Can I redeem this silk blouse? - YouLookFab Forum

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Can I redeem this silk blouse?

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Some of you might remember that I bought a silk tunic or blouse last fall that ended up not being worn once during the season. That really bothers me, because it was very expensive, and it is such a waste. It also puzzles me, because I was attracted to it in the first place, and I still find several aspects of it very pretty. I have been thinking of selling it, but I won't get much of my money back, so I figured I should give it another try.

I have felt that it is too boxy for my taste, and also that even if there are a lot of colors I like in it, the overall impression reads earth tones, which I am moving away from. I want my style to be modern classic, not boho. On the positive side it is an all season garment, it is easy to match with a lot of pants and skirts/dresses and tops, and it fills a need for a dressy patterned top in my wardrobe.

Today I paired it with my white jeans and the navy cropped chinos I bought recently. By pairing it with classic neutrals, I hoped to heighten the classic vibe. I also added a semi tuck and a belt to make it modern. Please help me decide the following:

1: Does the overall impression read earthy, boho or modern classic in these outfits?
2: Does the semi tuck make it more or less boxy?
3: Is this piece consistent with my style at all, or should I donate it and move on?

I'm very grateful for your thoughts on this. Thanks for reading!

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Dressing

32 replies

Latest reply was from K. Period.

ramya

Veteran

You know Ingunn... I liked it then and still love it now...
Both the versions...
Do you think you would like it more with a blazer on? The structured/unstructured formula provided by Angie?

Beth Ann

Veteran

This piece can function as the "soft" or "unstructured" to your modern classic "structured" pieces. I love the colors and the drape and see immediately what drew you to it. I also think a few "outliers" in our closets keep things free and fresh.

I like the partial tuck and sleeve-scrunch best, because, untucked and with sleeves down the fabric does overwhelm you just a bit. Love it styled with both pairs of paints, though! I wouldn't think "boho" necessarily, or earthy. I see more "romantic," and I could see it worn beneath a suit jacket, too.

Anonymous

I don't think it's too boxy on you and I dislike boxy. I also think the way you styled it pulls down the boho enough for it to work.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I like it with the white pants and def. with sleeves scrunched (in fact 3/4 sleeves might have been better on this) The first outfit for some reason makes the top look bigger, but it may just be the way you are standing in those poses or the fact that only one sleeve was scrunched. Also with the dark pants, I feel like the colors are too overpowering or something, but with the white it seems to work. I think the white pants makes it fresh and I like the semi tuck.

Would you consider wearing a chain type belt over it when it is worn untucked? I'm thinking that it might work with slim skirts this way.

Anonymous

What a beautiful blouse, I can see why you were drawn to it. I think I know what you mean about it being a little bohemian. The tunic cut and the gathered neckline are peasant-y and gives that kind of feel. The colors and cut look very nice on you (I like all of the options you posted) but I wonder if covering more of it up would make it feel more like you. Have you tried wearing it tucked into a business-like skirt and popping a blazer on top for work?

Ariadne

Veteran

Well, I love it. I think it does add an earthy, arty, "grown up boho" touch to your look. But is that bad? You don't have to be 100% consistent all the time (unless you really want to be).

How do YOU feel in it?

Vix

Veteran

As you know I loved it then and continue to love it now on you. It's just stunning with your coloring and features -- but then I see a romantic side to your looks/style that you've said you don't want to emphasize.

I think the semi-tuck stylings with the slim silhouette on bottom is getting closer to where you want to be, and agree a blazer would push it toward the direction you want even more.

Sarah A

Veteran

I really like this top (on you and in general, I have considered it on your style exchange thread but SYB calls for the time being)! I think it looks great and I really see the magenta and blue-purple coming through more than earth tones. I think Claire has got it about the gathered neckline being a little arty/bohomian but just a tad. The fabrications makes the overall read very luxe and elegant to me. I slightly prefer it with the white jeans becuase I am having a hard time with the green belt, perhaps a red belt on the navy pant? (Added OT: I put on my red jeans this AM to try to get them some wear! LOL....)

