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Valentine's Fail - Outfit Lab - ugh.

Anonymous

Do you ever look at photos of what you've worn and cringe? Normally I'd not post these, but I was so frustrated by this whole outfit, by the time I got home from work I wanted to throw the whole lot in the garbage. But - I am determined to make this skirt work and would appreciate your constructive criticism.

First off - this sweater is simply too big. The shoulder area in the third photo isn't my body - it's a stiff-ish bad-quality cashmere sweater that doesn't drape well. And the colour is not great? I don't know though - open to comments on that. It was also too bulky to semi-tuck well, which I know is the thing to do here. The sweater creased once I put my coat on - and stayed that way all day. UGH.

The skirt . I imagined it to be longer on me the first time I wore it (didn't take pictures and didn't spend much time analyzing myself in the mirror - feeling super pudgy and fat these days after almost 2 months of no exercise = broken arm) . Is it too short? And I really don't care for boots here - too many horizontal lines on my legs what with the skirt hem and the boot top. The model is wearing nude hose......is that what I want? I had no time to change at that point and had to go out like this.Skirt also full of static electric and stuck to my tights. UGH.

The boots. Wrong. I don't own tall boots I can stand in all day . Not sure I want to buy any either. But is that the solution here?

The coat . The colour worked well, but I wasn't convinced about the length and it's too cold to go shorter. I don't own a longer coat.

I liked the scarf and earrings and makeup combo - although I'm sure my forehead isn't that big in reality . Lol.

One of those days. URGH.

So - the goal here is to figure out how to wear this skirt to flatter me -if that's possible.

Coat - Maison Scotch - 3 or 4 years old.
Skirt and sweater - H&M - new
scarf - random import bought yesterday at nail salon
earrings - N&S
boots - Hudson Bay Design Lab - new this winter

Thoughts and ideas??

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Knee-length Skirt

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Design Lab Snakeskin-Print Chelsea Boots

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51 replies

Latest reply was from Jaime

Bijou

Veteran

As soon as I looked at the photos I though #1 and #2 were great. I love the soft pink coat on you and as for the scarf, coat, hair and make-up - you look beautiful and stylish.

#3 and #4 don't work so well because the sweater is big and the outfit needs more structure - which is what you have when the coat is on top. I also like how the model has some skin showing in her picture and nude hosiery is likely to give that look - as your are all dark on the bottom half and light up top - light hosiery would break that up. However, I do appreciate that you live in cold conditions, so opaques are likely to be warmer.

You have replicated the look that the model has. They take these photos from the most flattering angle, she has her arms across her sweater to give the outfit structure and take some volume out, giving that nice lean silhouette. We just need you to pose in the same way!

viva

Veteran

As usual you are being too hard on yourself. But I understand some of the challenges here. Oversized sweaters are so good in theory, but they can be hard to pull off especially with a skirt. I almost think the sweater is too small (short) for the look on the model but I still wonder how well this looks IRL if you are not 6 feet tall and slender. I also wonder if the quality is impinging on the sweater's ability to drape the way you want it to. (But the color is lovely on you: Keep the sweater, wear with jeans.)

I think the bare leg is important too; I never love how I look with black skirt/dress, black tights, black boots: the lack of structure drives me crazy. Can you go tightless?

Also, just want to note that I find skirts challenging too; this just might take a couple of attempts.

Katerina

Veteran

Here are my spontaneous comments, I think I will look again and come back... so for FWIW:
The colour of the sweater and the scarf - LOVE it on you. Scarf- earrings-makeup = fabulous. Full stop.
The look with the coat is very nice.
I think that the boots are good here - tall boots would make the skirt look much more traditional, less modern. Booties are good with the style. Even combat style boots would be good. Not sure about the opaques though - maybe sheer hose instead. Not sure about nude, though. Maybe sheer black or sheer black with some pattern, stripes or polka dots?
The length of the skirt looks good to me, but if you feel it is a bit short, can you pull it a bit lower in the waist?
The outfit is definitely not a failure, maybe some minor tweaking...

