Learn from my mistake - how not to do Angie's latest formula - YouLookFab Forum

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Learn from my mistake - how not to do Angie's latest formula

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

It's getting chilly around here and it's time to start layering. Great timing of the recent blog post with the belted cardigan layered over the button down and worn with the bootcuts, so I thought I might give it a go. I loved the idea of the belted cardigan. I skipped the shirt layer because I knew this would be challenging anyway - there was already many components to handle.

The result is in photo #1. Well, it did not work for me. I was fidgeting before I even left the house, and felt instantly better the moment I took the belt off. It was the outfit in photo #2 that feels like me and which I can wear easily.

I'm only posting this so you can benefit from my unsuccessful experiment. I cannot pinpoint what didn't work in terms of proportions or style(s) or textures or anything else, and I would therefore be interested if you could dissect it for me - constructive observations are most welcome.

Finally:
Can this specific outfit be tweaked in any way to actually make it work for me?

Is there hope for me and this formula or should we simply part ways while it's early days?

Thanks in advance.

Dressing

26 replies

Latest reply was from rute

catgirl

Veteran

You are adorable. I can't stand a belt sliding around over a moving layer and you probably move a lot. Too much fuss and restriction?

Lisa

Veteran

I think #1 pulls off the blog look nicely. But for myself, belts at this height drive me batty unless they are elastic/stretchy material.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I think it's the slippery fabric of the fine gauge cardigan, Ornella. A chunkier knit would probaby be more stable with a skinny belt.

I must say that #1 looks fresh to my eye, despite the fact that it did not work for you.

Have you tried keeping the white cuffs of the shirt tucked away under the sleeves of the cardi? That effect is more streamlined, minimal and modern, than showcasing it.

You look really pretty in that shade of blue. xo

Anonymous

I agree with Lisa, #1 does pull off the look well, but to be honest the minute I saw the blog photo (which I really liked) all I could think was that the belt would annoy the heck out of me.

ironkurtin

Veteran

I have never understood belting sweaters.

Kristin L

Veteran

To copy AG, you look adorable! I don't see anything wrong with #1, but if it doesn't feel right, then you know something's off. I wish I had advice, but I'm still new to belting cardigans. I like the idea of using a chunkier knit, though.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Chunkier knit cardigans are also looking fresh and on trend. I vote pop a few on your shopping list. They don't need to be THAT chunky.

cciele

Veteran

Lovely colors! Can you try with the belt a bit lower and the cardigan opened up to show a vertical sliver of the white blouse?

I like the idea of a heavier weight cardi for this look. It would give a smoother appearance, since it wouldn't hug the folds of the shirt underneath as much.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

You look stunning in that blue. And how can I resist fuchsia shoes and belt? Oh my.

I adore both looks on you, actually! But I can see why this one felt uncomfortable. I think the others are right that this cardigan's light texture, while in theory good (because it won't add bulk) in fact works against you, sticking to the shirt and feeling awkward. I also think the way this one is cut creates a problem. The shape of the one in the blog inspiration is different.

Lisa

Veteran

Chiming back in because I see Angie eyeballed the issue, a chunkier cardigan is needed. This is making me rethink cardigans right now. Maybe just one chunky one added to the wardrobe could be fun to style.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I wonder if it would make any difference to have the cardi open and belted, showing the sliver of white that cciele suggests. I like the way the shirt tail is shown in the inspiration photo and in your take without the belt.

I, too, love these looks on you and especially the colors you chose. The blue is stunning on you, the white is beautifully crisp, and the pop of pink is genius. Thanks for sharing your lovely mistake--ha ha!

catgirl

Veteran

Interesting about the chunky cardi, because belting a thicker knit makes me feel so bulky and even more waistess. Plus it tends to lump up over or under the belt. Would love to see this in successful action on someone (Ornella!)...

Day Vies

Veteran

I love the colors!!!! I think you could make the proportions work by using a long-sleeve tee in white and tucking it. Then you could use the fuchsia belt and still wear that lovely blue sweater.

You have my sympathies because proportions are the hardest part of outfit creation. It's literally trial and error every time I put 2 new pieces together.

Susie

Veteran

I can't stand wearing clothes that I have to fuss with and belts without belt loops definitely have a fuss factor! Perhaps a chunkier cardigan as others have suggested would work for you?

I guess I don't get belted cardigans because I would just put on a tucked tee, leave the cardigan open and wear the belt where it belongs!

