https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-short-soft-sois-it-me-and-if-so-why Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Wed, 10 Jun 2026 12:44:14 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-short-soft-sois-it-me-and-if-so-why/page/3#post-1429945 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 11:30:21 +0000 Staysfit 1429945@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Suz, I just saw this thread and wanted to weigh in. I like the first pic in the original set of pics, but was not convinced it looked consistent with what I know to be your current style. I could however, see you head in that direction. </p> <p>The second pair of skirted leggings, reminds me too much of athletic wear. I may have poison eye for this from way too many early mornings wearing them myself as I headed out the door for my marathon training. Skirt Sports brand were about the only bottoms I wore, and I loved them in all legging lengths, summer and winter. No chafing, they are comfortable for running, they swish around, and even after 26.2 miles you look somewhat put together, etc. They were also great for after the run jaunts to the local diner for big breakfasts with my running friends. However, I somehow still see them as athletic gear, especially when the length of the skirt gets short. I hope you don't take this the wrong way, but the zipper in front reminds me of a reflective safety strip. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-short-soft-sois-it-me-and-if-so-why/page/3#post-1429909 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 07:14:38 +0000 rachylou 1429909@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It's a really interesting question. What do crisp people relax in? What is the relaxed version of crisp?</p> <p>My first thought is sporty luxe. And then also linen, but that's hot weather wear. I think maybe asymmetrical hems might also be a good friend. You can get the sharp point in, even when the fabrication is soft and fuzzy. Janet's new dress I could see part of this capsule. I have a long shirt like it. Overall it's soft and warm, but it's got the pointy collar. I'd maybe add faux leather leggings and abuse the heck out of them </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-short-soft-sois-it-me-and-if-so-why/page/3#post-1429584 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 20:47:05 +0000 Suz 1429584@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you, Angie -- I think you are absolutely right. I am going to get to work on it. I'd already set myself a personal challenge to wear all my trousers in the next couple of weeks and see how that felt. I already ran into problems when two pairs felt too dressy for the situation I was going to be in. I am okay with changing my clothes once during the day, if need be, but there are times when that isn't possible.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-short-soft-sois-it-me-and-if-so-why/page/3#post-1429524 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 19:11:24 +0000 Angie 1429524@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Suz, it's the challenge many face with their style (I talked about that with Ornella last year):<b> achieving their aspirational look does not mesh with their lifestyle or climate. </b>You can only take your style so far when you work from home, like to exercise daily, and have to stay warm.&nbsp;So you compromise - but you make the best of the compromise.&nbsp;</p> <p>I'd say CA has about the best climate for fashion (not too hot, not too cold, and definitely not wet). And dressing up for the office each day allows you to wear a larger variety of outfits.&nbsp;</p> <p>So I'm back to finding solutions - (which you were with the skirted leggings too of course) - you need to find jeans alternatives that are pants, but not dressy pants. And you are not at all limited to Preppy.&nbsp;</p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-short-soft-sois-it-me-and-if-so-why/page/3#post-1429492 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 18:20:43 +0000 catgirl 1429492@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Suz, you are so right about the body type issue relating to comfort, and also about crisp wovens feeling "cooler" and more chilly in winter.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-short-soft-sois-it-me-and-if-so-why/page/3#post-1429480 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 18:01:30 +0000 Suz 1429480@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>tex, I do have a few sort of similar to that -- fluid button downs either in silk or rayon blend. But the colours I choose may mitigate the soft appearance. I often go for blue and white combos, and blue and white reads inherently crisp to me.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-short-soft-sois-it-me-and-if-so-why/page/3#post-1429477 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 17:56:47 +0000 texstyle 1429477@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I only buy supersoft wovens that I don't have to iron and they never look truly crisp but I don't think Suz wears those. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-short-soft-sois-it-me-and-if-so-why/page/2#post-1429475 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 17:54:17 +0000 Suz 1429475@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Una</b> (though Rachy is not an IT) I am going to go out on a limb and say that woven tops&nbsp;are not comfy -at home wear for ITS up top but <b>can</b> be for other body types. Maybe not busty hourglasses or extreme pears (because the bottoms of the shirts bind their hips unless unbuttoned). It's similar to why jeans are super comfy for ITs in most cases and also for slim rectangles...but don't feel like comfy "at home" wear to apples or hourglasses. The clothes are working against your body.