WIWx4: A couple of fails - YouLookFab Forum

Category

What I Wore

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

WIWx4: A couple of fails

Neel

Veteran

It was a mixed weekend/school days for me. I was really happy in some of my outfits and then super sad in some others! So here it is up for review. I have been in a forum sleep mode. Reading a lot from my phone but not commenting much because I hate typing with the small touch screen

1 - Worn for a birthday party over the weekend. I loved this outfit. It has my favorite colors and just fit comfortably. The boots (first outing) were super comfy too (I danced and went go-karting in them too ). They are Vagabond and my only soft leather boots which I bought on a steep sale last winter. Statementy animal print embossed pants (M&S/old), embellished sweater (F&F/new) with the studded Steve Madden handbag. It was a fun evening

2 - Worn for church service. The pants fit weird and quite a high rise. Tucking is a challege and in short I disliked this outfit Sheer top (New look/old), some swarowski jewellery to add some interest and the same studded bag with my slip on shoes (both Steve Madden). The jewellery seems too much? FAIL

3 - Worn for Sunday's school run and driving lessons. DH thought the necklace did not suit the outfit. Anyways .. here it is with a black zip front top (F&F/old), BF jeans (F&F/old), drapey vest (Newlook/old) and suede loafers (Patricia Green). Felt a bit blah. FAIL

4 - Worn for yesterday's school run. I loved this outfit. Simple bootcut jeans (Next/old) and sweater(Bossini/new), with my cut out F21 boots and the same handbag.

So what do you all think? What went wrong in 2 and 3? Any suggestion for improvement is welcome. Thank you for looking as always. Have a great day x

This post has 4 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

Patricia Green Women's Milly Moccasin

View Info

Top Pick

2

Steve Madden 'Ecentric' Pony Hair Flat

View Info

Top Pick

4

22 replies

Latest reply was from Sheila

Sal

Veteran

I love 1 2 and 4..... I think they all work very well. I love the contrast levels and the combinations of pants and shoes/ boots.

I think 3 is not as successful. I think the necklace is not right with the top, and maybe the pants top combination is also not quite right. You suit boyfriend jeans but maybe a little mores structure might help.

Just my thoughts. I love the green sweater, such a rich colour.

thimblelina

(website)

Veteran

Maybe deeper, crisper cuffs in #3, and a heavier shoe?? love you leopard jeans.

abc

Veteran

I think it is the volume on 3 that's throwing things off. I quite like the other 3 outfits!!

krishnidoux

Veteran

Your style seems to be more classic, dainty, with items streamlined, close to the frame. You rock the long and lean silhouette, with an accent on your femininity. I think you look stunning in all four pics, but I can also see how you wouldn't feel your best in 2 and 3.

The pants in 2 are a clear departure from your style, with their mannish leg cut, a a flat long waist that will purposely avoid showcasing feminine curves, anyway from where I see it. Their color means they are meant to be fun, but clearly the cut is not what you are into - so no fun. I would try either: to roll them, as you have cleverly done, and try with booties/pumps; or having them cut into a mid-calf crop, and have the legs taken in so they become cigarette. Also, I think I know what you don't like: the shortening effect of the color juxtaposition. Having your shoes and tee match, with this vivid color, tends to shorten the legs as the eye and brain reduces the distance between feet and waist.

In 3, you might be put off by the max-on-max. It was a very astute on your part to add the bright necklace, as it brings the eye upward. But the BF's shapeless nature doesn't do well with the vest's generous slouch. Swap it with a leaner jacket and you are in business!
(BTW this slouch-on-slouch look, especially with flats, is VERY difficult to pull off for anybody who is not build like Cindy Crawford. So actually, looking cute here, you are not doing too bad at all!)

catgirl

Veteran

What KD said. I see no fails but 3 Is a little different for you. I would love to fail so elegantly! It looks a bit warm and heavy too - I'd wear it though!

PalmFronds

I agree with KD about 3, it's the slouch on slouch that's not quite working. Even so it's not bad! I would not call it a fail based on how it looks but if you did not FEEL fab then in truth it did fail you. In 2 I think the cut off point for the cuffs might in part be the issue but again not too bad. You look gorgeous and spot on almost always so even your "fails" really are pretty pulled together and nice looking!

Neel

Veteran

Hmmmm .. Interesting observations :). Thank you for your inputs lovely ladies. I can always depend on you all to give it straight to me :). It was so hard to put my finger on what is actually wrong although the outfits did seem clearly off.

The vest in 3 is actually pretty streamlined and close fitting. I probably need heavier shoes as kiwigal observes? Cut out boots with rolled BFs to balance the top heavy look I am thinking. Will have to try it out to know for sure.

Krishnidoux- You are clearly on to something with the fit of the pants. I think I will get them tapered and shortened. The rolls looked ugly since these pants are kind of formalish and the stitches looked weird unlike a jeans roll. Altering might save these pants (a gift).

When I fail with an outfit execution, I am always scared if I looked like some kind of a fashion victim! Oh well ... There will be another day!

viva

Veteran

Just chiming in to say that in no way do you look like a fashion victim in any of these. The failure has a lot to do with how you feel in these, but not in how you look.
Love #1 and 4 -- I can see why these felt the best to you. They seem to fit best your elegant, feminine, and modern vibe. But really, all of the pics look great. If you had not told me how you felt, I would not have labeled any of them a "Fail."

