A few June WIWs, hot and bothered and blah (ETA: more pics) - YouLookFab Forum

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A few June WIWs, hot and bothered and blah (ETA: more pics)

ManidipaM

Veteran

It's admittedly an odd assortment, worn to visit with the in-laws (#1, to be filed under Does NOT Work!), go to work at the office (#2), wear to check out hotels and restaurants for work (the rest).

The weather has been awful --- temperatures generally between 105-110, long hot rides across the city and a daily dust storm blowing in from desertwards. And there have been long days at work, that start at 10am and go on into 3am next day. So there haven't been many WIW posts partly because I had neither time nor energy to take photos some days, and also because I felt fairly uninspired most days...

But you can see I did one *entirely*-out-of-line-with-SYB piece of shopping...

And you are having to use AJ's trick for stitching together top and bottom halves for a lot of these... because the mirrors were too close to the beds.

ETA: A few more outfits, the last the best I've managed for working from home (I thnk I need to coin WFH for my capsules) and felt delightfully comfy, but I expect it won't be a popular length for an A-line...

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34 replies

Latest reply was from Mona

Kristin L

Veteran

I think you look great. I love the red pants!

Anonymous

Wow Manidipa, your wardrobe has come SUCH a long way! I'm not sure why #1 doesn't work, but the rest are fabulous! Have most of these items been purchases since you've joined YLF or were these clothes hiding at your second home? I had forgotten how great your new 'do looked. I love it!

Your trousers and blouse fit you so well in #2 and I love the soft greys/white in your top in 2/3 with your red skinnies. Those just be your new metallic shoes...they look perfect! Another great fitting tunic and trousers in 7/8/9 in chic neutrals, and I love the blouson striped top with the red skinnies as well. The animal print flats are a fun, unexpected element. That carved red bangle is to. die. for!

You are looking so well despite impossible work and weather conditions; I don't know how you do it! You look absolutely fabulous!

PS What's the new item that you broke SYB for ?

Makrame

Veteran

I think these look great! Your weather sounds unbearable but you look cool and composed. I like all of the tops here, especially the tunic with the necklace in #4. Your skinnies and trousers look very good, too.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Just look at you rock those red skinnies! So far from blah. I adore all those outfits, especially #4.

#1 is my best. This is YOUR look. You own it. Perfect

Loving #7 and #8 too.

You look cool, calm and collected for the heat. And so pretty!

*applause*

lyn67

Veteran

It's all so fab, Mani-I don't know how you do it -I could not wear pants in such a heat at all ! nr. 1 is actually my favourite-what didn't work for you???! But love all others, too! Beautifull pairings, such a ladylike in some 7-9, and so trendy in others 3-5 + 10-13!
Congrats on your best SYB work!

ManidipaM

Veteran

Thank you so much, generous ladies, for your compliments and thoughtfulness.

Kristin's quickly put her finger on my break-SYB buy: red skinnies (BOY, am I *ever* late to this party!). But it means my ill-fitting khaki skinnies can go buh-bye at long last!

I'm glad Angie and y'all like them --- because I saw them at M&S, tried them on (perfect fit in size 10) and then said, okay, when budget allows... and then 2 weeks later they were gone! I was heartbroken enough that I knew I wanted them without waiting for a markdown and even if I was overdrawing several months' budget (don't worry, not gone into debt; just means money will be tight this month and I need to cut corners elsewhere). SO... I tracked them down in another store (visited several)... and found I couldn't pull on the 10 at all! Even the 12 in a medium length wouldn't come up all the way, but the 12 Longs did though snug in the thigh. So I decided my thighs deserved some comfort, and went and got 14 medium (not as bad as I'd feared in the waist and hip, but back waist needs a belt if I tuck) --- which also means no hemming if I live with the scrunch. Is it okay to have this much extra length at the ankle?

Claire, the striped and floral tops are post-YLF, as is the mango shirt. The rest I've had for a long while.

Makrame, the black tunic is linen and I've loved it and had it for 3 years... but am only just figuring out how to wear that much unrelieved matte black! It needed that necklace for relief so badly. It finally feels right.