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

I can't get a good idea of your complexion from the photos, but from personal experience, I find my pale skin really seems to reflect color and pattern - and a 'muddy' pattern like this, would make my skin look splotchy and dull - even when the individual colors are highly flattering to me. I think that's what might be happening with you, and why you tend to bypass this blouse. The colors don't look 'clean'. I get an impression of 'busy' and 'muddy' - and if I had to sum up your color style in just a few words, it's always been 'crisp', 'clean', 'clear', 'bright'.

That being said, I think the fit looks gorgeous on you

Carole

Veteran

It's a beautiful blouse, Ingunn. I think I like it best untucked with the white jeans. It does seem removed from your current preferences, a little more arty/boho but that's ok, isn't it? You have your wardrobe so nicely organized into capsules, do you think that it could be worked into one so that you will find occasions to wear it more frequently?

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Ramya, you are spot on. I think adding a blazer would feel right for me. The structure/unstructure is definitely the way to go.

Beth Ann, you are right about adding more structure, and I feel "romantic" is closer to my heart than boho. I definitely agree that not everything must be strictly in line with my style, of course not. Thanks for pointing that out.

Gennifyr, thanks, that was what I aimed for. I don't mind boho on others, on the contrary, but it never felt like me.

Texstyle, I DO feel bigger in this top, which isn't necessarily only bad as long as it is intentional. It might be that slimmer bottoms work best with it. I think you're a genius to suggest shortening the sleeves permanently, they don't stay up. Why didn't I think of that? Yes, I think a skinny belt would look nice, too.

Claire, thank you. You are right that it works well with a structured skirt and blazer. I think I tried that last time I styled it. What I would like now is to be able to wear it as a summer tunic. It could easily be tucked into a summer skirt, of course.

Ariadne, that is a very timely question. I don't think 100% consistency is necessary - that could easily become boring. How does this tunic make me feel? I'm torn. I don't feel quite like me, but I love the drape of the fabric, the abstract pattern and that it can be mixed with so many different pieces. What I dislike the most is the gathered neckline, I think it is too fuzzy.

Day Vies

Veteran

I see why you were attracted to this top initially. I think it's so pretty. It's the shock of fuchsia that pulls me in and I love how you have it counter balanced with the green belt and the white skinnies. I think that pairing goes a long way in bringing this top into the realm of your current style.
I really don't see this top as boho -- more dramatic and minimalist because it doesn't require much embellishment. (oh but if it belonged to me a chunky bright silver statement necklace would be my go-to but we're talking about you )
The scrunched sleeves and simi tuck work really well because the sleeves are a little long. I think it has enough shape at the shoulder to be salvaged. I think this is completely worth saving! Perhaps using Angie's formula for adding structure would help (jacket, belt, tailored trousers???). I think a jacket in a richly saturated neutrals or plums/burgundies/mauves would work so that you could work in brightly-colored accessories (shoes, belt, purse) from the opposite side of the color wheel.

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Vix, thank you! I remember you saying this last time, too. Maybe I need to make peace with the romantic in me - it's probably her who is tho blame when I make choices like this one

Sarah A, I tried to pull out those exact colors. If I pair it with brown or olive, it looks a lot more muddy. (We need to start a "Wear Red Pants More"-club, I think. Mine are also orphaned, more or less!)

LBD, it is the "muddy" part that bothers me the most. I've paired this with black, brown and olive earlier, and that enhances the earth, muddy look. You are spot on.

Carole, I hope so. There should be a place even for a look like this in my wardrobe. It is encouraging that you all seem to find it flattering on me, so I'll try harder to make it work.

unfrumped

Veteran

Love the colors. I think I like it worn out, and do try a blazer; I think that would look great.
Wearing your hair up seems like it would add usefule structure to the more blousey top, but but in the photos it seems to skew toward a less modern direction with this particular top--I would try your regular Ingunn hair with it.
Sleeve scrunching, temp or permanent, would really do well, too.

