My week in wardrobe (critiques welcome!!)

Hi there -- I'm new and would love some help.

I took pictures of what I wore to work each day last week. I work in a casual work environment (I'm a project manager for a computer company) and I'm trying to "up" my style a little bit.

My challenges as I see them are: I'm short (5'1") and too curvy to be tiny but too small to be curvy, if that makes sense. I have very muscular legs that always seem to look stumpy. I also have to wear flats 100% of the time now due to a back injury (that's not helping with the "stumpy" problem)

My advantages as I see them: I look good in almost any color. I'm comfortable (mentally) in anything from jeans and a T-shirt to dresses. I can wear pretty much anything to work.

I'm not sure what body type I am...I still need to take a photo in something skintight. I'll try to do that later today.

OK, here we go!

Monday: http://bluepoof.com/pics/fashi.....G_2870.jpg

Tuesday: http://bluepoof.com/pics/fashi.....G_2886.jpg

Wednesday: http://bluepoof.com/pics/fashi.....G_2894.jpg

Thursday: http://bluepoof.com/pics/fashi.....G_2915.jpg

Friday: http://bluepoof.com/pics/fashi.....G_2921.jpg

Any comments/suggestions/criticism more than welcome!! Thanks so much.

16 years ago

christie

Active Member

Carolyn, I don't think you look short and stumpy, at all. I think you look suprisingly tall for being 5'1". Here are my comments
1) (Orange-red jacket, jeans, chucks): I think this outfit would benefit from darker jeans that are a bit more fitted. Your shirt needs to be a little longer and fitted: http://youlookfab.com/2008/04/.....ver-pants/

2) (fitted blue top and jeans) for a super casual outfit, I like this one the best. To me you look like you have an hourglass, tending to inverted triangle body, but I am no expert.

3) (sweater cardigan and black and white shirt). I really like this outfit. I think this is probably one of the more flattering. Everything is fitted, and you show off your nice body. The shirt is a good length. My only suggestion would be to buy jeans that are more fitted.

4) (plaid shirt) This is my least favorite. I think for this outfit, you could add fitted jeans in a darker wash to smarten up the outfit (lighter is good for more casual). The shirt should be a little longer.

5) (dress) I like this outfit a lot. Feminine and tough. It's great.

bella

(website)

Veteran

hey Carolyn, Welcome to the forum! The last outfit is absolutely fabulous. The color looks great on you, the moto jacket is very hip and the gray boots are to die for.
My one suggestion is regarding top length. When you are wearing pants and jeans, try to keep your tops a little longer. Pictures #2 and #3 are spot on, whereas #1 and #4 could use a couple of extra inches.
I think you might be an inverted triangle but it is hard to see from these pictures. And you definitely look taller than 5'1"!

carolynbb

Member

Thank you guys!!

I see what you mean about the shirt length. It seems like every "small" sized shirt is very short and if the shirt is longer, I drown in it! I'll just have to do more trial and error.

Jeans are a real conundrum for me. I have the jeans that are in the photos and a pair of denim leggings and nothing really in between. I just need to keep trying on more pairs, I guess, since I haven't found a fitted jean that I love yet. Bummer, more shopping!

taylor

You seem to have a really good idea of what colors work for you. I agree with the longer shirts:) Looks like you are on your way!!! I have no idea on body shapes..guess I'll leave that to the experts:) Welcome

Kari

Welcome, Carolyn! Is red your favorite color? I'm guessing so! I love the cute, bright color of your blazers/jackets from Monday and Wednesday. #3 is my personal favorite - I love the texture/pattern mixes from the jacket and the printed shirt. It looks like you have some great bold, statement necklaces, too. I don't think your legs look stumpy, but I think you and Christie have a great point that the right pair of jeans - jeans that fit well, are the right length, and make you feel awesome - can make a big difference.

Debora

Welcome, Carolyn! Wow, you are off to a great start! You do have a wonderful way with color! I see what the others are saying about shirt length. How about popping a long cami underneath the shorter tops to add length like you did on Tuesday? I especially like Wednesday's outfit!

Queen Mum

welcome to the forum Carolyn! Great job on your first set of pictures
I really liked Tuesday, Wed and Friday- those outfits were great color for you and fit your figure really nicely.

I agree that you might want to look for a pair of dark wash nice fitting jeans. Not an easy task by any means, but once you find them, you'll be in denim heaven!

Hi Carolyn,

One way to deal with the shirt length conundrum is to pop a camisole underneath. I do this frequently. The BP camis that Angie has posted in the store are great for that.

Christie

rute

Welcome to the forum!
You have such a lovely face!
1) I agree, I would go for a darker jeans that are a bit more fitted.

2) The layers call the attention to the hips, I would go for a longer shirt on the top to avoid the white stripe on the hips.

3) Love this outfit!

4) I don't fancy with the plaid shirt...

5) My favorite, I would only change the boots (these seems a bit loose), I would go for flats.

MsMaven

I agree with Christie--you don't look short and stumpy at all! You have a good eye for proportion. I don't like the plaid shirt, but then I don't like plaid too much.

Good job on the photos too.

greenglove

Hi Carolyn! welcome- you are very adorable. I love you in red. I think the single button red cardigan with the longer top is my favorite pants outfit. Your dark hair seems to do well with contrast. I agree that the jeans could be more fitted. I do not care for the plaid shirt on you. I love the red dress and leather jacket, however I think that there is not enough space between the length of the dress and the boots- maybe shorter dress or shorter boots- although both fab. Hope that helps and keep posting!

OK, I have a Dumb Question (tm).

When you guys say the jeans should be more fitted, is it that the ones in the photos look too large (a sizing issue) or that they should be a different shape (a styling issue)?

For example, most of my jeans are boot cut and -- since I have athletic thighs but smaller calves -- I think the jeans look mostly fitted in the thighs but too big on the calves. Is that what you guys are seeing too?

If that's the case, then maybe I should be looking more for "skinny" styled jeans?

Thanks again!

Sihaya

Thanks for posting Carolyn. You look great. Tues and Wed are my favorites. Your jacket on Mon might be a little boxy. Can you also tried it buttoned to see? I agree on the boots for the last outfit - they might be a bit loose. Are they the kind you can scrunch down?

Vani

Thank you for posting and welcome to the forum Carolyn! You're off to a great start. My favourites are Tuesday & Wednesday's outfits. I love the Friday outfit in theory. You need a fitted, more "cheeky" jacket and those boots might need a little scrunching to make them slouchier. I think what everybody means by a better fitting pair of jeans is a pair that will give you a more streamlined look. I have the same issue wrt a bit bigger in the thighs. Maybe jeans with a bit more stretch in them will help with a smoother fit.

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