Ask YLF: My Clothing Size and Fit - YouLookFab Forum

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Ask YLF: My Clothing Size and Fit

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I really value your opinion on this as I'm struggling with finding my casual fashion groove. I feel like "FIT" is one of my issues but I'm not sure. Maybe it's a combination of things.

Sometimes I see a photo of myself and I think - that top/jeans/jacket looks like it's not fitting right. I do like a little bit of room esp. in jackets and I prefer not tight tees/tops. But I'm wondering if sometimes I am settling for things that are too big or just not cut right for me because it's so hard to shop online and I can't keep returning things. And where I live alterations seem next to impossible. It is frustrating.

Example: the first photo in these jeans makes them look pretty baggy in the legs. Not what I was going for in a slim fitting jean in my "smaller" size. The last photo when I posed differently they look okay. Maybe I was trying too hard to stand straight in photo 1. What do you think? Are these truly slim fitting jeans on me? They are called "skinny crops".
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....m-on-denim

Another example:
The tee shirt - it doesn't feel all that big but in these photos it seems very wrinkly in that extra material sort of way. Maybe the fabric is just too thin and it's not the size but the fabrication?
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....uede-shoes

Maybe it's just my poor posture - esp. when trying to take photos of myself in the mirror.

The reason I wear so many light weight "slouchy" tees is because it is so warm here most of the time. But am I sacrificing style for slouch? And I do want to own/wear at least some slimmer fitting jeans for vanity sake. I work really hard to stay in shape so I don't always want to hide it under baggy pants.

What do you think?

Dressing

22 replies

Latest reply was from Caro in Oz

Liz A.

Veteran

texstyle, i will not profess to be an expert at fit. truthfully, i joined YLF after a number of ill-advised purchases that i later decided were the wrong size.

however, i find the fit on the 2 items you are asking about to be perfect. it looks totally intentional. i hope that sets your mind at ease.

Anonymous

Well, to me in those first photos, the jeans don't look too big at all. You can see the lovely slim curve of your thigh while you are standing, but they aren't skin tight. That is my preferred fit.

The t-shirt is the same -- the slouch looks intentional, and it highlights your figure to my eye. I think if the shirt looked like it was falling off your shoulders or hanging too low, then it would look too oversized and baggy. This one fits your shoulders nicely, the V neck is flattering, and the looseness in the body looks intentional.

Thistle

Veteran

I really, really struggle with this myself. Especially with the new slouchy trend. And I totally understand the need to breathe in the heat (I used to live in new Orleans).

Susie

Veteran

I agree with Ceit. I think both items look relaxed yet still figure flattering. I don't feel like your shape gets lost in them and they don't look sloppy.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Texstyle, I think the fit of both these items is good -- IF that is the fit you want.

I would have said the first jeans look more like a sort of slim BF cut. Intentionally loose. But if you wanted them to fit in a slim tailored way, maybe you would need a different cut.

The same for the T. It looks intentionally slouchy - but if you were aiming for a fitted silhouette, then you'd want something quite different.

The effect of this type of cut is casual yet slightly elegant, somehow. I like it, myself, and in particular for your climate, where skin tight clothes would feel all wrong. Having said that, I'm hugely in favour of having jeans, especially, in a bunch of different cuts.

pastrygirl

(website)

Veteran

If it helps any, I saw those threads before this one and didn't bat an eyelash at the fit on anything you're wearing. I'm the type to make (and remember) mental comments if I think something doesn't look right.

rachylou

Veteran

The tee and the jeans look right to me, slouchy fit. Which is on-trend, of course. I think it's easy to second guess slouchy fit stuff, because tailored fit is the classic, anywhere/anytime fit. But you look good. I like this fit on you a lot.

Gaylene

Veteran

I think Suz has raised the real issue: Are you as happy with the way your outfits look as with the way they feel?

I've been pondering this question for the last couple of weeks after I finally succumbed to the lure of the slouchy fit. http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....g-my-words The slouchy pants with the loose-fitting, semi-tucked top was so comfortable that wore the outfit when I had to run to Walmart on a quick errand a few days later. My happiness factor with the whole loose-fitting concept dampened considerably when I realized that no one in Walmart gave me a second glance in that outfit. Inadvertently, I had finally found an outfit that, on the surface, made me look more or less the same as the rest of the shoppers.

