Please help me style ATL Marisas? ETA new pics below - YouLookFab Forum

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Dressing

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Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Please help me style ATL Marisas? ETA new pics below

pil

Veteran

Added additional pictures at the bottom of the thread
-----------------------------
Woot, I have finally figured out the collage!

While I am loving the light feel of these new crops, styling with what is currently in my closet is a bit of a challenge. Many (most?) of these combinations are certainly big, fat fails and I would truly appreciate your telling me which ones are stinking it up or kind of working : ) I think the issue with some is that the shirts are too short and/or ill fitting? Because I'm short waisted, in the past I always thought I needed a petite shirt.

In my K/R thread there were suggestions of a linen shirt and also 3/4 or elbow length sleeves. The chambray in #2 is about as close as I can get to the linen suggestion right now, but it is a fairly stiff fabric so probably not something I would actually wear with these. #3 has the longer sleeved tees, but I think the overall length of the shirts (brown and black) are too short?

Also, are there sleeve lengths here that I should simply steer clear of? Like the cap sleeve in #1 or even the short sleeves in #3? I'll probably keep wearing both regardless, but this would be helpful for future additions.

One more thing - because of the pleat detail in the pants, would a patterned top be too much going on?

Thanks a million!

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Dressing

29 replies

Latest reply was from Joy

unfrumped

Veteran

I especially like the last 2. Something about more balance on top.Like the length the sleeveless, too. Not as fond of the tucked in chambray. The camp shirt over tank skews frumpy crop- so you to keep it dressy to be more modern, I think. Kudos for trying so many ifferent stylings.
Hopefully someone else is more help.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I beg to differ about "big fat fails." You could wear any of these together out of the house. Nice collection of try-out looks!
The ones I like best are
1) the last look. The slouch of the top over the slouched pants looks so fab to me!
2) the next to last one. I love the asymmetry of the print, and I like the fit of the tee with the pants. I think the length of the top is flattering.
3) the second look. Again, I think the fitted silhouette of the top and its length go nicely with the pants, and I like the v-neck and sleeveless look on you.

The first top looks a little less fitted, so I think I'd prefer to see you try the semi-tuck with that one rather than the red/orange tee. I feel like the red-orange would work better worn out; I love the color combo of it with the pants.

I'm undecided on the button-down shirt looks. I like the white best of them, but I'm not sure why.

As to sleeve lengths, I like them all. I think the elbow-length of the next to last look is the hardest to wear, and perhaps just slightly less flattering than the others here, but I don't think you need to avoid any of these sleeve lengths.

Mia

Veteran

I think the ones in #3 look smart/modern and that a scarf, jewellery and bag will finish these into outfits that will take you a lot of places. I would try some print items with these pants as they are nice and neutral. So comfy looking!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I really like the last look. The boatneck is balancing, and as FC said, the slight slouch complements the pants. Add a cuff, maybe a different sandal, and a great bag, and you are good to go!

I agree with Firecracker's other assessments, too. And if you are looking for a new top, one with an asymmetrical hem might be worth trying. Just a hunch.

Donna

I like the shorter tops (the last two) a bit better than the longer ones. The balance seems better. I like the suggestion of trying an asymmetrical hem.

Don't know if this is helpful, but I found that on me, I liked a shorter top (ending at around the high hip) when wearing flats but could wear a longer top if I wore heels. Just a small heel (a wedge sandal in my case) made a difference. Also the shape of the bottom of the top at the hemline also made a difference, so I think trying different styles can be helpful.

These are going to be great for warm weather. I really looking forward to wearing mine.

Marley

Veteran

I think the last look is great! The slouchy sweater is perfect for the silhouette of the pants! However, I would try a shoe sans the ankle strap so that you have a longer leg line. I think the 2nd best look is the middle outfit in #1. IMHO the length is really good on this and I like the V-neck on you. I think the outfits in #2 are all bordering on frumpy - that sleeve length in the 2nd and 3rd pic is a really difficult length for anybody - I always steer clear of it because it just cuts off my arm at such a weird spot and emphasizes the widest part of my upper-arm. I bet these pants become a basic of your summer wardrobe!