Christina F.

Veteran

May I suggest that the reason the sweater look works for the model is that she has a long waist? And is a stick person, unlike most of the rest of us

Also, your sweater is a bit bulky to drape as well, as you say. I would try the skirt with some more fluid knitwear before deciding about the bottom half of the look - I think the length, tights, and boots are nice together, actually. Maybe a barelegged or sheer hose look would be even better but of course it's not practical for you right now.

Styling skirts is the WORST.

Anonymous

If it makes you feel better I think they photoshopped the right side of that pic to make it look more streamlined!
I agree with Bijou though, 1 and 2 look great. I thought you liked that skirt a couple days ago? Maybe wear with the EF tank, McQueen scarf, and same booties The sweater is definitely big, maybe would work with slim pants and maxi cardi to rein in volume?

lynn

Veteran

I do not see this as a fail! I think it is an arty look and you wear it well. The half tuck look might not work with the thickness of the sweater but I like it untucked. Just my opinion but I like it.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I agree with the other ladies. And yes, hair, makeup, jewelry and scarf all totally on point as always.

I’d try sheer black or nude hosiery instead of opaque, or pull in the black to a scarf so the look is not so all-black on bottom, all-light on top. But I also think the voluminous top + voluminous skirt is tough for anyone to pull off unless you’re ok with JFE proportions. I’m also really partial to the long-and-lean look of tall boots with skirts these days and I think that may help you feel less chopped-up, proportion-wise.

I think you look good in these photos, but I 100% understand what you mean, because I dont think this is the most *you* styling I’ve ever seen you wear. I often struggle with similar issues when styling skirts so I hear you — I tend to go simpler and try to eliminate too many horizontal breaks with skirts to help me feel like the proportions are more flattering.

Anonymous

I did like the skirt right away after opening the box and wearing it the first time - but realized I still wasn't styling it properly. Yes, I was fooled by a stick thin 6 foot model (you'd think I'd be immune to that by now) and thinking the unstructured look was ok. I still don't know what to make of this, but agree that sheer hose is the way to go. Yeah - it's super, super cold here right now, but for indoors sheer hose are fine. Didn't think of sheer black - good idea.

Vivian - tightless at this time of year is impossible. I'm thinking that this may well be a spring/fall skirt where one can be bare-legged.

Anonymous

Would your asymmetric sweater work with the skirt? That has built in structure, without the bulk of semi tucking!
Or do you have a hi low sweater?

Tina

Veteran

The colour combo is fantastic on you!
I don’t think the skirt is too short. I agree with Katrina about going with sheer black or patterned black hose as opposed to nude. The line created with the bootie (which I am covetting) will stay intact better if you stay in the same colour way.
I really don’t think this is a fail at all as far as outfits and styling go, the static would put me off too. You may just need to hang on to this particular skirt until you can wear sans hose?
If you are like I am, just flattering enough does not cut it a lot of the time. This outfit is definitely JFE! I just love blush and black together! And that coat is just perfect!
Signed, a northern Alberta resident who totally understands battling the weather. We have had -30 C to -40 C for days and days. It is finally warming up and we are at the point where we are cheering that it is ‘only’ -22

DonnaF

Veteran

Love the look and the proportions except for the sweater which as you said is too big and needs to drape better. I can’t believe it’s cashmere. Try with other sweaters. You are too hard on yourself.

Sara L.

Veteran

I think it looks fine. I especially like the color of the sweater and the scarf together with your earrings. The black tights make the horizontal lines from the skirt and booties difficult to see since they're all the same color. Sheer black tights or nude will make the bottom lighter but make the horizontal lines more obvious. Were you uncomfortable at all during the day? Was the sweater slightly itchy or too hot? Did the tights squeeze your tummy? I find that those things might not bother me first thing in the morning but by the end of the day, I hate my outfit and can't wait to change clothes.

