WIW: Sparkles & Plaid (ETA semi tuck pic added)

In my head, this outfit looked good but I'm not sure it does IRL.

I started with my grey micro glen plaid check trousers - I liked these when I bought them and technically they are a very good fit, but suddenly I'm less sure. They feel a bit sloppy - is it just because I'm not used to this silhouette on myself? or do they look too big?

I then chose my navy sparkly hi-lo pullover, which I still love. But I'm not sure if the volume of the top works with the volume of the trousers, even though volume-on-volume is trending.

Footwear is my black patent booties and my handbag, a vintage navy leather number. For jewelry I went with a chunky metal cuff and silver ring, to try and edge my bit of edge.

Ok…give it to me straight ladies…does this outfit work or not? What tweaks would you suggest? As always, all comment/suggestions welcome.

Pullover: Laura Petite
Trousers: Express Editors
Booties: Ara
Handbag & cuff: thrifted

ETA: Based on suggestions below, I have changed to adding a belt and semi tucking the top. Better?

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10 years ago

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

Shannon, I think it may only be that your eye is unused to the silhouette. It's very classic silhouette/combo for you, which I believe you recognised too as you wanted to add some edge to it.

To freshen it up I'd like to see the top semi-tucked so the belt is exposed, or you can try the asymmetrical top pinning trick Sona did.

In any case, don't give up on this one, I think it looks great and has even greater potential.

Anonymous

I think a semi-tuck is what is needed. The top cuts you in half pretty much, and breaking that strong horizontal line with a semi or asymmetrical tuck I think would play up the fluidity of the outfit.

Transcona Shannon

You are both so smart just downing my breakfast and saw your suggestions. Done - semi tuck added and definitely better. Thank you.

ramya

Another vote for semi tuck :). Don't give up on them

Elizabeth P

Do you have time to add a pic of the semi tuck?
I agree that this is a great idea, however I do also find the pants look a bit big. So I'm curious if the tuck changes this.

Jaime

Semi-tuck sounds like just the thing - hope you show us later!

Neel

Yep .... Semi tuck with some belt show :). It can fix anything trust me ;). And the pants don't look sloppy to me, just nice and fluid! Love the outfit!

Aquamarine

I struggle with volume on volume at 5'4" so I understand your hesitancy. A semi-tuck, as stated, may help. Or one of your structured toppers anther time, perhaps also over a loose top. The pants don't look too big to me...just more fluid than you've been wearing lately.

Yup, I agree with the others. Nothing wrong that a semi-tuck wouldn't fix.

Very nice Shannon

Suz

Interesting...I do see what you are seeing. Try the semi-tuck and see if it helps.

It may also be that it's altogether too "soft" for you. Not enough structure overall, combined with a softer, more muted colour palette that gives you less definition and pizzazz than usual.

I have found for myself two things.

Even though I'm a cool summer in colours and theoretically look really good in softer, low contrast outfits (like the taupe jeans outfit yesterday)....those outfits also have to have some structure or a pop of contrast ... or I fade away and get lost. Which isn't "me."

Also, because of my own fairly straight body type (not a true rectangle, but somewhat rectangular, with angular lines in face -- and haircut) -- I need something in my outfit to echo or reinforce those straight or angular lines. This is why, for me, going too drapey just won't work (and why, say, "our" leather jacket from Danier is so awesome.) I can do some softness and drape (and love it on others! and also to a degree on me) but I need to keep it balanced with a sharper line.

None of this may apply to you, of course. Different colouring, different body types (although with some similarities, as we've noted!), different face shape (albeit similar hair) etc. But I thought I'd raise it as some stuff to ponder for yourself.

Beth Ann

What gorgeous items! What delicious drape! Yep. Just a bit of structure somewhere will make it pop. A semi tuck and belt --- I might wear my vest over this. Also, I think if one of these items were even more voluminous the outfit would look more deliberately "volume on volume," like we're seeing on the catwalks this week. Of course, that might overwhelm us all in real life!

You look beautiful! Strut your stuff!

Yep better!! Looks great IMO.

Yup, that pop of belt added the structure Suz observed you might have been missing.

Thistle

I like it better with the semi-tuck, although I feel like the first outfit is more fashion forward. More about the volume on volume and fluid fit.

Caro in Oz

This is interesting because I actually like it as you originally wore it but I know if it was me I wouldn't be comfortable in volume on volume without some structure. Mmmm maybe we just need to get used to the look or maybe some of us need structure somewhere to feel at our best.

Again this may just be me but I'd go with a more modern bag with this outfit - that way it looks more fashion forward & intentional imo

Diana

Yup, I think the semi-tuck fixes it wonderfully. I also wanted to suggest that it may actually be the photo making the outfit look not bad, but maybe a little bland. Here, the pants look kind of just flat grey and I am sure IRL the pattern is more noticeable and I am sure the sequins are sparklier IRL too. I am having a similar issue today with my microcheck pants as well - they always photograph as kind of a weird muddy grey but the check pattern is much more noticeable IRL. I think this is why people are always cautioned against wearing small, compact prints in photos, because the camera tends to muddle them.

kellygirl

Semi-tuck makes all of the difference. What a great illustration for us, Shannon!

Deborah

Shannon I like the first version, and I like your updated version. How did you feel?

Here is my two sense worth, feel free to ignore:) The light tone of the pants, in the photos anyway, initially reads to me as casual (it's a combo of the colour and volume I think - I do know and see that they are actually a dressy tailored pant) so my immediate response was to add structure to the pants, ie. a tailored jacket. I do like volume on volume but I tend to wear my highest heels when I do this look (I know you can only go so high with your heels).

And what Diana said about the photos not helping here. The pants are not photographing at their best.

BTW these are just my considered thoughts. I think the outfit looks great but it is about how you feel in a volume on volume combo.

shemarie

Active Member

I love both looks for different reasons...fluid and drapey and just like Angie's posts on FW in number one, but like you I too *feel* somehow better with "something" to give these looks shape, and a semi-tuck is the ticket...looks great!

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