WIW: Can't get proportions right

unfrumped

I did a trial run of this outfit on what is my equivalent of casual Friday, but it is supposed to be wearable as a kind of no-nonsense, busy-day grab & go outfit--pants, sweater and long-day footwear.

I was trying a new style in Talbot's pants that runs a bit slimmer than my other pants. It is a form of bootcut, though, which may not be helpful.

These fit lower in the rise, and so I was finding most of my tops are too short or skimpy-looking or something. ?need more volume. Need more something. Also was trying to see if I would buy same pants in black but now I don't know.
-AT cardi
-Talbot's curvy stretch something pant
-Aphorism boots
-Coldwater Creek necklace; J Jill Boucle jacket (for outdoors)

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12 years ago

Dressing

12 replies

Latest reply was from Beth Ann

Kalli

Active Member

I just checked your profile, if you notice that you are long waisted maybe a lower rise pant isn't exactly in your style profile. I think that because the pants are much lower, they seem to throw the proportion off. On myself, I could never wear high waisted pants because they always end right underneath my bra line which isn't what I'm looking for.

12 years ago

unfrumped

Veteran

Kalli, that seems right. You have a good eye. Things have sort of migrated downward. I can use these to fill a a wardrobe "hole" for lighter-colored pants for spring and fall as I do have some more volume-type tops for warmer weather. Also, they look better with a blazer--the volume and length of a blazer help the proportions. But this is not the right direction !

12 years ago

Tina.b

Veteran

I think you are heading in the right direction. What about tucking in the top and belting? I do like the look of a long torso.

12 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Yes, did you try to wear a tucked top with these?

I know...the search for pants is so frustrating.

12 years ago

unfrumped

Veteran

So, the fact that these fit slimmer makes me unhappy tucking because they kind of suck in at the high hip instead of making a nice curve. Picky, but that's my issue. If I feel brave I will post a pic.

12 years ago

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

Try a wide belt (if you have one) and a semi tuck on the top. Once I started doing this - and I never thought I would - I have been really loving the look. Now I do it all the time. Your torso doesn't seem to be unusually long but the long top does extend the look in these examples. I used to wear untucked a lot too and I just felt a bit frumpy - now I rarely will go without a belt and at least a partial tuck to show the belt.

12 years ago

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

I agree with semi-tucking. I find low-waisted styles extremely difficult on my shape, but a semi-tuck can really make a difference. I think you have similar proportions to me.

12 years ago

unfrumped

Veteran

texstyle, thanks for that suggestion. That is a good idea as a solution in general. I think you're right that is solves some waist issues and I have just only begun to realize that and make use of it. At present I would not consider a semi-tuck as a work look, but I should explore it more to see when it would be helpful to find some more stylings I can use.

12 years ago

Anonymous

You are so nice and slim through the torso, and that only makes it seem longer, argh! I share your frustrations with proportion here. When will they start making slim pants with a higher (but non-frumpy) waist? I will be jumping on that bandwagon if/when it happens. It looks like you have a cardi on here, but if you don't, I agree that tucking or even semi-tucking will help improve the proportions. Isn't it crazy how an inch here or there can visually throw everything off? I guess the good news is that a small tweak can also be a big improvement; it works both ways.

12 years ago

Carla

Veteran

You could also try the layered top look-- when two shirts are layered one over the other, with the underneath layer creating a band of horizontal colour. You are so slim, you could carry this off with panache.

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12 years ago

JuneBug

Veteran

In my opinion, I didn't find anything wrong with the outfit, but thought if you wore a scarf over your long pretty neck it might visually balance proportions? Another option I can think of is for you to wear darker colors on your lower half if you are longer in your upper torso than your lower body, might work! Good luck!

12 years ago

Beth Ann

Veteran

Well, I love you slender, long frame. It lends a sense of elegance to everything you wear. That said, I know that we all have to struggle to find pleasing proportions sometimes, and I see what you mean here. I wonder if you mightn't look better in even slimmer cuts or wider cuts, but not the "in between" tailored straight legs.

I also echo the suggestion to play with the semi tuck, although it might not work with your more tailored pieces.

12 years ago

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