Top Heavy Versus Bottom Heavy Outfits

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Angie is co-founder of YLF and its resident fashion stylist.

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Top Heavy Versus Bottom Heavy Outfits

— by Angie

on September 29, 2010

During the transition between seasons I see a lot of outfits that, for want of better terminology, I will call “top heavy” and “bottom heavy”.

Top heavy outfits: Wearing heavy coats and trenches on the top with hot weather sandals or flip flops on the bottom. Sometimes I see scarves, hats and gloves thrown into this mix too.
Bottom heavy outfits: Pairing lightweight summery items on top with cold weather boots on the bottom. For example, summery dresses or short shorts with boots, or a skirt and sleeveless top with boots.

Both categories seem to reflect seasonal confusion. For top heavy outfits, if it’s cold enough to wear a coat or trench – how can you pair the look with hot weather sandals? For bottom heavy outfits, if it’s warm enough to wear a breezy dress, sleeveless top or shorts – how does it make sense to wear cold weather boots?

Well, here’s the thing. I totally get and sport bottom heavy outfits. I am completely comfortable wearing a sleeveless dress with boots. I’ll also wear a sleeveless blouse with jeans and cowboy boots. These outfits look “right” to me. But somehow top heavy outfits don’t make sense and look seasonally confused to my eye.

I don’t have a good explanation for my double standard. I should be able to appreciate the look of top heavy outfits if I adore the look of bottom heavy outfits. Perhaps it’s my cold feet, and being a sucker for wearing closed shoes with socks makes me gravitate towards the look that allows me to do that.

What’s your take on top heavy and bottom heavy outfits? Can you appreciate both looks? Does one make more sense than the other? Or do they both look seasonally confused to your eye?

Autumn 2010

52 comments · Add a comment

Lisa

Veteran

I’m confused when I see a t-shirt, shorts and say Uggs. Aren’t your feet sweating? If I see bare legs but the top half covered up heavily, even if there are boots, I’m also confused. To me, bare legs mean hot weather clothing and covered legs, even if it is just tights, mean cooler weather. I”m not a fan of mixed looks, I like my seasons a little more contained within their respective months.

September 29, 2010 at 4:07 am

Cynthia

(website)

I don’t generally wear “top heavy” outfits, but let me tell you, sometimes it’s climate. Here in North Carolina, for a substantial part of the year (the part when it’s not just hot 24 hours a day) it can be brisk and chilly and rainy in the morning and shoot up to the 70s or even 80s by noon. I will sometimes pile on a warm jacket in the morning, that I know I’m not going to wear past 10 a.m., and I generally end up with a few jackets collected in my car or my office by the end of the week in spring and fall. I should just get a clothes rack installed in the back seat and keep all my coats and jackets there. Sometimes in “winter” here you’ll want a warm coat in the morning and a light jacket by midday, too.

September 29, 2010 at 4:47 am

Queen Mum

Veteran

I get what you’re saying Angie. During this transitional time, I might use boots or jeans to let me feel that I’m dressing for fall, but keep my arms uncovered to provide ventilation. The opposite just wouldn’t make sense. If the morning is going to be cool, I can also pop on a denim jacket that will be shed by noon. But if I were to wear sandals on a cool morning my feet would get chilled and never warm up for the entire day.
Aesthetically speaking, a bottom heavy outfit is more grounding while a top heavy outfit could give the visual of being ready to topple over.

September 29, 2010 at 4:57 am

RoseandJoan

Veteran

Oh no, I can’t risk rain puddles and sandals, in fact our summer has been so cool that I never stopped wearing my booties. I’m definitely a bottom heavy (outfit) lover and I really hope that sentence is never read out of context.

September 29, 2010 at 4:59 am

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

To me the bottom-heavy outfit makes only slightly more sense, simply because balance can ultimately be attained more easily. Got a sleeveless dress ensemble going on but find you’ve gotten cold throughout the day? Whip out a cardigan or jacket, warm yourself up and achieve outfit symmetry in one simple stroke. You seem more committed to the imbalance somehow through a top-heavy ensemble. It’s unlikely you’re packing warmer footwear alternatives as you go about your day, so you’re likely to stay looking out of whack all day. I basically struggle with both types of outfits, but have a slight preference for the one that can be adjusted for appropriate temperatures with minimal fuss.

I don’t know if that made any sense.