Agnes

I also like the black one in the first pic. Its a bit more fitted which is flattering.

krishnidoux

Veteran

To my eye, the problem is footwear. These require something less traditional, such as gladiators, heels, even booties... or unroll them with Keds for a more androgynous look à la Ellen.

Last look with the boat neck looks best. I would even try it with ballerinas.

How about a roomy cotton shirt loosely tucked with the collar unbuttoned to create a vertical line?

How about a roomy tunic-shirt worn over with a wide belt cinching your waist?

How about a semi tucked mesh sleeveless top?

Just some ideas...

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I like the 2nd, 4th and 9th (last) one the best with these - all of those are actually quite nice with those pants. And whoever said footwear I think is def. on to something. I've been trying to work on footwear myself. Sandals with more color would be fun. Dressier strappy sandal styles would make the outfits look instantly dressier. Ballet flats (even comfort ones like Clarks or Merrell) might work if you want to stick with flats. I'd experiment with footwear but I think you have the outfits going in a good direction here.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I agree with the footwear comment. To look intentional, they really need modern shoes.

pil

Veteran

Thank you everyone, you are wonderful with how you are able to pinpoint solutions. How DO you do it?
Hopefully my head doesn't explode trying to figure this out. I almost feel as if I need a check list to get dressed but I suppose mistakes are part of trying something new.

Different shoes! Suz, Marley, Krishnidoux and Texstyle - thanks for that revelation. I thought the cropped pants needed a heel but failed to take into account the ankle strap. I do have a pair of gold Clarks ballet flats that are probably about the only other shoes in my closet that would come close.

@unfrumped is the reason I pulled the black boatneck in #9 out of the closet. My recent Goodwill buy.
@Firecracker, thanks for the encouragement and suggestions.
@Mia and Agnes, thanks!
@Donna, your solution of shorter top with flats and longer top with heels is something that would have never occurred to me.
@Marley, those short sleeved shirts in the second collage were actually in my "should they go?" pile. Guess that question has been answered!
@Suz, asymmetrical would be a totally new item for me - I'll have to give that a try. That would work with a more fitted crop too, I would Imagine.
@Krishnidoux, you are a font of intriguing ideas. I do like the Keds idea. While I would definitely admire heels or booties on someone else, they are way out of my comfort zone at present. I'm too self conscious.
@Texstyle, thanks! I like color but have been leaning toward more neutral footwear this summer, thinking it would help lengthen my short leg line. Guess I missed the boat with the sandals in these pics. At least the are comfortable and will work with pants.

Scarlet

Veteran

I like the very last top the best. I like the length of it with those pants. I think patterns could work well. I think all of the sleeve lengths are fine, but for the pretty short sleeves, I like the white top with a bit of puff to the sleeve. I think having a little volume in the sleeve like that works well. Otherwise I prefer sleeveless or longer sleeves on you.

pil

Veteran

Thanks, Scarlet. The full sleeves on the shite shirt and comments about the slouchy top in 9 kind of surprised me. I thought the rule of thumb was volume on top OR bottom, but not both.

ClaraT

Veteran

On my phone so sorry if I missed this in another reply. These tops mostly have straight bottoms. I also prefer untucked to tucked and wonder how a shirt with a curved bottom would look? (ie a curved hem not a straight one?) I like that style on myself and it might suit you, too. Just a thought.

pil

Veteran

Thanks Clara. I like the curved hem shirts too, (the chambray in the second collage has that) it's one of those things I need to look for but don't always think to.

krishnidoux

Veteran

Pil, here are other footwear ideas for these pants:

- espadrilles;
- platform low heels;
- flat flat sandals (see pic 4)
- flat lace-up sandals
- very nice white brogues
- high top Converse

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pil

Veteran

Krishnidoux, belated thanks for those shoe suggestions.

I ran across a pair of sandals at TJ Maxx the other day. I wasn't looking for orange because of your picture, these just happened to be orange. Are they way off base relative to the "modern" sandals you have all suggested?

My hesitation is because I've always been self conscious of my ankles and these probably don't do me any favors.

Grouping 1 in this post is with the black boat neck that was the consensus from the above stylings.

