boxy shirt with boxy sweater: complete flop on me: why? ETA: gulp. pics. - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Dressing

boxy shirt with boxy sweater: complete flop on me: why? ETA: gulp. pics.

Sona

Veteran

So I have a love hate relationship with button downs. I like them in silkier fabrications and looser fits. A white button down that fits and loves me as much as I love it is a HEWI.

Anyway I have one boxy cotton button down in white from gap. I wore that and layered a beige pullover over it. The items per se look a lot like the items in Angie's post.

However when I wore them layered I looked as wide as a truck. I almost cried. I tried layering long necklaces, I tried adjusting shoulder lines on the pullover- no luck Fifteen minutes later I decided that feeling good about what I wear was more important and I ditched the white shirt. The beige sweater then draped fluidly over my body and gave me shape. I felt much better about how I looked and felt.

I refuse to take pics of a look I hated so no pics. But can you help me analyze why boxy over boxy failed on me? I think it has to do with being IT and apple.

For the immediate future I am not trying this look again: I actually felt defeated about my body today while wearing it. Positive body image is really important to me so I am not going in this direction again...soon.

But I am curious as to why this fails on me?

ETA: Pics. Only because...Angie says so...the worlds most unflattering pics of me...ever. I am wearing tapered bootcuts on the bottom which I think is part of the problem but my boyfriend jeans fit similarly in the waist. My husband ( who took the unfab pics) agreed I looked "super fat" in these pics. That sucks! I am back to pullover only over the same outfit ( will swap peeptoe wedges for black booties once I leave home to go to the salon.) I think one needs to be superlean/hourglass like Suz, Angie or MryK to pull this off well. Neel I think because you have a little more in the hips to balance you out you do this look well as well.

This post has 4 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

Dressing

34 replies

Latest reply was from Mander

shiny

Veteran

It might be the IT and apple. Are you busty? That's another factor for me. Personally, I will not be trying this look as I know it'll be a flop. I do however love layering a boxier sweater over a fluid, relaxed fit white tee shirt. Gives the effect of having a "tail" peaking out under the sweater. And if the sweater has a v neck, you get a touch of white at the neckline too. Without a collar to shorten my already short neck.

Otherwise, I do wear a pullover over my AT silk legacy blouses. That works, but it's a bit more dressier.

Sona

Veteran

Thanks Shiny. I am busty with a short neck. I think with my silky more fitted button down shirt...it may work but I am not sure....

adorkable

Veteran

Are you short-waisted as well? That might be another strike against boxy tops!

(I can't do boxy tops at all - something about the combination of busty, short-waisted, and wide-hipped means that non-fitted tops generally make me look about eleven months pregnant. No thanks.)

Sona

Veteran

my 'actual' waist is fairly close to my bust. So I guess yes this makes me short waisted as well.

so busty short neck, short waist= perhaps outfit fail.

Fluid tops/pullovers alone though seem to do well even though I have a large lower belly ( but no butt to speak of).

JayS

Veteran

I feel your pain. I love the sweater over blouse look, but just can't make it work. I think it is from the IT influence..it makes the top half seem even bigger. I also have a short waist, short neck and regular bust. Not only does it not look right on me, I find it very uncomfortable. The blouse feels bunched up..less so in silk fabrications..but this is a look I'll have to enjoy on others. Sorry to be of no help.
I do like Shiny's idea of a tee underneath. That gives the layered look without the fuss.

Diana

Veteran

I suspect it has to do with the two boxy items combining to be too stiff and not drapy enough. At least that's what happens to me. I like a good amount of drape so even though something is waist surrendering / oversized you can still see that I am not as wide as my hips all the way down. (or in your case your shoulders). Two items that are drapy on their own might be too stiff when layered. You might try a silk shirt instead.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Let's solve the challenge together. Post a pic, Sona. I'm pretty sure we can get you sorted. xo

Neel

Veteran

I searched hi and low for my first attempt of boxy on boxy pic. Darn .... I wish I could show it to you.

I first chose a dolman sleeve sweater which was a bit chunky. The neck line is a wide 'u' and when layered over the shirt made me look huuuggeee and the neckline was not flaterring at all! It took me sometime to figure out which sweater worked over my shirt.

I am short necked, short waisted, pear with apple tendencies. I do not think it has anything to do with your body ... It's just choosing the right piece of clothing. Unfortunately I do not have any pointers on what might work you. I will leave that to the experts. I figured mine by trial and error.

I will try again to search for my fail pic, so you feel better

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Hugs!!

I'll bet you looked a lot better than you think. But your comfort and happiness factor are the most important. No need to try (or go out in) a trend that doesn't feel right.

Remember I bought those fun orange pants to try Angie's "peach, navy, and brown" ensemble? Well....I had to let them go because they just weren't me. And that's okay. We don't feel good in everything.

Neel

Veteran

Here's the pic Sona (downloaded from cam again)!

Pic 1 - Fail (I look huge up top, not flattering at all)
Pic 2 - Success after a lot of thought (more sleek sweater)!

This post has 2 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

shoppingisfun

(website)

Veteran

I actually think those both look cute. What is the problem? Do you think it might feel less wide if you wore a more "flowy" button down underneath? You would still get the shirt-tail effect without adding much bulk. But they look good as-is to me. Personally I hate stiff button downs. I love the look! But they drive me nuts. If I layer them I end up tugging at the collars and hems all day trying to keep them looking perfect. For me they are not worth the effort. Maybe if I found a really soft one it would work. Oh well.

shoppingisfun

(website)

Veteran

Deleted double post

adorkable

Veteran

I don't think you look fat at all! Actually, if anything, I see the opposite - the clothes look too big ... which makes you look tiny.

