https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hypothetical-outfit-puzzle-to-solve--what-tops-might-work Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Tue, 07 Apr 2026 09:12:18 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hypothetical-outfit-puzzle-to-solve--what-tops-might-work#post-1152858 Thu, 30 Jan 2014 04:13:08 +0000 Anonymous 1152858@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I like the turtleneck and sweaters. How about a peplum top...worn out and still can be figure revealing. I sometimes wear my pencil skirt with oxfords and a graphic or striped tee under a blazer. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hypothetical-outfit-puzzle-to-solve--what-tops-might-work#post-1152760 Thu, 30 Jan 2014 02:32:52 +0000 Suz 1152760@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>All great suggestions. I think the new shoes are refined enough that they don't read as completely "mannish" especially with a sweater, a silk blouse, or some of the other ideas here. I would shop the closet first, and then decide if further shopping is required.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hypothetical-outfit-puzzle-to-solve--what-tops-might-work#post-1152749 Thu, 30 Jan 2014 02:24:22 +0000 krishnidoux 1152749@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I like the fitted turtleneck option! If you are comfortable in it...</p> <p>My suggestion: short puffy sleeves button-down in white, or in&nbsp;a darker colour if you want to play it down,&nbsp;then a knit fitted vest such as this one&nbsp;<a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.planetpurl.com/planetpurl//images/books/mother_daughter_knits_4.gif">http://www.planetpurl.com/plan.....nits_4.gif</a>&nbsp;or this one&nbsp;<a rel="nofollow" href="http://image.made-in-china.com/2f0j00cjhTYnJdMQkN/2011-Fashion-Knitted-Vest-2030-.jpg">http://image.made-in-china.com.....-2030-.jpg</a>&nbsp;<br />or a loose thin knit vest such as this one:&nbsp;<a rel="nofollow" href="http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/alexander-wang-knit-vest-with-twist-back/3003238">http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/al.....ck/3003238</a></p> <p>Or... or a cute silky tee on the loose side, maybe with a very delicate design on it, and a jacket. The jacket could be cross in front, over-sized type, or, inversely, very fitted and shorter. It all depends on your skirt's length and shape.&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hypothetical-outfit-puzzle-to-solve--what-tops-might-work#post-1152738 Thu, 30 Jan 2014 02:18:05 +0000 catgirl 1152738@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I would wear a silky button down like an Equipment blouse. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hypothetical-outfit-puzzle-to-solve--what-tops-might-work#post-1152728 Thu, 30 Jan 2014 02:10:02 +0000 E 1152728@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'd probably pair it with a simple, tailored or lightly&nbsp;fluid fit, soft looking sweater: either a pullover/jumper or buttoned up cardigan, similar to&nbsp;L'Abeille's suggestions. I've noticed, as someone who frequently wears clunky-ish flat shoes, that the shoes look out of place if the rest of the&nbsp;outfit is very dressy. Your shoes are probably more streamlined than mine, but it seems to me you should be looking to echo the shoes in the top to tie everything into an outfit rather than picking a blouse that would be the complete opposite.</p> <p>On the other hand, I wear my silk blouses with everything, so I bet your camp shirts would work too. :)</p> <p>Of course, I don't wear pencil skirts, because I never feel quite right in them, so I don't know how helpful any of&nbsp;that is! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hypothetical-outfit-puzzle-to-solve--what-tops-might-work#post-1152653 Thu, 30 Jan 2014 01:05:19 +0000 K. Period. 1152653@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>LOL. &nbsp;I promise, I didn't think you were being coy, unfrumped, you sweetheart! I also appreciate how a little vagueness can help draw out more ideas than one, very specific description. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>I popped back and looked at your (very cute!) oxfords. &nbsp;I still like the suggestions that I made, but I think I'll take back the bow blouse idea. &nbsp;I don't see that as fitting your style. &nbsp;It is a little to cutesy-girly. &nbsp;I love Diana's ideas too. &nbsp;And I forgot to say that I like yours too, especially the silky round neck blouse. &nbsp;One more idea:&nbsp;I like the idea of wearing textured tights with them to bridge the gap between your shoes and a dark skirt but still add some interest. &nbsp;</p> <p>Now I have a confession: I have a lovely, slightly feminine pair of oxfords that don't get nearly as much wear as they should. I want to love them. They are the absolute best, most me, oxfords I've seen. &nbsp;Objectively, I adore them. But I don't wear them that often and I almost always wear them with pants. &nbsp;So, how's that for the blind leading the blind! ;)&nbsp;&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hypothetical-outfit-puzzle-to-solve--what-tops-might-work#post-1152638 Thu, 30 Jan 2014 00:39:47 +0000 unfrumped 1152638@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ooh, AT silk camp shirts are in my closet! Still cold for them, but their point was to help with similar juxta-ing.<br /> Returning to SYC mode! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hypothetical-outfit-puzzle-to-solve--what-tops-might-work#post-1152633 Thu, 30 Jan 2014 00:37:32 +0000 Diana 1152633@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'd go for a loose silk shirt, untucked. (like an equipment, or my Ann taylor silk camp shirt). The silk and loose fit makes it softer but the shape is still a buttondown shape.</p> <p>Or some kind of fluid, avant garde piece with asymmetrical hem and waist surrendering. But that is probably something *I* would wear and not you. