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WIW: Trying for Currency (and K/R)

ManidipaM

Veteran

It was 95 degrees today. I chose this peasant blouse because it is breezy and bright; the cotton pants because they are comfy. Tried half-tucking to see if it helped obtain some shape from the no-waist top; and also to see if the pants look too high-waisted on me.

The excess of whiskering is not due to fit (it actually sits pretty smoothly) but from 8 hours or so of sitting cross-legged (half-lotus posture for yoga adepts), because that's how I work.

Untucked, the top stops just at the top of my thighs, shortening my legs. The sleeves length is doing me no favours, I know; the top is chosen for cheer and comfort largely.

Comments on fit, colour, combination, tucking (can't belt this when sitting cross-legged --- too uncomfortable), pants length?

Photo #1 is the truest colour.

ETA: Added two different outfits from earlier in the week. I wasn't sure about posting them (too culturally disparate perhaps?). But for what it's worth, and in case it helps ME keep tabs on myself and perhaps sparks of a style direction epiphany... For instance, I think I like the shorter top better with these harem pants --- even though I don't like the sleeve length again. (I'm sorry if it's poor etiquette to treat this thread like a personal blog post; but on the other hand, if you have any thoughts on these, I'm very happy if you comment!)

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19 replies

Latest reply was from DonnaF

rae

(website)

Veteran

I'm not sure which of the items you are thinking of returning...?

I am not convinced the tucking helps with currency here. Maybe try a little less tuck, so that it is "half and half" the way it is seen from the front (examples below). If you have slimmer pants/jeans to go with the top, it's possible that might help, too. Or possibly a belt to bridge the tuck-pant divide and add to the feeling that the look is intentional.

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ManidipaM

Veteran

More a case of reject than return, Rae. Both are bits from my wardrobe. Trying to evaluate both.

And ah, yes, the photos are most helpful! Thanks --- I see what you mean about too much tucking. A belt won't help here sadly --- would be too uncomfortable to sit the way I do with one.

Outfit: failure! Will try again tomorrow

Kirti

(website)

Veteran

It is a really cheerful top! I like the idea of wearing it untucked or half tucked since tucked isn't as flattering. The sleeve length can be altered too, alterations aren't pricy in India! I like the pants too.

ManidipaM

Veteran

No, alterations probably aren't pricey here --- I don't really know, though, as the only alterations I do get are the hems of pants (usually through the shop); never managed to find a tailor I had sufficient patience for. This particular top I don't think I'll bother with altering --- too old and cheap to warrant the effort, especially since I never would wear it out; it's a strictly stay-at-home garment.

Beth Ann

Veteran

Untucked, I think, Mandipa, at least with these trousers. Yes, the rise seems a little long for this kind of pant, however, I think the color is great and would "ground" maybe of your wonderfully colorful tops. The sleeve isn't bothering me (and I say this as someone who doesn't like my arms). Whether you keep or toss depends on the rest of your wardrobe, I think. IMHO, the top has more going for it than the pants do. Oh, and remember, it's the clothes job to make YOU look and feel fab. It's not YOUR job to make the clothes look good! We buy clothing. Only models get paid to wear it!

ManidipaM

Veteran

Beth Ann, thanks for chiming in! I don't usually tuck --- especially with pants (skirts, maybe, sometimes). Just wondered if the whole thing was too shapeless as such. I should have taken an untucked photo for direct comparison, silly me! Next time...

It's more overwhelming as a post; but I think it is more useful perhaps if I actually post whole bunches of tops and whole bunches of bottoms, as I did with the shoes?

Kirti

(website)

Veteran

Manidipa, I love the idea of you posting a bunch of outfits together - tops and bottoms! It would be hard work, but we can help you weed out some stuff, plus we can also pick out some new and interesting combos with the pieces

Traci

Veteran

I'm not sure about the top and pants together. I think both would be better with a more fitted counterpart. I'd probably keep the trousers and reject the top.

I love the way #5 looks on you. The placement of the embroidery is very flattering and the fit in the shoulders seems nice.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Wow, I know that is not what you are asking, but I love #5 on you! It's simple, dramatic, well-fitting, and yet, I imagine, relatively cool (consider that it has long sleeves and is a dark colour, LOL!)

