Ask Angie et al: what is wrong with these outfits? - YouLookFab Forum

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Dressing

About: Ensemble: Layered Sparkly Tank

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Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Ask Angie et al: what is wrong with these outfits?

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Ever since Angie posted this ensemble with the sparkly tank I wanted to try it but did not have the right tank to play with. At last this year I got a subtly sparkly tank at the consignment store to play with.
I tried it twice and both times felt that something was off with the outfits - but for the life of me I cannot put my finger what exactly.
Is the neckline of the tank wrong for me? Is it too short to layer over a shirt? Is it not fluid enough? Is it just the wrong tank for layering - or did I try it in the wrong combinations?
Any ideas how I can make it work - or should I just chuck it out as an unsuccessful experiment and forget the whole concept?

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Dressing

21 replies

Latest reply was from Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

Tanya

Veteran

The first outfit looks great Sveta, I do not see anything wrong with it. In the second one, the tank might be a bit too fitted for that shirt. Have you tried layering it over a silk-y blouse instead? Those tend to work better for me with more fitted tanks/shells.

Karie

(website)

Veteran

I like it better in outfit #1 than I do in outfit #2, but I think the tank is not fluid enough. It looks more form fitting than the tanks in Angie's ensemble post.

greycat6

Veteran

Agreeing with others that #1 works very well. To my eye, the dark jacket and bottoms create a vertical line even though the shirt tail breaks it up a bit. In #2, the vest seems a little short. There isn't a column of color to make it feel coherent. Loving #1!

lyn67

Veteran

I don't think any of these are particulary oh so wrong, but find the tank on the shortish side for your otherwise always perfect fits and proportions. Length is needed for that big contrast with the whites in both of your outfits, too! I would say nr 1 would almost made a better illustration for the "cropped over long":-). Only 2 inches longer but white shirt still peaking out would be beter IMO. Nr 2 would get somehow better proportions with some darker pants, but vest is still on the shorter side. BUT, I think the neckline is OK.

Deb

Veteran

The first look really works Sveta, however I am not a huge fan of the cropped vest with the plaid shirt in the second look. The proportions don't appeal to my eye. Some how I think that look would look more refined and more you with one of your jackets or a larger vest.

sarah

Veteran

I think that the cropped vest is a bit too fitted to go over shirts in this way.

Peri

Veteran

I'm agreeing with the others...in the second photo the vest is too small compared to the rest of the outfit. It just looks shrunken or something. I think the first one works better specifically because the jacket distracts from that and you don't notice it as much.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I like both outfits, with a slight preference for the first. I was going to say perhaps you just need to get used to the look. I wouldn't have thought anything was "off" if you hadn't asked.

Neel

Veteran

I agree that the first looks much better that #2. I also think that the issue is with the length and the neckline of the tank. I think round/scoop necks work best with a tank for layering. This tank would look best on its own imo. That said, I still love how 1 looks

Sal

Veteran

1 looks great to my eye, but sometimes we cannot detect what does not feel great. Visually the whole outfit connects, it is flattering and cohesive.
2 does not work as well, the length, the volume, and I am not sure that the plaid and sparkles go together. You look great however

rabbit

Veteran

1 looks good to me, and 2 as well, although I think what your eye might be seeing is that the vest is a little thin (as in the heaviness of the fabric) and closely fitted over the plaid shirt? I'm used to seeing a bigger heavier layer over a lighter layer, so a thinner/flowier underlayer shirt or a shirt in the same color as the vest (so the color of the underlayer wouldn't very slightly show through) might make this look more balanced to your eye.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I like it in #1, and find nothing about it that's not working. It looks great layered under the jacket.

In #2, you start to see there are some issues with this tank when worn as a vest. On its own, it looks a bit short and not fluid enough. I don't think it's the neckline that's the problem. When you layer a jacket over it, these issues are forgiven. Another thing may be that in #1 you are wearing a shorter and more fitted shirt underneath. The shirt in #2 may be too substantial for the delicate look of the tank.

Summer

Veteran

I agree with the others that, in outfit 2, the tank looks too small and fitted. I wouldn't give up on it just yet, though, as you may well find another way of styling it.

Lantana

Veteran

My eye is seeing these outfits differently to the above responses. I prefer #2 to #1.
I find the black line on the white shirt placket to be distracting. I'd like to see the effect of a 100% white shirt. I think the second outfit is vibrant, it really works for me. Yes, you can see that the top is slightly fitted but I really like the line it achieves.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I also prefer #2 with Penny, but find that the sparkly vest is just a little short for the three high contrast pieces, Sveta.

The length is masked a little by the black - low contrast piece - in #1. Also a good look.

Carole

Veteran

I didn't have enough confidence in my opinion to add anything but find this very educational. Thanks for sharing!

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Thank you for playing along and helping me to analyze "my problem". Pouring over your replies and playing with the tank last night I came to the conclusion that it is the length which is really the problem here: it is too short but not short enough to be cropped. I don't think the fluidity is a problem - it is not tailored at all and fits similarly to Angie's tank from the picture but the length is different for sure.
So armed with this knowledge I decided to make it into a cropped one. I could not cut it because it is a knitwear so I hemmed and stitched it. I do think that proportions are better this way.
Thank you again for your help!

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Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I wore this combination with plaid shirt and black jeans yesterday, and my vest is much longer, Sveta. Hope that helps solve the challenge.

Joy

Veteran

I think this would be very sucessful if you wore the tank with an all dark outfit. I t might also work to add a little length by layering a plain black tank between the shirt and sparkly piece where the under tank is a bit longer, or have your dear mother add a bit of black or navy chiffon on the bottom for style and length.

jackiec

Veteran

Aha. I'm learning along with you, Sveta. I agree with many in that I prefer the first outfit. Let's see it cropped! Sounds interesting.....

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

I like both looks, but to me, the 'wrong' of both outfits is that they say 'fall/winter' to me because of the color palette. My brain is fixated on spring. I am wondering what paler neutrals would look like with the tank?