K/R - Opinions: long, sheer topper ETA: pics - YouLookFab Forum

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K/R - Opinions: long, sheer topper ETA: pics

abc

Veteran

I picked up two thin, open front, sheer, drapey cardigan-ish toppers (for lack of a better word) at Rack recently, and I am wondering what your thoughts are on them.

One is solid black, the other is black with small cream polka dots. The brand is Bellatrix for those that shop Rack.

I'm sorry I don't have a pic but here is something similar:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ma.....JLQkR4-a81

Mine are NOT knit, they are a very thin sheer (most likely polyester) material and mine have normal albeit loose sleeves (roll up to around the elbow).

My idea was to use them for some extra coverage in summer. I can't seem to find the right t-shirts with elbow length sleeves so when I came across these I thought they could be an option to cover my flabby upper arms.

My hesitations are:
1. they are more drapey than I ever do - out of my comfort zone, trying to avoid mistakes / orphans
2. it has a long length in the back, almost high-low as the longest part is in the back center, around the back of my knees - looks better with heels but I need MOTG / WFH flat-shoe friendly items
3. would this look ok with black straight leg ponte pants and a colored tshirt
4. how else could I style these

ETA: 5. Is this dated or frumpy? Or drapey-cool? Honestly I don't trust my own fashion sense on this bc it is so outside of my norm.
ETA 6. In my haste I couldn't decide between solid black and black/cream small polka dots (shown). Worth keeping both? Or one is clearly a winner in your book?

Thank you for your input. I am on the fence on these and need to decide K/R soon.

ETA: added actual pics! Loosely styled. Sorry for background mess haha

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25 replies

Latest reply was from Mia

Jenny H

Veteran

Hmmm, I think I may have tried the polka dot one on at Nordstrom Rack last week. I think I have a photo on my home computer (away from home at the moment). If it is the same one, I loved it in theory but there was something about the shape that kept me from buying it.

abc

Veteran

Jenny H, thanks for weighing in. I think I am maybe having the same struggle. I can't pinpoint if it will work or not.

Also, I am wondering - is it dated/frumpy somehow? Or is it drapey cool? I don't do drapey (yet, haha) so this is all new to me....

Liz

Veteran

Here are some things I'd be looking at if I were trying to evaluate for myself:

* Does the material hang nicely or does it catch onto my clothes and cling or bunch up when I move around?
• Does the fabric drape ... or droop? : )
• Will I be wearing it mostly for walking around or for sitting? It feels like an awkward shape for a sitting garment but might float nicely when walking.
• Does the gauze crumple or wrinkle when you sit on it?

abc

Veteran

Liz, excellent questions I hadn't thought of! The value of YLF!

The material floats.

It doesn't seem to catch or cling.

As for activities, well, that is where you've got me. I guess I want an "all things to all people" garment (which prob doesn't exist).

In reality I would **probably** wear it to walk the kids to daycare, then mostly sitting/moving around the house during the day (WFH). I could see me maybe wearing this out and about a bit, walking to have lunch or something. To me I guess it is more functional (cover upper arms!) than for looks, but I want it to look decent...man do I sound confused or what?!

I guess I should just suck it up and post some K/R pics, huh? Nudging myself....thx to those who have weighed in so far (Jenny H and Liz).

Glory

Veteran

I really like it on you and on the hanger in the photos. It seems to drape very nicely and would be very cool in the warmer temperatures. I like the idea of a light weight topper for getting to and fro when you don't want a heavier jacket.
So my vote is keep.

DonnaF

Veteran

I am usually a sucker for polka dots but. . .I think this looks too big on you, esp. lengthwise, so the proportions seem off. I think that two inches shorter on the arms and three inches shorter on the hem all around would hit your sweet spot, especially if you are planning to wear flats with it.

As to coverage in warmer temps: Last summer I bought a machine washable Caslon unlined linen jacket, and it was great. I just misted out the wrinkles between wearings. This year, no Caslon release of the same jacket, but they have a linen blend one that looks like it is cut generously in the arms. Nordstrom also has an unlined Olivia Moon washable linen jacket that has received mixed reviews due to inconsistent sizing across the color ways. I have no doubt that it will eventually go on sale.

rachylou

Veteran

This is my question... are the sleeves annoying? Are you enjoying having it on? I think that's the thing about sheer tops like this (I have three I should just give away). I look at them and know I won't like the feel of them on.

abc

Veteran

Funny DonnaF about the proportions. It is an XL I probably bought out of habit. I've lost weight and don't wear XL anymore .. But I figured since its oversized it didn't matter. Hmmm. You've given me pause. I was leaning heavily toward keep until I read your post. And I did see a linen blazer at Nordies recently but just couldn't deal w the wrinkling. I like this flowy option more, I think.

unfrumped

Veteran

what DonnaF said. This one is too big on you.

