Why this didn't work - YouLookFab Forum

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Why this didn't work

anne

Veteran

I put this outfit on for work yesterday and DD11 said, approvingly, "oh you've found another top that will work with those pants".

But as the day went on, I was less happy with how I looked.

Some background. I've been really bad with my eating for the last 2 weeks. Way too much, and too many carbs/ too much sugar. I'd put on a pound since the day before. Also PM, and rather down moodwise for other reasons. Really this was a day to wear a voluminous dress, not a tucked in outfit.
Problems

1. No waist
2. With short hair, felt too masculine (for me)

3. AND... Something about this top has always bugged me (even when thinner and with long hair) despite YLF approval. But I don't know what.

Any feedback and analysis welcome.

Sorry to post so many times in one day after not much for ages. I finally have a free day and decided to put YLF on the "to do list" so I could write down some of the questions that have been swirling around in my mind.

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Dressing

23 replies

Latest reply was from Vix

Lucy

Veteran

Gosh - I think you look lovely ! It’s really flattering and pretty as well as current .

rachylou

Veteran

Oh, I don’t know. I think this is a great outfit, and I see a waist. But maybe a little feminine frippery would make it feel more emotionally comfortable - a scarf or drop earrings

anne

Veteran

Thanks Lucy and thanks Rachy. I was feeling the loss of a necklace - the neckline was too high to wear one, but drop earrings could have worked (I don't have summer scarfs)

Sal

Veteran

Maybe it is just not you - sometimes I get compliments on pieces I don't especially like?

It is an adjustment with a different haircut - it has taken me a while in the past to feel right - and some things don't feel the same.

If the top continues to bug you I would pass it on - sometimes it is intangible as to why - objectively this top looks great.

anne

Veteran

Thanks Sal. I've been thinking the same about passing the top on. The main problem is that I have very few summer work tops I'm happy with. I think only one, plus one more that's only for skinny days. Neither are patterned. Oh and a cream lacy one that I usually wear with these pants, but I'd like to ring the changes a bit

I have a few handed down ones that are OK, but still not sure about. So unless I get another one, I'm not sure if I should move it on if no one but me can see a problem with it!!

(if you can, don't be shy - please speak up!! I won't be hurt, you'll be an enabler!)

Barbara Diane

Veteran

I really like the top. The black bottom seems a little heavy with it. Maybe a bridge piece like a white linen shirt worn open? Longer than your waist to cut some of the black.

Jane

Veteran

I think it looks really good! You look super in blue.

It’s the kind of look I have when I wear my culottes. Sometimes I can feel that an unfitted top can be a bit too much volume with culottes but I do think this looks good.

Jessikams

(website)

Veteran

Well, if it makes you feel better, you look great- not fat, not masculine, not like you should be wearing a sack dress.

Is it the cut of the shirt, or the pattern/print, or the way it feels on your body, that feels off??

Adriana

Veteran

I agree with the other commenters. Looks good. Elegant look, pants can swish around. What is it? Maybe you just need to adjust to your new hair.
But if you don't feel the top, that happens, give it away.

ChrisM

Veteran

Hi Anne -

Like you, I tend to be hardest on myself especially when I’m not feeling 100% comfortable in my own body.

The one thing that bothers me about this outfit is the portions.

I think the longer dark pants visually dominate the outfit and because the top is sleeveless and slim cut, the top doesn’t balance the pants .

If you think you need to keep the top until you find a replacement, maybe you should do an outfit lab. It’s a very pretty color, it serves a role in your wardrobe-even if it is not quite everything you want it to be.

I do love your hair- best wishes!

jussie

Veteran

I think you look good in this. I also would put earrings with it.... but in reality sometimes mornings are just too rushed to perfect every outfit :/.
I agree though with others who’ve said if you really don’t like the top, even if you can’t pinpoint exactly why...pass it on.

anne

Veteran

Barbara Diane - I actually wore my black jacket with it and didn't get a photo of it. I think that did help. Just not when I was hot and took it off.

