your opinion on this top and dress - YouLookFab Forum

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Dressing

your opinion on this top and dress

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Hi! I have questions about two new items. First is a cowl-neck top. I am debating whether it's just overwhelming me with too much fabric. The sleeves are too long, and I am wondering if shortening them to the elbow might help.

long sleeves: http://i380.photobucket.com/al.....009009.jpg
sleeves rolled to elbow: http://i380.photobucket.com/al.....009014.jpg
with moto vest: http://i380.photobucket.com/al.....009016.jpg

And I ordered a Max Studio tunic. The pluses are that the fabric is an interesting stretchy tweed knit, and I love the bell sleeves. The minuses are that I am not sure it's the most flattering garment I've ever worn, and I am getting myself into a huge black/grey rut and am in danger of being mistaken for a monk.
http://i380.photobucket.com/al.....009019.jpg
http://i380.photobucket.com/al.....009017.jpg

Thanks for your opinions!

Dressing

26 replies

Latest reply was from Louise

Maya

Veteran

Laura, is that dress this one?

http://www.maxstudio.com/cgi-b.....D=56222674

Because that has been on my wish list for ages. I think it looks great on you.

I feel like there is an awful lot of draping going on in that top. I think I would prefer one that is less busy. Might just be a personal thing though.

Anonymous

Your monk comment made me giggle! Get the sleeves shortened - it looks cleaner to my eye that way. I can't see the tunic photos - my browser says the server for the site isn't responding. I'll check back later.

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Yes Maya, that's the dress. Are you going to get it someday and join me on a monastic retreat?

I agree about the excessive draping of the top. It feels excessive when I wear it too.

Kristen

(website)

Veteran

Heehee, you don't look like a monk. I like the dress although I can only see one photo!

The top is a pretty big all over; the shortening of the sleeves do help but I wonder if a size smaller might be better?

Chris

I did like the cowl top with shorter sleeves. I can so relate to the grey/black rut comment - my standbys as well. Love the fabrication of tunic. Not monkish at all!

Vani

Veteran

Laura, the color of the top looks fabulous on you, but I agree with Kristen that it seems big all over. I actually really like how the Max Studio dress looks on you. I can't wait to see you style it with boots

julijuli

I love the color of the top on you, but agree that it looks a little too big - maybe around the shoulders as well as the sleeves. I also LOVE the dress on you and can't wait to see it with boots.

RoseandJoan

Veteran

My husband has a fantastic story about being snowed in at a monastery and a very drunk monk...I love the dress, would you wear it with colourful accessories?

I love the colour of the top but dislike the fit of the top on your shoulders, as Kristen suggested could you size down?

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

*chuckle*

KILLER top. What a gorgeous colour, Laura! I like it long sleeved best.

The dress is lovely too! I think it’s too long for over jeans but perfect on its own with pumps or boots.

Tanya

Veteran

I LOOOVE that top just as is. I want it too! Where did you get it if I may ask?

I would wear the grey dress as a dress( on its own), with some black boots and hose.

Maya

Veteran

I'm not sure if I'm ready to take the oath yet Laura. I imagined this dress was more relaxed in fit and yet it looks fitted on you. But since most sweater dresses seem to be black and gray, I'm sure I'll be joining you regardless.

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Too funny, Maya! It's a monastic fall season in fashion ...

Tanya, here's a link to the cowl neck top. I am flattered that you like it! Go for the smallest size, as it does have a lot of fabric. And the sleeves will be just right on you
http://www.shopmama.com/produc.....493/c/tops

I tried styling the dress. It's the kind of garment you need to play with a little. Do you like it better with a turtleneck or does it look okay either way? You can also see the debut of my fall splurge, the John Fluevog Inge boots (on clearance at Endless).

