Bad case of the solids - YouLookFab Forum

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Bad case of the solids

Sylvie

Veteran

Before I found YLF, I had a uniform of solid t-shirts + jeans. Occasionally, I'd wear a dress.

I've expanded my horizons to:

Jeans + solid colored sweater
Jeans + solid colored t-shirt with interesting detail
Jeans + solid colored blouse
Jeans + printed tank + solid cardigan
Jeans + printed knit top (hard to find)
Dresses (solid/printed/whatever - no issue here).

I won't wear my red jeans, green printed jeans, leggings or tunics to work.

I do wear black, grey and blue jeans to work.

I have tried to make myself wear blazers and skirts but I just don't like them.

I have a poison eye for printed cardigans.

I can't layer a sweater over a blouse (two layers of sleeves) because I run warm.

Aside from the days I wear dresses, I'm in a real "neutral on botttom, solid color on top" rut. At NAS, I find myself once again gravitating towards solid colored tops with no detailing. I just stopped myself from ordering 3 colors of the Jcrew Tippi sweater.

Other than being nicer fabric, how are these tops really superior to my old t-shirts?

I do all the usual tricks of wearing jewelry, throwing on a scarf, varying my footwear but I go without accessories a lot, especially in summer. My FFBO is always going to be blue jeans + solid top.

Prints are really hard for me to find because I only like geometrics and abstracts. After the 80's and 90's, I'm just not ready to wear florals again.

Anyway, just needed to get that off my chest. And make sure I return the first two NAS tops.

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Dressing

19 replies

Latest reply was from Ornella

Kristin L

Veteran

Hmmm... that's a really good question. I'm not a big print person, but I love polka dots and stripes. Would low contrast stripes work for you?

Sylvie

Veteran

Kristin, yes, stripes and polka dots count as geometrics so I do have them/will wear them.

I am saturated on stripes but I probably have room for one more polka dotted top in the wardrobe.

ClaraT

Veteran

You ask, "Other than being nicer fabric, how are these tops really superior to my old t-shirts?" I think nicer fabric and fit actually make a *big* difference. All 'jeans + a t-shirt' are not equal, and I bet you are more polished now.

I don't think outfits of solids (or 'colorblocked' outfits) are necessarily a problem. You can label yourself a minimalist or purist You might want to look at Eileen Fisher for inspiration--most of her stuff is solid/solid, but the texture and color make the outfits look interesting and polished. I'm not saying you should buy EF stuff necessarily, but a sheen, a weave, a slit, a contrasting neckline can make a big difference in outfits that are basically solid/solids.

And yes, prints are hard (at least for me). Even stripes are sometimes hard for me. So I sympathize.

L'Abeille

Veteran

Why return them? It looks to me like you've found your signature style. Or is it uniform? Anyway, if it ain't broke, don't fix it!
(Having experimented a lot during my first year on YLF, I am now rediscovering the beauty of a few simple pieces with minimal well chosen accents. Look how Angie dresses!

ramya

Veteran

Fit and fabric makes all the difference.
If it didn't why would be obsess over a perfect jeans? It's jeans after all.

Beth Ann

Veteran

I recently posted the opposite query, because I found I was relying heavily on patterned tops and solid bottoms. Was I in a rut? Was I falling into, as Mary K would say, a Chicotastic look?

Really, a formula that works doesn't need to be fixed, IMO. And I agree with the others that quality and fit are huge. Now, if you want a little more variety, what about using distinctive shoes/boots or jewelry on the wrist --- even a "statement" watch? I also think subtle tonal dressing, bolder coloblocking and liberal use of texture can bring in interest without prints.

Peri

Veteran

I'm another solids person. Seems like prints overwhelm me for some reason.

I see nothing wrong with solids in favorite colors and add in accessories.

Anonymous

I don't see this as a problem at all. You are refining your signature style. After experimenting, it's something you come back to. I think it takes a lot of confidence to wear a simple solid on top, and a lot of the old Hollywood stars did just that, especially in their time off. It really allows the wearer to be the focal point.