All that said - it's not you, it's the clothes! If you don't like something, or if it makes you feel self-conscious, the best thing for your happiness, body image, etc. might be to wear something else. What Suz said.

Neel

Veteran

Sona ... I still suspect you could make this work with a different sweater. Will be interested in Angie's opinion about this.

Sona

Veteran

I dunno...wider, lighter colored bottoms. slim pointy heels. black pullover. But still I think my figure flattery priority will be dealt a blow by this look.

Like Suz wisely points out...I may have to pass on this one.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Thanks for being a sport, Sona and Mr. Sona. You rock. ((HUGS)).

First of all, you don't look bad at all. NOT AT ALL. This is a catwalk look, so there you go.

Here is my 2 cents things:

Try a less oversized sweater in a thicker fabric and shorter length. The light weight sheerness of this sweater is making you feel sloppy and "too big". Plus it's quite long.

Try buttoning up the cuffs on the sleeves and leaving them down. More structure.

Baggier bottoms will balance out your IT silhouette in this look.

I have plus size clients wearing this look. Truly, it can work for all body types with a little attention to fit and proportion. But if you want to pass on this look completely - you know that's fab too. xo

oggy

You don't look fat at all! Maybe a little shapeless, but not fat. Exposing more of your forearms will help, IMHO.

MsMary

Veteran

Sona, that top is just way too big!! Don't believe me? Click over to my version of this look - my top layer is much shorter and much closer to the body and I think it worked pretty well. Note also that I am far from super lean and note also that to the extent I am an hourglass, this look hides that and I just decided to be okay with the fact that this look wasn't high on the figure-flattering scale.

Big hugs from me, and stop being so hard on yourself!

It's not you... it's the clothes!!

deb

Veteran

Sona, this does not make you look 'super fat! Yes, the style is looser than what you are used to but that is not who and what you are underneath.

Sona

Veteran

Ok Angie, will try the look n the next few weeks as you suggest. But for now I am going to just let the idea rest.

Anonymous

I think you did great trying this look and I think you have a fab figure. You just need to try Angies tweeks maybe sometime. I feel your anguish over button downs though. For me they just don't feel right for my style and I won't be trying them anytime soon, no way, no how. You always look great in your clothes and I don't suppose the sky will cave in if you never wear button-downs

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Deal. Thanks for trying Sona, and for providing visual examples. Onto looks that make you fab no matter what. xo

sarah

Veteran

Sona, I wonder if you can find a button down/up that fits you in the shoulder better. I think that could make a difference, too.

mrseccentric

(website)

Veteran

hi sarah: "Sona, I wonder if you can find a button down/up that fits you in the shoulder better."

Speaking as a fellow IT, what will happen is that Sona will be dealing with even more gobs of volume-creating stiff fabric in her torso, and very likely sleeves way too long as well.

Sona, i'm also an IT with big bust. I've not worn a button down in about a quarter century. My minimalist, practical side loves the look of a nice button down but they are the most monumental pain in the neck to make work on our body type! Even when sewing for myself! I finally said forget it, i'm not THAT in to those shirts and there's plenty of other things i love and don't have to fuss over to get to look even halfway decent.

For every person, ther's going to be things that look fantastic on them - like they were created with them in mind; things where they look okay/pretty good; and things that just stink. I can't think of any reason why anyone has to wear every single item or outfit trend out there. I mean if you're just going nuts over loving the look, sure why not make the effort. But to do it just to do it - not for me.

I had one friend in particular years ago who would always complain about her troubles finding clothes and outfits she liked. I explained that for a lot of us it simply does take time and effort and you just have to really edit what looks great on you and stick to that if you want to consistently look good. She said, "But you look good in everything!" ha! First, i asked her, "Have you ever seen me in a crew neck tee, or a crisp button down, or a sweatshirt, or bootcut jeans, or typical bright colors, or etc." That got her thinking, but not convinced.

So next time we were shopping together i tried on a bunch of random stuff, most of which looked pretty awful (it's hard for me to find flattering colors, and my figure is pretty non-standard so very difficult to fit off the rack).

All of which is to say - it's the clothes! If you don't like something, move on to something you do!! Have fun, how you manage to always look so gorgeous is beyond me but so fun to see! steph

Vildy

Veteran

I feel the same way in a woven shirt unless it collapses against the body.
It needs to be flimsy. Then it won't be poking at the sweater from the inside.

Marmee

Veteran

I don't think you look fat, just like you are wearing overly large, shapeless pieces that aren't right for your body. I've decided that the double boxy look isn't for me, and have learned the hard way that structured button downs aren't right for me either.

ironkurtin

Veteran

You certainly do not look super fat! Look at those slim thighs!

Catnip

Veteran

Sona, thanks for trying. You're a god sport!

I'm an apple and buttondowns that fit in the shoulders and bust are always a little tight in the stomach. Wearing a sweater over a buttondown works for me if the sweater isn't too loose.

I'm not sure the boxy style is for everyone. I bought a gorgeous Eileen Fisher merino boatneck sweater in a fabulous blue-green color. It hit a few inches below the waist and fit perfectly in the neck and shoulders, but it was definitely boxy. I wore it around the house for about an hour and kept looking in the mirror. Finally I decided there was no way I would ever grow to like this look, and I returned it. But I've been wrong before.

Gaylene

Veteran

I can certainly relate to your pictures, Sona, because they are identical to what I saw in the mirror when I tried that boxy over boxy layering, with a cotton shirt and an oversized, dropped shoulder sweater.

For me, the trick was to pay closer attention to the armholes. My J Crew Tippis are fluid, but they are cut with a higher armhole and a narrower sleeve. When I layered one of them over a silky buttoned-down shirt, the difference was astounding. Maybe try tweaking the formula a bit before giving up entirely?

12