Wardrobe wildcard or mistake in the making? - YouLookFab Forum

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Dressing

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Wardrobe wildcard or mistake in the making?

Mo

(website)

Veteran

And how do you tell the difference?! The whimsical print and crop silhouette are both a bit out of my current style zone. But that's kind of the point, too. I have owned, and loved, dot prints before. I'm a graphic print, if print at all, kind of gal. And I had cropped BACK in the day. Is it too tent like from the side? Is a belly flash in your mid 40's just too much??

yay - wildcard, keep and have fun playing
nay - mistake, return it. won't wear it with your current wardrobe/style

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Dressing

30 replies

Latest reply was from catgirl

deb

Veteran

It look really good to me. I like the belly flash.

Neel

Veteran

Umm ... That belly ... Is worth flashing!!! I love this look on you. And sometimes wildcards are good .. If you are not breaking your bank then I say keep and have fun!

Gennifyr

I want to like this but I don't and I'm not sure why. That's not particularly helpful but that's all I've got.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Thanks Deb and Neel! I suppose a little belly won't kill the casual onlooker
Gennifyr, so far I only like it with the low BF jeans. The rest of the looks leave me decidedly 'meh'.

Oh, and it was just $17, so not a budget buster at all.

LACeleste

Veteran

With those abs, flash away Mo!

Gennifyr

In my own wardrobe that's what I'm trying to get away from. If I hem and haw over an item, am not excited to wear it and can't wear it with at least a quarter of my other items then I just return it of send it to the thrift shop. Even if other people tell me it looks great, it'll just sit in my closet, forever unworn.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I know what you're saying. I do have a ton that mixes and matches already. I'm good with some things worn just 2 or 3 ways sometimes, because so much of my other stuff goes 15 ways or more lol.
I might try this over my red zippy moto jeans, too. Maybe even my leather/suede pants. I think the extra coverage on the legs offsets the belly flash and makes it look more balanced somehow? Still undecided but leaning toward keep.

cinnamon fern

Veteran

Warning: this post written by someone with a poison eye for polka dots.

I am going to be a downer and vote no. I see your style moving in a more sleek, sophisticated direction, and I don't see this shirt fitting in. It is always going to be a cute, fun shirt at best. Do you need more cute, fun clothes?

Also, where would you wear this? The flash of belly makes me think summer, at the beach. But are you really going to want to wear a long-sleeved polyester shirt at the beach? I guess you could wear it with a cami underneath, to prevent freezing, but this particular cropped shirt seems like it would be hard to style with something underneath.

Finally, the delicate issue of belly-exposure in one's forties. You have a nice stomach and look killer in a bikini. But - philosophical question - is that relevant to the issue of age-appropriateness? I don't think women are required to have buff arms to wear sleeveless shirts in hot sticky climates.

I hope I don't sound too negative! There are better shirts out there for you.

Nicole D

Veteran

I think the belly flash is a bit over the top, sorry. I do agree you have fab abs though. Looks kinda retro, but not ironically enough to work for me. But if you love it - keep and wear with pride.

Raisin

Veteran

I really like the crop with the shorts. The size and dimensions feel right to me. You have a great midsection, so I wouldn't be worried about a small flash of skin.

rabbit

Veteran

I'm mixed. I really like: the shape, the material, the crop, the belly flash - all those look good to me on you.

Interestingly, the part I'm balking a little at is color/pattern. For me your own coloring is more subtle - not a graphic contrast between hair/skin, and your features smaller and more delicate - I see long up and down lines in your frame, but no big circles.

So I'd probably like more if a) the circles and background color were closer in tone to each other (you look good in both white and black, but something about how they are juxtaposed on this shirt kind of leaves your own coloring out of the equation to my eye) or b) The pattern was different and possibly smaller.

So I dunno if that's helpful at all. I'm seeing where the shirt meets the bottoms, and thinking 'yes' but seeing where it meets your neck/face and thinking 'not sure'.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Hmmm, more points to ponder.

