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WIW :: Chambray shirt suggestions in action - Experiment #1

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

Dear YLF,

Thanks to your excellent ideas in my earlier thread, I'm coming up with some combinations to wear chambray shirt in a way which can actually work for me better than I hoped.

I've come to conclusion that the first stumbling block in making it work for me is the fact I see chambray as way too casual - so I need to add a bit more polish to it so we can even begin becoming good friends. This is where Deborah's styling suggestion came very helpful. pencil skirt - check, pearls - check.

So, what do you think? Belt or no belt? Your thoughts in getting this as right as possible are much appreciated.

p.s.
Post and run for the moment, but I'll be back...

28 replies

Latest reply was from Asingh

LACeleste

Veteran

Hi Ornella,

I really like your outfit. The tights and pearls are fab. Is it possible the shirt is a tiny bit big on you or maybe big for tucking in? Did you try tucking into tights?

I'm still learning so I hope some experts chime in about the belt issue.

adorkable

Veteran

The shirt looks a smidge big to me too, but the belt really helps in that regard. I like this outfit a ton!

lyn67

Veteran

Hi Ornella, love the ideea of a simple pencil with a denim shirt, but I agree, I also see chambray a bit too casual. I for myself have only single denim shirt(H&M) but I've choosen it to be tailored and strechy. Unfortunatelly they haven't had my size at that time and needed to size down:-(. Beeing a bit too fitted on the bust I use it only in the summer as a topper over some camis. I may have one pictie of it on one of my previous threads somewhere, will come back with a link if I'll find it.

It surely has to do with the now very "in" fluid fit, but yours seems a bit too big to my eyes on you for a matter (I went back on your previous thread to see it better)...I am no way an expert on the thema of course, but recommend adding a bit of structure by scrunching the sleeves up to elbow and/or openning the last 2 buttons on the collar and putting the pearls on skin, underneath(or even considering altering it for bit of more polish).

I know Angie and some of you love shirts buttoned all the way up, and sometimes I like it too(on others), but I feel here showing once again more of a bit of skin(on the collar bone) will ease up the outfit (as I feel it's a bit too covered up and strict like it is now).

I like this outfit better with the belt. Grey lacey tights and shoes are fab!

OhMy, was it long, hope you didn't mind:-)

PS. I also love the ideea to try it with a drastically cropped (to under the bust) sweater/vest on top(I saw in one link recommended by Inge).

Lisa

Veteran

I always like denim paired with black. And I prefer the belted version, because that is a really neat belt!

Sara L.

Veteran

I prefer it belted too and like the combination with the black skirt and pearls.

celia

Veteran

Beautiful combination. The belt makes it a little bit more poished.

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

Thank you Sara and celia.

LACeleste :: you are right, the shirt feels a bit big for tucking in. Today I wore it with the slip which helped smooth the bumps a bit and I had a long coat over. But, I am seriously considering to alter it just a bit to address the fit as it's quite obvious after wearing it today that it won't work as is.

lyn67 :: I not just don't mind the long post but appreciate it a ton You raise several valid points. I too wondered if this shirt can be sneaked under the "fluid fit" trend, but I think that we probably have our of fluid sweet spot as with BF in order for it to feel intentional, therefore effortless. Taking about 2 cm at the shoulder and maybe even making it a bit more fitted (possible only from the back) would make things very different.

As for scrunch and variations of buttoning up or not, I'll have separate post with all variations I tried. If I find time.

Lisa :: you are a genius, of course. Now that you've spelled it out for me it seems quite obvious: this shade of denim with black, or in my case denim with very high contrast, or avoiding low contrast and un-dramatic outfits will not work. This adds a new spin to the experiments I had in mind for the next few days.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I see the oversized-ness that others are commenting about, but I like this outfit. I prefer it with the belt, but maybe not with the pearls? Or at least not buttoned all the way up; let the pearls hang out underneath the collar unbuttoned one button.

Hil

(website)

Veteran

High five! Love the synchroncity! Thank you for reminding me that I could wear my chambray shirt!!!

I love it with the belt! I would also like to see the neck loosened up slightly,

catgirl

Veteran

I love this on you, Ornella - you've made chambray ladylike! And this is how I prefer my shirts, with a little wiggle room (cuz I'm wiggly) - so I don't see it as too loose... my sugar eye!

fuzzylogic

Veteran

Love the way you have worked your chambray! The pearls make this outfit very classic!

I like it (as is) without the belt. Too much horizontal action for my eye.

If you are keen on the belt (and I love belts!) I would add a vertical element on top eg open the collar or wear a long string of pearls or black glass instead.

Day Vies

Veteran

I saw one of the other mention in her comment that she thought the shirt was a tad too big. I agree. It's hard to get this shirt to look more polished even with the addition of the pearls and the pencil skirt when the fit is a little off. Here are my suggestions:

Use these same pieces, and the pearls if you want and add a black or white (even black and white striped if you like) tank or tee underneath it can't be too bulky but you're going to pull the tee and the shirt taut (I would tuck them into my tights to get a smoother fit) and leave the top 5 or 6 buttons undone.
Since the shirt is so lengthy consider rolling the sleeves half way up your forearm. Also if you wearing a long-sleeved shirt underneath roll the sleeves together so that the undershirt's sleeves are visible.
I would wear the necklace under the shirt with the top 2 buttons undone. I would also try a layering a longer strand -- perhaps 18-20 inches or so -- that necklace could be worn under the collar and over the shirt.
You could also layer a cardigan over this shirt in black and roll the shirt's cuffs over sweater's sleeves.
I am also fond of jackets which when they fit well they give the appearance that everything underneath fits well even if that's not the case.

