olive/navy - new favourite thing wiw 3.28; plus question about shirt length - YouLookFab Forum

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About: Ensemble: Casual Pants, Tee, Denim Jacket & Bling

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olive/navy - new favourite thing wiw 3.28; plus question about shirt length

Anonymous

Kind of a riff on Friday's ensemble, only I'm wearing a leather jacket instead of a denim one, and a blouse instead of a tee.

One of my absolute favourite things to wear in the world is a pair of khakis or cargos in army green. And until today, when I took a picture of this outfit feeling all good about it......I never gave one second's thought to the length of the top, apart from it covering , well, all of the front. This is a perfect example of feeling ok but when faced with a picture (didn't even "see" it in the mirror) , you notice how proportions can make or break an outfit. I'm thinking the dark shirt (or whatever gets worn under the jacket) should be a lot longer in order to cover what appear to be tree trunks for thighs: I keep forgetting I don't look like a 20 year old 6 foot tall model. The pants are also that low-slung straight through the hips fit that maybe isn't my best.....but I think I can work around that with a better length of top - tunic length in this case . Does that make sense?

anyways - I am really in love with olive and navy, and am definitely going to work it into my spring look - also enjoying a neutral-brown-based eye makeup and neutral lip these days as a refreshing change from my usual grey eyes/pink lips

khakis - GAP girlfriend
blouse - GAP
leather jacket - Michael Kors
necklace - random personal things on a chain
bag - Coach
loafers - Brown's Couture

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46 replies

Latest reply was from Mamavalveeta03

Sara L.

Veteran

Nice look! I think you are being awfully hard on yourself - your legs look fine to me. I love the pendant and green bag. I also like wearing olive green pants and was just thinking I need another pair.

Sal

Veteran

I love the look Lisa, the colours and textures are very you and very cool. I also struggle with a top this length especially when there is a contrast. I think either shorter or longer provide slightly better proportions. It looks great as is, but I agree the tweak would work well.

I did the same thing last year and I now only wear my cream top this length with low contrast skinny pants and a heel.

I could do with a pair of pants like this but my shopping list is getting very long this winter and with a family holiday overseas later this year and some business changes I have to mind my budget!

Gail

Veteran

I think that the length of the shirt looks ok. I wore an outfit yesterday , my shirt was longer than yours and I thought it looked too long lol. Your make up . The navy jacket is super nice and that color combination is one that I never wear but am thinking I may need to change that.

shiny

Veteran

I'm with Gail on this, I'd think you want to go shorter with the top, not longer. Regardless, your thighs don't look any bigger to me than the model in the GAP picture.

I see that you are holding your iPhone down at a slight angle so this is going to distort the image / i.e., make your legs appear shorter. Personally, I like pics taken at this angle as it's what 99% of the adult population sees when they see shortie me....

Love the loafers and the jacket!

AviaMariah

Veteran

I think the length of the shirt is fine. But WOW, the jacket. Beautiful!

JAileen

Veteran

I love these colors together, too. I would wear this exact outfit if I had the same components. I think I almost bought the same bag. You don't see olive ones very often. Nicely done!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

The length of the blouse is GREAT with the outfit - and lengthens the leg line from the knees upward. The curved hemline is a plus too - adds structure. A longer top would look a little off here, actually.

I LOVE the bling with the hardware of the jacket. Punchy! And here you are wearing classic black loafers with panache - see! It can be done. Another Killer look, Lisa. The palette is gorgeous with your complexion.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

No need to make a 20-something 6ft tall supermodel the ideal, either. You're perfect the way you are, and inspiring to us all.

MsMary

Veteran

Oh my gosh! That jacket is FIERCE!

I agree with Angie that the blouse is just right!

Anonymous

Angie - you're hilarious I know we're not supposed to be critical of ourselves, but I'm always slightly amazed that I don't look the way I imagine I do. You'd think after all this time.....;)

The loafers are navy, actually, and although they aren't at all fashion forward, they are so classic in style and so uber-comfy (completely lined in leather, and with a padded insole) that I can never give them up. I have two pair of these : the navy and the white - both only 2 years old. I recognize my flats aren't as edgy as they could be, but I don't wear them that often and can't justify buying a new style every year - these never wear out at the rate I wear them. One of those trade offs between fashion forward style or quality.

Interesting blouse length comments : no way will I ever go shorter as it wouldn't cover my uh - what do we call it? You know. These pants are a no-tuck zone. I'm still not sure I understand top length vis a vis lengthening the leg ...

Shiny - yes, the camera angle is off, I do know that, and the mirror is also on a pedestal stand and not perpendicular to the floor...but I don't know how else to hold the camera in order to get my full tree trunk self in the pic I actually have fairly decently long legs, which wearing flats also does nothing for. What can you do?

Anonymous

Lisa, before I had read down the replies and got to Angie's I was thinking that a different length shirt would really throw off what appear to me to be great proportions...and it seems Angie thinks the same ☺. I think this is a great look on you and you look pretty fab to me.

Colette

Veteran

Your navy leather is gorgeous! And I really, really like how you styled it. I know what you are talking about with shirt lengths. I seem to never have the exact right length. But I have to say I think this shirt length looks good with the outfit. I think you are being too critical of your legs, I don't see what you are seeing. You look cool and effortless as always. And your hair and makeup are always perfect, something I aspire to but always seem to miss, even when I put in the effort. I'm loving navy lately too. I was just trying to pull some outfits together for the week and styled a navy sweater with an old olive jacket. I just love how fresh it feels. But now I am dying for a navy leather. Thanks for keeping my wish list full Lisa!