Angie and Claire and Lyn, I feel like #1 might work better with lighter coloured bottoms, and possibly leggings rather than voluminous black salwars as the top is long and a pretty close fit. I felt a bit... uh... bundled? Not the vibe for June in India maybe? The black salwars could possibly use a shorter and possibly looser (maybe fit&flare) top... if I can find such a thing! Also heels might help my feet and ankles to not feel so swamped.

Anonymous

I'm so glad you found the red skinnies that fit then. And I love the scrunch at the ankle, too! I was wondering if the volume of the salwars was the problem, but I didn't know enough about Indian style clothing to put my finger on it. Maybe an A-line swing-style top would work with them, or a fit and flare, as you said.

Anonymous

Oh I didn't see the added pics! I love 17, so Audrey-esque. That looks cool and so lovely on you. The double hem/overlay on the skirt is so chic. I love the striped top; that's a really pretty neckline on you!

christieanne

Veteran

I think you look lovely in all the WIW's! Those new red skinnies will be handy for a long time.
Especially like them with striped tee and animal print flats - so chic.

Was that picture taken in hotel you were scouting? Looks like a glam place.

The simplicity of the linen tunic and necklace with a khaki trouser and metallic flat is very nice way to get through a long day. And your haircut is still working so well for you

ManidipaM

Veteran

A-line's a good idea too! Thanks, Claire!

And the white skirt is actually two gauzy layers, with a different white-on-white self-print. That's what makes it comfy and fun in the heat.

ManidipaM

Veteran

Christieanne, that's a Pullman property in India (French up-scale brand, not especially glam but very very comfy rooms, and despite modern/comfy decor that typically translates into show, not sit furniture, these are some of the most ergonomic I've seen, from desk chair and daybed to the 7-layer bed itself.

Kirti

(website)

Veteran

These are all great outfits! And I love the new red jeans, I am sure they will go with EVERYTHING!

Astrid

Veteran

I like all outfits, but especially #1 and the one with your new red pants! Great buy, I'm sure you will get a lot of use out of them. I'm really a fan of the first outfit, although I can see how the changes you wrote about might look even better. I'm also loving your new haircut, I'm not sure if I've told you already.

ManidipaM

Veteran

Kirti, for once, I'm worried I won't wash them often enough between wears! I'm having trouble thinking of what they WON'T work with --- and to think two years ago I hated to wear red and was convinced I'd never do skinnies again. But with inspirations like you and Aida and Angie and...!

jayne

Veteran

Mandi! my favorite is 17, it looks cool, stylish and fun with the hit of red!

Jonesy

Veteran

I think you look great, especially given the trying weather conditions (dust storms on top of 105-110?! that's just cruel)! Like others, I really like the red skinnies on you, and I am quite taken with the tan trousers and golden structured top (in 14--love the fit of the trousers and the color/fit of the top) and I think 17 looks great too--very summery and chic. I also really like the first look on you, but I can see that you might have felt "overbundled" or something like that--like maybe it's more fall-ish rather than high summer? But overall the silhouette looks so great on you.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Those red skinnies look AWESOME on you Manidipa! You are really working them in all the combinations you've shown. I actually like EVERY SINGLE one of these outfits and am crazy about both your metallic and animal print flats.

Meredith1953

Veteran

I love all the outfits and especially adore #3-4 and #7-8. That necklace in 7-8 is gorgeous!

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

Good to see you post ManidipaM. The next time I feel overwhelmed with heat in the 90s, I will think of you and try not to complain. I can't imagine what that temp feels like.

You look fabulous in red skinnies! I love all of the outfits with those, especially 3-4-5.

I also love your Indian combo in #1, the tunic with pants aesthetic will always look cool to me (as in chic although they might be temperature cool as well).

And because I am on team tonal, I think #15 is very fab!

Jem

Veteran

Hi, I just wanted to sign in and say how fab you look! Your hair is really pretty, too! I love the curls!!! I love all of your outfits, but my two favorites are the ones with your red skinnies! I'm glad you were able to find some!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

As I clicked through I saw so many great things - even though some of the pictures seem to have disappeared. So here is what I especially liked: the orange (?) color top with the beige trousers, the red skinnies with grey top and cool shoes, and also with the striped top and animal print shoes, skirt with red tassle belt outfit, your beautiful smile in #15!

