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Fallout from Wardrobe Count

Anonymous

El Cee, Joy, and Barbara Diane joined me in challenge last year to assess our wardrobe orphans to figure why we were not wearing the orphans. It was one of the best challenges I ever participated in and my closet thanked me for it.

I assessed my orphans based on categories. I started with my biggest unworn category: button down shirts. I discovered that I very much liked wearing them; but I hated ironing them and they fell out of favor. I remedied that by giving myself permission to have them laundered and pressed.

I am wondering though if my button downs are actually out of date. There was a two year period in which they were not worn at all. When I pulled them out during the orphan challenge, I assumed that button downs just didn't go out of date.

Here are the problems: (1) most of them have gapping in the front. (2)
A lot of them are fitted.

All comments are welcome.

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Dressing

30 replies

Latest reply was from

Chris987

Veteran

Basic simple ones in solid colors are just so versatile, and since they are usually a traditional/classic style they never do go out of date, but that also means they might never be truly on trend depending on what's in at the moment. Right now I don't think they are so much on trend. I have a bunch of them including some prints (prints look dated more easily I think) and I don't want to toss them but also don't want to wear them so much either. So it's really about what overall style you want.

Yours seem to fit very nicely, but yes that gapping thing is a chronic problem especially when you sit down, at least that's what I notice. I almost always put a small safety pin in the sections that gap, which is not much work as long as you keep the pins handy. It is not totally invisible but I'd rather that then the gapping.

I actually like the fitted styles if you are going to tuck them in, it's a more streamlined look. They are also great to use under sweaters even if you are going to have the bottom showing, there is less bunching that way.

I personally love the look of a simple button down shirt with rolled sleeves and a simple knee length skirt like in #4. Timeless, elegant. In a couple of your pics you show them with ankle strap flats, which is a very modern looking shoe style and that goes a long way to make the outfit look less classic. Love your shoes! What are they?

lynn

Veteran

I like #1 a lot! #3 looks good and the rest I would let go because they are short but you might like that length. #4 is gaping.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Oooh!! Love your shoes!!

Button front shirts never go out of style but they're not always on trend, and the cuts do change. It's one of the elements that Angie is always talking about when she uses the phrase modern classic. Even the most classic and iconic items go through iterations over time.

The fitted princess seamed versions such as 2 and 6 were popular about five or six years ago before fluid fits came back into favour. Many people were wearing their tailored items on the snug side then and these fits are consistent with that. These ones look a bit short for you for wearing untucked but you might wear them tucked with a jacket over top....perhaps they belong in a holding zone if you are not ready to let go.

#3 I would classify more as a blouse. It looks a bit dated to me because of the jacket -shape bottom.

5, 7, and 8 look on the short side to me and I am wondering if you have a longer torso or are tall? These tops might work fine with skirts, however. 7 and 8 are also boxy, not fitted, so a very different look.

1 and 4 look more fluid and seem to tuck well.

All in all, this overview shows us that a button front is not a button front is not a button front -- they are in no way equivalent and must be updated along with everything else.

Anonymous

Chris -- the shoes are Franco Sarto Women's Holt Flat Black/White Combo. An Angie recommendation.

Anonymous

Suz - I am 5'10". I never considered my tops on the short side. One more thing to consider. I will try tucking them during the next few weeks to see if that makes a difference.

Chris987

Veteran

Ah yes, Sterling now I remember, thanks! I've done a little bit of a search for them this year and no luck so far.

Joyce B

Veteran

I like the first one a lot. I would let go of 4, that gaping is not good. I see what Suz is saying about the jacket bottomed shirt, I have a similar one with short sleeves that I think you both inspired me to let go. I also have some Jones NY shirts from a few years ago that I don't wear much and I wish they had a little elastic in the fiber but I am not ready to part with them.
I think the other tops can be useful under a jacket and may be classics just not on trend. Maybe if you are thinking of letting them go keep a few if they can work for you.

kerry

Veteran

Love the fit of #1.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

This is an older blog post from Angie about top length. Perhaps she will do a new one soon. Because of higher rise pants, tops are now getting shorter than when she wrote this, but then the proportions are different to what you have shown. Typically the shorter tops are worn with higher rise bottoms (or skirts) and are boxy or cut in such a way that the top part is short while the back part is longer.

http://youlookfab.com/2008/04/.....ver-pants/

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Here's another post about different top lengths for skirts and pants. http://youlookfab.com/2008/04/.....and-pants/

A few years ago, when wearing tops "out" as opposed to semi-tucked was the norm, I recall the taller women on the forum (5'10" and up) feeling very frustrated at times that tops (like dresses) were seldom really long enough, especially for those with longer torsos vs. long legs.

