My problem with chiffon - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Dressing

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

My problem with chiffon

Synne

Veteran

I have a couple chiffon items in my wardrobe, that in theory should be right for me (colour, silhouette), but that I always skip. I haven't been able to articulate why these garments (a skirt and a blouse) felt wrong, but recently came across a blogger who blatantly stated that chiffon is tricky "for everyone who isn't velvet skinned". Well, that just might be why for me. Wearing chiffon feels oddly juxtaposed on me, and not it a good way.

I am aware mesh and chiffon items are coming through in retail as very trendy in SS 23. This one I will sit out.

What are your feelings about wearing chiffon?

Dressing

44 replies

Latest reply was from Zaeobi

jussie

Veteran

I like it. I only have one chiffon item though, so can’t say I’m an expert.
It’s interesting how different fabrics look against skin. Sadly I can’t seem to wear leather jackets for this reason… they just juxtapose terribly with my skin!
Also satin isn’t great on me either.

Synne

Veteran

Interesting Jussie! Leather works for me, and even better, suede. I also avoid the thinner satins, but heavier weights feel better. I feel I am evolving beyond only colour theory, and into texture theory in my style journey!

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

I'm not sure I understand - what does 'velvet skinned' mean?

My biggest issue with mesh & chiffon is that they're sheer

Synne

Veteran

Hm, up for interpretation I guess, Zarobi. I would never have labeled myself velvet skinned though. I am more oily and textured(?). If I try to matte my skin with make-up I end up looking cakey and costumey.

Irina

Veteran

Maybe depends on chiffon? Mine is silk. I have only a couple of tops. They look too dressy for my style for an everyday use hence they are a part of my special occasion capsule.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

My problem with it is lack of plausible deniability that I’m doing a fancy thing.

Joy

Veteran

I do not have any chiffon although I like it on others. My little granddaughter loves it so I feel too old for it and probably am. I have solar feelings about velvet and satin as you do about chiffon.

slim cat

Veteran

What @Irina said - I have one silk chiffon top ( worn sometimes with jackets ).

Suz

(website)

Veteran

What Irina said. I have one blouse with chiffon overlayer and sleeves (actually it is a dress, but I am having it altered into a blouse). It's a dressy item for me because of its sheerness and delicacy. But I don't see any problem with the texture against my skin.

I also own a tulle skirt. It's stiffer, of course and not worn near the face. (At least not yet! Maybe if I do the can can or something....)

I'm so intrigued by what you and Jussie say about textures...I am trying to think if there is a texture that feels wrong for me or on me, per se.

A black leather biker jacket gives me that feeling -- but not other colours of leather, even in that style. So I think it is less about the texture than the combination or style and colour being too "hard edge" for me.

I dislike the feel of most faux leather and it tends to make me hot, so I probably would not wear a top made of it.... but that seems like a different issue.

Vince Double Layer Shirtdress

$395.00 $157.97

Sale

View Info

Top Pick

29

View Info

kkards

Veteran

I’m not much of a chiffon person, I do have some mesh items but I don’t think of them as being equal. I don’t know why but I think of chiffon as delicate and more feminine and mesh as hardier and more rock and roll. Anyway, I think that pretty much why I don’t wear chiffon, Delicate isn’t really my style. Of course YMMV

Irina

Veteran

This is one of my chiffon tops. I actually saw it worn casually with jeans but it’s just not me I don’t know if it’s sheerness or delicate fabric but it’s a look and not the feel of chiffon that makes it very limited in use for me.

I mostly cringe when synthetic fibers touch my skin like most acrylics and polyesters.

This post has 1 photo. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

Synne

Veteran

Interesting observations about chiffon being dressy, delicate and not "hard edged" enough. I am into those hard edged fabrics! Brocade is a favourite, also lace can work for me. I wouldn't say no to tulle either, although I have yet to have any in my wardrobe. All of the latter I would consider dressy and fancy. But they are more rough textured.

I recall a chapter in my Vetta Goldstein vintage style book, about how different textured furs suit different women. I would belong to the skunk pelt segment

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Hard for me to see “lace” as a category. There are so many different kinds!

LaPed

Veteran

This makes intuitive sense to me. I've never been drawn to chiffon even though I can certainly imagine wearing a delicate fabric in some sort of juxtaposition with more rugged textures. I like the look of, say, a tulle skirt and leather jacket on others, but on me I think it would feel very fussy and inauthentic.

