Ask Angie: Re: the fluid fit recommendation - YouLookFab Forum

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Ask Angie: Re: the fluid fit recommendation

Helena

Veteran

Hi Angie and YLFers,

Loved Angie's list of fall 2013 essentials, but I have a question about fluid fits. As beautiful and ubiquitous as they are, I don't seem to be a fluid fit girl - with very few exceptions, I only feel great in things that are fitted and I feel they work best for my body type too. I have bought several drapey tops and they are lovely, but I just don't seem to wear them.

I tend to stick with fitted tees and either skinny or boot-cut jeans (very casual lifestyle). I am wondering if this puts me stuck in the '00s and I need to push out of it. Or can I soften things with a more fluid element in the form of a scarf or slouchy bag or something, rather than an actual garment?

Appreciate all thoughts!!

Dressing

15 replies

Latest reply was from Helena

Anonymous

I'm not Angie, but I'll add my 2 cents' worth. I'm short and can't handle anything that's too voluminous, though I can surrender the waist. I do so by wearing tops that aren't too loose over slim pants. Usually, I can obtain the not-too-loose fit by going down a size. Also, the fabric for the top has to have a fluid drape. I'm particularly fond of chiffon. I guess what I'm after is a relaxed fit that doesn't overwhelm me. Hope this helps!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Not Angie, obviously -- but Torontogirl -- if I recollect you have a slender body type, is that right?

Perhaps you feel overwhelmed by oversized garments?

If so, remember that "fluid" is not "oversize" -- it is just a looser version of tailored.

And also, consider whether you're not wearing the drapey tops due to comfort issues, the fact that you can't make them "work" with other items, or figure flattery concerns. That information might help you decide what to do, going forward. For example -- I don't wear drapey tops where the drape is mainly in the top section (e.g. where there is a wide neckline.) For me, they are too fussy -- always slipping around and showing bra straps! Plus, they don't flatter my small busted shape.

You might decide you prefer a fitted or even body con look. And that's okay. But I don't think you'll get the effect of "fluid fit" from a bag or scarf or added accessory, especially since the "fluid fit" seems mostly to focus on fit and not on accoutrements, i.e. it is a fairly minimalist aesthetic.

Liz A.

Veteran

I'll bet your mind will gradually change if you stick around here long enough. At least that's what's happening to me

AviaMariah

Veteran

I am always drawn to drapey sweaters/cardigans - think Eileen Fisher but they look terribly overwhelming on my smaller body. I second what Suz said about fluid not being over sized but just a smidgen looser than fitted. I am trying to figure this out for myself and will watch this thread for more advise.

Helena

Veteran

Ruth, thanks very much for your perspective!

Suz, thanks so much for your insight - you are quite right, I am a bit slight and get lost in looser things - however, I like your distinction of fluid vs. oversize - I think I lost the distinction. I love the minimalistic element - perhaps I need to search a little more to find "my" fluid fit. Thx

Anonymous

Suz is right, and that's exactly what I meant by "relaxed" fit. I look for things that skim my body and are neither too body con or too loose. Fluid does not mean oversized. Also, I find it best to wear either a fluid top with fitted pants or a fitted top with fluid pants. IOW, not fluid head to toe. Taller gals may be able to do it, but I can't.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Also, you can find fluid fits that have banded bottoms for more definition, or even a blouson type fit. For example, my top below almost falls off the shoulders, but is fitted along the bottom, near the hips. That lends it enough structure to not just be a baggy oversize top.

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Helena

Veteran

Thanks all - so I am thinking based on everyone's insight that my keyword might be "skim" rather than "drape" on the one side, or "cling" on the other ...

AviaMariah

Veteran

I have a few inspiration pins of bloggers who are on the smaller side and who I think do the voluminous look well. I haven't yet done this but it's a look I want to play with a little more.
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/42432421462249778/

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/42432421459997149/

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/42432421462151259/

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I think fluid fit is slightly different for everyone - some like very loose, others like just slightly looser. I don't like truly fluid trousers on myself. I feel sort of too straight up and down when I wear them. Like I'm drowning in them. I prefer some body shape definition (figure flattery) and I tend to choose slightly slouchy or straight style pants. But I see some wonderful examples of much more voluminous styles here on YLF on others. It's just not for me right now. On tops, I do prefer a skimming, rather than form fitted style. I've been adding a few looser fit style tops that skim rather than hug and I'm pretty happy with most of those so far. I don't like a lot of volume in my clothes and find it just as uncomfortable to have too much material as it is when there is not enough (overly snug).

Helena

Veteran

ah, i think i had a revelation as i wore what i think qualifies as a fluid shirt last night ... although it had a 'neat' cut to it, the fabrication was fluid, not stiff - vs. the shirts of days of yore that had a stiff quality to them so their shape was held. i think i will experiment with skimming cuts in fluid fabrics.

if that sounds wrong, do tell me though!!!

thanks for all the insights; i do feel i understand it much better now

Peri

Veteran

Have you tried something like a sheer blouse with a cami underneath? I'm really liking that look lately and I wonder if the sheerness and seeing your shape underneath it in the fitted cami would feel more right to you. Kind of like the best of both worlds?

Helena

Veteran

that is a great suggestion, and also reminded me that the semi-tuck might also be helpful with defining shape in fluid things. thanks!

FlorenceFearne

Just wanted to add another vote for sizing down when you shop this trend. I have pretty broad shoulders so I usually wear a medium or small on top; when I bought a few drapey tops recently, I got them both in an XS. They still have the fluid fit, but I'm not drowning in them.

You also might consider pairing volume with some more-bodycon-than-usual pieces. So rather than say, a fitted pencil skirt and a fitted shirt, you could wear a drapey top with a tight stretch tube skirt. That way you do still have a shape, and the volume you are wearing looks more dramatic by comparison.

Helena

Veteran

that is a great suggestion; i am already an xs though so not an option for me, part of why i swim in some of the drapey stuff ...