Edit purple tunic? - YouLookFab Forum

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Edit purple tunic?

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Hi everyone I'm struggling to edit again. This one is a 2010 item and was bought early in my "long over lean" phase which has now lasted at least 8 years since about then. I'm thinking that I've learned since with tunic purchases to at least hint at a waist in the shape of them. This one seems to have no waist at all. Attached old pics of wearing it in 2011 at FIL's 80th, at friend's 50th "flower power" hippy birthday party, and at Christmas at SIL's the same year. I still wear it sometimes in transitional weather with the lime green layering top under. But I struggle with what pants to wear under, lately has been full length slim navy ones. I don't like the look with leggings any more.
Someone told me I looked "vibrant" with the lime green top under.
Flattering or unflattering?

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Dressing

19 replies

Latest reply was from lyn67

Staysfit

Veteran

Jenni, the color is beautiful on you. I can see why someone said you looked vibrant. It makes your eyes sparkle. If you don’t wear it though, and you are not feeling great in it anymore, than I woul consider passing it on.

I had another idea. Whenever I participate in a race, there is typically an associated tee shirt. Years of event participation can lead to an overwhelming collection. Some people turn them into quilts. I wonder if you could somehow find a way to recycle or reuse some of the pretty tops or clothes you have, that you like for the color or print. So, wiith this tunic, perhaps it could become a handbag, or a belt, or maybe there is a way to add the waist definition that you like.

Joy

Veteran

Jenni, it is your eyes and sparkling personality that make you vibrant. If you feel vibrant in something you are wearing, it will show. If this piece no longer makes you feel vibrant. It is time to find something that does , maybe it will be a lime green winter coat or cuddly sweater.

Bijou

Veteran

Jenni photo #2 is The Bomb and would make Austin Powers proud. I love the colours, but you have nicer tops than this one. I say pass it on if it does not spark joy because you have so many wonderful clothes that do spark joy and you should be wearing these.

rachylou

Veteran

#2 really IS the bees knees. If you want more leg coverage... would you consider a longer skirt under? Cuz I do really like this on you...

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Yeah photo 2 is funny because people at the party asked Neil "Where did Jenni get her outfit? " and he said "Um...out of her wardrobe?" And someone said he was lying! But he wasn't, ha ha. The pink tights belonged to one DD and had been stashed away by me when she didn't want them any more- just in case of a dress-up party

Mainelady

Veteran

If the tunic still makes you happy, keep it! I agree that your vibrancy is in your eyes and expression. Your personality shines through regardless of the colors you are wearing.....ooh the flower power outfit! So fun!

Kathie

Veteran

Very strictly speaking, I think there’s something wonky with the neckline, as it doesn’t seem to lie flat, so for me, I’d pass it on, or wear it for a beach/pool cover-up. However, this fits with the fun, whimsical pieces in your wardrobe, and the color is fab on you. I think you’d mentioned moving? If you’ll have space for it, then I’d keep it. You and Neil seem to enjoy themed events and parties, and your outfits from them are always so much fun. May as well keep the clothes that make it possible.

Anonymous

Hi Jenni -- I adore floral prints. This one in particular is gorgeous. Regardless of the beautiful print, I vote pass it on because of your lack of enthusiasm.

Jenni -- the next phase of my wardrobe rebuild is to continue to edit out garments in my closet due to poor fit, but I added one additional criteria. I am actually asking myself how I feel in the garment. For example, I have a beautifully made Ralph Lauren Blouse. Great fabric. Well made. Fit is perfect. But when I wear it (unless it is fully tucked in), I don't feel good about myself. It took a while for me to figure out why. The blouse has no waist definition. I inevitably feel dumpy when I wear it. How does this tunic make you feel?

cindysmith

Veteran

I really like the tunic, you look so happy in it. And with the green under it is to die for

kkards

Veteran

# 2 is just Outta sight

as for the actual tunic...as others have noted the colors are just fab...but the fit to me is off....it's too long for a tunic and too short for a dress....i'd say there are better things out there...

Suz

(website)

Veteran

#2 is brilliant! You look adorable there, and the colours of this top really do look make you shine.

But...I am with the others. Perhaps for some of these older beloved pieces, photos, for the memories, along with a way to "repurpose" some of the fabrics -- quilts, or perhaps make this into a scarf so the colours could still be near your face?

It can be hard to let go of beloved items that made us feel fab or that worked so well for specific hard-to-dress situations. I have a few items like this, too. Exhibit A below -- a vintage top I've had since I joined YLF and have not been able to let go of, even though I wear it maybe once every five years. But letting go makes way for the new and an evolving style.

View Info

Anonymous

The colours are indeed flattering, and the tunic itself is cute, but is perhaps showing its age/era.

3style

Veteran

I think that what makes this tunic nice, in addition to the lovely colors, is the diagonal movement in the print. I’m thinking that if you could cut and sew the bottom hem at roughly a 45 degree angle (which follows the green diagonal stripe going from hip to mid-thigh) it would be revitalized. Then it would clearly be a dramatic top, and I think minimize a bit of the “cute” feeling which is overwhelming your frame and making you think that waist definition is the problem. In my opinion, it’s the sweetness of the pattern with the “little girl dress” cut that becomes overwhelming. I’m betting that this cut in a solid neutral color would not seem odd.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Thank you to all the kind Fabbers who have weighed in. Sterling ( thanks Sterling) asked how I feel in this now, and I think the answer is that I feel unfab. You were on the money re my lack of enthusiasm! I feel overweight ( which I am, around the middle especially,not the arms and lower legs so much) and a bit dumpy. I also feel it is too short to not have some pants or leggings under- unlike how it felt at that "flower power" party when I was not quite 50 and wore the pink tights. It felt great then- but it was a 60s party and they wore minis in the 60s! Also I was still in my 40s and now I'm 57.
So I've decided to put it in the "dress up box". We are shifting into our new house when it's finished and there is a good storage room. Then later if it's not used I might save a piece for a quilt or something. I'm doing that with the beloved embroidered skirt I saved last year.
I do love parties and dressing up!
And thank you Cindysmith I still feel vibrant in the lime green top! But I have another tunic I can wear with that which I feel good in. See pic 1.
Also thank you Joy- I had been thinking about a different top for a couple of months with lime green and navy. I went to try it on today, it was reduced from $79 to $39 and looks nice and is comfy, so I bought it. Pic 2.
My style may be changing a bit to be more streamlined? Top and pants, not layering top, tunic and pants?
Writing thoughts down is so helpful.
Cheers to all x

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Anonymous

Thanks for the memories- that pic of you 2 brought a smile to my face.
I too think that color absolutely loves you and I would be keeping an eye out for replacement pieces in that color.
Personally I would cut it down to make a top to wear with skirts or shorts in summer. Far to pretty on you and looks to have too much life in it yet to banish it.

JAileen

Veteran

If you feel unfab, then maybe you should cull it. Efbgen’s idea of turnung it into a top is intriguing..

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I vote pass on. It's showing its age. But YES. the colours are gorgeous on you.

Jules

Veteran

If it’s a nice comfortable fabric and you still enjoy the print and/or your good memories, you could transition it to be house/lounge wear. Or even a nightie.

lyn67

Veteran

Jules said it so well.