Marmee

Veteran

I think the belly flash is great - your fab abs have earned the right to expose themselves. I think the shirt looks okay with the bfs, but there's something about the shirt on you that bothers me. I'm not sure if it's the dots (and I love dots) or the proportions with your body, but I think I'm a nay.

cciele

Veteran

Yeah, I think rabbit is onto something with the color. I like the silhouette and fit, but the color's not working for me. It'd be lovely if it were in one of those mauvey taupes you wear so well!

Anonymous

Your abs are amazing, but I don't love this top on you. I agree with Rabbit about the color/pattern.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Well, the BF called from work and I told him I was debating the dot top on the forum. He said he's not bowled over by it. I could have guessed when I showed him the other night and he looked up from his computer and didn't say anything lol. No 'yes'. No 'I hate it'. Simply looked at me. Ha!
Unless Angie chimes in with an unexpected home run I think it's going back. Now to debate whether to chalk up half the shipping charges on my yearly budget, since the linen tee for the BF from the same order is staying.

cloud9

Veteran

Hmm, i really like it on you. I know you are moving toward a more sleek style, and this does the trick... only if not mid-drift baring. I'm close to your age, and baring (even with such awesome abs), I just feel a bit juvenile. My favorite is it paired with the plum shorts. The color combo just makes it a bit more sophisticated & fun.

Here is an Angie's blog re crop top trend #6, maybe it'll give you some more styling ideas. http://youlookfab.com/2014/01/.....ring-2014/.

Gigi

Veteran

Gosh, I really don't know what to think. I don't mind the belly flash, to start with. And I think the silhouette is OK. But there's something about the extra-large polka dots that seems really out of character on you...I guess to me it maybe reads too childish, instead of whimsical? I'm not sure. Maybe smaller polka dots, or more subtle ones per Rabbit, would be better. But I think you should definitely continue your hunt for a whimsical top if you return this one.

Marley

Veteran

This is not a 10 - but then, are you going for only 10's? If you are just wanting to try out the trendy crop top silhouette, I'd try it in a cotton t-shirt type of style, rather than this fabric - and, I'd also go with a collarless top, rather than one with a collar like this one. Of all of your stylings that are pictured, I think the BF jeans look the best. Whatever you wear on the bottom needs to be big, full, or baggy!

Peri

Veteran

Well, I'm going to dissent because I think it is cute and fun and whimsical and those are good things to me. What is your gut reaction to those words? Do you want to be them or do they make you uncomfortable?

rachylou

Veteran

I actually like it, and you have the abs for it. It's definitely a different style personality. I think it's a good stretch-exercise.

Echo

Veteran

I like the IDEA of this shirt, and you certainly have the abs to flaunt, but this particular shirt isn't it, IMO. Again, I am having a hard time pinpointing why, except it is too boxy and oversized while at the same time short enough to expose the midsection. It is somewhere past an intentionally fluid fit into awkward territory. I am not sure you should give up the idea of a shorter shirt with possible belly exposure because it really does look good on you; I just don't think this is the right shirt.

Golden

Veteran

Your belly looks great but I am not loving the look. Not sure what it is though...

Annie

You have a great figure, and I'm envious of your stomach! But I'm not crazy about the shirt on you. To my eyes, the high color contrast and the large unevenly spaced polka dot is overwhelming you.

Jeanie

Veteran

I agree with Rabbit.

AJ

Veteran

My initial reaction was this is not your style. My second reaction was that the dots overwhelm you. Sorry for the nay vote.

I do think you should keep looking for a crop top because you have a lovely figure for it. Maybe something with a softer abstract print or solid one in a color that looks fab on you. That way your fantastic shape is the focus and not the top.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I like the shape and style on you. I would keep it if it didn't have dots. The cut is very trendy. When you add the dots, it's OTT to my eye.

I could see it styled in a blogger way though. High waisted full skirt, giant sunglasses, stacks of bracelets, messy top knot, bright red mani/lip and high heels.

Jules

Veteran

I like it with the jeans and burgundy shorts, not with black so much. I tend to agree the same thing in say, taupe and cream would be even better, ie/ lower contrast.
Is it a mere trifle or something you would want for the long haul? I know you usually buy for the long term. The poly in FLA thing is a concern, no?

dustt

Veteran

Love it and your belly is quite flashable!! - go for it!!

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