Building an interim capsule - updated with new shirt buy - YouLookFab Forum

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Building an interim capsule - updated with new shirt buy

Sally

Veteran

I'm trying to organise a capsule that I can wear in the interim while my weight stabilizes. The jeans fit perfectly and I have two pairs. I was planning to wear dark skinny jeans like these black one with a shirt and a jacket. The jacket is probably a size too big but do you think it's OK? My shirts are all too big but some suggested I just wear big for a while. The problem is I've lost nothing off my bust and I don't like tight. I have two striped shirts like the ones shown and wonder if they are a better fit and I could smarten them up with accessories.....not with jandals obviously. ..I was out at park. .just wanted to show shirt.

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Dressing

23 replies

Latest reply was from Summer

Helen11

Veteran

Hi Sally, if you have jeans that fit perfectly, then you have to run with that!
I'm no expert, but I think the pattern shirt and jacket will get you by. The striped shirt looks great!
What activities and occasions does your wardrobe/ capsule need to cover over the coming months?

Summer

Veteran

The striped top looks lovely on you, Sally. I would definitely incorporate that - and the other, if it's a similar fit - into your capsule.
Your floral top is pretty, and still looks good on you, especially under the jacket.

dakotacheryl

Veteran

Sally I like the fit of the striped shirt better, it's not too loose. The floral shirt seems too big to my eye. Love the fit of the jeans!!

Anonymous

You look beautiful, Sally! I love you in the stripes--can't go wrong with stripes for a classically casual-chic look. The print on your blouse is very pretty. Since the trend is moving towards baggier items, I think you can wear these for a little longer.

I found my bust was the last area to lose weight--even though that was the area I most wanted to lose! I seem to lose from the ground up and gain from the top down.

unfrumped

Veteran

Great job to be working on capsule!

The striped top looks very sharp on you and I wonder if it might make an even better jacket outfit also, sort of " fluid over fitted" where the jacket is thd more fluid item. I think the floral tops work okay and also, even in a capsule, or wardrobe for that matter, there will be best- foot- forward looks and second- stringers, if you have different " days" at work. These are good looks overall!

Momo

Veteran

The striped top is fantastic! Could you do something with the floral like tie. knot at the hem or something else to bring in the volume a little?

rachylou

Veteran

I like the tops and the jeans are great. I think the real thing about the jacket is the sleeves look long... I'd maybe roll up the cuffs 80s style...

Anonymous

I agree with dakotacheryl and rachy - in that the floral top looks a little big as do the sleeves on the jacket (a little long) . As much as no-one wants to invest a ton of money in wardrobe pieces while weight is still fluctuating, it is really important to feel good and pulled together in the meantime. Jeans that fit are key, and that striped top is fantastic on you ! Get a few more of those and you'll have the basis for a great casual look!

Aida

Veteran

Starting with updating pants is a great idea. They make the biggest impact on dressing for a smaller size. I'm in a similar place to you, needing to make nearly a whole wardrobe of tops/jackets that are 1+ sizes too large work while slowly rebuilding (I started with pants!). My suggestion is to try and add as much extra structure as you can -- push sleeves up, tuck or semi-tuck, layer to create hemlines with interest, add a belt, etc. It can be a challenge, for sure. The striped top you've shown looks great. Will be super under a roomy jacket like the black one here; just push the sleeves up and you're set (you could also tuck and belt if you wanted even more structure). You'll have to do something similar with the floral shirt if you don't want it to look too large, which it does on its own.

A few of Angie's posts that will be especially helpful:

Good luck and good job!

Sheila

Veteran

I am in a similar place to you, having lost @ 40% of the weight I would like to lose. And, like you, my top half loses inches much slower than my bottom half. So currently I am still able to wear most of my tops (though some bag dreadfully as I have always preferred wearing very loose tops and buy them oversized.) However my pants started to sag miserably about 3 weeks ago due to pounds & inches gone, and I really prefer to wear close-fitting pants. Luckily I did save some nice jeans and other pants in smaller sizes and am happy that they fit me now. But I have pants and tops that are even smaller, waiting in the wings! So I'm gonna keep on truckin'.

I really like your striped top. The floral top is a generous size but I say, wear it till you can't stand wearing it any more! And keep going with your program, it sounds like you are doing great.

(WARNING: WalMart haters please avert your eyes!) I know WalMart is a no-no for many people, but every now and then when I'm desperate for a cheap top I slink into a WM and come out with a small pile of cute, inexpensive tops. It kind of depends on how many seasons it's going to take me to shed the pounds.

Anonymous

The striped shirt is a much much better fit than the floral. I understand that you're very focused on your bust line but some shaping around your torso actually makes you look freer and not dragged down or like you're trying to hide. Realistically, people have some sense of your actual size wether your clothes are tight or not so maybe it'd be better to focus on the overall effect.
You look like a different person in the last photo, relaxed, and super attractive because you look so happy. Honestly, you look kind of amazing, and the last thing I would've noticed is your bra size.

