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WIW :: Chambray shirt suggestions in action - Experiment #2

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

This is the second outfit I'm posting for further analysis (initial question here), but not the second one I tried. I've been mulling this whole thing over and trying a few things and I am certain that if I want to wear this very chambray shirt in any way, it had to be dressed up as much as possible.

This leaves the denim on (dark) denim suggestions, as it is just too casual and while I wore the combination to the playground a lot, it is not suitable for my high-profile public appearances. Joking aside, no matter how I tweak the formula, it feels meh to me.

I also tried to layer the shirt under the sheath dress, but was getting too much of the pinafore kindergarden vibe, so that's out too.

So, back to what shows some potential - white jeans. As Shannon once said, white denim for some reason does not feel like denim, it has dressiness to it which elevates it from being just a pair of jeans.

One of zillion inspiration photos Inge generously searched for me was with the white jeans, in her suggestions Angie mentioned to add an interesting belt, so those two suggestions plus pearl earrings are the outcome.

As per learnings from the experiment #1, I've started with one more button unbuttoned and sleeves rolled up.

What's still unfinished is fitting of the shirt, which I'll need to take care of. Known issues: it is too big and too long, plus I am absolutely certain that the droopy shoulders on the shirt work against me, but once I take them in a bit (although not much can be done because of the style itself, but it's worth a try) and adjust a few more things it should be better. It's not happening yet as taking out the sewing machine is a project in itself.

For now, I'm interesting in the potential of this combination.

What do you think?

Worn to the building site to check the progress on the house. Totally not treating the white pants as too precious And besides, the hard hat bookended them quite nice.

ETA: I've just noticed that the inspiration photo looks like it was was taken on some sort of building site too

Thanks if you've read this far. I'm interested to hear your thoughts.

30 replies

Latest reply was from suzanne

adorkable

Veteran

I dig it although I do think the shirt is a smidge too big. Nailed the inspiration!

I think I'd like to see color in the shoes as well.

Astrid

Veteran

Love it with the white jeans! I second adorkable that the shirt seems just a tad too big, but it works well in this outfit. The red belt is a nice detail. And the construction picture is great...

catgirl

Veteran

Well I think it's perfect... While the fitted denim shirts Are adorable I love the fluid fit. You are brave to wear white on a construction site!

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

I think it looks good...how you feel in it is a different story ( I also struggle to make the denim shirt working for me)
Have you tried to semi tuck the shirt? I find that I like it better this way with not-fitted shirts...although yours is pretty long so it may be hard to do.

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

It is looooong Sveta. I will chop some of it once I take the swing machine out...

I felt good in this, btw. I would not post otherwise, some of the stylings I've tried in the meantime are not being posted purely on the basis that I felt meh in them.

Astrid

Veteran

I think you'll have a lot more options once it's shorter.

lyn67

Veteran

Hi Ornella! I"ve just came back from a trip in the town, and you were in my thoughts all afternoon:-). Can you imagine I found a new denim shirt in my size, so I can also button it up. Love it is darker, and very very thin chambray-so drapes better and also, has a kind of glaze/shine to it, so felt a bit more polished than the average. I will try to style it in the morning, to see if will pay off to keep it, but for now, I'm in awe:-). See here if interested:

http://www.charles-voegele.de/.....17587.html

This is not a high end shop(you have to have it there, too:-))), but still has good merchandises.

BTW I love your new experiment with unbuttoned neck, the white jeans AND red belt!!! YLF, Ornella!

ETA. I see the link is not working for a matter(?) but you can search the item on the website by yourself. Item nr. is 2146117587.

Jules

Veteran

If it's too big as well as too long, maybe rather than (or before) shortening it, it would work better as an oversized tunic over skinnies, a tube skirt or other lean bottom?

I like your look better than the inspo, which looks a little unfinished without a belt. I like the red but I think a light neutral, white or metallic belt would be another good look.

deb

Veteran

This is wonderful and the pants and hat match. Did you have the crash helmet on the playground too? Love this look!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Love it, Ornella! This one works beautifully, to my mind.

