Canada Week, take 1: Scrutiny needed - YouLookFab Forum

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Canada Week, take 1: Scrutiny needed

Elizabeth P

Veteran

I decided to take advantage of Runcarla's Canada Day/Week challenge to test drive this red/white sweater. I'd love some honest, straight up feedback on it... for some reason, I never wear it. I got it probably three years ago, and have worn it a handful of times. But I'm not sure why - I like the neck shape, the fabric, the colour, even the fit (although I'd prefer it a bit longer... however this length faux tucks well)

So, fabbers.... what is it about this top? Do I keep or pass on?

Anything else to add? The pants? The shoes? All are items I feel are "okay"... but I'd like to do better than "okay".

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20 replies

Latest reply was from Elizabeth P

dashielle (Ann)

(website)

Veteran

This doesn't speak to me of your true style, so I agree with you on the 'okay'.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

The colour is absolutely stunning on you. But styled like this it reads too "classic" for your aspirational style, I think.

You could style it with jeans and a moto jacket or something to tough it up a bit, or if you had the right A-line skirt (and the length is right) it could go ladylike/ dressy -- but that wouldn't feel like you, exactly, either.

JAileen

Veteran

I think it looks very nice, actually. But I'm probably a more conventional dresser than you.

Anonymous

Yeah - it's the combo of classic t with very classic pants . Too Ralph Lauren at The Bay for your look now. You have raw hem white jeans, don't you? Or white cargos even. Or white mid-thigh denim raw hem shorts. .....The t-shirt colour is dynamite - just take it to a more rate/casual look and it will be great!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I love the color on you but agree it needs some style tinkering to be there with your best.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I agree with lisap - and I love the color and neckline on you!

Elizabeth P

Veteran

Thanks ladies. I think you've nailed it... Too classic. For me. Funny how I'm having such a hard time giving up my classic pieces, even though they are not what I reach for.

Thanks for those ideas Lisa. I have white bf jeans, and cargos that I shortened and roll. I'll give it another go with those.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I think you can still keep some classic pieces. You need them to ground your wardrobe. It's a question of which ones. Finding the ones that work with your less classic pieces and create outfits. It might require a few try on sessions and a look through Angie's ensembles. I think there's hope for this top (if you want to bother) with --

rolled up jeans and freebirds
raw edge white jeans (or similar)
a denim skirt and moto or even the right blazer plus cool footwear
maybe even the Zara pleather culottes?

The reason you might be struggling to eject your more classic items from the closet (or one reason) is that it's easier to find classic pieces in your most flattering colours (apart from black and white, that is). Chucking those pieces would mean banishing some serious complexion flattery from your wardrobe and that would hurt. Of course you might be able to adjust in winter with scarves in these colours, and you might not need quite as much colour in summer. But our northern summer light seems to beg for a bit of brightness.

Anyway, I think it just comes down to styling. You want to make it feel less matchy and classic somehow.

I feel like this outfit is like a recent fail of mine. I ended up feeling like some version of my mother, circa 1975, and not in a good way. (Not to get into the disparaging mom talk again, LOL!) It was all too much of a niceness. I happened to be shopping in the Bay and felt like I fit right in, just like Lisa said here!! The horror!!!!

Peri

Veteran

Possibly another reason you are doubting it...what would bother me as a fellow IT...that wide square neckline is not an IT's best. The other issue is the sleeve length, the way they hit right across the bust line. I never find that as flattering as other types of sleeves.

I agree with the others that it is not bad. Damned by faint praise, because it is not your usual fabulousness. I actually find those items harder to get rid of. Really bad things, out they go. Wonderful things, yay, keep of course. Those okay, but don't feel good in items, that's tricky. Should we make do? Or should we get to feel fabulous always? We know what Angie would say on that topic!

I'm not sure I agree with Suz though...wow, I may never have said that before! But we love very similar colors and I don't have trouble finding them in non-classic pieces. I am not classic at all and I have a lot of red, berry, orchid, cobalt...

