with a belt is that I wonder if there would be too much material bunched up under the belt. Not sure if that makes sense, but I appreciate the suggestion in making this work for other body types!

17 years ago

ChristineB

Active Member

Violet - that was my concern as well - the bunching fabric. Sounds like I need to let this style pass me by.

17 years ago

shiny

Veteran

I have a lot of tops in this sort of style, which I love, because it feels so cozy and is forgiving for my less-than-perfect midsection. This is the sort of top I tend to reach for when it's TTOM, in fact, and I'm all bloaty. Or mid-cycle when my tummy expands. This week I've been all over this style, in fact. I have gone temporarily from hourglass to apple. (yeah for perimenopause! LOL).

However! - I always layer over a cardigan buttoned at the waist, or a structured blazer that has waist definition. If you don't do that, you have no waist! Then the blouse just kinda floats miraculously over the bloaty bits and makes them disappear.

But - I would be concerned about the sleeves on this particular top. Because of the elastic/puffiness, they may not work that great under a cardigan. If in doubt, try it on with a cardigan.

Also, I don't think this style works so great belted. It will puff up too much above and below the belt. Especially if you have broader shoulders or a generous chest. I may even have pictures on my hard drive, showing how this just does NOT work....

The color of that top is gorgeous.

17 years ago

shana

Veteran

I've recently purchased a couple of tops in this kind of shape (not with puff sleeves though) to wear under cardigans or jackets a la Shiny (who totally rocks this look and has been my inspiration to try it). With some apple tendencies, I like how these styles of tops skim over the midsection.

17 years ago

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Shiny I join you in your hip-hip-hurray for perimenopause (she says sarcastically). I've been a bear to live with all week ...

Anyway, about the top, if you have a strong shoulder line and can pull it off, maybe a cropped cardi would give it a bit more shape. Or, check out this one by Kenneth Cole at Nordstrom - an updated version of the peasant style in an interesting crinkle knit fabric:

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/30.....rchresults

17 years ago

Anonymous

I'm crazy about the coral color of that Kenneth Cole top and may have to try it, but I've tried some with the same double layer sleeve and it doesn't work under a cardi because of the double fabric making the sleeve puff out more. The ones I tried were very soft tissue weight cotton so this fabric may work better.

17 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

*chuckle*

17 years ago

Christie

Active Member

When I first opened up the link, I thought "not for me!" and then I read Angie's endorsement of it for apples and rectangles (me!). All I could think was that I'd look pregnant in this type of top. Shiny's additional suggestions made sense.

And now that I actually think about it ... I am smiling at the irony of my own blindness because I'm wearing a top very similar (but in a knit) to this one right now, and it does feel fab, floating, and forgiving with a cardi buttoned under the bustline.

17 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Bob's your uncle, Cricket! The right voluminous top can look and feel fabulous. The rectangular side of my body type LOVES wearing voluminous tops.

17 years ago

ChicMomAndrea

Member

I agree with Shiny - if you have broader shoulders and an ample chest, don't even think about belting this! Made me look like a pirate's wench. Not a good look.

I tried this on in an ON store and it was a pass for me because it didn't look flattering any way I tried it (alone, under cardi, under blazer).

oh, and yay for my first post!

17 years ago

Christie

Active Member

Thanks, Angie!

17 years ago

Ellen

Active Member

I'm a rectangle and some of my favorite tops are this type of style (perhaps a little less blousy). They do look great with a streamlined bottom, so I wear them with jeans that are slim cut through bottom and thighs. I could see this not being as great for pears.

I do also wear cardis and jackets over top, but I find the look works great for me on its own. My middle leaves something to be desired and I like how these tops skim it and also how they leave room for buffets and large turkey dinners!

17 years ago

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