https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/inch-by-inch-proportion-play-with-jackets Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Mon, 20 Apr 2026 16:23:40 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/inch-by-inch-proportion-play-with-jackets#post-475926 Mon, 28 Nov 2011 17:43:12 +0000 mrseccentric 475926@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Just had to say 'Thank You Suz!' for taking the time and trouble to do this shoot and post it! it is so instructive to see these jackets on the same person, with the same additional pieces, and side by side.</p> <p>This would be a great exercise for anyone interested in proportion and especially those wondering about how to best dress for their physical shape. It shows how important contrast is when constructing outfits, as well! </p> <p>In reading Kendall Farr's books recently i found she recommends hi-hip length as a generally universally flattering length for jackets - as in your first and second jackets here. I've found this to be the case as well. Brava Suz!!! you look great and are darned smart and generous to boot! steph </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/inch-by-inch-proportion-play-with-jackets#post-475841 Mon, 28 Nov 2011 15:21:51 +0000 Claudia 475841@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Suz, yes each individual outfit element should fit your body type before it even gets to play along with the others in the ensemble. Once you have that down, getting the balance and proportions right for the best visual appeal becomes that much easier. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/inch-by-inch-proportion-play-with-jackets#post-475808 Mon, 28 Nov 2011 14:27:58 +0000 Suz 475808@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for looking at this long photo essay! And I appreciate your discerning eyes. I hope it might be some value for others to see this as well. </p> <p>Here is my take on the pics: </p> <p>I wear jacket #1 and #2 more often than my other jackets, and wear them most often of all with trousers. These are the jackets I tend to wear with jeans. I had worried that #2 might be too short for trousers, since overall it just hits my belt (similar to the jacket that Aida was wondering about) but in looking at the pics, I think those angled points make it work quite well with trousers even though it is shorter. </p> <p>I ALSO wear these two jackets with dresses and skirts. Vix, I take your point they might be a bit long or boxy. However, I tend to wear them with a pencil skirt that has a fitted high waist, and I THINK it works (though I ought to take some more pics to be certain).<br /> I would NOT wear with a full skirt. </p> <p>Jacket #3 (collarless jean jacket) is a puzzle to me. I find it a bit tough to wear (although as jacket-twin Claire has pointed out, it might be better as a spring/summer piece.) Also, it's a little bit big for me, so that might contribute to some discomfort. But my daughter liked it best of all when she was doing the photos. And in a way I can see why. Its intermediate length makes it "okay" (if not great) with both pants and skirts. In that sense, it could be a very useful piece to hold onto. </p> <p>Jacket #4, the faded jean jacket, is one I pretty much like to wear with skirts and dresses, but I will also wear it with low contrast tops and trousers. I really don't like it with the high contrast tops. </p> <p>Jacket #5 is my least worn jacket. It's really exclusively a skirt/dress jacket, and I don't particularly like the colour/fabric with the colours or fabrics in my current fall/winter wardrobe, so it just doesn't mesh all that well with what I have. At the same time, I love the raspberry red. I think I would like it a lot better with lower contrast outfits. </p> <p>Thanks again, those of you who looked and commented or just had thoughts about this. </p> <p>I really think the point about contrast is key. </p> <p>And Claudia, thanks for the link to the rule of thirds by Imogen; it's excellent. And I take the point that the length of the skirt (or bottom) will make a big difference to what length jacket will work. But I also think the shape of the skirt is relevant, and I still think body type is an important consideration, because some looks simply won't work as well on some bodies. So you might be following the rule of thirds but still look "off." </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/inch-by-inch-proportion-play-with-jackets#post-475746 Mon, 28 Nov 2011 05:27:07 +0000 Vix 475746@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi Suz --</p> <p>You jacket-experimenting fiend, you! My .02 below: </p> <p>FWIW, the shorter high-contrast top always makes you look like Leggy McLegs. In my world that's a good thing, but I understand points of view differ etc etc.</p> <p>However, the 5th jacket (red) seems a bit too short in general with that particular combo. I prefer the jacket-over-dress look for that, though as discussed swapping out to a lower-contrast top would create a smoother transition.</p> <p>I like jacket 1 and 2 with the pants, but feel they are a few inches too long for that particular dress and skirt -- as neither the jackets nor d/s are very fitted, your shape is getting lost to me. </p> <p>I wonder if you nipped in the waists of 1/2 with closepins or binder clips as a test OR swapped in a slimmer-fitting dress if it would make a difference; otherwise, you may need to consider hemming the jackets up.</p> <p>Good luck with further experimenting...I am always looking for the magic proportions with all my tops/jackets too. Such a pain having shirts look awesome when standing still only to ride up ye olde long torso, I know! