https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-the-less-in-more-theme-versatile-top-lengths Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 18 Apr 2026 18:28:31 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-the-less-in-more-theme-versatile-top-lengths#post-1352041 Wed, 10 Sep 2014 14:54:54 +0000 Marlene 1352041@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>For me its about proportions. &nbsp;I find that most of my tops go with ALL my bottoms because all (three) of my skirts are slim pencils so I wear long and tunic tops...which also go with all my pant bottoms.&nbsp;I never tuck because that is too bombshell for me. &nbsp;If I do need to tinker with the proportions for whatever reason, I half tuck or belt to add some structure. &nbsp;If I went for a fuller skirt shape, I'd need a whole new category of tops to work with that different proportion. &nbsp;I just do not wear skirts enough to justify that commitment to another proportion. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-the-less-in-more-theme-versatile-top-lengths#post-1351906 Wed, 10 Sep 2014 11:16:30 +0000 unfrumped 1351906@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well, when you ever find one that does, grab it! Seriously, I do now put tops through a mass try-on , not expecting total versatility, but seeing if one is especially good or avoid being surprised that it actually does NOT work with the target bottoms. So it's a color and season thing too-- does this top go with several bottoms in the season of its use.<br /> If pants are more fitted/ tapered on me, I'll need a longer top( not tunic) . If more of a trouser, that gives a straighter line and top can be a little shorter and more similar to pencil skirt top. I also just push the envelope and wear shirt tops maybe a little longer than ideal.<br /> It has influenced my ideas about where to go in adding bottoms--I can see some would require a major new top style so I have to ask if I want to invest there. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-the-less-in-more-theme-versatile-top-lengths#post-1351852 Wed, 10 Sep 2014 06:00:44 +0000 Neel 1351852@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have never paid attention to/thought deeply about top lengths. But I don't have a small closet (about 85 tops spanning all seasons)....may be the reason why I don't think? May be I should start thinking..... Hmmm. Will follow your thread closely! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-the-less-in-more-theme-versatile-top-lengths#post-1351841 Wed, 10 Sep 2014 05:28:34 +0000 rabbit 1351841@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I really like <b>shiny</b>'s insights. &nbsp; </p> <p>Generally I see if there is any bottom that is really not working with the tops I have because of proportion. &nbsp;For me this is flared or A-line skirts, which seem to require more cropped and boxy tops, or the appearance of one created with a tucked woven top), and then look for a top that will 'de-orphan' those bottoms.</p> <p>Roughly I think of my closet&nbsp;this way:</p> <p>flowy tunic -- works with tapered narrow skirts, skinnies, leggings (if long enough), doesn't work with high volume bottoms.&nbsp;</p> <p>high-lo top -- works with many skirts, many pants, especially if you can adjust the length of the front and tuck the back if needed.</p> <p>cropped (often&nbsp;boxy) tops -- work w/ many skirts including flared ones, not great with lower cut jeans, although okay w/ high waists (depending on the overall shape of the hips), and especially good w/ drapey pants.</p> <p>welted tops -- very useful with flared skirts, if they are slouchy enough to faux tuck&nbsp;work with pants too.</p> <p>&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-the-less-in-more-theme-versatile-top-lengths#post-1351838 Wed, 10 Sep 2014 05:13:38 +0000 catgirl 1351838@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Marley that is exactly it! This is the plaid blouse btw- I got it at Nordstrom but it's not on their site for some reason.</p> <p><a href="https://m.lordandtaylor.com/lnt/html/#!lang/en/productdetails/3424814/?ir_clickid=WGj1st0RiWDvULa3u9ysESfUUkQRiqWAEXdOQo0&#038;ir_cid=1354&#038;ir_affid=57486&#038;irpid=57486&#038;utm_campaign=POPSUGAR&#038;site_id=57486&#038;utm_source=ImpactRadius&#038;utm_medium=Affiliates&#038;site_refer=AFF001" rel="nofollow">https://m.lordandtaylor.com/ln.....fer=AFF001</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-the-less-in-more-theme-versatile-top-lengths#post-1351836 Wed, 10 Sep 2014 05:01:27 +0000 Marley 1351836@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I struggle with this when I am trying to categorize my clothing into capsules. &nbsp;As long as I keep all of my bottoms the same silhouette, then I can make a capsule - but, if I want a capsule with both BFs and skinnies - the capsule concept just doesn't work for me! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-the-less-in-more-theme-versatile-top-lengths#post-1351828 Wed, 10 Sep 2014 04:36:39 +0000 fathenry 1351828@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is a good question. I don't by different tops for pants vs skirts. Maybe it is my body? I look for longer tops that are fluid and hit at low hip or crotch point. They seem to be versatile enough to wear with any of my pants or skirts. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-the-less-in-more-theme-versatile-top-lengths#post-1351699 Wed, 10 Sep 2014 01:34:32 +0000 annagybe 1351699@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't really pay attention to shirt length, though I tuck far more often than you. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-the-less-in-more-theme-versatile-top-lengths#post-1351693 Wed, 10 Sep 2014 01:26:25 +0000 shiny 1351693@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think it's even more complicated than that - it's not just length, but how it fits width wise, i.e., boxy/voluminous vs skimming the body. For example I have a CM tunic sweater that skims the body (not clingy at all, but you can tell I have a waist under there), and this makes it wearable with pretty much *every* bottom in my closet... high waisted tube skirts to BF jeans to mid-rise jeans to skinnies. It's like the Miracle Tunic or something. Compare that to more voluminous tunics -- the oversized, big/baggy sort -- and those seem to work only with skinnies. Anything else just looks sloppy.