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Day Vies, I think we double posted! I love your suggestions, and as always you are so good at articulating that I easily can visualize what you mean. I feel totally inspired to get some wear out of this blouse now. Maybe I'll start by permanently shortening the sleeves - a scrunch sewn down will do the trick. I wish I had a navy blazer, but I don't. Black is okay, too.

Unfrumped, that's an interesting observation! I didn't plan the hairdo for this, it was a result of a bad hair day But I agree, the bun doesn't look particularly modern with this blouse. Good point.

Diana

Veteran

It's a pretty blouse, and I do not think it looks too boxy at all. However, I do feel that it might be a bit too boho for you - in particular, it's the gathered neckline, I think. I try to avoid this type of neckline for myself because it's very, very hard to make it look sophisticated IMO. You,however, do pull it off better than me because your shoulders are stronger.

Have you tried pairing it with a tailored jacket? Preferably one with strong lines to counteract the rounded soft lines of the blouse. Or layering it under something to hide the neckline?

Jonesy

Veteran

I love the colors of the blouse on you, and I think it looks lovely with the navy and the white! My two cents: I personally have a problem with tops that hit at this exact spot (right at the crotch point, rather than a few inches higher or lower), especially if the hem is straight across and the top is a loose cut. I feel super frumpy in this length of top, and I find that if I shorten it just a few inches, or semi-tuck, that frump feeling goes away. There is something, at least for me, about it hitting right exactly at the widest spot of the hips, and sort of cutting my body right in half visually. Also, I have a thing with the sleeves and hem hitting right around the same spot: that also feels boxy and frumpy to me. Maybe either one of these things is bothering you at some level, and adding to your frump feeling? These sleeves look a little too long, so I would either scrunch all the time or have them shortened.

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Diana, thank you for chiming in! It definitely is the neckline that is bothering me, among other things. I have layered it under a fit-and-flare dress with boat neck, and that worked really well, in fact. I have a blazer to wear with it, too. With a little planning I suppose I can get a few wears out of this.

Jonesy, thank you for addressing the other issue that is troublesome:) Today I've decided to scrunch the sleeves permanently (I don't understand how I didn't think of that already), and maybe I also need to have it shortened. I'm afraid to do that and end up with it being too short, though. You are absolutely right that this particular horizontal line across my hips is doing me no favors.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I am with Jonesy. I vote for a small alteration (or at least some pinning, first) to alter the length of the sleeves and hem. Then try to style it in the ways suggested, to add a bit of structure, and with the white or crisp navy or some other classic, non muddy colour -- and then see how you feel about it. For me, it would be the length, plus sleeve length, plus the overall muddy impression, and also the shape of the neckline that would have me stumped a bit. (You might try filling the neckline in cooler months with a solid toned scarf or a chunky necklace). I do think it is beautiful and still has potential for you, Ingunn, and I like it semi-tucked a lot!

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I love this blouse. It is totally MY style, which isn't yours but does have some overlap.
It is so NOT the crisp look that you have sported in all the postings of yours I've seen recently. But it is just beautiful on you.
I do not see boho and boxy, although with the neckline, it does look like a sophisticated peasant style, so it leans boho. Not so much to be inconsistent with your style. If you changed the print on this blouse to, say, a polka dot, I think you'd wear it often. Or maybe a foulard print, or a paisley, or a geometric; something with clear, not blurred, outlines.
I love it as you've styled it with the white jeans. If it's going to take too much effort to get it where you want to wear it even a little bit of the time, I'd say, give yourself permission to let go of it, and replace it with another silk blouse that makes you feel totally fab.

rachylou

Veteran

I can see how it's a bit boho for you, but it's not at all boxy. I vote too for a blazer. I think it makes a really good "under blouse." A cardigan over it would also work. Or if you have a sleeveless sheath dress, this would be great for underneath.

