Final contenders - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Shopping

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

Final contenders

anchie

Veteran

Thank you once again for all your valuable feedback about my Esprit haul. Your opinions were very diverse and at the end I had to follow my heart. It is come down to this 2 tops. I had many more ideas how to style them, but I am having cold and not feeling very well, so did not go through with all of them. But I manage to create enough outfits to know that they can work with my existing wardrobe. I aslo tried to style this long shirt that I initially liked so much but was out of ideas, so it is currently on the chopping block. And it is 100% polyester which I try to avoid at all costs. But what worries me is that I have again went for dressy and neglected casual that I desperately need.

This post has 14 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.

Blusentop mit Blumen-Print und zarten Webtupfen

View Info

Top Pick

2

Bluse im Streifen-Blüten-Mix mit Bindebändchen

View Info

Top Pick

2

Lange Chiffon-Bluse mit Blumen-Muster

View Info

Top Pick

2

Shopping

26 replies

Latest reply was from Jenni NZ

Ledonna N.

Veteran

These types are very beautiful and polyester can be so hot I know they make some and breathable fabric so have you read the reviews? These can be casual depending on how styled. I hope you get over your cold and not feeling well good luck

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Those two tops are really pretty Anchie and I don't think will be too dressy, they are bright summer colours and when you find the right casual bottoms they will dress them down and so will more casual footwear.

jussie

Veteran

All the jackets look great. Really beautiful tops. I vote keep the poly shirt too :).

Style Fan

Veteran

Beautiful tops. Gorgeous colours for you. I like the poly shirt.

lyn67

Veteran

I loved the long shirt better in the other post, with the yellow pants, so that the grinning is not that a high contrast! Will look fab over the coral or white pants/column of color, too-maybe worn open, like a duster-and with the turquoise denim jacket on top of all? Wow:-).

Kathie

Veteran

5 and 6 look like a good start on your more casual style. Would either of those work for the high summer activities that are a wardrobe hole?

Bijou

Veteran

You look great in these. I love these looks on you and think some strappy flat sandals will make these look far less dressy that your beautiful pumps. I do like the sheer long shirt. I would likely layer it over a white denim skirt for summer or even white shorts.

Anonymous

I would keep the shorts and the two short tops, and continue to look for another pair of shorts (because white is not that practical in outdoorsy situations, and might get dirty quickly, leading to laundry bottlenecks).

You have created some really great outfits and everything mixes and matches very nicely! You always look great Anchie!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I like these tops, and you've styled them well.

That said, you need casual pants/skirts/dresses - not shorts - that you can wear with casual flat shoes, but not flip-flops.

You are MISSING that in-between casual look:

Not as dressy as the flares, pumps & blazer with heels
Not as casual as short shorts with flip flops

Christina F.

Veteran

I agree with Angie. You're aiming for casual but overshooting into too casual, thereby making yourself unhappy. Also, as someone on one of your threads pointed out, Esprit may not be quite the right vibe of casual for you.

These tops are fantastic, though, so I'm glad the whole order yielded something for you.

Bonnie

Veteran

The red jacket looks fab with both tops. I like #11 and #14, too.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

They all look great - but if you are on the fence, maybe they are not just right?

I just received a linen dress from Garnet Hill (not sure if you can order from there) It is a wonderful weight linen - not see through - available in other colors. It made me think of this type of dress for you. There are other linen styles if you don't like the shirt dress style. Casual but not sloppy. Very good for summer heat but you have to like linen. I personally love it so it's a keep for me, wonder if this or something like it would work for you for summer?

https://www.garnethill.com/lin.....value=main

Toban

Veteran

I like both tops but find them playing a very similar role in your outfits. Do you need this duplication? I agree with Angie about a middle ground formula. As styled these look like summer work outfits and not filling the gap you have. Though both are lovely tops and styled beautifully.

karen13

Veteran

I love the outfits, but they do skew dressy. I think your footwear is what pushes them into that category. Do you have fashion sneakers or flat sandals that you can pair with the crops or with cuffed jeans.

I especially love the aqua jacket in 9. Great dressy casual look as is, but swap the pants and shoes per above and it might fill that hole well.

I like the coral pants with the dress, but agree about the grinning. Do you have a coral tank you could wear? Or any column of color taken from the print?

LaPed

Veteran

The tops are gorgeous. To my eye, #9 looks like it's headed in the right direction (love those colours together). Swap out the flares for a pair of cropped or rolled-up white jeans, and try a pair of flat sandals (what Angie refers to as "Euro sandals") in a metallic or light neutral instead of the pointy silver pumps. And remember that on very hot days you won't be able to rely on toppers as a third piece...

SarahD8

Veteran

I like these blouses a lot and you've styled them well, but I agree with others that you are missing that sweet spot between ultra-casual and dressy. Maybe call it "elevated casual"?

