Ticking Striped Shirt - Yay or Nay? - YouLookFab Forum

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Ticking Striped Shirt - Yay or Nay?

Star

Veteran

Hello Everyone

So I love stripes, horizontal and vertical, and I recently started wearing button downs happily. Since being on YLF I have become more discerning about which stripes are really me. When my MIL was going to donate this shirt I grabbed it. I have subsequently worn it 2 times. The thing is I have seen this material in 2 movies on short sleeved shirts on men. I don't know why, because I have always worn quite a bit of unisex clothing, but for some reason I am now a bit put off of it. So here is a pic, the stripe gets blurry and fuzzy when photographed but it is a traditional ticking stripe. Question - is this pattern classic or old fashioned? The bracelet length sleeves should make it feminine. Not sure what is bugging me...

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Dressing

44 replies

Latest reply was from Star

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Not sure what kind of fabric it is, but my first reaction is “beautiful”! It looks very feminine to me, with your hair.
I would be inclined to say classic?

Bijou

Veteran

Like Jenni, I think this looks great on you. The bracelet sleeves make it feminine. However, if something is not feeling right, I would give it a pass. Often fabrication can be off and that, whilst not apparent from a photo, will make me not feel like wearing something.

Brooklyn

Veteran

Looks good to me. Quite dramatic with your hair. And not old fashioned. Vertical stripes are more unexpected than horizontal. Maybe it’s just the association that’s bothering you? You could try accessorising more with a necklace or even changing the shirt. I sometimes replace collars with standing (mandarin) collars.

Sisi

Veteran

I cannot tell if this pattern is classic or fashioned but I agree with Bijou - if it "bugs" you, pass. In my personal experience it took me years to realize that no matter how fashionable a garment is, no matter how much others tell me that I look good - if it does not make me feel fab I will not wear it. This is what just happened with my brand new breton tee!

Dee

Veteran

Well it does look very nice on you particularly with your contrasting hair colour but sometimes these associations can be hard to overlook, but ultimately you'll see whether its an item you reach for or not. I love stripes myself and it could be a classic stripe but I'm not as certain when it's a vertical.

Anonymous

I do think it's a classic- but also vote to pass because "it bugs you", especially since you said you've already worn it to try it out. To me, that means it feels inauthentic to you. Use the hanger it's on for just the right piece instead!

Jules

Veteran

Classic and I would even say on trend! Looks great on you. Maybe put it aside for a while and see if you reach for it in the future?

Mirjana

Veteran

I agree with Jules. The shirt is nice on you, but if something bothers you, leave it for a while and see. I can say that I have always problem with vertical stripes, it doesn't work for me even I am petite.

Irina

Veteran

I don’t wear much print but I wear striped shirts. Never thought about them being old fashioned. Your shirt looks classic and I like it. Have a similar one myself

Star

Veteran

Thanks JenniNZ, Bijou, Brooklyn and Dee!

Suntiger The first time I wore it I did feel fab and my DH complemented it (he is picky and does not complement that often, only when he really likes a piece). I don't feel bad in it, I think I view it in a different light after seeing it on men in movies. Sounds a bit odd, I know ;). Anyway, I will go with Jules, Dee and Mirjana and put it aside for a while. I was more curious to see what you guys think and it seems to be a classic, which is what I initially thought and I do want my wardrobe be more classic. The fabric is a good quality, drapes well as it has some heft yet is soft.

Brooklyn I am a hopeless case when it comes to sewing myself! Yes, I did wear it with a black/white flower pendant.

Sisi what a shame about your new breton! What was different?

Star

Veteran

Irina If it is good enough for you then it is good enough for me Love your style.

Anonymous

I can picture you in it Irina!
When I'm in doubt, I try to think of who's wardrobe it would fit right into. A friend or family member's? Another Fabber's? Does she look like me, and have my climate and lifestyle needs? Does it "stand out" in my closet?

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

I think this shirt looks really great on you. Have you considered an outfit lab here on the forum?