September 29, 2010 at 5:00 am

Queen Mum

Veteran

that made complete sense Michelle. Issue solved

September 29, 2010 at 5:11 am

Jonesy

Veteran

I agree with you, Angie, and with other posters: The bottom-heavy look somehow makes more sense than the inverse, though I still think it’s weird if I see someone in, say, short-shorts, bare legs, and sherpa-lined Uggs.

September 29, 2010 at 6:03 am

Barbara

Veteran

Angie, “seasonally confused” is a great description! I’ve seen it all working on campus, but the most goofy top-heavy look has to be a puffer coat, gloves, scarf and knit cap with shorts and Rainbow leather flips. The female student fashion victim usually has accompanying blue lips – from the cold, not lip gloss!

I’m still seeing SUPER short shorts, worn with cleavage-bearing tanks and Uggs.

It’s very educational to work at a college campus. In more ways than one!

September 29, 2010 at 6:22 am

Sparky

Veteran

Michelle, you made perfect sense, and you got to the heart of why a bottom-heavy outfit looks more appropriate to me than a top-heavy one (and why I do sport the latter but not the former this time of year).

September 29, 2010 at 6:29 am

shana

Veteran

I wear both. My feet/legs don’t really get cold that easily. In fact, if my feet feel warm, my whole body will be uncomfortable (the opposite is also true although it would have to be really, really cold for my feet to feel cold). With my foot issues, I prefer sandals to closed shoes/boots. Also, when I switch seasons, it takes my feet a few weeks to adjust from sandals to closed toe shoes and vice versa so I am more likely to be sporting a seasonally confused look for awhile. Just yesterday I wore bootcut jeans with a graphic tee, lightweight military jacket and sandals. The jacket, though lightweight, did give it a bit of a top-heavy look.

September 29, 2010 at 6:50 am

molly

I think “bottom-heavy” looks make a certain amount of sense here in Seattle, as I’m sure you well know. Right now it’s not super cold, but it’s wet again and the temp changes during the day. I break out the boots to keep my feet warm and dry, but it gets just warm enough to make me sweat if I wear sleeves; sleeveless tops are still comfortable midday, and otherwise I’m constantly pulling other layers on and off: water-resistant jacket, light sweater, light scarf. Top-heavy looks wouldn’t work at all, because without constant shoe-changing my feet would get wet and sometimes cold. It’s all about armor for the feet and versatility otherwise.

On a related note, I love Seattle fashion. It’s partly anything-goes, which was a seriously refreshing change from my previous city, but when you look closely you realize how much of it is a flexible uniform we wear to deal with the particulars of the oceanic climate. I’ve found my wardrobe adjustments have made a huge difference in how willing I am to get out there and interact with the city during all the gray months, something I struggled with in the first year with my previous city’s sunny-and-hot-or-cold wardrobe. How neat is it that clothes can do that?

September 29, 2010 at 6:51 am

rae

(website)

Veteran

Top heavy doesn’t make sense for me, personally, because feet are extremities (and get cold faster), while my torso is my body’s core (and stays warm much easier). Why would I ever bundle up my core, only to leave my poor feet exposed? It doesn’t compute.

September 29, 2010 at 7:03 am

Patience

Veteran

I also think bottom heavy looks more calculated, like you planned the ensemble that way. Whereas, top heavy looks like you got caught unprepared. My climate does have the issue that you wake up to 55 degrees and it warms up to 90 by the middle of the afternoon in fall. Keeping your feet warm goes a long way towards warming your body and I much prefer to start there.

September 29, 2010 at 7:20 am

Mae

Active Member

You had me worried there for a moment. Oh no! No sleeveless with boots? Whew. Glad you clarified that you’re ok with bottom heavy. Although…I’d be happier if we could call it something else.

Michelle, your response makes *perfect* sense.

September 29, 2010 at 7:21 am

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Shana, combining a lightweight Summer jacket with sandals makes perfect sense to me. I don’t find that look seasonally confusing.

Queen Mum, I love your explanation. The words “grounding” and “toppling over” are perfectly descriptive. Thank you!

Barbara, when it snows in Seattle, you will also see blokes in shorts with fleece, puffer, flip flops and beanie. My first reaction is: “Those poor cold feet and legs! Let me make you a warm cuppa tea”.

Rae, your explanation of “foot extremity” resonates with me.

