Actual summer: WIW and what I bought - YouLookFab Forum

Category

What I Wore

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Actual summer: WIW and what I bought

Greyscale

Veteran

We had real summer weather last week, and the threads about summer dressing inspired me to wear shorts. To be fair, even our "summer" weather is quite mild, so the shorts outfit needed a light sweater for part of the day.

Photos 1+2: What I wore. Gap boyfriend shorts, Everlane silk, Madewell sweater, Rag & Bone loafers.

I've bought a few things recently and as usual I can't decide which are winners and which should go back. Here are a few:

3+4: Everlane cotton tee dress. I think I love it. Will bring it on my trip this week as a casual but sharp outfit.

5+6: Proenza Schouler cotton shirt on deep discount from the Rack. I love sleeveless button downs, so I think this is a keeper, but I wonder if I should go down one size? It's still expensive so I want it to be great.

7: My new high waist skinny jeans (also in 5+6). They'll stretch out (so far they squish my tummy too much). I'm having trouble with my body image in these - I went up two jeans sizes and I feel weird. But the high waist is needed for cropped tops and these are better than the zillion others I tried. The brand is Neuw.

8+9: Dolman sleeve jacket from Aritzia. I really wanted this to work because I have nothing I can wear over bulky tops, and it's been a huge wardrobe hole. I might keep it just because of that, but I don't love it. What do you think?

This post has 9 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

23 replies

Latest reply was from UmmLila (Lisa)

jackiec

Veteran

Yay for summer weather! Love your looks. That dress is outstanding - no wonder you love it. I like the sleeveless top and the jeans too - i don't think I'd size down on the top, but I'll defer to the experts. My first impression of the jacket was that it seemed a bit big and boxy. Then I read that you didn't necessarily love it. Hmm. First thought is return, but I can see the need to wear it over bulkier tops. But if you don't love it then that should be the answer. Up to you. Not bad.

Anonymous

Great outfits! The shorts outfit shows nice layering with the sweater and shirt. The tee dress is fab! I love that side view picture of it showing the angled hemline. Also, your new sleeveless shirt and jeans look great to me. Nice fit on both items.

Like you, I'm a little on the fence about the jacket. as Jackie said it does seem a bit boxy.

Anonymous

Hi grayscale. What is the issue with the high rise skinnies? I think they look the way they're supposed to. Maybe you're just not used to the silhouette?

I do love the sleeveless shirt and the dress . I don't think you need to size down but it's hard for me to gauge that.

MuseumGal

Veteran

My goodness, I had no idea you had such FABULOUS hair! I can't get past it to look at your outfit!

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

I really like the layering in the first outfit and the general urban minimalism of your whole look. The jacket doesn't quite do it for me. I know it needs to be oversized to fit over bulkier tops, but something about the combination of the length and boxiness is just too much.

shedev

Veteran

I like the top, pants and dress, but I'd pass on the jacket.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Great picks. The jacket I feel like is in this weird in-between, loose but not so baggy it looks intentional, just too big. I'd pass if you are unsure.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

You DO have gorgeous hair. Have you always been a redhead?

I LOVE the sleeveless shirt in #5. Killer on you. Dress is amazing too. Hard to comment on the jeans without a front view. And you might like to layer the jacket over those bulkier items to assess its fabness.

Greyscale

Veteran

Thanks, Angie and MuseumGal! It's been red since I was born. I got this copper color, my brother has a more sun-faded red, and my youngest brother was blond blond blond until he got older and the red beard and highlights came in - now people think he's a redhead too. I put it up / pulled back most days but I'm trying to be better about leaving it down more often.

Smittie - you're right, the jeans look exactly like they're meant to. My writing wasn't clear - I gained two full pants sizes this year, it's not just that I had to size up for these jeans. I'm just not used to the fact that I have hips now, so seeing myself in form-fitting clothes is disconcerting. It's like it's someone else's body, but there's nothing wrong with it, if that makes sense?

