Layering over wovens? - YouLookFab Forum

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Dressing

Layering over wovens?

Tricia

Veteran

Somehow I can't seem to get this look to work. I'm talking about, say, a cardigan over a button-down shirt, like this example from the blog:

http://youlookfab.com/wp-conte.....lace-4.jpg

I tried it last night and had several issues:

- The fabrics stuck together and made things bunchy and lumpy, particularly in the sleeves. Angie, is that a sleeveless button-down you're wearing in that photo?

- My cardigans are all longer than the hem of my button-downs. They're not super-long cardigans, either - maybe because I'm petite?

I don't wear wovens very often because it's hard to find shirts that fit well in the bust, but I love the look...but maybe it's just not for me. Anyone else have these issues?

Dressing

22 replies

Latest reply was from Sihaya

Queen Mum

Veteran

Tricia,
I have that same issue. I love the look, but it makes me look and feel dumpy. I haven't seemed to be able to get it right yet either. (and it looks like Angie indeed is wearing a long sleeve button down in that pic)
sorry I have nothing to offer, I just wanted to commiserate with you.
Now I need to go pack lunches! Woo hoo for back to school!

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Angie's shirt sleeves are sticking out from the bottom of the cardi sleeves, so it's not a sleeveless shirt.
I think that, in general, juxrapositions work. So in that example- the cardi is kind of shrunken and shorter in both the hem and sleeves than the shirt. You could go the other way, though and do a longer boyfriend cardi over a shirt. I also find that when I am layering, I need to take a few minuted in the morning when I am getting dressed to really adjust everything so that it isn't bunched up, etc.

Queen Mum

Veteran

back from packing lunches---
but Khris, does everything stay in place throughout the day, or do you find yourself constantly tugging and readjusting?

Tricia

Veteran

Oh yeah, there are the sleeves...I am not so observant. Need more coffee.

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

If I take the time in the moring to make sure the sleeves are pulled smooth, etc then everything does stay in place all day.

medusa

Veteran

Tricia, could you post some photos?

CK

I've given up on button down shirts because of the fit in the bust isuse, and was never able to get the sweater-over-button down to work for me, even though I love the look. I felt like I was adjusting my clothes all day, and that didn't make me feel too stylish.

A friend of mine has a sweater with a sewn in collar and cuffs - might seem a little iffy, but it duplicates the look well and there are no lumps or bumps underneath. I wish I could find one.

marianne

I wear this look a lot, and I think it has to do with the fit and the fabric of the shirt - it needs to be close fitting and the material not too stiff.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I am actually wearing this precise formula right now. Hah!

Khris makes a good point. You need a longer shirt and shrunken cardi for this ensemble to work. The opposite (short shirt and long cardi) is hard to pull off when you’re petite. It somehow makes your torso look too long.

Marianne is spot on too. But we are both BIG woven button down shirt girls so I guess we’re really comfortable with the layering and do not feel the bunching. I do not fuss after the initial layer in the morning to answer your question.

Tricia, you might prefer a sleeveless woven shell blouse under your cardigans instead. Shiny is the queen of that look and wears it well.

shana

Veteran

I've also successfully layered with a white AT sleeveless white button down (so old, it's probably vintage). I was going to toss it as I really don't wear sleeveless anymore but then realized that it was perfect for layering with some of these thinner knit sweater/cardigans. Since I am an inverted triangle, I am always careful about adding bulk to my arms and so this has turned out to be a good solution.

Kristen

(website)

Veteran

I will give myself a sharp "military tuck" sometimes through the day when I layer over a woven, but most of the time once I've straightened myself out in the morning, I am good to go!

Tricia

Veteran

Medusa, I took one look at it and peeled it off in horror, so no pictures from me!

I think part of the issue is that being petite, "cropped" cardigans aren't cropped on me, and so in order to wear a button-down longer, it would have to be pretty long and thus unwearable with a skirt. It's not a big deal, I just wondered some how people pulled it off. I have very few button-downs for this reason, but I think it's such a nice, crisp look on others that I wondered if my all-knit wardrobe looked frumpy.

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

I like wearing cardis over wovens, but I do hear you on the frustrations. Sometimes it's hard to get it to look super sleek. I remember complaining about this to the personal shopper at our JCrew and she introduced me to this feminine (and slimmer) button down alternative.
Welcome silk.
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JA8_.....09+003.jpg
Unfortunately they're sold out online so I can't attach a linky.

shana

Veteran

AT & BR petite cropped sweaters ordinarily work great in terms of being really cropped in length. However, I haven't really been able to find any for the past couple of years since the BF trend has been "in." Glad I stocked up....

marianna

Veteran

I've tried this numerous times and I always feel super bulky... not sure why. I think Sarah makes a good point that maybe the button down needs to be thinner/softer... or maybe just more form fitting? Or like Marianne said, not too stiff.

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

The starchier button down appeals more to me, but definitely give a thinner blouse a try. I have had success with JCrew's Slim Fit Oxford button down. A big key for me is how fitted the sleeves are. Most less expensive button downs tend to be a bit loose in this area.

Tricia

Veteran

Was it this, Sarah?

http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Brows...../15831.jsp

I wonder if they'll bring it back.

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

No, but that one's really pretty! It's this one
http://cgi.ebay.com/J-Crew-Twi.....4a9d72205b
Ebay has several listings for "silk JCrew" under women's clothing > shirts, blouses, just not the exact same as mine.
But I'm sure other retailers have something similar, I just haven't found it yet. But I'm looking!

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

Try Express...especially the stretch button downs. These might work for you.
http://www.express.com/catalog.....8;Mpper=12

Misia

Veteran

I had a picture of this combination
http://i851.photobucket.com/al.....271813.jpg
woven shirt has to be soft fabric and fitted, and I like when the sleeves stick out a bit, this way everything stays in place, keep trying!

Kristine

Veteran

I agree about trying different styles of shirt and fabrics. I have the J Crew perfect shirt in slim fit also and it works better than others I've tried for layering. It's cotton, but it's a smooth cotton. Getting everything smoothed out at first can be challenging, but once I get it all worked out it usually stays put.

I sometimes wear a skinny belt on just the shirt, then an open long cardigan. Or I tuck in the shirt (the horror) and wear my pants belted, also with a long cardigan. I've never tried it with a shorter cardigan, but I like the look!

Sihaya

Veteran

I wear mostly woven and layer a lot. What others have said about cardis holds true for me. I also do vests, waistcoats, and jackets. Sometimes I do more than one of these in combination. And I layer cami's underneath if I keep my shirt's top couple of buttons open. The idea is to have each thing fit and sit well over the other and give each other room to peek out from below and sometimes above as well like in a cami. Then have an accessory that ties it together - either in the color of your shoes, jewelery, scarf, etc.