September 29, 2010 at 7:29 am

rute

Veteran

eh eh.. hope you don’t mean by top heavy a dress, a cardi + sandals.. because that’s what I’m wearing today.. eh eh
I’m never cold in the feet, always hot, so I could never wear boots in the summer!

September 29, 2010 at 7:41 am

valleycat1

I don’t really get either look as a fashion statement, but have been known to throw on a coat or heavy sweater over something lighter-weight to dash to the mailbox or make a quick trip to the store. If I were to pick one, I’d have to go with top-heavy so I could shed the warmer items more readily when the hot flashes hit!

If you’ve ever lived in Texas & worked in an office, you would know that in the summer you’re in top-heavy outfits because the outside temps are high but the building is frigid, & in the winter, vice versa on all counts.

September 29, 2010 at 7:42 am

taylor

Veteran

I am more inclined to go bottom heavy,
Sleeveless turtleneck, skirt and tights. I wonder if that look baffles some just as the skirt, Ugg, tank top look baffles me me

September 29, 2010 at 7:54 am

Carole

Veteran

Interesting obserations! Until recently I would never had considered wearing boots wiith something sleeveless or with lighter weight clothing. But love how this can transition you into the next season without being completely weighted down. I could totally get into this. I’m with you, Angie, with the “top heavy” look being off. It just doesn’t seem right to sport sandals with a heavy coat. Confusing and fashion backward, if that’s a word.

September 29, 2010 at 8:07 am

Joy

Veteran

I never understood either of these looks until living on the west coast for a few years in a completely different climate. Then suddenly I could understand a sweatshirt with shorts and sandals as ideal for the beach climate. The bottom heavy version looks better. The top heavy one reminds me of a sheep with that big-looking body over spindly legs. I see flip flops worn all year, even on the most bitterly cold days.
Michelle, you make perfect sense.

September 29, 2010 at 8:22 am

Steph

Veteran

I have to admit that I am not a fan of bottom-heavy looks, because to me they just don’t make sense. As you said, if it’s cool enough for a lightweight, floaty dress, why are you wearing knee-high boots? I feel similarly about top-heavy looks, but I can get behind what rute is describing: a dress with open sandals and a cardigan if it gets a little chilly. I think that this is because the underlying outfit (sleeveless dress, bare legs, sandals) is seasonally consistent, and the cardigan is clearly just something added if it gets a little chilly, but can be easily removed. With the light dress and boots example, the outfit was intentionally put together in that way, to be worn that way all day, and that’s what I don’t get.

I actually can understand the example of the guy with a fleece, beanie, and flip flops (from a scientific, not fashion, perspective). I would never do it, but we lose most of our heat through our heads, so if he is keeping his head and core warm, it might serve to insulate the rest of his body to the point where socks aren’t as necessary for him.

September 29, 2010 at 8:22 am

Antje

Veteran

I sport outfits that you may call “top heavy”. It doesn’t go as far as wearing a coat with sandals (don’t get that one…) but I do -currently- tend to wear outfits that look much more like “fall” on top and “summer” on the bottom, e.g. layering cardis over tops and belting them, while wearing a pencil skirt with bare legs and flats. It might look imbalanced to some, but to me it looks just fine and it certainly *feels* good. I like being cozy up top while baring my legs; I love pencil skirts and find them quite flattering, so I’m trying to get as much of this look in as possible (of course I’ll sport them with boots later, too, but I figure there are so many months of skirts and boots ahead of me that I don’t really need to start that on a regular basis yet); and I’m generally trying to draw out the sock-less phase as long as I can. So there you go.

September 29, 2010 at 8:26 am

Diana

OK, so here’s the thing. I actually quite like the look of both top-heavy and bottom-heavy styles (within reason – I’m talking about a sweater and scarf with sandals and bare legs, or a floaty dress with mid-calf boots, not a parka with shorts and sandals or tank top with Uggs), but I find them very difficult to wear. I don’t like to have half of me feel hot and the other half cold! That said, I think the bottom-heavy is easier to wear because you could always add a scarf or jacket up top. It’s a lot harder to add pants or boots to an ensemble on the spur of the moment!

September 29, 2010 at 8:36 am

Cecilia

I agree with you in that a “bottom heavy” outfit makes more sense fashion-wise. I have personally sported a “top heavy” look from time to time, usually at a New Year’s Eve party when I want to be wearing a strappy sandal, but for the walk between the car and the venue, I’ll have to wear a heavy coat, gloves, scarf and maybe even a hat!

