I wonder if... ETA more specific blouse question

approprio

(website)

Veteran

Pants look like perfect loungewear to me. You could wear that blouse under a kimono style jacket.

7 years ago

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Approprio, now I’m picturing putting on the Saturday Night fever album and disco dancing (or shadow dancing—remember that one?) in my living room. That’d give my high school boy nightmares for weeks, lol!

I’ve added clarification to my question about the top. Thanks for your reply.

7 years ago

ClaraT

Veteran

Buy those pants and wear them to Burning Man You'll fit right in.

Agree that that blouse won't work with a blazer--it has a more bohemian vibe to me (rather than a strictly professional/suit-ish vibe). That said, maybe a drapy cardigan could work if the blouse is worn with a skirt e.g. https://www.anntaylor.com/cash.....defaultCol (not this one in particular, but something along those lines).

7 years ago

LaPed

Veteran

Yeah, I think you would need some kind of dolman sleeve or kimono jacket to make the blouse work.

Onzie makes great leggings -- they look cool and they're functional gymwear. You could totally wear the velvet bells to a low-intensity yoga class.

7 years ago

3style

Veteran

I think that if you wanted to wear the ruffle blouse with a skirt for a professional setting, you need to avoid the country schoolgirl look, in my opinion. So you would need a lot of bolder angular pieces for it to work. Substantial jewelry and fancy modern shoes skirts and handbags come to mind. Basically, lots of adult serious pieces to offset the sweetness. And your hair in some sort of bun.

As far as a jacket, I think you would need to know what temperature you were really aiming to cover. A strict pant suit with a navy lined blazer with generous but not oversized sleeves and full length navy trousers and simple shoes would work for a fairly dressy professional image in an arty type of industry. I think that there is too much volume going on in the top to wear this with a blazer and a skirt. I like the top and bottom of an outfit to be somewhat balanced in terms of the fabric volume.

7 years ago

jill58

Veteran

I think the blouse is fine for casual wear but I can't really imagine it as part of a professional look. I would look for blouses with simpler lines.

7 years ago

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

I wrote a longer reply earlier on a different device. Wonder why it isn't showing up.

La Ped, I have several things from Onzie that I really like. For some of their lounge wear, though, "Burning Man" is a great descriptor.

This is the skirt I was thinking I could pair it with for an office look. Way out of line?

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Republic Clothing Solid Ponte Pencil Skirt

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7 years ago

binkle

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I think the blouse's color and pattern would be fine in a business situation, with a pencil skirt and blazer, or structured cardigan, but yeah, the full sleeves would mess up the fit of blazer or sweater shoulders/armholes. I don't think this pattern is too boho, it's the shape of the sleeves that makes it not work friendly.

Same pattern in a more traditional blouse style would be aces!

And thanks for the disco memories!

7 years ago

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I think it totally goes with that pencil skirt and could look professional. Maybe a bomber jacket with that? I like how the blue skirt picks out the blue in the top. You had me with orange and cobalt, two of my fave colours

7 years ago

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

This is the message I wrote earlier this evening:

Thanks, Clara T, La Ped and 3style!

It definitely sounds like the jury is out on this one. Drapey, kimono style, dolman sleeves, and strictly business are a lot to combine. I guess I’ll have to experiment a bit when it gets here.

Interestingly, most of those adjective work for a jacket I like so much that I’m toying with the idea of paying full price https://www.anthropologie.com/.....;color=049 (Interesting to me anyway because ever since I got here, La Pedestrienne and a couple others have told me there will come a day when I will pay full price. I believe I replied at one point that I couldn’t see doing that, but wasn’t closing off the possibility entirely. This might be the day. Or maybe not).

Clearly, that jacket and this top do not go together. I’m just thinking about shapes. And giving myself a little pat on the back; if you’re describing to me styles that I’m already thinking of, then maybe I’m starting to make sense style-wise. I like that. (Things I can pair that jacket with: my white crops, jeans, a pinky dress, (my navy schoolgirl skirt if I meet my body-shaping goals). I have a couple of things that would go well with a top in that teal green, so I’m keeping my eye open for one, probably a simple shell, as I cruise my favorite sales sites)

3style, I’m hoping to have a new job in a 4-season place by the end of this school year (and need to get going on those interim goals to make it happen!). Temperature-wise, think “standard AC” or temps in the 60s. I’m looking for an advocacy-type position, in an organization funded by a political party, a lobbying group, or a non-profit. I think “creative class” attire will be appropriate most of the time. I may have a limited imagination, but when I think of the jobs that require the power suits that lawyers wear, I don’t really see myself in them. If I don’t make the move, I can wear this here. If I wind up in a position with a more formal dress code, I guess this becomes a weekend top.

