Looking for honest feedback on spring outfits

Michelle

Hi All,

So I did a little shopping today, but I'd be very grateful for feedback on some of the purchases. I also put together a few outfits that could use a critique.

There are five outfits here, including one with a new pair of Ralph Lauren jeans (could my quest for denim be over so soon)? Pardon the lack of jewelry or bags in these shots, I had to try them on quickly before work. If you guys kybosh any of these, the newer pieces can all be returned, so don't hold back!

1. New jeans: I have no clue if I can pull off the straight-leg look. Am I too busty/hourglassy to make it work? If I can wear the pants, should I be wearing a diffferent top?
http://s709.photobucket.com/al.....8;newest=1

2. Cargoes: I may have crossed the ylf line here. I love the feel of these Calvin Klein cargoes, but will heed your advice if you guys veto this outfit. Comments on the top and shoes welcome too.
http://s709.photobucket.com/al.....8;newest=1

3. White capris and printed cardigan: I bought these capris pre-ylf and believe these will be too long to meet Angie's standards. The trouble is I hate my big calves so much and feel like these give me a bit more protection. Is that a fallacy? If they're too long, is it worth trying to get them shortened to make them more stylish? They're incredibly comfortable. As for this cardigan, am I too busty to pull off this style? Do you approve of the pattern? To me it seemed pretty and vercitile, but I defer to y'all.
http://s709.photobucket.com/al.....8;newest=1

4. Black skirt with black and white top: Ok, I'm exposing my legs in these next two shots despite my deep aversion to this feature of my body. This skirt was also a pre-YLF purchase. Does it work? Is this a pencil skirt, and is this a silhouette that works for a figure like mine? The top is new, does it pass muster? I imagine the red sandals work with this, but welcome input. Not sure if you can see the silver detail in the top, but I know this will limit me to red and/or silver jewelry for accessorizing this outfit, right
http://s709.photobucket.com/al.....8;newest=1

5. Summer dress: I must admit, this is the ensemble I'm most confident about. Here's a pre-ylf dress (purchased on a recent trip to Florida) with a new pair of sandals. The one thing I'm not sure about is the cardigan, which I suspect works ok on its own. I know this sleeveless dress needs a finishing touch, but would I be better off with a white cardy or jacket for this? P.S. I have the most perfect turquoise necklace to wear with this, along with either plain silver or silver/turquoise earrings:
http://s709.photobucket.com/al.....8;newest=1

All honest input will be very welcome, ladies. Thanks in advance!

17 years ago

Dressing

10 replies

Latest reply was from Michelle

Kari

Veteran

Michelle, I think you can definitely pull off straight leg jeans! Actually, these don't even look like a super narrow (skinny-ish) pair, so I don't see how they would be a problem at all.

I'm not sure about the Calvin Klein pants - I wondered if they were too big/bagging out in the lower thigh, but now I'm wondering if I'm just mistaking a shadow on the wall for the pants. Do they feel large on you?

I do not see out-of-proportion wide calves in either of the pictures where you're in a skirt! Your legs look beautiful and shapely. I mean, I have wide and muscular calves, so maybe I'm biased... but I really think your legs are worth showing off (i.e. consider hemming the capris to knee length.)

With the striped empire-waist top, I think this style of top would be better to wear with pants since it looks a little long to wear with skirts. I think Angie's guideline for tops is that they should be a couple inches shorter - hipbone skimming, I think? - and tops with pants should be approx. 1-3" above crotch point.

I think the summer dress looks cute! It might be more "summery" with white or a lighter color, like maybe the white shoes you wore with your capri pants. (It looks like there might be purple or yellow accent colors in the dress print that you could also pick up with shoes or a cardigan, but I can't tell from the picture.)

17 years ago

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

Thanks Kari! Very helpful feedback.
Glad you think I can pull off the jeans. They do feel good, but I'm not a good judge of when something like that is flattering.
The cargoes don't feel enormous on me at all. They're not tight or uber-fitted, they flow a bit, but they definitely feel right through the thigh. Too bad if they're no good, they're comfortable and a great weight for summer. I'll be interested to see what other say too. What other colours would work with that shade of beige, most things right? The person who helped me shop thought black was too overwhelming, which was why we went with the brown top.
Good point re. top lengths for the skirt. I have a pair of light cotton black pants that should work fine, also a pair of lovely white ones. I've been debating investing in white jeans, but I'm sure that would work too.
I'm very much on the hunt for a white cardigan, and if I find a good one that works with my bust I'll definitely model it.
And thanks for the reassurance on my legs. I'm working on trying to believe it. I will look into shortening those capris. If I can get them looking right, I anticipate getting a lot of wear out of them.

17 years ago

Anonymous

Hi Michelle, thanks for taking the time to photograph your wardrobe and posting pictures for us.
1. You look awesome in the straight leg jeans. There is no reason you should not wear this style of pants. I like the pink blouse too and think if you added another layer as in jewelry, scarf, or vest it would add diminsion to the outfit.
2. I can see that the cargo pants look soft and comfy. I am bothered by the whiskering at the crotch and wonder if you should wear a shirt with tails to cover the whiskering wrinkles. Honestly I don't think these pants are the best for you, but I think you should try them with different tops before you give up on them since you seem to be enamored with the comfort of them.
3. I love the cardigan in the next picture but unfortunately the shape and length of the capris are not YLF approved. I have these same capris in my closet and I am thinking about remodeling them to fit more like either clams of walk shorts. I love these shoes. Are they Danskos?
4. I love the tulip skirt and the red shoes but the shirt with the straight bottom, and straight line under the bust is not doing anything for you. If you use it as a layering piece you may find it more flattering. It also looks to be more of a length appropriate for pants.
5. I love your summer dress. The skirt part of it is so pretty with all the gathers, and it looks like a good length for you. A more summery color for the carigan would be nice.
By the way you have beautiful legs!

