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Dressing

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Ask Angie and the Forum

Anonymous

I stopped wearing button downs a few years ago and then re-discovered them when El Cee, Joy, and Barbara Diane joined me in challenging ourselves to wear our orphans. Since ending that particular challenge, I have continued to experiment.

(1) Angie pointed out that the lavender button down is too small/tight. I agreed completely (once I saw the picture) and donated it.

(2) The pink button down is too boxy and made me feel sloppy.

(3) Before I decided what to do with the pink button down, I decided to try wearing it with a skirt. I thought tucking it in would rein in all that boxiness, but the pink shirt took on the same appearance of the lavender one. It looked like it was too tight.

My question: what do I do with the pink shirt? I won't wear it untucked any more. Tucking it in isn't that flattering either. Can it be saved? It is a GAP BF button down. The fabric feels nice against my skin and I like wearing it. What went wrong with picture number 3?

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Dressing

24 replies

Latest reply was from

Gail

Veteran

I f you really want to keep it perhaps you could wear it open over a cami type top and with jeans. It would need to be used as a super casual piece. It may still look too boxy though as it not very long.

Helen11

Veteran

Can it be altered by taking in the side seams? Shaping it in more at the waist? Maybe our sewists can give you a more informed opinion.
It would be nice to keep it if the fabric has a nice feel to it.

carter

Veteran

Fun! It's just too wide to tuck. All that fabric has to go somewhere. When your white jcrew skirt comes, try that with a white cami and this shirt mostly unbuttoned and tied in a knot at the waist. Casual but cute, I think. Same thing with a pair of shorts for lunch at the beach kind of thing.

RobinF

Veteran

I struggle with button downs too. I like Carter's idea of tying it at the waist. I've done that and it is a good compromise between tucking and letting it hang out. It's definitely a more casual look though.

Anonymous

Pic three suffers because the light in the pic hits squarely on the bosom, which emphasizes a slight pull at the bust and an excess of fabric at the waist.

Hope that doesn't sound harsh - you have to look harder to see your trim waist/hips and lovely legs in the pic because the eye is being drawn elsewhere.

Diana

Veteran

Try knotting the hem instead of tucking it. I have a blouse that I do this often with... Lemme see if I can find a pic.

kkards

Veteran

i love both carter and gail's ideas.

Diana

Veteran

Here you go.

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Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I vote pass on both shirts. The fits look off. Personally, I don't think the shirt was saved by tucking it into the skirt.

Are you a knot-at-the waist type of gal? You can try that if you like.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

If you want to save it, I would wear it more casually. As a boyfriend cut shirt that is probably how it was intended anyway. So you could try knotting it with jeans or shorts or maybe your new denim skirt, or wear it open over a tank as Carter suggests, or semi tuck (just the front) into jeans, if it drapes well, and try it like that, with the sleeves scrunched and the collar popped.

Anonymous

Delurked. I am not sensitive. You could never hurt my feelings by speaking the truth. In fact, I thank you for being so candid.

Joy

Veteran

I was going to suggest what Helen said. Maybe you could baste the sides to see that it would look like without as much fullness.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

Have you tried button front shirts in knit fabrications? Not as polished but so easy to wear.

Anonymous

I love the idea of knit button front shirts, CocoLion. I don't seem to come across them though. I will definitely start searching for them though.

Style Fan

Veteran

I like what Diana has done with her button front shirt. Very cute. I have yet to find a button front shirt that fits me. Same problem. Too tight in the bust or too boxy.

Anonymous

I like what Diana did too. Visuals are so helpful to me.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Sterling, I think you'd look great in one of those draped wrap blouses or one of the Pleione mixed media tunics. I'm not sure if you already have one. The H&M probably isn't available any more, but my YLF collect button isn't working at Nordstrom's for some reason right now so I can't collect a more current version. Will try to see if I can grab from someone else's collection to show what I mean.

Pleione Mixed Media Tunic (Regular & Petite)

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Draped Wrap-style Blouse

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12

Suz

(website)

Veteran

A few more.

Collared Wrap Front Blouse

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Crepe Wrap Blouse

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0

Anonymous

They are beautiful, Suz. I'll look into them. Thank you.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

These particular ones may no longer be available and they might not be the right colours, but this is the idea. There are also sleeveless versions available that I think would look beautiful on you. Angie has mentioned them in her top picks a number of times.

Nebraskim

Veteran

you might also "save" the pink shirt by instead of nipping the side seams, have some vertical "darts" (football-shaped vertical seams) in the back to reduce the width of the fabric. Because this is a GAP shirt and probs not that expensive, this alteration might not be worth the expense. I would send both shirts to the thrift store and start over with a fresher more flattering to your eye cut.

El Cee

Veteran

I agree with Angie that you should pass on this shirt. As lovely as the color and fabric might be, you are displeased with the cut. That is a problem that may not be easily remedied outside of tailoring (which is added expense) or wearing in a different manner (in a very casual context -- perhaps knotted). If you like the idea of a more fitted button-down that is work appropriate, you may have to shop around a bit to find ones that are better tailored/fitted. I have issues with button-downs too. I am hourglassy and long waisted, so they often are either too snug in the bust and hip area or too boxy -- and they are often too short unless I buy a tunic style or a true tall size. I love the idea and look of a crisp button-down, but I find that few really work well on my body type. I like Suz's idea about mixed media wrap blouses. I also like Cocolion's suggestion of finding a knit version of a button-down. They are out there, just harder to find… mostly available for Fall season (which is coming up). I have found that a drapey fabric button-down is more flattering on me than one in a crisp cotton-rich material. I have done well with some of the Loft utility blouses and Express Portofino shirts (both come in array of solid colors as well as some fun prints). You may want to explore this option.

Original Fit Convertible Sleeve Portofino Shirt

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2

Anonymous

Into the donation bag, they both go. Thank you all that weighed in. I value your opinions.

Anonymous

For reasons that must be purely emotional, I can't seem to get rid of this pink shirt. I did put it in the donation bag, but I rescued it this morning and cut off the sleeves. I am going to wear this shirt solely around the house. I will add it to my "Casual Uniform."

You can't see the pant length. I am wearing the dreaded capris. I think these work because (1) it is a telework day and the only people I am going to meet will be contractors; and (2) the pants are sufficiently slim in the leg to meet my personal flattery goals. I have no intention of buying any more capris though. I am finding that they don't work much more often than they do work.

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