7 years ago

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Once you are respected in the new job, couldn't you just wear your own style now that you're working it out? I highly approve of the jacket as well! I pay full price rarely but have been known to do so. I just find it relatively easy to find good stuff on sale.

7 years ago

anne

Veteran

It's a lovely top and would go well with everything you mention. I think it might be alright for "creative class" office dress - it would be ok for casual fri where I work, and maybe the other days too.

So many blouses at the moment where the jacket situation is going to be problematic.

7 years ago

Bijou

Veteran

I have two cape jackets that works well with tops that have fuller sleeves. I love cape jackets because where I live we have a mediterranean climate, so the summers are hot and dry. The office where I work is air conditioned and set at a temperature that is comfortable for the men to wear formal business attire (suites, long sleeve shirts and ties). So whilst it is hot outside, it can be too cold inside to not have a topper. My cape jackets give enough coverage and warmth without being too hot (are shown in finds below) and because the arms are open, they look much lighter than a normal jacket. They are constructed similar to a normal cropped jacket, with more open and fluid sleeves.
Now I must emphasise that whilst I love a good bargain, buying things on sale is not my first consideration. It is always what works best for me. I have unfortunately fell prey to the lure of a bargain, only to regret that I did not buy what I really wanted or needed. The jacket that you have selected is great. By all means stalk it until it goes on sale, but don't think you must get everything on sale. I have a 10 year old Burberry trench that is a classic (and alas these items rarely go on sale). It was a big outlay, but 10 years down the track, it is still in great condition and has served me well. I don't even think about what it cost, because the pain of the initial outlay is long forgotten. If something is special, will get lots of wear and you can afford it, then give yourself permission to add that special piece to your wardrobe. Overtime, you will have a cohesive and versatile wardrobe.

7 years ago

kkards

Veteran

hmmmm....fashiontern....i'm going to be harsh here....i would concentrate on buying and dressing for the life you are living now, not one that you are envision may be in your future....i would wait until you have a real idea of where you will be working because from what i have observed in my workplace as well as those of my 2 sisters, dress codes/expectations changing fast and are very industry/location/ and age of workforce specific.

7 years ago

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Jenny NZ, you are such the enabler I hope to be enough of an asset that I’ll have some leeway, but will probably want to spend more of that capital on Mom stuff than on clothing issues, and in any event I’d want to stay in the general realm of what others are wearing, just with some personal flavor. A bomber that’s office appropriate? Can you show me what you mean?

Anne, your recent wedding/work dress find is such a flexibility win and you are such the wardrobe pragmatist that your carefully qualified ok is significant. Thanks.

Bijou, thanks for the examples. I was having a hard time picturing what you meant, so the pictures are very helpful. The AC situation you explain is exactly what I’m thinking of. I’m not going to engage on the “sales” thing, because I’ve gone through that so many times already. The latest iteration is in my comment to Lynette. This post is about whether an item fits with the wardrobe I’m building. If that doesn’t tell you that I’m not scooping up crap because I have sale blinders on, then nothing I can say will convince you.

Kkards, not harsh at all. As I mentioned above, I know this would work now. There is no question there. You are right that I can’t know for sure what dress codes will be. But since I am planning the move, it would be silly to get tank tops and sundresses or anything with cutouts or deep necklines, even though I can wear them now. This top might not work where I end up, but as long as I’m buying something, I might as well try. Maybe I should stop shopping altogether, but if I do buy things, I’m not going to plan to fail.

Tbh, I’m a little confused at myself over this blouse and the top I returned not too long ago. It was clearly office appropriate and would work with the same white pants and blue skirt. I expected the white outfit to be energizing, but when I put it on, it just felt “meh”. Now I’m attracted to this questionable blouse. What’s up with that? Do I not really want the change, or am I overthinking and I just like the orange’s energy? And why am I even shopping in the first place, when there are other things I need to do with my time to make this thing actually happen?

