The whole waist emphasis return thing - and WIW as an illustration - YouLookFab Forum

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The whole waist emphasis return thing - and WIW as an illustration

anne

Veteran

When I joined YLF 9? years ago there was lots of waist emphasis, and in there intervening years lots of waist surrendering, and now Angie says the waist emphasis is back (as an option anyway)

So my body type is pear/ rectangle, with square shoulders(x-shape), and I'd say this style should suit me as my largest parts are my thighs. And when I see myself naked I definitely have a waist (you'll have to take my word for that!) though it probably is a bit bigger than 8 years ago when I was younger

But in clothing, it doesn't always feel like my waist exists

1) I have a very long torso. So while I may have 9-10 inches between my hips and waist measurements they are a long way apart.

2) Most skirts and pants are loosish at the waist. Say enough for me to fit both hands in the band, at a minimum. And in one case that's after I'd taken it in.

Today's oufit (will upload in a sec) illustrates this issue. YLF was positive about this handed down skirt last year, but I still have reservations. I realised I hadn't worn I this year, so gave it a go since spring will be here soon. At first I thought I liked it better, but on further inspection, I'm not so sure.

Would love to hear input on the outfit and the issue in general.

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Body Type

39 replies

Latest reply was from anne

Lucy

Veteran

Hands down, I love this skirt on you. I think it very flattering, and just a tiny touch of edginess, which is always fun in office wear.

I def do not see any figure flaws that you describe!

In general, I am very happy the "waist" is returning - as an hourglass, it is an easy look on me.

Sally

Veteran

That looks fab on you Anne. I can definitely see your waist and it is flattering.
In contrast I'm apple shaped and short waisted and will not be fully tucking at all. I'll stick to the semi tuck and untucked.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I think this outfit looks great on you, Anne. I like the waist definition and the unusual pleat detail is cute and flattering. I like it with the boots bookending the turtleneck, too!

chirico (Chiara)

(website)

Veteran

I like the skirt, both on itself and in you. I can definitely see you do have a waist!

anne

Veteran

Thanks for all the positiviy - I still can't see if myself though. Are we talking at cross purposes? By waist I mean an indent between my ribs and hips?

catgirl

Veteran

I don't think waist emphasis is ever "out" but regardless it's no longer an option for me. Wish I had appreciated my younger slimmer self a whole lot more! Meanwhile you look fantastic - I don't think waist emphasis has to mean Jessica Rabbit, it can also be just enough in a more subtle way.

Bijou

Veteran

You look fantastic in this skirt. It really highlights you lovely slim figure and gives you waist definition. I love the styling with black boots. Maybe wear it a few times to see if your eye grows accustomed to the shape. If it does not feel like you, then why not pass on it. I firmly believe that clothes should highlight the woman and not the other way around. Therefore, if you don't feel that this look is You, it is fine to pass - there are lots of other things that you look great in too.

Cococat

Veteran

I really like this Anne and it definitely shows that you have a waist. But I'm with Bijou, if you're not feeling it, that's ok too.

Style Fan

Veteran

I really like this look on you Anne. Great job styling it. I can definitely see that you have a waist and a great shoulder line.

Staysfit

Veteran

Anne, you have a lovely figure! This skirt looks great on you. I think we all see ourselves differently than everyone else. We tend to distort ourselves and focus on parts whereas people looking at us see the big picture. You have a beautiful straight shoulder line and that makes your waist look even smaller when wearing this skirt. It also makes your legs look very long. I hope people at work complement you when you wear this, because if they don't, there is something wrong with their vision and personality!

RobinF

Veteran

I love this. I think it is an interesting skirt and is very flattering on you.

Elizabeth P

Veteran

I'm not sure what your question or issue is, but you look great, and this skirt is awesome! I love the detail of the overlapping front pleat.

Sarah

I really like the skirt Anne and think you look great. Are you saying you don't see a waist definition on yourself in this outfit? It is subtle but I do see it. I too have a long torso too and for me my widest part is the top of my thighs, below my hip bones. So even though my measurements have 9-10 inches difference I tend to look more rectangular unless I am wearing formfitting clothes. If my widest point was right at my hipbones I think my waist indentation would be more obvious.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

What Staysfit and Sarah said, Anne.

You are not a voluptuous hourglass. You're a slim hourglass like me and Angie; Angie once told me I was "smack dab between a rectangle and hour glass" and that is a pretty good description. Too much waist definition and too many curves to be a true rectangle; but I'll never look truly "bombshell" because the curves are subtle.

You have a lovely athletic figure and your waist is well worth showcasing if that is what you wish. But if you don't care for the skirt, do pass it on. No point in holding onto something you don't enjoy wearing.