Beth Ann

Veteran

Dear Mandipa:

I think the sun and heat has put you in a fever and you're no longer thinking clearly......because......you look great!

Firstly, I must salute my red jean twin! I was amazed at the range of items I could pair with my straight leg pair.

Secondly, I love the haircut. It is soft and luxurious and frames your face beautifully. I'm sure the heat is making styling a little more of a challenge, but you are managing it really well!

Thirdly, your shoe collection is working so much better for you! The metallic flats are terrific!

Finally, the fit and proportion of your outfits consistently strong, and I know this has been the result of effort on your part. Brava!

Now, here's for a little cool front!

Echo

Veteran

I actually love outfit one, although churidars would work for less volume, or a shorter length on the kameez would help the proportions. I also love the red pants and the outfit in #17 is so flattering. I love the midi skirt length!

rae

(website)

Veteran

You didn't like #1? I love it! And I think I am not alone. I also adore your striped shirt and red pants outfit... is this in the vein of our discussions re: preppy style, by chance? The colors and patterns really look good on you. I also love the light colored top in 15 - you are lucky you can wear those pastels!

Kiwichik

Veteran

You are so hard on yourself. These are all fantastic looks and I'm pretty sure I haven't seen any of these items before. The red skinnies are so versatile, all your shoes are fab as are the tops. That white skirt with the red belt and shoes just looks so fresh and lovely and the crowning glory is your beautiful hair which still looks just as good as when you first got it cut.

YAY for Mandipa!

ManidipaM

Veteran

Astrid, Jem and Beth, thank you for the compliments on my hairstyle. I'm decided I'm no good at styling it (ha! even went and bought a round brush etc), so it's staying wash and wear, which means wild curls half the time and windswept the other. I'm finding I don't mind it as much as I feared I would, though there are days when I do still want it severely constrained.

Denise and Rae, glad you liked #15, that's my limit for pale jeans (I might work my courage up to white in another 5 years, as with the red skinnies!) and that powdery shade of blue and it's equivalent pink are about the only pastels I manage to wear. It's nice to have that option in summer, even in the saturated brights and desert blacks and stark whites of an Indian summer.

Shevia, yikes! Can't tell what's disappeared, but I'd put them back if I could! Glad you liked these, though.

Jonesy, thanks for singling out #14. That was a major trial-and-error outfit --- I'd meant to wear something quite different and it wasn't working, I was running late, so I finally blew through several combinations and arrived at this... and decided this would do. I never feel too confident of my just-pulled-together-by-the-skin-of-my-teeth outfits, but thanks to your kind words, I know I'll wear this one again!

Shannon, the metallic flats are Naturalizers that were KILLING my feet until I remembered your trick of adding heel cushions... and voila, so much easier. They're not 8-hour shoes (too narrow at the ball of the foot, once the feet have stomped around a bit and swollen up), but very comfy for the everyday now. Thanks so much for sharing that trick!

Meredith, the necklace is a great example of what Claire was saying: things hiding in a second closet. I've had both top and necklace for years --- and only now managed to put them together!

I'm heartened to that so many of you (Claire and Jayne and Jonesy and Echo) liked the midi-skirt outfit. Maybe I'll even manage to wear it out of the home someday. And really pleasantly surprised so many of you are digging #1 --- at least I'm reassured I looked better than I felt in it!

Beth Ann, I've missed 'seeing' you of late! Post again, do! I clearly need red jeans inspiration :-p

ManidipaM

Veteran

Kiwichik, thank you! These were the not-unbearably-blah days, though (hot and bothered pretty much a daily feature; we're praying for a little rain.)

I need to force myself to actually photograph and post the rest --- the bad days --- for h-e-l-p! Must get better at getting dressed on days when I can't try too hard

Amy

(website)

Veteran

I would totally wilt in heat like that and am totally impressed at how put together and beautiful you look. Your red skinnies and striped shirt are eye-catching. I like your jewelry too!

Deborah

Veteran

I adore #1 and there is nothing about it that doesn't work. I think this is a fab set of outfits and the red pants are wonderful on you. I really like everything here:)

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