The jacket is going back. I discovered that I can return it to the store (for credit rather than a full refund, as it was on sale).

unfrumped

Veteran

Not sure I'm getting to everything but, dress is fab, great color and hem; sleeveless shirt looks good to me, but I realize sometimes if you move around or have different views maybe fit looks different; jacket is not fab enough for you, but I so hear you on the problem of toppers for bulky sweaters. A BIG problem with more trendy tops. In fall and winter I just wore trench or coat, never really found a roomy jacket or special coat. Maybe look for something more cocoon-ish, roomy enough but sleeker, not so boxy. Or flared.

Greyscale

Veteran

So I've been wearing the jeans for a few minutes to see if they're comfortable enough, and I really wonder if I should go up a size. These are the softest and stretchiest I've found, but I hate things squishing my tummy. Maybe high waist jeans are just not for me. But I love the look.

Brooklyn

Veteran

Slightly overwhelmed by your fabulousness here! I really like the tee dress, top and jeans. The top size looks right to me. I agree about passing on the jacket. I haven't tried high waisted jeans (yet) but maybe the feeling of fabric against your stomach is something you get used to?

Thin White Duchess

Way to do summer and stick with your look! Love the side view of the PS sleeveless top-- that overlapping panel thing is great. I think the size is just right.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

The only thing I don't like is the jacket you are returning. It is worth trying the jeans in a size up to see if you prefer them - they look terrific here, but if they are uncomfortable what good are they?

Maneera

(website)

Veteran

Good you decided to send the jacket back. I love love love that dress!

As for jeans, try sizing up. With high waist jeans, it helps to wear a forgiving fit because the jeans close so high up. Slight weight fluctuations can make a snug high waist uncomfortable, at least until it stretches out. Same happens after every wash when the jeans feel snug. I have done the same thing in the past - bought a size smaller that was pressing my tummy uncomfortably and then never worn the jeans at all. After all, you have to wear it for sometime to stretch it! And I didn't want to be uncomfortable for that 'sometime'. Worth trying a bigger size

Joy

Veteran

I agree with Shevia. The jacket looks like the sleeves start too low or something. There is a better one out there for you. My favorite piece is the PS sleeveless shirt.

Greyscale

Veteran

Ok! The jacket has been returned, the jeans have been exchanged for one size larger, and the PS shirt is hanging in my closet though I haven't quite cut the tags yet.

The jeans size thing - this particular style apparently stretches a LOT, as all the salesgirls told me. I got a friendly lecture when I exchanged them, a reminder that I can't come back and complain in two weeks if the bigger ones stretch too much. They're right, and the bigger size does have some extra fabric on my butt and thighs, but I'd rather be comfortable and if they end up really too big I will just sell them at a loss.

Incidentally, today I finally received the Eileen Fisher sandals I posted about a few weeks ago and they were far too tight on my ankles and instep. So if any of you ladies have slender ankles and low-volume feet, this style might work well for you.

Zone Leather Multi-Strap Sandal, Black

View Info

Top Pick

2

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I hereby crown you Queen Redhead. Nice that you're leaving your hair down more often because it's SUCH a statement.

approprio

(website)

Veteran

Nice selection! I think you made the right call on the jacket, and predict the tags will be cut on that gorgeous PS blouse.

The jeans look nice from here but you have to be happy with them. I'm not a huge fan of a high rise on close fitting pants for myself, so I can understand your hesitation.

Greyscale

Veteran

Ooh, I'm a queen now too! Thanks, Angie!

Anonymous

We'll have to see how it goes with the jeans. Yah, you don't want jeans that make you feel like you have issues I suppose you could wear the new ones around a bit and see if you get overly baggy butt, and see if you can live with that. Do you have some cropped tops already?
Too bad about those sandals.

Anonymous

Loving the Everlane t dress and the Proenza top. I don't think it (Proenza) is too big at all, in fact it looks pretty perfect to me. No comment on the high waisted jeans - I wouldn't know how or what to do with them. Way out of my comfort zone. I'm just so -so on the Aritizia jacket - it's neither here nor there in terms of a real dolman fit - just doesn't look like much.

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

I like everything except the jacket. I think perhaps you could get something that looks more like a kimono jacket so you'd have the bigger sleeve width at the shoulder.