WIW: cinco de fail - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Urgent

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: cinco de fail

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Ever have one of those outfits that you've been planning in your head for ages, but when you actually wear it it's a big disappointment? Enter my outfit today.

I haven't owned a full skirt in years because they aren't the best for my figure. But I picked up this colorblock one for cheap this spring thinking it would be nice for hot days this summer. First time wearing it out and I feel like a giant marshmallow. Maybe if I wear a knit top that's more fitted?

Thanks for any suggestions and happy Cinco de Mayo (I got free chips and salsa at lunch, woo).

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.

Urgent

34 replies

Latest reply was from Karina

catgirl

Veteran

Okay your title made me laugh really hard!

I think you are right and I have little suggestion as I think this is a tough look to pull off. Maybe a cropped fitted blazer with a curved hem?

Thistle

Veteran

Have you tried the top untucked?

Maybe a more fitted or more fluid top?

carter

Veteran

Maybe a slightly fitted black or white knit top, untucked, possibly belted? Full skirts are hard.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I won't wear these skirts. Period. Not worth the maximum effort for minimum flattery.

deb

Veteran

Can you stitch down the pleats on the skirt about 5 inches?

BethL

(website)

Veteran

I actually really like the skirt on you, but definitely think it needs a different top. I like your idea of a knit. Maybe in black?

Thistle

Veteran

I am just coming back to say that I love full skirts and wear them when weather permits.

I have found I need to balance out the bottom with a fitted top, or I have to go full volume on volume.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I'm with Mo. I find these kind of skirts very difficult, personally.

That said, I feel like the shirt is the more problematic element in the outfit. I agree that a more structured or fitted top would make a big difference.

Karie

(website)

Veteran

I think this is a very difficult skirt to style, but I also think the problem is with the top, not the skirt. Perhaps an untucked top, belted, or a blazer might help.

cciele

Veteran

Hm, I also think the problem is with the top. Untucked, even cropped would be nice. Doesn't have to be super cropped. You can wear a cami under the cropped top depending on how much midsection it may show

Or maybe a silk sweatshirt type top with a bottom band.

Sara L.

Veteran

I think a fitted top as you already suggested would probably help you feel better about the skirt. Wearing a belt would help rein in volume on top too.

JAileen

Veteran

I think a different top might work better, such as a nice tee, in a bright white.

Anonymous

Maybe a slouchy white sweater?

Eliza

Veteran

How about a less high contrast, more structured top? I find that high contrast isn't always my friend if I am pushing the envelope in other ways. I think the skirt may have potential.

Good luck!

Jules

Veteran

I like the skirt and agree with the many suggestions to revise the shirt instead. To get analytical, I think because the top is tucked, the eye expects more fittedness/waist definition. So either a more fitted top (or topper) that defines or at least suggests your slimmest part (be that your waist or just under the bustline). OR, conversely, surrender the waist with an untucked banded sweatshirt style pullover, with scrunched sleeves and heels (if you wear 'em) for structure.
I also have this pinned a full skirt with tucked shirt, but belted look - skirt has to have a pretty high waistband I guess.

K. Period.

Veteran

Hmmm. I'm beginning to suspect that there isn't anyone these skirts look great on! As an IT, I'd always assumed that an hourglass or pear would look great in them. But I know some of the forum members complaining about them are those body types, so....hmm.

First, I don't think it is a fail. Nothing tragic about the combo. We all aim for killer all the time, but sometimes things are just okay. This is fine. I understand your frustration, though.

Deb has a great point about fixing the skirt by stitching down some of the extra volume. The only way that these types of skirts work for me is when the top is tailored. I also have to wear them down low on my hips rather than on my waist as intended. That lets me appear to have a waist.

I think your instinct is good to try it with a fitted darker top. A black or dark navy top would repeat the color blocking and look nice.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Thank you all for your suggestions (and sympathy). Nobody pointed and laughed at me today, so it must not have been that horrible.

