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WIW - how do I improve?

JR

Veteran

There is nothing here that hasn't been seen before (my summer wardrobe is very limited this year). I was looking for a sort of half-casual, half-dressy look and I was pleased with how that worked out.

On the other hand, I am getting really tired of form-fitting tops, which is almost all I bought this year. I think I kind of let it go to my head that I no longer looked like a whale. But really, they probably aren't the most flattering thing on me at this point. *sigh*

The upside is, they should all be looser next year, LOL! And I should have less of a spare tire too.

Still and all, any suggestions on how to improve this outfit? I did like the vertical line created by the cardigan, as well as the fact that it hid the jiggly bits. I kept it on the whole time I was out in any event.

This has been a very hot summer, and I am so looking forward to cooler weather now, both for relief and for the greater dressing possibilities. Here's to layering and to button-downs! And next summer, I will expand my summer top wardrobe to include some floaty and/or boxy tops.

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19 replies

Latest reply was from Jem

KathyL

Veteran

The cardigan does add a nice vertical line. I would suggest pairing a different color blouse with the skirt or vice versa. The color of the skirt and blouse are a little drab on you. I have a ton of neutrals, but I am learning to add the ever ubiquitous "pop of color" to add interest to my outfits.

Queen Mum

Veteran

I agree with Kathy about adding a color. White sure does make you come alive though!

My other suggestion is to replace one of the knit pieces with a woven. Do you have a lightweight jacket to use in place of the cardigan? Or a woven blouse? I have found for myself that layering knits over knits leaves me feeling frumpy. Adding a woven fabric in with knits really helps to add some integrity and crispness to an outfit.

missvee

Veteran

I'd love to see some more color too. With your complexion and light hair I think that the clear, soft brights would be very flattering on you. I think the silhouette of the outfit is great, with or without the cardi.

DonnaF

Veteran

Maybe a pendant, long necklace, or long cotton or linen scarf when it is not too hot so you add a pop of color, like coral? It would give you a vertical line plus not have to be replaced as you shed pounds! Otherwise, your outfit looks very nice and harmonizes with your coloring.

biscuitsmom

Veteran

JR, While I applaud your weight loss and am very glad that you look and feel great (and feel that way about yourself) I wonder if you realize how demoralizing it is for those of us with weight problems to hear you refer to 'looking like a whale' when heavier. I realize you were speaking about yourself, but Ive seen that type of thing in several of your postings, and it still hurts to hear that language in regards to size. I know you are a kind lady and probably dont realize how it stings....Just my 2 cents,for what its worth....I hope I am not offending you or anyone else with my post.....

Anonymous

The cowl neck top, the gathers on the skirt and the baggy-ness (is that a word?) of the cardigan are all too much together. I do like the cardigan, but I think that because it is oversized it needs to be paired with more form fitting garments. Also, you need color - try strong bold reds, blues, orange....

I'm such a fashionista, but I'm still pretty new on here and not always sure about things, but I hope this helps!

Aida

Veteran

I'll put in a good word for all neutral outfits, they can be really elegant looking (I wear plenty of neutral outfits). I don't think color is necessary if that's not your thing, but I do wonder if brown is perhaps not your best neutral? I quite like the gathers on the skirt, and am thinking that having the top tucked would show off the gathers nicely; with the cowl and the gathers being covered it comes across as a little too busy to me. I do like the vertical line from the cardigan, and if you wanted to create similar lines without it a long pendant would also do the trick.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I like the color of the skirt and top together, actually, but I wanted a shorter cardigan to show a bit more of your shape, or your top tucked in or scooched up so that more of the pleating detail of the skirt showed.

I know what you mean about hot weather dressing though - sometimes it's hard to find both flattering and cool looks.

Freckles

Veteran

JR I've found that I have this same problem with lumpy bits showing in less substantial fabrics. A little thicker and then seem to just glide over everything.

Was at Artizia this week and only two tops worked due to the more substantial fabric. Unfortunately the necklines made them a no go.

catgirl

Veteran

This is why I wear tops that swing away from the body - my middle is my lumpy area, and any knits just bulk right up there. The half-tuck has helped me immensely though. See my post today (tomboy Saturday something or other) where I'm wearing a knit t-shirt but using a belt and a half-tuck to disguise (I think) my midsection.

Gaylene

Veteran

It might be nice to try adding a couple of more structured items to your wardrobe. For example, I'd love to see that top and skirt with a more structured jacket, or the cardigan and top with a slim-fitting pant, or the cardigan and the skirt with a woven top. As a fellow neutral-lover, I've also taken Angie's idea of using texture to create more visual interest to heart this past year.

Beth Ann

Veteran

You gotten a lot of constructive suggestions, JR. Sounds like you're growing more confident and getting a stronger sense of what looks right on your shape. I like the tonal quality of your outfit, and I agree with the others that the light color of the cardi lights up your face.

