Thrifting find (or not?) and - can I wear shorts?

This Foxcroft blouse came home with me from the consignment shop yesterday. The longer tunic length isn't something I've worn in the past, but the quality and fit seemed too nice to pass up even if I have to have it shortened to blouse length. I can't get over the pattern matching in the front.

Grouping 1
Yes, the pants are too short but I plan on wearing them one last summer before moving on : ) I also wonder if a slimmer leg would look better with the blouse.
#3 is with the self belt. I don't have much waist to speak of and I feel the belt only emphasises that.
#4 is it too frumpy to wear unbuttoned as a topper? That was a topic that came up in one of Texstyle's threads.

Grouping 2 - with shorts and also with a skirt.
#1/2 is the one pair of shorts I actually wear - and very rarely at that. The second shorts picture is with them dropped a bit to add length and help cover up the fatty parts of my knees. Is the smidge longer length better? Or should I stay away from shorts entirely - out in public at least. Also, the leg opening is probably too wide.
#3/4 I think I like the proportions with the denim pencil skirt but fear that it looks to maternity-ish. Side view is mainly to confirm to myself that the belly doesn't stick out too far from this angle. Not that anyone would mistake me for anything other than fruitless and barren : )

Is this shirt a keeper as is with any of these stylings? Or should I have it shortened?

Thanks for your thoughts!

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12 years ago

ironkurtin

Veteran

I really like it with the skirt!

texstyle

(website)

Yes! with slim pants, untucked and probably left long. No self belts for me. I prefer it not as a topper. I like it with the skirt too. The shorts look too wide to me. I'd get some tapered.

Niefern

Active Member

The length of the white pants looks fine to me.
I like the blouse with the self-belt and also unbuttoned as a topper.
Shorts: the smidge longer lenght looks better IMO.

rachylou

Ok:

#1: The silver shoes are *simply a must* with the white pants. That's a great combo with the blue as well as white. I didn't notice the length issue at all until you made me go looking - and I think the silver shoes go a long way towards compensating.

#2: The tie is great IMHO. The waist definition is a positive thing IMHO. I like the shirt better with than without; it seems to be made for the time.

#3: Ohmigosh, Pil, do not make me talk about fat knees! You are reminding me of my English ex-boss. We were walking through Nordstrom once... which is so weird to think about... and he says to me that I have chubby knees! Chubby knees! I was *like*, Did you just say I have fat KNEES? Oh no you didn't!

Outrageous.

Anyways, I do not have fat knees and neither do you. I like your shorts worn up. But I think a different shoe... like in a tan or nude.

Suz

Love those silver shoes!

I think the top works great with the shorts and denim skirt! I would also like it with slimmer pants. If you do taper those, you might not have to worry about the length; it might work in a straight.

I think you can wear shorts for sure. Whatever length you please. If you feel more comfortable in the longer length, go for that, and maybe taper a bit.

Caro in Oz

#1 - with the silver shoes & a tonal leather belt - love the shaping the belt gives you but don't like the self-belt.

The skirt needs some tapering at the hem imo.

pil

@ironkurtin, thanks!
@texstyle, I wonder about cutting these pants into shorts? That way I'd still be getting use out of these and could look for some new skinnier leg jeans.
@Niefern, thanks. I'm not sure which shorts length I prefer, but the longer ones do cover the fatty "deposits" on the inside of my already knock knees.
@rachy, @suz and @caro - thanks for your help! It's fun to see the silver shoes get some love. I've had them for several years and have probably only worn them twice because I thought they were too flashy.

caro suggested a tonal belt, would the cream colored one I'm wearing fill the bill or should it be more gray/silver? My other problem with belting is that I'm short waisted. The self belt picture above is actually a little below my actual waist.

And Rachy, I can't believe your boss thought you had fat knees and actually verbalized it. Outrageous indeed. Were you dumbfounded or did you have a retort?

Anonymous

Great shirt! And I say cut away and make them into shorts!

Oh, and any suggestions for a topper over the blouse and jeans? Would my "new" faded cropped denim jacket work?

Pil, your shirt looks great with white, navy and denim. I think your faded denim jacket would be great, especially with the white slacks. I'd have the legs on the shorts tapered. Since finding YLF, I've found that narrow long shorts are so much more flattering than any other kind to just about anyone. Fat knees or knobby knees on thin legs both look best at least partly covered.
Love the silver shoes with the white pants!!

Firecracker (Sharan)

I like the blouse with all of these, at its current length, and without belt! It's a great find for you.

I especially like the white pants with the blouse and with the silver shoes, and I think it would be even better if you tapered the pants at the hem.

The shorts would be great tapered; or find a tapered pair like them, and yes, wear them! Out of the house! Maybe with a sandal or lower-vamped flat (ballet style.

The skirt and blouse look very fine to me; you are perhaps overly conscious of mid-section issues, which the side-view clearly refutes!

Oh, and I, too, like the blouse buttoned rather than jacket-style.

Thank you Ceit, Joy and Firecracker, so helpful!

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