Help with a bit of a disaster... - YouLookFab Forum

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Dressing

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Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Help with a bit of a disaster...

sarah

Veteran

For an upcoming afternoon wedding:

1/2 - my attempt at a trouser outfit (for those of you wondering, I liked this clutch much better IRL). The problem: I think it's better tucked, but the trouser do have an elastic waist. I have taken the trouser in and let out the hems, but could do so more if you think I should. Even if I don't wear these to the wedding, I will wear them this summer for every day use. I'm just not sure this works - it all looks a bit sloppy to me.

3-5, 7 - Janet's and Celia's dress with 2 different jackets (the one in 4 is dressier but I'm worried that the stance is two low for the dress's neckline). I love this dress, but am worried that the neckline is not great on me given my short neck, short waist, and ample bustline. The dress could be shortened to knee length if necessary (by me).

6 - a fall back possibility - my JCrew skirt could be worn with the silver shoes and the jacket from 1/2/4

Opinions? The wedding is next weekend, so I don't have much time!

THANKS.

(P.S. I'm so frustrated because I have SUCH trouble finding my style groove when it comes to dressing up. AARGH. Thanks for letting me vent)

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Dressing

45 replies

Latest reply was from sarah

unfrumped

Veteran

Okay, consider the source, but I love #4. Summery dress, great colors and love the sharp angular jacket. Much better than jacket #5. I can see how a bit of a scoop in the neckline can work better, but it looks fine. Also the straight skirt might be most flattering just a titch shorter, it's not a deal-breaker if short on time, and also sometimes if I'm waffling about a hem I'll wear it once or twice and see how I feel.
I also like #1 as an outfit, it would not be a disaster at all, but I tend to think #4 is more fool-proof wedding-appropriate, if you could choose either one.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Can you wear a belt over the elastic waistband? I LOVE #1 and #2! Seems so Sarah. I don't mind the untucked look at all

But the frock is great. Do prefer the pants option though.

sarah

Veteran

Oh, this is so interesting, Angie. Do you prefer untucked? Or tucked with belt? And what sort of belt?! Yikes...

Makrame

Veteran

I like the dress a lot on you although the neckline seems to look better without the jackets. It fits you really well so I think you will be able to wear it later in the summer without the toppers, too. The jacket in #4 seems to look better. I also really like #6 (you definitely need to wear this outfit someday, even if not for the wedding. Like unfrumped, I think I would feel most appropriate in #4 because of the level of dressiness.

Oh, and I do like #1 (untucked looks fine to me).

Sarah A

Veteran

I like 4 as well and think the stance works. #2 would be possible one of your great belts could be used over the waistband?

Sarah A

Veteran

Belts... leopard from your WIW the other day, or silver/pewter, orange? navy?

sarah

Veteran

Thanks, Sarah. I have a silver buckled snakeskin belt - I think that might be the only one that would work that I have...

unfrumped

Veteran

For the pants my preference is the untucked look. It looks more modern to mem and you've got the leg length to pull off the proportions.

sarah

Veteran

LOL - unfrumped, if I was drinking tea, I would have just spit it out! I am 5'1"!!! But I'm very pleased that I've given the illusion of a long leg! Maybe it's the camera angle.

I'm still not decided about dress vs. pants...

unfrumped

Veteran

That's great! I should have said leg proportions! But it's still true.

I think part of is is you look so relaxed and happy in the pants outfit that maybe that's more "you", and hence the occasion goes much according to how you project in your outfit.

I recently posted my (long) epiphany statement about how though I do keep buying some dresses, and I do really like some skirts, I really am a pants person and would choose them over skirts and dresses in a heartbeat, and a goal is to keep working on pants options for different levels of formality/dressiness.

So it may be that really focusing on how to make pants work for your dressier capsule is the way to go. But the tailored style of the dress and jacket seem to work well for you, too. So instead of a disaster, you have choices--oh my!

unfrumped

Veteran

For belts that are just resting over elastic waists with no loops, you just have to try them on and see what "sets" right and that may narrow down your choices. Too tight and it rides up whenever you move; too loose and it falls down in front and band shows there. Needs to kind of settle with some ease. Flexible or contour are good and not too narrow. If you plan to wear the jacket most of the time, that helps because it's often in the back where the belt and waistline don't stay put.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I love the pants outfit! Let's see it with the belt, Sarah. Over the tucked top, would be my thought, just covering the elastic.

