Long over lean - YouLookFab Forum

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About: Creating Closet Calm

Long over lean

LJP

Veteran

So in the spirit of today's blog post, I'm doing a later-than-mid-season closet clean out /edit. I have 3 long asymmetric tops - all in black (one is an arty print with gray) , all dressy, and all really good quality pieces. I used to wear them with leggings (haha- remember those days?) or really narrow leather pants, but I haven't worn any of them in at least 6-7 years now. I am usually an enthusiastic editor and don't keep things I don't wear, but for some reason I cannot let go of these tops. I loved that silhouette and found it flattering to my body type. Am I clinging to my long lost youth here, or is there a way to wear this kind of top and have it look modern ? Over wide legged pants now instead of skinnies? One of them is an Eileen Fischer silk chiffon number that was SO $$ and it's SO beautiful ! What to do!

I wonder if this look will ever be adaptable to modern silhouettes.

Any thoughts are much appreciated.

L.

Dressing

24 replies

Latest reply was from Sal

Helena

Veteran

I think you should try the over wide pants ... I'm thinking of Julianne Moore's character in sirens, she was very luxe is long slowly dresses and I wonder if you might be able to create a similar vibe with elongated chiffon over flowy pants?

JAileen

Veteran

The minute I get rid of something, it suddenly comes back into fashion.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Yes to trying the long silhouette over wide pants - and wide crops! Especially effective with the asymmetrical hems. Maybe with flat mules, slides, and sandals.

If you have cropped flares (you used to love that silhouette) - tunics are great with them!

Last, do you have skinnies? If so - try the combination again. You might like it

Sloper

Veteran

I agree to try over wide legs.

But also, I think it is ok to hold on to those very few pieces that are of their time so perfectly, and of good quality - like little time capsules. Maybe the fashion wheel will roll around again too. Listen to me getting all philosophical LOL.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Some visual inspiration:

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Echo

Veteran

I must be behind the times, because while I agree about trying them with the style of pants you currently wear, you can still do long over lean with skinny jeans, ponte pants, or other slim bottoms without going all retro with leggings. The look still works; it has just been adjusted slightly. I think the tops will still work beautifully with a similar, but updated, look.

Irina

Veteran

I never wore leggings as clothes so can’t miss those days I definitely keep my EF pieces.
I have a couple of EF silk tunics and wear them over cropped wide pants or jeans. Since you wear shorts, I would suggest also trying them with jorts or longer shorts.

LJP

Veteran

JAileen - same. Which is why I kept them, but .....not once in the entire 6-7 years have I ever considered wearing one of them. And then every time I go through my closet I have this same conversation with myself.

Angie - these are great ideas , and I bet I know which site they came from ;). Yes, I do love a cropped flare, but don't own a pair at this time.Oh, actually that's not true, I have a new -this -summer pair of black ponte cropped flares from BR that would work ! But I like the idea of a cropped wide leg pant and will have to try this out this week . Thank you!

Echo - I don't own a pair of skinny jeans , but I do have a couple of pair of slim pants I wear to work in winter - sort of in an athletic looking way , but they are nice enough to try pairing with these tops. Good suggestions.

Sloper, it's funny you say that about holding on to little "time capsule " pieces. A couple of weeks ago I asked an owner /friend of one of this city's premiere menswear retailers for advice on altering a Smythe blazer I own(ed) that was probably 10 years old . It had very exaggerated shoulders (part of the style) and was a real statement piece. I hadn't been wearing it in recent years as the shoulders now look odd. His comment : womenswear does not have the staying power that menswear does, with regards to changes in silhouettes - especially really dramatic styles . Most don't translate years later. It made sense to me, and I decided to pass the jacket along. It wasn't a simple shoulder pad /90's look issue, it was much more extended and dramatic than that- but anyways, it's time had come and gone. These tops I mention are far less dramatic, and for that I'm grateful. Also note to self : don't buy super dramatic pieces anymore...they don't have the longevity I'll need.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Interesting dilemma. You know I would keep them and 1) try the styling tricks suggested above, 2) wait for skinnies inevitable return, and 3) just wear them anyway over slim bottoms. For what it's worth .

Karie

(website)

Veteran

I understand this dilemma very well! I have several tops in this category, and while I don’t wear leggings anymore, I will wear slim fit pants, mostly because they’re just so easy to pack when traveling, and that’s really the only time I wear them.
I would do what the others suggest, try them with wide legged pants and crops. I might just do the same.

Lisa

Veteran

I like the idea to freshen up these well loved tops by wearing them in a new way with wide legs full length or cropped. Sometimes all an old favorite needs is a new twist to how it is worn to revive itself!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I love all these suggestions. You do look amazing in long over lean (she says, jealously...) but you also look great in kick flares, wide crops, etc. and I think you can try these tops with those. The asymmetrical hems make them more versatile than a typical tunic. I also think we may be seeing a return of tube skirts and narrow cigarette bottoms as a fringe trend and these tops are perfect for those bottoms.

Sal

Veteran

I could definitely see you in 1 and 3 of Angie's inspiration pics.

I added a long shirt this year and wear it with slim jeans or wide leg jeans. For me it is more versatile in silhouette than I thought it would be. I think the key is the shoes and length of the pant rather than the width of it.

