Tunic proportion play - YouLookFab Forum

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Tunic proportion play

Suz

(website)

Veteran

So, most of us agree that this lovely tunic that Sveta sent is just a bit too long for me. I'm keeping it anyway, because I think I can make it work in at least a few outfits. But I also wanted to show you some other, possibly less successful combos that I tried, for a bit of proportion play. I'll be interested in any opinions you might have!

Warning: you will be very sick of the sight of me in this top!

In #1-2 I tried it with my VC midi. Showing a side view so you get a better sense of how it is shaped. It is not quite the right shade of blue to work with the midi, I think. What say you?

In #3-5 I show it with other similar toned items in my closet for comparison. The Gap mesh sweater, the Loft T, the "Dutch blue" Club Monaco shorts. It is closer in tone to these. And a little bit too warm a blue for near my face. But acceptable.

#6 trying it with my navy VC midi.

#7-8 Tucking the crepe de chine portion and leaving the chiffon untucked, with the shorts.

#9 with the Zara kimono.

#10 - 11. Trying with a different pair of shorts and doing Vix's shoe experiment. The black sandals are as close to flat as I ever get (about a 1/2 to 3/4 inch teeny wedge). The other sandals are a wedge. I wanted to see how that affected the proportions with this very long top.

#12-13 trying to see how it would look long over short. Not that I would be likely to wear my skirt that short in my advancing age.

#14 trying volume over volume

#15 trying with a knee- length denim pencil

#16 trying with my shortest pencil skirt. I don't think it works well with taupe.

#17 layering over a dress.

#18 layering over another dress.

#19 tucking into the Leiths as with the shorts.

One thing I must say: IRL it doesn't look as "blocky." There is more movement to it and while it is waist surrenduring, you can see that I have a shape and I don't think I look so much like I am a total rectangle. Or so I hope, at any rate!

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Dressing

21 replies

Latest reply was from nancylee

Inge

(website)

You've sure done your homework, Suz, wow!-)

Regarding silhouette: I really love it with your midi skirts, both pairs of shorts and the Leith trousers. To my eye, the longer length looks a little off with the shorter skirts (the knee-length denim skirt is not bad, nor is the layering over the black dress, but I prefer it with the longer pencil skirts). The ones I'm not that fond of are the volume over volume look (although I do love the concept), I think the tunic is slightly too long in the front for this particular bottom, and the layering over the white & blue print dress (only because of the length of the dress). At first I wasn't 100% about how I felt about it with the kimono, but I think I like it:-)

Colourwise, I absolutely love the tonal looks with all the blues, the tunic also looks great with black, and the checkered shorts. I agree with you that it's not really working with this shade of taupe.

Oooh and I bet it will look divine with white too!

bj1111

Veteran

what inge said...i like it with the blue shorts!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Quick reaction: My favorite is with the shorts in 10-11. I like Inge's idea of pairing it with white too!

Anonymous

I love this with your tube midis, 1 and 6. The smooth body con knit bottom and the floaty voluminous top seem to sing well together. Did you try those first because you thought they would work best too? It's amazing how similar the blue hues are without matching. It's hard to tell how they look together because I'm not sure how true the colors are coming across on my screen.

sarah

Veteran

I like it with the black midi the best - the contrast shortens the tunic somehow. Just wondering - since it's giving you such conniptions, could it be shortened?

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Thank you all - very helpful to get your views. I linked up to my earlier thread where I show it with white, as well. Those were my more successful outfit attempts; these (in this post) I felt were less successful on the whole.

Sarah, shortening it would probably spoil the integrity of the style. I would hesitate to do it. It has a sort of flyaway opening at the front.

Claire, I did think (hope) that it would work best with the midis. But hubs wasn't sure about the proportions, and I got worrying that long over long might be too much for me. I do think the slim cut of the skirts does help. But I'm not 100% convinced that it works. I'm glad you think it does.

Janet, thank you. I think this is the long-over-short idea.

BJ, thanks! I think I'll wear it with those shorts. Makes sense to try it at least.

