Making It Work: The Attached Scarf Bare Midriff Top + Matching Skirt

Okay, this one is not easy to make work.

I originally bought this ensemble in Morocco in a Kookai store. Last year I posted it here, desperate to make it work but with no avail (Pic 1) and had finally given up.
The thing is that not long after having bought it I had seen it worn by a beautiful curvy Camerounaise who simply. Rocked. It. Period. It became clear that my body lacked the right curve for this pattern to take life.

So this year I am trying something new and a bit gutsy. Firstly, separating the pieces:

Pics 2-3: Top on its own worn with cropped jeans. When I say on its own, I really mean it! Not even a bra. Is this too risky? The most difficult part for me not being the chest but the fact that it can easily show a bare midriff. Of course I wouldn't teach in that... but I can easily see myself going out for coffee or Sangria on Montreal's Saint-Denis street on a sunny afternoon... except I don't live in Montreal. I live in corporate Ottawa. Ayayaye...

Pics 4-6: The skirt part worn in an unstructured structured outfit. At least here I have a bra on. And a head band!

What do you think?

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12 years ago

Adelfa

Veteran

The top looks so cute with the jeans! To my eye the skirt overwhelms you. Can you get some breadth taken out of it?

Suz

(website)

I love the top with the jeans! And I am chuckling of the thought of you pretending that Sparks Street is St. Denis....

(News flash: Mr. Suz has been dreaming about moving to Montreal. Maybe you will visit there?)

Can you try the skirt outfit with the new sandals? I wonder if that bit of height might conquer the problem that Adelfa sees. I think perhaps in motion it would be less overwhelming because it is filmy.

Is it not possible to wear a bra with the top or is this for fun? You could always wear a cami if you have modesty concerns. But if not, go for it!

krishnidoux

Adelfa, it looks better in person. It didn't occur to me to shorten it... I'll play with the height, now that you mention it. Thanks!

Suz, it's true, IRL the skirt is very flowey and looks better.
You, in MTL? That would be too cool! You would love it there!

Re: underwear: any bra shows through, whereas no bra doesn't show. It's very funny. It I wear only a bra, it would have to be one of those pretty ones made to be shown. When worn with a cami, the blouse looses its breezy character, gives off very different vibe. Like in pic 1, where I am wearing a blue cami. It's suddenky sad and strict, and not sexy at all.

My only choice is to save this top for very special moments like a party or something.

Anonymous

Thumbs up for both outfits. I like the pieces together too. The fabric is beautiful.

I love both these pieces! I really like how you have styled them split up.

Oh - I love the idea of just wearing it when and where you feel comfortable, and in the meantime looking for one of those sexy bras. Anna has a few, I think.

Suz, here is a pic of Saint-Denis in Montreal (where I would wear outfit 1).

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ElleH

My favourite outfits on you are the ones with the skirt & boxy top. I'm not loving the blouse with the cropped jeans as much but I think with a jacket it would look good.

bj1111

love everything but the white headband.

annagybe

If you are looking for a bra to be seen, look into Marlies Dekkers.

lyn67

Krish, I love the pieces separated but I wouldn't wear any blouses without a bra or cami with my real estates:-), so I cannot really relate wearing an outfit with no bra. Maybe you can find a tan cami, or a strapless, only breast hidening band top(saw a lot of these in one size, strechy/netted on back material)-for it, which will do for modesty but will also leave your midriff bare under the blouse. Just my 2 cents:-)

Joy, Ceit, Elle, thank you for your feedback!

bj1111, thank you for your honesty!

Anna, thank you for your suggestion. Will look into it.

Lyn, that is a great solution. To be honest, I think I would not be able to go out in this. Photo is okay because it doesn't show, but I would be so self-conscious and afraid that a piece of cloth flies off too much, showing more than I want! Your solutions sound great. I am most certainly getting myself a flesh/tan cami, and I will also try the band.

T-Rex

I like the pieces separated more than together, but together isn't bad at all. I do think the skirt looks a bit long when worn with the matching top, but I don't get that impression when you wear it with the boxy blue top. Maybe it's because the pieces worn together look dressier, while the skirt and top give off a more relaxed, slightly hippie or boho vibe. So the extra length doesn't look odd to me.

As for wearing the top sans bra, I say ask a trusted girlfriend to observe you in various lighting, and as you move. If the girls don't seem to be going out of their way to attract attention, then I think going braless is fine for non-work wear. And from what I see, the top shows only a little bit of midriff. Not enough to look like you are trying too hard. (On the off chance your belly button is pierced, then bonus! I like allowing just a glimpse of mine, since I don't have the abs I would want to bare my midriff more than that.)

T-Rex, thanks for this thoughtful comment! I will move around in different lights and ask feedback IRL. My belly button is not pierced, but maybe I should. Or get a tattoo there. More than 10 yrs ago I had a major operation leaving a nasty scar around it. It is now almost faded, but my belly button doesn't look like it used to.

I like the idea of you getting some body art to reclaim and own that part of your body that the surgery changed.

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