WIW-Failure of almost epic proportions - YouLookFab Forum

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WIW-Failure of almost epic proportions

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

Yes, the failure was proportional. Suz posted about lemming style the other day and I was going to comment but didn't have time. I bought this top and the JCrew navy linen pants after seeing Suz's wiw. I didn't take into consideration that we have very different body types/shapes. While it looks fabulous on her, it does not on me. I don't think it was quite as bad in real life as the pic because of the sheen but it was a fail nonetheless. I should have put it over a white or nude tank. White would have kept the color vibrant and nude would have avoided the shelf boob look I am getting with the black tank.

Proportion issues to my eye are that the top should be a few inches longer and the neckline is too high for my wide shoulders and hourglass shape.

Any suggestions on ways to make this top work are welcome. I was thinking to add black pearls to break up the chest. I love the color and fabric so would like to figure it out.

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25 replies

Latest reply was from texstyle

Carla

Veteran

FWIW, some of this is camera angle...that colour pink looks great on you, and no problem with the trousers,

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Try the top with a pencil skirt.

kellygirl

Veteran

I think you should try it sans cami if you can and try it over your tube skirt. I see what you mean about the neckline. What about a pendant to draw the eye down?

Anonymous

Good ideas about a pendant to draw the eye down and paring the top with a pencil or tube skirt. And don't be so rough on yourself! You can definitely make these pieces work independent of one another. I really like the pants, btw.

Urbanfae

(website)

I get the same problem with 'boob shelf'! I don't think that this is a bad look on you, but I agree that it would be even more flattering if the neckline was lower or if you paired it with a long necklace. I love the pants, too!

K. Period.

Veteran

I think you are being way too hard on yourself! I like the top. And the moment that Angie said pencil skirt, I thought (head palm) yes! Of course! It will look fantastic with a pencils skirt. Or maybe slim cut longer shorts? You could also try a tank that is a darker version of the color, maybe raspberry? I think it would be even less of a contrast than white and I think you'd like it better. Maybe one of the bazillion colors that Nordstrom has the shimera tanks in?

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Oh no! I have been the agent of a sad outfit day! I am sorry!!!!

I do think that Carla's right -- the camera angle is not helping. And you look lovely in the pink.

Here are my thoughts. Do what Angie says. The top will be a better length for skirts on you. And you can also add a topper which will add a vertical line.

Also, I like Kelly's suggestion of a pendant.

Plus, wear it without a cami, if you can. That's what I do. That allows the little keyhole in the back to be....well...a keyhole. I admit I wouldn't wear this perhaps if I worked in an office. I wear it at home, as a T shirt type top.

The issue is not with your shoulders, I don't think. I have wide shoulders (though not broad shoulders, if that makes sense...they are square but not deep.)

But I have a tiny bust. And I'm an inch shorter than you at least. So the top is longer on me.

The pants look amazing, by the way.....

Aida

Veteran

My first thought was the same as Angie, that this top would be fab with a pencil skirt. And I agree with Suz that the neckline issue looks more to be related to bust than shoulder. I can wear this neckline with broad shoulders, but my bust is smaller; that said, I'm still happier in a v-neck

Windchime

Veteran

Others are giving you helpful suggestions about the top (which is a gorgeous color). I'm just chiming in to say your pants are fab!

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

Thanks all. I will try the top with a pencil skirt next week.

Suz, it was because the pieces looked so great on you that I wanted to buy them. I also thought it was an interesting side discussion on the lemming looks. Sometimes they don't translate as well on a different shape.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Well, thank you for your kind words.

And while I really love the colour of this top on you, I completely hear you. For me, it is the Theory Lanai. I wanted so badly to look as good as Una in it. But it just doesn't work for me. No way, no how. The fit is off.

I'm the wrong body type for it.

I do find that I really need to think hard about the poster's body type and what Angie says about an item before jumping off the cliff for it. Angie warned me and warned me against the Lanai but I had to try it for myself to know it would't work. Luckily I listened to her about a similarly styled leather Halogen jacket last year.

I have learned to pay special attention to necklines. The very reason this is a difficult neckline for you is the reason it works so well for me. With my small bust I can't wear most of the necklines around. Even those that seem perfectly unexceptional to most women look horrid on me. But guaranteed, the ones that work well on me are the very ones that most women will struggle with.

columbine(erin)

Veteran

The pants look very fab on you and the color of the top is gorgeous, but I wish it had a wider boat neck or v neck perhaps. Maybe with a skirt as Angie says and a white tank it'll be fab.

shiny

Veteran

I don't think it is a failure of epic proportions, but I get it, as I have similar struggles with such a neckline. I still wear them but mostly as shells with toppers for work. Having a blazer or cardigan over, has same effect as wearing a pendant, somehow. Too tired to try to explain why that is. Just try it and see what I mean.

Sans topper, better neckline for us is the pic 2 dress here in your recent WIW:
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....is-week-35

It is still high but it shows a bit of clavicle, and that truly makes *all* the difference.