Runcarla

Veteran

Wow! You've done some work, and the pics and comments of others is helpful to ME, since I have some older button downs as well. We are having a VERY hot summer, and I am wearing mine much, much more, since they are much more comfortable than sweaters or T's for the kind of weather we are having.

IMO (and take this with a grain of salt) #3, 5, and 6 should go. #3 looks outdated, the no collar look and trapeze style of #5 isn't flattering, #6 seems too short to be saved. #1 is great, the Rose colour of #4 and #7 is lovely. #8 looks like it would be versatile.

It seems shirts are being worn with more volume, but this can be tricky. Experiment with styling, pop the collar, layer over of under another item. Wear unbuttoned or buttoned all the way up. Tie it at the waist. I've posted some styling pics.

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Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

YES. Sending your shirts out to be laundered is a great idea. I do that too.

I like what you're wearing in #4 Sterling. Modern Classic Fabness. I think you have black hair, so the palette is gorgeous on you.

#2 and #3 are fine too. #4 needs a little fashion tape, and pass on the rest.

Anonymous

The blouse in number 4 is in the donate pile.

It kills me that number 3 is deemed old fashioned. I bought that blouse in 2009 and then "saved" it. I wore it less than 15 times since I bought it. This shows the stupidity of "saving things." It literally makes no sense whatsoever. As I move my beloved blouse to the donate pile, I resolve firmly to wear my clothes (fist in the air for emphasis).

Runcarla -- those are great examples of modern buttondowns.

And Suz -- thank you for the links.

Anonymous

Hmmm. Moving numbers 3 and 4 out of the donate pile. Still resolving to wear them every chance I get.

Thank goodness, Angie posted.

El Cee

Veteran

Hi Sterling -- I really love #4... a gorgeous classic in a lovely, rich shade. Keep this and, as Angie suggests, use a little fashion tape for the slight gapping. If you have the extra time, you could sew a small snap under the placket. (I am busty and do this with a lot of my dressy button downs.) I also like #1 (tucked) and #2. Some of the other tops are more cropped and a boxier fit. These might be fine worn with higher waist slim pants/jeans or pencil skirts. I am also tall and find these more cropped styles to be awkward on my longer torso. They are also not as versatile. I had to wear them with specific things in order to feel that the proportions were OK. I made the decision last year to cull these styles from my wardrobe as I did not have the right supporting acts.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I think if you love something enough and it fits your needs, then it's worth keeping. Especially worn as you did with the ankle strap shoes, that helps to update it. I can see it as being perfectly suited to your work days and always elegant. So wear it a lot in the next two seasons and then pass it on without guilt!!

viva

Veteran

I'm smiling as I read this ... into the donate pile, out of the donate pile .. I can relate. But I agree with Suz: if you really love it, keep it and wear it. But remember that fist in the air moment and do wear it! Otherwise, the next time you do your closet review, really let it go.

Gigi

Veteran

"Thank goodness, Angie posted." I think we have all had that feeling at one time or another.

I have heard of people sewing in small snaps to fix gapping, if you're handy with a needle and thread (I'm not). I've used fashion tape, and that's usually OK. I do think that blouse 4 is very pretty on you, so it would be nice if it could be saved.

I know that princess seams were big once upon a time and not so much now, but I just bought a blouse last year from WHBM with princess seams. So there are still some of them around. I like the fitted look.

When I have a top that feels too short, I wear it with ankle pants or crops. That usually fixes the proprotions.

