Date night capsule? - YouLookFab Forum

Hello all!

Many of you may remember that I am a curvy hourglass who tends to dress slightly to the butch/androgynous side of things. Due to an illness, I gained a lot of weight a few years ago, and now that my weight has stabilized (yay medicine!) I have been working on replacing my wardrobe with more than just "I need something to cover my body" clothes.

One of the big gaps is clothes to wear out to nice occasions. For this I tend to have a more feminine look -- I stick with trousers, but my tops are often soft and pretty. For shoes I'm in good shape, since several pairs of low heels + two pairs of dressy sandals + black & brown nice men's oxfords all fit and are in good shape. The clothes are another story....

I have:

1 pair of black pants with a white tuxedo stripe
1 pair dark jeans (see below)
1 pair grey trousers (these are too businessy, I think, but...)
1 pretty orange top
1 nice blue top that doesn't quite fit but the color is fantastic on me (see below)
a few smart-casual cardigans.

Everything in this group goes well together, which is nice, because I can mix and match easily. But...it's boring. I've worn it all so many times, over and over, since a year ago when I purchased the black trousers and orange top for a wedding. But every time I look at it I can't even figure out what to add. How many tops? What style? Should I add a peasant blouse? What are colors????? do I need more pants?????

When I had an office job I could at least repurpose work clothes, but now my work clothes are canvas work pants and old tee-shirts, which isn't exactly the going-out aesthetic I want.

Can any of you fine fashion minds help me even...figure out what the heck to CONSIDER buying? my brain just completely shorts out on this one.

Nordstrom

NYDJ Henley Blouse (Regular & Petite)

$88.00

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Nordstrom

'Glam' Stretch Bootcut Jeans (Dark Denim) (Plus Size)

$79.95 $47.96

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8 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

(What's wrong with the fit of the blue top?)

There is an abundance of soft and pretty blouses in stores at the moment - don't those tickle your fancy?

And just to take you out of your comfort zone - how about some dresses?

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Did you take a look at some of the cold-shoulder tops Angie featured on the blog today? Those would be nice going-out tops, for casual occasions, with little bit of a flirty vibe. You could wear them with your nice jeans.

jacquez

Active Member

Angie, I think the blue top is simultaneously too wide through the shoulder and too small in the arm, making it uncomfortable to reach forward in it. It's not a fit problem I've had before, so I'm kind of guessing what the problem is, but that's what it feels like.

Dresses are a no-go, as are skirts. I have some, and they don't get worn. They hang in my closet looking pretty and I love looking at them, which is why I still have them, but I don't wear them! The only exception would be something like the Free People tunic dress below, which I would wear over skinny jeans or maybe black ankle pants, if it came in my size, which it doesn't. (Sad! I love it.)

Firecracker, I *love* off-the-shoulder tops, and they are absolutely the most feminine thing I love (aside from glittery sandals, maybe). but I don't have a bra that works with them. I wear a 34K (UK sizing) bra, and so strapless is a challenge. For Halloween I have rigged up systems to cope...maybe I'll try an off-the-shoulder top and see if I can make it work. It'd be a fun change, anyway!

Below, I've added the gray pants I have (see, nice, but boring), and a couple items I've been considering...any thoughts? The Lucky top might be too casual for nicer nights out (like the ballet) but not for, say, the weird local modern dance performance I'm going to tomorrow!

Sejour 'Ela' Curvy Fit Pants (Plus Size & Petite Plus)

$88.00 $44.00

Lucky Brand Tie Sleeve Print Henley Top (Plus Size)

$59.50 $35.70

Free People 'Star Gazer' Embroidered Tunic Dress

$128.00 $63.98

Pleione Scoop Neck Short Sleeve Blouse (Regular & Petite)

$39.00 $7.97

Halogen Drape Neck Sleeveless Top (Regular & Petite)

$38.00

Pleione Split Neck Top (Regular & Petite) (Nordstrom Exclusive)

$48.00

Jacquez, why don't you wear your pretty skirts and dresses? I'm curious as a puppy.

You can wear a bra with a cold shoulder top that has a built up shoulder.

Neiman Marcus Last Call

Cold-Shoulder Swing Top, Mojito Splash

Bloomingdale's

Nally & Millie Cold Shoulder Tee

Bobeau Short Sleeve Cold Shoulder Tee

$39.00 $23.40

Helena

Jacquez, what about accessories, lipstick, nail polish ... If you have a capsule that works pretty well, these might be another avenue to spice things up. A bright clutch or funky shoes might be other options?

BrieN

I'm just guessing - but I bet that pretty purple-y drape neck top by Halogen would look very nice with your the grey pants you already own and would flatter an hourglass.

Angie,

I am not the most gender-conforming of people, and am much more comfortable in trousers. Skirts and dresses are not so much "outside my comfort zone" as "make me very unhappy", no matter how much I love them as beautiful objects.

When I want to look more feminine, I reach for makeup and jewelry, shoes and scarves; I used to also reach for some of my great blouses but they don't fit anymore. My younger sister is enjoying them instead! I love that turquoise top you posted....hmmmmm

Torontogirl, I just did a total makeup refresh a few months ago. Moved from orange lipsticks to coral and changed up my reds a bit, and went from neutral shadows (one of the Nude palettes) to a purple & pink one with shimmer. I'm loving it so far!

Maybe I should think about a coral top? Or would that be too matchy?

Suz

So...if trousers are the way to go, then maybe you need more variety in the trouser shape/ type/ colours?

And if coral suits you, then by all means try a coral top as well as the lipstick!

Do you have a lighter neutral that you like? Coral looks amazing with white but might also work really well with olive.

Bijou

Have you tried white jeans? If you get the right pair, they can be super flattering. Personally I like NYDJ as they are comfortable and are cut to provide support. I love the red Free People tunic that you posted - this would look fun and fresh for summer especially with some white jeans and maybe a white camisole underneath (as it looks quite low cut). I hope you find something that you enjoy as your capsule sounds restrictive at the moment. Don't give up the search as the right items are out there, it just takes time to find them.

Bijou, I hadn't thought of a white jean! I'm a gardener and have 2 little kids, so white isn't a big part of my life. But of course I'm not gardening when I'm out somewhere...

Here are a couple that appealed to me on a quick browse of Nordstrom.com. I think the bootcut would be the most flexible & easiest to dress up .... thoughts?

Suz, I love olive but look terrible in it. Many of my work pants are olive because it really doesn't matter how flattering something is when it's covered in dirt. I wonder what I can find in a dressy olive... ?

Lucky Brand 'Emma' White Stretch Flare Leg Jeans (Plus Size)

$89.50 $53.70

NYDJ 'Ariel' Stretch Crop Jeans (Regular & Petite) (Nordstrom Exclusive)

$88.00 $43.98

NYDJ 'Leann' Stretch Slim Boyfriend Jeans

$110.00 $73.70

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