https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/silk-tanks Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Mon, 20 Apr 2026 13:20:39 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/silk-tanks/page/2#post-2276534 Wed, 10 Aug 2022 21:27:36 +0000 Zaeobi 2276534@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes, some Intimissi fabrics can be annoyingly itchy - need to try them on first to see which ones work! I have silk front tank tops from them that look like the Winter Silk tanks you just posted &amp; have found them to be fairly versatile, so hopefully that's a good sign?</p> <p>I like the tie dye topper you posted, but maybe with white bottoms? I don't think it needs to be 'either/ or dark &amp; light' so much as balancing them in a way that reflects your natural colouring e.g. your hair isn't stark white but it isn't pitch black either - so mixing up the contrast should help reflect this 'grey area' pun intended haha! </p> <p>As for spaghetti straps, I generally prefer not to show evidence of my underwear in a professional setting either (even an academic one) but I may be hyperaware of this (e.g. I'll wear either slipshorts or thongs so as to avoid any VPL) so I'm probably not the best person to ask about this lol </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/silk-tanks/page/2#post-2276064 Sat, 06 Aug 2022 21:56:44 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2276064@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks Madeline! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/silk-tanks/page/2#post-2276050 Sat, 06 Aug 2022 18:25:14 +0000 madeline 2276050@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have been following these posts and have one comment:<br /> Yes to the silk tank tops you just posted but wear the blazer over them. Knees covered is a good plan also. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/silk-tanks/page/2#post-2276027 Sat, 06 Aug 2022 15:09:29 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2276027@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Carol, I am grateful you are doing it! Don’t knock yourself out for me, but do know i appreciate your thoughts </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/silk-tanks/page/2#post-2276004 Sat, 06 Aug 2022 14:18:46 +0000 CarolS 2276004@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ugh. I had finally gotten my thoughts down and it failed to post. Not sure I have the wherewithal to start again right now but I will try to get back later with a condensed version.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/silk-tanks/page/2#post-2275824 Fri, 05 Aug 2022 16:38:52 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2275824@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I got it. Was thinking of femme look in general reading conservative, was saying how/why I think my more natural version does not, in contrast to versions with more “interventions”. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/silk-tanks/page/2#post-2275823 Fri, 05 Aug 2022 16:36:21 +0000 SarahD8 2275823@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>"My feeling is that by staying RATE, easy on the makeup, and usually including juxtaposition, I come across differently" -- yes, yes, I think that's right. I meant to suggest that if a woman our age in academia did the hyperfemme clothing + heels + full-face makeup + perfectly coiffed hair look it might read as socially conservative. Sorry for any lack of clarity!&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/silk-tanks/page/2#post-2275821 Fri, 05 Aug 2022 16:28:53 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2275821@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>There was a woman a couple years ahead of me in my PhD program who did the whole hair-makeup-manicure thing, said it was because she was a feminist, wanted people to recognize feminists were regular people too. Yes, where we were, foundation &amp; curling irons were the norm.<br /> Agree with you on the rumpled prof look. Hadn’t thought of it that way before. My thinking tends to be analysis first, emotional sensitivity later, which also comes across as masculine, or even aggressive.</p> <p>Interesting to think about my newer more femme presentation reading as socially conservative. My feeling is that by staying RATE, easy on the makeup, and usually including juxtaposition, I come across differently, but of course reading oneself is always hardest. I might be entirely off there </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/silk-tanks/page/2#post-2275820 Fri, 05 Aug 2022 16:18:02 +0000 SarahD8 2275820@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Good find! I would 100% wear the Winter Silks tank on its own in a professional setting. (I realize there are professional settings where sleeveless is not acceptable at all, but I don't think social science academia is one of them.)</p> <p>I've been pondering what you said yesterday about your PhD cohort's reaction to your self-presentation and how your newer, more feminine style intersects with academia. It's really thought-provoking, lots to unpack there. There's gender coding at play too, right? Rumpled khakis and a general air of not caring about one's appearance is the quintessential (male) absent-minded professor look. So when a woman adopts it, she's immediately seen as intellectually serious. I know there are some women scientists who have a VERY markedly femme style. (I can't immediately think of any specific names, unfortunately.) They tend to go all out with full makeup and hair -- almost a rockabillly look. Armor that sort of dares people not to take them seriously. But they also tend to be quite young. I think that done-up look would read differently (that is, as social conservatism) on a woman of our age. I am not sure I really have an answer for you here but just -- Semiotics! So endlessly fascinating! