https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/struggling-with-spring-and-summer-toppers Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Fri, 10 Apr 2026 13:35:30 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/struggling-with-spring-and-summer-toppers#post-1430175 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 18:03:22 +0000 annabelle 1430175@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I came across this thread while mustering the courage to buy my first kimono jacket, to give my spring wardrobe a new topper shape. I love your kimono, Kiwigal, BTW! </p> <p>As a fellow work from home with a mild (and sometimes dreary) spring, I support the YLF'rs idea of denim jacket or denim vest that has come on my radar through the Blog. My other existing toppers are a couple cotton knit, solid color open "cardigans," but I put it in quotes because these are not at all like sweaters. They are like a thicker t-shirt. One from Splendid in cream and another from Michael Stars in black. My other spring topper is a lightweight Vince big loose cashmere pullover with a little v neck, that works great over patterned tops. One of my stylists found me a knit (like the weight of a sweatshirt) Helmut Lang jacket cut like a moto, in a dusty bone color. I had no idea how versatile it would be. I have one sheer lacy top from Lucky Brand that I like to wear over a patterned Joie silk tank. And finally, sometimes I wear my distressed denim shirt as a topper, over a graphic t or a white t. </p> <p>I notice from your photos that your wardrobe strikes me as eclectic. I encourage you to do what you said, and take more WIWs. You will find the looks that strike your fancy the best and be able to build even more around your loves.</p> <p>Enjoy the spring light layering season! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/struggling-with-spring-and-summer-toppers#post-1374638 Mon, 13 Oct 2014 00:29:12 +0000 Sal 1374638@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sorry she does not, she is on a small scale! &nbsp;I am hoping to visit soon so I will take a few pics and post them for you. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/struggling-with-spring-and-summer-toppers#post-1374633 Mon, 13 Oct 2014 00:21:14 +0000 Deborah 1374633@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Does your fashion designer friend has an online presence?&nbsp; I would love to take a look at her goodies:) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/struggling-with-spring-and-summer-toppers#post-1374608 Sun, 12 Oct 2014 23:43:42 +0000 Sal 1374608@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am wearing it today.&nbsp;My new challenge is to do some WIW more regularly because I have found that I am better at analysing other people's style than I am of my own.</p> <p><b>NZ Nicola</b> - thanks for the recommendation, that looks great too. &nbsp;Just Jeans is so hit and miss, but I have had the odd gem from there.<br /><b>Suz </b>- thanks for your wise words, they were most appreciated.<br /><b>Deborah</b> - thanks, yes a black and white patterned top could work for me if the proportion of the pattern is right. &nbsp;It would need to go with a black pencil skirt and black and white windowpane trousers - and jeans! &nbsp;I have a friend who is a fashion designer and she made the kimono and the first two tops. &nbsp;She makes lots of colourful drapey pieces that I love, but need to find pieces to wear with them and link them together. &nbsp;This is where YLF has been helpful to me to buy some plain but quality basics to allow me to wear the dramatic pieces!<br /><b>Thimbelina -</b> your climate does sound similar,. &nbsp;While I do not live on the coast if I drive west it is 40 minutes to the west coast and east is 1 hr 15 minutes.&nbsp;<br /><b>Uggbootcousin </b>- yes I am lucky and thanks for the boost!<br /><b>Rabbit</b> - thanks also for your input, very useful<br /><b>Carter </b>- I like waterfall cardigans too - I have one but possum and merino mix and it is lovely to cosy up in. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/struggling-with-spring-and-summer-toppers#post-1374525 Sun, 12 Oct 2014 22:01:48 +0000 Nicola 1374525@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Found it! Just jeans tuxedo cardigan.<br /> <a href="http://www.justjeans.com.au/shop/en/justjeans/tuxedo-cardigan" rel="nofollow">http://www.justjeans.com.au/sh.....o-cardigan</a></p> <p>It's hard to see in the picture but it has a nice combination of structure and coziness. I've just brought mine out of hibernation for spring. </p> <p>I love that denim jacket too. Looks like it will work well. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/struggling-with-spring-and-summer-toppers#post-1374290 Sun, 12 Oct 2014 15:02:48 +0000 Suz 1374290@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That white denim jacket looks really interesting. Nice choice!