Inge, I am glad you like it with the midis and encouraged, because I wasn't sure about that. I agree with you about the volume on volume look not working. And I'm very interested that you don't care for the shorter skirts or shorts as much -- it was suggested in my earlier thread that I try long over short, but I wasn't completely sold on this look here, either.

Thanks again, all - great food for thought!

amiable

Veteran

You have me pining for a local Costco! I'm going to a nearby town with one tomorrow, I wonder if any of my friends with a membership there want to go shopping. I really love this tunic, and the length would work on me

Joy

Veteran

I like this top best with your midi skirts and blue shorts and Leith pants. I like it least in 14, 15, 16. From what we can see, the color looks fab next to your face. The style is gorgeous on you.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

If these are the "less successful" attempts then the shirt is a winner imo. The proportions of #10, 11, 18 &19 are the ones that on first look appealed to me. Going back to read the responses I see I'm in the minority

What about a half-tuck where you unbutton the last couple of buttons & tuck one side in?

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

First of all, I'm totally impressed by the amount of work this took to try on all these combinations and take pictures. Good for you!

I said it in the original thread and I'm saying it again - I absolutely LOVE this tunic on you. I love the slimness of it, the colour of course, and how it shows your beautiful arms. I can imagine it must feel wonderful against the skin and probably is quite fluid in movement IRL.

I really like the combinations with both your tube midi skirts, the CM cobalt shorts, over the black dress, over the blue/white print dress and with the Leiths. IMHO, these outfits are all winners.

To my eye, it doesn't work with the shorter, patterned shorts, with shorter skirts or with the full skirt.

Deborah

Veteran

Hi Suz, I am sorry I must have missed an earier thread re this tunic/blouse. It's gorgeous and I don't think it is too long, or to "blocky" on you at all. I find the best combinations here are with the midi lenght skirt, leith pants and long shorts. The shorter skirts and fitted checked shorts throw off the proportions abit IMHO. I think you can definitley layer over it, but I am not sure the Kimono is the best choice. I also think it looks great with a messy semi tuck. Personally I think you work here is done. Gorgeous!

catherine

Veteran

All combos are lovely and the color is perfect. I especially like it with the narrower shorts and skirts. Of course, you make everything you wear look elegant.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Tough call! I think my favorites are #6 and #19. I don't like it so much with similar blues, but might think differently in real life. And you have terrific legs and should wear any length skirt you feel like wearing!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I LOVE the shirt with the blue midi in #1!!

I love #6, #7, #10 and #19 next. Good Job Queen Cobalt. You were promoted from Princess.

Beth Ann

Veteran

Proportion play! Oooh, la!

I love it with the midis and the shorts. I don't feel it's as successful over the short skirts (although the blue print is cute) or tucked in (too much bulk).

Isn't this color amazing! You look terrific in long oer long.

Anonymous

I like with #6. Also, I have a strange fondness for kimono jackets so I must say #9 tickles my fancy. If you can't shorten it, could you possibly tie the flyaway into a knot? You could tuck the knot underneath and it could give the optical illusion of the shirt being less boxy and shorter.

Adelfa

Veteran

I like 17 and 18. Like Caro, I'm definitely in the minority! It's a lovely piece.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Thanks to all of you for your responses. It's really interesting that there is some variety of opinion here. I think that's partially because the item is not perfect for me. And partially due to whatever our personal eyes have grown used to. But it's helpful to know this. I think it means that in wearing the top, I should go with my own heart and go with confidence! Whichever way I like it best is the way it's most likely to look attractive.

annaj

Veteran

Oh, I love it!! Gorgeous colour, and I love the layers in the tunic!

Anonymous

I do really like the tunic Suz. My fave looks are 1, 6,10 and 19.

nancylee

Veteran

#1, #6, #10-11, and #19 are my favorites, Suz. I don't think the top looks blocky at all...just a little long. I think it works well with the VC midis and the Leith trousers. I also like it with the patterned shorts.

I also agree that you should go with whatever combos feel best to you, no matter what we all say!