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/silk-tanks/page/2#post-2275796 Fri, 05 Aug 2022 13:19:43 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2275796@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Unfrumped, got it. </p> <p>Look what I found in the cellar! Winter Silks, ca 2000. All silk, no spaghetti. It does not have the bra strap holders that Ms Maven mentioned, but the straps are so wide that I don’t think that will be a problem.<br /> Do not look at the “outfit” that resulted when I slipped it on over what I happened to be wearing and my Hausschuhe. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/silk-tanks/page/2#post-2275788 Fri, 05 Aug 2022 12:40:50 +0000 unfrumped 2275788@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Those are very pretty tanks!<br /> Would not wear them to work though, even with a topper. I think it’s the combination of V- neck and delicate silky fabric that looks too much like lingerie or off- duty. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/silk-tanks/page/2#post-2275768 Fri, 05 Aug 2022 08:49:40 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2275768@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Lucy, thanks so much for chiming in! Please keep an eye out for my packing post in a couple weeks. I will leave out the spaghetti straps, but will have other questions about pushing the boundaries between “work” and “leisure”. </p> <p>The rules about bags/need to check them is one of the things I love about archives and special collections: you have to set aside any distractions and go to your work space where your tasks for the day are all set up for you, often tied up in a bow. Magic! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/silk-tanks#post-2275767 Fri, 05 Aug 2022 08:42:01 +0000 Lucy 2275767@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>*waves* I'm an academic historian!&nbsp;<br />Academic dress codes are very loose, and you see lots of different things. My current University is more formal than the other two I worked at - I'm much more at business rather than business casual dress codes. But I'd say most universities are business casual.&nbsp;<br />That said, the one thing I wouldn't wear is something that shows too much skin. Because we teach young people, we tend towards not too much skin. I would not wear spaghetti straps or something that showed my bra, to any of the Unis I have worked at. I think the outfit is great with the jacket - perfect - but not if you think you might take off the jacket.&nbsp;</p> <p>Another thing for archives - it is worth checking the rules, but a lot of places won't let you take in a bag, sometimes even small ones are banned. In this case, prioritising pockets is important.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/silk-tanks#post-2275765 Fri, 05 Aug 2022 07:13:56 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2275765@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well, no one is going to mistake me for a student, and it’s not because of the clothes. Nice that you brought up disciplinary differences. I’m a geographer; we dressed as if we were about to go “into the field” and collect ethnographic interviews or rock samples any minute. The urban geographers were slightly edgy in their attire. This was most notable at conferences, where visiting English profs (and oh, the English grad students!) could be outed easily by their heels and blazers. But this is a history jam. The average high temp is in the upper 70s (for the whole month of Sept—the first week, when I’ll be there, is likely warmer). That’s why this outfit I’m considering is a cotton skirt, silk top, and unlined linen jacket. I do have alternate tops, made of cotton or linen, to sub in. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/silk-tanks#post-2275734 Fri, 05 Aug 2022 01:31:56 +0000 Carla 2275734@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Until 4 years before I retired, I spent 2 days a week at an office on the campus of a young (Canadian ) university/college. &nbsp;The women profs with tenure did have some eclectic styles, but showing a lot of skin wasn’t a ‘thing’. &nbsp;Long skirted bohemian or body con but covered (turtleneck, pencil skirts and tights) were distinct styles for some, &nbsp;but most common was nondescript skirt/pants and top with a blazer jacket over. &nbsp;Some funky hair styles and distinctive specs. &nbsp;My SIL who taught History at a (conservative) southern uni in the US for 15 years had a uniform of knee length (sleeveless) sheath dresses with low heeled pumps, and always had a blazer hanging on the hook on her office door. &nbsp;</p> <p>None of the profs I dealt with would ever have been taken for students by their dress. &nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/silk-tanks#post-2275718 Thu, 04 Aug 2022 23:47:19 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2275718@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Kathie, thanks for coming