JulieJohn

Veteran

I like it both ways, but fidgeting is the pits. The colors are great on you, regardless. Super cute!

unfrumped

Veteran

Reading with interest, because I really thought that belting over sweaters and some woven blousy tops was going to allow me to create waist definition while still wearing tops "out", instead of just surrendering the waist, and give me some outfit creation/re-mixing. You know it, you've seen dozens of "mix and match" spreads on wearing your sweater or blouse this way or that. But, It's proven very, very hard to get right and I've felt the same way sometimes, where I leave the house and then later go, what was I thinking? This is horrid.

Very difficult over pants, for me, because the pants waist sticks out due to where the waistband falls and the fasteners. I have a couple of side zip that work, sort of. Easier with skirts, the way the fronts are flatter. And the tops have to fall just right. I'm very picky about side view, and not belting on top of a pooch-look. Also, only certain belts work--contoured, or softer leather or fabric, or riding a bit higher in back and slinging a bit lower in the front.

I agree that color is just terrific on you! And bringing the 2 edges of the sweater closer together does show off its pretty angles.

Peri

Veteran

I am really anti-belt so I'm not tempted by the blog post look, but your picture number two is great. Maybe a scarf or necklace to break up the column of white? Love that blue color!

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Echoing others on how adorable you are especially in this shade of blue!
I cannot belt cardigans. Ever - it irritates me when it moves around and I have to adjust it all the time. Even when I tried to do it I ended up taking off the belt very soon and feeling much better this way. I will stick to wearing belts with trousers (thanks to the belt loops0 and dresses (they do not shift around like knots do).

Anonymous

I hope that you don't give up on this look. Try a shirt open under the cardi, open like the inspiration. The blue, however you wear it, is stunning on you.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Ornella you look gorgeous both ways but no fuss me definitely prefers #2. It is not so much that I am no fuss as my clothes tend to slip and slide enough without the additional complication of a belt over a sweater. The colors are spectacular on you!

AnnieMouse

Veteran

I belt things all the time for shaping, but I don't have difficulties with things sliding around. But, I agree with so many of THE YLFers who suggest leaving the cardi open, as you have it in two, and belting atop that. I like the panel of white down the centre - for me, it always feels slimming.

HelenInCanada

Veteran

You're a doll, Ornella. Literally - you remind me of a doll! Anyway, lovely shade of blue - and you're right, the belting did not work here. I like it loose and fancy-free.

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

Firstly, apologies for disappearing after posting this thread, I got distracted by life

Just skimming over the responses gave me very clear idea of what was wrong:

belt over the moving layer - YES, so annoying - I actually prefer elasticated belts at this height too;
need chunkier cardigan to even begin working on this look - YES, I have one on my wish list anyway, we'll see how the experiment goes if I come across the right one. In my defence, with the weather outside it's too early for anything chunky yet, but I can see it being the better option by miles and miles;
tucking the cuffs in... will have to work on that one, I love the bright strip and may find it hard to give up on (sob, sob), but as it's been proved so any times - when Angie says one must keep ears and eyes open

Thanks for the color-love, this shade of blue always gets great response from you all. Which is partly WHY I keep wearing it - I too love it.

Btw, I must say I am tickled by being called 'adorable' - in my mind that attribute is firmly reserved for petite ladies, so 6ft2 (1m82) tall me had a great time reading those. Thanks for that too

I will return to this thread to work on some of the ideas you suggested. And if all fails, look #2 is pretty standard me (next time sans cuffs), so all is not lost

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

I think it looks great both ways but I see that you look way more relaxed in #2! Hope you can try again with another cardi and belt but if not you look great without the belt too. Love that blue on you. And yes, you are adorable!

lyn67

Veteran

Hi Ornella, I can feel the better love for nr. 2. It's so simple, and relaxed, still vibrant in colours, so I think you did very well leaving off the belt.
As Angie said, maybe a chuncky knitt, and then not that big of a contrast between the belt and the cardi, rather blending them together or trying neutrals for first.
Thus, be very careful with chuncky knitts, as I have bought a chuncky burnt orange cardi last fall which seemed so cosy and warm, but never worn it as was lacking any of a structure, and was feeling way too casual even for my casual days runnin errands. I felt I could have been dressing it only for lounging at home-but then, I have others for that.
Now, will try to belt somehow...but then, still afraid will make my waist double it is...

Oh, and came back to say, I will rather try this look with a sleeveless but collared white button down I bought recently (which I hope will be my version for the so not me, but so longed white button down shirt). I hope it will feel much more comfy under a cardy, but still keeping somehow it's required crispiness.

rute

Veteran

so much better on 2!!