September 29, 2010 at 8:37 am

Cecilia

Oh, and I wear flip flops year-round for lounging… does that count???

September 29, 2010 at 8:42 am

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I don’t think that I’ve ever seen the top heavy look. I do sport bottom heavy looks for fall. It actually works perfectly for our warm falls (once it cools down enough) and allows me to feel like it’s fall and dress with some fall pieces before winter hits.

September 29, 2010 at 8:47 am

Maya

Veteran

I agree that bottom heavy works while top heavy doesn’t, but I’m not sure if that’s an arbitrary rule or just based on my conditioning. Usually top heavy outfits aren’t stylish–at least not the ones I see. They are usually worn by those people who can’t bear to part with their flipflops until they risk frostbite, and are often accompanied by ill fitting or gearish outerwear. Bottom heavy outfits are usually intentional and done stylishly, while top heavy outfits are usually just the result of someone’s stubbornness and are often sloppy.

I know the opposite situation is true too–a lot of people wear their hideous Uggs with breezy summery tops, but I don’t see that much where I live. I am much more likely to see people clinging to their flipflops until November. In fact just yesterday I saw a pre-teen girl wearing cutoffs with flipflops and a gigantic hooded sweatshirt (with the hood pulled over her head). I had to keep myself from laughing rudely because she just looked so ridiculous.

I don’t know though. Even with a cute coat and cute sandals, a top heavy outfit looks weird to me. Maybe it’s just because it has never really been in style, while bottom heavy outfits have been (see: Free People catalog).

September 29, 2010 at 8:51 am

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Antje and Rute, what you are describing are not top heavy outfits. They are still a similar weight from top to bottom – but a wool coat and scarf with flip flops is more extreme. I hope that makes sense. At least, it makes sense to me!

I guess Uggs with shorts looks even more seasonally confused because of the shearling trim.

September 29, 2010 at 8:57 am

Debbie

Veteran

I like the bottom heavy look for fall weather here. I can start off with a jacket on and shed it as the day gets warmer. I do see a lot of the top heavy looks here in Dec through Feb. People just don’t want to give those sandals.

September 29, 2010 at 9:32 am

Kate

Veteran

I think part of why bottom heavy outfits don’t look as odd is that people are naturally top-heavy, so adding some extra weight to the bottom doesn’t look as weird as adding even more bulk around the top.

So, I definitely prefer bottom heavy outfits, but sometimes feel as though my outfits are top heavy when they really aren’t.

September 29, 2010 at 9:32 am

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Angie, I am with you also on this one: I just cannot imagine wearing a heavy coat and summer sandals…However I am not sure i will sport boots with sleeveless either just because I tend to get cold in my arms as well so if it is col enough for boots it is too cold for sleeveless…but it does not bother me on others! Ialso don’t mind the look of bare legs with the boots if boots are not too dark (no black or dark brown, please!)
On the other hand my grandmother hated to wear anything on her legs and feet: she was alwyas hot! She would remove her hose and wear her shoes barelegged starting in March – and in March we still have snow on the ground! Then she would change shoes for the open slides while still wearing coat. Now I see my mom started to do the same crossing into her 60s… Who knows what can happen to me then – you cannot fight genes after all!:-)

September 29, 2010 at 9:43 am

mamark

Personally, I’m not drawn to either. I like the top and bottom halves to be balanced. Even in winter, when I’m wearing my wool coat, I feel uncomfortable if I’m not wearing a substantial boot or wedge shoe on the bottom. Sometimes I wear ballet type flats for my commute and I feel self conscious that they look stupid with my coat.

September 29, 2010 at 9:55 am

Bianca

Veteran

I understand what you are saying Angie. Something to think about when It’s the last week in September and we are having 70 degree weather here in CT! You are probably right, bottom heavy is the way to go for the transitional season. Although I did dress my boys today in long sleeves and shorts. Does the same rules apply to pre-schoolers?

September 29, 2010 at 10:14 am

Meredith

I’m going to speak up for the top-heavy look. I usually wear sandals until the end of September because if I’m wearing boots or even closed-toe shoes with socks I will be uncomfortably hot once the morning chill wears off.

Also, I take public transit to work so I’m going from outdoor to indoor temperature several times on my trip down and taking off a jacket or scarf on the bus/subway is much easier than removing footwear.