7 years ago

kkards

Veteran

fashiontern....yes, i understand about not buying things that are truely not work appropriate now, but its the things that are "on the cusp" that i wouldn't over think....
in my office these bombers worked both when we were business casual and now that we have moved to a casual business dress code....
and the blouse in your find would totally work in my office, and 90% of my coworkers would wear it alone or with a very loose/oversized cardi instead of a blazer

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Anthropologie

Hei Hei | Anthropologie Juneworthy Bomber

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Anthropologie

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7 years ago

Stagiaire Fash

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Awesome, Kkards. Thank you.
Unfortunately, I tried to click on “solution”, was a little off-target, and apparently reported that comment in one click. I am sorry. If there is a way to repeal that I will. Maybe I should write a tech support request to ignore that.

7 years ago

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

I have this jacket, think it would go with the top & skirt well, but have a hard time seeing it as an inside piece.
I’m generally not a fan of dolman sleeves, but might start keeping my eye out for an “inside” jacket that has them. I don’t plan to go on an all out search, will just be aware.

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7 years ago

3style

Veteran

Fashiontern, hugs, relax.... You don't need to solve everything all at once. I don't think you're sabotaging yourself. Fashion is complicated the minute you get past t-shirt and jeans or hoodie and leggings. If you don't already read it, I strongly recommend: theviviennefiles.com. The focus of that website is compact flexible wardrobe capsules. There are no real community boards or anything like that, so it's a different type of website. There is also no focus on shape or fit. But as a resource for building a new wardrobe, it is invaluable. I can talk you through the way that the founder of that website, Janice Riggs, would tell you to approach this situation.

Let's assume that the blouse fits you and feels good to wear and works for your life today. You need to figure out if this is what you want to be the inspiration for your work wardrobe. If so, you need to break it into abstract components....
(1) you like fluid rather than tailored fits.
(2) you like small scale patterns.
(3) you like soft and muted nature inspired colors.
(4) you like a bit of traditional details like some small ruffles.
(5) you like to wear your tops untucked and ending on the shorter side, around the top of your hip bone.
(6) you like the interesting part of your outfits to be the blouse, and you want to keep all of the accessories very simple and classic. Think circles and squares.

Therefore, while you could certainly wear this top with the bright blue skirt, and if the skirt was an old favorite from a former style direction, I'd say go ahead. But for going forward, it pulls your wardrobe into a very different direction. Bold. Urban. Sleek. Minimal.

Personally, I find it easier on the brain and wallet not to go too far in either of these directions.

My moniker is 3Style because I like to be about equal thirds sporty, classic and trendy. So for example, I'd call your ruffle blouse trendy and the blue skirt sporty-classic. Sporty because it's a very sports team uniform kind of blue. It's not trendy: even though it is not basic, because fuller skirts and earth tones are trending right now.

So, I think that it is very advanced to mix trendy and sporty-classic in one outfit, and a very difficult starting point for a whole new wardrobe. I usually only do two out of those three in one outfit.

For example, I could see the two of these pieces working harmoniously in a professional context with flesh toned patent high heeled shoes. You need to think about whether you want to invest in that style of footwear.

Personally, footwear is definitely my limiting factor and I build everything up from there.

7 years ago

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

3style, I’ve wondered about the moniker. Now it makes sense.
Your breakdown of this top is almost a perfect list of what I like, other than #4. I’m generally not a fan of ruffles, bows, and other details that I find fussy. On fit, I like things that look fluid, but “secretly” have structure built in (like yokes or, in the case of this blouse, just follow the body fairly closely without highlighting lumps & bumps), or things that look structured, but actually are quite comfortable and easy to move in. But the other points are direct hits, so you’ve explained why I like this blouse It hasn’t arrived yet, and the biggest question in my mind about it as an item (not outfit or capsule piece) is if the ruffles on the front will bother me. They are trendy right now, and I don’t think of myself as trendy at all. I see this blouse as being more on the edge of a professional wardrobe, assuming I build one, than as a signal piece or inspiration.
I’ll have to check out that website. It sounds like what I was looking for when I wrote this post https://youlookfab.com/welookf.....-an-outfit The top I returned nags at me because it checked all the boxes, and I just. didn’t. like it. Maybe analyzing it and the outfit from that post this way will give me some understanding going forward.

7 years ago

LaPed

Veteran

Ok, so, thinking about this shirt:

If it were me (and it wouldn't be because orange is probably my worst color, so I'll imagine it's a different summery bright , I would want a topper that said "grown-up arty" -- a neutral for sure, maybe not black (too Halloween), but it could be grey or white or olive or denim... For example: https://www.etsy.com/listing/5.....t_relevant

Alternately, a chunky long cardigan/coatigan/swacket type thing, like kkards mentions. http://www.hm.com/us/product/7.....j9wGzN-5yR

I think this top has enough going on that I'd be inclined not to pattern-mix with it, especially if I were going for a toned-down professional look.

