Lemming'd BR shirt - off to a false start style-wise . 5.20.23 - YouLookFab Forum

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Lemming'd BR shirt - off to a false start style-wise . 5.20.23

LJP

Veteran

I bought this BR shirt a good month ago after seeing Suz post about it . It ticked off all the boxes : cool hand, crisp, breezy and polished for a casual summer top ....and it looked so cute on Suz . It would be an upgrade from my old t-shirts of years past. Suz's is blue/white; I chose the brown/white. It was also not inexpensive for what it is so I deliberated forever on it - but with some BR points it brought the price down to something that made more sense to me. I imagined wearing it with dark denim cut off shorts and sandals.....and then lost the plot at that point.

I finally pulled it out to wear to the garden centre after work on Friday. It was hot out, but I don't actually *own* these magical dark denim shorts yet, so decided to wear light wash cropped flares. Next problem: the footwear. I don't own white or brown sandals , and wear white sneakers too often to work to want to wear them on my days off. Pulled out these vaguely taupe-y sneakers I never wear (because of the colour ) and it seemed good. I don't own a bag that worked with this so stuffed my wallet and phone into a macrame market bag. This was not going well.

The outfit was just ok, in my books, nothing better than a B. I wore gold hoop earrings and layered gold ankle bracelets from Jenny Bird so that added some polish , but the whole thing felt off - far too low-contrast I think . Did I make a mistake buying this shirt? It's now going to require brown sandals and a brown bag plus the dark denim shorts....and I don't mind owning any of those things, but didn't have plans to buy another pair of shoes or a new bag at this point. UGH.

I've attached photos of my ideal bag and sandal - and a shot of the outfit as it was worn. Included a pic of myself in close-up and in better/more accurate light to get a sense of the colour of the shirt.

To add: I don't wear much white anymore and much prefer ivory/cream which is why I don't own a white bag or sandals now. I also am not a fan of wearing a metallic sandal here (tried it but it didn't connect to the outfit in any way) .

Thoughts appreciated.

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38 replies

Latest reply was from Barbara Diane

Irina

Veteran

What about your Fendi bag? I think you have one?
I would probably go with adding another color in shoes and a bag - dark red, olive. Or a white bag and a color shoes.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Well, I'm kind of laughing, because your telling of this saga is entertaining. I love the blouse on you in the closeup. It's so good with your eyes, hair, and complexion. I can see how this outfit isn't as dynamic as what I've seen in your WIWs. I don't think you need dark brown shoes and bag, unless you want them (in which case you clearly need them--LOL). I can picture this top with an olive support act. Or cream jeans and orange bag (do you have one? I thought maybe so), cream or tan or beige footwear. (I wouldn't be too stuck on white versus cream, personally.) Or a saddle tan or cognac bag and shoes.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Ok, you are back to summer hair! Loving it on you!

When I bought mine, I envisioned wearing it with white shorts/ jeans primarily -- and I have worn it several times now, exactly so. I've also worn the top with the asymmetrical Zara skirt and I do have an old pair of darker wash bermudas -- not really the right style as they are skinnies, but oh well. I also have my navy Zara sarong shorts to wear with the top.

I have to admit, I don't really worry too much about "outfits" with summer tops like this, as in I don't even consider the perfect bag and sandals to wear. If I manage to get a top and bottom to work, I will usually just grab my pewter knapsack and call it a day. But I admit, my bag game is seriously not high. I think I could use a nice summer macrame bag or straw bag or something --- but I can't be bothered because it won't get any real use. If I'm on my bike I just need something I can stuff in my paniers or wear on my back.

As for the footwear, again, I envisioned my white sandals or sneakers. I think I have worn those and/ or my silver sneakers with the top so far. I don't really have any other options. A pair of lilac or lavender shoes or sandals might be a fun twist but I haven't found any.

I think the taupe looks great on you! I do think you might enjoy it more with darker bottoms -- dark denim or maybe dark brown linen pants. Did you buy that 2 piece outfit for the occasion you are attending soon? Would it work with those pants?

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Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

The shirt looks great, LJP! I'm sure you can find plenty to go with the top in your closet. You have fab stuff

Have you tried it with your new denim shorts? I think you got a pair......no?

I'm with Irina on trying the brown Fendi bag. Or throw in any colour bag!

I like the taupe sneakers with the shirt! Yes - darker denim would add some high contrast punch. How about white shorts?

I think you'd enjoy brown toe-loop slides. Here's a less expensive option:

https://jerusalemsandals.com/p.....rd-brown-1

And a proper sandal:

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Jenn

(website)

Veteran

Next time you have an hour or so to experiment, go into your closet and make three summer outfits with this top. Heck, make five. Like, actually put them on. Accessorize them. Pick shoes and a bag.

This top is more or less neutral and I'm going to guess you already have things that go with it, without going out and buying all the pieces for the "perfect" outfit you have in your head. Especially because adding shorts AND a bag AND shoes is more than just filling in with a completer. That's the whole kit and caboodle.