I felt like blouse 3 was dated, and I wonder if wearing a different necklace would help. Do you have anything colorful and chunky, like a statement necklace?

anchie

Veteran

Button downs are for me the most difficult category to asess the fit and if it is dated or not so I am not much help here. They are also not very easy to style and not very confortable to wear in my opinion. I am also not big fan of sleevless and short sleeve ones. My own button down collection is pretty old and not worn often. And not even sure that it fits anymore. I am on the verge of letting it all go.

Sal

Veteran

I love 1, the fit is stunning.

2 I think is fine, but probably a shirt that relies on your best bottom half or a topper. I think the sleeveless white ones are the same. I think it is worth having a couple of basic white tops like these because they do look great with a nice jacket. I like the rose pink and if fashion tape could save it I would do so.

You have a very well proportioned figure Sterling so I think tucking could work well on you, if you want to.

My least favourites are 3 and 7......my favourites are 1 and 4.

Barbara Diane

Veteran

Sterling, I loved the challenge.

My favs are 1 and 2, but I wonder if some of the others will work under sweaters or are worth keeping for when they come back into style. But if you are doing a Kondo type edit, I'd let the others go.

So smart to figure out that you should send them out. I keep wondering which items in my hand washing can I pop in the delicate cycle. As I am not washing them. Even though I bought the delicates wash bottle at NAS.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I'm posting before reading everyone else's responses: I feel like the princess seamed, tighter-fitting silhouette is not something I see much around anymore, and to my eye looks dated. So I'd get rid of 3, 6, and 7. 5 looks a little short. 2 fits really well and could be handy as a layering piece, so I'd keep it if you like it. That said, it is always a balancing act between what is current and what is best on your body shape.

Anonymous

I link to this in another post, so pushing it up.

Joy

Veteran

Your challenge was so helpful. Seeing so few buttondowns, they look fresh to my eye. Those with high-low hemlines look most current. I like 1, 2 & 5 best from these photos. I wear them most in cooler weather, alone or as layering pieces.

Tina

Veteran

I like #'s 1 and 4 best, have you tried 4 with a cami/tank underneath and then leaving that top button undone? It may help with some of the pulling that is happening plus then you wouldn't need to stress about the gaping.
#2, as others have mentioned, may not be current but it does fit you perfectly! If you're getting dressed for work 5 days a week surely you can use the variety. As long as you are wearing trendy shoes (which you are) and a suitable bottom piece, the whole look will be great!
#3: I like what others have said about accessorizing.
#'s 5 &6 look perfect for wearing (tucked in) with skirts and toppers.
#7: love the color, the sleeve length is giving me pause. Short (but not really?) sleeves are hard re: proportions IMO. But... because the color is so nice, it may be worth exploring some options.
# 8: a great casual summer top!
I guess it depends on how badly you want to keep and wear these shirts. They could all serve a purpose but some will require more effort to make them work for you. Only you know whether you will reach for them or not. I generally find that if I have to make myself wear something, there is a reason I wasn't reaching for it.

Elizabeth P

Veteran

So what did you end up doing, Sterling?
FWIW, I like 1,2 and 4.

Elizabeth P

Veteran

Ha, just found your other post, with the answer

Anonymous

Thank you for asking, Elizabeth. I donated numbers 5, 6, and 7. I tried to sew a snap onto number 8 to prevent gapping. I downgraded number 8 to wear around the house only.

I am keeping numbers 1, 2, and 4. I'll try wearing number 4 open like Tina suggested. It seems an obvious solution.

I really like numbers 1 and 2. I feel good wearing them. For some reason, I don't wear number 4. I always thought I was "saving it for good," but now I wonder if that is truly the case. I will experiment with number 4 and see what happens in the Fall. I won't feel bad if it ends up in the donate box.

I am at a loss about what to do with number 3. Right now, it has a place in my closet.

Lisa

Veteran

When I get stumped by a button down shirt, I use it as a layering piece. Typically pairing a knit over it, so just the fun collared neck and cuffs of the sleeves peek out. SInce #3 is shorter sleeves, maybe layer a vest of over it? Or a very low cut dramatic v neck so you see the buttons?

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