Horizontal/pinstripes have been around for at least 100 years. Mobsters and jazz musicians always wore them in 1920s-1950s films, and it gave them added swagger. Ralph Lauren seems to work it into their runway collections every 2-3 years, and there always seems to be at least one black + white pinstriped women's option present on their website. You don't get more 'classic' than RL.

For me, it would be a question of how the fabric feels against the skin, if it works in your climate, and whether it shifts or slides around as you're wearing it. I can't abide a piece of clothing that has to be continually re-adjusted.

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Helena

Veteran

I know you've sort of resolved it but I like your plan! It looks good to me but if it feels wrong then to me that's the ultimate test.

Star

Veteran

Thanks Helena! I do value your input. You know classic for sure.

I love RL Mary Beth and thanks for the examples. Haha Yes they were mobsters wearing this exact pattern in the movies I watched :). The feel of the fabric is good and so is the fit. Good for my Late Spring and Early Autumn. I like it with dark wash denim mostly.

Sisi

Veteran

After reading the other comments now I agree with Dee, Jules and Mirjana. Good idea to set it aside and see how it goes.
About my breton tee: after pondering I realized that I like breton tees on others but not on me. I should have known that I do not wear stripes and in addition the shape is boxy. It is not a flattering piece.

lynn

Veteran

I like it. I love stripes and this one is different.

Irina

Veteran

Thanks!
I will post a picture of mine later, I'm in the office right now
I wore it with black jeans, white jeans and plan to wear it with blue jeans. I find it versatile.

slim cat

Veteran

Love it! Would try it with blue jeans, white pants or shorts - nice classic pattern in a relaxed style.

Star

Veteran

Thanks Lynn!
Slimcat nice ideas!
Irina will be looking out for your pics.

Irina

Veteran

Here it is. I can’t post an outfit, I took the shirt to my seamstress to take it in a little.

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Star

Veteran

Irina it is practically the same! High Five. I wore mine tonight again and was perfectly happy in it. I must have been in a different mood. This is the reason I am a slow editor!

Sal

Veteran

I like the shirt on you. Classic in the best way.

I am pleased you reword and felt good. Pieces handed on can be hard even if you like them - you may not have chosen them yourself. I can feel this way with gifts - I like them and the sentiment behind them but maybe would not have chosen them.

A small bracelet or necklace can help shirts feel more feminine if you want to do this.

DonnaF

Veteran

I'm just wondering if the bottoms and footwear you wore with that shirt the third time you wore it were the problem? Maybe they skewed too yang/masculine?

For example, I skew yang/masculine, but my male shaped oxfords have to be red patent and polka dot. I look good in my puff sleeved eyelet blouse and my floral skirt but I would never wear them together because for me they are OTT yin/feminine. Instead I wore the eyelet blouse yesterday with my striped skirt because stripes are yang and I didn't feel like wearing a denim skirt.

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Irina

Veteran

Good point, DonnaF. I wear mine with pearl earrings

Star

Veteran

DonnaF Yes agree fully. Irina Funny thing tonight when I wore it I first put on my pearl earrings, but mine are a drop/chandelier style, that I have carried with me from the 80s, which I don't wear often. They were a bit too much with my specs, and I changed them. But YES definitely more feminine jewellry required with this shirt, and maybe the shoes too. Great ideas - thanks!

Star

Veteran

Sal thanks! Your observation about liking gifts but them not being something we would have chosen for ourselves is so interesting. Food for thought!

Sal

Veteran

One of my lovely sisters (and DH too) often gives me tee shirts or jewelry or even bags for my birthday. She has good taste but they can be a bit hard to incorporate into my closet. I do wear them and like them but I don't find they get as much wear as things I choose myself (which often have something else in mind for me to wear them with). But it can be fun too to have someone else pick something for you and it is done in a spirit of kindness and love.

Style Fan

Veteran

As others have said, the shirt's fabric contrasts your hair nicely. It seems you have sorted out what to do.

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