</p> <p>I will add here that I am seeing lots of "skirt length" tops lately -- due to the high waisted trend. Or maybe, they are cropped tops. But on short me, they are perfect skirt length... I remember when I first joined YLF 6+ years ago, learning there was such a thing as "skirt length" was total AH HA! moment. Then fashions shifted and it was very hard to find such skirt length tops. So I am inclined to stock up here.&nbsp;</p> <p>For points in between skirt length and tunic length, I believe Angie's recommendation was a little&nbsp;above crotch point looks best. Could probably go back in the archives and find this in there somewhere. I may be misremembering. I seem to have it in my head that a top hitting at high hip = skirt length. At low hip = perfect length for pants. Below crotch point = tunic?</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-the-less-in-more-theme-versatile-top-lengths#post-1351572 Tue, 09 Sep 2014 23:23:17 +0000 Caro in Oz 1351572@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great question. Tops are&nbsp;my bugbear too. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-the-less-in-more-theme-versatile-top-lengths#post-1351542 Tue, 09 Sep 2014 23:00:36 +0000 Aida 1351542@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I can wear my tops a little bit shorter than the standard due to my personal proportions (and being a shortie), but it's certainly tricky if not impossible to find something that works with everything. This is why most of my bottoms are pants and shorts That said, with semi-tucking my longer tops are able to play more with skirts now because you can tuck the front and create faux high-low hemlines.</p> <p>Regarding tunic lengths, I really like wearing tunic length tops or toppers with baggy short-shorts (versus a miniskirt).</p> <p>If you like wearing tunic length tops with your skinnies, there's a good chance that you could get away with two tops lengths: a longer one for skinnies and tube skirt, and something shorter (normal length) for your BFs and work trousers. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-the-less-in-more-theme-versatile-top-lengths#post-1351487 Tue, 09 Sep 2014 21:59:32 +0000 catgirl 1351487@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh and the hi-low look makes sense, especially when you can create it with a half tuck! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-the-less-in-more-theme-versatile-top-lengths#post-1351479 Tue, 09 Sep 2014 21:51:39 +0000 catgirl 1351479@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh in case it was unclear I meant that between the tunic and crossover they should work with most bottoms, not that both will work with all!</p> <p>Thistle, my tunics only work with leggings or skinnies too. I'm wondering about an extreme look with a miniskirt... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-the-less-in-more-theme-versatile-top-lengths#post-1351476 Tue, 09 Sep 2014 21:49:40 +0000 AviaMariah 1351476@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Good thread. &nbsp;I'll be following along too. &nbsp;My first thought is that some longer tops can work with both skirts and trousers if the faux tuck is used. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-the-less-in-more-theme-versatile-top-lengths#post-1351473 Tue, 09 Sep 2014 21:45:44 +0000 Thistle 1351473@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Good question! One I have struggled with as I like skirts. I find tube skirts and pencil skirts more forgiving of pant length tops. I have yet to figure out how to get a tunic to work with anything other than skinnies.</p> <p>I will be following this thread. Interested to see what others do. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-the-less-in-more-theme-versatile-top-lengths#post-1351469 Tue, 09 Sep 2014 21:39:44 +0000 Sal 1351469@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have a hi low top that works with pencil skirts skiing jeans and loose trouser styles....</p> <p><a href="http://www.moochionline.co.nz/estore/style/ss0406807ctn09p.aspx" rel="nofollow">http://www.moochionline.co.nz/.....tn09p.aspx</a></p> <p>A new workhorse... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-the-less-in-more-theme-versatile-top-lengths#post-1351451 Tue, 09 Sep 2014 21:21:30 +0000 Louise 1351451@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hum tricky one, my initial thought was ' you'll never find tops that work with both skirts and trousers' but then I suppose if you're looking at skinnies and tube skirts, voluminous or longer tops will work with both? X </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-the-less-in-more-theme-versatile-top-lengths#post-1351409 Tue, 09 Sep 2014 20:15:16 +0000 cheryle (Dianthus) 1351409@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That is a really good question. &nbsp;I don't usually find tops that are longer than crotch length attractive on me but that may be my proportions. &nbsp;I find a looser fit top that is hip bone length can be good with pants or partially tucked with skirts so that would be my vote for versatile in terms of length. &nbsp;I also find that with a longer shirt (button or knit), you can adjust the length by pulling it out of the bottom so that it drapes down changing the length. &nbsp;I did this today with a magenta top and blue pants but didn't take a pic. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/on-the-less-in-more-theme-versatile-top-lengths#post-1351376 Tue, 09 Sep 2014 19:30:43 +0000 catgirl 1351376@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Tops are my hardest item to fit, and I am trying to think about what I can seek out that will give me the most bang for my buck. As I see it, I need to think about my preferred bottoms and what tops would work best. These are: knit tube skirts, skinnies, BF jeans, and occasionallly slouchy work trousers. </p> <p>I know the general rule is shorter tops with skirts, longer with pants, but is there a sweet spot that makes a top particularly versatile. How does tucking or half-tucking figure in? Or should I just consider these separate categories - like "tunics for skinnies, welted for BF jeans" and so on?</p> <p>i've just added an EF tunic top and a VC plaid crossover blouse to the closet, thinking those two items should go with most every option for pairings (not considering color here, just style)...</p> <p>Which of your top styles do you find most versatile for your needs? </p>