Ask Angie: Proportions....Is this shirt too long to wear this way? - YouLookFab Forum

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Ask Angie: Proportions....Is this shirt too long to wear this way?

nancylee

Veteran

I tried on my cognac print silk shirt with my black pencil skirt/black v-neck sweater combo, and was surprised to see how long it was peeking out from below the sweater.

I bought the blouse to wear it with midis and pants. It would be great if it had more versatility, but now I'm thinking it might not work with this length skirt.

What do you think? Do the proportions look too wrong? How about the boot vs. bootie situation? Many thanks in advance!

#1-2 Cognac blouse in question
#3 Tunic blouse I normally wear in this combination

Dressing

25 replies

Latest reply was from nancylee

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I think I like the booties with a shorter length blouse better. The longer blouse does seem too long to me and in fact, I'm not sure either of the blouses works for me with such high contrast on the skirt and sweater. I think lower contrast on the bottom might work better so it doesn't divide your body into sections, esp with the sleeves hitting at the same zone horizontally. Can you scrunch the sleeves on #3?

morethanbeige

Veteran

I'm eager to know this too, NancyLee! I will keep watch. I like the look, even with the longer blouse!

Caro in Oz

Veteran

I have a problem with the weight & contrast of the blouses too. Can you tuck the longer one & wear them with a lighter fitted jacket?

Louise

Veteran

I think it's possibly the topper that's the problem? I think you need a cropped jumper or jacket x

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

I think you look gorgeous Nancy and I especially like #2...but I'm no expert on shirt length so will leave that analysis up to the experts!

nancylee

Veteran

Hmm. Thanks for weighing in so far, everyone. I can't decide if it works but my eye just can't accept a different proportion....OR if it's totally wrong and doesn't work at all!

True confession: I actually wore #1 out of the house today. I was running late and decided to rely on husband's opinion! He said it looked ok...(of course...don't they always say that?).

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I would say you look more than ok in #1, but, ideally, the shirt should be a bit shorter. I am pretty bad at proportions, so this is just a guess.

ironkurtin

Veteran

I would tuck #1. It's not the length, it's the curved hem.

KathyL

Veteran

I am definitely no expert and am still trying to figure out proportions myself. That being said, I like it with the knee high boots better, but I do think the shirt is a little long.

Parsley

Veteran

Hmm, I'm still learning about wearing shirts that are longer than their toppers, so I don't totally trust my judgment, but I think the proportions in #3 do look better. Dana may have the answer: maybe it is the curved hem more than the length.

nancylee

Veteran

Hmmm. Maybe the curved hem. Still wondering....

shiny

Veteran

Guess I am the odd one out, but I vastly prefer 1 & 2 to 3. The length looks so .. I dunno... purposefully trendy/edgy? It has a relaxed yet polished vibe. I am not all that good at describing why something works to my eye, but this does. I would wear it in a heart beat.

Something about the proportions of 3 looks off to me. Or maybe dated. But 1&2 looks fresh.

catgirl

Veteran

I much prefer 1 and 2 because it looks deliberate - otherwise it just looks like your shirt came untucked and you were too lazy to tuck it back in. At least to my eye. What a fun outfit!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Well. I am no expert either and am trying to figure it all out.

I actually LIKE the curved hem of 1/2 and like the length, too. I do think maybe it would be better if not so high contrast or if the pattern in the shirt picked up the colour of the sweater/skirt, but then, too, I wonder if the contrast seems greater in the pics than IRL.

I like it with the booties, by the way. But I would say that, wouldn't I?

jayne

Veteran

I love version 2! the long shirt is the perfect length, it is quite clear you intended it untucked at that length and the boots are the perfect height to show some skin, bookend the sweater and create a cool vibe. The nude does not work for me as the rest is so dark and my eye notices the outfit more than your hair here.

lyn67

Veteran

I like all from here:-), esp curved hem shirt, but if you want a shorter look with it, you can always belt inside the sweatter- it will not show, but make a shorter look peeking out under it.

ManidipaM

Veteran

I think the solution may be a longer sweater or cardigan over it. Don't think the top's length per se is the issue; more a question of the proportions of the blocks that the two outfits break into.

Claudia

Veteran

Maybe the problem is all the broken visual lines? Maybe adding some black hosiery with the black boots? Maybe the two layered tops should be lower contrast, too?

I like #1 and 2 best as far as the top layering with more blouse showing.

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Queen Mum

Veteran

I think they all work honestly.

shiny

Veteran

I didn't answer about the boots. I prefer #1 nude booties to #2. Because it creates long leg line, and bookends your hair color, and also I just really like pairing nude shoes with black as it looks modern to me.

But #2 would absolutely work, when it gets colder, with black tights.

Carole

Veteran

Such a great question, i will be anxious to hear the verdict. My first instinct was that perhaps the sweater/jacket over was too short or the wrong style for the curved and longer hem of the top under, but I'm no expert. 3 looks good to me.

nancylee

Veteran

Hmmm....all of these are good observations.

Bumping for Angie!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

All three outfit proportions work to my eye, although I like #1 and #2 much better.

You could dress to create an even LONGER vertical line - as some the comments have suggested. These proportions are not unflattering, though. And I am sensitive about the short legged thing - as you know

#1 - bookending is achieved with the boots and your hair, and with the skirt and pullover.

#2 - bookending is achieved by all three black items. Please add sheer black hose if you do add hose to this outfit. Black opaques will look stale and dated when worn this way.

#3 - same as #1.

FWIW - that's what I see

MsMary

Veteran

I like 'em all!

nancylee

Veteran

Thank you all! I really was of two minds about this look. During the day, I felt pretty hip and fun wearing the different layers. But when I posted the photos and took a hard look, I started to doubt myself. I think it's just a matter of becoming accustomed to the longer length of the shirt. And, of course, this might not be everyone's cup of tea. I know not everyone who weighed in liked the long length....

Angie, thanks for your very helpful two cents. Proportions are difficult to judge sometimes, and of course styles change...so what looks fresh now might be something very different than what we're used to seeing. It's good to know you (and many others) approved of the black boots look in #2 as well. I will heed the warnings to wear sheer black hose!

All of your helpful input (about hose, wearing a longer cardigan, playing around with longer proportions, tucking...) has me inspired to run off and experiment with other layering looks.

Thanks again fabulous YLFers!