Sometimes, I think we get stuck on a certain idea that seems SO GOOD, but I bet you'll be surprised by what you already have that works, especially if you step back, let go of the preconceived notions, and do some experimenting when you're not in a time crunch.

DJP

What Jenn said.

I also think A/P’s take on the BR shirt is pretty great, the wide pants are OTT but the colour looks fab with the shirt …..tonal but not too matchy- matchy. (Not there’s anything wrong with that, lol)

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slim cat

Veteran

Pretty shirt and nice subtle look ( soft contrast does need something slightly brighter from your great collection ).
I do have white sandals and often add turquoise jewelry for a contrast - usually fun with white, beige or any other summer neutral.
My summer bag is awfully old and tired right now - I'm just not ready to get new one.
Love your hair - doing something similar as well now .

LJP

Veteran

Hmm . Interesting comments here . A coloured shoe and bag didn’t occur to me . The colours I do have are more fall- ish , as are the styles but I do own a really great mustard yellow bag I rarely use because I don’t have the footwear for it . I don’t own tan or cognac or dark red ( which would be really great I agree ) sandals , and I remain particular about footwear and bags relating to one another and not being random add-ons . Just one of my styling quirks I guess . I completely forgot about the fendi bag as an option because I put it away for summer every year but it would actually be perfect with Angie’s dark brown sandal suggestion

Jenn - spending an hour creating outfits is my idea of he**. Which I guess is the problem , lol.

Suz - I’m not a fan of these with white shorts on me . Looks borderline uniform ish. As a matter of fact I don’t own white shorts anymore - got rid of all my fitted bermudas . And Angie , you’re right about a newer pair of ON shorts but they aren’t quite right here - and are also a size too big now . Sigh .

Vildy

Veteran

well, find something that pleases you because the shirt is wonderful on you.

LJP

Veteran

How can I make this more leg lengthening ? I like Blair Edie’s styling but can’t quite imagine it in a real life setting . I feel like the combo of cropped shirt and cropped jeans emphasizes my short / squat- ness .

Sal

Veteran

Funnily enough I think this is a very flattering outfit.

I think white sneakers would be great with it - I also think mustard would be awesome....and I could even see black with a touch of black somewhere else. I know white get worn to work but maybe keep a pair out of the work capsule. I can't remember if you have white or blue birks but both would work?

Brooklyn

Veteran

Hi LJP. I’m not seeing what you’re seeing. I think this looks great. But I like low contrast and this kind of earthy/white combo for Summer.

Just a couple of thoughts.

Tan and camel sandals are my workhorses for Summer. I find them a neutral, and they work well with my hair and colouring. Much better than white. I know we are both Autumns, so I think they’d work for you too. Then you don’t have to worry about matching them to your bag, because they repeat the colour of your hair. You could choose any colour bag. I liked Angie’s idea on Friday’s post about combining earth colours with jewel colours. A jewel coloured bag could look good. But really almost any colour would go with such a neutral outfit.

Also I know you said no to metallic. But what about a metallic with a white (sporty) sole? That would relate to the white in the outfit.

I tend to find darker brown sandals too dark/heavy for me in Summer.

For leg lengthening, you might
like the top better with short shorts. Mid thigh. For a more 2:1 ratio. Do you have an olive green pair?

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phoebe

This shirt with these jeans, the bag and brown sandals

I like the softness and casualness of the lighter wash denim especially for summer

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Ooh, I like Sal's suggestion of black pants, too. Or navy?

Red sandals would be a brilliant addition to my closet, too. But I don't own them and haven't found a pair I like.

I think your attention to the details of the bag and footwear are admirable.

I too have a mustard bag that might work with the blue version of the top, as well.

The top works with my full length wide leg jeans, esp. the dark ones. I haven't actually worn it that way in the wild yet.

Bijou

Veteran

Wow - the bag and shoe inspiration are stellar pieces! I like how you have put this together and like Phoebe find the light wash denim a nice complement to the boldness of the stripes. I find stripes hard to wear and yet I love how they look on others...

LJP

Veteran

Suz - I think we have an almost identical mustard bag - Coach ?

Brooklyn- thank you for these ideas . I have pewter metallic sandals with a white sole , but the bronze tones you show are very pretty. I agree that camel / cognac is a no-brainer for our colouring but to be honest I’ve never found any I love - yet . I’d love to find the Hermes?YSL? knockoff camel slide with white topstitching. Not sure about shorter shorts - I think that ship has sailed for me but I agree the proportion would be great .

I now have to re-examine my summer bag collection , which is pretty minimal and confined to cream and pale blue . As Jenn said though , I fear this has turned into buying a whole new set of compliments for one shirt .

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Well your hair looks amazing! Ok, Angie found some amazing dupes for those gorgeous sandals, but for leg lengthening nothing beats a skin tone sandal with shorts. I am not good at remembering what other people have in their closets, but I would try something in a tonal brown, or darker blue to start. Ok, not very helpful but am interested to see what you come up with !

