The 'versatile' black silk tank that never gets worn. - YouLookFab Forum

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The 'versatile' black silk tank that never gets worn.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I have been holding on to a particular tank for the last 4 years that I have worn fewer than that many times. It has great seaming and is flattering and fits, and by all accounts should be a versatile 'go to' layer piece for me. Except that it's not. And I don't know why.
I have purged my 7 black tanks down to 4 now. Sequin tunic, ribbed 'beater' tank, hardware neck detailed cami, and aforementioned silk seamed tank.
First, I wonder why I am not wearing it. Secondly, I want to try to incorporate it a few times into outfits before summer's end and see if it can earn it's way. Otherwise, I'm afraid it should go.
This is one of those pieces I am irrationally holding on to I think. The 'what if' cases run along the lines of - for dressier outfits like trousers and pencil skirts (if and when I buy such a skirt lol), and under jackets with jeans in fall/winter (but I have yet to actually reach for it in such a case). Sheesh. Part of me thinks I hesitate to wear it simply because it's silk and I don't want to 'ruin' it. Crazy things that go on in our heads sometimes, huh?

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Dressing

25 replies

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catgirl

Veteran

It looks dressy and evening wear to me, which could be the issue. For daywear it might be too much like a cami? It's really pretty. Can you model it? I want to see if it would work under a suit jacket.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I can. I suppose I could put it on with my Columnist zig zag suit. But again, how often would I wear that? And if only with that, would it still be worth holding on to? Perhaps.
I can try it over jeans too but the only pair I brought is bootcuts hemmed for flats.

shiny

Veteran

I'd wear that to bed. Seriously. Would be quite comfy to sleep in. Otherwise, it would be perfect cami for under tops and dresses. I'd wear it under a black sweater, when beige cami would show through. If you start wearing it that way, maybe you will branch out from there, because it'll get you over your "too nice" mental block? Under a cardigan would be lovely.

Otherwise, I find black silk shells can be tricky, it's too much black. So I'll reach for white instead. However I still wear my black silk shell quite a bit. I have to string pearls with it to give it a dose of white.

ironkurtin

Veteran

I don't like silk, personally. Maybe the fabric is stopping you?

shiny

Veteran

I think it would be fine over bootcuts with flats. Just toss on a cardigan and you're good to go for smart casual look.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Real quick shots for ya. (Pardon the lack of proper underwear - a black bra is in the mail) And, yes, I love it when I did put it on. So why don't I wear it??!!?!

EDIT: Ironkurtin, you may be right in that I'm having a mental block with 'silk'. But I wore my silk dress to watch football yesterday without feeling uncomfortably overdressed in the least. Hmmm. Must crack this case lol!

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Glory

Veteran

I love it on you. Maybe force yourself to wear it a couple of times and see if you enjoy it, before saying goodbye

catgirl

Veteran

I thinki t's because it's silk. In this cut, silk + black = lingerie in my head. Not for a dress, but as a top.

That said, it looks great under a jacket or cardi!

Gaylene

Veteran

Mo, it's a lovely top and fits perfectly, but I'm wondering if this tank falls into the same category as Una's red dress. The dress was lovely, fit her perfectly, and should have been a no-brainer wardrobe addition, except that it would have taken a lot of work to make it fit her current style.

The neckline, narrow straps, and black silk seem to give this tank a lingerie/bombshell effect which looks great, but maybe just doesn't quite fit as easily into your current style?

This is a really hard call because many people would find it easy to work this type of garment into their own wardrobes, but the real question is how do you feel in the outfits you've posted? If you think you'd have fun with a bit of a style change-up now and again, then definitely keep it. But, if it's going to take too much effort to ever feel like you when you wear it, then maybe it's time to let it go. Or shred it-- or mash it up-- or do whatever it takes to turn it into a Mo item. Otherwise, it will just hang in your closet for another 4 years.

rae

(website)

Veteran

Well, it does look good under jackets. And it doesn't take up much space.