Here are some examples of what I have done with my own chambray shirts which are roomy from under the bust down but fit really well in the shoulder and bust.

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Ornella

(website)

Veteran

OK, I gave myself even more homework now I see. Thanks, I love all this input.

DV :: I'm so stealing that skirt! Great tips and visuals, thanks

ramya

Veteran

Ornella try scrunching the sleeve. This would then look more balanced.

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

Something like this? I tried a lot of things today...

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ramya

Veteran

Yeah in my eyes that is better.but I am sure the scrunch holder would bother you,
Would you like to try Angie style of scrunching?

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

I would of course. But first I think I need to take care of the fit of this shirt. The more I think of it the more it bothers me.

fuzzylogic

Veteran

DV you have a great eye! Come over and style me!

suzanne

I think I'm in the minority. I liked your first photo, with the looser look of the shirt in the pencil skirt, without the belt. I think a different type of necklace or scarf, with a vertical line, as another poster mentioned, that has more of a flow to it would fit the look more. It's a different look than the one that you get with the pearls, belt and patterned stockings. You're making the chambray fit the pencil skirt, which is interesting but it is also very interesting to play the structure of the pencil skirt against the casual chambray shirt and the looseness that it offers an outfit. That's a very different look. That would be fun to see you try out.

Day Vies

Veteran

Ornella, I like the sleeves better in the second photo you posted. I learned from Angie a little forearm goes a long way.

unfrumped

Veteran

I love the blue and black on you. I don't think the shirt is necessarily too big (hard to tell) if you change the proportions by unbuttoning collar and rolling sleeve a bit. That in effect make the shirt look more shot-boxy- over fitted because you've confined it to a more square area above the skirt. Also with the longer skirt here, I like bringing the neckline down; the opposite effect is when wearing a short skirt, a turtleneck can look fab.
I think the pop of white jewelry or something like it looks good-- fab with blue& black-/ but mot the small under- collar item. you need a bolder item, for your height. Long chunky pearls or something.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Ornella, my thoughts, FWIW.

Love you in the blue and black. Love the shirt with a pencil skirt (at least in theory). Love the idea of scrunching sleeves and switching the necklace for a longer one.

But here is the issue. I'm not sure the problem is the shirt's oversized nature. I think the problem may be the fabrication lacking the drape that you need to make this work as well as you might like.

I may just be projecting because Sveta and I had a Banana Republic shirt that just would not drape, and when I owned it, I felt rather like you: I love this shirt, why can I never wear it?

I got a lighter weight chambray shirt to replace it. BINGO. All of a sudden I wear it all the time -- even though I far prefer the colour of my original shirt. The second one is thin enough and has the drape I require for tucking.

This one, to me, looks almost smock like. It would be perfect with your white jeans, untucked. You need another one for tucking.

Deborah

Veteran

I think this looks good and I am thrilled my suggestion gave you some food for thought:)

I do think Suz is correct about the shirt. It appears to be designed an an over shirt? In that vein, I quite like the styling ideas below for your shirt.

#1 - you have a lovely chanel style jacket that could potentially work over the chambray shirt.

#2 the first pic... denim shirt over demin bootcuts and long coat.

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Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Ornella you look smashing in the pearls, I love the pencil skirt on you, and I just want to tinker a bit with the chambray shirt to make it perfect. Actually I want DV or Angie or Suz or anyone else on this thread to do it and me to just enjoy the results!

SarahTheWhite

Veteran

I prefer the belt and the sleeves rolled up (like the photo you posted later in the he thread) and I also agree with Suz about a shirt that drapes more... And I LOVE how you rock a pencil skirt... With the tights and shoes. So gorgeous!

Anonymous

It looks incredible with the belt! I like the sleeves rolled up as well. You could unbutton your shirt and pop the collar a la Angie for fun! This is a super outfit. YLF!

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

I love comments.

I love suggestions.

I love spanners.

I woke up to your excellent contributions which gave me even more food for thought and explained a few things.

Rolled-up sleeves - consider it sorted. I wore the coat over this anyway and did not have to take it off, but next time I'll start with forearm as the baseline.

The shirt has top button unbuttoned in both photos, but I obviously need to go down at least one button more. Easily sorted.

Pearls under the collar - I will have to play with this. In general, I love that look but given the style of this shirt and the fact the shoulders are dropped, which is not the most flattering look on me, I wanted to visually offset that, hence the necklace over the shirt and under the collar. I have to see if I have something bigger as that would also be more in proportion with my height, I agree.

Deborah :: great idea, but I can't wear my Chanel style jacket over this shirt, it'd bunch up underneath too much. Pity, as I like the idea lot...

As for the drape of this one, that is a tricky thing and something that better fit would probably address. This specific fabric falls between regular button up (e.g. Brooks Brothers) and flowy silk, so I have to treat it differently obviously. It is rather soft though and I'm not giving up. If anything, this whole discussion made me eager to make the look and the shirt work. I am still not going against my principle to not compromise too much, I rather feel challenged and intrigued, so I'll keep going. For now. So, amend, shorten, take in - I'll do anything

You're the best, thank you.

Asingh

(website)

Veteran

I think the belt acts as a great 'completer piece', so I'll have to say yay to the belt!