Outfit lab: Inspired by Tanya - YouLookFab Forum

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Outfit lab: Inspired by Tanya

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Inspired by Tanya's cool "long baggy shorts" look, I took a peek into my closet.

I happen to own the very same shorts she is showing, but being only 5'4" to her 5'6" mine were much longer and proportionately a bit funny on me at purchase, so I hemmed them. They're still long -- but very clearly "shorts," if you know what I mean. (Pic 1)

So instead, I decided to try with my Zara sarong shorts, which are longer and more culotte like. (pic 2)

That felt a little plain, and I worried it was too dark on the bottom. So I tried with my DVF leopard sweater sort of tucked under for a cropped effect. Alas, this wouldn't stay put and irritated me, so off it came. (pic 3)

Next I added a necklace. Now, I don't own many necklaces, not being much for jewellery in general, so I made do with what I had. I don't think it really adds anything and maybe even detracts, but oh well. I wore it for supper with Mr. Suz and he didn't seem to think it was weird or anything. (pic 4)

And then I took off the shorts and changed shoes because we decided to go out for a short walk and it was chilly! So pic 5 was the outfit the world saw in the end.

The cropped over long is a new proportion to me completely. And I'm not really sure how to wear it. But it's fun playing around.

Do you like it better with or without the necklace? And if this one isn't right, what kind might work?

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Dressing

19 replies

Latest reply was from Lisa

Anonymous

Interesting! I like the cropped over long proportion on you - works well. The only thing that strikes me as "off" (and not even really) is that the pink/black combo is quite high-contrast, which I don't see you in a lot of. Right?

My favourite pink/white combo is with the jeans - casual, softer and less contrast. If the DVF sweater ( I want that!!) was actually cropped that way, that would be my favourite all -around as it looks a bit more balanced colour-wise. It adds in one more pop of black to tie everything in together.

Does any of that makes sense? Or do I need another cup of coffee?

kellygirl

Veteran

I really like all of these but I do think the necklace detracts from your clean and minimal style. The blues shorts are beautiful and the top looks voluminous but not overly so. I'm betting that its movement really makes this look less voluminous in real life. LOVE the leopard top with the shorts in 3. I think the curved hem adds a lot of visual interest here. It's almost like one of those high low skirts. The pink cropped top is fab all the way around. The sheer under layer is lovely.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

ooooooh. I love all the renditions, Suz. How fun are you. And bless Mr. Suz. The proportions work perfectly, especially since you added heels to offset the horizontal cutting lines in the black sarong shorts outfits. Current, Easy and Elegant. I vote killer black shorts looks.

I do like the options sans the necklace more. Those bring out the radiance of your face.

I love the outfit with the jeans too - clever and slam-dunk switcheroo. But the sarong shorts are more special. Nice to have both options.

You could partially tuck the striped top into the cobalt shorts for structure if you wanted to.

(FWIW, I wear those cobalt long baggy shorts - which I love and have worn a lot over the last month - longer actually. I totally think you could have worn them longer too, Suz. But they look great at the shorter length too).

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Suz

(website)

Veteran

Thank you! It's great to see things through your acute eyes.

Angie, yes, I remember you suggested I leave the shorts longer. I almost wish I had done so...but I think they hit at a thick place on my stubby calf. I have to wear them with a wedge or a heel even at this length or they look a bit off on me. There is still a wee bit of seam allowance there, though, so it's possible I could still make them a little longer. On the other hand, now that I also have the sarong shorts, it's nice to have options.

I agree absolutely that it's better without the necklace. Interesting.

Kelly, thank you!

Lisa, I was thinking along similar lines to you...the dark shorts (they're ink blue, actually, not black) were a bit strong against the pale pastels on me. Although I do think the shoes helped. If I had dark hair it would be a slam dunk. As it is, maybe I need a mid-tone or darker cropped sweater.

I do enjoy the little cropped sweater...for $9.99 it was a deal, no?

unfrumped

Veteran

Oh, how fabuloso. The blues are killer. Both shorts give such a great almost-skirt look, but trendier. Okalas are great with them. I wish I could wear!
You should go to town with stylings with the sarong shorts--I think you've got lots of things that work. Agree no necklace, with the other layers and such.

Karie

(website)

Veteran

I haven't read the other responses yet, but here's my two cents:

I like #4 and #5 the best, and I don't think the necklace detracts, I rather like it with the skirt and shoes. I also like #5, a perfectly casual and fun look. I also like the bright color in #1, and that striped top is a favorite. #3 isn't a fav because of the grinning, and #2 is OK, but not as fab as #4.

It's fun to play in your closet, isn't it?!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I LOVE #2. And I have most of the pieces so could do a near duplication! I also think #5 looks great. (I prefer without the necklace - no surprise there I guess!)

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I like all these looks, Suz, though I prefer the pink and white combo without the necklace. I am a little distracted by the grinning through the white top in photos 3 and 4; I might add a medium-to-dark shade of cami to counteract it. But then you might have more layers than you want to wear. I really like the shape of the DVF sweater over the blouse--did you turn it under in the center, or is it shaped that way? If it didn't stay the way you put it, could you just wear it without tucking it under and still have some blouse hanging out below? Or was not enough blouse showing?

