How would you style this top? - YouLookFab Forum

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Dressing

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How would you style this top?

Diana

Veteran

Or would you just get rid of it?

I bought this Loft top a while ago when I wanted to try out the boxy white top thing but have never figured out how to wear it. The thing is, it's very square and boxy. I like oversized, even hectically oversized, but I prefer it to be drapey or asymmetrical and now quite so square. The neckline is also too high to be ideal on me. It's also an odd fabric combo - the bodice and back are a medium weight sweatshirt material but the yoke is cotton eyelet. So too warm for summer but kind of drafty. It doesn't play too nicely with jackets - you can see in the last pic that the neckline has excess fabric that puckers up and out when a blazer is worn over it.

I guess it's ok just over jeans but honestly I find it boring and boxy and not to my taste at all. It's a bit too long to be a true cropped length and as it is, looks really boxy over skirts. I did consider shortening it but I'm not sure how the thick material would take to hand hemming, and I'm not willing to pay money to alter this.

So any styling ideas? Or is the fit just off? It was cheap so I don't mind getting rid of it if you all think it doesn't work.

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Dressing

22 replies

Latest reply was from dakotacheryl

LaPed

Veteran

I would need some very structured pants for a top like this. Think clean black trousers, either slim or straight-leg could work (like, either of Everlane's trousers). That might give you a bit of an architectural look. Maybe add a statement necklace in a bright color, some bangles or other wristwear since it's a short sleeve. A pencil skirt maybe could work in place of the trousers.

That said, I can totally understand ditching this top. I dislike owning tops that don't play nicely with my jackets, and heavyweight shirts with short sleeves become orphans in my closet -- never seasonally appropriate.

approprio

(website)

Veteran

I like the shape on you, the lace detail is kind of cute but you always strike me as a colours girl and I don't remember ever seeing you in white.

If it's 100% cotton, try dying it. Bet it would look much nicer in a jewel tone layered over a short sleeved tee in a contrasting colour.

Tina

Veteran

I bought a similar top at BR, mine was made entirely of the eyelit. I did not wear it once. It simply did not work for my shape or my style.
My vote is to pass it on. It looks risky to hem it considering the different front and back hemlines. The sleeve length is also throwing me off (mine were the same), not elbow length and not really short sleeved either. It looks fine under the blazer but if it bunches then, no, it is not an option. Onward to better tops I say.

ClaraT

Veteran

I'd pair it will skinny black pants (high contrast, but the skinny balances the boxy) or white cropped jeans (low contrast and cute for warmer weather with sandals and some ankle showing).

kkards

Veteran

I rather like this on you, especially in #1. and can see it in the spring/summer with a cute skirt or pair of shorts. but it sounds like aren't really into it, so maybe its time to let it go.

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

I bought a white box top from BR this summer. Ponte or similar. Had the same problem and have not worn. I thought the crop would be cute with high waist, but .... I felt like a box.

approprio

(website)

Veteran

Hm... Thinking about this and reading the responses is suddenly making me cross and miserable. This should be a very nice top. It has many nice things about it. But for some reason, it just isn't. Materials, cut, layering potential... it's all a bit wrong.

We don't have Loft here, but they make nice noises on the CSR section of the website about empowering women and being responsible, so it's disappointing when they come up with something that's not been very well thought out and ends up as waste when it gets orphaned after hardly any use.

I'm always willing to give something like this a chance and try to rescue it if I can see the potential, but I've made my share of mistakes in my years on the treadmill. And that's how it feels sometimes: a treadmill. Something new comes out, we feel like we *have* to try it and it's inexpensive so we give it a shot. And it doesn't work out, because it hasn't been made with anything in mind but the bottom line for the retailer.

I guess what I'm saying is that this incessant churn is exhausting and wasteful and doesn't really benefit anyone except for the retailers. It's the kind of thing that gives fashion a bad rap.

Sorry for dumping on your thread like this Diana. It's Friday, I'm tired and very prone to overthinking these things.

Diana

Veteran

LP and Tina, I will definitely try it with some skinny black pants. I think a necklace would probably help reduce the square-ness too.

Liz, I think the sweatshirt part is some poly/cotton blend or similar, so I don't think the two parts would take dye evenly (or maybe not at all)... in any case, I am not allowed to dye in my apt building's washing machines.