Sally

Veteran

Helen- Basically I need to cover work and casual. I only do formal about once a year at the end of the year and my inspiration dress which I could fit 5 years ago is waiting...I need to lose another 8 kilos to get into that. My work would be smart casual and I feel I can wear jeans as long as they are dark so I brought dark and black jeans.

Thanks Summer and Dakotacherry and Aliona

Thanks unfrumped- I'm going to try the black jacket over the striped shirt when the days get colder here...especially now I know to scrunch the sleeves.

Thanks Momo - I think I will play around with the top. I'm thinking it might look better with my white pants as they are more tapered and shorter and if I wear heels, it might elongate it a bit.

Rachylou- I will scrunch all my jackets now until I get one that fits...isn't 80s style in anyway?

Lisap = yes I"m looking for more tops that fit...I"m thinking if I wear t-shirts with jackets, I will look dressed up enough for work and still have a casual lifestyle. I don't really need formal clothes at all.

Thanks so much Aida for the advice and links...those are great suggestions...some of them I do naturally like wear pointed flats and tapered cut offs but I will be more conscious of developing structure while my clothes are a little big. good link on prioritizing too.

Sheila I had to laugh at your Walmart reference. I live in NZ but have been to the US and know about Walmart. Here it is" the Warehouse" and I have looked there for cheap t-shirts and sports gear. I also looked online.

Isabel- Yeah I know what you are saying. I am trying to wear more fitting around my arms as I have lost a lot of weight there and its still warm here. I still have some fat around my stomach I'm trying to lose so shirts are my hardest area. Believe me some people do notice your bust line...usually other women! I've even had women comment on it. I think they think they are being complimentary but it does make you self-conscious. I think I will try getting some V-necked shirts as they are supposed to be slimming and elongate the body.

I attached a photo of the shirt I'm looking out for. I"m also looking out for a jacket that I can use to structure my clothes in winter. Also a picture of a travel capsule but gives you ideas of a basic casual wardrobe which I could wear to work also sometimes.

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Sheila

Veteran

For the tshirt and jacket, have you tried the teeny-bopper stores like H&M or Forever 21? They do carry some plus sizes. Here in the US we also have Old Navy and the Gap but I have no idea what the equivalent might be in NZ. I applaud your discipline and good taste in assembling this interim capsule. I like the last photo a lot (the travel capsule). Your striped shirt is obviously the first piece, right? It looks great on you.

Barbara Diane

Veteran

The pants look great, and I like the stripped top also. I am someone who suggested pants first, but I would take in or replace the floral top if the suggestions above to change the look/fit don't work. I think the problem is the cut was big to start with. You look so much better in the striped shirt. It's like once you see what is right it is hard to settle for less. Congrats again on the weight loss.

Barbara Diane

Veteran

And I like your capsule.

Sally

Veteran

Sheila, that's a great idea. Our equivalent would be glassons or jayjays I suppose. I normally never go in there but they would have reasonably priced t-shirts and they would have my size. I'm going to go and look in the weekend.

Thanks Barbara. Yes once you see something that looks right, you don't want to wear something that is not quite right.

cheryl

Veteran

You look amazing in the striped top! I am a big fan of loose and flowy and I think the floral top looks good especially with the jacket. I think you can get a little more wear out of it for a while. Like others have said I would look for a couple inexpensive, fun, trendy items while your weight is still fluctuating.

Sal

Veteran

The striped shirt outfit looks fabulous. Such a great happy photo!

The other top I think just is too big, I would wear it while I looked for another one. And honestly, only have four or so good outfits will be fine for the short term, it just means keeping up with the laundry.

I have had success at the Warehouse with exercise gear, not so much other clothes, but I know some who have. I have a couple of local op shops/recycle boutiques where I have had success too. It is hit and miss though. The other two cheaper retailers that I occasionally buy from are Dotti (two tees last year) and Glassons (one beach cover). I know lots of people that have success at Farmers but I do not...I think it is the store layout partly and the lighting. They are constantly having sales and could be a good place for a couple of tops.

plonkee

As everyone says the striped top is very good. The floral one is fine under the jacket but too big really without. Have you tried semi-tucking it? It might add some more shape to it.

catgirl

Veteran

Agree with plonkee and others. There's such a subtle difference between oversized and just too big. You look great though and the jeans are a perfect base!

Sally

Veteran

Thanks everyone. I have found a few shirts at ummmm (looks sheepish) the warehouse. They'll tide me over until I can plan my outfits and invest in the right size. I really like the jeans and blazer look and am going to rethink shoes etc. I have some penny loafers etc and boots. I have attached a photo of one of the shirts I found. I had to upsize heaps so that it felt comfortable enough to wear if I took my jacket off. I also work in a school with different cultures and don't like to be wearing anything too revealing.

Sally ..any idea where I'd get a good fake leather biker jacket. I tried one on in Max last week and that was good but might look around a bit.

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Sal

Veteran

I have seen some in Dotti in the past that looked okay. I have also seen them in Witchery. I will keep an eye open:)

Summer

Veteran

Lovely, Sally, and it makes perfect sense not to overspend on things you will wear for a very short time. Also, your jacket looks really good with the scrunched sleeves.