Help me get rid of some blouses - ETA conclusions in comments - YouLookFab Forum

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Help me get rid of some blouses - ETA conclusions in comments

Christina F.

Veteran

I’ve realized I bought too many voluminous blouses last year (many tunic length on me), after being attracted to the style for the first time. Since I am aiming for my wardrobe to be somewhat eclectic, I should keep some of them, but there are a few that I don’t really reach for, and I think it’s because they don’t really look so good on me. It would be nice to whittle down the selection a little bit, so I can have fewer and get more wear out of them. Help me choose. (There are a few more that I am definitely keeping that aren’t shown in this post.)

1 - is a new purchase and so is a k/r. Overall, I like the tunic length and sleeves but I am hesitating for some reason. Maybe the bottom hem hitting me in the wrong place? I don’t have a picture of it tucked into these jeans, but it looks pretty good that way. Tucking is not a strong suit of mine, though- I’m always too sloppy about it and usually give up after going to the bathroom a few times. This fabric is thin and silky enough that the tuck might work though.

2 I am leaning towards keeping it. It’s a little oversized on me.

3-5 leaning towards donating all of these. Number three was a work horse with a green cardigan over it last year, but I’m just not feeling it this year. I think I have better options now. ETA 4 is just a shirt alone, no cardigan over it.

6 - leaning towards keeping

Overall, I would say that I like the look of a patterned top over a dark bottom. I think this is one of my signature looks, especially because it’s easier for me to do two piece outfits than three. In our recent cold weather, these blouses haven’t been getting any love, but I do plan to experiment with layering over them (it’s hard for me to layer long sleeves ovet long sleeves though). Of course, if you’ve seen my other post about the loft leggings, you know I’m trying to experiment with lighter colored bottoms as well

Apologies as usual for tiny New York City bathroom and cracked mirror.

ETA: see commentws for my conclusions. Looks like 2 and 5 are losers and 3 will hibernate for a bit and come back out. Still on the fence about 1 and 4 (so keep adding opinions). 6 is a definite keeper.

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Dressing

30 replies

Latest reply was from Christina F.

Anonymous

I was thinking of posting this exact same question! You beat me to it. I'll be watching this thread with great interest!!!!!!!

Toban

Veteran

#6 is my favorite and looks great on you. #2 is too big (shoulders don’t fit). #1 is promising but I can’t quite tell fit and length from the photo. Agree with donating 3-5. This is a nice silhouette on you.

Christina F.

Veteran

Sterling, we’re on the same wavelength today for sure!

lyn67

Veteran

I would have immediately adviced on keeping nr3 and 5, then have read nr3 was already a workhorse-I say, no wonders!:-)

Aurore

Veteran

I agree with Toban that #6 looks great on you! The sleeves of #1 look too puffy for my taste, and I'm not a big fan of the prints of #2 (but nice sleeves!), #4 and #5. I like the pattern and colors of #3, but I understand that after having frequently worn it you may want a change.

Christina F.

Veteran

Toban, 6 is my favorite too.

I love 2, but I bought it a size too big when my size sold out and tried to justify it as “oversized fit is cool.” Maybe for some people but not so much for me! I can try to get a better picture of the first one at some point.

Christina F.

Veteran

It’s possible number three just needs to be put aside for a while. I might’ve worn it too much last year, but I do love the colors in the print. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with how it looks on me, though the fabric is not 100% awesome.

SarahD8

Veteran

I do a lot of layering long sleeves over long sleeves, and the characteristics I look for in the bottom layer are:
-sleeves with a tailored fit (ie, not necessarily skin tight but not a lot of extra fabric either)
-wrist length (not 3/4 length)
-a structured cuff

5 and 6 look most promising to me in that regard so you may want to consider keeping them if you do want to experiment with layering.
ETA: and possibly #3, although it looks like the sleeves there may actually be a bit too long?

Christina F.

Veteran

Sarah, 3’s sleeves are long. I have a cardigan that works with it. Maybe that’s too long too!

5 is a thin fabric. Could definitely layer. I don’t need to be able to layer all of these but it’s good to consider that option when deciding about them

I am also learning I need to be more picky about fit.

Dianna

Veteran

I agree with you and others about keeping number 6. It looks great on you. I also like number 1 and 3, although I have read that you don't love 3 as much any more. I would get rid of 2, 4, and 5, or keep only one of them.

Christina F.

Veteran

Thanks ladies! I think two and four are the losers so far. For number two, that’s pretty painful - it was a buying mistake. I knew better when I was doing it, but I did it anyway.

My other conclusions are that I will probably hold onto three but put it aside for a while, and that I’m going to see what I can do with number five. That said, I am still open to suggestions and advice. I have a clothing donation box in my buildings basement. This means I don’t have to decide all at once what to donate.

The fact that I’ve made no conclusions about number one means that should probably go back. I’m trying to be much pickier about what to keep.

Joy

Veteran

1-3 look too big on you. Send #1 back. I like the color of #6 on you and it does not look as big as the first 3. Donate 2 and 3. I like 4 on you with the cardi. Meh on #5'

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I'm not looking at responses first, so here are my quick reactions with no other mitigating opinions to color my impressions.