back around. I revisited your earlier comment and see that were actually only talking about wearing the top professionally if I had a jacket or cardi over it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/silk-tanks#post-2275713 Thu, 04 Aug 2022 22:51:24 +0000 Kathie 2275713@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I rarely (honestly, never that I can recall) see spaghetti straps on the faculty and professional staff at my university- and that’s a coastal, urban US location. Skirts and dresses above the knee, and fitted sheath dresses and pencil skirts, yes, but not any type of visible undergarment. (My dissertation advisor has worn a uniform of a sleeveless top and skirts that are 1-4” above the knee for well over two decades, with no apparent detriment to her career.) I think spaghetti straps are a bit of a differentiator between what the students and anyone over ~25 who is getting a paycheck are wearing. </p> <p>That said, if you feel like this is part of your personal brand, go for it. If you’re happy and confident, that will probably be more what people focus on, rather than whether they can see your bra straps. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/silk-tanks#post-2275692 Thu, 04 Aug 2022 19:11:11 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2275692@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Carol, please do comment when you’ve had a chance—I’d love to hear your thoughts on that. </p> <p>I’m trying to move back in the direction of that kind of work. For now, it is only occasional days here (Berlin archives) &amp; there (the historical society), so I’ll do a packing post in the week before this very busy trip. I hope it will eventually be a bigger part of my life, and will need to figure out my self-presentation in a way I didn’t need to earlier. If I get my wish and that career shift is jump-started next year, I’ll do a post about it this fall. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/silk-tanks#post-2275687 Thu, 04 Aug 2022 18:36:50 +0000 CarolS 2275687@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Just saw the latter half of your comment. Interesting and something I'd like to give some thought to.... Will try to articulate some thoughts later.&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/silk-tanks#post-2275686 Thu, 04 Aug 2022 18:34:29 +0000 CarolS 2275686@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes, I am in line with the whole not flashing spaghetti straps at work thing. You've described a fairly conservative environment, so that might also be something to consider.&nbsp;</p> <p>If it were me (and it's not), I would err on the side of a slightly more conservative look for the work outfit and save the silky tank for date night.&nbsp;</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/silk-tanks#post-2275681 Thu, 04 Aug 2022 17:41:32 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2275681@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Carol, buttoning it is a step further than I was planning to go, but it sounds like you are very much in line with never-let-them-see-you-spaghetti-strap (at work). That makes sense to me, and yes, the neckline is another thing I wonder about. I have shortened the straps since my reply to Kathie at the beginning of this saga, might crank them up a bit higher, but I don’t know if they can be shortened sufficiently to be ok without going against the style of the top. The peculiar thing about academic dress codes, I think, is that the unwritten portion is much more strongly adhered to than what might be on the books in HR. Buttoning the jacket makes it almost like a shirt. I’ll have to give it a try with the skirt. </p> <p>I’ve told the story on here before of colleagues in my PhD program referring to the way I dressed as a sign of strength, because it was obvious I was putting my faith in my research and other skills. I still want that to be what people “see” when they look at me. During my years as a prof, I had a uniform of sorts, with lots of khaki. It is not what I want to wear now; idk if I even have those items. Over the past few years of having fun with my appearance, I’ve developed a much frillier, more feminine style, one that seems harder to fit in with academia, so I’ve got questions about stuff that never, ever was an issue for me all those years. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/silk-tanks#post-2275676 Thu, 04 Aug 2022 17:29:22 +0000 CarolS 2275676@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Stag, I assume you have your own doubts about the appropriateness, or you wouldn't be asking the forum to weigh in. I am neither in academia nor academia-adjacent, so you can take or leave my thoughts as you will: <ul> <li>I've been subject to a variety of dress codes throughout my career and they all frown on spaghetti straps, low necklines and visible bra straps.&nbsp;</li> </ul> <ul> <li>I assume you're not necessarily subject to an employee dress code, but if your goal is to fit in with the norms in this particular organization, maybe you could look into whether there is an employee dress code and align your wardrobe choices with that.&nbsp;</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Have you considered or tried wearing the jacket buttoned (this would assume you would treat it as your blouse, and the camisole as underwear just slightly showing underneath....)</li> </ul> Anyway, take it for what it's worth to ya. Happy travels.