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hypothetical-outfit-puzzle-to-solve--what-tops-might-work#post-1152632 Thu, 30 Jan 2014 00:37:28 +0000 unfrumped 1152632@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think I hear that, Sarah. As well as, the search for the fem juxtaposition should not overtake the need to stay modern. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hypothetical-outfit-puzzle-to-solve--what-tops-might-work#post-1152623 Thu, 30 Jan 2014 00:27:31 +0000 Sarah A 1152623@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I feel like a sweater is soft and feminine... and it IS the year of knitwear, right?... My "too tough" feeling snakeprint black jeans usually get the sweater treatment to great success. I also wonder if the effect of a more complexly detailed top (with shoulder detailing esp) will mainly be lost under your white coat? Drape neck or lace also have potential as I presume you wear your coat open and they will be visible then. </p> <p>I would start with what is already in the closet though, esp. if you arent sure the oxfords/skirts play well together. I am often guilty of finding the "perfect" piece to finish an outfit... only to find i dont like the original players together as much as i thought i would. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hypothetical-outfit-puzzle-to-solve--what-tops-might-work#post-1152588 Wed, 29 Jan 2014 23:50:52 +0000 unfrumped 1152588@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>L'Abeille, that is a good observation. Maybe I'm trying to over-compensate and it isn't necessary. Maybe, in SYC, there is just the best version of sweater or whatever and not a total shift. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hypothetical-outfit-puzzle-to-solve--what-tops-might-work#post-1152581 Wed, 29 Jan 2014 23:48:09 +0000 unfrumped 1152581@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks, K. Period! It wasn't meant to be secret as to shoes per se--for example, I have the laceless oxfords I showed yesterday. I have 2 other pairs of brogues, one being probably too clunky to compensate for. Or I might be tempted to try others but only if I can juxtapose properly. Otherwise the solution is likely, keep trying to find more refined shoes.</p> <p>It is more a generic question, I guess--and maybe it's too generic--are there any go-to styles in tops that tend to be reliable compensators for more masculine elements, or is that just so outfit-specific? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hypothetical-outfit-puzzle-to-solve--what-tops-might-work#post-1152572 Wed, 29 Jan 2014 23:43:18 +0000 L'Abeille 1152572@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Maybe I am coming at this from the opposite end. I can't picture any of those dramatically-feminine tops working with this bottom half (but then, they aren't things I would wear). To my view, the view of legs and shape of tush afforded by a pencil skirt brings plenty of femininity to counterbalance the oxfords (assuming you go stockings/tights/bare legs and not socks).</p> <p>I would go "garconne" and wear it with an oxford shirt (buttonfront. Whatever), probably tucked. Or maybe with a simple soft sweater, sort of sweater-girl, with maybe a pinned on collar or a fur scarf if it needed upgrading. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hypothetical-outfit-puzzle-to-solve--what-tops-might-work#post-1152570 Wed, 29 Jan 2014 23:42:12 +0000 K. Period. 1152570@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Tough puzzle! Do the oxfords have a heel? Or are they flat? And how fitted is the pencil skirt?&nbsp;</p> <p>I'd go for a fitted turtleneck or cowl so that it was covered, but still figure accentuating. &nbsp;Or I'd go with a loose, low bow front shirt in a solid color or a sheer silky button down. &nbsp;</p> <p>It is hard to guess without a picture of the oxfords or something like them. &nbsp;They can be very sporty or masculine or surprisingly feminine with just little changes. &nbsp;</p> <p>Any possibility of a peek at the shoes?&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hypothetical-outfit-puzzle-to-solve--what-tops-might-work#post-1152531 Wed, 29 Jan 2014 23:12:11 +0000 unfrumped 1152531@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Here is a hypothetical outfit puzzle for the fabbers:</p> <p>If I start with oxfords and pencil skirt, and the oxfords sometimes are not the most girly versions, what type of top is feminine enough to give the needed juxtaposition, but is work-appropriate, and not dated? And ideally, would like some styles that can be worn untucked—depends on waistband of skirt. </p> <p>Silky blouses with round neckline and gathers at shoulders? Very drapey knit tops? Lace, but in simple styles (lace “T”) ? I’ve actually gone as far as thinking ruffles—l had a V-neck knit top with ruffles in the V; or a ruffle-necked shell under a sweater. Not too big on bows except maybe the untied, drapey ties look, or low, loose bow. And of course, tucking is often needed with a typical “blouse” because of the lengths. Something slightly waist-fitted, in contrast to usual de-BS approach? Or, just boxy tops but in flowy fabrics?</p> <p>The puzzle is to kind of reverse the de- bombshell, because the shoes already do that so much, that you would go more feminine with the top instead of a chunky sweater, but you want to avoid tight/fitted look or an evening or sheer look.</p> <p>Other options that are still very possible are always looking for more ladylike but comfortable footwear—some ordered and still looking-- and finding a dress or more swishy skirt for oxfords. Or something else altogether. That's not today’s puzzler, but there are no penalities for coloring outside the lines!</p> <p>I imagine some of these types of tops are still around, but I don’t know what would be the “modern” iteration, or what to avoid. In some ways I think I’d “know it when I see it”, if the proportions were right and so on, based on my own poison-sugar eye.</p> <p>Any puzzler-players? Thanks for comments! </p>