&nbsp;</p> <p>In my case, &nbsp;a woven top isn't fighting with my body so I can easily wear it. I want the "comfort" on the bottom because at home, I curl up on the couch, bend and crouch, run out to go skating, etc. Having said that, the "crisp" versions are simply too "cool" to the hand for me to wear them in winter. Flannel shirts have helped here, thanks to Angie's advice.&nbsp;</p> <p><b>Janet,</b> I am glad I'm not alone in this feeling about trousers and jeans rut. Although I wish neither of us were contending with it!&nbsp;</p> <p><b>Thirkellgirl, </b>it's about my personal style -- it's not only about how it looks in terms of figure flattery. It's about how or whether it is expressive of who I am.&nbsp;</p> <p><b>Jennifer,</b> thanks -- yes, the cuts of the skirts are different to a degree, although the blue dress is less A line than it might appear in the pic -- it's a ruched bodycon thing in fact.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-short-soft-sois-it-me-and-if-so-why/page/2#post-1429470 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 17:36:44 +0000 shiny 1429470@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Una, you should try the softened shirts at LOFT. I just bought three of them.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-short-soft-sois-it-me-and-if-so-why/page/2#post-1429458 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 17:17:40 +0000 rachylou 1429458@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have that too, Una... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-short-soft-sois-it-me-and-if-so-why/page/2#post-1429455 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 17:12:34 +0000 catgirl 1429455@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>So I have a weird issue with wovens that perhaps I should share.&nbsp; I don't like wovens with knits, especially knit bottoms with woven tops.&nbsp; When I wear woven tops (which I rarely do) they are structured pants for an overall strict vibe.&nbsp;&nbsp;To me, wearing a crisp shirt with these skirted leggings would feel a bit like I was dressed in two outfits.&nbsp; I may be confusing "woven" with "crisp", though.&nbsp; And I certainly don't associate 'woven" with comfortable at home clothing.</p> <p>Suz, I also want to point out that you have set an EXTREMELY high standard for yourself in how you dress - impeccable, meticulous and polished (but not precious), you are a platinum Fabber as far as that goes.&nbsp; So we all hold you to that.&nbsp; I feel like my style, being more "sloppy" as it's been put, doesn't have the bar set as high.&nbsp; Should there be different standards for different categories within our wardrobe, or among Fabbers for that matter? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-short-soft-sois-it-me-and-if-so-why/page/2#post-1429453 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 17:11:02 +0000 Thirkellgirl 1429453@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't know what I'm missing that's causing all the discussion, but I think you look fantastic in both photos. You look comfortable, modern, well-proportioned, and stylish. I don't know what could possibly be wrong with either outfit. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-short-soft-sois-it-me-and-if-so-why/page/2#post-1429452 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 17:09:59 +0000 rachylou 1429452@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I wonder Suz if maybe leggings and a short straight skirt - mini tube or not - wouldn't be the better way to go. Ie, the original look. You'd have more control. And a mini tube to my mind gives more structure. The other thing is, the leggings are black on black. You're not a PIB, so that may also be a factor. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-short-soft-sois-it-me-and-if-so-why/page/2#post-1429450 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 17:08:12 +0000 Janet 1429450@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>"Angie, I am feeling the jeans rut. That's why I tried to diversify with skirts/ dresses, because that works really well to stave off boredom for me in summer. But woven trousers feel too "precious"...."</p> <p>Yes, Suz! I totally relate to this! Plus skirts and dresses are mostly feeling too precious right now too. So you can see why these appealed to me as well. </p> <p>Summer seems to offer more variety -- more viable skirt silhouettes (because no hosiery required), shorts, clamdiggers, etc. </p> <p>- fellow jeans-rut sister </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-short-soft-sois-it-me-and-if-so-why/page/2#post-1429444 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 17:02:40 +0000 shiny 1429444@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't have time to read all the responses (and I didn't read all the responses in your butt vest thread either) so forgive me if this is repetitive.&nbsp;</p> <p>Skirt #1 is more of an A-line cut, and even if it's same length as the other, appears to be longer/more modest.&nbsp;(the vertical lines of the cardigan + column of black&nbsp;help with that as well).&nbsp;</p> <p>Skirt #2 tapers in -- and therefore&nbsp;it is way more body con. AND short. Also, there's the zipper on #2. I may have poison eye here, but that zipper detail reminds me of a sexy little denim mini I had in college, and wore at all the parties.... because of those factors, I might even say that the skirted leggings are MORE sexy &amp; revealing than plain old leggings! A zipper on a skirt (whether functional or not) implies an invitation to unzip. I know that's why I wore it when I was in my 20s.... just saying.. it makes this version of skirted leggings more "date night" than MOTG, to my eye. You are a sexy woman, Suz (you've got rocking hips and thighs), but I always think of your style as being more modest and less come hither.