L'Abeille

Veteran

Hardly an expert here, but: I would like to see one more button undone on the shirt (see where it hits on the inspiration pic? Make a deeper V at the neckline) and also one more roll of the cuffs, so they stop just below the elbow. Angie says bare skin can add structure to an unstructured outfit, and I think you would notice a different effect.

From what I can see, the shoulder line hits you at just the right spot. So the shirt isn't actually a size too big, though I agree the cut is very wide and long and could do with some trimming down. But it works beautifully with the white jeans.

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

lyn67 :: thanks! If the experimenting works out, I'd be very interested. The shirt you linked to (saving for future reference: http://www.charles-voegele.de/.....2146117587) has the right colour for me and more importantly the right cut of the shoulder line. Very, very tempted.

Jules :: it's too short to be a tunic I agree the inspiration photo misses the belt, that's one of the things I always notice. The belt loops are there for a reason IMO. For me, lower contrast belt to be worn with white jeans is very high on the shopping list.

L'Abeille :: more skin? OK, watch the next experiment where I'll take it into account. Thanks - each experiment gives me new suggestions and twists which I then try to incorporate into the next styling attempt.

Inge

(website)

This looks perfect to me too, Ornella. Love the crisp white with this shade of blue, and the taupe booties, red belt and pearl earrings are wonderful accents. This is a big yes for me, glad to hear you felt good in it.
(and glad to hear the Pinterest pics were helpful

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

Inge :: the least I could do was to take your suggestions seriously

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Inge

(website)

Ornella!!!! You have just made my day!!! I can't believe you have Inge folders on your computer :-))

And might I just add that I am beyond impressed with your thorough, super organized and analytical approach to this, wow.

shiny

Veteran

I think you look amazing. And modern, with the looser/fluid fit shirt. That said, I can see what you are seeing too, how it might work with a more fitted shirt like your inspiration photo.

But I would recommend not tailoring this particular shirt. There's a place for looser, and yes also longer, shirt like this. I would instead go out and get a new shirt that is a bit more fitted, so you can play with that.

Day Vies

Veteran

Big ol' thumbs' up! I love the addition of the red belt. It definitely makes the outfit your own. The rolled sleeves popped collar and more skin exposed around the neck make this chambray shirt a complete 180 from yesterday. lovely!!!!

carter

Veteran

I love it with the white jeans. What about a leopard belt? (Note: leopard may only be my answer to everything)

Carey

I agree, I like this one much better than the version with the pencil skirt. This one looks more playful and fresh. The open neckline helps a lot, and the white jeans/red belt make it bright. Nice job.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Gorgeous! Great bookend for the hardhat!

Marmee

Veteran

Stellar! Love the look on you and the blue and white.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I like it.

AJ

Veteran

Very nice! The red belt is a great pop of color.

Beth Ann

Veteran

This is wonderful. I don't notice an "oversized" quality to the shirt here and I'd encourage you to wear this often.

When's your move in date?

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

I just love how many different views there are. It makes everything more fun.

shiny :: there is probably room for more fitted shirt in my wardrobe, I'll venture into eventually, depending on the outcome of these threads.

carter :: LOL. I am open to anything interesting, leopard included

Beth Ann :: nothing official yet, but we have some indications and high hopes for June.

Lantana

Veteran

I second rolling the cuffs a few more times so there is not a straight line of blue horizontally (what I think of as the Caroline Herrera roll) and unbuttoning to make a deeper V.

Lantana

Veteran

I've just had a peek at your prior posts and I love the original chambray on denim.
It would look nice with a floral pencil skirt too, not ditsy floral, Big Floral.

lyn67

Veteran

Here it is, on me for your reference-excuse the messy hair and no makeup. I tried to style it first with no whites, but given the darker(and brighter!) hue am not sure it works that well. Never mind, I'll keep it for the white jeans, and white denim skirts. Not shown here, as there was no more time for it in the morning:-(, but that is no brain IMO! I just love the cut and the material. Thus, will have to think a bit more about the yellowy golden buttons:-(. I wear more silver right now... hmm. Is that a deal breaker?

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Lisa

Veteran

I really like it. White and blue denim work so very well together. I also like the idea to pair this shirt with a print (if you have one). I often see inspiration photos with leopard print or camo print paired with this style of shirt. Also really bright trousers often work well too.

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