I'm currently thinking hard about this whole area of just what constitutes stylish casual wear for me in my environment. To be honest, I'm aiming for something higher than what I see around me. The next time I run out to Walmart, I'll be in my linen sweater, tailored bermudas, and espadrilles. Just as comfortable, but I'll be happier with how I look in that outfit.

So my round-about reply to your question, Texstyle, is that your real-life environment might be one of the reasons you aren't sure about how far you can take the slouchy look before it just feels ill-fitting and sloppy.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

Gaylene, you may be on to something there. The thing is that I live in an extremely casual lake side area. The "fashion" here borders on non-existent by most standards. Lots of seniors in polyester blend elastic waist pants and "comfort" footwear. But there are a few exceptions and I guess in this case I'd rather be the exception. While I would never go for an urban wardrobe out here on a day to day basis (I work from home) I also do not want to be ignored or to simply just fit in. I guess I want to kick it up a notch at this time in my life. If I live past 90 I'll have time to schlepp around then. lol

I think I feel better when I either wear a blazer/jacket of some type (even in the heat as long as it's very light weight) or if I stick to button downs or tops that stand on their own in terms of fashion (tee's don't really do that very well to my eye, unless they are fitted or have some other style features). Part of all of this might also be the neckline and fabric choice. I recently bought a boat neck style tee and I really liked the way it looked on me for a change of pace from all my V-necks. Funny thing is that it was a VERY thin slub cotton - so in that case it was all about the neckline. And maybe it isn't that flattering. Here's pic of that one (which is still quite wrinkly, but somehow made me feel better when I wore it than the V-neck tee did). I liked it better with the jacket blazer in pic 2.

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Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

I don't fint your clothes ill fitting at all! On the contrary, I think you are projecting an intended elegant casual style.

cciele

Veteran

What Suz said -- how do you want them to fit? They look slouchy in a modern, on trend way. But if you'd like them tighter, that would work too!

MNsara

Veteran

I'm right with you on wanting a bit of room in my clothing - especially jackets - and how tricky it gets.
I think your pics look wonderful for fit and intentional, casual style.

For instance, I think if you had worn the same amount of slouchy tee but didn't do any tuck at all, then you'd lose the intentional, stylish slouch, and it would just look too big. But the faux tuck reins it in and shows you have in under control

Your jeans do almost have a slim BF fit about them. So like Suz said, if you want a slimmer leg fit, you might need to look into a different cut. But these look good and the ease in them really does look more chic.

I like the boatneck you justed posted too. That neckline always seems to look good under jackets, and it looks good on you too. And even if we've thought v-necks are most flattering neckline, others can still be pretty darn good looking too

kellygirl

Veteran

I haven't read through all of the posts but I think you are very stylish. Your jeans are fab--intentionally slightly loose fitting but very flattering. The same goes for your tee--it is loose fitting but not sloppy or baggy. You look very modern to me--you do not look like some one who has settled or given up. That's for sure. FWIW, I think photos are kind of misleading because they are static. Sure, your tee may look wrinkled in the photo but when you are moving around it looks more fluid.

I think you are on to something with a third piece. I love adding a blazer or a vest to a casual outfit--it seems to add a little more structure and polish while still remaining casual (and appropriate for my environmental norm.)

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

What Rachy said.

And what Suz said.

K. Period.

Veteran

I agree with everything that has been said so far. I prefer a more classic, fitted fit for myself. Even with casual clothes, I will wear a fitted item to anchor anything loose. However, you aren't looking for a fit that is as classic as mine. So, when I see your clothes, I think the fit looks great. It is right on within the parameters that I can appreciate of well fitting, yet casual. If you were looking for a dressier, classic look, it would be too loose. You aren't though, so you look spot on!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

K's response is interesting. The idea that a slimmer fit would be more dressy or at least less casual, I mean. I'm not sure I agree entirely...yet there's something to what she's saying. Maybe "dressy" isn't the word, but "urban" or "polished." I'm thinking of what Gaylene said, too. I imagine someone in slim tapered Bermudas and a looser linen sweater and simple sandal and I think "urban." Whereas someone in a looser fitting jean feels less inherently "urban" wherever she actually is. Hmmmm.

