WIW: An AHA! Moment - YouLookFab Forum

I opened my closet, freaking out slightly this morning. It's 16 degrees Celsius and I have NOTHING that works with the temperature. I could wear a dress but I don't have comfortable, walkable shoes to go with them aside from my Camper booties. It was warmer in my apartment so I thought tights would be too warm. Oh well. I ended up throwing this outfit on, not feeling comfortable at first. Yes, they are the tried and true long over lean silhouette, but I felt as though my legs were too skinny and my upper body was too big. This usually gets balanced out with tall boots, but the booties only emphasized my too-thin calves. I thought - perhaps long over lean was not a good silhouette after all. This made me really frustrated at the wardrobe building process.

Then I went shopping for summer sandals: both dressy and casual. As I was trying on sandals, I cuffed my Jeggings....

VOILA! I don't look like I have toothpick legs anymore! Long and lean is back in business for the warmer weather! Amazing what little details can do to change your look!

The New Sandals

I walked away with a pair of navy blue Aravon Madisons, which I got from Winners, of all places.

http://www.cobbhillshoes.com/A.....cgid=21000

Yes, they borderline frump, but BOY did my feet sing. Usually my arthritic/bunioned feet like to scream in pain, but not this time. Happy feet is RARE for me lately, and I did not let my discerning eye have the final say this time. I compromised looks in favour of comfort. And I must say, it's really not that bad looking! I can see this style working with the Eileen Fisher look that I'm going for!

Bonus: I managed to purchase a chiffon "sweatshirt" style that's true to the slouchy trend (and works with my long over lean) and a kimono sleeve tunic as well.

#1: my outfit today

Jacket: LOFT
Top: Vanilla Sugar
Bottom: American Eagle
Booties: Camper

#2: the AHA! Moment. Rolled up Jeggings with high vamp sandals. Long over lean FTW! (Sorry, I'm a gamer...)

Top: Tahari
Sandals: Aravon

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11 years ago

jackiec

Veteran

Haha just asked my gamer son what FTW means (he told me!!).

Fantastic! Winners you say? Love those sandals! Are they a bit elasticized? Might have to pop into the local Winners to see what they have. Comfort is key, and they look great too!

OMG what a difference a roll makes, hey? Fab!!!

Love it all, and I enjoy reading your thought processes as well.

MsLuna

Thanks Jackie!

Funny you asked your son! Haha! I tend to use that expression a lot when something works out well for me

Yes, I was surprised Winners carried Aravon. I only saw that brand in New Balance stores and Walking on A Cloud. I saw a pair of Aravon loafers before, but they're not really my style. I pop by Winners' shoe section because they occasionally have Born shoes, but I was really surprised to see these in the flesh! I had to size 1/2 down from my usual New Balance/Cobb Hill size (I got professionally fitted in New Balance because I was a runner).

Shoeme.ca and Canadian Footwear also carries the brand

Carla

The sandals get a thumbs up here. The rolled cuff looks great! Looks like you sorted 16degs!

NDMom

Active Member

What a great idea! The long over lean still stands....and the sandals work really well....sort of sleek and edgy. But comfort is the key!

Ledonna N.

Wow, thanks for sharing your thought process this is why I read YLF. You look great by the way and congratulations on the new shoes and top. Both look lovely.

Well done! I have similar skinny leg frustrations when wearing skinnies without tall boots. I also realized that turned cuffs can make a difference. Also try cuffs with slender leg shorts.

Yay for figuring out a solution! You look great. Your new sandals don't look at all frumpy to me, but I don't have a discerning eye for footwear. hehe I'm glad you found a pair that can work with your style and your feet.

You know, I always wear my skinnies cuffed (despite the shortening potential on my already short legs), and I wonder if I prefer them that way for a similar reason. Clever you for figuring it out! I tried wearing a tunic a couple of months ago w ponte legging/skinnies and felt like it made me into toothpick legs too, so I switched to slim but not skinny trousers instead to add a bit of bulk. I felt better, but I doubt tunics are going to become my go-to look; I think I look best when I'm 'broken up' in the middle somehow.

Adelfa

There's something about the right cuff that makes me feel really cute too....

rachylou

Brilliant solution. The sandals are totally "just flattering enough" - very stylish. And last but not least, I really like your look for today. Great top!

Kiwichik

Not seeing toothpicks in either photo - long and lean absolutely works for you even before the aha moment

Lisa

The sandals get my thumbs up and I don't think they are frumpy at all. I've had a lot of foot issues (bunion surgery, inflamed nerves) so I understand the frustrating search for footwear that is comfy, and stylish. It is not easy. Sometimes I can find a real gem among the frumpy one's in The Walking Company but their online selection is far nicer than the stores for some reason.

celia

Hi Katie, FWIW I like both versions of the outfit. The jacket in the first photo gives it structure and a good idea that you are small on top.
Love the new sandals, Winners sometimes surprise us like that

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