Thanks Jane - I like blue too.

ChrisM - yes maybe nothing would have felt good yesterday! I'll see if I can find some other pictures with the blue top - I've had it over 5 years so there'll be some. I don't really like any of them, but I prefer tucked (semitucked won't work for this cut) Thanks for the hair compliment

Jussie - I can wear dangly earrings for a short period, but need to revert to all-silver ones as others irritate my ears. And I only have a pair or two of these at a time, usually studs, so I kind of forget about them and ring the changes with necklaces

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Anonymous

I don't think it looks bad at all, but if you feel bad in it, then pass it to someone who'll love it.
Other option: when I wear higher necklines, I like to disguise them with shorter chunky (like multistrand) necklaces.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

You are really hard on yourself — you look lovely. Some styling tweaks and I think you’d be fine. I think the pants photograph a bit dark and heavy with the top — this may be less evident in real life where we can see the movement and drape in the pants. But I could see adding a wide belt to emphasize the waist (because lucky you, you have a long torso and can carry a wide belt well!), and add some dangly earrings to make up for leaving off the necklace and adding that bit of femininity you crave.

anne

Veteran

Just realised that the photo I posted with a skirt (two posts above) does include a multi strand necklace. That' from a few years ago though.

Janet thanks.

Roxanna

Veteran

I actually like this a lot on you, but I have also experienced YLF approval on a top I didn't like. In the eve I couldn't make myself wear it even though everyone liked it and I got rid of it.

Elizabeth P

Veteran

I also think that this particular outfit doesn't quite work because of proportions, and the pants overpowering the top. The top looks great in the other two photos... one lighter, one not so much fabric. But if it's not you, it's not you.

Liz

Veteran

Anne, I read this thread while not logged in, so I couldn't see the pictures. And I still haven't looked at them. I did that deliberately so I have no idea what this top looks like. But here is what is plain simply from reading this thread: You do not like this top. You have had it for five years and have never liked it.

The next step seems clear: get rid of it and buy a different top. Why would you put yourself through more years of wearing what you don't like?

Christina F.

Veteran

I will echo what other said above about how this looks good on you, but you may not be feeling it if you don't feel quite the thing.

Janet makes a good point - pants like this often look better in in real life, in motion.

If you find the top too tricky to pair with things, and don't like i much even if we think it looks good, why not pass it on? It's a nice top and you may be freeing it to find someone who will love it!

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

I was thinking along the same lines as BD and Chris M--this outfitted is too dominated by the pants. I was thinking a swingy skirt might be better. Then you posted that other two pictures and the one with the black skirt, even though it isn't swingy, confirmed what I was thinking.

I bet it would work with the pants if you had a sash that's the darkest blue in the top, with long ends, but I'm not sure that's you.

But of course Jenni NZ makes a good point too. If you don't like, there's nothing wrong with passing it on. You seem to be part of a community where people pass things on to others freely, so release this one.

Anonymous

As ChrisM said the long black bottoms dominate. I like blue on you but this top looks very casual as shown. A black jacket would help bring more black up and look more like a work outfit. Your hair has enough wave that it does not look masculine but you could wear long dangly earrings.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

"No waist"

What are you smoking????

LOTS of waist.

Outfit looks great. That said, the black is very dominant and you haven't repeated it enough anywhere else (I can see a little black in the pattern). Try back footwear for more colour repetition.

Vix

Veteran

Hi Anne --

I've come to accept than an off mood or non-neutral body (aka a nagging pain, bloating etc) will often manifest in disliking an outfit.

And since I know your budget can be tight I thought I'd chime in to say --

the top when tucked looks lovely on you (the shape is fine untucked, but there's rather a lot going on with the print). I think the pants are a fun change, though objectively I think you carry off streamlined even better.

And the outfit's combo is great -- vibrant and kind of sassy. I like the idea of darker shoes and/or a belt and maybe adding jewelry somehow but really "less is more" suits you.