Help me troubleshoot this outfit. - YouLookFab Forum

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Help me troubleshoot this outfit.

Suja

Veteran

I put on an outfit today that I thought would be killer but for some reason, I am just feeling OK in it, not fab.

I think the shoes are part of the problem. They are new and I love them but they have a high vamp and a low heel making them tough to wear. Any ideas on the best way to wear these shoes? Maybe with a flared skirt or skinny non-ankle pants?

The bottoms are an Eileen Fisher pair of leggings with a skirt attached. I love the idea of it but I'm not sure what top would look best. Perhaps a boyfriend cardigan which matches the length of the skirt? I *think* that would work but that is a little limiting in terms of versatility. Any other tops that might work?

Thanks for your advice!

1

Sole Society 'Susie' Studded Strap Flat (Women)

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1

Eileen Fisher Skirted Ankle Leggings (Regular & Petite)

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Lou & Grey Hint Of Lace Sweatshirt

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Dressing

16 replies

Latest reply was from Thistle

Diana

Veteran

What happens if you make the leggings just a tiny bit shorter? (Just fold an inch of the bottom underneath or something.) I think part of the problem is that there's no ankle showing between the ankle strap and the bottom of the leggings, and IMO ankle straps look best with some bare skin above them.

I think a boxy, cropped jacket might work on top too. Adds a little structure. (The ankles would do that too.)

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

I think a black wedge heel bootie/sandal might be better with these leggings. And maybe a shorter top where you don't have the issue with what to do with its extra volume.

The shoes might be better with a little more skin showing above them, like with a cropped pant or boyfriend jeans.

Ledonna N.

Veteran

To me the top and shoes are the problem. The top is to boxy for the shape of the skirt. I would get something like a more fitted top. A wrap top or a more bodycon sweater. I feel like the shoes just disappear into the leggins. I need more skin showing or just a a boot or wedge would fully accent this bottom.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I really like the outfit as is! You might try semi-tucking the top, to create a different shape on the hem. Usually that will help me like an outfit that seems just a little bit off.
The shoes have the same basic shape as menswear oxfords (i.e., they come up to the same point on the foot), so I would style them like that. Ankle pants will be cute with them, longer narrow-leg pants slouched over them, boyfriend jeans rolled, skirts.

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

To my eye, the top looks off - but it is something to do with the neckline, and having your hair down. I feel like a lower neckline, or wearing your hair pulled up or brushed back, would show your collarbone and neck better, and sort of bookend your feet in the shoes. If that makes any sense?

I like Firecracker's suggestion of a semi-tuck as well

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

(Sharan, I think Suja has semi tucked the front a little - no?)

FWIW, I think this is a killer look. A few points to ponder though:

This is out of your comfort zone, so it will take getting use to
A little more ankle will make you feel more alluring (Diana's point)
You might be reacting to the high contrast of cream strap on your long black line, which does break it up
And generally, you don't like high necklines - which you are wearing here

Hope that makes sense. xo

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I like it with Diana's idea of tweaking the hem of the pants.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Good point, Angie--I mistook it for being hiked up a little with the camera cord.
I like the semi-tuck, Suja!

rachylou

Veteran

Hmm. I'm thinking the shoes and top may be a bit fancy for the skirt/leggings?

Suzanne (ambergreen)

Veteran

My first thought here is about the high contrast, which Angie pointed out. What if you went lower contrast on top maybe? Plus, you have a really dark carpet there, so it's a bit hard to see what balance the toe cap color really gives to the outfit.

LadyLilac

FWIW, it might help to add a cognac belt, as in the picture with the top, and then also a cognac bag if you have one? These two items could be a way to add more interest, if that's what you're wanting to do. Just my 2 cents.

shiny

Veteran

What Angie said!

I love this outfit on you, and love all the separate pieces too. I've been on a white & black jag lately myself, as it's simple for packing for my frequent business travel. I am in envy of your outfit here. I want to pack it up for my next trip!!!

Maybe you just have to get used to it? Or ease into it. Perhaps by swapping out the shoes for black heels (elongate the leg). Or, swap out the black bottoms for white jeans, which I think would be a killer look.

Or... was it very hot today? Sometimes I'm not feeling it simply because black clothing seems too hot for a hot day.

There's one other aspect, which I am sure is just some quirky mental thing I need to get over: when I wear black bottoms with a white top, I fret I look like a waiter. Which is silly, but somehow got lodged in my head, somewhere along the line. You in no way look like a waiter here. I am sure I don't either, as I said, it's just some weird mental fashion rule I have rattling around in my head. It helps me to see you here in this outfit, to get over that senseless notion!

Jen W

I think Diana is right about the length with the shoes. I'd also try a top with a welt with the leggings to see if just a bit more structure on top makes it work. Love these pieces!

Suja

Veteran

Sorry for the post and run. Nothing like an intense project in a new job to put you on a YLF diet

I tried hiking the leggings and it did look better but they unfortunately wouldn't stay hiked so that was out.

I think there are too many pieces in this outfit out of my comfort zone (higher neckline top, high vamped shoes and funky leggings). I'm thinking I should stick to just one outside my comfort zone piece. Perhaps some low vamped black shoes and a low contrast fitted v-neck would work. Once I get comfortable with that I might add back the shoes. The top is a "just flattering enough" piece. I really needed a white or off-white top for my summer work outfits and this was one of the only ones I could find on short notice.The neckline is higher than I usually wear but it isn't a true crewneck, there is some space. I thought the cream top would "go" with the cream strap but it just didn't look right.

This is a lesson I am learning with my fashion experiments. I am shifting more toward the flattering end of just flattering enough. I am going to stick with known sillhouttes on top (for me a fitted v-neck is a slam dunk but any open neck will work). I just felt "off" in this outfit during the day. Oh well, I guess you have to have some misses if you want to experiment.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Great strategy, Suja. xo

Thistle

Veteran

Sounds like you are all sorted. And yes, experiments are just that. Sometimes they work, sometimes they don't, but you learned a ton from this one.