I like the idea of the blue skirt, but you could easily do jeans or other slim pants as well. White jeans would probably look amazing, although maybe too casual for your target environment. It's hard to say though, as definitions of business casual seem to be very different from region to region, and even within a given region. Maybe this is a Friday top for an office that does jeans-on-Friday? I guess the question is how much you want to make this top work as part of a "career" capsule, and/or do you love it enough to keep it even if it ends up being a weekend-only piece in the long run?

Also, re: sales (maybe this is a matter for a separate thread), I absolutely started out here thinking that I would never pay full-price for anything. And I still use discounts on most of my purchases, opt for secondhand when possible. I also have a pretty low price threshold relative to others on the forum, I think. I prefer to keep any individual purchase under $100, the only exceptions being outerwear and footwear. So I do see a lot of things I love, and file them away for "if it goes on sale/if I can find it on eBay/etc." A lot of the retailers that do mega-sales -- J Crew, Loft, the Gap brands, etc -- I just don't find things I love at those places right now. So I target the brands that do work for me. Off the top of my head, that's Uniqlo (very reasonable initial pricing), Everlane (again, less of an initial mark-up than mall brands, and they try to under-produce rather than over-produce), and Boden (pretty much always possible to find a promo code for 15-20% off, plus free ship/returns in the US).

What I avoid is sale-shopping in the sense of "Oh, this top fits well, it's marked down in a hideous colour, but I don't want to pay the extra $ for the better colour so I'll settle for the cheaper option." I find that the vast majority of items I consign or donate were purchased in this manner. So I'm training myself not to do it. If I end up not wearing the item and getting rid of it, I haven't actually saved any money by buying the on-sale version. Seasonal colour analysis really opened my eyes in this regard -- how worth it is to find the *right* colour, not settle for the almost-right one.

7 years ago

3style

Veteran

Fashiontern, I missed something. Which top did you previously buy and return which you feel like you should have liked?

Also, I hadn't previously read your thread about the lime green top floral skirt and red shoes. It seems like you have a fondness for bright color as well as muted ones, is that right? What about neutrals? And then the leopard print jacket I would describe as pastel rather than muted. If you want to keep all of these tones in your wardrobe it's going to get expensive fast.... Unless you are very strict about one of each.
For example, caramel brown looks professional with cobalt and a range of muted light to dark peach. However, I think in that universe you would want ivory as your light neutral, and the denim jacket with the leopard print on a white background rather than ivory wouldn't fit in.

On the other hand, if you start with the leopard jacket and cobalt skirt, you could make gray your basic neutral with some white accents. This would be more convenient because nearly all shoes come in a black option. But it depends upon how you feel about wearing gray.

You don't have to be absolutely strict about any of these things. But the biggest thing that I have learned from theviviennefiles.com is that it is worth shopping in blocks while a particular shade is abundantly available. Angie shows this as well with all of the capsules featuring burgundy recently. For myself, I am working to get the last mile out of my old robust burgundy clothing (Lands End, Patagonia, Marmot, and blending with light blue or warm brights. But I am not excited about burgundy any more so I'm not adding more of it.

Also, as a side note. I think you need to give rayon a chance. Especially if you want to keep your budget in check. Basically think of it like synthetic silk. Not simply silky looking (like shiny polyester) but rather an interesting intermediate step between hyperabsorbent cotton and extremely wicking wool. So the problem with rayon is that like silk it gets bent out of shape easily when its wet and it isn't very good at maintaining its luster if you put it in the dryer. As long as the item has seams which are sewn nice and flat, there is no way you're going to find it itchy....

7 years ago

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

What I avoid is sale-shopping in the sense of "Oh, this top fits well, it's marked down in a hideous colour, but I don't want to pay the extra $ for the better colour so I'll settle for the cheaper option."

I agree that’s a foolish mindset. I guess the reason I get so twitchy when people tell me to avoid sales is because I hear an insinuation that’s what I’d do, despite (what I think is) evidence to the contrary. If the thing you’re buying for less isn’t right, then you’re just getting less for less money and might as well go to the dollar store.

3style, this is the post about a top I mentioned https://youlookfab.com/welookf.....-attrition

I do want a long cardigan. But for this top+ skirt, I was thinking of something a snappier/more in line with the skirt. Maybe shaped similarly to these

https://www.ruelala.com/boutiq.....6d549bfc91

https://goo.gl/images/J1F2DE

Or if the blue is in stock again, this https://www.nordstromrack.com/.....LT%20BLUSH

Do those make sense? Please tell me if they seem off base.

