Volume balancing with skinnies - YouLookFab Forum

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Volume balancing with skinnies

Aida

Veteran

I know the general wisdom is to pair skinny bottoms with something with a bit more volume on top, but I feel I end up looking like how I did in middle school: stirrup stretch pants with super duper over-sized sweaters (not a good look). I recently got a couple pairs of skinny pants and am finding that I generally like to pair them with snugger tops instead of looser ones, but not skin tight or anything. I'm 29 and have an hourglass shape with a smaller bust and strong shoulders.

Examples:
http://www.weardrobe.com/pictu.....10-25-2010
http://www.weardrobe.com/pictu.....10-14-2010

What do you guys think on this? Does anyone else pair their skinnies with snug tops or should I stick with the style advice of more volume on top to create balance?

Dressing

20 replies

Latest reply was from Aida

Barbara

Veteran

Aida, I have a shape very similar to yours and I wear my skinnies with everything! Fitted tops look balanced when you have strong shoulders and an hourglass shape. I like both of your looks, especially the first one.

catgirl

Veteran

I like mine with a longer snug top and then a short or cropped overlayer, like a vest (as you've done). If the main layer is short I think it also has to be a little bigger. But I agree, I feel too top heavy if my top is too voluminous. I am more comfortable in a wide leg jean and a tighter short top.

By the way, what I just said would make my husband roll his eyes in confusion.

Queen Mum

Veteran

LOL ag- my husbands eyes glaze over every time I try to explain a fashion strategy to him.

I have no problem pairing skinnies with either volume or fitted...

catgirl

Veteran

I imagine it's what happens to me when he explains the most recent last quarter of a football game. *eyes glazing over*

Anonymous

You look balanced to me. You are well proportioned to start with and the shape of the pants is not severely skinny causing tiny ankles. I think that when you look at all angles in the mirror and see nothing that needs to be covered up, out of modesty or vanity, then it's all systems go!
Have fun. You look great in the bright pink shirt. What colors do you most often wear? Are you branching out to more, or different colors in your wardrobe?. I love a deep pink color with dark hair.

Aida

Veteran

Thanks for the replies, ladies. Happy to hear that my thoughts aren't getting me somewhere I don't want to be style-wise.

San - I like to wear primarily neutrals (black, gray, white the most, but also ivory and brown) with smaller doses of color. That pink top was a bit random for me; I don't wear a lot of pink mainly because I like other colors more, but I know that pinks and fuchsias look good on me so I'm trying to be more open to them I tend to wear variations of blues, greens, and reds the most, with the occasional purples, pinks, and oranges.

EDIT: And to answer your other question (sorry!) I am trying to branch out and wear more color.

MsMary

Veteran

I think you look great. You have a lovely figure -- why not show it off?

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I found myself doing this today and I felt okay with it. It was a tank with a rounded shirttail hem so I felt it didn't exaggerate the hip like a straight across hem might have with the same slim silhouette top. I'm no expert by any means but if you look relatively balanced, I think why not? You look good to me! I agree about too much volume on top feeling more than just a little retro.

puffenstuff

(website)

Veteran

Aida you look great in those photos! I actually prefer wearing fitted tops more with skinnies than too much volume, I'm only short though (about 5' nothing) so I feel that too much volume on top makes me look like a little mushroom!

Kate

Veteran

I'm personally not a fan of wearing much volume, so I'm all for keeping the whole look streamlined. Looks good to me!

AJ

Veteran

Hi Aida! Both outfits look great!

I also feel sometimes I'm top heavy when I wear volume with skinnies, but I find it helpful to balance that out with the footwear. Boots, heels, or wedges seem to add just the right balance to me.

Joy

Veteran

Everything looks nicely in proportion the way you've styled your outfit. You look great! I don't see the pink top.

Scarlet

Veteran

I often wear fitted tops with skinnies, but then I keep the length a bit longer like you have done. I think your outfits look great!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Thumbs up from me. By all means pair skinnies with more form fitting and shorter tops.

Kyrania

YES...you have a fabulous figure and the photos look AMAZING! I particularly like the first one. ^__^

Irene

Veteran

I have a very similar bodydhape, although my boobs are pretty big, and I too look weird with non-fitted tops, because my legs look really slim. Or my body too large. Whatever. I pair skinnies with tight tops all the time, think it looks good as long as nothing is, you know, too tight.

morethanbeige

Veteran

I like all of the pics. You look great. And I'm glad you asked this question.

Aida

Veteran

Whew, what an encouraging response! I'm feeling much better about liking my snugger skinnies silhouette, and happy I'm not alone in wanting to do this type of pairing. I think the other reason I like the snugger top with skinnies is that it's hard keeping the long leg line (I'm only 5'3" and I'm with puffenstuff about not wanting to look like a mushroom!) since I usually wear flats with the skinnies and have a longer torso.

Irene

Veteran

You're only 5'3''? Wow, I thought you were taller than me... I'm 5'4'' but thought you were around 5'6'' you know how to look tall lol

Aida

Veteran

Hehe thanks airin, it's one of my main goals when I dress. All of the people I'm around are at least 6" taller than me so I try to at least LOOK tall so people don't think I'm a little kid next to all of them