Kkards, I hadn't thought of shorts. Will definitely try that. I don't like it with a skirt but shorts might work better (more leg would balance out the boxiness maybe?)

Tina and Lisa, I am glad I am not alone! Exactly, I feel like a box wearing this, especially with nothing else to detract from that... Tina, you are right, the sleeves definitely do contribute to the square-ness of the whole thing.

Liz again, I always appreciate reading your thoughts on fashion! I do agree that the whole fashion cycle treadmill can get exhausting at times! But on the other hand, I probably wouldn't take too many fashion risks or try new trends if everything was at premium prices, you know? So I think there's a tradeoff there. As Angie says, the current era in fashion is probably the most inclusive ever, and there is a sense that anything goes. I'm sure this is due in part to trends being readily (and inexpensively) available to more people. In any case, I think this may just be a particularly tricky trend, as evidenced by other people's experiences with the same style...

Alassë

Veteran

If you don't like it, I wouldn't bother.

carter

Veteran

What about a long, slim tank or cami underneath to help things "transition" better?

JAileen

Veteran

To me it looks like a summer top, in spite of the sweatshirt material. I'd probably wear it in Spring with jeans and a Spring like jacket if you have one.

catgirl

Veteran

I'm not in love with it for you - I find this kind of top needs to be either longer or boxier/flowier. It's like a conservative version of an edgier style, and I think it's too "regular" for you somehow.

Dee

Veteran

Is it too boxy to go with culottes? That might make it feel a bit edgier, especially with a topper.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I can definitely see your reservations about it. I struggle with boxy too. I wish the hem were longer or curved or something. Have you tried it with a tube skirt?

On the whole though, I am with Una. If you are working this hard to make it work, it may be better off to pass it along.

Anonymous

I'd style that top with high-waisted, slim fitting dark pants (black or navy).

Bonnie

Veteran

I think it would look good with a summery skirt and sandals.

Maneera

(website)

Veteran

I can see why you're struggling here. It is a rather cute top...I like the detailing and the cut, in theory. But it IS too boxy.

I have something similar and I wear it on a fitted skirt. My skirt hits a little above the knee. I choose printed skirts. The structured skirt helps pull the look together, since the shape of the top is not flattering. Then I add a long pendent or scarf for vertical integrity.

Since the jacket isn't working, maybe you can try a long vest? I think you have one in black? A longer vest on the shorter top may also help create better proportions when worn with pants.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

You said you don't like it with skirts, but I wondered about a tube skirt. I also like the idea of it with slim ankle pants. You have so many pretty tops, though--many of them hand-knit--that I am not sure this one deserves a spot among them. If it requires too much work, it should go.

L'Abeille

Veteran

I'm the outlier here. I say, hem it to a more cropped length and wear it over one of your lovely full skirts. Put a Cami or a long sleeved T under it, because I don't think you're a belly girl. But you do have an hourglass waist, and a shorter length would hint at it just enough to counteract the boxiness.

It reminds me of a top I had in a similar shape. It did NOT flatter (no hourglass here!) and I gave it to someone who needed it and suited it. But it "made" certain outfits, as a layering piece, and I still miss it.

If it is a sweatshirt type of fabric it is really easy to cut; it will never unravel so you only need to hem for the look of it. For jeans leave unhemmed à la Flashdance. For skirts you could even add an edging instead, like daisy rickrack or some tatting. Which I somehow assume you have lying around (or do you just knit?)

approprio

(website)

Veteran

Diana, thanks for your gracious response. I didn't intend to criticise your choice of blouse (it's definitely worth a try) or Loft, who seem get it right much more than they get it wrong, but it probably came out that way. I'll take further discussion to a new thread.

It's a cute top and I hope you manage to rescue it. Too bad you can't colour it in. I like L'Abielle's suggestion to cut off the hem. The sweatshirt fabric will curl and create a new raw "hem" of its own accord.

VioletMyra

I love your top; white and boxy are my thing for summer with my pencil skirts. No matter the colour or pattern of the skirt fabric, teamed with a white boxy top and a pair of low heels or nice flats I feel well dressed.
Best wishes.

dakotacheryl

Veteran

I like it here...but if you don't, you won't wear it, or you'll wear it, and not feel happy in it.