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-short-soft-sois-it-me-and-if-so-why/page/2#post-1429427 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 16:39:19 +0000 Alassë 1429427@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I prefer #1 to #2 for you as well. #1 reads more sophisticated for the reasons everyone else has mentioned (length, column of colour), while #2 seems too soft. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-short-soft-sois-it-me-and-if-so-why/page/2#post-1429412 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 16:06:50 +0000 Suz 1429412@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Angie, I <b>am</b> feeling the jeans rut. That's why I tried to diversify with skirts/ dresses, because that works really well to stave off boredom for me in summer.&nbsp;But woven trousers feel too "precious" for my at home wear a lot of the time. It's not that they are actually uncomfortable. It's more that I don't feel as free to curl up on the couch, run out for a skate at the square, go out on my long walks (they're not as warm). Stuff like that.&nbsp;</p> <p>So...it's a puzzle. Hmmm.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-short-soft-sois-it-me-and-if-so-why/page/2#post-1429383 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 15:40:54 +0000 Angie 1429383@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>If the under layers in outfit #1 had been <b>woven</b> - you would have felt crisper. Wearing a knit over a knit takes away the sharpness you're after.</p> <p>One solution is to wear pants more frequently.&nbsp;You might be feeling the jeans rut.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-short-soft-sois-it-me-and-if-so-why/page/2#post-1429370 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 15:16:54 +0000 Helena 1429370@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That's the million dollar question, Suz ... I struggle with that too. If the thermometer could be set for 15C and sunny, and the agenda set for errands, lunch out and an afternoon meeting, I'd have no worries stylewise! It's that darn reality that messes everything up ... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-short-soft-sois-it-me-and-if-so-why/page/2#post-1429357 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 14:59:06 +0000 Suz 1429357@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you all so much for your thoughtful comments.&nbsp;</p> <p>I've been mulling some more about it myself. And here's what I think.&nbsp;</p> <p>I think <b>RACHYLOU</b> is right. In the sense that neither of these outfits is especially "me." Or ideally "me." Or something.&nbsp;</p> <p>In the past year, I've been trying really hard to collect wardrobe items that work well for my casual life. Things I would actually wear -- not just things that expressed my style perfectly, but might go sitting unworn in my closet.&nbsp;</p> <p>The problem is, my actual life demands comfort, which includes an element of softness (especially in winter).&nbsp;</p> <p>But my preferred style is, in fact, more "crisp" or structured.&nbsp;</p> <p>This puts me in a bind. The outfits that are most personally expressive are also the outfits that I'm not comfortable wearing for my work-at-home life. <i><b>My "crisper" items -- like button front shirts, jackets, tailored trousers -- go unworn for long stretches of time unless I am travelling to the city or working there.&nbsp;<br /></b></i><br />In summer, I can wear them more often and more easily, because the weather calls for them.&nbsp;</p> <p><b>Outfit 1</b> was <b>more than appropriate to the occasion</b>. I was extremely comfortable in it, both physically and socially. (One of the other presenters was wearing a virtually identical outfit.) The "shortness" of that skirt doesn't bother me in the least, to be honest. In fact, it doesn't even feel "short" to me, worn like this with tights. So I will respectfully agree to disagree with those of you who feel it is still "too short." It would be, in a corporate setting, or if I were a different kind of person -- but for me, worn to this kind of event, it's not.&nbsp;</p> <p>The long, straight, vertical lines of this outfit helps make it feel slightly more "me," perhaps, than Outfit 2. But <b>overall the outfit is too soft for me</b>. And not "dynamic" enough. <b>There is something missing.&nbsp;</b></p> <p><b>Outfit 2, to my mind, HAS at least some of the dynamism that outfit 1 lacks</b>. At the same time, it remains a bit too soft/ slouchy for me. And I wouldn't be comfortable in the butt-vest.&nbsp;</p> <p>So. <b>How to combine dynamism with the softness I require in my winter? That is a new question.&nbsp;</b></p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-short-soft-sois-it-me-and-if-so-why/page/2#post-1429336 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 14:34:23 +0000 Windchime 1429336@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Gaylene's explanation of why the shorter skirt works better for Una than for you makes sense to me. Some of us (myself included) will never be perceived as "fierce", no matter what we wear, much as we admire that vibe in other women. Your first outfit, with its long lines and longer skirt, does indeed seem more "you." I'd be interested to see you wear skirted leggings with a longer skirt. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-short-soft-sois-it-me-and-if-so-why/page/2#post-1429334 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 14:32:15 +0000 Helena 1429334@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi Suz, I haven't weighed in on these yet, although I have been following this and your other thread with interest! This is what fascinates me most about personal style - how is it that two things which look similar on a checklist (soft, shorter, black, etc.) can look so completely different, with one working better than the other?