I also like the dress a lot and prefer version #4 with the smart modern jacket that I am so jealous you can wear.

LOVE the J Crew outfit, too, but I think one of the first two will feel more fresh to you since you have worn the other look before, and it is not as dressy.

kellygirl

Veteran

LOVE the pants and the new frock. I prefer the pants outfit untucked. It looks more stylish to me--but I totally understand why you might feel it looks sloppy. I think it's sort of related to our age. I love the layered hem of the blouse and think it looks very intentional untucked. The new frock is gorgeous on you. It suits your style. It's polished, unfussy and sleek. I love the length too--it reads more modern and dressy than the separates outfit. Just my 2 cents from out here in the boondocks

Caro in Oz

Veteran

I love #1 - imo it looks modern & relaxed yet stylish. I like the dress on you too but I'm a pants person:)

MsMary

Veteran

Another vote for #1! It looks great on you and the clutch just pushes it over the edge into "insanely awesome!"

sarah

Veteran

Ah, the pants are pulling ahead! Even untucked! That would simplify my life, so I wouldn't have to find the perfect belt and make little thread belt loops to avoid all the issues that unfrumped raises.

I really appreciate all of your opinions. And it's interesting that the pants are getting approval from those of you who are self-identified "pants" people and from our resident bombshell (MK).

Keep the opinions rolling in! I'm all ears : )

Jan

I agree that your clutch takes the #1 outfit to a whole other level. How great that your comfy pants with an untucked top gets an Angie approval! #4 is a nice classic wedding guest outfit, while #1 will set you apart. You have your outfit!

Deborah

Veteran

Sarah, I love #1. Can you semi tuck and use a belt? Or semi tuck so that the blouse still drapes over the waistband so you don't need a belt?

I think toy are right about the neckline of the dress.

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Another Yay for the pants. I have a slight preference for tucked top but both are great.

Echo

Veteran

I LOVE the pants outfit. The bright top and the clutch make this outfit a 10. YLF!

Beth Ann

Veteran

Pretty, fancy Sarah! I think your doing some very profitable exploration here --- sorry it's hard work, but it's paying off.

1. I adore this, and I think it would work for all but the swankiest, most urban weddings. If you want to belt (not necessary) and it won't stay put, try making belt loops of very narrow satin or grosgrain ribbon and tacking in place with a needle and thread.

2. LOVE the dress. Please keep! I think your short hair opens up your face and neck area enough to handle the high neckline. The print is bold, but the color scheme harmonizes so well with your coloring and seems to "fit" with your style.

Isis

Veteran

I like #1! I like #4 too, but prefer #1.

#1 does not look sloppy in the pic; as someone above said, looks modern and intentional. The pointy metallic shoes and cool clutch kick everything up a notch.

I prefer the dress WITH a jacket......without your bustline looks too close to your waist, perhaps because of the high neckline.

Don't despair; I think you have a couple great choices here!

Nicole D

Veteran

Pic 1 or Pic 4. Lucky you to have two smashing outfits to choose from!

Anonymous

I like the dress the best, but #1 is really nice also. I do like the jacket in #4 with the dress.

TraceyLiz65

(website)

Veteran

I love the dress best, but feel it needs to be shortened. Then again I speak as a petite myself that length just doesn't work well despite the fact that I have long legs for my height...

Jjsloane

Veteran

The only thing I mind in 1-2 is the pink of the shirt. I prefer untucked or you need to belt to cover the elastic (metallic belt?) If you did cream like the jacket it would be amazing. I love the clutch.

I like the Janet dress with the 1st jacket and probably shortened to show a bit of knee on you.
The fallback outfit is fine with the metallic shoes, but I still like the pants best too?

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I love both the pants outfit and the dress with the jacket in #4. Just depends which seems more right for the wedding and which you feel more comfortable in. You look great in both.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

I love #1 just as is - it's understated elegance IMO.

Parsley

Veteran

Wow, Sarah- in looking at your pictures I would never guess that you are struggling. You look so stylish and put together in all of these.

My favorite for the wedding is #4. I love that dress on you, and it looks terrific with the jacket. I guess I'm a traditionalist and I prefer to wear a dress to weddings. Your new shoes look great with it.

But, I absolutely LOVE outfit #1 on you! The top looks great untucked- the contrasting layer adds so much interest- nothing sloppy about it at all.
And the clutch is stunning. Even if you don't wear this to the wedding, I hope you'll wear it out to dinner and to all sorts of other events, and you will look FABULOUS!

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