17 years ago

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

Thanks San, I really appreciate the time you took to go through all these. Glad the jeans get the nod of approval! I can work on reshaping the cargoes, I have a great alterations place near by that I'll take them to next week. To answer your question, the white sandals are a brand called Andrew Geller. Highly recommended for comfort.
What visual effect does the top in the fourth outfit have on me? Usually that faux-wrap style seems to work.

17 years ago

Anonymous

Michelle, you are amazing! I looked at your pictures and you have some great looks. Here are some random thoughts:
1. The straight jeans are great on you. The top just needs some accessories like san suggested.
2. Again, as san suggested, maybe a longer top? Good summer weight pants are a treasure.
3. Shorten the capris. I like the print cardi and think it might be short enough to also work with a skirt. Have you tried it with the black skirt?
4. You look great in a skirt! I'm not sure about this top with the skirt though. It seems too long with a skirt and might be better worn with the straight jeans or capris.
5. The dress is lovely. I'd like a shorter cardi with it.
Looking back, it seems I just repeated what has already been said but hope it was helpful anyway. You are looking good!

17 years ago

April

Veteran

1. The jeans look great on you! Keep.

2. I was flippping back and forth between the jeans and the cargoes and marvelling at the difference. We can see your real shape in the jeans, but in the cargoes it gets lost and it makes your silhouette look much wider on the bottom. Does that make sense? If you love them, you love them, but I think they're not the most flattering look.

3. Always wise to duck and cover when you show capris on this site. Everyone else already said it well: shorten to no longer than just-below-the-knee.

4. Try that top with your jeans, and with a colorful cami underneath.

5. The dress looks good from what is shown, though the cardi seems a bit boxy? Are you comfortable in something slightly more fitted?

17 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Michelle, I don’t know HOW you do it. I am so in awe of how well you put yourself together. You are nothing short of absolutely BRILLIANT.

Here’s my 2 cents:

o Straight leg jeans – KILLER. Get more!

o Cargos – I’m with San. I think you can do better than the whiskering that’s happening on the thigh area in this style. But I LOVE the red sandals and the layered tops. They look GREAT. How about a pair of white jeans?

o The capris will work if you have them shortened about 6 inches. The cardigan is fabulous and so are the sandals! I can see that someone has a weakness for nice shoes :0)

o Great tulip skirt but the top that you’re wearing with it is too long. That empire top would look great with pants and perhaps a nice chunky necklace. You could also pop a little cami under there for a colour blocked effect. Could be pretty. Love the sandals.

o Wonderful dress! I’d love to see a cheeky cropped cardi with it. It will sass up your entire look.

You have an incredible sense of tactile style, Michelle. WELL DONE. Can’t wait to see more!

17 years ago

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

Everyone has been most helpful, thanks so much! Will most definitely shorten the capris, as I want to keep them. Will reconsider the cargoes and likely return them. Angie, glad you approve of the brown and white layered look in outfit no. 2, it's just a fooler top in a t-shirt-like material and is the most comfortable thing ever. I also may have a shorter white cardy in my closet somewhere that could work with the dress in outfit 5. If not I'll definitely be on the hunt for one and will get your feebback to see if it improved the outfit. Will try the top in outfit 4 with a different combo and will repost for input. About outfit 4, what kind of ensemble would you suggest with that black skirt? Everyone has called it a tulip style, one that I thought I was supposed to avoid as a pearish-hourglass. Does it truly work? Should I look into pencil-styles instead?

One question re. white jeans. I'm not exactly tiny and have always been wary of myself in form-fitting, light-coloured bottoms (tops are a different matter). Is that well-founded or do you think I could pull it off? I do love that I can ask such questions here and be assured of honest yet tactful feedback!

17 years ago

shiny

Veteran

Michelle, I think no matter what your size or shape, everyone - EVERYONE - looks better in clothes that gently skim the body. This means neither too tight or too loose. I think many women figure that if they wear loose, baggy, boxy clothing it hides their size. But it does not; it just makes them look bigger than they are.

As for the white jeans, it's true they are a little trickier, but not impossible. You just need to find the perfect pair. Do go for a trim, form-fitting shape but just a smidge looser than you would wear your dark denim. Just a smidge. You don't want them quite as tight as darker denim but you still want gracefully form-fitting and not baggy. It's a fine line - but it can be done.

You have a beautiful hourglassy shape so don't be afraid to show it off!

17 years ago

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

Thanks, Shiny. I definitely have no intention of wearing excessively baggy, boxy items. I know they don't work for anyone, least of all someone of my shape, but I also find them incredibly uncomfortable! You really can't ever go back once you've become accustomed to clothes that fit right, can you. My only concern was the visual effect of white bottoms on an area of my body thatI'm not too keen on. Thanks for the sizing tips. I know white jeans would be useful and I certainly will be on the lookout for a good pair. At least I do have one lovely pair of white straight-leg cotton pants, so at least I have one piece.

17 years ago

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