Ask Angie: K/R hi-lo top styled with pencil skirt

1) I pounced on this Bobeau blouse recently. It's very roomy on me but I think a size down would be too tight in the shoulders. I'm sort of in between their sizes. Would work well with skinnies/straights.

2) Styled with pencil skirt for work. Is the volume around the hips too much? Pretend I'm wearing proper shoes and grey tights - would you believe I don't have a single pair of work appropriate sandals (yet)?

3) Styled with pencil skirt, lavender moto boots and grey tights for going out. I almost wore this out of the house this evening. Please be brutally honest with me if you don't think this doesn't work.

My only real concern with the top is that it is hard to layer because the back is going to be longer than any cardigan/jacket. Honest opinions welcome.

Thanks!

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14 years ago

Kiwichik

Veteran

I like hi/lo tops and this one looks ok - best in #2 - but I think you can do better. I say return.

Scarlet

The top doesn't look too big to me. I would wear a slightly cropped jacket and not worry about the extra length in the back. This top would also look great with a half-tuck or just tucked in the front.

Deborah

The top looks ok size wise. I like it but don't love it (being brutally honest). The challenge I have with it is the shoulders. I think a top with a structured shoulder would be more flattering. Having said that I do like how you have styled the top with the skirt, tights and booties. And I agree with Scarlet re wearing a jacket over it. If you are happy, keep, but if you have reservations I would return.

Meghan R

Active Member

I agree with everything Deborah said. I also like Scarlet's idea to wear a cropped jacket. I think the key to layering a top like this is to keep the top layer short enough so that the layering looks intentional rather than sloppy. But it's hard to know what will work together until you try it out!

Diana

I think this is a really unique and interesting print, but I'm not sure the style is the most flattering. My problem is with the raglan cut on the shoulders - it's a really hard shoulder cut to wear unless you are an IT with a strong, straight shoulder line.

Anonymous

I like the color and print of the top; it looks like it fits you well. The only thing bothering me is that it is SO long in the back. I'd like to see it a few inches shorter in back, while still preserving the hi-lo asymmetry. I'm not sure if it's worth it to alter though.

Beth Ann

I like the idea of trying with a cropped jacket. Also, can you layer under the top, with, say a long sleeve lightweight t? What happens if you try belting it?

I agree with Diana that the sleeve is a hard one to wear, but it might be worth playing with styling it a little more. I can see what draws you to this piece.

Sylvie

Kiwichik: Thanks for reminding me to keep my standards high. I would not have considered this top at full price, which means I should consider it carefully.

Scarlet and Meghan: I will definitely give the jacket a try

Deborah and Diana: I thought I had really wide shoulders but can now see in the photos that I don't have as strong a shoulder line as an IT because of the downward slant. I learned something new about my shoulder shape, thanks to you.

Claire: I bet the back length could work in my favor if I styled it with skinny white jeans (which is how its styled in the catalog photo). The length is sort of awkward with the skirt and I may just try tucking it all the way around.

Beth Ann: Ooh, layering underneath! That could really help the shoulder line if I can get the right sort of color match.

Thank you all for your responses. I do like this top a lot so I'll play around with styling it a little more to try to make it work. A cropped jacket on top should take care of the shoulder issues.

catgirl

I love a hi-lo top but I'm also having a shoulder issue. I'd like them to be more cut in to balance the pyramid shape. Or have actual short sleeves. But that could be my IT fears talking. You are not an IT at all to my eye, but I still would prefer a different shape for your shoulders. If you are going to wear a topper with it then no worries.

Janet

(website)

I love that top -- beautiful colors. I'm not sure about it with the skirt, but I think it would be terrific with skinny jeans -- that way the length in back is balanced by the legs of the pants. I think you could easily layer the right jacket over top, even if it's significantly shorter -- those short-over-long proportions can look very fun and current. Depends on the jacket.

Bumping this old thread in the hope I can get some input from Angie.

I will confess that I sort of love this top and it is biasing me.

I like this sleeve length because I don't need to worry about bra straps and it calls attention to my upper arms (and I really like my upper arms).

I do hear the collective wisdom on the shoulder issue and the back length.

Angie, I'll abide by your opinion.

Bumping again. Sorry Angie, I'm being needy.

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