WIW: fluid fit and proportion?

gardenchick

This sweater set is a few years old. I love the color but I've always thought that the propositions are too square. This is why I stay away from (what I understand to be) fluid fits! The top hits at my thigh and to me seems to be too long. May be time to pass it on to someone else with a different shape!

Photo #5 is from a few weeks ago, what I see is that the proportions on that shorter top are more flattering. My general rule is to look for tops that hit at my hip, these highlight my hourglass figure rather than hiding it and just looking bulky.

Thoughts? Thanks for looking and any wisdom you might have...

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11 years ago

What I Wore

11 replies

Latest reply was from texstyle

Aida

Veteran

I think the shirt in #1-4 looks good, though perhaps with a longer top like that crops aren't the best option on bottom. Plus the dark footwear really highlights the cropped aspect. I'd try pairing this top with full length skinnies or BF jeans, and Bermuda or walk shorts; nude or low-vamped footwear might help this version out with the cropped pants as another option. That would give you a long and lean bottom half to counter the length of the top. The curved hem is really great for hourglass shapes, especially with fluid fit tees. To me, the top in #5 is a bit on the short side for pants, but I totally understand why you look for shorter tops (I do this as well, it can just be tricky to keep them from looking too short).

11 years ago

rabbit

Veteran

Wow, you look GREAT to me in the first outfit, the pale blue/green and white are so fresh on you and the fit looks flattering. If you wanted more structure you could roll the pants more and semi-tuck the front of the blouse.
To my eye you look leaner in the first outfit too, shapely at the top, but then long lines going downward with a little indent at the waist.

It might also be the angle of the photo in the second outfit -- but that actually to my eye makes your waist area look a bit wider than it probably is in real life since there are horizontal lines there with the banding on the sweater, and the bottom edge of the sweater. It might be different if the sweater was open, and I can't tell if the sweater follows your waist-line or is a straight cut down.

ETA: seconding what Aida says about footwear if you want a longer look.

11 years ago

gardenchick

Veteran

Thanks for the responses!

Aida--I will see if I can find some longer pants as you suggest. Regarding the top in #5--Yes, it's challenging to find tops that are the right length, and sometimes they seem to fit my body shorter than I would want.

Rabbit--thanks for your perspective. I feel so boxy on top when I wear this outfit but it sound like you don't see it that way.

11 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Another trick if you are worrying about proportions with a fluid fit top is to semi-tuck the tee and belt. The belt can be the same colour as the pants. This will also lengthen the leg line. And you can still wear the longer sweater on top if you wish, but your own shape will be more evident. I actually prefer the first outfit to the second one -- that colour is lovely on you.

11 years ago

gardenchick

Veteran

Thanks Suz!
I'm surprised by all of these responses. It still feels boxy to me! But I do like the color.
Will try a semi tuck and/or belt.
I know that I need lighter shoes with the white pants...working on this.

11 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Ditto to Aida and Suz. I love the color of the first top on you (one of my favorite colors for me, so I'm biased, I admit). I have a short torso and I'm widest at the low hip, so it feels like there is a fairly narrow range of "sweet spot" for tops for me. I mitigate the effect often with semi-tucking!

11 years ago

traceyws

Active Member

I have to respectfully disagree with the others here, for the most part. It may be the angle of the shot, but I think the cardigan hitting mid-thigh is way too long for you, especially with the cropped pants, and to my eye does not show off your shape. The shirt also seems a little long to me, but doing a partial tuck will help. I like the way the shirt seems to fit you otherwise. The second outfit does show off your hourglass figure as suggested, although I may have to agree with Rabbit that it is a little TOO short. Still, I like the closer and shorter fit better.
The color of the first outfit is gorgeous on you - can you have the pieces shortened? Or will it still be too 'boxy' for you?

11 years ago

gardenchick

Veteran

Thanks Tracey and Janet.
Bottom line is that, when I wear this, especially the top, it doesn't feel like the length works. I still like the color and weight for hotter days.
I have another sweater set in aqua that is a better fit but it's older and is probabablity going to go out of the rotation since it's getting too worn out to be professional.
I keep learning about shirts and fit from all of you, and it's still challenging!

11 years ago

Beth Ann

Veteran

Greetings, GC!

Whatever you decide about the sweater set -- that color is terrific on you! The length might be on the longish side, but the light color mitigates this. I actually think the crops and high contrast shoes are creating more of a proportion issue. I'd try some of the other solutions mentioned already and see how you feel.

With the second cardi: what about wearing a cami beneath and opening the top 2 (or so) and the bottom 2 (or thereabouts) buttons, creating even more waist definition? If will also help the cardi lay a bit flatter at the bottom, creating just a twinge more length.

11 years ago

Marley

Veteran

The color of the 1-4 sweater set is gorgeous on you! Love it! I think that the cardigan however, is too long - but, I can't see a side-shot of the cardigan - so, if it is cropped in the back and just long in the front, it might work - and not be so boxy. Regardless, I would semi-tuck the top that is underneath the cardigan and also wear full-length pants and a shoe that is closer in color to your pants - and then it might work. I think that the sweater in the 2nd outfit is too short and too tight. I'd like to see the first cardigan set paired with the pants in the 2nd outfit. That would be a flowy-fluid fit over a more tailored fitted pant and it just might work. Also, how about trying the cardigan in the 2nd outfit unbuttoned with a longer top underneath it?

11 years ago

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I think you have already gotten excellent advice and observations. I think I'd try the same #1 top and topper with the longer pants and lighter shoe color as Aida said. The topper is a bit long (could be hemmed?) so maybe next time you can find one that is just a bit shorter, but not too short. I think the tee itself is pretty spot on in length 1-4.

11 years ago

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