&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/struggling-with-spring-and-summer-toppers#post-1374199 Sun, 12 Oct 2014 12:45:22 +0000 thimblelina 1374199@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Northern California is very similar climate wise. Here we also need year round layers for cool mornings &amp; evenings. White denim is a perfect solution! good choice. Have you considered one of the generously cut circle cardigans that are all around in a summer weight yarn too? (I have just one fitted, traditional cardigan at the moment &amp; thought I could probably just sort of stack it unbuttoned over my recently purchased flowy tops but that's actually trickier than I imagined given the discrepancy between the armholes,,etc. I really think I need to consider a topper or two with similar loose proportions.) Anyway, I always think those kind of loose knits in very neutral grays or oatmeals have a nice beachy vibe. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/struggling-with-spring-and-summer-toppers#post-1374179 Sun, 12 Oct 2014 10:34:14 +0000 Deborah 1374179@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I was going to suggest a denim jacket, particularly as topper for the maxi dress(es) and that white one is very cool. &nbsp;It looks like it could work over most of your tops? &nbsp; &nbsp;The Kimono jacket is so fab! &nbsp;I desperately want one just like that:) &nbsp;Have you considered pattern mixing with a black and white top in a micro pattern? &nbsp;Looking forward to seeing some outfits and then maybe it will be easy to see if you need any further toppers. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/struggling-with-spring-and-summer-toppers#post-1374169 Sun, 12 Oct 2014 09:45:55 +0000 Uggbootdiva 1374169@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You did so well! The white jacket is perfect, and the red jacket is such a lucky gift. Wish they were my cousin! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/struggling-with-spring-and-summer-toppers#post-1374168 Sun, 12 Oct 2014 09:41:22 +0000 Nicola 1374168@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm not sure if this is your kind of thing or not... But Just jeans often do a cotton cardigan that looks drapey on the hanger but looks structured, almost like a jacket when on and done up.. I've had a look on the website and couldn't see them, but I'm pretty sure they're in store. We call them the 'family cardigan' because so many of the girls in my family HAD to have at least one! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/struggling-with-spring-and-summer-toppers#post-1373987 Sat, 11 Oct 2014 20:22:42 +0000 Sal 1373987@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I went shopping for a new topper and ended up with this white denim jacket. It is refined which will work well to cross over into casual work situations.</p> <p>The retailer had a deal on so I ended up with a new maxi dress too which I did also like. Being tall but curvy maxis suit me. I am someone who suits dresses more than seperates. They both look great together.</p> <p>I also inherited this red leather jacket from my cousin. I may be able to wear it now for the next month but next autumn it will be more useful. I see it as a classic shape but am not 100 percent sure I will keep it.</p> <p>Next step is to photograph me in the new pieces mixed with existing!</p> <p>Thanks for the help. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/struggling-with-spring-and-summer-toppers#post-1372415 Thu, 09 Oct 2014 04:56:43 +0000 rabbit 1372415@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I was also thinking white or if you can't find a denim or linen-ish jacket that works, some form of cardigan in white or near white&nbsp;-- I'd try on a variety of different styles, both over the maxi and with jeans and see if you can find a cut that works with both. &nbsp;You've got some lovely colors and patterns, so a simple cut in a pale neutral would look great with them I think. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/struggling-with-spring-and-summer-toppers#post-1372389 Thu, 09 Oct 2014 03:21:52 +0000 Sal 1372389@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love Deborah's jacket but I think it would not quite work with my style for spring/summer. &nbsp;I was thinking of either a white moto or denim jacket but I think denim would be better, and for our climate it is a true three season piece. &nbsp;And it will work with my black pieces and monochrome (I have ahem three black and white dresses, and one paid of black and white pants!) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/struggling-with-spring-and-summer-toppers#post-1372386 Thu, 09 Oct 2014 03:14:55 +0000 Suz 1372386@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes, and the great thing about white denim is that if it gets dirty you just throw in the laundry. It has the advantage of "dressing down" a silky top (good for casual life) while also subtly "dressing up" a simple tee and bottom or a breezy maxi.