For bottoms, how about a midi-length cotton or linen skirt with a bit of volume? That can look polished but not office-y:
http://www.bodenusa.com/en-us/.....ariner-blu

Or choose a print that is explicitly summery:
https://www.jcrew.com/p/womens.....kirt/J1590

I like the idea of longer shorts, I think they look a little more polished than short shorts. So white denim shorts that come almost to the knee (I think someone posted some options on one of your other threads), maybe. I really liked the look of those navy bermuda-length shorts from your Esprit haul. I get that the fabric was not right, but maybe something with a similar cut -- longer inseam and wider leg opening. Looks nice but still plenty of ability to move about and do summery stuff.

For footwear, espadrilles, white canvas sneakers, or Euro sandals as La Ped mentioned above?

anchie

Veteran

First I want to apologize for constantly bringing this issue of my lacking summer casual wardrobe but you probably can see that I am really struggling with it. You bring some great points here and you are right about many things. I am on the phone so it is difficult to reply to everyone individually but I do value all the feedback. I need to stop shopping for my office wardrobe and concentrate on those wardrobe holes. It seems that casual pants should be on top of my list. But I have no clue what this summer casual pants should be. Something other than jeans of course. Chinos, linen pants, joggers, cargos, cullotes, bermudas?

rachylou

Veteran

Those tops work well with your wardrobe. Styled much more you here Angie’s right about bottoms, that’s the other half of the equation. I think you should try chinos and bermudas and maybe a cropped cargo pant. A little longer than shorts, a little looser than work clothes - for that tailored but still summery look.

Kathie

Veteran

No need to apologize- I have to force myself to buy summer casual clothes, too.

I actually liked two of the bottoms from your order, the Verkuzte Pants, and the Culotte mit Lyocell. What did you think of those?

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Linen pants and dresses or skirts or culottes, as Angie said. And casual shoes that are not as casual as flip flops.

The new tops are lovely -- but fit the office wardrobe. Fill those wardrobe holes!

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

If you just don't love shorts, linen pants in dark colors don't show wrinkling too much and are very comfortable. Linen dresses (new for me) seem like a great match too so I'll have to see how mine goes (thinking of the wrinkling and how tolerant I will be to it).

Cropped, light weight twill pants would also be good. I wear mine in summer all the time. I have white EF light twill cropped "jeans" and new to me light weight camp crops that I love.

And then maybe just get 2 pair of shorts that are just good enough - and possibly a couple new simple cotton or linen tops (or blends).

Cardiff girl

Veteran

I only wear casual clothes so all my summer wardrobe is casual.I don’t know if this is helpful to you but my most worn summer bottoms are 2pairs of cropped cargo pants,l very rarely wear short ,shorts more like Bermuda’s and a loose fitting cotton \linen/jersey dress is a very useful item as well.Lovely though that long line shirt looks polyester in the summer ?yuck!The other tops look lovely on you and you have styled them well.I think that they could work with more casual bottoms if you like them enough to keep them but if not send them back .There are plenty of lovely ,casual summer clothes out there,I m sure that you will find something to suit.

Anonymous

ANCHIE- you may think they skew dressy but I’m not sure they do. I think they are good solid clothes that can be dressed up or down.. I think jackets always present a more polished look so people think it’s dressier when it’s not. More to point—- do you find them comfortable? Because you have the looking great part nailed.

Aida

Veteran

Both tops definitely work with your existing wardrobe but most of these are too dressy for the type of casual activities you described Of the jackets, to my eye only the ones in #9 and #12 are well suited. With the shorts versions which are quite casual, maybe try a semi-tuck so you have a little extra structure there. Fully agree with Angie that you need a few in-between bottoms (and actually I would suggest starting there!). Perhaps a pair of white bermuda shorts and a pair of navy cropped flares, both would work with these tops and should skew casual enough with more casual footwear.

Lynn

Veteran

Archie - here is my 2 cents for what it is worth.
You have a nice color palette going with coral, turquoise and white. The 2 tops look great with white and coral pants. I would look for pants in these colors in a more casual fabric like denim, chinos, linen. Plus add a pair of jeans if you think you would ever wear them.
I agree with Aida that the jackets in #9 and #12 would work the best for casual outfits. Maybe the coral jacket in #1.
Then add some more casual shoe options- a flat sandal, fashion sneakers, etc.
The shorts and flip flops work for ultra casual

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Hi again- at risk of repeating what others have said, I think your black cropped pants ( what I'd think of as Capri pants or pedal pushers, though have not checked the definitions of those) in pic 4 would skew more casual with less dressy shoes, say sandals not flip-flops. And the coral shorts and white shorts in pics 5 and 6 should be good for family beach activities.
I bought my duplicate cropped black pants ( pics 1 and 2) and navy pants in March 2017 and over our warmer season black has had 42 wears and navy 35 wears. I also bought my even more liked cropped white pants with buttons( pic 3) at the same time and they've had 28 wears.
Now I'm 8 years older than you and less keen on showing my legs in shorts, although I do own 2 pairs which I wear when really hot. Otherwise I found a above the knee light cotton dress (pic 4) really useful in hot weather, to the beach etc, and after 30 wears it had got some holes in it and is going to the charity bin.
Now for non-beach, eg out and about with the family, would some flatter sandals work?

This post has 4 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.