While I am at it, may I beg you to share the brand / link for that particular dress? It is utterly fantastic. I love how the pattern perfectly accentuates your chest, while still being modest and demure. There's something ala Mad Men about this. And then, that green. *swoon*

I want to be your lemming, and try it for myself.

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

The color is spectacular! Love it!
I think the neckline maybe a bit too high for you because you have more bust than Suz. I think V neck would be much easier to wear. I think adding a long pendant or necklace to create that "V"effect may help.
Now the length - this is why I did not buy it even though I admired it on Suz and this is a great color for me. Angie's idea to war it with a skirt is a great one. Also - how high is the waistband on the trousers? Is it covered by the top? If so I would wear it without cami or with cami tucked in: the top has enough fluidity to look good with baggy trousers.
No trousers - they are a great fit! Love them. How about trying them with a different footwear? Dainty pumps or slingbacks would look great and so are flat oxfords and loafers. And booties!
As for copying Suz...I cannot tell you how much I have to restrain myself from doing this! It does not help a bit that we have a very similar style preferences so usually I admire all she got...but we have different body types and almost 7" difference in height so I try to remember that:-)

Neel

Veteran

High necklines are such hard beasts isn't it? But I really love the color on you and I think a sleeved fluid high neck is much better on us busty girls (this is after a zillion mistakes and purges :D)

I think the length would be lovely on skirts as Angie says and this could be a great layering piece under jackets.

jackiec

Veteran

Ok, can I just say that this is not an epic disaster? And I'm really not just saying that. I agree with all of the other wonderful suggestions, and am keeping in mind IK's post about being honest. I am always 100% honest and think this doesn't look as bad as you think. Sure, a pencil skirt might be better, but I think you look really nice, and that the colour looks really great against your skin tone. Always learning that's for sure. Isn't it crazy how one thing works so well for one person, but translates differently on others.

And Suz, I'm wondering what Angie said about the Lanai for you. I bought on a trip last May and have yet to wear them...I'm guessing fit is off for me too. Ha!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Jackie, it might work better on you, especially with your hair down. I just can't fill out the top of it in front so I get weird wrinkles and then in a size down it is too small across the back. I can show you photos if you PM me and want to see. It might work better in a crisper fabrication than the one I tried.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Oh, also - everyone? I have virtually NO bust. So yeah.

I remember a post where April suggested that the Zara tops were made for breast-less pixies. I am one of those breast-less pixies. Believe me, it's not all roses. I takes my happiness where I can find it.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

It also takes me back to a very instructive post by CocoLion last winter where she compared backpacks and bags against her frame vs. how they looked in the photos with the models. Even something that does not have to be fitted on our bodies will look different depending on the scale. Always important for us to remember.

jackiec

Veteran

LOL about breastless pixies! Hey that's me too!

Thx Suz about the Lanais...I might PM you later this week if I get a chance to try them on... My gut tells me they are off for me too. Oh well.

MsMary

Veteran

Yes, pencil skirt for sure. And definitely try a long pendant.

That said, that's the kind of neckline I avoid like the plague because of Shelf Boob Syndrome. I do have one that I wear but it's quite oversized and has sleeves, and I think those things mitigate the issue somewhat.

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deb

Veteran

I have broad shoulders also and try to avoid high necklines on sleeveless tops. I think if the top had sleeves you would be happier, or a V neck. The pink looks great on you, though.

Beth Ann

Veteran

I so get this! So many dresses have this neckline at the moment. I do think the color is dynamic, and I think it could work over a skirt. Do you love it and want to work it into your wardrobe? Sometimes for me, the answer is yes. Sometimes I just look for an easier to style alternative. Either way --- it's the clothes, not you!

Anonymous

Oh Cheryl - sorry for popping in so late on this one, but I've been thinking about this since I first peeked at it the other day (or was it yesterday? - lol) (I've been in Toronto for a couple of days)

A couple of thoughts and questions:

1. wondering why the tank/cami underneath? no judgement, just curious if it was for added length? or if the top is sheer-ish?

2. I am learning a TON from this thread, because I had an episode of epic fail myself with this very kind of top not too long ago. I had been obsessed with a particular sleeveless similarly high necked silk top for ages, finally bought it on sale and very proudly wore it to my daughter's high school grad dinner with a pair of tuxedo pants. When I saw pictures afterward, I was devastated. No lie. Just kicked me in the gut. As a matter of fact, that terrible feeling of "maybe I have no idea what I truly look like" led me to this website!

3. there are quite a few positives to this look - the colour is excellent for you - and the fabric drapes really well. I'm wondering what to do with my now-hated top .....and I would love to hear what you end up trying with yours to make it work.

4. It may be pretty easy to change up your shoes and bottom piece (to a skirt as Angie suggested), and try a topper of some kind .

thanks for being so open and honest here - and allowing us to learn from this

Lisa

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

Great ideas already, but I just had to wonder, would it help if the cami were actually longer instead of tucked? Seems that both layers are so similar in length and that doesn't bring the eye down as much either. A longish pendant necklace definitely seems like it would help with this too.