Done with blazers (fail WIW) - YouLookFab Forum

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Done with blazers (fail WIW)

Synne

Veteran

I am so done with men's wear. Sorry, not sorry. I am not a petite woman, I am 5'11 and broad shouldered. Why have I been trying to make blazers work? And ugly trousers? I sent these outfit photos to my beloved and outspoken brother, he said I looked like a construction inspector at the dock where his office is, lol. Not what I was going for. My future mission is to dress LESS like a naval inspector, MORE like a diva.

/rant over

25 replies

Latest reply was from cat2

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Oh Synne I don’t agree with your brother! I think the blazer looks great especially with the pretty blouse. I admit to not personally being as keen on the pants but mainly as they are too sporty for my style.

rachylou

Veteran

Well now, I don’t know about that, Synne. I admit it’s not diva, but it’s quite hipster...

Synne

Veteran

It's interesting, I felt I got somethings right here. The colours, the large floral pattern on the blouse, the different textures. All should suit me to a tee in theory. Then there's reality and real life. Threw on rainboots becouse of the weather, figured red was better than black or green. And ugh. Everything, just ugh. Well, onwards!

Bijou

Veteran

You definitely got LOTS right here - those caramel colours are just beautiful on you, the blazer fits well and the blouse is superb. It is tough getting the balance right between enjoying what you wear (that is gorgeous diva that you are) and being practical for your lifestyle and climate, I am not much help but I do empathise.

kkards

Veteran

Gosh, i like this silhouette on you...i think it suits and fits you very well....in all honesty its the colors that are throwing me off. For me, if you are going for a more tonal, variations of a color look, I’d swap out the boots for something in the same color family as the blazer/pants. (Try looking at the pictures with your hand over the shoes). But l’d also love to see the blazer and blouse with either a lighter or darker color pair of pants to show more contrast to the blazer. And I’d love to see the pants with something red, as i like the red boots with the pants. Hope that helps...

Vildy

Veteran

Got a terrific chuckle at your humorous post but when I clicked on the pictures, nah, your divaness is built in as a result of your bearing.

ETA: it's usually not the clothes so much as who is wearing the clothes

AndiB

Veteran

Well the color is carhart but nothing about this looks workman. I do hear you on blazers though. Maybe the casualization of Covid, not having face to face business meetings, the fact that blazers are a hard to fit item on me because of my short waist (if I shrug my shoulders high the jacket fits but who can walk around like that all day, haha). And while love the idea of denim, tee or pretty blouse, blazer as third piece, I haven’t been donning that much. Sigh.

Anonymous

OK but this is also a pretty strong fashion statement, maybe the issue is the combination not the items?

The softer cut and longer length of the blazer leans towards a cardigan which seems very wearable, I love it with the blouse, and for the more style conservative maybe the pants with sneakers and a boxy sweater?

Off topic, what a beautiful woman you are!

unfrumped

Veteran

I think you look fine, but if it’s a different look you are going for, I can relate.
I like tailored and “ masculine “ or tomboy elements a lot and love blazers, but have many times put together outfits that overall look too... SOMTHING. So I have to work at feminizing the look. But NOT by adding pumps and heels, which is the go- to method for many fashion blogs!
I’m not sure what is the right “ Outfit Lab” change to make here, but might be to sub some more fitted or sleeker element for topper or pants for more juxtaposition; maybe less contrast with shoes but more on top. I often need something like a more feminine jacket cut with trousers or more tapered pant with a blazer. I’ve also added frilled shirt collars. “ Feminine “ footwear is becoming ever harder for me as my fussy feet don’t tolerate heels or pointy toes, and even almond- toe shoes and boots are too much.
Keep play around with the combinations and proportions; maybe someone else will have more focused suggestions!

lyn67

Veteran

I'm not surprised, as we all know "men always know better"... unfortunatelly!:-(. NOT a DIVA I agree but you authoritive and professional in that blazer-it all depends why and where you need this formula- maybe for a real downtown office we could make it more feminine, indeed. My problem is rather the pants and the boots here. Generally to speak, I do wear a blazer almost daily, but rarely so structured anymore, mines are nowadays a bit more shorter, tailored and drapey (say jersey) -they work better for comfort and a not so high end environment and I pair them rather to pencils or tube skirts. When I do the rare pants+blazer combo I will accessorize with a long bigger pendant, a cuff/or pearl bracelet and usually a scarf. A bit daintier shoes can help, too (low heeled heeled or some detailed booties, patent loafers -if needed darks, or I even have a ruffled pointy toe suede loafer in blush for lighter color combos to work with my plaid cigarette pants/suit.

Synne

Veteran

Excellent ideas here, thanks everyone! Yes, I know gender fluid is very NOW, but I feel enough androgynous as is, I want to dress up my feminine side more. Now, that will be a challenge as I absolutely shun high heels, and feel like I'm in drag when I wear dresses and skirts, or wear too much make-up. Thanks for the great tips and compliments (!!!). You are all too sweet!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I can see diva fabness here! The yummy red boots add spunk to the look, and the blouse amps up the pretty. Plus you look fabulous in earth tones

Synne, it’s all about how you feel in an outfit. As Vildy said, attitude goes a long way. Don’t feel good in this combination - next! If you like blazers, perhaps try a combination with a softer vibe. A ‘70s look. The blazer is quite ‘70s! Don’t you have flares? Disco flares?