I like your trousers in #1 and hear you about the cause of the whiskering. 8 hours in semi-lotus would do that to any pair of pants!

How about a crisper, white shirt with rolled sleeves with these trousers for a more menswear effect? I think the blouse is cheerful and might look great with a different bottom. Not that it is terrible with these trousers by any means, but for proportions you might want to play around a bit.

Mrs Moo

I love the colours in the first top and agree with the other comments that this might be better left untucked. I think it would be lovely with blue jeans and a neutral cream or white blazer.
I also *love* the harem pants They look SO comfy. You are right, they look better with the shorter top, I'm not so keen of them under the longer one due to the bulk. I do think that the longer black top is great though - very striking - and think this would be fab with some tight black skinnies or leggings.

ManidipaM

Veteran

Traci, Suz, thanks for the compliments on #5. That tunic is one of those sentimental pieces I'll probably wrap up for a memento for many years yet, even after it has been retired :-p The batik was done by a friend of my aunt's, commissioned specially for me (hence the on-point placement) and the garment tailored by my father. I wear tight churidar pants when I go out in this; but for that home-style semi-lotus(!), I wanted something with more give and less 'rip!', hence the harem pants. I wasn't sure that worked; so glad to hear you both.

Suz, my sole white shirt is too fitted to partner this pair of pants. But I see your point of emulating a more masculine fit rather than a girly top. Will try it with a coloured shirt and a white tunic to see if that works better.

ETA: Mrs Moo, crossed you in cyberspace! Thanks for the new ideas; will try them out. Will have to leave off the blazer (which I don't possess) for another 9 months or so, though --- entirely too hot and humid here for toppers! Also, not much point in donning a blazer to work from home, in between cooking curry and digging in the garden :-p By the time I get into blazer territory, these would not be the pants or top I choose, I suspect!

Mrs Moo

Mmmmmm MdM! If you cook curry as you work from home I would LOVE to be in your house! My husband is developing a real skill for cooking authentic curries (for an English bloke!) and I just love it when the house is all fragrant all day!

I feel you re the blazer and the temperature - I wish it was that warm here, I'm such a cold bod!

Jilly

I know I'm late here, but I had to comment - love the harem pants! I especially like them with the top in #4, but I'd like the top shorter. Also love #5 - gorgeous tunic! I thot maybe in #5 the tunic should be shorter, but maybe that's my american eye. Not sure about the first outfit - I think I vote untucked, too.

Meredith1953

Veteran

Hi ManidipaM!
You have some really nice pieces! I agree with Rae about not tucking or just partially tucking the first top with the pants. I love the color of the top! The top in #4 might be a little long with those terrific harem pants. I LOVE the #5 look! It is terrific on you!

Beth Ann

Veteran

Mandipa --- I think you should post your Indian clothing here. It's very interesting to me personally, and I've noticed that it's often quite flattering to the wearer. I'm with Meredith, I like #5. I see what you mean about the shorter length top for proportion, but the structure of top in #5 is important too -- the graphic print and crisp silhouette is very pleasing.

ManidipaM

Veteran

Thank you so much, Jilly and Meredith!

I'll have to keep playing with the harem pants too, I think --- the material's a little too gauzy for wearing with anything much shorter than crotch length! But then, that's why it's comfy in the heat and humidity.

Freckles

Veteran

Not what you're asking but I really love numbers four and five.

You have some absolutely gorgeous pieces.

I'm surprised you can wear clothes at ninety five degrees!

ManidipaM

Veteran

Beth Ann, thank you for the affirmation! I do feel a little 'alien' sometimes in those (I have hang-ups... old silly story that I should *not* have taken on board)... And thanks too for pointing out that the sharper tailoring of the longer top also helps balance the volume at the bottom.

Freckles, don't worry --- I'll likely be going shorter/sleeveless-er/gauzier by the time summer rolls around :o) It's still only the first day of spring here, officially!

DonnaF

Veteran

Manidipa;
I really, reall love you in the harem pants with either/both tops. They have a feminine feel to them that seems to really flatter you.