K. Period.

Veteran

Suz, good point. I think I was trying to get to the idea tailored in contrast with casual. Loose fits aren't necessarily casual. Thanks for pointing that out. I know it sounds odd, but I think perfecting terminology hones my thinking about fit!

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I love the fit of the "skinny crops" on you. It's a very on-trend fit; sort of a slouchy skinny or slim bf fit. However, if you want a skinny, legging-type fit, that would look great on your long legs as well. I feel there is room for both fits in my wardrobe, and I wear them both, with equal affection.

Tee looks fine, too, it's sort of in between body con fitted and oversized loose, a classic fit.

I think you are wearing your clothes in a modern way.

Now if we are getting down to detail, the khakis you are wearing with the tee in question look bigger especially around the hips but that might just be the way they are intended and those vertical pockets. When you put your hands in those kinds of pockets it creates an extra bulge around the crotch and/or abdominal area. Even on models, it's the nature of the beast.

unfrumped

Veteran

I think you look fine in what you've shown!

You are onto something about the fabrics vs. the fit, though. With the semi-tuck we have changed from smoothing a long top down over the hips, to tucking in but having extra fabric. The look will be quite different depending on whether the fabric is knit, rayon knit, cotton knit, woven silky, woven cotton and on and on. Also whether the item is slouchy all over and big in the shoulders with shoulder drop, or fitted at the shoulders. I notice a lot depends on whether something clings at the bust line and torso, or drops loosely down to have volume all through the torso .So there will never be just one slouchy or oversized look or one semi-tuck look. Your tops look modernized-not tight, but since they are thin knits, and maybe a good fit through the shoulders, they are not blousy, even though not fitted. So different fabrications are certainly something you could play with, if you want a certain look.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

Thanks all of you for helping alleviate some self doubt. I got some really great feedback here and I truly appreciate the time you took.

I think I will have to continue trying various fabrics and styles of tees since they are such a part of my everyday attire. And I have been on a constant hunt for light weight washable blazers and jackets to help me feel more pulled together. I also think I still need to find an alternative to blue jeans that feel "right" when I'm out here walking around in the gravel as I always say. The baggy olive khakis I wore in a different post are okay but they don't may me feel as happy as I'd like. All that extra material kind of bugs me. I really want some med. taupe jeans. Maybe Suz knows where I could find some.

Gaylene

Veteran

I think you're on to something, Suz and K.

Loose fits aren't necessarily casual, but, because that fit is often associated with a frumpy or sloppy look, the slouchy fit can sometimes read that way on certain shapes and in certain environments.

For example, I have a friend who is a tall, lean woman with long, elegant limbs and fabulous bobbed haircut who would have no problems making an oversized fit look polished and elegant in any setting. On the other hand, on my shape, the slouchy look looked very casual. The details of my slouchy look, like using semi-tuck and rolling my pant legs to the right length, was probably lost on most of the ranchers and seniors who were also in the store that day. While I liked the outfit in the mirror, and my husband gave it the thumbs up, out in public, I knew that it wasn't doing me any favors.

My "urban" (thank you for that word, Suz!) outfit of slim, tailored bermudas, linen sweater, and simple sandals makes me feel more polished and sophisticated because it doesn't resemble the baggy polyester pants and boxy tops that so many women my age end up wearing in public. The preferred fits in my world seem to be either extremely tight if you're young or loose and baggy if you're older. A carefully tailored fit is a bit of a rarity. I think, in this case, I'm more comfortable being a rare bird.

From the sounds of it, Texstyle, your environment seems quite similar to mine. I think it makes finding that casual formula more difficult because we walk the line between wanting to play with fashion, yet our versions get filtered through a lens that is decidedly anti-fashion in many instances.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Late to this & I agree with the others it is down to what you prefer. I find fabric makes a huge difference to how I would wear something - particularly tees, pants & jackets. I know for me if the material is too thin or too thick it is never going to feel right. The other point I won't compromise on is the shoulder-line again if that isn't right then everything feels off for me.

I've been thinking about tailored clothing & honestly sometimes I think it can be ageing - maybe not at you age but certainly at mine. I see lots of older ladies wearing their well-fitting tailored clothes & they look lovely but a little dated to my eye:)