My favorites are 1 and 3. Next best are 2 and 6. 4 and 5 are my least favorite.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Immediate reaction: you must keep 6, it looks fantastic. Colour is great on you. I actually like the look of 4 as you are wearing it here. Is that a cardi over it or part of the print? The rest I feel wear you rather than you wearing them, if that makes any sense?
It should indeed be a good silhouette for you. I wear it all the time. Not too voluminous is good. Partly why I liked my new thrifted score was how it gently came in at the waist, not sure if attached pic shows, I can see it in the mirror.

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Mel

1, 5, and 6 are my favorites! They look like great layering pieces. 1 sleeves are a bit big but they look like a poet blouse style thing, which I like.

Sal

Veteran

I like 6 the best- really nice.

1 is nice but I don't think is good enough if you are well stocked in this area- I would return. I like 3 as well so would hold on.

Looks like progress!!

cindysmith

Veteran

The red one is a total keeper! Love it on you. I like 5 a lot too.

Anonymous

Number 1 is my favorite by such a margin it's hard to focus on the others.

I don't see anything wrong with the fit and the print is neutral-yet-interesting which means maximum wearable to me.

The Cat

Veteran

I actually like them all on you. #1 is my favourite.

A tip for winter dressing if you feel cold in your blouses and find it difficult to layer with cardigans etc.: Try wearing a slim long-sleeved tee (maybe in thin, soft wool or a wool&silk blend and perhaps with some lace as decoration) UNDER your blouses. There will be no bulks, the extra layer will hardly be visible (or if so, the colour and/or lace will probably just add depth and interest to the outfit), and you will hopefully feel pleasantly warm and comfortable. And if these two layers are not enough, you'll still have the opportunity to add a waistcoat, a scarf, or whatever you prefer.

LaPed

Veteran

Without looking at others' comments:

The red in #6 is a great colour on you. #1 looks too long, but I bet it's a totally different beast tucked in. The colours and the scale of the pattern look nice on you. #2 does seem too big all over and is probably my least favourite of the bunch. #5 seems a bit tighter than I would want in a long top -- it hugs rather than skims the body. I really like the pattern in #3, but it seems like the sleeves are a bit too long perhaps? Maybe that's why it worked well under the cardi. #4 I'm pretty neutral towards, but I like the graphic, and the blocks on the sides are quite flattering, as is the curve of the hem.

Christina F.

Veteran

The jury definitely can’t reach a verdict on #1! Still undecided on it and I think need to try it more ways. It does look good tucked.

I think #5 shrunk a bit in the wash at some point. Will likely donate, along with #2.

#4 is a puzzle for me. It may work better if I style it differently. Maybe bootcut jeans.

Windchime

Veteran

I love the red top on you!

I've set tops aside for a period of time--I just wasn't interested in wearing them for whatever reason--and then started feeling excited about them a year or so later. It might be something to consider for #3 and any others you're on the fence about.

Style Fan

Veteran

I like #1 and #6. The Cat has a great idea about layering under the blouse. I have a Cuddl Duds that I use. Uniqlo makes something as well. Or you could try a long vest.

Runcarla

Veteran

Love #3. It is the most streamline fit (flattering) and has a gorgeous pattern without being overwhelming.

jussie

Veteran

I like 1, 5 and 6 best. The red is gorgeous.

Anonymous

I really like #3, #4 & #6.
I like #1 fairly well but would ditch #2 & #5.

Mainelady

Veteran

I think #6 and #1 look really nice on you. When you line them all up to look at I think it makes it easier to choose your favorites. Hooray for donating pieces you no longer love!

kkards

Veteran

echoing The Cat and Style Fan...totally recommend Uniqlo heattech...i've been wearing the "regular" for years, but the past cold snap pushed me to order the extra warm....love them both.

Women Heattech Scoop Neck Long Sleeve T-shirt

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Top Pick

3

Women Heattech Extra Warm Scoop Neck T-shirt

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Top Pick

3

Christina F.

Veteran

kkards and others, I do use heattech, but for some reason didn't thing the long sleeved ones would layer weell under a long sleeved blouse. Things tend to be slightly tight ton my sleeves, you see. I can try, though.

So thank you all! These are my conclusions:

1 - no real conclusion yet. I'm going to hold on to it for a week and see how I feel about it when I try to create different outfits. It may be better tucked in, which gives it a dressier quality than the others.

2 - I love this piece but should let it go because at the end of the day, it's simply too large for me.

3 - I'll hold on to it but maybe not try to wear it for a few months. I do get tired of items, and I wore that heavily last year. Maybe this is a good lesson that I should put things aside rather than just replace them because I'm bored. Hmm, maybe I should be doing those capsule challenges after all! This is a bit long sleeved and kind of a not-nice poly blend, but I think I can hold on to it and get a few more seasons from it.

4 - Going to keep for now and try to wear with my bootcuts, to see if I like that style better. I can never decide how I feel about this one on me, for some reason.

5 - I didn't feel strongly about this when I put it on. It's also shrunk. I have better options. Passing it on.

6 - We all love this, so I'm keeping it. I only pulled it out to try on as a comparison with the rest of the items, really. Aside from the color, I'm going to try to analyze why the fit here works for me.

Still soliciting opinions on 1 and 4!

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