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Firecracker, I agree -- the grinning is distracting! Of course the flash probably emphasized it. But at the same time, I'd probably want a cami -- and, as you say, that wold be too many layers for this time of year (although in fact, on that particular day, it was so chilly I would probably have felt just fine!)

The DVF sweater was turned under to make that shape -- sort of mimicking a semi-tuck! I do this sometimes with sweaters at the belt line in a faux tuck as Angie does and it works there without falling down. But here, the slippery silk top (and maybe the slight slipperyness of the silk blend sweater) made the whole thing too precarious. And fussy. With the sweater pulled down the proportions were wrong. It looks good without a top under it, though.

Shevia, it would be so fun to be your twin! And it would work far better on you because your hair would add cohesion. This is what I felt lacking.

Karie, I hear you on that grinning! Not the good kind, LOL. And thanks for your kind words.

unfrumped, thank you. I have worn the sarong shorts with some different tops but wore them more in June than in July and August -- I think they will get some more outings between now and true fall.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I think all renditions work but I would prefer a less sheer layering top. The sheer aspect adds another visual level. Without the sheer factor, you just have the neopolitan (ice cream) aspect to deal with, which is 3 levels of visual interest rather than 4. Have no idea if that makes any sense.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

It makes total sense, Denise. And I love that analogy! Neopolitan, yum! I should call it my ice cream outfit.

Actually, the top is a bit less sheer looking IRL, but I think you're right. Thing is, I don't have any long voluminous tops that are not sheer at the moment.....hmmm....either sheer or too crisp to layer that way. Zara may have to come to my resuce here.

krishnidoux

Veteran

Suz, I love these looks on you, the first pic being my favourite: It's breezy, simple, classic. But I also very much love the pink cropped sweater and the cami. Colours mesh well, and the collar/cut compliments your beautiful shoulder line. Shorts are the perfect length too, you did well to have them hemmed. I care a little less for outfit 3. It creates a strange, huge pocket of white in the front that distracts from your lovely glowing smile and delicate, petite features.

I wonder, how would you rate the sandals you wear in 2-3-4 in terms of comfort? I know you might have discussed this before, but I missed it. They look SO stylish, but can they be worn, say, for teaching? (Like you know, having to pace up and down long hallways and standing for longer lengths of time?).

jackiec

Veteran

Outfit lab - great moniker!! I love this, and like to see the progression - I do this all the time!

I agree with a Firecracker about the grinning.

After #1 which is always outstanding, I like the pink version over the DVF version (which I can see was an experiment right?). Love the look with the short, and also with the jeans, but I prefer it all without the necklaces.

Funny, I have loads of long necklaces but rarely wear them. I'll put them on, then yank them off before I head out the door. Maybe I'll pull them out again in the fall with sweaters....or not.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Jackie, I suspect you and I have a similar problem with long necklaces. They extend the length in an area we don't want to. I think if we get them "just so" they might break up the expanse....but it is tricky to do, and being on the androgynous side style-wise, I don't have the patience to go looking. The truth is, whenever I wear a necklace out, I take it off as soon as I get in the door!

DVF version definitely an experiment, yes!

Krish, thanks. The Okalas....hmmm. Well, I am not sure I would wear them for teaching. At least not for long days. They are suprisingly comfortable for what they are -- as long as you get the width right, they are walkable shoes for sure. I have walked several miles at a time in them. But I find standing much harder on my feet than walking, and get even pickier with footwear when in that situation. So...upshot being, I'm not sure what to say.

Weren't you having foot problems, too? If so, I would not recommend these. If the foot issues have recovered, they would definitely be an option for at least partial or short days.

The only other issue is wearability in our climate. We get maybe 4 months a year from these (at most) so it's part of the financial equation. I know I thought hard before pulling the trigger but did get them on sale, which helped.

Neel

Veteran

Late to this but just wanted to say 2 and 5 are slam dunks IMO! I prefer the outfit without the necklace. The necklace just doesn't strike me as Suz! I really love the colors in 3 too ... But I find the grinning a bit distracting and too RATE for you. Great experiment!

Tanya

Veteran

Suz, you are looking wonderful. I am very honored to have inspired you.

I agree on skipping the necklace and adding a tank to fix the grinning issue, but otherwise I think all of them work. I especially like the version with DVF sweater. If it won't stay like that, you can use some double sided tape to keep it permanently tucked under during the day, I have done something similar in the past and it worked well.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Great suggestions, Tanya! I will follow up with the tape -- I have some.

In My Joi

(website)

Veteran

Fantastic job Suz!!! I truly like every single look that you styled! My favorite is with the leopard print top, I think I tend to gravitate toward the wild side-LOL!

Lisa

Veteran

I like the black shorts, they look like a fun pair. I actually think the ankle strap is throwing off some of these looks for me. The strap creates a horizontal line. Then so does the shorts against the skin. Then again with the hem of the top. And then again with the hem of the cropped top. And they are all not far away from each other. I think this is why I like the boyfriend jeans outfit best. The horizontal lines are more spaced out. Perhaps the black shorts with a non ankle strap shoe? Or I'm just rambling.