Input on summer outfits that try to incorporate your advice - YouLookFab Forum

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Input on summer outfits that try to incorporate your advice

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

Thanks to all who gave me feedback on the last batch of outfits I posted. I took some of your suggestions and had another crack at a couple of them...but of course added something else into the mix:

1. Remember that summer dress that I wore with a black cardy? Everyone thought it would look better with white. Here's a white jacket over it, along with a turquoise necklace:
http://s709.photobucket.com/al.....8;newest=1

2. I needed to work on ylf-approved capris. I think these denim ones work, but need varification. Also, I don't usually wear this shade of green. Does it work both with my colouring and with the purple jewelry I'm wearing here? I got the idea to put these two colours together from a prior YLF post, but am not sure if I can pull it off:
http://s709.photobucket.com/al.....8;newest=1

3. I've read a lot on this forum about using pearls, something I haven't typically done. Does this silver strand work? Oh, and are the capris and cami/cardy acceptable?
http://s709.photobucket.com/al.....8;newest=1

5. Everyone needs a black and white dress, right? I just couldn't resist this one in the store today, but I do want your feedback on how it looks. One concern is the sleeves, do they work or do you need to have Michelle Obama arms to pull this off? Also, does the necklace add the right amount of colour or is it a bit much?
http://s709.photobucket.com/al.....8;newest=1

Thanks as always, ladies!

Dressing

16 replies

Latest reply was from chewyspaghetti

anne

Veteran

Wow that black and white dress is wonderful. I think that is your best look I have seen. Don't worry about the arms. I couldn't really see the necklace too well, owing got the distance, but from what I can see, the colour works well.

taylor

Veteran

Michelle,

I LOVE everything about the black and white dress!! Looks great with your very own arms!! Perfecion ;0

I am no good at capri length...I'm lost on this . I only know what works for me.:) But I think you look good.

I also love the summer dress with the white jacket...very nice

I think I would prefer black sandals with the black capri and cami/red top combo

I think the green top may want a cardi, otherwise...YLF!!! nice job

Kari

Veteran

Michelle, I love both of the dresses! I think the jacket looks beautiful, and I like how even though it's a less fitted jacket style, it is still cut to show off your silhouette instead of having a boxy cut. The black and white dress is such a pretty shape.

I think the clams in #2 look like the right length since they end just under the knee - the black pair in #3 seems just a smidge long and looks like it's ending mid-calf instead.

lwc

Michelle, I really like the dress outfits on you! The first dress could be "summerized" a bit more with a lighter colored shoe, like a nude color or a pewter. The black and white is great on you, and could use a pop of color, like a yellow bag or something.

Are the clams shown in the pics the same pair? In the first pic, the clams seem fine. In the second pic, they seem too long.

The green top looks like a layering piece to me, versus a stand alone top. It seems snug, and the color kind of washes you out. I think you need a more saturated color, and a different style of top.

The cardi and cami and capri outfit, color-wise, seems dark to me. It doesn't really say "summer". It needs brightening up, but I'm blanking on how to do it at the moment. Maybe adding some white or ivory to the mix...

Hope this helps!

Louise

Veteran

Love the white jacket, very fresh and summery
The first pair of clams look fine but the second pair look a tad too long could they be hemmed an inch or so?
WOW is all i can say for the black and white dress you look great in it x

April

Veteran

Michelle -- Angie had some great advice about white jackets that would never have occurred to me: you can avoid the "lab coat" effect by changing out the buttons to some in a contrasting color.

Buttons are also a great way to "funk up" a jacket. They come in all shapes, so your fingers can be your guide. As long as the diameter of the widest part matches the diameter of the current buttons and the thickness is comparable, you should be fine. Black would be the most classic choice, but there are many, many options available at your local Gigantic Craft and Sewing Store.

BTW, you are a bit far away in these photos for us to see some of the details you're asking about. If BF zoomed in a bit and took a second photo after the full-outfit shot, we might be able to help more.

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

April, quick question... Does my current white jacket look like a lab coat? I like the shape of the buttons, but didn't even think to ask what colour they were.

greenglove

(website)

Veteran

I am not April but I do not think that the jacket looks at all like a lab coat. I agree with all that has been said and wanted to add how much I love the black and white dress on you. You wear dresses very well!!!

merry77

Another fan of the black and white dress. Gorgeous! Your arms look fine in it. The dress makes your body overall look fantastic, so if your arms aren't quite perfect nobody will notice. That's an important thing I've been learning: if there's a body part that makes you self-conscious, don't cover it up or try to hide it. Draw attention to a really fab feature, like your waist as this dress does, and things that seemed like a big deal aren't anymore. And I'm also learning that a lot of features that bother us (I'm also self-conscious about my arms) are not often noticed by others.

