Smocking or shirring? - YouLookFab Forum

I bought this top in early September after looking for something that combined several of the bright colours I love and that might help me get better wear out of a couple of pairs of older shoes I don’t wear enough- my yellow loafers and my “Love” sandals. Spring was too cold to wear it until November or so but today is now the 4th wear, and both pairs of shoes have been worn with it.
I think the top combines the puffy sleeve trend with the smocking or shirring trend- maybe the top is shirred not smocked? Anyway I am enjoying it and even DD2 gave a rare enquiry as to where it was from, saying “I love that sort of ruching”.
#1. What I wore to work today. 2022 Max top, 2014 black pants, 2013 yellow loafers.
#2. Shirring detail.
#3. The “Love” sandals 2012.

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1 year ago

Sal

Veteran

Wow you look fabulous Jenni! This outfit looks wonderful on you - and perfect to get more wear from those shoes.

I do like the shirring (or smocking) but haven't gone there yet (I wonder if I am too busty but I should try one on and see if it works - although I am trying not to shop until 2023 at the moment). The soft puffed sleeves look really good here.

It has been cold - still not very warm for the 1st of December.

Jenni NZ

Thanks Sal you’re so nice! One female patient admired the matching earrings and shoes today

Suz

(website)

Oh, this is fabulous on you! One of my favourites ever! You look wonderful. What a pretty and useful top. The shoe remind me of a favourite pair of yellow patent slingbacks with flowers (instead of the buckle) and square toes that I owned (and adored!) in second grade. (You can tell I share your shoe obsession, right?)

I love (ha ha) those sandals, too!

Jessikams

Very nice! I enjoy that texture too. In fact I would love a velvet top like that. Angie posted a smocked velvet top recently and it was so pretty.

Star

YLF! I love the LOVE sandals. If they were mine I would treat them like a neutral (sounds crazy I know), and forget about matching them all the time. I had a multi-coloured sandal years ago and wore them with everything.

Bijou

I think you top has both - shirring at the waist and smocking at the neckline, as outlined in this article.

7 Differences Between Shirring And Smocking (sewingmachinebuffs.com)

This is a gorgeous outfit on you - such a beautiful new top. I love how you are buying less and making sure that every purchase is a 10/10.

Thank you Suz and Jessikams and Star!
Star, I fear I will be denying my own nature if I do not match things. It’s such a part of me I have transferred it to my husband who was thrilled when he found a pack of 8 pairs of socks that were good matches for his technical fabric shirts he cycles to work in the whole time!
I do understand I could wear my bright things like neutrals but somehow I just can’t! It’s part of the reason I have so many different coloured sandals…

Wow Bijou what an informative article! This fabric is viscose. Max is quite a high quality NZ owned chain which seems to be increasing the sustainability of its clothing. I have only owned about 5 things from them in the last decade but the more recent ones seem higher quality. I have 3 garments left from them currently including this new top.

Sisi

You look FAB! The blouse is beautiful and very flattering on you. I looove your footwear! (I think I have alreaday said that ? . Adorable yellow shoes and fab sandals.

Staysfit

JenniNZ, this top looks amazing on you! I don’t think I’ve seen you wear anything so sleek before and it’s very flattering! The yellow shoes make me smile. The entire outfit looks joyful and full of zest. I think the Love sandals will have a similar effect with the top as well. Great find!

Irina

You look wonderful! I think this style of a top is very flattering on you.

RobinF

Great outfit! I think it's my favorite of all your posts. Love the pretty yellow shoes. I am matchy also so totally get that you need something yellow in the top.

CarolS

Whether smocked or shirred, it is a fabulous top and I can see it being very versatile. The fit is very flattering and I "love" how perfect it is for your Love shoes!

Really a fabulous look!

Helena

I agree with Suz ... This is one of your best ever! Love the pop of yellow. YLF!

lyn67

YLF Jenny, and you did so great with that top, love a yellow shoe, the pink sandal is also gorgeous!

Angie

Fashion Stylist

KILLER look, Jenni! One of your very best! LOVE that top on you! And with the love-sandals too. Playful!

I see smocking......maybe because I simply prefer the word

bella

I really like it too, it is a very flattering blouse for you. If you like the look, it might be worth investing in one more in a different pattern.

ChristelJ

Just wow! Like others, my reaction is that this is one of my favorites on you. Hope you get many, many wears from these glorious items!

Thank you Sisi, Staysfit, Irina, RobinF, CarolS, Helena, lyn67, Angie, bella and ChristelJ!
Ha Sisi yes I think you’ve been an admirer of my shoes before. I do spend a lot of time looking for shoes I admit!
It is nice to wear something brighter, my regular winter wardrobe had a lot of black (even this outfit does but pops of bright) and it has been such a cold wet Spring that the summery clothes have had to wait.

rachylou

Oooh, I want your top! It’s great!

Jaime

Great top whatever you call it!

Runcarla

My first reaction on seeing you and your OOTD, was ‘Wowsa! I’m glad to see other folks are saying the same. You look ah-mazing, Jenni. There’s some nice figure flattery going on with this outfit.

Zaeobi

It's embarrassing to admit (given my profession) but I can never remember the difference between smocking & shirring (no matter how many times I look it up) lol! You look great in whatever this top is though

I like the way you've matched the pops of colour throughout - the fit of those trousers help not to overwhelm the look either, so the fun details can take centre stage

Thank you Rachylou, Jaime, Carla and Zaeobi! I find it satisfying to mix and match older and newer stuff.

anne

You look great in that top, Jenni!

Janet

That’s so lovely on you! I have never been much of a fan of smocking, but here you are showing how good it can look!

nemosmom

I think you look fab, regardless of what it’s called!!

carambola

You look fantastic!! I love the mostly black background with pops of happy brightness.

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