How life has changed and wardrobe hole! - YouLookFab Forum

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Dressing

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How life has changed and wardrobe hole!

catgirl

Veteran

Wow, my life has changed with my career move. No more browsing YLF all day! I'm busy and up early and the day is fun and goes by super-fast. But there are two boxes sitting in my car that may never be returned, and my evenings are spent trying to get time with my kiddo, exercise, and catch up on all the phone calls and other stuff I used to be able to take time to do in the day....

I have discovered a BIG wardrobe hole - dressy short sleeved tops for work that can be worn without a topper. I'm in and out of different rooms with varying temperatures. Plus, we are having a weirdly hot summer. Thus, I need to be able to wear a layer I can take off and not be sleeveless, so tank tops are out. Work tops have ALWAYS been my nemesis - it's what got me to YLF - and I am at a loss!

HELP!

And I miss you all SO MUCH!

Dressing

19 replies

Latest reply was from Suz

Makrame

Veteran

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/hinge-silk-blouse
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/hi.....se/3358989
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/tr.....se/3382340

MNsara

Veteran

It sounds a bit overwhelming, but I trust you'll acclimate and find a new rhythm to your days in a while

I've recently been impressed with some of the work wear tops that Banana Republic has been offering. Don't just look at 'tops' as they're almost all tees. Be sure to look at shirts/blouses.
http://bananarepublic.gap.com/.....rtment=136
scroll down to short-sleeved.

catgirl

Veteran

Thanks, ladies! I'm wondering if everything out there has these cap-sleeves, which will never work for me:

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/ch.....alizedsort

Where are true t-shirt sleeves?

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I like my Old Navy cobalt top. This looks like a similar style. Easy to wash n wear and doesn't break the bank. http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/.....=385884152

catgirl

Veteran

Mo, that's a great top, but I can't wear those sleeves - they are hideous on an IT frame. I need sleeves that fit and come down well below shoulders without sticking out on the sides, or I look like I'm ready to score a touchdown.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Heh, I hear you. My top has real sleeves, but it's from a previous season, so no help there

maybe if you look up Angie's silky tee post it will have some good leads??

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Anonymous

Una I bought these tops in every color by now. No silk but they work with everything. Look good tucked in, alone, with a topper, semi tuck, you name it!
http://www.express.com/mobile/.....2_9429_520

Anonymous

Angie wrote a post about this type of sleeve as universally flattering recently.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Your new life sounds very busy Una but rest assured, you will get into a new routine before long and it will start to settle down.

Short sleeved tops that work well underneath a blazer or equally well on its own can be tough to find. It's a matter of finding the right weight fabric and drape, as well as sleeve shape that make or break the top. I'm afraid I don't have any specific examples though.

MsMary

Veteran

If you can wear a tee, you might want to look at this one from American Apparel. I bought a few similar ones a few years ago and wore them to death with my work skirts and jackets. I like it because the sleeves are short but long enough, if you know what I mean.

rae

(website)

Veteran

Hm, how about linen sweaters with 3/4 sleeves? They feel like tee shirts but outfit wise look more dressy because of the knit. Doesn't have to be Eileen Fisher, but these sprang to mind because I see them at work.

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ei.....wordsearch

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ei.....wordsearch

krishnidoux

Veteran

I am so happy for you! It sounds like you really enjoy what you are doing right now.
And good for you for identifying a wardrobe need so precisely. You can remedy to this situation easily but you will need to dedicate a good afternoon to it.

Here are my suggestions:

http://guessbymarciano.guess.c.....24H0000000

http://www.clubmonaco.com/prod.....d=17000316

http://www.clubmonaco.com/prod.....d=18670776

Inge

(website)

Very happy to hear the new job is working out so well, Una. A new routine always takes some getting used to, doesn't it. Hopefully you'll be able to squeeze in some more YLF time soon:-)

The first thing that came to mind: how about wearing your Equipment shirts and other silk blouses with the sleeves rolled up? The fabric is very lightweight and breezy, so the rolled-up sleeves aren't bulky. It still looks dressy to my eye. Perhaps you are already doing that?

Love the linen Eileen Fisher top Rae linked to. Would this be dressy enough for the new office, Una?

The silky tees Angie wrote about a while back might also be a good option?

Here are some more options - again, not sure if all of them are dressy enough or not - and, warning, some are... white;-)

http://www.massimodutti.com/we.....8558/19470

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/th.....38;context

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/ha.....rsonalized
(the cream and black print, an Angie recommendation)

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/yi.....ersonalize

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/mi.....ntextualca

Inge

(website)

Part II

http://www.shopbop.com/soft-po.....038;fm=oth

http://www.shopbop.com/eriko-e.....38;fm=othe

http://www.shopbop.com/marcel-.....11&fm

http://www.shopbop.com/riley-m.....=253437430

http://www.shopbop.com/silk-co.....1&fm=

http://www.shopbop.com/chiffon.....&fm=o

http://www.reiss.com/eu/womens.....te&ut

http://www.bergdorfgoodman.com.....60342_cat1

http://www.shopbop.com/sheer-p.....038;colorI

http://www.zara.com/be/en/woma.....44514.html

http://us.asos.com/Daisy-Stree.....uct.aspx?i

http://us.asos.com/ASOS-Blouse.....&Rf90.

http://www.reiss.com/eu/womens.....pale-blue/

http://www.reiss.com/eu/womens.....off-white/

Glory

Veteran

So happy to read this today - that your job is working out so well and the days are zooming by. I will keep my eyes open for some great tops but looks like the lovely and resourceful Inge has provided tons of options. I would pick up a few great basics in your fave colours so you don't have to struggle getting ready in the mornings.

Gabrielle

No help here on the tops, but I wanted you to know I have always thoroughly enjoyed your posts. I hope you don't get so busy that you can't find time to join us here.

Having said that, good luck with your new job and everything else that keeps you busy and happy.

Anonymous

Sounds like your new job is a good fit, Una, so yay for that! I hear you on the need for stand-alone short sleeved blouses. There is a dearth of them out there in my price range it seems (without some sort of ridiculous sleeve treatment that bars a strong shoulder from wearing them), but you've been given a bunch of links so I'm going to check them all out. Maybe I just haven't searched very well.

MNsara

Veteran

Here's another Angie recommended one (sorry if this is already in Inge's wonderful list, no time to check . . . )
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/mi.....hoppingbag

Suz

(website)

Veteran

As usual, Inge comes through with a brilliant list! I am off to peruse it now myself!

So glad you are busy and happy at work, Una.