ETA: I'm no expert on old Hollywood, but often I see these great pics and it seems they are never wearing a print on top, like I do (and Beth Ann). BA, we can be Chicostastic twins, lol!

Thistle

Veteran

I see nothing wrong with solids and jeans. Layer with a scarf or accessories. Fit and fabrication are so key. A cheap cotton is to going to look as nice as a quality cotton. Look for texture and rich colors. Fit will be critical as you can't hide anything with a pattern.

Try button downs and other types of tops as well as knits. Loose fluid tops, strict button downs, tunics, peplum hems, whatever grabs your fancy. Jeans and a solid color is classic and can really be fabulous.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I wear mostly solids. If it's a print it has to memorable.

Lisa

Veteran

I also have a heavy solid wardrobe. It's only this past season I've started adding prints and I am a bit picky. Abstracts, dots and stripes are the boldest I go with a print right now. For layering for the "look" but not warmth, have you tried sleeveless collared shirts under a cardigan/blazer/sweater? You would see the collar and the hem but not have to worry about layered sleeves.

Sylvie

Veteran

Wow, thanks ladies! You definitely have me seeing solids in a new light. I need to focus on PPP - getting the fit, detailing, color and fabric right. I also need to make sure I don't duplicate the same silhouette over and over again - no more than 2 different colored tops in the same style.

Clara: You are so right about the details making the difference. Of course the challenge is to get the right fit, details and price at the same time.

L'Abeille: Angie has it down to a science. I'm in awe of her simple, elegant minimal outfits. I know it's teachable because I see other ladies on the forum get the magic right as well. I've managed to achieve the simple outfit (top/pants/shoes) that somehow just works, but it's usually by accident.

Beth Ann: I went and looked up your other thread. SO amused that
you have the exact opposite problem. The variation in your bottoms kept
you from falling into a style rut, imho.

Peri: I find micro prints and abstract prints to be the least overwhelming.

Ramya: I'm definitely wearing better jeans than before. I've migrated from Gap Outlet to Gap to premium denim on sale.

Claire: I don't know if I really have a signature style yet. But I could see luxe solid colored tops + neutral jeans + fun shoes becoming a sigature style.

Thistle: I do like rich colors. And I'm going to work on branching out of my "safe" silhouettes.

Anna: If someone as stylish as you bases the bulk of her wardrobe off solids, then it's good enough for me too.

Lisa: That's a good idea! I have tried collared sleeveless shirts under cardigans and they always look frumpy to me. But I could probably handle them underneath a thin sweater or blazer.

I'm going to keep the EF scoop neck tops, or rather I'm going to order a few more to get the perfect fit. At the store I tried on two different colors in the same size and there was a 1 inch difference in width!

The cashmere/silk crew neck top is going to get returned because although I love the color, fabric and fit on the body, the high crew neck drives me a little crazy. If it was a boat, scoop or u-neck, it would be a keeper.

Inge

(website)

High five, Sylvie, those Tippi sweaters are dangerous!-) J.Crew keeps coming out with more fab colours, and it's making me very greedy. (but they're great sweaters, and the colour options are truly fantastic, so why not pick one or two in a flattering for you colour that you don't usually wear.)

I completely agree with the other ladies about fit and fabrics being key, and that there's absolutely nothing wrong with wearing mostly solids if you love them.

Sorry if I'm repeating some things that have already been mentioned, but this came to mind to "mix things up" with solids (links are just examples to show what I mean):