When I wear thinner kniits, I rely on a combined bra/camisole with a nice long waist, and slight (not compressed) control. I run very warm, but find I feel more comfortable and confident on all but the hottest days when I wear it. The picture I get on the website won't enlarge, but here's the url:

http://www.kohls.com/kohlsStor.....++2666.jsp

I've been buying a lot more woven, rather than jersey knits, although I love the more structured nature of ponte.

JR you are clearly on a style journey, and you've come a long way already. Enjoy yourself along the way!

Anonymous

You have gotten plenty of great suggestions. I do wear plenty of neutrals too - I tend to match my bathroom everyday - yet, what helps me in my case is to add white or cream to brighten things up. A bright bag or accessory is a great help too. Also, I find that mid tone browns are generally not very flattering near the face.

Krista

Veteran

Girlfriend, I am hearing you on the heat! I mean, if walking around naked was even an option, I think many of us would be considering it.

Firstly:
- the length of the top is good
- the cowl neck on the shirt is flattering
- the length of the skirt is good at the knee
- the cardigan is good in both color and vertical line

Other thoughts:
- all of the elements together are a little busy, as Aida suggests. But each item on its own paired with more structured items (like Gaylene suggests) will work better and might forgive the lumpy bits that you see. For the record, I don't see your lumpy bits, but since I know I have my own that frustrate me, I can honor that you feel frustrated with your own!

- the brown tones are not your best, but I am wondering, if at one time, they were your "go-to" colors. It is possible that your coloring has changed and they are now not as well-suited to your current complexion/ hair color. Your white hair really allows you to bring on the brights, but given your current weight-loss journey, I can respect that overhauling everything into new colors is not fair or worth it - yet. You are truly in transition! From my own experience, I am a brunette with a bright white streak in the front of my hair. I love to wear brown, but I am finding that the whiter that streak becomes, the harder it is for me to wear brown on its own. I have to make sure I am pairing the brown with colors that complement the white streak, so I wear something close to my face in purple, bright pink, light blue or white (a cami, scarf or necklace) - something that takes the focus away from the brown.

Soooo, this post is the longest ever, but I've been following your posts and these thoughts have come to me over time. Apologies for my verbose nature! I think you are on the right track and I love that you are always open to feedback. This makes you fab, in my mind!

Jyoti

(website)

Veteran

For this particular outfit, to jazz it up a bit, I'd add some shiny and/or colourful bangles and bracelets (what is currently referred to as an 'arm party', where one piles a bunch of stuff onto their wrist) as well as a belt. I would try tucking the top into the skirt and belt over that, but under the cardigan.

For colours, the first thing I'd try is a gold or bronze-toned belt, and some mixed metals (including the two tones I previously mentioned) for the arm party.

Please see attached photo for my arm party today.

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Mita

JR, I actually like 1 a lot! Love those colors.

-Agree with others that a dull metallic gold or bronze sandal or woven brown leather bag would be the perfect addition for a touch of spice

-The only big change I would do it add more delicate sandals with a very slight wedge or heel to elongate your nice legs

-Add long waist camisole as suggested by BA-this helps me tons with the middle section (shimera or hinge at N'strom are good)

I have had to learn to stop with the self-negative comments once I heard my little girls talking like that. It is all self fulfilling and I find that both you and others start judging you by the negative comments.

Please join me in unlearning to be hard on yourself. Such a problem we women have !

Scarlet

Veteran

I think this outfit is nice, but I find it hard to suggest something without a better idea of what direction you want to go in. I remember when Astrid was trying to figure out how to name her style she collected a bunch of images she liked and posted them. If that appealed to you, it might be a fun exercise.

I think this is Astrid's thread, and I also found another while looking for that that I think I missed the first time around
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....ing-habits
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....this-style

JR

Veteran

Thank you everybody for the input, and I'm sorry it took me so long to get back. I had a whirlwind of family activities, and with my limited energy, it knocked me back for a while. I am still in recovery mode.

First off, Biscuitsmom, my heartfelt apologies. My comments were a reflection of my own struggles with my body image and not on anybody else. They have been renewed lately because the photos I've been taking seem to be less flattering than what I see in the mirror, and it's been a bit of a struggle for me. I will definitely try to be more careful in the way I express myself.

I found a structured jacket yesterday, a soft brown linen-cotton blend for only $9! So that should be a help in reducing the number of flowy items being worn at once.

Brown hasn't really been my go-to colour, but I have had a fair bit of it lately, mainly because I got some good deals, LOL! They are a little less drab than they look in the photos, the top being a rather rich cinnamon colour, for instance. But it is true that it's not my best colour, although maybe a dark chocolate brown might work better.

Jem

Veteran

I was thinking you need to add some color, too. How about some fun shoes in a fun color? I also like the idea of a long necklace or something like that.