I guess if it were me, I'd ask myself if I'd rather wear the more casual beater tank for most of the possible silk tank outfits. The higher, less dressy neckline seems to feel more like you and your lifestyle. And for dressier times, is there something else you'd rather wear, too? The blush ruffle tank?

shiny

Veteran

The neckline is low. Combine that with the lingerie style and the color, maybe it is too bombshell and that's your mental block? Would you wear it for date night? Would you wear it to bed? Would you wear it under a sweater to eliminate static cling? Would you wear it under a sheer blouse?

I don't think I'd let it go, but I'd probably tuck it into my lingerie drawer. Then again nobody wants to see my aging cleavage.

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

The seaming doesn't look that great layered under a jacket to my eye. I would prefer a plain black tank. I wear my black tanks layered under sheer or sheerish tops. They get worn alot actually.... what do you wear under sheer tops?

rachylou

Veteran

Mmm. You know, I've been bugging about all my cami's recently - with the spaghetti / bra straps. I know there are shirts out there with less material, but somehow this type of cami just makes me feel like I'm wearing underwear outside... and not a cool madonna-esque corset. I'm talking granny pants. And granny pants are not hot pants.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Lots of good points to think about. I'm not sure if I feel the lingerie vibe but I can get how some might. It is a brushed, or sueded silk, not at all shiny or slippery that to me seems more lingerie like. Could be that it's just dressier than I"m used to . . .
For now I am going to keep it. And try to work it into a few fall outfits. And then see if I ever grab it this winter for 'going out' looks under jackets. If it fails those tests - off it will go early next year. Rae is right in that it takes up so little space to keep and try to work with it a bit first.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I think it looks great under that jacket and sweater - it is more "date night" than "nite-nite" to me.;-) But then again, I don't really wear lingerie to bed.

Isabel

Veteran

I really like it too. I think that it is a great idea to wear it and really get a feel for whether or not it is something to keep.

shiny

Veteran

If it's just a matter of it feeling too dressy for you then my advice is to WEAR IT. I find I get over the "too dressy" feeling fast if I wear it once or twice. And I was joking but -- there's something to be said about enjoying lower necklines while you are still young and you can get away with it. So DO IT. Wear it with the cardigan on your next grocery trip, and report back...

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

If you don't love it, it is difficult to find reasons to wear it no matter how versatile it may seem to the rest of us. This you know already, of course:) I would keep it if it were mine, because it's small, it's classic and even a wear once a year would be enough for me. And it looks great on you!

If you don't want to keep it after all, I could certainly find a space for it in my wardrobe;)

ElleH

Veteran

I like it with 2 & 3. Do you wear tanks/camis under jackets that are dry clean only? I don't because I wear natural deodorant, which doesn't really work, & even chemical deodorants aren't enough for me to not need to wash/dry clean after every wear. I can't be spending the money on drycleaning after every wear & having enough of them for rotation. Does that have anything to do with it?

Mo

(website)

Veteran

What is dry clean only again???
Yes, I do wear tanks under jackets because I don't have any dry clean only clothes. Well, I guess now I do with my leather moto. Most armpit holes are annoyingly too low on me, but I now see this could be a good thing as far as jacket cleaning goes

And I will try and see about wearing this once the weather cools enough for layering and pants. Might be another month.

ElleH

Veteran

Haha the styles I wear have armholes which are not low, which I prefer aesthetically, but the washing drycleaning thing is annoying. I guess I'm taking this OT but it is one reason why I think I dress more casually...so I can wash rather than dry-clean.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I am with you! Washability, and wearability are high on my priority list. Maybe that's the main reason this tank doesn't get worn as much, honestly!

EDIT: low armholes are the bane of my fit issues. They are NOT by choice

Suz

(website)

Veteran

well, I just wash silk, and not even always by hand! I will put it in a lingerie bag in the washer in cold with mild detergent. And if it doesn't hold up? It was crappy silk.

It looks really good, but you have to feel okay in it. Give it a shot and see.

lynn

Veteran

This looks so good on you and I agree that you should wear these necklines while you're young. I'm afraid that if you get rid of it, you'll suddenly need it! That usually happens to me. If you didn't like it I would say lose it but you seem to like it when you put it on. Wear it a few times and re-evaluate.

Anonymous

Is it the empire cut that's giving you pause? Does it have one of those annoying side zippers? That would make it an orphan in my closet! I wouldn't dry clean it either, I just wash my silk things out in the sink.