Tania

Veteran

If only my fails were so great...but what matters is that you did not feel comfortable in 2 and 3. I think what others have said is relevant. On number 2, maybe a lighter colored top would feel more elongating, since the dark shoes already book end your hair. In number 3, I would try different shoes. The booties you mentioned sound good.

lyn67

Veteran

I don't see past your beautifull studded white bag, which is working so well with all the outfits, even with the dark one in nr. 1. YLF, and do not see any major issues, but I can relate with importance of how did you feel them...Oh, well, we all have our (wrong) fixed ideeas:-).

jackiec

Veteran

OK - I'm laughing as I open your post because I'm thinking that a "Neel-Fail" is anything BUT a fail....

Really - you are hard on yourself. But I would agree with Krish's comments. I think the blue pants outfit just might be too high contrast against the black top/black shoes. I'd like to see them paired with crisp whites. And then #4 might just be a bit more volume-on-volume than what we're used to on you - but not bad.

However #4 steals my heart! You look AMAZING in that gorgeous shade of green! Everything is so streamlined. I love it, and no wonder you felt great.

PS Hope you're feeling good these days. Thinking of you.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I also would not have thought any of these were a fail Neel, but I do especially love #1 and #4. That color blue in #1 is beautiful on you, as is that deep green in #4, but I also like the silhouettes of both of these.

Neel

Veteran

Thank you all for your kind comments :). Something that feels good in the head can sure be completely wrong in real life!

Jackiec - Thank you for thinking of me. Just been a bit busy with the kids' project work and I have started sleeping early to catch up on my health (I read about how lack of sleep can lead to health and mental issues, which all seemed to resonate with me). Earlier sleep time plus busy mornings due to driving lessons means lesser time on the forum unfortunately. But all for good

shiny

Veteran

I love all your outfits, and don't see why you think some are fails. #1 is totally chic and modern. #2 - The blue is a knock out color on you! My favorite outfit is #3 -- I think the necklace is perfect, the jacket is interesting, the shoes are the most interesting touch going-with the necklace. Excellent! And #4 - I am lately drawn to anything emerald, so of course I'm going to love that sweater...

approprio

(website)

Veteran

I really like 1 & 2, particularly the turquoise pants with the black and white kicks. Sharp and modern! 4 is also nice, but could use a bit of detail... maybe the shoes from 3?

I think the problem with 3 is with the proportion. The loose fitting top with the boyfriend jeans doesn't quite do your slender figure justice. Maybe a white top under the jacket would break the lines up a bit, and a little heel for elevation?

ETA - I think I might agree with your DH about the necklace. It's very nice but it's getting a bit lost here.

Anonymous

I think you looked fabulous in pictures 1 and 4. I didn't like numbers 2 and 3 as much. I noticed that your leg line was long in 1/4 and broken in 2/3. I wonder if that might be part of the problem?

Your purse is amazing. I am surprised I had not noticed it before today.

Aida

Veteran

Ah Neel, the "Feel Fail". I soooo feel you (pun intended), I'm wearing one of those today -____-

I love the boyish cut of the bright trousers in #2, but you do have to keep that fact about them in mind when styling; I'd suggest pairing with a flirtier shoe if you wear a soft tee like you have here, or going with a more feminine blouse if you leave the sneaks. Also, since you said they are a trouser material I'd try folding the hem underneath so they look more like cropped pants rather than rolled pants. Rolling trousers doesn't always work as nicely as it does with denim! Regarding the jewelry, I think perhaps playing into the boyish vibe would work better, so go with something sportier like big hoops and a simple chain, or shiny studs and a leather cuff; OR go the full opposite if you do something like ladylike pumps and pop a sparkly bib necklace on.

For #3, I'm feeling a little lack of cohesion there. Keep the top the same and swap to the black slip ons, or swap the top out with something printed and keep the loafers on. Or you could go even matchy and wear that green sweater from #4 instead of the zip top. The outfit is also rather low contrast without the bag, which might contribute to your feeling blah in it. Lastly, I'm thinking a more pegged roll with the jeans would add a little extra crispness.

EDIT: Forgot to say that I adoooore #1! So cute #4 also looks good, classic and no fuss.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Isn't it awful when you just don't feel right in your clothes? Ugh. Yet I guess we have to have days like that to learn what we do like, so it is all good in the long run.

First off, let me just say that #1 and #4 are sensational and no wonder you felt fab. Plus, I have serious bag envy.

Okay, now that's out of the way, I think the main problems with #3 are the taper (or lack thereof) on those jeans and the shoes -- even switching the shoes would have probably helped.

And it sounds like with #2 is is the fit of the pants. They look good to me, and I actually like the outfit, but if they feel crummy, then begone with them.

jackiec

Veteran

Neel, I'm glad you're working on getting more sleep. That's priority #1. My friends laugh at me because I go to bed so so early (but I get up early). I feel like I'm still recovering from the baby/toddler years and I need so much sleep to function (my boys are already 12/13!!). Keep taking care of yourself

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Neel fail is a relative term here. Truly you look terrific in all of these. But it is true that #1 and #4 give you a long leg line that is missing from 2 and 3. They are more traditionally flattering if you know what I mean. It is also the proportions - by lengthening your leg line you come closer to a 1/3 to 2/3 proportion. Hope that make sense!

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

The word "fail" does not come to mind with any of these outfits. But I know it's helpful to keep track of the ones you love. #1 is so smashing I can hardly stand it! Just gorgeous. The long lean legs with heels is just a winner look to me, hands down, and the color is icing on the cake.

Sheila

Veteran

Wow I think KNDoux nailed it !

I do love 4 and have to ask the brand name of your jeans. They are fabulous on you !
I agree that BF's are difficult to wear...I agree you look best and most beautiful in a dramatic classic vibe.