K/R: fluid or drowning? - YouLookFab Forum

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K/R: fluid or drowning?

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

My Ann Taylor order came and as soon as I tried the long shirts (this and the chambray) I thought 'this is why I don't wear tunics'. Have I missed something? I tried to style as flattering as possible with the skinnies and tall boots but I still feel like it makes me look like a brick on stilts.

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16 replies

Latest reply was from Laura (rhubarbgirl)

columbine(erin)

Veteran

It does look very long but maybe it will be just right as a layer. Closet playing needed methinks.

catgirl

Veteran

I feel the same way. Especially in white button downs. Style and see - do you do cropped over long?

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

OK, a few more pics - those first set were the size XL. Below is the L, which is more traditionally fitted in the shoulder and sleeve but is a bit snug across the hips/butt. (Chuckling at shot 2, as well - a custom patternmaker once told me I had the biggest swayback she'd ever seen.)

Also tried it with a long knit vest - thought I'd like this but I don't think I do. I feel like the proportions are off and I just look short (not a problem I've ever had except when standing next to my 6'6" DH).

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Sara L.

Veteran

I like it with the vest in #4, but if you don't feel good in it, it should go back. There are plenty of other options out there.

Anonymous

I don't like this for a number of reasons. First, it looks huge on you. This could be good under some circumstances, but I'm not seeing those circumstances here. Second, the sheerness shows your black pants and bra quite clearly. I would find this very distracting in real life.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Laura, it's not you. It's the shirt.

I feel like this every time I wear a tunic. I know exactly what you are talking about. And you are tall and I am short -- so it is clearly something to do with proportion vs. height alone.

The large looks a lot better than the XL, but it seems as if it might be snug in the arms, and if it is snug in the hips (can't really tell that, here) then it won't fall the way a tunic should and will probably irritate you.

Oh, how I wish I could wear this look. I am reluctantly deciding that I'm going to have to leave it to others. I feel as if you could do it more successfully than me, especially with knits. But at the same time -- so much work! Right?

bj1111

Veteran

there are better shirts out there. the xl is too large, the large is a smidge small in the arms and across the girls.

have you tried zara? or jcrew?

Oversize Mixed Fabric Poplin Shirt

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Poplin Shirt With Contrast Fabric Cuffs

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Sale

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Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Thanks, everyone. I don't know why I keep banging my head against this particular closed door, but I do - these shirts were Angie picks recently and worked well for I believe Sveta, so I had higher hopes than I might have done otherwise. This is what gets me about the whole fluid fit trend - I try sizing up and then it just looks too big and awkward on me. I'm starting to think the fluid fit thing in wovens just doesn't work on the fluffy.

BTW, if anyone else is eyeing these, the chambray has an identical fit, but is made in a softer, slightly more drapey fabric. If I didn't already have four other chambray/denim shirts (!) I might consider keeping it for at-home wear with leggings (assuming I ever find a pair that's long enough, ha).

BJ, thanks for the additional suggestions - Zara's never fit me that well (too rectangular)and their XLs seem to sell out instantaneously, but the J Crew might be worth trying. I've only bought sweaters/knit tops from J Crew as of yet so I don't know how their woven shirts fit me.

Chambray Oversized Shirt

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4

Carole

Veteran

Laura, the Large looks much better and I really like it under the vest. If you will be laying over it, the large should be fine. I have that chambray on my wish list. I'm tall and really appreciate the extra length and the soft comfy fabric!!!

Kristin SF

Veteran

I just received the LOFT tunic blouse, and it's so flowy and flattering.
You might give this one a try? It just floats and drapes really nicely.
No white, though. Available colors are forest green, plum, navy, and a lighter plum color. And a mosaic print.

100% poly, not sure how you feel about that.

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Suz

(website)

Veteran

Laura, fluid fits should work well on you. But the specific style might be wrong.

And I think tunics, in particular, can be tricky for anyone with hourglass tendencies, and especially if your torso is proportionally longer (or even the same length) as your legs. This is my issue with them, for sure.

It's hard to get a true fluid fit in a crisp shirt. So something silky or jersey might work better at this length.

Have you tried the Pleoine mixed media shirt? Why not give that one a bash?

Pleione Mixed Media Tunic (Regular & Petite)

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10

Tania

Veteran

I recently bought the Ann Taylor oversized shirt. I'm 5'6" (average height) and posted to YLF to ask if the length was too long, but folks said it was fine. I had heeled booties and a cropped top as well. I had to convince myself that the length was ok. It certainly isn't the clean fitted look I thought I should be working towards, but I've gotten used to it over the last week. I primarily bought the shirt to use as a layer. The smoothness of the fabric seems to work well for that.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

That's a cute silhouette, Kristin, thanks. Not my colors, but maybe they'll have some others in the future.

Suz, I brought home one of the Pleione tunics during the NAS, but ultimately returned it because of how wrinkly and thin the fabric is. That's the catch-22: I need drapey enough to be flattering, but not so drapey it clings to my wobbly bits.

That's interesting, Tania. I'm glad that you're finding the shirt wearable. I'm actually starting to think that for me it needs to be an inch or two longer to make the proportions work.

Parsley

Veteran

I agree that the L looks more on target than the XL, but is maybe not quite right.
The conclusion that I've come to for so many things like this is that we need to get over thinking that everything should fit perfectly right off the rack. It could be that you need to get the larger size and then have it taken in slightly so that it fits you. I know that's an unwanted added expense, but having clothes that really fit is SO worth it!
Now maybe this shirt is still not the one, but it might be good to find a shirt that's really close to fitting well, and then doing a minor alteration to make it perfect.
I think you're on the right track with a somewhat drapier fabric, too.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Looks like you are *just* between sizes here, Laura. I vote return both - although the length is great.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

"Between sizes," that's what I should call my fashion blog. I think you're right, Angie. It's not the length that bugs me as much as the bagginess through the lower torso, but if everything else fit well then maybe that part would just look naturally loose.

Parsley, you make a good point. If I were in love with this I could take it to someone and get the XL taken in at the shoulders, but I'm not, so for me it's not worth the $. Or I could just get off my duff and actually sew a tailored shirt fitted to my shape...