WIW: Manspiration & Why Doesn't this Work?

I was really happily surprised by the love for my man-spiration outfit yesterday, so I repeated the vibe today (Pics 1 and 2). A little more sedate maybe. JCrew perfect shirt, pinstripe trousers, and my birthday Fluevogs (love the hubs).

Of course you all know that my favorite part of this outfit is that when I'm walking or sitting down, my lovely Fluevogs come out from hiding and start flirting.

So, I like the outfit in Pic 1. Now for the "Why Doesn't this Work?" Pics 3 and 4. I've been trying to get maximum wear out of my white shoes before sending them back into the closet for the winter. I thought I would wear them with an outfit similar to mine today, adding the white/black cardi to bring in some lighter color and bookend. I don't think it works. Tucked was a definite "NO," drawing a line straight across my apple belly. Any ideas of why these other two don't work? I'm at a loss. Or maybe I'm too picky. I'd love to hear your thoughts.

ETA: Wore #1 today as is, no sweater. With #3 and 4, I'm not wedded to the concept. I'm just brainstorming for something to help me stretch wearing my fave white shoes for a few more weeks. #3 and 4 didn't work, clearly. What other ideas should I try?

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11 years ago

catgirl

Veteran

I think the cardi is too long and boxy, and the neckline is fighting with the collar. This is why I dumped ALL of my crewneck classic cardigans - for a supposed staple, they were remarkably difficult for me to style.

I love your first picture and think that's perfect.

Inge

(website)

Moderator

I second Una here, I really love the tucked version sans cardi. (don't see an apple belly at all) Gorgeous!

K. Period.

@Inga, thanks, I agree! I like the outfit in Pic 1. I think it works and the apple belly is well hidden with the blousing above the belt. I'm glad it seems that way to objective eyes too!

It is really Pics 3 and 4 that I think don't work. I took a picture of the cardi with the shirt tucked and that one was the true apple belly disaster.

bj1111

do you need the sweater? perhaps a jacket would be better?

KathyL

I love those shoes! I really like the first outfit as is, without the cardi. I think the cardigan buttoned up works better than unbuttoned if you're going for an extra layer for warmth. Maybe a blazer would work too?

Ah, sorry I misunderstood earlier. How about trying the shirt untucked with a more cropped (leather/pleather) jacket?

Jonesy

For me, it's because the shirt and sweater are the same lengths (in the second pic) and you have the sweater buttoned up in the third one. I would try the shirt tucked with the sweater over it, unbuttoned.

@Jonesy, that way madness lies. I tried it. It was a disaster. Truly. I deleted the picture, it was that bad.

I wore it as in #1 today. No jacket or sweater needed.

With #3 and #4, I'm trying to figure out a way to make the light shoes stretch into the fall. I thought the sweater could help, but no luck.

Huh. Perhaps disaster is in the eye of the beholder :)?

LOL Jonesy! Unfortunately, disastrous in the eye of the objective! It was not working. However, I'm thinking that this could work with my much more drapey fabric'ed H&M tux front shirt. It is a similar blue, but with the lower, more tunic-like neckline, it could work with the cardi. It also wouldn't have the same bulk as this button down, so it could be tucked in and it would let the shape of the cardi show through better. I'll try it tonight!

merwoman

Love pic 1 and your shoes -ohhhh they are to die for!
Agree with what others have said lengths of sweater and shirt are the same - not so fab. I'm thinking cropped jacket?

What about the cardi with a pencil skirt and tucked in top?

texstyle

Re: 3 and 4 - I have a hard time with classic cardis for this same reason. They never seem quite "right" with so many of my tops/blouses, unless the blouse is very thin and sleeveless. I've swapped most of mine for jackets. The ones I have left are orphans at the present time. Funny because I view my style as Classic/American/Natural which seems to fit a cardigan. I do have a couple of v-neck cardis too but those are equally challenging to me. I bought them all pre YLF. I feel like they also are more body-con than my other sweaters and tops, and body-con in weird places to my eye. Not that I don't like fitted, but I don't like semi-fitted and semi-boxy in the same garment I guess. If that even makes sense.

fern

I think 4 is working. I like it.
I see the horizontal line problem, as Jonesy described, in 3.

moira

Try loosely belting the sweater and see of it gives the look more shape.
The shoes are great.

rachylou

Ohmigod, the Fluevogs are fantastic!!! #1 is awesome. That is such a great blue.

I agree with Una about the sweater: too boxy.

cjh

Of course I dress for work times fairly conservatively/office wearishly, but to me 3 is just about the perfect outfit. ? Black slacks, bright top with an unusual touch in the print cardi and light footwear. I would add a necklace because my style rubric leans toward feminine, or perhaps switch to a top with softer lines, a ruffle, etc.

I still do not see what isn't working here unless this just isn't the look you are going for, shrug? You look trim, crisp and bold, coordinated and work appropriate to me.

Suz

Okay, first off, #1 is fantastic. That blue and you are just made for each other. As for your SHOES, please pick me up from the floor where I have fainted. Those are so GREAT!!

Re the cardi. I really like this pattern/colour for you with the blue. But. I hear you. They can be tough to style. I have one from BR that is a shorter cropped thing, and do you know what I do with it? I wear it as a TOP, all buttoned (most of the way) a cami underneath in case of slight gappage (not a problem for me, with zero bust, but still...) and sometimes with a scarf to disguise the stupid neckline and a jacket over top. It actually works pretty well. Mind you, it is cropped. I do wear it on occasion (desperate occasion) with a dress in summer, just because it is easier to carry around than a jacket would be.

kellygirl

You are too cute! I love the outfit sans the sweater. Love you shoes!

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