Jules

Veteran

I had a sweater with a dropped shoulder line and it drove me nuts, it never sat right to the point of physical irritation/discomfort. I donated mine in its first season. If yours is comfy, I agree with the suggestion to wear it with jeans. I think bulky sweater and skirt is a pretty advanced look to style in general, one of those things that looks ‘effortless’ when it works but really isn’t for most.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I LOVE the pinks and creams with your hair, earrings and make-up in pic #2. VERY pretty, flattering, and elegant, Lisa. Wear light colours (and earth tones) more often!

I'm with Bijou on how the coat adds the right structure to the outfit. That disappears when you remove it. The pullover is a size too big, but the idea on the styling in #4 is actually spot on. You need a more structured pullover.

Back later!

Anonymous

Thank you all. This is very instructive and I appreciate it! I don't see it as being too hard on myself - I demand and expect a lot from my clothes and how I present myself.

A few questions answered ; no, the sweater isn't itchy and hot. Not at all. It was starting to pill though , and I've only worn it once! I didn't expect much from it though - being from H&M and all - but it looked so good and felt so soft coming out of the box. It's already designated to wearing with jeans. Never again in a professional setting. Tights too tight? Ha No, I was ok there, despite feeling my fattest right now.

Angie - yes to a more structured sweater. Hope to find one this spring .

viva

Veteran

I hate when that happens with cheap cashmere.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I’m back.

The skirt could have been a little longer. But I don’t think it’s too short. I’d have styled you in sheer black hose or black fishnets - but get that’s not warm enough right now. Also need a sleeker and simpler boot or shoe. Can be flat - but very sleek and simple.

Runcarla

Veteran

Lisap, make a note to ALWAYS have a blush capsule in your closet. You own this colour like no other! So, so, flattering. Bijou and Katerina have provided some great advice re: styling and Christina and suntiger have identified reasons why RL might not match up with the sales image.

I think it comes down mostly to the skirt. Static makes me insane - uncomfortable, and totally messes with silhouette. The same outfit with a pair of pants might have you feeling differently. I don't know how it will work out, but try this same look with your full leg Lulu OTF pants for another volume-on-volume look, and then with a pair of narrow, cropped pants that show a smidge of skin (or nude stocking) above the boot.

*I don't know what Angie would say about this, but when I go for a volumunous sweater, I look for a reglan or batwing sleeve and size down. You still get a slouchey effect around the shoulder, but not as much volume around the body. Dropped shoulders don't work for me at all!

Runcarla

Veteran

Popping back to add that this has been a valuable workshop exercise and learning experience (for me) Lisap, and I'm glad you posted and are so open to receiving suggestions.

Lynn

Veteran

Lisa- I agree with everyone that blush is definitely a fabulous color on you. What Katrinia and Angie said re: styling advice.

Anonymous

This is SO helpful. I'm always open to suggestions for improvement - that's why we are here, right? I usually know when I get it right, and when it get it wrong.

Angie - I was going to wear a simpler , flatter boot, but threw my hands up with the whole lot and had to get out the door. I can manage fishnets and sheers inside - not a big deal to walk from the car to the workplace and be a little cold for 3 minutes .

Carla - good call on trying the sweater with wide legged pants. I had another blush pink big sweater that I wore with the wide legged Lulus, and LOVED the look. That sweater was far drapey - er and semi-tucked beautifully. It had to be pitched a month ago as it pilled and bagged and general looked like s***. Another knit ($120 ish) that did it's thing for one season and a half. I seem to always run into these kinds of sweaters. I think I'll wear this blush H&M number with cropped pants and boots/jeans, good idea Thanks for your input!

Alicewonderland

Veteran

Wha?? After your description I was expecting to see much worse! I think your outfit looks great actually. The skirt is not too short. I do understand about the clinging to tights-I hate that. Went round and round and the solution was nude/sheer hosiery or just wear pants under. A possibility is wearing a slip. I do see that crease in the sweater but try washing it a few times to see it that will sort out a bit. A tall boot does solve a lot of things, and my taller ones are usually more comfortable than my short ones because they can have a lower heel and still be elongating.