Grouping 2 has some more delicate, I guess, sandals with the ruched tee. The orange tank is the BR sik tank in Angie's "finds" link today. The navy version is in grouping 1 above - Firecracker had suggested tucking that one. The last pic is supposed to be a close up of the sandals on my feet for critique, but it doesn't show up very well.

Haven't had any luck finding the asymmetric top Suz had suggested.

Am I getting any closer at all? Or should I just say "uncle"?

Thanks for your patience!

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DonnaF

Veteran

Wow! What a lesson in the difference footwear can make! I prefer these tops over the first group (not counting the black boatneck which was my favorite, too), and I really, really like the orange top. YES!!!

Thank you so-o-o-o much for posting all these pics. So helpful. So useful. I am so amazed and impressed (and a little intimidated, actually!) by how you are able to absorb and integrate the feedback, make changes, and take your outfits to an entirely higher level.

pil

Veteran

Thank you so much for the encouragement DonnaF! Though I almost find myself looking over my shoulder to see if you might be talking to someone else : )

It makes me crazy looking at these pictures. I *look* like I'm slouching but I really am standing up straight. Honest.

Agnes

I'm loving the Tbar tan sandal Pil. It does instantly modernise. And bad thoughts about ankles begone! We all have body parts we don't love, but very often no one else has even noticed it.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

Pil, I think the change in footwear is great and does modernize the outfits. I like the delicate sandals and the other t-strap too. Try the delicate ones with the black top and those pants and add a bracelet or necklace to kick it up a notch.

You mentioned orange sandals - but these aren't orange are they? Are the orange ones some you are considering? Is orange a color you enjoy wearing? I think you have to just sort of buy a color of shoes that you love and then figure out how to work them into the wardrobe (at least for me) until you start getting a better idea of what you like - which color mixes, etc.

I ordered my new blue suede sandals wondering if they'd work with my wardrobe and now I realize not only they do work - I love the way they are almost a med-denim color as I wear a lot of jeans and this works as a neutral for me.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

You nailed it in the second batch! Well done

K. Period.

Veteran

Yay! Pil, you look fantastic in the updated pictures! I have to second what someone else said--you are really amazing at taking the forum's suggestions and reworking things. I can't believe how fantastic these look. You are amazing!

Anonymous

Without reading the other responses, here is what I think. Styles like this one need to be brought out of the fine twilight zone of frumpy land, by ultra contemporary, more edgy pieces. If not, you run the risk of ending up looking like you are wearing grandma pants. I love grandmas, but not their pants ;(

the second set looks better but I think these look a bit frumpy. I'm sorry. I perhaps have a poison eye.

Side note, I have those T strap sandals in red. Nine West, right?

pil

Veteran

@Agnes, thanks!
@Texstyle, the thicker banded sandals have a couple of terra cotta straps - the one across the toes and another that wraps behind the heel. The primary color is the brown/camel. The basic style is very similar to the more delicate (Ecco) pair - maybe too similar that they aren't worth keeping? They aren't as comfortable as the Eccos.
@K, thank you, you're so kind - thanks for the pep talk!
@Zapotee, don't be sorry I need all the help I can get! I definitely understand what you mean about looking frumpy. By ultra contemporary/edgy do you mean topper and/or shoes? These pants are quite an adventuresome look for me - I'm easily intimidated. Would Suz's suggestion of the asymmetric top be more suitable in your opinion?
@Angie, thanks for the thumbs up!

Anonymous

Yes, something like that. Suz was up to something there. You are light years ahead of me on this. I give up on studf like this because I tend to frumpy-fy everything.
I did not realize Angie gave you the thumbs up. please disregard me:)

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Pil, these looks are all great. You have the tops down with these pants--great job! And the sandals, too.
When you said the tan/orange ones aren't as comfy as the Eccos, that gives me pause. They are a great style, but I would not keep them if they're not that comfy. Your Eccos are current looking and will work great while you look for another comfy-yet-stylish pair as an alternative just for fun.

Day Vies

Veteran

The half tuck works I think it would really pop with an interesting belt. I like how your tops aren't too long and are well proportioned. I don't see any returns here.

Joy

Veteran

I'm late, but want to say that your work on styling is so impressive. I like the first and last outfits of the second group best and agree with Day that you may want to try a belt when doing a half tuck. I find that it makes a big difference on me.