WIW Challenge - YouLookFab Forum

Here's my contribution to our keeping it real challenge. I'm off to work on a research project at the library and it's blustery outside. I'm wearing a many statements today (shock!) including my long cardigan (Gap), flares (JBrand), and boots (rag & bone). My crisp button front shirt (Brooks Brothers) is the only essential getting any love today.

I intentionally picked this outfit to own up to one of my biggest fashion pitfalls. I constantly buy pants that are too short. Why do they seem ok in the store, but as soon as I cut the tags it is clear they are all wrong? Shoes are certainly a factor, but these are really too short even with flats. Next time I buy a pair of pants I will solicit the collective feedback of YLF to keep me from straying into flooded lands again.

Anyhow, I live in Kansas so I don't sweat these little things too much. No one will notice, and if they do they'll be too polite to say anything.

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11 years ago

kellygirl

Veteran

Great casual look! I love the light wash rinse with the white and grey. It's refreshing to see lighter color bottoms this time of year instead of the dark wash default. Length looks good too. This looks like a perfect cozy outfit for library research!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Your bob is beautiful, Meredith. Are you tall? Perhaps that's why your jeans are short. I like the combination of lighter neutrals. They look fresh.

PalmFronds

Active Member

Don't you hate that, cutting the tags off only to find out five minutes later that the item is not as perfect as you thought, gah! Thought I was the only one who had that bad luck!

Anyway you look cozy and pulled together for library research, and the lighter pants are fresh for the season, very unexpected and soft

Carole

Great outfit and such a cozy looking cardigan. I can relate to the short pants dilemma. I require a 34 inch inseam and usually have to order Talls. I've been lucking out lately at Banana Republic, though. They seem to offer taller regulars if that makes sense.

Inge

Moderator

Oh, I'm also loving these colours together, Meredith. And the combination of the cosy long cardigan and strict button-down is lovely.
I was also going to ask how tall you are (a lot of regular inseam jeans and trousers are too short on me too, even with flats, but there are options out there and we can help you if you like).

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

Meredith, you look cozy/polished (is that a thing?). I feel ya about the too-short pants; I am still tempted by this all the time because finding longer inseams is such a pain.

Anonymous

You look wonderful, Meredith. I lovetheboots and crisp buttondown with this outfit. I am only 5'3" and still have trouble getting pants that are long enough. All those ankle pants out there and very little else.

jackiec

I love your layers - looks cozy. You are too funny about your pants issue. I have a similar issue when it comes to shirts. Often I cut the tags and realize they are too short. Ugh. Long torso.

Neel

I hate that nervous tag cutting moment ... It happens mostly with items that I don't love enough!

I like the color combo here. The shoes work well with your hair too :). YLF

Meredith

Thanks, everyone! You are all right that my height is the "problem." I am tall but with all the ankle and boyfriend pants over the last few years I've been able to fudge the length. Time to accept the fact that I need to order tall lengths online and not settle for what's available in stores.

kellygirl, I'm glad you all like the soft color pallet and you're right that it is tough to break away from dark looks!

Angie, Thanks for the compliment on my color combination and hair. I've been really happy with this cut!

Inge, thanks for the feedback about the crisp and soft combination. As I'm paying more attention to what I prefer to wear I'm starting to discover that I like a nice balance of elements in an outfit. Crisp and soft, edgy and feminine, etc. I'm not as happy in my outfits when they feel like they veer to far in one particular direction.

PalmFronds, Carole, Laura (rhubarbgirl), Joy, Neel, and jackiec, glad to know I'm not alone with fit issues!

CocoLion

Those boots are gorgeous and I admire you for wearing heels for your everyday look! My heels have been gathering dust this year, I need to get on Janet's schedule and try my heels again.

I do like the soft colors here… giving me ideas! Thanks for posting and participating!

Suz

Meredith, if Ornella pops in here, she will offer a theory about this. I remember she described buying jeans the right length but they would creep up during the day!! It can happen. But absolutely, check out the tall lengths or designer versions. Love your hair and the soft palette.

Thanks Suz! I'll have to remember to ask Ornella about when she's not so busy.

Cocolion, those heels are a magical height that is actually very comfy. And I only own a few pairs of shoes, so they're all in pretty heavy rotation. I wish I had a pair of pointy flats, but I never got around to ordering them and soon it will be too cold.

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