Ask Angie: why doesn't this work?

Cyndie

Was so excited to combine my new floaty top with my almost new black ankle pants and black&white ankle strap heels from last year. But it doesn't work. Can you tell me where I went wrong?

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10 years ago

Dressing

24 replies

Latest reply was from Marilyn

marianna

Veteran

Not Angie, but I think you look fantastic. Totally works.

10 years ago

Daria

Active Member

I really cannot say what doesn't work because in my opinion it totally does! The top hits you in the right spot of the hips to be very flattering, and the pants are good length (although I'm not an expert :)).

10 years ago

Cyndie

Active Member

Thank you for that, Marianna. Maybe the proportions look off to me because I am comparing my curvy 5'2" body to the models I saw. Still would appreciate any suggestions for tweaks. Guess I should have selected ask for comments when i created this post =)

10 years ago

Cyndie

Active Member

Thanks, Daria. That is helpful, too.

10 years ago

Taffy

Active Member

Can't help, but I'm looking forward to the answer! I'd actually like to see an entire thread of ' wiw: not working!' On the forum..it's often easier to learn from our failures than our successes.

10 years ago

Zibbets

Veteran

I think it works too! A black or nude shoe would quiet down the bottom half and let the patterned top be the star.

10 years ago

Gail

Veteran

I like the outfit but would like a darker shoe.

10 years ago

Anonymous

Ok, well, like others, I think it's a figure-flattering outfit, so in terms of shapes and cuts and materials, I think it all works.

Maybe try a solid or geometric print top? Or switch out the shoes to nude (as Zibbets says) or something more boho.

10 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Agreed with Zibbets! I don't see anything wrong here. Pretty top!

10 years ago

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I think it works great. Rather than a darker shoe I would suggest something bright white near your face to balance the shoes. Necklace, glasses frame, big earrings, scarf or jacket if it were cool, etc.

10 years ago

Helena

Veteran

It looks perfect to me - I think you nailed it!

10 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I think it works beautifully, too. So...let's figure out why it felt "off" to you.

Do you have the inspiration pictures that were in your mind? It could be, as you say, that it is different from the way it looked on the model -- but maybe there were specifics that would help point us to an easy "fix" for you (even though we don't see it as "broken.")

10 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

This DOES work, and you look great.

10 years ago

Cyndie

Active Member

Thanks y'all. I like all the suggestions, and think you nailed why I wasn't comfortable. I can add the white near my face with my topper if I stay with these shoes, or switch to nude ones to play down the contrast. Or I can embrace my figure and go out just like this with confidence now!

Oh, the inspiration pictures were Angie's post on ankle pants with ankle strap shoes. Just didn't want to have to go shop for new ones. http://youlookfab.com/2014/05/.....le-straps/

10 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Cyndie, nude shoes will shorten the leg line. The self colour black strap of the shoe with the pants is perfect. Nude is high contrast against the black pants - not a good idea. A completely black shoe will work too (low contrast against the black pants).

The white in the shoe matches the white in the pattern of the top. Truly, this is an excellent combination as is.

10 years ago

jackiec

Veteran

Wow - I think it all looks great!

10 years ago

citygirldc

(website)

Veteran

As a fellow petite (5'1"), I really like this outfit but I know what you mean about something not being right. I think it might have to do with that horizontal line right in the middle, plus the light shoes. Angie is right about wearing a darker shoe to elongate the leg line.

10 years ago

viva

Veteran

I thought it worked too, even before reading all the comments (including Angie's). Interesting comments about the shoes ... personally, I love the two-tone shoe with this outfit -- to me, it's so much more interesting than an all-black shoe would be and it really adds personality to the look. And Angie makes such a great argument for why the shoes work -- the black strap connects with the pant leg and the white echoes/bookends the pattern of the top. Put this look in the winner column, for sure.

10 years ago

deb

Veteran

I like it. What do you not like about it?

10 years ago

Deb

Veteran

You look great....it definitely works.

10 years ago

Staysfit

Veteran

My first thought was wow! This looks great! I am not seeing what you must be seeing at all?! My only thought might be to try an all black sandal because if I make my eyes fuzzy and look at your pic maybe my eyes are slightly pulled to the white part of your shoes, but not too much. I think it's a pretty balanced look. I love that top by the way. It's very flattering on you and you look radiant.

10 years ago

Anonymous

This seems like a totally great outfit for so many reasons I'm mystified as to what you don't like? I'm agreeing with Staysfit that the only thing I can think of that you might not like is the reintroduction of white at the toe?
But I like that?

10 years ago

Astrid

Veteran

I like it too, but I think sometimes we just feel off in a look, even if it's flattering and works. Maybe you need to try this again on a different day? Sometimes a look that feels fine to me one day feels wrong on another.

10 years ago

Marilyn

Veteran

I love it as is, Cyndie.
As I fellow shortie I echo Angie's comment about trying a black shoe for a lower contrast if you want more than just the black strap. I always feel more balanced in low contrast footwear.

10 years ago

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