- different necklines, e.g. boat neck, V-neck... if you usually sport crew necks.
- different styles of tops, e.g. a button-down or banded hem top, batwing sleeved sweater, blouson styles, high-low hemline like Nancy's fab NAS cobalt sweater, faux wraps, draped blouse...
- interesting detailing, e.g. asymmetric neckline, ruching, zipper detail, elbow patches, sheer tonal stripes, leather or suede panelling or insets, tonal embroidery for textural interest, something with a bit of sheen or shimmer, mesh sweaters, jewel collar.
- how do you feel about a colour-blocked sweater like the one in the NAS right now (with the zip detailing on the shoulder, Janet and Nancy bought it)? Or a top with a colourblocked collar?
- different fabrics like silk, linen (some linen even has a bit of a "marled" effect which adds subtle textural interest), mixed media tops, lace or lace-like fabrics or even a full leather top.
- And/or add interesting footwear: colour-blocked pumps, two-toned sandals (e.g. Suz's fab orange-fuchsia sandals), an animal print, eye-catching styles like Angie's Okala ankle strap pumps...

Do keep us posted on the NAS sweaters?

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I wear mostly solids, too, Sylvie, with some stripes thrown in as my main pattern. I do have a couple of floral items this season (toppers). And one leaf patterned silk top. But typically, it is solids all the way for me, except for scarves in fall/ winter. I tend to feel calmer and more focused in solids.

I've been discovering the power of patterned belts and footwear and other accessories. Following Angie's lead and seeing how fun that can be.

Helena

Veteran

Oh my, I should have read this before posting my own question about "my uniform" - because you are very similar to me, and when you say it, it reads like a signature style to me! It also sounds like you are not scared to try new things, and great to throw something new into the mix, even if it's just the reconfirm what you liked all along - it's just that you like what you like! Go ahead and own it!

Perhaps - just thinking off the top now - when you hit your signature style, there's a period of feeling weird because you've put so much effort into striving to get where you are. Now you're here, and nothing to do but relax and enjoy for a while

lyn67

Veteran

Oh, I'm not much of a print girl, either. Like for many of you I see, if there is a print, it has to be a sophisticated ikat, aztec, geometric(stripes, dots, sometimes plaids) or splash like, and prefferabble in some monochromatic palette of well working neutrals. And I use them rather for dresses and scarves only or maybe some skirts...only seldom for tops, but then these greatly satisfies my need of prints.
I love what Inge posted, thank you! Lot of great ideeas for elevating the drab uni to a more eyecatching one. I would only add some sort of soft ruffles for a deeper V neckline, for ex. in a mix-media top, too-not a ruffley girl here, but this can be a feminine touch which can also flatter.

Beth Ann

Veteran

Sounds like your imagination has been sparked and you've been encouraged to appreciate the strengths of your signature style! That's what YLF is all about (Yes, and as I type, I'm wearing my Summer signature of white bf shorts, and a colorful print top).

Sylvie

Veteran

Inge: Thank you, thank you, thank you for this wealth of information. I
really appreciate your time to put together an exhaustive list, with
links no less! I hadn't considered some of the styles you had posted,
but now I can keep my eyes peeled.

Suz: You're one of those who has "simple elegance" down to a science too. Everything you wear just looks like it was made for you.

Torontogirl: I need to go look up some of your threads. I don't think I've arrived and can relax quite yet but I know I'm on my way!

Lyn: We're all so picky about prints but sometimes I wonder if 20 years in the future, we're going to be laughing at ourselves for the prints we wear now. I remember a time when ditsy floral prints were the height of sophistication.

Beth Ann: Thanks for the boost!

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

Sylvie, without reading other comments...

I am a very sold case of loving solids. I just love my colors. I also wear stripes and polkadots (very clean geometric prints) and the only animal prints I ever gravitated towards with my heart were zebra or giraffe (because, as I figured out, they are rather geometric-y too, but still those remain on the fringe in my wardrobe if there is anything left at all).

What I've found out is that there are countless variations in the cut or weave of the solid colored top I can enjoy - and becoming aware of them increases my happiness factor. Neckline, texture, hem style, buttons... look at every detail of the item, you'll se how many variations they are and you'll soon notice which ones you like or don't like. That for me is fine-tuning of my style. I 'read' into these and actually work with them on creating the final vibe of my outfit. I can honestly say that becoming more aware of these aspects of my clothing items had helped me a lot to clarify my own style direction and made my shopping easier too.