&nbsp;</p> <p>Another option would be a linen jacket in a slightly less structured style than your pink jacket, with a lower stance. Sort of like the Olivia Moon ones that Ms. Mary got from Nordstrom this summer.&nbsp;</p> <p>Or, if you like drapey, maybe a jacket like Deborah got from Metalicus -- with draping in the back but a more structured front?&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/struggling-with-spring-and-summer-toppers#post-1372378 Thu, 09 Oct 2014 03:06:18 +0000 Sal 1372378@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes a white denim jacket could work well....I don't have a blue one but am not sure how much I would wear it...I think if adding one this summer a white one would be the way to go as it would work with all my tops bar the cream one (not photographed but while oversized it is more structural).</p> <p>I was then thinking of adding a mid blue tee and&nbsp;some non-denim trousers that are not black.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/struggling-with-spring-and-summer-toppers#post-1372372 Thu, 09 Oct 2014 02:58:40 +0000 Suz 1372372@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Carter's thought was mine, also! A denim jacket in white and/ or blue. Preferably slightly cropped to wear with your maxi and midi skirts. I got my white one in the kids' department and it was very inexpensive -- and a summer workhorse, particularly for the temperature range you describe. (Our actual summers are typically hotter but we do have some transitional weeks with weather similar to that.)&nbsp;</p> <p>The patterns and colours in your tops make me smile -- so pretty! And the kimono is gorgeous!&nbsp;</p> <p>This past summer, I found myself also wearing fluid linen pullovers as "toppers." This surprised me by working quite often. Mind you, my bottom part was usually on the narrow side (slim shorts or a midi tube skirt) so a fluid or oversize sweater would work easily. But I even wore them with BF jeans.&nbsp;</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/struggling-with-spring-and-summer-toppers#post-1372359 Thu, 09 Oct 2014 02:39:58 +0000 carter 1372359@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Do you have a denim jacket...either blue or white? I also have a couple super sheer waterfall sweaters (not much love here for those either) that work for me over fluid tops. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/struggling-with-spring-and-summer-toppers#post-1372302 Thu, 09 Oct 2014 01:12:35 +0000 Sal 1372302@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>We have a very changeable temperate climate. Summer tends to be between 20 and 25 degrees C during the day but can be windy, rainy or still. It cools down at nights a lot.</p> <p>With draped and oversize tops the topper has become a challenge for me. I used to wear cardigans over a dress or tee at night but I have purged them all as they were no longer working and also worn out. I do have a couple of casual sweaters but they work with a tank, not a loose tee or maxi or midi dress. However a regular scenario for me is heading out during the day to watch sports or to a BBQ or outdoor cafe when I may need a topper or may not.</p> <p>I have attached some pics of some pieces I will wear this summer.</p> <p>1. Cropped sheer spotty tee. Will wear with jeans.....aside from the pink blazer I have no other topper that works.<br /> 2. Longer pink silky tee....wear with jeans again. Pink jacket okay with it but proportions not ideal. No other topper.<br /> 3. Black tee, this is a workhorse that works with the kimono, jeans, a black skirt, patterned trousers. I will also buy something similar but different in white or denim or grey.<br /> 4. New maxi, recently purchased from consignment shop. I have no topper at all. Now I know maxis are not loved on this forum but I do like them, they really suit me.<br /> 5. Kimono jacket, wear this with a black tee and jeans. Love it but not versatile with patterned tops.<br /> 6. Pink blazer, love it again, but want something more casual.</p> <p>I have several other tops along the lines of 1-3 (cream plain, white patterned, black textured, grey with writing, striped etc). All are fluid. But I have a gaping hole for a topper or two to wear.</p> <p>I am not a pure minimalist but I lean towards less rather than more. I only want to add three more items to the wardrobe ideally, maybe four. One or two toppers one tee and one new pair of pants.</p> <p>What additions would you suggest that would work for me and my lifestyle? I work from home and do not need any more in my smart work wardrobe for summer.</p> <p>ETA: sorry this is long and thanks in advance. </p>