WIW: Breaking rules - YouLookFab Forum

Category

What I Wore

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

WIW: Breaking rules

ManidipaM

Veteran

Couple of outfits from another hotel review trip. Significant for their oddity.

#1-2: Crossover jersey top.
Rules broken: volume over big belly; volume over big bust; short sleeves cutting across width of big biceps and, um, non-triceps.
Happiness factor: 7 out of 10 for wearing that practical but proportionally and aesthetically difficult-for-me top; slim pants would be better with this.

#3: knit nursing top, boyfriend jeans with wide straight legs, almond-toe kitten heels.
Rules broken: pointy toes (poison eye); volume on volume; very grey (I joined the forum on a quest for colour!); high-contrast ankle strap with already leg-shortening proportions; high gathered neckline with short neck and jowly jawline.
Happiness factor: 8.5 out of 10 for an outfit comfy as pajamas, that is super practical and aesthetically feels like me, with comfy but dressy shoes in a difficult shape.

This post has 3 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

19 replies

Latest reply was from ManidipaM

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Manidipa, I'm about to log off for the day, but really - you aren't breaking any guidelines at all. In fact. You have followed them. For example:

in #1 - you created structure on the hips with the band of the top. Good job. The top has a V-neck which breaks up the size of a bust line, as does the mock wrap effect. Good job. Fluidity is the best fit over an apple shaped midriff. Good job. Diagonal sleeves are very flattering on a larger bust. Good job. And I much prefer the roomy fit of the bottoms here. They balance out the soft volume on top.

Got to go. xo

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Rules broken? If so, you are a brilliant rebel!

These both look fantastic on you. I think the crossover top is one of your most flattering silhouettes yet!

I get the sense that you are coming into your own. Your recent epiphanies are bearing fruit. For example, the neckline of the second top satisfies your boho leanings; the pattern on the first top does, also, (along with the global traveller side). Superb!

ManidipaM

Veteran

Angie, thank you. Now you explain it, it seems so obvious. But I especially wanted to showcase these outfits because that used be the way I thought about clothes relating to my body... I still can't figure it out in my head that X or Y will work for such and such a reason; but I have learnt on YLF to set aside fears and preconceptions and half-baked and misunderstood rules. I had been making life unnecessarily difficult and drab as a result. Of course, your guidelines and breakdown make perfect sense by contrast.

Suz, you have me blushing! I confess I had similar thoughts re the GE(T)T attributes. It's so odd to think I would have dismissed the very idea of these outfits 2 years ago, and now I say they feel right and like 'me'!

Sara L.

Veteran

I like both these outfits! The cross-over top looks great on you. I really like the grey top with the BF jeans although I'm not usually a fan of volume on volume. Too often it seems to swamp people but I think the semi-tuck and the scrunched sleeves keep you from looking overwhelmed in the volume.

Adelfa

Veteran

I'm glad Angie explained why you look fantastic breaking all those rules! You are doing what I'm trying to learn to do: letting intuition guide you.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I like the way the top and shoes are bookended in the second outfit! I also like both of your choices in tops, very flattering. It is interesting how Angie breaks down how these outfits work.

You are going to think this is strange or even creepy but I woke up this morning and thought of you. Seriously it was my first thought as I rose from my dream state (I dream heavily before waking). I was thinking, "I wonder how ManidipaM is doing?" And then, to find your thread, after not being active on the forum for a while!

rachylou

Veteran

Some rules were made to be broken!

I really like outfit #1. I find grey pants hard to deal with these days. They can be so drab, but *your* outfit is lively.

lyn67

Veteran

Nice to see you Mani, and I really love all your outfits here (YLF! nr. 1 is so polished for a traveller's work day), and what a superb venue, I would really like a job like you do:-)

Vix

Veteran

Hi Manidipa --

Are we talking, "Look terrible" as the rule broken? Because aside from the self-imposed rules of avoid pointy toed shoes and wear color-color, I see two flattering, modern, and practical outfits!

Anonymous

Well I echo Angie too, you look great in both iterations Mani and if that's rule breaking, then long may it continue

MsMary

Veteran

I think you look great! And in addition to loving the outfits, I LOVE LOVE LOVE you hair! Well done, young MOTG!!

Niefern

I really love outfit #1. The top is really beautiful, and love the shoes also, and with a small heel that seems confortable. Great!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

The color and style of the top in #1 suits you perfectly and I also love the second outfit. You should trust your instincts!

ManidipaM

Veteran

Thanks, everyone!

Sara, that makes sense, yes! Thanks for continuing Angie's clever breakdown of what works, why!

Adelfa, I'll be right there learning alongside you!

Denise, I am so touched!

Psst, Rachy! I find grey pants difficult too... just a tad easier than black.

Lyn, I rather like my job too This is one of the Amanresorts in Rajasthan is crazy over-the-top in terms of architectural grandeur, yet looks (if you can believe it) rather understated.

Vix, indeed---as I was saying to Angie, lots of silly-silly-silly self-sanctions that should have never been entered into and plenty of misunderstood 'rules of flattery' magnified and distorted by fear...

Thanks, Diane and Niefern.

MaryK, I am really enjoying short hair just now... especially as the kiddo's just arrived at the screaming and hair-pulling stage of things!

Shevia, thanks --- I am determined to try, at least.

simonjames

The peak has a V-neck which breaks up the size of a bust line, as does the mock wrap effect. Nice work. It will be more helpful for people.

Hil

(website)

Veteran

Way to go, you rebel you! YLF Mani! xxx

Beth Ann

Veteran

Hello Mandipa! I'm glad Angie got you "sorted" on the proportions here as they relate to body type. I think you're putting together some of your best outfits here.

Just a couple additions:

1. What about the crossover top with a skirt?
2. The Mary Jane shoes may not be "leg lengthening," but they are quite on trend, and when the high contrast strap is the only thing breaking up the legline, as it might be with a dress, the effect is actually stronger -- as if someone drew a line across the leg. When mixed with the cuff, it looks intentional and fun.
3. Really skinny people have difficulty with volume on volume unless they're also very tall. Curvy folks like us can carry it off with more ease, not less, in my estimation.

Go Mandipa!

Mochi

Veteran

Happen to love both outfits. The first one especially in a way---that beautiful blue and the pattern set off your glossy hair so well. I love your black shoes. Comfortable yet stylish. You are doing exponentially better than I was back when I was dealing with an infant. I mean, you're not looking good "for a mom", you're simply looking good, but when you think about it, it's all the more incredible.

ManidipaM

Veteran

Thanks so much, Hil.

Beth Ann, I am kinda in-between skirts sizewise at the moment, but there is one that could work. Will try and photograph soon. Interesting about the volume working better for curves! Had never thought of it and will be keeping eyes peeled now. Traditional ladies here do claim a saree looks best on the fleshier form and technically that's volume on volume with structure from a bare midriff and arms...

Mochi, I am MOST flattered!