Diana

Veteran

I think it's fantastic with the coat, and agree with everyone that the sweater is too big and not structured enough.

OK, so I'm going to get kind of knitter-nitpicky here for a minute. With respect to the sweater, this is a problem I see with a LOT of oversized sweaters (and knitting patterns for them.) with the dropped/square shoulder design rather than a shaped, set in sleeve. I think a lot of the reason why this shape is so prevalent right now is that it's easier to manufacture, both by machine and by hand, because it allows you to make things out of rectangular pieces rather than creating/sewing curved seams. You can see this on both your sweater and on the one on the model in the skirt find. This is a huge pet peeve of mine with knitting. When you have a properly shaped shoulder seam (or even a raglan which is also easier to make, but still has more structure/shape) you can get away with it being more oversized, even in the shoulders, because of the curved shape that still follows your shoulder line. There's still a line there that approximates the shape of a shoulder if you know what i mean. With the square drop shoulder, it creates a weird horizontal line at your upper arm and also you lose all semblance of shaping at the actual shoulder.
The square drop shoulder only really works IMO on women with VERY strong and sharp shoulder lines, which is a bone structure thing, not a size/weight thing.

OK rant over. I think you CAN do an oversized sweater, it just needs to have some structured shoulder seams.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

A pullover like #1 maybe (I have it in the blue and a stripe). Fluid, but structured. Good to semi-tuck. Or a fun and polished cropped sweatshirt.

Or a pullover like this:

https://www.peruvianconnection.....s&

Btw, #4 isn't bad. You could wear that to NYFW and fit right it!

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1901 Back Button Crewneck Sweater (Regular & Petite) | Nordstrom

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Scotch & Soda/Maison Scotch Raglan Tiger Sweater

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kkards

Veteran

Diana-thanks that was very instructive....

lisap...and this is why i don't wear skirts....you're going to disagree with me, but i'd love to see it with a shorter sweater.
and i'd give textured tights a try

Chelsea28 Rose Tights

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Hue Women's Diamond Quilted Tights with Control Top

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Anonymous

kkards - not disagreeing with you at all. A shorter sweater would be great, and I'll be on the lookout for one. I'm not a fan of textured tights , but the idea is right, I know.

Angie - thanks for the suggestions. Slightly confused as to which sweater is which vis a vis your descriptions . Which one do you have?

Diana - THANK YOU . This is an amazingly instructive reply , and I absolutely value your opinion on knits and construction techniques. See, these are details I don't pay enough attention to, and now I can't unsee that dropped shoulder. You're right - it's cutting corners at the manufacturing level, and is not a great look, period. I can't thank you enough for this.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Sorry for the confusion. I have these:

1901 Back Button Crewneck Sweater (Regular & Petite) | Nordstrom

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8

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Cardiff girl

Veteran

I m with Angie .l think a sleeker fitting jumper or top and longer boots would give you a more stream lined look with this skirt and as usual Lisa you are being too hard on yourself.l know you say you demand a lot of your clothes and that’s fine but you have also mentioned feeling super pudgy which is a body issue not a clothes issue.l see a chic well turned out woman when I look at your pictures not a super pudgy person.l understand why you feel like this due to your arm ,would starting a walking programme help until you can do more?Dont you work with physios now ?cant you bend their ears over coffee for some safe way to maintain your fitness whilst you wait for your arm to heal.?

rachylou

Veteran

My first thought was I’m not used to seeing you in such a ‘cute’ outfit. Esp the skirt, which is kinda ‘swingy’... altho I realise it doesn’t swing. Maybe ‘relaxed’ is a better word. The skirt, sweater, and coat are all ‘relaxed’ to me. I think a more fitted top with the skirt, more tailored bottoms with the jacket and sweater for more... authority...

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