A miss. Help me analyze.

anne

This doesn't look quite as bad at work as it did at home (I ran out of time to change!) but still isn't great.

I was inspired to try wearing my shirt with the skirt by this post of Imogen's http://www.insideoutstyleblog......shirt.html.

The shirt has really not been a very good addition to my wardrobe.

Of course I realise you can hardly see it since I covered it up with the cardi..

Generally, any comments or criticism welcome.

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10 years ago

Dressing

26 replies

Latest reply was from rachylou

Staysfit

Veteran

Anne, you're right, I cannot see the shirt, but the skirt is great, and I like it with the pink cardigan. Maybe the issue was too much white next to your face? I think you look great in that shade of pink.

10 years ago

Deborah

Veteran

Ok this may or may not be work appropriate?!?

How about wearing the white shirt untucked and the cardigan done up but with the final few buttons open at the bottom, creating a little 'v'. Idea being the shirt tails are visible and you have the solid white mid way down your body and then again at the collar. I could be completely wrong but I think this could be a more cohesive look.

10 years ago

carter

Veteran

Love the skirt! Love the cardi too. If the shirt's a miss, I can't tell.

10 years ago

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

Actually I disagree. I really like the double buttoning up. I think it looks modern. I've been considering those crew neck cardigans for myself.
You probably need a different bottom, full midi skirt or culottes.

10 years ago

anne

Veteran

Ok, so here is me trying out Deborahs suggestion (pic 1)
And the shirt by iteself untucked (pic 2) and tucked (pic 3)
And while I was there, 2 more versions of the cardi, unbuttoned (pic 4) and buttoned but not tucked.(pic 5)

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10 years ago

anne

Veteran

Thanks Carter and Anna. I agree about the necklines and buttons Anna. (and really appreciate your opinion)

I think part of the reason I find this shirt so difficult is that is is a fitted design - ie princess seams - without being fitted on my body. Also the tucks at the top are very hard to iron.

I think I was way too influenced by this being made by Cue, one of my favourite brands, when I bought it.

10 years ago

carter

Veteran

I think Deborah's suggestion (#1) works great. I was having a hard time picturing it before. I hope no one walked in you in the ladies' room!

10 years ago

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

Ok, I think the puff shoulders on the shirt are messing with the shape of the cardigan.
here's some ideas

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/71142869086055668/

Maybe scrunch the sleeves

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/496803402614332989/

Add a necklace

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/196610339953814000/

ETA I think you're on the right track re the princess seaming. You seem to have a great fear of looking bigger and go for very fitted looks, but then you also fret about your body. I think a straighter cut shirt would look more modern. You could probably find one second hand.

10 years ago

Maneera

(website)

Veteran

Well, Deb is a genius. I like the #1 and #2 look very much. I think the problem with the shirt starts when you tuck it. It looks much better untucked. In 1, the cardi offers structure. But I would like to see a skinny belt worn over the shirt in 2.

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10 years ago

anne

Veteran

Yes, that is exactly right - the puff sleeves are interfering! I like your ideas Anna, especially the 1st and 3rd (I like the look of scrunching, but not the feel, sadly).

I think this shirt should to go. As you said, it won't be that hard to find another, better one.

I do wear loose looks quite a bit (especially casually, and in summer), but yes I have angst about the fitted looks, which may be reflected in what I write to YLF about.

10 years ago

shannon

Active Member

Can you leave the blouse unbuttoned a bit but keep the cardi on? With the cardi buttoned all the way up and the blouse buttoned all the way up, it's reading a little.. well, buttoned up. I have a crew neck cardi/pencil skirt comb that I wear in the winter, but I wear the cardi backwards (with the buttons down the back).

10 years ago

Anonymous

Agreeing completely with Anna's analysis. The shirt is not great alone, the puffed shoulders are difficult to cover with a cardigan, and alone or covered it's too much mass on the top. It doesn't look bad on you, but you'd need a different wardrobe to balance it and create a flattering outfit.

10 years ago

anne

Veteran

Shannon - that is an interesting idea - putting the cardigan back to front. It is a bit of a look at the moment, isn't it. Reminds me too of Michelle Magorians children's book back home, about an english girl evacuated to the US for World War II, and her return to England - because she was wearing her cardigan back to front as per US fashion!

I think I disagree about the button up look though. I actually think that buttoning this shirt right up is about the only current thing about it!!

I have worn it unbuttoned in the past though. (see photo - note this is old and I was a lot slimmer then)

Isobel - yes you are right. And this shirt is going. I have had it for over 2 years and if I can't make it work in that time, then I'm calling time on it!

Also, I have another (new to me) shirt to show you in a few days...

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10 years ago

anne

Veteran

Maneera, thanks for the suggestion. I'm afraid skinny belts look terrible on me though, possibly because I have such a long waist. About 2 inches is better. Unfortunately I am sized out of my belt at the moment

10 years ago

lyn67

Veteran

I actually liked it better like your original styling, but I can see now, feeling the puff sleeves under that cardi can be odd...:-(.
But wow, so fab unbutoned and statement necklace:-)).

10 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

Everything Anna has said. Your original styling is the best, and the no puff second shirt is quite smart looking. The puff sleeve top I feel needs the balance of a fuller skirt - but I fear it may still be too overwhelming...

10 years ago

anne

Veteran

Yes I reckon it is too overwhelming Rachy. I have quite square shoulders as it is.

Which shirt did you mean by
"no puff second shirt is quite smart looking"?

10 years ago

Astrid

Veteran

I also agree with Anna. Leaving the puff sleeve issue aside I like your original styling best.

10 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

Oh wait! I thought the shirt in the pic three above my previous post was a different shirt! The one where you wear the shirt unbuttoned. Haha! Interesting! I think the way your arms are raised... The sleeves look very different... Maybe also the very strong necklace changes the equation, because that's the focal point.

Also, totally OT, shoes with a higher cross band - they might be a nice addition to your shoe wardrobe, if you could find a comfy pair. Or do you already own such?

10 years ago

Style Fan

Veteran

Just lost my reply.

Short version. Love Anna's links. I think your outfit looks great as is but there is lots you can do from these ideas or Deborah's.

I am a fan of buttoned up cardigans. Very versatile.

10 years ago

anne

Veteran

Thanks Style Fan - don't you hate it when you lose your reply (happens to me a lot)
Rachy, thanks for getting back to me and clarifying. Re shoes do you mean with ankle straps? I'm not sure if they'd help enough with keeping my shoes on, but admit I haven't actually tried them. I'm also a bit worried about their stumpifying tendencies.

10 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

No not ankle straps... Just higher up from the toes... I'm not so sure how good ankle straps would work either... They kinda act more like mitten strings...

10 years ago

anne

Veteran

I think maybe if I do get a shirt replacement that I'd go for a blouse like this. Pic 1 Not this exact one though as I find the neckline a bit bare for my small chest.

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10 years ago

janni

Active Member

Just a couple of thoughts. The unbuttoned look that you posted, looked best to my eye. Would love to see that with the cardi. I'm a huge fan of a shorter skirt length, and kind of wish that your skirt were a couple of inches shorter. lol

Liked the untucked/cardi looked good, too.

I really liked the untucked look with the cardio.

10 years ago

anne

Veteran

Hi Janni,

I do actually usually wear my skirts shorter, and am aware that that is a more conventionally flattering look. But I am trying out the midi look this season and hoping that I can get it to be JFE. It would help if I could wear sky high heels as well, but I can't.

10 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

That wrap blouse is gorgeous on you - esp. the tucked version...

10 years ago

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