Without turtleneck, with slouchy boots:
http://i380.photobucket.com/al.....-09001.jpg
With turtleneck and Fluevog boots:
http://i380.photobucket.com/al.....-09008.jpg
With turtleneck and slouchy boots:
http://i380.photobucket.com/al.....-09010.jpg

Louise

Veteran

Looks great with the turtleneck and both pairs of boots x

Maya

Veteran

Laura, I like all 3 ways you have worn it. The turtleneck would be great when you want to be a little warmer but it looks good without it too. I see you copied the model

I'm so glad you got the Inge boots! They look fantastic.

cciele

Veteran

I think you should keep the dress, Laura (unless you truly have too many gray and black dresses). I like it best sans turtleneck; the look retains the clean, simple lines of the dress. Both pairs of boots are fab!

I'm not a big fan of the cowl. Like others, I think there's a lot of fabric there, and for the money I think you can (and have) done better!

taylor

Veteran

I think both items look great...I love when you add your moto vest to anything though:)

marianne

I've been eyeing the same dress but also was wondering about my black-gray overload. I like it on you! The top looks great with the sleeves rolled up.

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Oh boy, this is tricky. The dress is a keeper, but most people don't like the top -- although Angie thinks it's killer, and Tanya too.

Hmmmm.

Patience

Veteran

I really love the top too, so there's another vote. Like Angie, I prefer the long sleeves. It's not at all too overwhelming, but you know, if you *feel* overwhelmed you may never be happy with it.

I like the dress too and all of the outfits but to me it's not as wow as the top.

Maya

Veteran

How do YOU feel about the top Laura? Angie is always right but if there is something I just don't feel comfortable with, I can't bring myself to wear it even with her approval. If you're going to put this top on every day and feel overwhelmed, then I would keep looking. I'm sure lots of other killer tops are out there waiting for you. But if you really love it and would be disappointed to return it, then keep it.

Anonymous

I like both items on you. I love the drapey top. It is so beautiful and it reminds me of the black drapey top that Angie wore in one of her recent blog posts. It may seem like alot of fabric on it's own but as a layering piece it will add so much interest. If the sleeves are bothering you maybe you could shorten them just enough to get them out of your way. Maybe even change the shape from a bell shape to more tapered to hug the wrist, so as to keep them out of everything.
The dress is very nice and I love the solid fabric, not to clingy. The color of the outfit sets off the gorgeous burgundy of the bag. It looks burgundy on my computer, what ever it is, it looks so nice with the darkness of the grey/black. You are so autumn!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

SO MUCH better as a dress! I like the look best with the slouch boots. FOR SURE. I need to do a post on that. I think it’s a flop proof look – “frocks with slouch boots”. That’s exactly what I’m wearing today actually – blue and yellow frock, nude fishnets and chestnut slouch boots. I saw about 10 people wear the same concept downtown today too and they were all sizes and heights. Flop proof.

I’m surprised that few like the purple top (just Tanya, Patience and I). And I gave it a KILLER rating. Hah! I *still* think it’s KILLER. It’s different to what Laura already has and the soft drapey texture looks perfect against the severity of the biker waistcoat. But to Maya’s point, if you don’t feel good in it – on to something else. There is plenty of boho stuff that looks fab but I just don’t feel good in. I hear you.

Btw, Laura – forget blue. It’s purple for you from no on!

bella

(website)

Veteran

I like the top too, I vote keep!

Misia

Veteran

Hmmm--I'm no expert but that top looks kind of wrinkly,like the gray dress on you thou.

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Thanks ladies! Wow, this has been a tough one. I will keep both items, wear the dress only with tights/leggings and boots/pumps, and shorten the sleeves on the top slightly. I tried the top on again and think it's the length of the sleeves that's making everything feel too big -- the sleeves are so long they reach my fingertips! It's hard to find a good knit top, and I don't have many, so I'm excited to put this one into fall rotation. Thanks again for your help! And yes, I will be loving the color purple this fall, though my heart still belongs to blue ...

Louise

Veteran

Laura sounds like you've got a 'marmite' item too, like my trench! For the record i love the top too x