For years, H&M had short blazers in a variety of colors, including cobalt. I’ve been there several times in recent months and haven’t seen them.

There’s more to think about in your posts. I haven’t really thought about color at all other than I like cobalt and indigo, with orange as a contrast/accent color, and charcoal works better for me than dead black. That last bit is from doing my colors decades ago. I’m a summer. I didn’t wear any kind of black or grey at all until living in Berlin made it inevitable that I’d get something along that spectrum. I’ll have to come back to this later—no time now.

7 years ago

3style

Veteran

Somewhere along the way, I read a post of yours where you wear down Angie's list of basics and pretty much discarded all of them as irrelevant for you. That's fine. But you have to figure out what are your own basics.

I think that you weren't excited about the blue and white speckled v-neck top precisely because it was neither a statement piece nor a basic for you.

I feel like the idea of losing weight is putting additional pressure on yourself. A brand like H&M is typically very specific in the cut of their clothes such that a ten pound swing makes most of their items unwearable. Mid-market brands like Ann Taylor jjill and Talbots and White House Black Market tend to be cut with wider armholes more resilient fabric and are generally far more tolerant of minor weight changes.

Basically, I think that you can get bargains at end of season sales from these kinds of places.

In short, I don't think that it's smart to go for such body conscious fits as that blue and white speckled blouse when you are expecting body change.

I'm not saying everything has to be drapey. But a lot of times when you are in a colder climate, it is easier to add structure to outfits when you are layering for warmth. Living in Florida, you have gotten used to adding structure to your base layer. In my part of the world, people rarely see your base layer, especially under AC or in the winter. At most a little bit of a top is visible around the neck of a sweater or a blazer. Hence a plunging V for daytime isn't very versatile.

7 years ago

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

3style, what?? I know that when I was trying to put labels on my style, I considered “classic”, was told that didn’t seem right, and so I looked at Angie’s list and realized that according to that definition, I do not have a classic wardrobe. Is that what you’re referring to? The way you expressed it—discarding her thoughts as irrelevant to me—sounds very disrespectful and is not at all my intent.

7 years ago

3style

Veteran

Let's go back to the definition of classic. Classic in the most general sense means recognizable, familiar, expected. It's absolutely fine to like to wear lots of confusing, avant-garde, surprising outfits. However, it doesn't tend to let the person be in the foreground and the clothing be in the background. And ultimately in a professional setting, you want to be judged by your merits and not by your outfit. Plus, no one wants to spend a ton of time sorting out their outfit every morning.

So when I say that you were discarding her list of classics, what I meant was that you weren't trying to translate it into your own visual vocabulary.

For example, Angie likes to wear pearls. Pearls are classic in the sense that they are a familiar type of necklace. So the question is, what serves those same functions (brightening up the face and bringing roundness to the neckline) for you? For me I have two ivory colored casual scarves, one with subtle stripes and the other with subtle flowers. I do have a few strands of pearls, but for me they are special occasion wear, for a lot of different reasons.

If you don't have anything which serves that same function, then it is useful to ask yourself if this is a function worth covering for you. It doesn't have to be even that literal. I have a friend whose face glows when she wears bright mustard. If I were to wear that, you would be calling an ambulance for me. Mustard works for her the way that white or ivory works for most people.

7 years ago

Sal

Veteran

I like the blouse and can see it in casual and work settings. Not all work settings but that is true of most pieces.

This thread reminds me of how I struggle to find toppers/jackets/cardigans to wear over short sleeved/sleeveless tops. I seem to be able to find the tops, but then want to only buy one new jacket and can't find one at all!! Bijou's idea of a cape jacket is a great one which I may well pinch.

7 years ago

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Just got back to this as I'm on holiday. Photo of my bomber jacket attached, Fashiontern. I reckon the sleeves are floppy enough to fit over your top. I wear this to work as a family doctor.

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7 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

I’m just skipping to the end to post my own opinions, lol... So first, I think a bomber or cape or just a proper coat could go over this blouse. If you’re looking to stay warm inside ... I think I’d layer the top over something else, so the top can still be seen. My third thought is, I’m always very attracted to tops with ruffles like this, at the shoulders and down the front - but they almost always overwhelm me. I’m wondering how much you would like it on you, versus looking at it...

7 years ago

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