https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-salvaging-a-white-button-down-shell-and-shirt Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Wed, 06 May 2026 21:10:50 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-salvaging-a-white-button-down-shell-and-shirt#post-1373134 Fri, 10 Oct 2014 10:15:43 +0000 Staysfit 1373134@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for reading Rachylou! I'm honored because I've admired your posts for a while now. I keep going back and forth on the tucked vs. untucked look, but I think you are right that tucked is better in terms of lengthening my legs, which are proprtionally short.</p> <p>Una, I may also give up on white button downs. Currently I have two of them! I plan to keep one of them until I find a replacement. My closet is slowly shrinking, which is what I wanted! </p> <p>Everyday I feel like it is easier and easier to put together something great to wear because I have weeded out the items that don't work! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-salvaging-a-white-button-down-shell-and-shirt#post-1373005 Fri, 10 Oct 2014 03:14:06 +0000 catgirl 1373005@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't like white on me either - it feels wrong and I struggle with it. It took a long time for me to give up the idea of a white button down that might suit me. I think this looks fine but you don't look thrilled! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-salvaging-a-white-button-down-shell-and-shirt#post-1372868 Fri, 10 Oct 2014 00:08:22 +0000 rachylou 1372868@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm here on your thread for #1 I feel this is really well done - I personally struggle so much with button downs (let alone white ones), this is something I pay attention to. I like it tucked. I like the necklace. It's neat and tidy and not shrumpifying... I figure it's to do with the match between sweater and boots. The colour of sweater helps to turn down the white... that's my analysis.</p> <p>Ok! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-salvaging-a-white-button-down-shell-and-shirt#post-1371008 Tue, 07 Oct 2014 02:33:01 +0000 Staysfit 1371008@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Neelie I realy like the idea of dyeing the shirt in tea! Ecru works! I bet that would be a fun project for the weekend.</p> <p>Thanks everyone, it seems like the shell over shirt with denim skirt is a winner. I know I have some work to do on the contrast. </p> <p>Suz, thanks for your input. I understand how some darker glasses would be helpful. I may even have some old frames laying around that I can play with to see the effect. I can also try my reading glasses, but these may be too dark. </p> <p>Joy, I forgot to thank you for commenting on the poped collar. I dont wear button downs often, although I am finding that I like them, so deciding what to do with the collar is useful. I grew more accustomed to the sweatshirt look as the day progressed. I thought I liked the untucked version better on the day I wore it, but looking at my pics, I think the tucked looks more flattering. The white near my hips pulls my vision away from my face. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-salvaging-a-white-button-down-shell-and-shirt#post-1370984 Tue, 07 Oct 2014 02:04:04 +0000 Jaime 1370984@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Regarding the white shirt, why force it to work? If you feel white wears you, don't wear it! #4 looks great, the color of the sage green sweatshirt looks terrific for you, the jeans and belt and boots, etc. work well - I say just drop the white shirt. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-salvaging-a-white-button-down-shell-and-shirt#post-1370983 Tue, 07 Oct 2014 02:03:20 +0000 Staysfit 1370983@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Joy, Angie recently suggested that I consider updating my glasses. I put this on my to do list. I want my DD to go with me, or one of my friends. I Love the idea of green glasses. I have had them before and loved them. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-salvaging-a-white-button-down-shell-and-shirt#post-1370976 Tue, 07 Oct 2014 01:56:18 +0000 Suz 1370976@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I really love your shell over shirt outfit in #4. You look terrific in this silhouette with the booties and pencil skirt.&nbsp;</p> <p>I also agree wholeheartedly with Joy. Specs that have frames will allow you to wear a lot higher contrast (if you wish). This is my personal solution. Because I am fair with light hair, too much contrast or too bright (including bright white) can read as harsh on me and too much -- but pair that white with one of my best colours (like berry or teal or one of my blues) and suddenly it's fine! I really like the crispness of white against one of my better colours. Meanwhile, wearing my specs with darker frames allows me to "bookend" darker tones like black or ink much more successfully.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-salvaging-a-white-button-down-shell-and-shirt#post-1370969 Tue, 07 Oct 2014 01:45:11 +0000 Neelie 1370969@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You can dye the white shirt in tea - it will be ecru - maybe a better colour for you? &nbsp;I don't mind the white on you but if you don't like it don't wear it! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-salvaging-a-white-button-down-shell-and-shirt#post-1370965 Tue, 07 Oct 2014 01:38:54 +0000 Staysfit 1370965@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Donna, I do look worn out don't I? I'm not sure that's about what I'm wearing, as much as my concern over my DS who went to the emergency room today after having migraine symptoms for the past 7 days. He just didn't get better with the usual treatments. Sadly, he gets the severe long lasting migraine tendency from me. He feels better now but we have been pretty stressed in the Staysfit household, especially yesterday and today (WIW the denim skirt ensemble).</p> <p>Thanks Runcarla, I love your suggestions! I have a pair of cream trousers that I can pair this with and a pair of cords as well.