</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/silk-tanks#post-2275675 Thu, 04 Aug 2022 17:27:53 +0000 Anonymous 2275675@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I like the longer length skirt best. If you need a skirt on a hot day, try the Rip Skirt. I like the 3 length. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/silk-tanks#post-2275672 Thu, 04 Aug 2022 17:09:35 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2275672@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Suz, thanks for chiming in. I’m going someplace where they say “y’all” entirely without irony, so it will be hot, and somewhat conservative. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/silk-tanks#post-2275668 Thu, 04 Aug 2022 16:57:48 +0000 Suz 2275668@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What I always think about tops like this is that they are eminently packable. It takes up no room, so if you think you might find a use for it (if not in the archive, then afterwards) and especially if it might be hot outdoors where you are going, then why not bring it? It looks great on you. Like the others, I wouldn't wear it on its own in a professional setting but layered under a jacket would definitely wear.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/silk-tanks#post-2275663 Thu, 04 Aug 2022 16:24:40 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2275663@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks Zaeobi. I have a small fellowship/grant, so “work” is an accurate descriptor. Those wool &amp; silk tops were too itchy for me, but I like their ribbed cotton &amp; silk tops. I don’t have a problem with the straps, but that’s part of what I’d like to hear others’ thoughts on. It seems to me that the pinks and the straps mix together in a way that makes it not look like I’m showing lingerie. </p> <p>One more topper that I’m thinking of taking along, to also wear with jeans and my funky blue &amp; purple pants. I don’t think it works with the dark skirt and high contrast top. Think everything needs to be dark or all white. Otherwise it’s a hodge-podge. </p> <p>The black mini is clearly not for the archive, but I can see wearing it on other days, and might need a wrap. I think the cardi is ok with the dark linen top, but not with the pink, for the same hodge-podge reason. </p> <p>ETA Sarah, I just saw your comment—that’s two voices saying “lingerie”. “Intimate” and “bare” is def not what I’m going for here—though I don’t mind it for afterwards. (The Dude I’m as excited about as an embroidered swimsuit lives 20 min from the archive). Guess I’ll have to check out the AC the first day. If I know I’d keep the jacket on, then the silk top could be ok on a subsequent day. Otherwise, I could wear it on a non-waterpark date. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/silk-tanks#post-2275662 Thu, 04 Aug 2022 16:24:17 +0000 SarahD8 2275662@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think the look with the jacket is perfectly appropriate, but I wouldn't be comfortable in a professional setting with the jacket off. My personal rule for professional looks (I am not an academic but my professional settings tend to be academia-adjacent, if you will) is no spaghetti straps, just feels too bare and intimate to me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/silk-tanks#post-2275660 Thu, 04 Aug 2022 16:07:57 +0000 Zaeobi 2275660@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Intimissimi have some good deals at times, but you really do have to stalk them for it (they're never dirt cheap, but a respectable amount). </p> <p>I stocked up on their thin silk &amp; wool underlayers one Chinese New Year to create my own fitted but breathable long Johns sets. I also have some </p> <p>As for your outfit, I think it could work but it depends on your workplace (I know technically you might not be in your place of work when doing research, but anywhere around colleagues I'm thinking) - are you ok with them seeing your bra straps (as you mentioned)? </p> <p>If you are, then go for it! But if not, then perhaps the look would work more casually instead? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/silk-tanks#post-2275654 Thu, 04 Aug 2022 15:38:24 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2275654@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I’m thinking of taking this outfit along for one of the days when I’ll be doing research in a history center and would love to get feedback on whether it works for that. It’s a ditzy floral cotton skirt, a pink linen jacket from a “ladies who lunch” suit, a strappy silk cami, and the touches of gold by my shoulders and any visible lace are on a pink bra. I could wear these shoes or the Hees clog sandals. I won’t have a bike; it’s just in the pic because it’s my constant companion. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/silk-tanks#post-2275651 Thu, 04 Aug 2022 15:32:55 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2275651@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Cat2, you got that right! </p> <p>Ms Maven, interesting that you said “confident”. I had assumed that wearing all pastels had the opposite effect, but looking at the picture, I see what you mean. When I paired it with this black ditzy skirt, even with the cardi, I was not thrilled. (My son commented that he hadn’t seen the cardi before, that I could wear it, but not with this). </p>