Chinos and Tops - What works best for me? - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Dressing

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Chinos and Tops - What works best for me?

Bonnie

Veteran

I love my light blue Gap chinos and have tried every top I own with them and the only ones I liked were these white ones. I have a short waist and find it impossible to wear tucked shirts with pants, so I wear tunics or untucked shirts. My question will help me with further purchases of tops. Do any of these work and if so, which ones work best? Can you think of something that would work better like a longer or shorter length? What do you suggest I try?

This post has 5 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

18 replies

Latest reply was from Bonnie

Zibbets

Veteran

I love all of these! You look so cool and breezy. The lengths look great to me.

My favorite is #4 because of the short placket and the unbroken line of the shirt at the bottom, but they are all lovely.

Those light blue chinos are gorgeous. I think a coral and white or yellow and white top would be pretty with them too, but I love the white.

JAileen

Veteran

They're all fine, but I like 2 and 4 best. The color scheme is very nice on you, too.

columbine(erin)

Veteran

I liked 4 the best because of the v in the neckline and curved hem ( looks like it has a curved hem, anyway).

Bonnie

Veteran

Zibbets: Thank you. I like #4 best, too, and the hem is curved. Good suggestion to try a top with another color and white.
JAileen: Thank you. #2 is probably my second favorite It is a Brooks Brothers linen shirt and cool to wear.
columbine: Thank you. This is a favorite tunic from Anthro that is a real workhorse. The hem in curved. I would have bought it in several colors if it was available but alas, it's gone from the site.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

4 is my favorite; somehow it looks like more of an outfit than the ones with a full button-front, I dunno.

My first thought was that shorter top lengths would be better. Maybe something that blousons or ties at the waist?

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Love it all, Bonnie. ALL the tops work well. Personally, I like #2 and #3 best. Try a white high-low knit top or sweater.

skylurker

Veteran

All tops work length-wise.
I have a preference for #2, I really love how the collar and shoulders of that shirt fit you.

Elizabeth P

Veteran

My least favourite of them is #3, as it cuts you a bit more, but they are all good. Have you tried semi-tucking a tee with them?

Anonymous

I like 4 and 5 the best. Between the two they cover blouse and button down in a slightly fresher, more flattering way than the others.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Bonnie, you are so pretty and especially lovely in this soft palette.

I love all the tops but my preference goes to #2, #3, and #4. I like the shoulder fit of #2 (plus it looks like linen or something). I like the shape and crispness of #3, and I like the curved hem and neckline of #4.

Try a semi tuck with a fluid knit or top. You might be surprised.

Sara L.

Veteran

I think they are look quite nice with the pale blue bottoms. #1 looks a little thin and may need a cami underneath to prevent grinning. Even with just white tops, you have a nice selection to go with the pants.

Bonnie

Veteran

Laura: Thanks for the help. I see what you mean by looking more like an outfit - the shirts look like I need to add something like a vest or topper. I've had a hard time finding shorter tops but just got one at Loft that I will try for length.
Angie: Thank you. I agree that they all look JFE but I'd like to find some tops that are flattering. I just bought a knit top from Loft that may work for length but I'm still on my trip and didn't bring my tripod, so it's hard to take good photos. I have big hopes for my new top though.

Petite Flecked Button Back Sweater

View Info

Top Pick

4

celia

Veteran

I guess it takes a more trained eye than mine to tell you which looks best because I like all of them.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

The new top looks lovely, Bonnie. I'm excited to see it on. I like #2 best because I find the fit of the shirt very flattering.

Bonnie

Veteran

skylurker: Thank you. I think that #2 is a flattering button front because it is fitted at the waist and the shoulders do fit well. It's linen and so it wrinkles easily.
Elizabeth P: #3 is my oldest white shirt and I haven't worn it very often because of the fit. I look so terrible with tucking, even semi-tucking, that I just don't ever do it anymore - since I started taking outfit photos. Thanks for the suggestions and I'm glad the other shirts are JFE.
Isabel: Thank you. #4 and #5 are my newest shirts and are both from Anthro.
Suz: Thanks for helping. A fluid knit top sounds good - maybe semi-tucking would work for me with that style. I'll try it.
SaraL: Thank you. #1 is a great top for really hot weather and I'm hoping it doesn't look as shear as the photo shows. A cami would help the "grinning" but be too hot for summer weather.

Bonnie

Veteran

celia: Thank you - you are very kind.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

#2 and #4 are my favorites - can't decide about the pants length.

Bonnie

Veteran

shevia: Thank you. I said I loved the pants but I think they are too big for me. The pants are well made and wash and wear beautifully, but I could have sized down. I ordered them online and should have sent them back. However, I think they feel cooler than a smaller size would. It looks like I rolled one leg shorter than the other.