September 29, 2010 at 10:17 am

klauren

Active Member

yikes! I’m more confused than ever – but the grounded and toppling over helped somewhat – my eyes still can’t get used to the shorts and uggs. I’m burning up and these young girls are wearing the ugg-lies! I’m hotter just looking at them! And then they wear the same uggs with sweats in the winter – their poor feet!

As for more adult fashion, it’s still not to my eye being either bottom or top heavy, although some of the explanations do tend to make me vote for top heavy, it’s easier to regulate your temps with a jacket or sweater off and on.

September 29, 2010 at 10:20 am

Michelle

(website)

Active Member

I can make sense of the bottom heavy look and wear it often myself – especially transeasonally. Boots often have an equestrian feel to them or a slightly utilitarian feel so wearing with short sleeves still looks appropriate.

September 29, 2010 at 11:16 am

Evie

Active Member

I’m wondering if it’s the naked leg that gives that makes the bottom half too light for the eye in the transition weather?

For example, is a raincoat (weather in the lower 60s, let’s say) worn with ballet flats but without hose look top heavy? It kind of does to me; at least it’s a borderline case. Add hose, and it feels balanced.

And hmm.. Is it just me, or does anyone else feel that bottom-heavy style looks better in the fall, and top-heavy in spring? As in, people really ARE seasonally confused. In fall, we expect cold, and when it’s warm, we take off the top, leaving the boots on. In spring, we are super-excited about the sun so we dress light, only to realize right after going through the door that we have to wait even mooore for the winter to be finally over and decide to grab that winter jacket after all. So maybe it’s even kind of cute….

In the end, whatever feels right for the weather and the occasion feels fine to me. I.e. cowboy boots in the middle of summer are perfectly fine (while uggs are not), just not on the beach. Whereas short uggs look okay with cropped leggings and a short sleeved top in 60 degree weather, but not in 80 degree 80% humidity shorch. Flip flops do not look okay with a wool coat, but they look okay with a ubiquitous black North face fleece “sweater?” in 60 degree weather.

In the end, I shrug. While topsiders in January give me a toothache, I wouldn’t blink before wearing them with knee-length shorts and a parka for a quick supermarket run in October:) Totally double standards.

September 29, 2010 at 1:32 pm

Lisette M

(website)

I’m okay with bottom heavy outfits, but top heavy just look silly to me

September 29, 2010 at 1:58 pm

April

Veteran

In college, the prepsters used to mystify me by wearing long-sleeved sweaters — often with long-sleeved buttondowns beneath — on top of shorts. It never made sense to me, and doesn’t now. Really? It’s chilly enough that you’ve got winter gear on top, yet your bare legs aren’t cold?

Not sure why boots with sleeveless dresses look okay to me. I think that for this to work in my view, the dress has to be of a relatively structured, substantial fabric. A gauzy, floaty dress with boots would probably not cut it for me.

September 29, 2010 at 5:55 pm

LoP

Veteran

Angie, one of your many gifts is to put into words what I always think, but never think of describing as well as you do. These looks catch my eye often in San Diego since we have a no seasons (or one season ) climate here. Bottom heavy is my preference, but I have to admit I sported top heavy looks a few times since the difference between day and night temperatures can get really large here. I end up putting on sweaters or jackets in cool San Diego evenings if I have sandals during the day and don’t get a chance to change before an evening appointment.

September 29, 2010 at 7:34 pm

Lena

Active Member

It’s easier to accept and wear bottom heavy outfits. They make sense.

I’d be very glad if I don’t see another college student in flip flops and a warm jacket. I get cold just by looking at them.

When I met Angie on Friday, I wore an outfit that veered into top heavy territory: leather jacket, tunic, jeans, ballet flats. I didn’t wear thin trouser socks with my ballet flats, I wonder if I should have. I brought a pair in my luggage, but totally forgot about them, and I also wasn’t sure my memory was correct about ballet flats + hose rules. (I have various YLF rules in a little notebook at home).

September 29, 2010 at 10:00 pm

Kyrania

Active Member

I really like wearing wool shorts with heavier tights or hose and boots with a lighter top either sleeveless or strapless…but I usually wear some kind of velvet coat with it to balance it out.

When I was living in NY and NJ I did see a LOT of MEN and women wearing heavy sweaters/sweatshirts and coats with shorts and sandals…NO socks/stockings and ALL through the winter….! o_O

September 30, 2010 at 3:25 am

Sam

I have to stick up a little for top heavy.