</p> <p>Christy, I agree, the sweatshirt is the wrong choice for this white shirt. I gave all but two of my V-neck sweaters to my DD. One is a rich medium green, and one is grey. I kept the grey because I have a scarf I like to wear along with it. It's not my best color. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-salvaging-a-white-button-down-shell-and-shirt#post-1370958 Tue, 07 Oct 2014 01:29:47 +0000 Anonymous 1370958@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Staysfit, I really like the shape of the popped collar and silhouette of #1 on you. As one who easily gets washed out with my grey hair, I suspect that eyeglasses with frames would help you to wear more things that now wash you out. Your face may benefit from some color or contrast that it can't get from clothes or even makeup. I don't mean that you need red or big black frames, but maybe green like Angie's. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-salvaging-a-white-button-down-shell-and-shirt#post-1370941 Tue, 07 Oct 2014 01:11:01 +0000 christy 1370941@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I really like the outfit in #4! I think it works really well and I love that necklace. As to the white button down, I feel like it's the sweatshirt that isn't playing very nice with the shirt. Before you purge (and if you like the shirt!) I'd suggest trying some different pieces to layer over the shirt. How about a v-neck sweater in a color you love? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-salvaging-a-white-button-down-shell-and-shirt#post-1370937 Tue, 07 Oct 2014 01:02:59 +0000 DonnaF 1370937@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Your face says it all in these pics.&nbsp; :(&nbsp; It doesn't really matter what<b> I</b> <b></b>say or think about these outfits; they do not make you happy and you do not feel fab.&nbsp; Life is too short, and I know you have alternatives.&nbsp; Pass on what doesn't make you feel fab, and have FUN!!!&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-salvaging-a-white-button-down-shell-and-shirt#post-1370932 Tue, 07 Oct 2014 00:57:56 +0000 Carla 1370932@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Love, love, love! #4. This is just such a great look on you. The top is the best, You could try it with white or cream trousers as a trial of more white in your wardrobe, but not next to your face.</p> <p>FWIW, I think you can wear white, but if you don't love it move on. There is lots of other great stuff. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-salvaging-a-white-button-down-shell-and-shirt#post-1370927 Tue, 07 Oct 2014 00:41:12 +0000 Staysfit 1370927@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Over the weekend I thought I would try wearing a white button down shirt because I have one. &nbsp;I know that white is not my color, and it's funny that today on the YLF forum&nbsp;there were posts about "White being the new black". &nbsp;&nbsp;Every time I try on white I don't like it and this is still the case.&nbsp; It seems so stark and steals the show. &nbsp;I feel like I&nbsp;disappear when wearing white! &nbsp;Maybe&nbsp;that's one reason&nbsp;why I'm a shrink - it's the only field of medicine where I&nbsp;didn't have to wear a white lab coat during my training !&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>I immediately&nbsp;decided to cover the white button down&nbsp;with a green sweatshirt. &nbsp;The sweatshirt was not boxy enough and the button down seams/placket were binding a bit&nbsp;underneath, but much of the white was covered. &nbsp;&nbsp;IMO the&nbsp;white&nbsp;collar and tails of the shirt were still glaring and&nbsp;stark. &nbsp;I played around with the collar trying to find ways to make it look better but couldn't. &nbsp;I added some Ivory pearls because that is a better color for me. &nbsp;I am not sure it helped much. &nbsp;&nbsp;I tucked in the shirt to hide the tails. &nbsp;I played around with my makeup. &nbsp;The white still felt overwhelming. &nbsp;I wore my new waterproof Bos &amp; Co.&nbsp;hiking boots because it was raining. &nbsp;They felt great and were the only part of the ensemble I liked. &nbsp;As the day went on, The shirt came untucked, and I decided it looked better despite it's starkness.&nbsp; I snapped another photo, but I am wearing my slippers.. &nbsp;Any thoughts on what I can do with my white button down would be appreciated.&nbsp; I should have &nbsp;photographed it alone, but I didn't. Sorry. &nbsp;It fits me well, please trust me on that one.&nbsp;I don't think I managed to salvage this one? &nbsp;Maybe it should be purged? &nbsp;</p> <p>After Angie posted about shells over button down shirts I had a happy fashion flashback moment and wanted to revisit this look. &nbsp;I hunted through my closet and couldn't find a single shell. &nbsp;Then this weekend, I realized that I had one stored with my winter sweaters. &nbsp;It isn't very boxy or fluid, and the color is one that I have repeatedly been told washes me out, but regardless, I figured I could try to make it work. &nbsp;First I tried a white cotton button down but it was too much bulk. &nbsp;Then I found a coordinating equipment silk tuxedo shirt that worked! &nbsp;I was stoked! &nbsp;To deal with the color issue I added a richly colored necklace and I tweaked my makeup a bit. &nbsp;I paired my top half with a denim pencil skirt and my light camel Anyi Lu booties from last year. &nbsp; I added one additional long gold necklace to deal with the color issue, because I saw in my post on contrast that adding some gold to what I am wearing helps. &nbsp;I'm not sure it did here. &nbsp;It may just be TMGO.</p> <p>Thanks for looking!</p> <p>1. &nbsp;White button down, green sweatshirt, faux pearls, J Crew Match Stick Jeans, Bos. Co. Hiking Boots.<br />2. &nbsp;Close up of enhanced makeup - gold eyeshadow, teal eyeliner, light foundation, bronzer and blush, lip liner and lip gloss, eyebrow pencil<br />3. Same ensemble as pic one but shirt untucked, and with my slippers.<br />4. J Crew Collection Cashmere and leather shell, Equipment silk tuxedo blouse, J Crew Denim Skirt, Anyi Lu boots, necklaces and bangles<br />5. &nbsp;Close up so necklace colors and make- up&nbsp;can be seen better. &nbsp;Make up is the same as yesterday only eyeliner is a warm&nbsp;navy instead of teal.</p>