Jonesy

Veteran

I would go maybe 1.5-2" above crotch point? A few examples, to see what I mean about a loose, straight-cut top and hem length, below: 1-4 are a good length, to my eye (and versatile, in that they can be worn with pants or skirts, as shown in 3-4); 5 is the dreaded hits-right-at-the-crotch-point length, though it looks a little shorter in this pic because the pants are slouchy with a dropped crotch themselves. I always felt frumpy in that top, despite loving the silk fabric, colors, and print. I tried to make it work by wearing a jacket over it (couldn't tuck because of these knobby buttons it had), but eventually donated because of the frump factor :).

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Sheila

Veteran

I like it with the white pants a lot -- sleeves scrunched. I agree that taking a couple of inches off the bottom would help. Have you thought about pairing it with bottoms of a medium tone, say a muddled olive or grayish-taupe? There's something wrong to my eye with the black pants (too dark for your zippy personality) and so I just thought, why not try another color of pants? I have a poison-eye for half-or-semi-tucks and in this case I think it looks kind of scruffy...my eye goes straight to the waistline and misses the charming details of the neckline. Just a thought...

Glory

Veteran

I liked it the first time a ton! But I can see with your style that it might be too boho for you. I love boho and have to be careful not to dive too deeply into it. I would suggest wearing it a few times to see if you will enjoy it and whether you feel good in it.

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Suz and Jonesy, I'll definitely try shortening both the sleeves and the body. Thanks for the visuals, Jonesy! It really made it clear.

Rachy, you are so right. It is a great layering piece, and I guess a lot more versatile than what I've made it into in my mind.

Sheila, thank you for commenting. I have a pair of olive chinos that look quite good with it, but then the earthy colors are accentuated, and I don't want that, at least not until fall. But it does look very nice. If I shorten it, I'd be more inclined to wear it untucked, so I guess that is the best solution! I do like the semi tuck a lot, though.

Glory, thanks! You are right, of course. I've got a few new ideas today, so I think a bit differently of it now.

Anonymous

Ingunn, thank you for posting this. I learned so much from all the comments. For one thing, I had a boatload of blouses with this kind of neckline in the past. I think they're supposed to be good for a small bust. I could never figure out why they just didn't feel right on me. I finally figured out that they tend toward the bohemian style, something that never looks authentic on me.

The other thing was something La Belle Demimondaine said about prints making their individual colors look muddy. This was an "aha" moment for me because I need softness in my colors and often feel like putting them into a print allows me to wear colors or tones better than if they were solids near my face. So the busy, murky, muddy actually works well for me, as long as the pattern isn't too large or overpowering. So this explains why the converse is true and why people like Angie with clear coloring, often prefer solids next to their face. Cool!

K. Period.

Veteran

You know that I am modern classic to the core, right? I love your blouse and absolutely think it can play as part of a modern classic wardrobe.

Pairing it with crisp modern classic pieces like you did looks fabulous. I love the front tuck for a more casual look. I'd also do a full tuck with it. I think of that as a more classic way to wear a loose top. I wear this style often and do either a tuck or a front tuck to keep it in my modern classic zone. I also wear clean lined, strong jewelry and simple shoes. Nothing fussy or piecey. If the volume gets to be too much for me, I just make sure that I tuck in the majority of the volume in back, which you can do with a flowy, silky blouse much better than a heavier woven. And believe me, I would never have expected even a year ago that I would love tucking as much as I do now. I guess my eye is getting more and more accustomed to it.

You haven't come straight out and said you won't do a full tuck, have you?

DonnaF

Veteran

How does the blouse look with slightly drapey trousers, say wool ones? I also think it will increase your comfort factor if worn under a blazer and with a pencil skirt or under a dress. The blouse is somewhat of a departure for you, but not of the head scratching, what-in-the-world-was-she-thinking variety, so I think you can make it work as a refreshing and occasional change of pace. After all, it's a beautiful silk blouse, and as such is probably fairly comfortable. Do get those sleeves altered if you conclude that you will keep it because that may have been a factor in its being passed over in favor of other tops.

styringca

I think it's very OK,just keep the shirt into your white trousers will looks better.

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