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/inch-by-inch-proportion-play-with-jackets#post-475741 Mon, 28 Nov 2011 04:59:21 +0000 Lantana 475741@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This thread is the most instructive I've come across so far. I have nothing to add, being definitely on my L plates in this area, but thanks for all the effort you went to with the photos. I can see myself referring to them, and all the detailed comments from veterans, again and again. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/inch-by-inch-proportion-play-with-jackets#post-475377 Sun, 27 Nov 2011 20:57:58 +0000 Lantana 475377@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Suz, I am really interested in this topic because I too have the long torso, short legs issue to deal with. I suspect I'm short waisted to boot. I have to rush as I'm shopping today, whoopee doo, but I found just looking at your thumbnails instructive; the cropped jackets leap out to my eye. I'll be back later, when all you easterners are slumbering, to read the whole story properly.(And you were absolutely right about the real learning not happening until one begins posting photos; thank you for that advice and your subsequent positive feedback) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/inch-by-inch-proportion-play-with-jackets#post-475363 Sun, 27 Nov 2011 20:40:44 +0000 Anonymous 475363@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Suz, I was just poring over Imogen's website last night trying to find this "answer". I was hoping there was a simple rule of thumb that I could memorize, but alas, there are so many variables!</p> <p>I first started thinking about this last week when I copied an outfit from your jacket challenge: the black pants/black top/ON denim jacket and leopard scarf. My body is so long that I felt funny after I had seen my back view with the cropped jacket. I'm more used to wearing it with skirts and dresses since I only have one pair of non-denim pants.</p> <p>I feel like I have so much to learn before buying more clothes. I'm really trying to avoid making any more bad purchases. Now I'm going back to the top to study your pics in detail! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/inch-by-inch-proportion-play-with-jackets#post-475310 Sun, 27 Nov 2011 19:47:58 +0000 Suz 475310@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think a patterned top could work much better than this solid one, Shannon, yes. It would break up the strong horizontal line. </p> <p>I also think this short jacket/long top look may be particularly challenging for me because of my relatively long torso. In my case, it's not the short jacket that's the problem; it's the long top, which shortens my already short legs. OTOH, short jacket over long top is probably equally or even more challenging for women who are short-waisted. </p> <p>For me this exercise highlights how particular we have to be and how we can't just assume what works on this or that person will work on us. I had been seeing people in the short-over-long look for a while and wanted to wear it, yet struggled, and couldn't figure out why. This was my way of trying to teach myself. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/inch-by-inch-proportion-play-with-jackets#post-475305 Sun, 27 Nov 2011 19:45:50 +0000 Claudia 475305@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think the length of jacket depends a lot on the other elements in the outfit more than body shape.</p> <p>See the second and third grouping of outfits illustrated for this Inside Out Style blog post: <a href="http://www.insideoutstyleblog.com/2011/10/how-to-use-the-golden-mean-ratio-to-dress.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.insideoutstyleblog......dress.html</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/inch-by-inch-proportion-play-with-jackets#post-475296 Sun, 27 Nov 2011 19:38:02 +0000 Suz 475296@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes, Denise. Thank you! I only used that high contrast top so I could really see the jacket ending. I know it does look different (and often better) with a lower contrast top. But I think there are still limitations with regard to which length jackets will work. </p> <p>You raise a good point, too..it's not just about height and leg vs. torso ratio; it's also about curves (or lack thereof). So our body shape plays a really important role! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/inch-by-inch-proportion-play-with-jackets#post-475294 Sun, 27 Nov 2011 19:35:03 +0000 Transcona Shannon 475294@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting comment about having a lower contrast long top under a shorter jacket - I hadn't thought about the contrast being the issue. I love the look of a longer untucked top under a shorter jacket but have struggled with this. Now I think it might be the contrast that's the problem. Suz and Coco - do you think the longer top could still be patterned if the primary colour in the pattern is low contrast with the jacket??? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/inch-by-inch-proportion-play-with-jackets#post-475290 Sun, 27 Nov 2011 19:25:26 +0000 CocoLion 475290@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You can wear any length jacket due to your rectangle slim shape. I cannot. I have more bits to hide lol! My only advice is, have you tried putting a less high-contrast top underneath when you wear one un-tucked under a shorter jacket? It is a modern look to have the top longer and un-tucked, but when it is so high contrast in color they eye goes immediately there, to the hips, not to your face. Maybe a grey top would work with this layered look for example.