First, (as previously stated) the items are easier to remove.

Second, it can look quite cute. Think of an olive green anorak over a slouchy white v neck tee, denim shorts, and a multi colored (perhaps fringed) scarf with some embellished wedges or sandals.

Third, great for rainy days. I hate getting pants/leggings/tights wet while walking (and I don’t find many boots comfortable) so I wear sandals or plastic ballet flats in the rain.

Fourth, I have fussy feet that are often best left with as little as possible on them.

September 30, 2010 at 4:37 am

Sam

*I wear sandals or plastic ballet flats with dresses, skirts and shorts in the rain.

September 30, 2010 at 4:39 am

Sihaya

Veteran

I definitely do bottom heavy outfits. I love the look. I don’t understand the contrast of top heavies on my body. I would be too cold on my feet like Angie.

September 30, 2010 at 5:48 am

Rachel

I like both, if they don’t go to extremes. Or maybe it’s that I can appreciate both in autumn and spring, but don’t understand them in summer and winter? Because I certainly think it looks very silly to see people wearing sundresses and boots in the summer.

I guess it all comes down to where you feel temperature changes. Angie said her feet get cold, so she prefers closed toe shoe. My feet are often really warm, so I love the days of fall when it’s just right for jeans and sandals, with a cardi in the evening.

September 30, 2010 at 12:22 pm

Marley

Veteran

I am so used to both of these looks that I really haven’t given it much thought! I’m thinking that some of this type of dressing is reflective of the geographic area and corresponding climate where people live!

Where I live, the top heavy look may have started as beach attire – you know, you go to the beach for the afternoon and as the sun begins to set that cool ocean breeze starts blowing over your tanned body and before long you’re feeling a little chilly – so, what do you do? You pull the jacket or long-sleeve jersey out of the trunk of your car, put that on, and voila – it’s the perfect cover-up! You’re nice ankd warm – but your feet and legs can still feel the warm sand – and so, there ya’ go! You leave the beach, pull on your shorts, still have your long-slvd top and flip-flops on and head to the local pizza joint for pizza and beer. A perfect beach day. Before long, you find yourself dressing like that on cool summer evenings – even when you haven’t been to the beach! It just works here – and I really like the look – and feel very comfortable in it!

As for the bottom heavy look? Yep, we do that too – its just as common and works well in the winter when its kind of chilly in the mornings – but you’re going to be sitting outside for lunch or mid-morning coffee – the sun shines on your shoulders and you’re so glad that you wore that sleeveless top!

I love the incongruent “feel” of both looks – to the point that they don’t feel incongruent to me at all!

September 30, 2010 at 6:37 pm

Fathenry

Since my body’s naturally top heavy, I always gravitate to the bottom heavy looks. I like them much better.

September 30, 2010 at 10:23 pm

gina

(website)

I can sort of see the sense in both ways, but bottom heavy makes more sense to me. I will wear pants and boots with light tops or camisoles. In the middle of the day when it’s warm, I wear the outfit like that, and in the evening, when it cools off, I add a jacket or sweater. Works well with bottom heavy outfits. I also get cold easily, so I tend to err on the side of staying warmer.

With top heavy outfits, I guess it makes sense to have a light outfit, then throw a jacket, scarf, gloves, etc. on as the day cools, but this never works for me b/c I always end of freezing and uncomfortable if I’m not well covered on my legs and feet.

October 1, 2010 at 8:00 am

Tanya

Veteran

I am completely with you here Angie. I used to not like either of these at all, but in the last few years got used to the bottom heavy ones with YLF, so occasionally I might sport a short sleeved dress, bare legs and slouchy boots,a dding cardi/jacket as needed. My feet get cold easily, so top heavy would never work for me, and my dislike for the look has still not changed.

October 1, 2010 at 4:52 pm

Meredith

Active Member

i’m with you Angie. I totally get bottom heavy outfits like the right boots with a summer dress. I see top heavy outfits all the time in Seattle, because people seem to think it’s almost always appropriate to wear flip flops with almost anything. I think they look odd and quite sloppy.

The bottom heavy outfits work, because it is sort of a gravity thing. Heavy things belong on the bottom. If things are too heavy on the top, you might crush your poor exposed toes.

October 1, 2010 at 6:36 pm

Crista

Member

Very interesting! Never given much thought to this before but it makes total sense. I, too, love the bottom heavy look.

October 3, 2010 at 2:26 pm

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