LJP

Veteran

Suz- another thought : it’s not like I’m running around with little matching bags and shoes every time I leave the house . Far from it , and I don’t actually love that look in many cases. But when I *do* go out and make the effort to dress nicely , I like a bag and shoe to look intentional even if they aren’t matching in the traditional sense . If that makes any sense ….

Thanks for the hair comments too ! I finally caved in and had it highlighted - I couldn’t handle the monotone dark colour one more minute . Although when I did go dark , so many people commented on how my younger I looked I was petrified to lighten it again - lol!

Jamie - totally agree with dark brown and dark blue . Bijou - maybe the stripes are the whole issue . I almost never wear them .

Indigoprint

Veteran

Love that top, but I also understand the rabbit hole...however I think a great pair of darker brown sandals as have been suggested would be a great addition to your summer wardrobe (thinking you could find a pair that you like at a reasonable price). Seems like you could get alot of wear from them.
I like it with the light wash....
I can see your mustard bag as a fun contrast...kind of complimenting your gold.

CarolS

Veteran

The top looks great on you, Lisa -- love the colour. Can you wear your new Sorel sandals with it? And I am curious to know if you got the brown set for the engagement party....maybe some good cross-pollination there! I think I would like the top with almost any wide leg light neutral pant -- tan, oatmeal, taupe. I'd probably suggest a very A-shape in the pant -similar to Suz's jeans. And I really like the suggestion for a "skin tone" sandal to help visually lengthen the leg.

kkards

Veteran

Well I think we’ve all done this, bought something with a very specific look in mind, only to find that we were missing pieces, or found irl the fantasy look doesn’t work.

On the other hand, I could love to see this shirt with dark denim or black pants (linen maybe?). And don’t you own a cream/creamy color Birkenstock, or similar sandal?

Anonymous

The combo works- but I definitely understand the wish to add dark brown shoes/bag! How about wearing the shirt open over a dark brown tank top or dress?
Big yay to getting nude to you sandals too!

RobinF

Veteran

I like to wear tan with black. What about black sandals and bag with darker jeans?

unfrumped

Veteran

Actually this is a high value- contrast top due to the optic white in the stripe. If stripe were off- white it would suit your coloring better.

If you just love it, then keep it and work with it. But Im not sure it’s as great on you as other tops you have and it may be too much “ work” to style while at same time being more of a statement stripe. A solid color could work better. The collar and wide sleeves are a bit off.

BTW I have waffled on ordering this top myself, and I would choose the taupe stripe also. But partly because none of the other colors work for me at all! I have not pulled the trigger because I envision its being too limited in wear for me while not being a perfect special occasion item either. I think if it were a solid medium- rich color in my palette it would be more versatile. Or a more subdued stripe. Then it would not be as dramatic of course.

LJP

Veteran

unfrumped - I absolutely agree, and honestly, if I could return it I would.

Robin - looks like black might be an obvious choice , you're right.

I don't own light coloured Birks (only black and aqua suede) . Yes, I do own those crazy white Sorels and they are another obvious choice - sort of forget i own them because I am not in love with them and am annoyed at yet ANOTHER purchasing mistake. The brown 2-pce is a crinkle jersey and would not work with this shirt - just the wrong pairing of fabrics. A brown tank or dress would be great though - just more pieces I don't own . Grr.

But again, thank you all for your thoughts - super helpful, and may cost me more $$, lol.

unfrumped

Veteran

Ok, I did not realize it was not returnable, so my comments weren’t that helpful.

So I would think of darker denim ( even a medium wash simulates the depth of the brown stripe) because of how great blue+ brown are, accents of white, accents of bronze. You could also try wearing as a boxy jacket as Suz did, over a slimmer or drapey- er tank. Some kind of column of color. Though that is not as breezy for hot weather.
I hear you on buying things you hadn’t planned on, so first I would go through everything in closet ( play good music or something to get you through it!) trying various medium colors such as anything orange, rust, coral, mustard, blue, any browns or brownish metallics. Black summery footwear could work with blues also, more of a tonal bookend than exact match. Since the shirt is fun and breezy, it will work with a not matchy- matchy look , more unstudied for casual fun outfits.

CarolS

Veteran

Sorry to derail, but what changed your view of the Sorels? They are so cute!

Roberta

Veteran

Since you mention aqua Birks, blue sandals would be my suggestion! I love the shirt on you, and I think of it as a neutral (and denim also), so I would pair contrasting shoes. I don't have a find for my blue suede sandals, too old, but I love shades of blue and brown together.

I don't worry too much about bags; my summer choices are white with a black and white strap or beige straw with wood handles. Or pockets.

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LJP

Veteran

Carol - they are VERY chunky and make my feet feel huge . They are more exaggerated than the version Suz ( and who else?) has I think . Plus why the heck did I even buy white in the first place ?? I’ve bought a fair bit this season and am so done with the order and return process . I’ve got 2 things sitting packaged and ready / destined for the post office and somehow I never get there . I need to stop and breathe for awhile .

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