Anonymous

My literal first thought to myself here was "I see nothing not to like here". This is very flattering on you. I have a long torso, and when at my ideal weight, would be more inclined toward waist definition. If you don't feel good, I guess rework the outfit, but know the rest of us see this as a very nice look for you.

Anonymous

Love the skirt on you. You look great!

anne

Veteran

It's late so can't talk long. Just to say Sarah really expressed what I feel. I guess the skirt isn't form fitting enough.

Aziraphale

Veteran

Anne, the skirt looks great on you. You have a lovely waist to show off. You mention that it's quite a long waist, but I see that as an advantage, not a drawback.

I would tend to agree with Suz that you are a more athletic hourglass than a bombshell one, but you absolutely have the kind of figure that works well with waist-defining outfits.

Interesting side note on this topic: yesterday I was walking down a busy street, wearing a knee-length plaid A-line skirt, a fitted (but not clingy) top, and little t-strap heels. It's not an outfit I wear often because it requires nylons, and let me emphasize that it's not sexy or bombshell at all. But it did define my waist (such as it is). I noticed that I got appreciative smiles from four or five gentlemen as we passed on the street -- all older than me, mostly seniors. This NEVER happens if I'm wearing jeans. And I'm not the kind of person who draws looks anyway. But it made me wonder: is there something feminine about a waist-defining dress that men like? The fact that it was a dress and not pants? Or was it the 1940s heels with nylons? Are men generally traditionalists when it comes to women's clothes?

I guess my point it: ask you partner what he thinks of your waist-defining skirt. Odds on, he'll give it a thumbs up. It makes you look womanly.

Elizabeth P

Veteran

I wouldn't worry about it at all, Anne. Perhaps another skirt would show your waist off more, or differently, but all clothes make us look a little different.

crazyone

Veteran

you look wonderful! I am a bit curvier than you (and certainly don't have as long as a waist), but note that tucking in also obscures the waist a bit because of the blouson-ing effect of the fabric (and the bulk of the tucked fabric), which is why waists are more apparent in dresses than blouses tucked into skirts on me, as well. Note the difference in waist definition between the first two versus the last one, where I've tucked in a loose T into a skirt.

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Suz

(website)

Veteran

Mmm. I get what you are saying...you need a tube or a snug pencil skirt to showcase curves on the bottom if that is what you are aiming for.

Or try a fit and flare like C1, but the effect is somewhat different on a longer waist with smaller bust.

JAileen

Veteran

I think you look great in the outfit. It has a bit of a 70s vibe to it.

Anne, you described my figure exactly, when I was in my 20s and 30s. Since then I've gained weight. Like Una I didn't appreciate what I had. I always tucked my tops completely into skirts and had lots of belts to show off my tiny waist. Often the skirt waists were too big for me too, and I had to have them altered.

anne

Veteran

I'm going to have to raincheck answering this since your evening is our "middle of the work day".

I did just want to say Suz, that Angie reckons I'm a pear. I added rectangle because that seems to be right for my top half and it was Imogen who said X-shape. I'm pretty sure Angie's curvier than I am (as well as lots smaller)

El Cee

Veteran

You look very lovely in this outfit and silhouette, Anne. As JAileen remarked, the outfit has sort of a cool 70's vibe... right on trend. The skirt gives you plenty of waist definition. You have a beautiful figure, however you define it.

Maneera

(website)

Veteran

Wow. That skirt looks AMAZING on you, Anne! You certainly have a beautiful figure and waist-definition is a slam dunk on you

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Yes, Anne -- I get it -- you maybe be closer to pretty pear and X....it's because the hip area was a touch wider than shoulder. But let us recall -- you and I both fit the same plum pencil skirt and cranberry colour block sweater, correct? So the differences can't be that huge.

In my 20s and 30s I was definitely a slim hourglass tending to pear with a small bust. My shape changed slightly and subtly with tummy weight accumulation and hip weight loss through exercise and age, pushing me into this new category. But I still have more curves on bottom than on the top.

MomOfThree1980

I love the outfit! Definitely something I would wear if I had the waist for it.

Sara L.

Veteran

I think the skirt looks great on you. Plus it has such an interesting pleat detail in front. Is this one of your skirts that the waist is too big? Would it fit better if you had the waist taken in. Personally, I think you have plenty of waist definition but I'm a rectangle and have barely any waist, so my view is probably skewed.

Elly

Veteran

I agree that this outfit is nice, but also see what you are talking about. I have a very severe difference between my waist and hips (and then shoulders) so much so that I never get true definition, even in stretchy knits because the clothes always have extra waist fabric. In your case I think the extra bulk and the garments diminish your less dramatic waist (less dramatic because it goes in, but in a more gentle way because of your long-waistedness).

Personally, my concern with the return of the waist is that waist definition almost always feels to feminine for my personal style. When fashion is like this I definitely battle between flattery and what I feel like myself in.

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