Front view vs back view

Momo

I frequently think that outfits look good from the front but terrible when looking at the back and/ or side. My body is of the shorter, curvier type

Example in pics.

Does anyone else have this problem? Suggestions?

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11 years ago

Dressing

21 replies

Latest reply was from Momo

Momo

Veteran

I do think the skirt is a little too long.

11 years ago

(website)

Veteran

Suggestions about how to improve the outfit as seen from other views? Or how to get a better view from all angle before leaving the house?

11 years ago

unfrumped

Veteran

If that's a general question, my answer is yes!
Back view is more problematic with pants, for example, for me and I wear pants a lot.
And jackets and top length, because the proportion issues and where the waist falls are more obvious from back view for pear shape, when the front view looks fine.

General approach is: lowered my standards a bit or I might never leave the house.
Try to develop a discriminating but less emotional "eye" for simple things about fit that can be improved vs. those that cannot--for example, if you find a few bottoms (pants or skirts) that look at least pretty good in the rear view, then those can be the standard for new purchases--this has been very helpful for me to avoid buying more pairs of pants at times, because I'll ask, what do these have over the ones I have? ; note how pattern or pocket placement can affect things and decide yay or nay; find styles of skirts --for me, in a fuller skirt I need the stitched-down upper pleats thing; or in pencil skirts I need ease over the low hip and not the stretchy fit; in fabrics look for how linings and fabric weight work for you or against you.

11 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Well, I dislike my rear view in general and avoid it, other than a fairly quick glance over the shoulder in the mirror to make sure nothing is glaringly wrong (belt not threaded through all loops, fuzz on my jacket, etc). I generally ignore my outfits in rear view and hope onlookers are kind enough to do the same.

11 years ago

Momo

Veteran

Mo - how to improve the outfit from the back.

Unfrumped- thank you good suggestions. I think this particular type of skirt is hardest for me. I like to wear a jacket or sweater but then there is a horizontal line right over my behind! Pants oddly are less of a problem.

Janet- I like it! I was thinking there are many nice things about this skirt. It moves nicely , feels great, looks fine from front and side ..maybe I will ignore the back. Particularly my right calf which is particularly bothersome to me.

11 years ago

rebekahphoto

Veteran

yes, I just have come to terms that my rear has quite a bit of real estate, and so it tends to take over

11 years ago

(website)

Veteran

Interesting - I find pants rear view fit are much more fussy than a skirt that simply comes down from one's waist and skims over the figure. Is it the horizontal line of the jacket? If so, try a cropped one and see if you like it for a change.

11 years ago

catgirl

Veteran

My method is "ignorance is bliss"!

11 years ago

Momo

Veteran

Here is a pencil skirt with the same top, jacket and shoes. More flattering?

Excuse the white splotches on the pics..guess my mirror is really dirty!

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11 years ago

Momo

Veteran

Rebekah- I think I need to come to terms as well. And also with my calves. I actually just started wearing skirts again bc I have a thing about my calves.

Alaskagirl - I like it

Mo- skirts and dresses always present a problem for me. Particularly from the back but I think it is because they emphasize my curves and I am uncomfortable with that.

11 years ago

Momo

Veteran

And here are pants .. Do they look better? I think they do but I am not sure of it is just because they are in my comfort zone.

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11 years ago

(website)

Veteran

Angie has blogged before about shorter jackets for skirts and dresses than you would wear for pants. I think you are showing us a prime example of this.

11 years ago

DonnaF

Veteran

I mostly ignore my back view. I think you would be happier with a shorter (cropped) jacket with your skirts, or nowadays, I have noticed that some jackets are cut higher in back and lower in the front. That way, they would not be ending at your widest place but would show off your waist. That being said, I've had a heck of a time finding cropped jackets. I need to do what Suz did and get one in the children's department.

11 years ago

krishnidoux

Veteran

Momo you are lovely in all outfits above. From the front and from the back too. For the first outfit, my suggestion is : get a cropped jeans jacket! Shorter than the one you have on. Most of the "offense" to your eye might come from the horizontal line created at the widest point by the jacket ending there. Get a bomber jacket, or a shorter one for this skirt.

Now with the second skirt, it seems to work better because the skirt is not flaring out, so the "line" from the jacket's hem is not as accentuated. Same goes for the pants, where you have actually cleverly broken it a bit by letting a bit of the tee-shirt show through.

11 years ago

April

Veteran

Yep -- go a little shorter on the jacket when paired with a dress and you'll see a big difference.

I never understood this concept before reading Angie's comments on it, but it's definitely the way to go.

11 years ago

MsMaven

Veteran

You will be seen from the side and back almost as frequently as the front. Of course you talk to people face to face, but as you move around, others look at you from all views. I think it's important to look at oneself in a rearview mirror and from the side as well. (Where do those funny wrinkles come from that I don't see in the mirror?)

Then there is the camera. I try to take clothes shots front back and side and I'm often shocked. I can look pretty good in the mirror and be appalled at what I see otherwise. I know the camera adds pounds, but it also subtracts inches from my mid torso--making me look somewhat troll-like. I can look perfectly fine from the front and even the back, but the side view is often depressing.

Definitely we see different problems with proportions when we look at ourselves from different angles. Skirt length is a particular problem as we age, I think.

11 years ago

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Well my side view is usually my bugaboo so I go for a combination of Janet's quick check for disasters with a heavy dose of Una's "ignorance is bliss"!

11 years ago

Momo

Veteran

Thank you! I will try to find a shorter jacket and see if I can figure out a way to wear that skirt. If not it will be donated.

It is all about the proportion and it seems like it is easy for me to end up looking chopped up from the back with a skirt and jacket outfit.

MsMaven - I have trouble with the side many time. Things tent off my bust and make me look really large. I have tough body to dress I think.

11 years ago

Momo

Veteran

:-). I love the ignorance is bliss comments!

11 years ago

Alexandra

(website)

Veteran

I'd say first and foremost, it's about posture. In these pictures, you don't look like you're standing tall. Posture is mostly muscle memory; a little bit of training goes a long way.

Another thing to watch (not just in pictures) is pose - where are your feet, knees, hands, elbows? This is an area where you can experiment and take pictures to evaluate.

Then, it takes a while to get used to seeing how you look from the back/side because that's not how you usually see yourself in the mirror. So, exposure - take a lot of pictures and look at them. After a while you accept your back/side views - they become as normal as your front view.

With these three things conquered, the payoff comes in your ability to really assess, compare, and evaluate individual outfits, experiment with various changes, and develop a strategy to look great all around.

11 years ago

Momo

Veteran

Alexandra - you are right ! I am slouching .

Wore the shirt and pants with a sleeveless, black jacket that covered the bum entirely. Felt good but I am still working on that skirt.

11 years ago

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