LaPed

Veteran

I think you look great! Fun boots and perfect earthy colours. That said, I skew pretty tomboy and have a high tolerance for conventionally masculine looks, but I hardly ever wear a collared shirt, even a soft one, under a blazer. No matter how I tweak it, that combo still feels a bit too "I'm wearing a suit" for my everyday life. Maybe a blouse or tee under the blazer would be more what you're looking for? Also, maybe try the blazer over a very casual pair of pants -- jeans or joggers? I don't think you should ditch blazers altogether!

RobinF

Veteran

I think I like the individual pieces but not all together. I definitely think you can pull off the blazer though, so wouldn't give up on that. And the pants are fun with the stripe and love the red boots.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Gotta love outspoken family members, lol! They get a lot right, and let us know what they see. But sometimes their programming blinds them to certain things, like a son or brother not seeing the sexy. I had to laugh at “feel like I’m in drag” because I know that feeling so well! I’m very comfortable in dresses & skirts, but there are some items that feel forced in just that way.

When I think “supervisor at the dock”, I think chunky and blocky throughout. Then I look at this pic and your midsection is clearly not that. The vibe I get is similar to women wearing men’s jeans, where the curves & softness just can’t be denied, ifykwim.

The shoulders of the blazer do fit you well and you have strong shoulders. That’s what I like (Bruno Mars stuck in my head, but I do like that part of this).

You know your colors so well, and tossing in the red boots is your signature color play.

So even though I can’t say what to do instead, I think the problem is the pants. Short pants generally are tricky, and I think it’s great that you, a tall woman, are willing to give them a go. But from the hips down, I don’t think these do anything for you. There is no hint of body structure or the shape of your legs in them. Not saying you have to go with skinnies—soft & flowing that fits just right can also reveal structure.

So cool that you are willing to share when you don’t quite nail it!

ETA: I don’t mean give up on the pants altogether, just that I don’t think they work with this ensemble. In another outfit, the might be great.

Anonymous

Oh we all have days like when we are done with just about everything . But you do not look like a dockworker , lol. I think LaPed said it best .

Carla

Veteran

@ Synne - it’s one outfit on one day - not the garments, and certainly not you!

It might not be right for the temps, but a chunky or slouchy ivory turtleneck sweater would look kind of cool under the jacket and would pick up the light stripe on the side of the trousers. Do you have something like that?

You could also try a hoody under the jacket. FWIW, that doesn’t look like a man’s jacket, there is definitely shape to the/your waist, and the colour is in your wheelhouse too!

*Photo below isn’t exactly what I mean, but has the feeling.

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Janet

(website)

Veteran

I understand your feeling totally! And LOL at your brother, but no, you don't look like a dock laborer to me.

I think I'd try switching out the pants for some with a little more contrast or perhaps a pair of jeans. The colors and textures of the blazer and trousers are fighting each other a little bit to my eye (trousers look more summery and sporty, and I do really like them but would love to see them in another outfit). I'd also love to see the red from the boots picked up in some other detail in the outfit, but that's my personal preference.

smittie

Veteran

Ummm, wha?!?
I do NOT see construction worker, lol!
You are so rubenesque, so a blazer is just going to knock that back a little bit, that’s all.

But I do understand that sometimes you don’t feel yourself in something, and maybe you don’t feel like yourself in blazers.

smittie

Veteran

Also: family members then to think of us one way (ie: the way they always have) and when you dress another way, they think it’s weird.

slim cat

Veteran

It's ok if you want to play with other pieces in your wardrobe rather than that jacket ( I have similar feelings from time to time ) .

I see your fresh skin, smile and pretty trim figure of young women - so nice!

Liesbeth

Veteran

I am so proud that my first thought was also Angie's recommendation ;). To try with bell bottoms. I love the soft floral blouse with that blazer but the combination with the pants (though arguably the most 'you' item here) isn't all that to me. Yet not in the construction worker way :-D. I hear you on wanting to feel your own way of feminine. I've found that for me, being able to wear my hair loose fixes that better than anything. Your long pretty hair and loose strands work the same way to my eye but maybe you can explore what it is exactly that makes you feel too masculine?

Minaminu

Veteran

Synne, you have a great sensibility in combining colours! If you want to evolve your dress sense to more of a Diva, I'd love to see the next outfits!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I see a gorgeous woman wearing a terrific jacket, but I'm jacket happy, so there is that. I'd try it with jeans and to heck with the brother!

I do understand the conflicting desires, though -- I wear my hair short and love menswear looks -- and often wear them well. But there are certain combinations that don't feel feminine enough or maybe spunky enough for my style and when I wear them, I always feel "off." For me, regular straight leg jeans can sometimes give me that feeling. Something about how they fit me.

cat2

Veteran

All of the pieces are great; just remix them. And don’t give too much weight to your brother’s comment; my husband once told me I looked like a zebra in ombré.