</p> <p>Oh, I see you allude to this in your last comment. I'm curious what you think.</p> <p>ETA: I checked your challenge thread and see there that you have layered with less high contrast tops, so you know what I'm talking about. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/inch-by-inch-proportion-play-with-jackets#post-475289 Sun, 27 Nov 2011 19:25:15 +0000 sarah 475289@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I know Sveta thinks a lot about this, too - Sveta, where are you!? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/inch-by-inch-proportion-play-with-jackets#post-475249 Sun, 27 Nov 2011 18:19:33 +0000 Suz 475249@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks, Joy. It's really helpful to hear your take on this! I will chime in with my own perceptions later on when others have also weighed in. </p> <p>I wondered about wearing the high contrast T. I think it definitely affects the look and some of these that don't seem to work here all that well here might actually be okay with a lower contrast top. But that, too, was instructive to me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/inch-by-inch-proportion-play-with-jackets#post-475233 Sun, 27 Nov 2011 17:05:08 +0000 Anonymous 475233@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Suz, for jacket #1 I liked #2 and 3 best. I think I'm not caring as much for a long length of high contrast tee under a short jacket and that surprises me because I do this all the time.<br /> For jacket #2 I liked #7 and 8 best. Jacket #3 (first jean jacket) I liked with the skirts best.<br /> Jacket #4, photo #15 stood out. The red jacket, # 19 and 20. Everything looks good but it was interesting to see the difference in proportions. This was an eye opener. Thjank you for taking the time to do this exercise. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/inch-by-inch-proportion-play-with-jackets#post-475229 Sun, 27 Nov 2011 17:03:16 +0000 ironkurtin 475229@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh my goodness, thanks for doing this! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/inch-by-inch-proportion-play-with-jackets#post-475222 Sun, 27 Nov 2011 16:55:06 +0000 Transcona Shannon 475222@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm eagerly awaiting responses on this thread Suz 'cause I absolutely love jackets and have many but definitely struggle with the proportion factor. Glad you brought this up! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/inch-by-inch-proportion-play-with-jackets#post-475218 Sun, 27 Nov 2011 16:51:39 +0000 Claudia 475218@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am hoping that Jean/greengloves will chime in here. In my opinion she is an absolute master of getting her proportions just right. I think that it isn't just her artistic color knowledge and art professor's expertise on color theory that comes into play when she dresses, but also her knowledge of composition/proportions that make each of her outfits just so stellar. Especially when she layers jackets. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/inch-by-inch-proportion-play-with-jackets#post-475199 Sun, 27 Nov 2011 16:38:09 +0000 Suz 475199@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Now for the pics. I decided to try each of these jackets with simple "backdrops" not as outfits but simply to show the proportions. </p> <p>I wear them each in turn with: Gap Really skinnies and a white T, first untucked and then tucked; with a straight knee length skirt, and with a fuller midi length skirt. </p> <p>This is what the proportions look like on me; they might look different on someone else. Recall I am about 5'4", relatively long torso and short legs. Wearing a 2 inch heel here. </p> <p>I would love your thoughts and comments, if any! I found the exercise instructive; it helped me understand why I regularly reach for some jackets more than other jackets, all other things being equal. Of course the length is not the whole story; fabric, cut, and other factors also weigh in to the decision. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/inch-by-inch-proportion-play-with-jackets#post-475190 Sun, 27 Nov 2011 16:22:17 +0000 Suz 475190@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My experience with Ornella's "week of jackets" challenge (<a href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-wearing-the-jackets" rel="nofollow">http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....he-jackets</a>; <a href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-a-week-of-jackets" rel="nofollow">http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....of-jackets</a>), combined with some discussion on a thread of Aida's about jacket length (<a href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-1027-fall-outfit-70s-tweed-suede-leather" rel="nofollow">http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....de-leather</a>) got me thinking about jacket proportions and what works (or doesn't work) with what, and why. </p> <p>First, the jackets. I had five to work with. </p> <p>1. Tweed. It is 22.5 inches shoulder to hem, which on me hits about 5 or 6 inches below my high hip bone. </p> <p>2. Navy military-detailed AT jacket. This one has "points" on front that make it 23" from shoulder to hem at longest. In the back it is 21" long. </p> <p>3. ON collarless denim jacket. 19" from shoulder to hem; this one hits me one to two inches below my high hip. </p> <p>4. Cropped denim jacket. 18" shoulder to hem. Reaches my high hip bone. </p> <p>5. Cropped cord jacket. 17" shoulder to hem; ends at my natural waist. </p>