</p> <p>In my opinion, the zip is what makes the skirted legging "not Suz" - first of all, it really draws attention to the skirt, second of all, to me, the zip combined with the skirted legging look amps up the retro 80s factor of the skirted leggings. I would be curious to see you in plainer skirted leggings where they didn't take centre stage so much.</p> <p>Echoing the sentiment that it's certainly not a matter of body flattery - they do look great on you - but the first outfit to me reads more modern classic, which is more Suz-ish (imho!) than cute retro, which is what the second look makes me think of. Not sure if that makes any sense at all ...</p> <p>ETA - Just saw Diana's 'faux skeggings' in her WIW wore post about the holey knits - that look I think could be very Suz-esque ...</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-short-soft-sois-it-me-and-if-so-why/page/2#post-1429331 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 14:27:38 +0000 Janet 1429331@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree with the comments that it's hard to compare the two looks because they have such different vibes and are clearly two different outfits for two different occasions. The first one really does read as a dress to my eye. the second has a strong horizontal break, which draws the eye down to your legs and calls more attention to the skirt length, while the first one has the strong vertical line of the open cardigan. </p> <p>You look fab in both, Suz. This whole skirted leggings thing is REALLY interesting to me because I'm still in a slight state of shock that I heard such positive feedback when I posted the pictures of me trying them. I was not expecting it, even though I was pleasantly surprised that I found myself liking them on me. Honestly, I was mentally preparing myself to read something along the lines of, "Uh, honey, no." But put more nicely, you know. </p> <p>The EF skirted leggings do have a longer skirt than the ones you're trying on. That's obvious just by looking at the photos of 5'7" me wearing them. But the EF ones are thinner too. The legging portion is not much more substantial than tights, and in fact, I think fleece-lined tights would give more warmth. I wonder if skirted leggings may work for you, but not this particular pair. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-short-soft-sois-it-me-and-if-so-why/page/2#post-1429325 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 14:19:03 +0000 texstyle 1429325@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh, you know what else, the skirted leggings also appear to be maybe a bit tighter than I think they are due to the thicker fabric mix or something. So overall it just reads a bit short/tight, where the other outfit does not.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-short-soft-sois-it-me-and-if-so-why/page/2#post-1429323 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 14:17:36 +0000 texstyle 1429323@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The difference is definitely the length -&nbsp;&nbsp; as others said it "reads" mini skirt, while the other one doesn't. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-short-soft-sois-it-me-and-if-so-why/page/2#post-1429300 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 13:25:44 +0000 Deborah 1429300@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree 100% with Angie:). And just to be controversial, I am going ton be totally honest as say that I think a longer length skirt suits you better and is more flattering...like the length of the dress in #1. And pls note it's nothing to do with your legs, which are lovely. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-short-soft-sois-it-me-and-if-so-why/page/2#post-1429274 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 11:33:08 +0000 Summer 1429274@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think the first outfit is very you, and you look lovely in it. &nbsp;As others have pointed out, &nbsp;it's the column of colour and the extra length that make the difference for me. &nbsp;Also, I love the long cardigan and the boots with it. &nbsp;As JackieC says, the second outfit would be fine for your home capsule, but lacks the polish of the first. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-short-soft-sois-it-me-and-if-so-why/page/2#post-1429269 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 11:07:44 +0000 lyn67 1429269@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Nr. 1 is definitely a longer hem, and yess, the long boots help, too:-)). That said, nr 2 is growing on me. The more I see it, the more I like it, esp under a longer coat, for erreands, or so&nbsp;(but NOT for the university &nbsp;presentation you have just had:-)) so comparison is not really fair!!</p> <p>I did pointed out before, IT'S NOT YOU, it WERE&nbsp;the structured&nbsp;shoes (and maybe the too polished upper half clothing, in general). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-short-soft-sois-it-me-and-if-so-why/page/2#post-1429236 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 07:08:37 +0000 rachylou 1429236@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am liking the tall boots one now after seeing the soft polished look. I like you way way better doing UP than the soft feminine professional thing. It makes me feel like I've eaten too much cotton candy.</p> <p>How's that for being difficult? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-short-soft-sois-it-me-and-if-so-why/page/2#post-1429219 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 05:29:53 +0000 Dimity 1429219@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think Angie nailed it. It's to do with structure and polish.&nbsp;</p>