Tops & blouses: new resolution - YouLookFab Forum

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Tops & blouses: new resolution

shiny

Veteran

I have a new resolution: When buying tops and blouses, they absolutely must look good worn on their own, without a jacket, cardigan, or vest over top.

This is my biggest frustration this summer (other than gaining weight - which only compounds the situation). I think what happened is that when I first joined YLF, and learned the secret of layering, I went crazy buying tops that looked great with a layer but not necessarily on their own.

This is probably already obvious to everyone else.

That doesn't necessarily mean I'll never buy another cap sleeve shirt again. That may be another post, but I found two short sleeve blouses this weekend that seem to work and break the rules, and I'm not sure why they do.

Anyway, over time, I will weed out the offending shirts. If I do that now, I won't have enough to wear (and it's nearly fall here - so back to layers shortly).

What percentage of your tops can only be worn with a layer?

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14 replies

Latest reply was from

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Shiny, this is something I discovered earlier this year, and I think it's a great resolution to have. I would say that I only have 3 tops that really must be layered (not including camis). It doesn't really make sense to have loads of "layering only" tops here because it's not practical for most of the year. I also find that I have far fewer closet orphans if I stick with tops that can be both layered and work on their own, too.

anne

Veteran

Pretty much all my tops can be worn alone, with the possible exception of some that perhaps are old/too short and would otherwise be discarded or have been handed down to me, and I have kept just for a particularly layering situation.

Our Aust summer is so hot that I have to allow for the possibility that I will take any layers off!

So I think it is a good rule to have Shiny!

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

This is something I've been working on, too. I love layering, I think it adds so much interest. Buuut, most of the year I wear just one layer. Even just a few weeks ago I was still buying layering items (or fall/winter items) and found myself with nothing to wear for the majority of the summer. It just doesn't make sense for ME right now. Most of my tops are layering tops, but I'm slowly filtering to at least have a 50/50 mix.

shiny

Veteran

Layers make sense here, because it's 3/4's of our year. But it makes summer dressing difficult, and it makes popping off to warmer places on vacation during the colder months a bit of a challenge. Also the reality is that as I am perimenopausal, I tend to run hot, and these days I never know when a hot flash is going to hit!! So even in the colder months, it's nice to know I can take off the jacket or cardi and still look okay!

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

...and there is nothing worse than getting overheated and not being able to take off your cardi or jacket. Been there, done that. Yick.

Patience

Veteran

Like the other Austinites, I've figured this out pretty quickly too. I really love my breezy statement blouses. In fact, as my belly gets bigger, the pickings are getting slimmer and slimmer which is very frustrating. The flattering maternity tops are usually knit because sleeker looks better. But I'm not finding them as smart as a woven shirt.

Shiny, I do think you don't need quite as high a percentage as Ana, Sarah, and I do because your summers are much shorter. Enjoy the layering season when it comes.

shiny

Veteran

Well, our climate presents a different challenge: all tops need to work with a layer over. For example, I rejected this blouse because it looked completely goofy with a jacket or cardigan over top:

http://www.anntaylor.com/catal.....ory=Misses

This has been my primary focus for a long while, and will continue to be.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I think that's generally a good idea, Shiny. However, a few solely single-duty layering items in your neck of the woods is probably welcome.

To answer your question, all my tops can be worn on their own. I have actually never bought an item that can only be layered. Never even thought about a top in that way. I wonder why that is?

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

How interesting. I rejected that top too, Shiny. But for a different reason. It was too short to wear belted with pants (and wearing it by itself was really bland) and even too short to tuck into skirts...and really too boxy for that, too. It's a shame because it's pretty, but something just wasn't right.

Kristen

(website)

Veteran

Hahaha, I rejected that blouse because the collar was so big I looked like a clown!

But to your point, I was lucky in that when I was buying the bulk of my new tops it was spring going into summer so I made sure I was buying pieces I could wear them alone. That they could be worn with layers is turning out to be a happy accident. The only tops I do buy that I don't plan on wearing alone are tissue tee's and camisoles.

Louise

Veteran

I've never been a fan of plain tops and it's only since finding you guys i've discovered layering. I currenetly have only 4 tops which i wouldn't be happy wearing without another layer but i think that comes back to the dislike of plain tops so probably would look ok without a layer x

shiny

Veteran

Angie, my knee-jerk response was going to be "well you just don't have as many fit issues as I do" - but I have been re-reading through your Hong Kong posts so I know that is not true. You have your own share of fit issues - they are just different than mine.

I think once I learned I could layer, it took the pressure off to find the 100% perfect fit. It used to be that I had more bottoms than tops, because tops were so impossible to find. Now that has all changed, and I have way more tops than bottoms. Because I learned I did not have to worry if a top's armholes were a bit too low or the tummy area a bit too tight or cap sleeves are less than flattering or the top didn't define a waist: since it'll be covered up by a waist-cinching cardigan, it'll all work! And then I was free to be like a kid in a candy store.

But I have enough clothes now, so I can afford to be much more choosy.

I do love this time of year: it is the best time to stock up on pretty, silky blouses.

cciele

Veteran

Hm, I don't think I have any tops that need to be layered over the top (beyond camis and some tanks). However, some of the tops I own require a layer underneath (usually because the neckline is low).

Anonymous

Shiny, I'm with you on the hot flashes and sudden need to shed clothing. I've always been the one who is too cold, so this is a hard thing to deal with. Will it ever go away!? For this reason I don't buy camies but stick to tank tops that cover a bit more because I may need to strip off to that layer.