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

You look great in the outfit, Elizabeth. I agree with the consensus here that it's not quite your usual style, and I like the idea of trying the top with some different jeans, or shorts, and footwear.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Peri, it's true...you do. More patterns, maybe, and florals, than Elizabeth usually wears, though, I think, right? But I think you're correct.

Hmmm. Maybe things automatically look more classic in certain colours, even if the cuts are not strictly speaking classic? I think that might be true. That's one reason LisaP doesn't like to wear cobalt, maybe. It feels too conventional to her somehow. (I'm not sure if I have the right word, but it is something like that.)

Elizabeth also has to do a bit of finagling to shop some of the options that are automatically yours, but admittedly, she seems to manage it pretty darned well!

AviaMariah

Veteran

I agree with others that while this is okay it doesn't live up to your usual style. Maybe the separate pieces mixed with other edgier pieces? Info like the color on you though.

rachylou

Veteran

Like the others, I find it extremely flattering and far too classic for your style. I feel like this would be very hard to bring edge too. Or more accurately, enough edge. I'd probably try bootie sandals first...

Deborah

Veteran

I don't want to 'box' you into a style BUT it just doesn't look like you. It is very 'nice' but your outfits are so much better than 'nice'.

Sal

Veteran

I do agree with the others... I have a green and white striped top that I feel similarly about. I now wear it about twice a year with boyfriend jeans and sneakers or something similar for very casual weekends. I too keep it because I like the colour.

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....all-blacks

The colour is a stunner on you!

El Cee

Veteran

I think the other ladies have hit the nail on the head. Although the color is fabulous on you, the sweater is a very classic style. When worn as you did in this outfit, it lacks your usual "edge". Nothing at all wrong with the outfit -- it is just not what we are used to seeing on you. I like the ideas Suz gave you for making the outfit less classic by pairing the sweater with edgier bottoms.

skylurker

Veteran

Maybe it's the fit ?
I know I dislike body con knits like this tee on me, though there's nothing wrong with them, I prefer more fluid knits, maybe you feel the same ?

Chris987

Veteran

I don't know you well enough to add any comments on your style, but I agree that the red top is very classic with those white pants. This "moving away from classic" is something I'm trying to do also so I'm reading with great interest.

Something about the neckline, the sleeves, and the stripes on that top are what read classic to me. Not a bad thing but apparently not where you want to be. The pants style is pretty classic too. So a top and pants that are both classic = CLASSIC (have I said that word enough times?). Love the suggestions about pairing with other more modern/trendy pieces.

And as Suz suggested I agree that certain colors or color combinations can read "classic" when done certain ways. Red and white is one that can, but it can also be more modern too.

I also can totally relate to not wanted to get rid of favorite classic pieces (or any style you are trying to move away from). They are familiar and part of a habit (a behavioral one, not what nuns wear :-)) . Habits are hard to change, it takes time

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I find the fit a little tight actually, Elizabeth. I'd ponder that before going to the effort of restyling it.

Elizabeth P

Veteran

Sorry, got sidelined by an unexpected meeting (on top of an expected one )

Thanks for the great feedback. You all seem to be seeing much the same thing as I am... the colour is good, but everything else is "meh". Interesting that a couple of you commented on it being body con or tight, it doesn't really feel that way, I suspect the photo is playing slight tricks. But... if that's how it looks to others, then I do need to pay attention. There's no question it's closer fitting than most of my tops are these days. Maybe I'll keep it for under toppers... with edgier bottoms (as there seems to be agreement it's worth trying again). I also have this sweater in white with a cobalt stripe, and it gets worn mostly under a cobalt jacket.

I like the observation that it's hard to get edge in the colours that suit me. This is/was a frustration with my colour palette, for sure. I've felt this, but haven't thought of it in this way.

And yes, the pants are pretty "classic" too, aren't they. Hmm.....