Silk is another one that seems to work splendidly on others and somehow doesn't for me. I have to work very hard to incorporate shiny/satiny textures, and more matte silks (like crepe de chine) feel so weird against my skin. I do, however, like silk knits and nubby, sturdy raw silk! You're definitely onto something with texture theory. Now, how to break it down into categories?

Cardiff girl

Veteran

Interesting.l don’t know if you are aware of Trinny Woodall the uk influencer with a make up range,but she’s feels that chiffon is very tricky to wear over a certain age.l am not saying that l agree or disagree with her but merely pointing out that you are not alone in your uncertainty around chiffon!

Synne

Veteran

Do teach me about lace categories, Stag! I have a blouse with very big weaves(?), almost fishnet quality, with lace embroidery. That top I love! I also love cut lace with fringe ends. Very cool look, and it feels authentic on me.

Synne

Veteran

LaPed, yes, I would also like that! Texture is uncharted territory for me. I understand that different textures in an outfit adds interest, but I wouldn't be caught dead in a flimsy satin skirt, even if paired with chunky knits. It just looks wrong on me. As always, I would like to understand WHY.

I also have an issue with smooth polyester in trousers and tops. And not because of environmental or sweat issues, heh..

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

I don’t have the vocabulary to say anything intelligent about lace types. Someone used a word I’d never ever heard of to describe the dress I’m going to wear with my red skirt.

When I wear shiny silky fabrics (the pants are not silk), I think I do it in a cheeky kind of way that feels authentic only because I do it with a grin. I didn’t feel these outfits were fussy.

This post has 2 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

Synne

Veteran

Looking good, Stag! I think I could wear silk, if it was the matte kind. Now, why do you suit the shiny silks and not me? Maybe it isn't only skin quality (? Oily, matte) but also overall appearance, hair etc. My hair is thin and stick straight, while yours is fuller and wavy.. I believe I need to analyze this further

Sal

Veteran

I think that texture is probably just as important as colour yet not considered as much. I like some colours in some textures and not others.

I only have had a couple of chiffon pieces- I struggle mostly due to the need to layer under which I often don’t enjoy.

DonnaF

Veteran

Shiny fabrics have never suited me, especially not flimsy or drapey ones. They feel too femme as does very fine cotton. As my skin acquires more texture (ha, ha, ha) so does my preference for textured fabrics, including marl and tweed.

Irina

Veteran

Interesting, marled textures should work for me since it’s somewhat similar to colors in my grey hair but never look good. I feel I look out of focus, dull in them. Shiny silks are fine and make my hair shine, too. Textures are tricky I mostly avoid it.

Olive Green

Veteran

I realize I have a black piece of clothing, and it is a sleeveless chiffon v neck top I cannot imagine as a casual piece. I never wear it, its like its waiting for an occasion that has never happened.
I did long sleeve tailored chiffon blouses in heavier fabrications for work, with very tailored pants and low heels. The stuff takes strong color dyes beautifully so green and purple are a couple tops I remember. They did not wrinkle when packed, bonus.
So, heavier weight light weight fabrics are better for me than the floaty things.
Would love a place to wear Suz’s plaid tulle skirt.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Olive Green, I'm going to wear it tonight to a friend's for supper.

It's not fussy if paired with a sweater and boots rather than a fancy top.

The chiffon dress above actually has an underlayer of crepe de chine and then chiffon over top and only the sleeve is sheer chiffon alone. It's not hard to wear at all -- for me, I mean -- except for the fact that it is a dress and too short, LOL. But I think once I get it altered as a blouse I will wear it a lot.

Sloper

Veteran

It’s not something I deliberately shop for or am tempted by. To me it’s a fussy fabric that doesn’t suit my style. I could see it mixed with velvet or leather though….

Jessikams

(website)

Veteran

I hate how it feels. The texture of it is just ugh, shudder. But mesh is a big yes!

Anonymous

Wearing mesh right now actually! Not sure if I ever owned anything chiffon, except possibly scarves. I just don't have a dressy life like that.

View Info

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I recently thrifted a kind of mesh skirt (inspired by YLF) but cannot think of any chiffon that I wear on a normal basis. Am a big believer in thinking about how texture plays with your features and have recently been exploring a bit of ruffles to reflect my hair!

rachylou

Veteran

I do do chiffon… this reminds me of a conversation I had with my brother once. I said to him (in the way that I tell him I’m taller than him when I’m not): I have True Grit. And he said: You’re a Frilly Girl.

The insult! The injury! Lol

But let us point out that he would not remove the spider that prompted this whole discussion.

12