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WIW (and wish I hadn't)

JennyK (NC)

Oh I wish the camera lied.

I didn't take a picture of this until I'd come back home for the day and I was horrified! When I got dressed I looked in the full length mirror and was quite pleased. Now I see so many things wrong. The shirt is not long enough. The short jacket brings even more attention to that. The tailored-fit shirt doesn't skim my body enough (adding weight). The pleat details on top make my bust look shapeless and matronly, and the scarf - meant to add some color and bookend my shoes a bit - just adds to the matronly bust problem. This whole outfit adds at least ten pounds to me and cuts me in half in a most unflattering way. Don't even get me started on my bagged out jeans. And I have a weird look on my face. Don't try to make me feel better. This was a fail. I'm going off into a corner to cry.

Ok, I'm back. I wasn't going to post this at all, but really it's a teaching moment, right? LOL

I'm about 5'9" tall (175cm), so I'm not hugely above average, but I have a heck of a time getting shirts that are long enough. I'm thinking about trying some of the tall lady websites. Do you think another, longer shirt underneath might have saved this at all? And this has just about convinced me that wovens aren't my friend. I'm always happier in knits that stick to me a bit more.

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17 replies

Latest reply was from JennyK (NC)

Claudia

Veteran

Jenny, the proportions, as you've said, are a bit off but you've still dressed better than most around you I am sure. You just know how to be critical about what is working and not working in an outfit. I agree that if either the shirt or the jacket had been longer this would have been a perfectly good and flattering outfit.

Similar to you, I am 5'9, busty (34 DDDD/G) with long, slim legs. I carry my hip weight high so I look heavier if my tops and jackets end at my high hip, being that is my widest part. I agree that this style top in a knit would have been more flattering/slimming, but a different style woven like a soft washable silk, or a cotton button down style with some stretch would also work great on your figure and with this outfit. I personally always prefer my jackets to hit at least mid hip, but prefer low hip.

Please don't be so hard on yourself!

krishnidoux

Veteran

your post made me smile, but you are being way too harsh with yourself! First: I really love the idea of the red flt MaryJanes with a white shirt bookended by this fun, vibrant scarf.
Yes, shirt is on the short side... but I wouldn't know it wasn't intentional. Unless skin shows when you move?

Also, from the pics, the shirt doesn't look like it's too wide or not skimming your body enough, it actually looks like just the right fit. If anything, I would go for a more masculine, even wider (and longer) white shirt, but this looks really nice too.

There is no matronly vibe in sight. Not one bit! Au contraire, the way you have put your scarf around your raised collar is claver and very stylish. I like it and will copy it. I would define this outfit as:
playful, whimsical, young, sexy, stylish, dynamic.

Karie

(website)

Veteran

OMGoodness, you are wayayayay too hard on yourself! I do think your blouse could be longer, but it doesn't look matronly at all! The pants look like they fit just fine, I like your scarf and your shoes and think they bookend each other nicely.

I had to laugh, though, because I have thought (but not typed!) the exact same thing after taking some of my pics! Sometimes I"ll look at my pics and go, "Ack! I actually left the house in that?" But I have learned that everyone here on YLF is very nice; honest and/but kind, and I have learned what works and what could be improved.

Anonymous

You are too hard on yourself. I agree, a longer shirt would probably have worked better, and I can see why you would maybe prefer a knit instead of woven top but you don't look matronly at all to me.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

Agreed with others - don't be so hard on yourself - you looked polished and well dressed, if not exactly proportioned the way you wanted. The scarf is a beautiful coloful addition and I really like how you bookended the shoes. I think just a change of the top style under this jacket and you'd probably be smiling. I didn't notice bagging of the jeans in the photos. I wear plenty of jackets and tops that are not the right length combinations. It's definitely something I'm still working on and I am so glad you brought it back to my attention with such a detailed post because I will be more like now to double-check my own jacket/shirt proportions. Thank you!

Anonymous

I think you look pretty put together for running around town. But I hear you on the short shirts. What is it with shirts these days? They're either too short or tunic length. It's very hard to find something in between. I'm only 5'7" but I'm long in the torso so there is always this awkwardness around my midsection when I try to make outfits. I can see why you feel better in bodycon knits. I'll bet you look incredible in a sweater dress (unless you're still nursing)!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I like how Claudia put it.

Jenny, really, you are too hard on yourself. The concept of this outfit is fabulous - it's just the fits that need a little tweaking. You're aware of it and well on your way.

You look stunning in white and that vibrant scarf is great against your pretty complexion.

Kristin L

Veteran

You're being too hard on yourself, dearie. You've got a very keen eye, but I promise that your outfit still looks great. Like the others have said, try playing around with shirt and jacket lengths.

Mochi

Veteran

Yes, you are being way too harsh on yourself. There are the above-mentioned tweaks that could have improved this, but even without them you look put-together and I'm sure better-dressed and proportioned than almost everyone around you. Please don't feel bad.

Nicole D

Veteran

Dry your tears! You put together the right pieces and the right colours, just tweak the proportions a bit. Look for tall shirts at Banana, Gap, Long Tall Sally, and I found foxcroft longer in general too.

Love your scarf! Try again, JennyK!

ealove

Hi Jenny. I think you look really nice and pulled together - I love your white blouse. I get my "stickiness" from cotton camisoles which I wear every day under everything in all temperatures. I've worn them all my life - which I thought was a bit nerdy - until I read that Angie does too! I do struggle with scarves though - even though they provide a bit of softening and extra colour, I find I'm often a little uncomfortable. Rearranging. Tugging. What about a big piece of jewellry to provide an accent colour?

Ali

It hunk you look fab and being way too hard on yourself!

Ali

I think that was meant to say!

harmonica

Veteran

Claudia said it well. *hugs* You are too harsh on yourself and the idea here is really good. Some tweeking and you'll be exactly where you want. I could have posted so many of these what-was-I-thinking myself *giggle*

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

Jenny, you are way too hard on yourself. Yes, you've asked not to try and make you feel better and I'm not, I'm just stating the fact. You are making this outfit *sound* way worse than it actually *looks*. And I like it very much.

Every outfit can be improved and so can this one. I'm sure there are suggestions in the comments above. What I would say is my all means try tall ladies sizes for clothes - I think at 175 cm you actually are a tall lady (I am 182 cm). Also, I would not write off woven tops, I think most of the fabbers who have had epiphanies of that sort had turned to wovens. I find that knitted tops are so much harder to get right.

You are a mum of two small children (and grown up as well, am I right?) and I applaud the effort you put in your appearance. And IMHO you are also a very beautiful woman.

Debora

Veteran

Jenny, I'm jumping in to add to the chorus - you are way too hard on yourself! I don't know how you do it! You look stylish and a few minor tweaks is all your outfit needs. I love hearing about your little guys and am glad they love their pre-school. Keep posting! It's so nice to have you back.

JennyK (NC)

You guys are so fantastic

The reason I'm so hard on myself is that I *know* better. I've been reading the blog and participating (on and off) in the forums for about 3 years I think. I'm feeling panicky about not having much to wear and trying to fancy up more than I should right now. I need to focus on accquiring the basic pieces I need, and in the meantime wear the few combinations I already know work. For me, I think now is not the time for experimentation!

And I've been looking at sites like Long Tall Sally. I'm excited about the possibilities there. I also discovered that NYDJ has tall length jeans, but they don't seem to be sold at Nordstrom.