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Dee

Veteran

Yep, I really like the looks Angie has suggested, hopefully they can work for you too.

Brooklyn

Veteran

How about wearing them over shorts? Kind of like this look, which is a mini skirt but similar silhouette. I think loose shorts with pockets would look even better.

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Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I second the idea of trying wide-leg, or even medium-leg crops with them. That's what I'm wearing now with tunics that I used to wear with skinny pants, and I really like it.

Indigoprint

Veteran

Long tops over leggings were(still do wear them) one of my uniforms. I have learned to appreciate long tops over wider leg pants. For me they have to be light weight and flowy, but it is working for me now and I feel comfortable/confident in them.

Star (Lise)

Veteran

I have some pieces that I seriously hardly ever wear but I hold on to them. Two colourful surfer girl skirts come to mind. They don't take up space and they are so unique I feel okay hanging on to them. Try your long tops over wide legs. I have been enjoying this look this summer, cotton tops/tunic length over wide leg linen blend pants, also with wider slightly longer cotton shorts. The shorts just peek out a bit. I do live by the sea so it is acceptable :).

Ket

Veteran

I commiserate. I experienced a similar situation with baby doll chiffon boho tunics last year. They were hugely popular in the 2010s. I thought after ten years maybe I was past them. To my surprise, I was not and I am still not. I received a lot of attention and compliments last summer when I wore a floral chiffon tunic over jeggings even. At age 40. It was surprising to me.

Truth is, I love them. They’re part of me somehow. (I’ll probably be 80-years-old wearing them still haha!) I won’t wear them over leggings; that look has come and gone. However, I will be wearing them with my new flare jeans and slouchy boots, as I try 70s boho this autumn.

I think the key is the style of pants, the shoes, the accessories, and how we put it together. And if the style or piece is true to our hearts—an expression of who we really are. When a style reflects us, I feel there can be a timeless quality to it, even when it has come and gone in the trends and fashion world. There still might be an expiration date even then, but my feeling is there’s less of one when it’s authentic to one’s self. I intend to revisit things and edit, but I’m not looking to dump so eagerly either.

P. S. Honestly, I love them so much I just purchased another one, in a red tartan crinkle fabric to try.

LJP

Veteran

Thank you all for adding your thoughts- they are much appreciated. Sounds like I can move forward with these pieces . As cute as a mini skirt/ short shorts type of pairing would be, that ship has sailed for me, haha. I'll work the cropped wide leg look ( I think I could use a pair of cropped wide leg black jeans in fact!) and see how it goes!

Carol

(website)

Veteran

Fun challenge, and I am so NOT the right person to ask. But if they are long enough to be dresses, I'd wear them with no bottoms, as a dress. That would be updated. You could also try over joggers or harem pants--that's different. Throw a vest or simple topper to break it up, I guess...

You could also go BACK to your silhouette of large top with leggings/leather leggings, and just add some really noticeable footwear--over-the-knee heeled boots, or like a printed shoe.

Finally...the most up-to-date look would be to throw a sweater vest over it, then whatever bottoms you want.

Keep! That's what I say. I have a shoulder-pad gauzy asymmetrical dress I feel the same way about.

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unfrumped

Veteran

Well, I do not own any wide crops, especially no jeans. I have tried them repeatedly and just don’t like them on me because of the fit I need in waist & hips doesn’t work with the rest. Plus I think it’s partly a shoe thing— I can’t wear slides or mules or most sandals or low- profile shoes , and don’t like the wide crops with sneakers on me. A flowy fabric could work with ankle strap flats but would still be s kind of “ occasion” wear, not everyday , due to shoes. I DO wear full- length wideleg pants.

I’m going long- winded on that because I still like andcwear slim- straight styles ( these can be cropped) and joggers and the sort of slightly tapered boyfriend styles. So I am living the “ wear what you love” despite the constant drumbeat for wide crops on everybody. Honestly I think many people looked better in the pants they used to wear than some of the newer styles they have acquired, but I also understand that each person “ sees” herself a certain way and does wardrobe refreshing to different ends.

Have you tried them ( the tops) all on recently? I would do that, and see if they all still fit the way you like now ( sometimes I hold on to something and then find it doesn’t live up to my imagination), and try them on with a few pant styles you like, regardless of fashion trends. Play with other things in your wardrobe that seem more current to you, like footwear, handbags. You can do a lot more with footwear than I can, and that often makes different or less conventionality flattering) outfit proportions ( volume over volume for example) work. Wear some version to the grocery store as a low- risk experiment with how you feel!

LJP

Veteran

All 3 pieces I mention are definitely tops and not short dresses . If weather permits, I'm going to wear one over some cropped black denim flares I have to an outdoor drinks-on-a-patio evening this Saturday. I'm kind of excited to have an opportunity to wear one of them again. My only other "issue" is a topper for this length of top, and I used to either wear them just as is (they are sleeveless) or with a silky tonal bomber jacket which would bisect the cut of the top....but I kind of liked it. I no longer own a bomber jacket and am now motivated to find a new one !

Sal

Veteran

I was just thinking Lisa that toppers over tunics were always the battle.

I usually layer under with camisoles etc but not as appealing in summer.