I had a few minutes so I threw on some possible tops with the skirt. Do any of them work? I'll reserve my own judgement for the moment.

1 - same shirt with a wide stretch belt
2 - my other white buttondown, a bit more fitted
3 - belted and untucked
4 - tucked
5 - with a black mesh knit wrap top
6 - v-neck tee - not this color, obviously; believe it or not I don't own a white, black or navy plain v-neck tee
7 - slouchy dolman knit top
8 - drapey woven sleeveless top
9 - same, tucked

A complicating factor is that I realized halfway through the day that the bottom band of the skirt is actually navy, not black, which for my matchy matchy self means that black tops probably won't work.

This post has 9 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.

abc

Veteran

Can you pop a fitted or shrunken blazer over 6? Or even a denim jacket?

shiny

Veteran

#7 is my favorite! The top is "skirt length" and the overall look is very modern, to my eye.

It's perfectly fine to wear a black top with this, you don't need to be all matchy-matchy, and even then, if shoes are black you're set there.

greycat6

Veteran

I like #7 and #9 the best of the pics you have posted.

Have you tried a tee in the same blue tone as the top of the skirt to create a column of color? Adding a blazer on top of a column of color might work.

Ledonna N.

Veteran

Ok I like the skirt. I think you can wear the black wrap top or go for a contrast wrap top color tucked in. Not with the white button up. I would take the wrap top in pic 5 tuck it in and put the belt from pic 3 on top of the tucked in top. I would put a bright sweater or a fitted shrunken jacket with it. You could use any wrap top actually tucked in and any wide belt. Personally I use wide stretch belts they work better and allow me to breath. Good luck and keep the skirt.

Beth Ann

Veteran

Hi Laura! I'm planning on making a fuller skirt this season. I have a couple of plans, including making the waistband a bit wider, for more structure, and finding a fabric that has both weight and drape. It's hard to find these elements in ready mades!

I love the colorblocking in the skirt, and I think (even with black on navy) that #9 in your ETA photos works. I think a classic jacket would make a good topper, too. I could see it with a white tee and cropped denim jacket, too!

I'd love to see the orignal blouse with a pair of wide leg trousers, or semi tucked with cuffed boyfriend jeans and ballet flats!

jackiec

Veteran

I find those types of skirts tough too - so I don't own any. I was going to suggest something super fitted in black, tucked in. But you mention that the bottom band is navy....hmmm....something navy tucked? My fav photo is #9. Maybe a little jacket on top? You are really doing your homework to make it work !!!!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Oh great! The extra pictures show all the suggestions I might have made. First off, I don't like to tuck into skirts with this kind of narrow waistband. It never looks right on me. I do like #7 and #9 of the second set and think the belt works too.

Anonymous

That is a pretty skirt. I really like it with #6 (or another color in the same shape) and #9. And I think adding the belt helps make the original shirt work a lot better.

I always look a lot better in these types of skirts in my imagination than I probably do in reality, so I understand your pain.

Jules

Veteran

I really like #7! Belting definitely helps the proportions too. I wonder if you belted #9? Or #4 (plain white shirt, tucked and belted). Do you have a denim or chambray shirt?

kellygirl

Veteran

Lol! Great title! I like 7 and 9 the best. I think the skirt has potential. Perhaps a simple white tee might work too? I don't care for any of the fussy button downs.

K. Period.

Veteran

You've got a couple of winners! I love 7 and 9 best too, so it seems like those both are great options, if they feel good to you too. 7 is by far the prettiest to me. Also, it took me forever to get over my aversion to wearing black with navy, but I've broken free of it at last after much counseling by those in the fashion know. Wanna join me as a converted navy/black person?

Elizabeth P

Veteran

In addition to 7 and 9, I quite like it with the wide black belt in 1 and 3. And I think 6 could work with a topper.

ETA... LOL on your title

12