Peri

Veteran

Can't add anything to the proportion discussion...clueless for one thing, and for another, if Angie says it's good, it's good.

Just want to add my sympathies to the mirror shockers. I'm not expecting what I never was, but time and again I keep expecting the me of 10 years ago. That's the image in my head...that's how I identify...but where did she go and who is that in the mirror? No fun.

MsMaven

Veteran

Don't forget that cameras can lie--they flatten us into two dimensional characters and sometimes broaden the parts of us closest to the lens. Sometimes I think I must have been delusional when I checked an outfit in the mirror, then later saw a photo. Especially from the side.

I think you look great in your outfit. More than great, fabulous.

Marilyn

Veteran

This is really nice, Lisa. Nothing looks off to me. I'm a fan of navy with olive as well. Olive pants are on my to do list.

Brooklyn

Veteran

I agree with Angie about the top. It's a good length. I think a longer top works well with skinny pants or flares that are very fitted on the hips and thigh. But the pants you are wearing have pockets and some ease around the hips and thighs, so the shorter version looks better.
I have poison eye for my own thighs so I do struggle with this look. Sometimes I will wear a heavy shoe (like boots or a chunky sandal) because to my eye that balances me out more. I do agree also that the camera angle can be shortening.
But honestly Lisa, you look fab. I think your wiws just keep getting better.
And I am also liking navy lately (always had a thing for olive but never cared for navy). It's funny how a colour can suddenly seem fresh and appealing to us. Just like a new silhouette.

Aquamarine

Veteran

This totally works to my eye. Love the color combo, too.

shiny

Veteran

Lisa, I hear you about the mirror positioning -- our full length mirror isn't attached to anything until we renovate this summer. I have it propped up on a yoga brick for now, so it slants backwards from the floor. Personally I think mirrors are more slimming angled forward towards the floor (our local Nordie's and Bloomie's has their dressing room mirrors angled this way), though this does shorten leg length. I even told our interior designer I want to position the mirrors strategically so they are flattering. Ha. Ruining my day feeling fat because of my home mirror is just not high on my list!

But hotel mirrors are the absolute worst. They can give me a case of insecurity before work, then the bathroom mirrors and everywhere else look just fine.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I like this length of top and I think you look fantastic. I love the way the very classic shoe plays against the casual khakis and the leather jacket with hardware. Fun! I see no treetrunks at all here! Also love your bag. I need help with bags as well as bling. Post to follow eventually.

Anonymous

I won't contribute to the mirror or shirt length topics, but wanted to say that your jacket and blouse are fab!
Also, I wish I could wear chinos as well as you do.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

This is one of your best outfits to my eye and you do not look tree stump like or whatever you said at all. The color of the khakis is low contrast with your leg, which I guess lengthens them and your loafers look perfect here. The structured jacket pulls it all together. You look fab!

Anonymous

Well thanks, chicks. I actually really liked wearing this as it was so comfortable and easy. Glad to know this blouse works . It was a total impulse buy (woman ahead of me in line was buying it and it caught my eye.....I rarely buy blouses for fit reasons but this is easy and a bit boho-ish ) I have a road trip to do tomorrow - a 2 hour drive each way , but I'm going with a fellow rep friend - and I may just wear this again . Don't tell anyone

One of the main benefits of never seeing the same people twice during the work week !

Anonymous

Suz - re: bags and bling - buy from the heart. Bags and jewellery aren't like clothes in that they have to fit - which is probably why I have more jewellery than clothing - haha. (makeup works that way too ) Analyze it too much and it removes the authenticity for you . I'm constantly surprised when I find that the jewellery and bags I do buy just mysteriously already go with everything I own. I think we all need to trust our own tastes and what we're drawn to instinctively.

Anonymous

Lisa, I love this look. The proportions look perfect to me--the scoop on the shirt makes all the difference, and any longer would seem to shorten your legs. But can I say...OMG, PIC 3!!! You look like a movie star. You are such a beautiful woman and your makeup skills just enhance that beauty.

You really know how to pick the perfect details--right down to yoir choice of lippie, which is always spot on for every outfit.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Lisa, to answer your question, no, it doesn't make any sense. Except that you have a misleading angle on your photos. Great outfit, and please keep in on the repeat list. It's a terrific casual chic look that you wear with authority and grace.

Deborah

Veteran

Lisa I think the proportions here work perfectly. The rounded hem of the shirt is really flattering and I think a longer top could potentially be a little shortening on you. The loafers looks so good. I cannot get them to work for me but you have made a classic shoe work beautifully with a modern edgy outfit. Loving how your hair is looking too.

rachylou

Veteran

Fierce - that's totally the word I was looking for. A glorious outfit! Now I have to reconsider my desire for white loafers...

Sally

Veteran

I really like the combination of the jacket and pants colour...its very classic but modern. You have great hair too.

approprio

(website)

Veteran

ooh! I love the black leather/gold hardware combo here!

I like olive but I don't think it likes me very much. I have a few key pieces so I'm taking tips on mixing it with navy.

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