Also, what silhouettes do you like best? Here you are wearing fitted top over fitted pant ( ?ponte-type pant or a version of leggings) and a flowy topper. Fitted over fitted alone doesn't always work, or you might need a longer top with this look, so you kind of need a topper with this pared-down underlayer. Would you also like just a more fluid top over the leggings for a simple classic unfitted-over-fitted look? Or do you like the 3-piece approach better. Point is only that you might create some great ouftits with an upgraded top + slim leg pant. Or if you just need a quick on-the-go topper, would try sizing down in this one or looking at some other summer-weight options.

rabbit

Veteran

I think this would work as a topper over a long, flowy underlayer, but not necessarily over a fitted, shorter, or much brighter underlayer. You might want to consider if the sleeves will be user friendly if you are preparing food or washing or something - will they stay out of the way. It may be that just sizing down a little will help the length work better with the tops you want to wear it with and with sleeve fit. Floaty can be nice and comfortable as long as it doesn't catch or snag on anything (avoid cats ). I think that it has potential but is worth maybe trying a smaller size.

columbine(erin)

Veteran

I love the floatiness of this and the dots. Can you try a size smaller and see what you think?

Deborah

Veteran

I quite like this. How much verstility do you need with this garment? I think it would work best with a black sleeveless tank under it (possibley also a white a light grey tank). I am funny about different colours layered under sheer garments. So I guess I am suggesting keeping it tonal. Slim leg pants and yes a heel would good here.

I could potentially see it layered over a sleeveless summer sheath dress in black.

A long silver pendant would also look nice if you are are wanting to accessoriese.

Gigi

Veteran

I like the topper, though I do think it's worth trying a size down. The material does seem to drape and not droop. And I like the polka dots.

I like Deborah's suggestion of layering it over a sleeveless summer sheath dress. Since the sleeves on the topper are quite loose, you could probably even get by with a long-sleeve dress.

As far as choosing between the two (black and dotty), I think that depends on what you'll be pairing it with. If you normally wear a lot of solid colors, I would get the polka dot one. If you normally wear a lot of patterns, the solid black one would probably be better.

Good job on moving outside your comfort zone!

unfrumped

Veteran

Okay, I missed the part where you said you could not find tops with some of the features you wanted. I totally get that, as it happens to me all the time with one thing or another that seems to block pulling an outfit together, so I look for other ways to move forward.

abc

Veteran

I tend to wear VC tube skirt + solid tee like this one (usually bright) + denim jacket (denim or white). I was trying to get away from this formula and try something different. Well, at least for the topper...with the intent of covering arms with less fitted topper and lighter fabric. It's getting hot here and wearing the denim topper feels like overkill (akin to wearing a heavy winter coat when not warranted by the weather). And I wanted to edge into flowy territory!

I have several ponte pants - one legging like the one shown (realized zipper broken in the older pair in pic but basically have same in VC NAS pair) as well as 2-3 other straight leg ponte pants in black (looser, straight legs though not flowy).

I am hearing that maybe this top isn't the best option. I have it in multiples since it woks so well with my other formulas. I have few if any flowy tops. I do have plain tanks in black and white that may work.

If anyone has time could you link to the type of shirt you think would work better?

Now I'm leaning toward return and see if they have the size down but that will be 2-3 weeks from now so it might just be a straight up return. We'll see. I really didn't want to give up on this as I like the flowy idea...!

Deborah, I like your idea of putting it over a dress but I fear it may be longer than the dress. That would look strange, right?

Thanks again.

Marmee

Veteran

I like the idea of it, but I'm not crazy about the blushing effect, and I think the sleeves look a tiny bit like bathrobe sleeves. Sorry...

catgirl

Veteran

I think it's too big on you! I'm a little concerned that so much sheer looks like a coverup, but that could just be me and my lack of warm weather savvy...

abc

Veteran

Marmee and alaskagirl, thank you for your honesty. Really! I was noticing the same thing on the sleeves...like they're supposed to stay rolled but then won't! Even shows on the hanger...

And who would've thunk an XL would be too big on me, haha, I used to be squarely in plus sizes so it feels REALLY good that I need to size DOWN for once in my life. Now I just need to step away from the chocolate cake so it stays that way

thanks again, all

Mia

Veteran

I concur that it appears too big. In the photos is does seem like it could be frumpy but that could be the generous cut.

I like Deb's styling ideas but you may find it's actually hard to wear because of the sheerness. The best "do all" like this that I have found is from the DKNY Pure line and it is a modal piece with some nice tape detail and snaps. The modal fabric is comfy to wear year round. It is my airplane wrap, summer coverup over just about any garment and layering piece. It's not sheer but it is light and can be shoved in my purse. I am on my second one as I wore out the first after getting the cpw down to almost nothing. Actually I'm on my third because I had a BCBG one before that now that I think of it that had tonal wide stripes sheer and opaque. It was also kinda expensive but earned its keep.

abc

Veteran

Mia, that sounds like it could work for me. Not sheer but light sounds like what I need/want.

Is this the one?

http://www.dkny.com/women/feat.....&s=12

Ledonna N.

Veteran

i think it is to big.maybe size down, how does it make you feel on the inside. happy or just ok

Deborah

Veteran

ABC I quite like a topper that drapes and is the same length as the hem of the dresss so I think that could work. It's when there a dramatic diffrence in length between the two that I think can look funny

Jenny H

Veteran

Yup, that is the same one I tried. I decided to pass. I thought I could find other flowy silhouettes that would be more flattering.

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Mia

Veteran

Sorry, I didn't get back to you. That is heavier fabrication than mine. I'll try and find mine later (company coming for dinner) and will send the link.

Mia

Veteran

Agh, doesn't seem to be available anymore. the closest is the "cozy" but that's more sweater than mine. I have noticed they often release another almost identical version of these basic type pieces so if I see one I'll let you know.