Vani

Veteran

Michelle, you look lovely in dresses! The white jacket definitely steers the dress into the "summery" look. The second dress is super and you look yummy in it. No need to wish for MO arms to carry this off when you do such a great job. I'm with the others (and I just learned this about of my capris) that the length of you capris in the second outfit seem a tad longer than in the first. I'm with lwc on the green top. the color does not do your complexion justice. Those sweet pea tops you were considering from Nordies would be the kind of colors that would look awesome on you. Oh and love the pearls Doing great Michelle!

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Michelle, that black and white dress is fantastic on you. Great choice! I do think there is a lot of black in outfit #3. Maybe you would consider white clams, if you come across the right pair? I think white clams would be great with that outfit.

shiny

Veteran

What everyone else said! And Merry is exactly right about your arms. I didn't even notice your arms, until I read the comment below. My eye went right to your small waist and pretty face.

About the necklace: it is hard to tell by this photo, but I get the impression the pearls might be too small. Angie usually recommends "gumball" size pearls. So you want them more chunky. Smaller pearls in a single strand are quite classic but unfortunately can be an outdated look. Bigger pearls are more modern. Sometimes I wear my single strand, classic small pearls (the ones I got as a high school graduation gift from my father) with a second strand of gray pearls to make it a more modern look.

planetamy

(website)

I echo everyone else here!

Wanted to say something about the light green top and the colors you're choosing for yourself...Try to go for jewel tones -- deep violet, cranberry, Ruby red, emerald green. Or as someone else said -- more saturated colors. These colors will work with your coloring best, IMO. And if you're worried about them being dark for summer, use white to brighten them up. Or use the colors in scarves/necklaces, with a otherwise neutral outfit.

i hope you're having fun changing your look!
Amy

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I am so with the lasses, Michelle. I love you in frocks! That black and white dress is FABULOUS. Such a tiny waist and pretty face. AMAZING!

The white jacket over the floral dress looks fresh and Summery. Nice! Is it linen?

My perceptions are like Lesley’s – the cropped pants look great in the one picture, but a little long in the other. Are they the same pair?

I can’t really see the jewelry well enough to offer my input but Shiny summarized my thoughts well.

I’d prefer to see you in a richer sage green, not necessarily brighter, just more saturated to bring out your pretty complexion. Hope that makes sense.

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

Thanks, everyone, for the helpful feedback. So glad the black and white dress met with such approval, I certainly love it.

Angie and Leslie: There are two different pairs of clams in these pics. The first one, that everyone seems to think is the right length, is a cuffed denim pair. The second is just a lovely breathable cotton black pair. I thought they hit at the widest part of the calf (mine are pretty wide). Not sure if they can be shortened, but I'll look into it if people think it's really necessary. One aesthetic question... What is the visual effect of clams or capris that are the wrong length? Do they shorten the leg?

Angie: the white jacket is cotton, but it feels a whole lot like linen. How would it work over the black and white dress if I had to go to a more business-oriented environment?

To all who commented on the green top: When I bought this, the salesperson described it as a green somewhere between lima bean and lime. Would you say that's accurate? What shades of green can I pull off, if any? Is there a way to wear this piece that wouldn't wash me out? It's comfortable and the front styling is a bit different for me.

As for the pearls, I may have to get a more detailed picture. They're narrow at the back, but grow in size the closer you get to the front (the part at the front of my neck is just slightly smaller than gumball size). Is that style out of step? I liked the shape when I bought them but am really not au courant when it comes to pearls.

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Michelle, I do think the "wrong" length clams shortens the leg, and also can make it look wider. I had always avoided cropped pants before because I didn't like the look. Now that I know a more flattering length to look for, I embrace them fully.
I didn't get a chance to comment before, but you're looking swell!
I found a gorgeous set of large vintage faux pearls at the Farmer's Market a while back, and I am now kicking myself for not snapping it up. I don't know if you have Target near you (are they in Canada?), but at one time my Target had strands of large shell pearls for a reasonbable price.