Work wardrobe this week - YouLookFab Forum

I experimented a bit this week. Not everything worked. To see the whole week, just start at the top of the blog and scroll down.
http://inkariswardrobe.blogspot.com/

Here's a link to each day's photos with some comments:
Monday: http://inkariswardrobe.blogspo.....t-day.html
My least favorite of the week. (See comments at the bottom.)

Tuesday: http://inkariswardrobe.blogspo.....n-you.html
Playing with my scarf and making an excuse to wear pretty shoes

Wednesday: http://inkariswardrobe.blogspo.....esday.html
Not sure if I can pull off the pencil skirt over tops. Raided my mom's closet.

Thursday: http://inkariswardrobe.blogspo.....rsday.html
Dyed my hair darker and tried to pull off wearing a casual top for work.

Friday: http://inkariswardrobe.blogspo.....-over.html
Felt kind of sick; tried not to look it.

Monday's blue top is one of those items which isn't quite a "wardrobe orphan", but more in the "I love it, but it doesn't love me" category. It was given to me as a gift this Christmas season. I tried on different sizes but this was the best one that fit (larger sizes were WAY too big in the waist and just hung on me, and they didn't have any larger sizes in the blue color that the gift-giver picked out for me.) The color is great on me, but I feel like I made a mistake not exchanging it for something else because I didn't want the gift-giver to have hurt feelings. Now I'm not sure what to do except try to alter it.
The length it hits me at doesn't really flatter my body - it pouches out in front (not just leftover Christmas poundage) and cuts across the widest part of my butt. The empire seam is too narrow, so I feel like my waist disappears. I'm contemplating getting it shortened by a couple inches - it's hard to see in this picture, but it actually is below crotch-length when pulled all the way down - because I think that would be just enough for it to float away from my body instead of hugging my curvy hips. I'd also like to tack down the sash, which is pretty when it lies flat, but tends to roll up and wrinkle, and I think this would help define the waist. Maybe I should take it to my tailor and see whether they can do anything. As is, I don't feel that the cut is flattering.
Any advice on how to salvage this top would be appreciated as I can't return it.

17 years ago

Tanya

Veteran

Wow Kari, you look amazing! You really know how to dress your hourglass figure. I like all the outfits, but Thursday and Friday are my favorites.

Chris

Active Member

I really liked your Layering outfits from the weekend. The cowl top and vest was very "now". Also the Pop of Red outfit is adorable.
You might be able to shorten the blue top but will always have that empire seam that doesn't seem to be a fave of yours and isn't the most flattering cut for you. Unless you use the top as a layering peice?

LoP

You look great even in your least favorite day. I love how you paid attention to details like your glasses and your necklaces. Red shoes are the most fun!

Kristen

(website)

Great outfits! I love your boldness with colors; that Thursday shirt was my favorite. I know what you mean about the Monday shirt; maybe shortening it would help. As an hourglass, I'm finding if I want to try to wear an empire seam, it has to hit at the right place on my hip or it just looks lumpy.

Kari

Thanks for all of the constructive comments!

Using pieces that aren't "quite right" but that I don't want to get rid of as layering pieces just didn't occur to me until Chris suggested it. I may have to play around with it and see if it works to layer the shirt under sheath dresses or vests.

However, I'd probably want to shorten it even if I was using it for layering because of the poor fit at the hips (the same issue Kristen mentioned she runs into - "lumpiness" isn't good even under heavier layers.) I guess the general shape I'm after is the wide empire seam and the shorter length of the short-sleeved shirt I wore on Thursday. -

Angie

Fashion Stylist

Kari! That orange scarf is mind blowingly delicious. You wear it SO WELL. Fabulous.

I can’t really see from the way you’re standing in the pictures, but are your tops long enough to wear with pants?

Anonymous

Love your style, love your blog. Also love your hair style.

San is full of love

Antje

Lots of great outfits, love them! I really like the cute little Armani denim jacket.

San, you made me blush - thank you.

Thanks, Antje! I actually "stole" the jacket from Nicole's post a week back - I saw how gorgeous it looked on her and was also intrigued by the great sale price.

Angie, you know, I think some of the tops I've been trying to wear with pants (cardigans especially) ARE probably too short. I think you advised that tops worn with pants should hit 1 to 3" above crotch point, yes? The cardigans hit me a little bit above that point.

So these are probably too short:
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iFHB.....e+148b.jpg
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iFHB.....e+032b.jpg
I "cheated" on Monday last week and wore a red lace-trimmed cardigan underneath the shorter cardigan since the lace adds about 2". Do you think that works?
Edited to add: Here's a picture of the concept with a different outfit. Not the best, but it gets the idea across.
http://karip.smugmug.com/photo.....LBFV-S.jpg

Kari, I think that for pants, cardigans or whatever outer layer can be cropped as long as there is a longer layer underneath that's proper length - a cami, shirt etc.

Thanks, Tanya. I think I'll give that a try under some of the cardigans and then maybe keep the shorter sweaters for skirts only.

This is why I'm finding the photo-blogging useful - I pass over these problem areas when I'm getting dressed in a hurry.

Oh! I missed the denim Armani jacket. It looks KILLER on you too, Kari (I'm gloating).

The tops that you posted are borderline long enough. Like what you did with the cami, though. Well done.

Angie, you deserve full bragging rights - you were spot on with your recommendation of the AX biker jacket to Nicole. It's beautifully made and I was shocked at how well it fit my chest!

Bob’s you uncle, darling. I LOVE showing people "that they can". It gives me GREAT job satisfaction. Nicole was NOT convinced that she could wear a biker-inspired jacket because of her larger bosom. I said she could if the silhouette and fabrication was right. When I spotted this one, I sent it through to her immediately. She jumped on it and loved it (hubby loves it too). You were inspired by Nicole looking killer and now you have the same killer jacket and look just as fabulous in it. This is what YLF is all about. I love my job.

ChristineB

Kari, I love your use of color - it's inspiring to me. Now I need to find a couple of rich colored scarves.

Thanks, Christine! And Angie, I'm so glad you're feeling good about what you do.

This is what I think is so much fun about this forum - I love getting inspired by looks or products I see on other people that I never dreamed would work on me, and I'm tickled pink that my pictures might actually prompt other people to try something new, too. How great is that?

And you've just inspired Christine, Kari. Fabulous :0)

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