WIW (last month): Too much collar and colour - YouLookFab Forum

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WIW (last month): Too much collar and colour

ManidipaM

Veteran

At Homebase 2 last month, I finally found a true spring. Which meant layering early in the ack emma as I left for work, and staying layered in Arctic Office.

A few sad shots snapped in between the chaos of closing an edition of the magazine, to remind myself to Beware of Collars! And yeah, the pants horrors continue --- had to make do until I can do over!

Never mind the distorted colours and proportions (my colleague was no more himself than I was); can you see me slowly unravelling at the edges in there? By the last photo, I couldn't bear to *not* hide my eyes from those who couldn't avert theirs! And after that, we couldn't bear to take any more photos for a few days!

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17 replies

Latest reply was from ManidipaM

Anonymous

It's so funny to see you all layered up, but IKWYM about the Arctic Office! I love the way your blue blouse echos the blue of your printed blouse in the first picture, and how fun to add red shoes! Would you have done that pre-YLF? Love your graphic T and jeans in the second outfit. A white denim jacket would look great with this! The hot pink and goldenrod colorblocking is fabulous! And the printed shoes! To die for. Even by the last day, I can still see you are making an effort. The shoes and blouse look nice together, and your sleeves are artfully rolled. I really want to get you a new topper though! You seem to be learning in leaps and bounds and putting all of this new found knowledge into practice right away. Great work, Manidipa. You are on a fabulous journey!

MsMary

Veteran

I LOVE 2 and 3!! The colors in #2 take the tee+jeans+cardi formula over the top into fabness! And OMG the fushia and orange with white? And the black and white flats? LOVE!!!

I think 4 is very nice, too, and if you untucked the top in #1 I bet it would be, like, a million times more flattering!

And I'm not at all perturbed by any of the collar action!

ManidipaM

Veteran

Claire, you're right! I wouldn't have thought to wear red shoes with blue shirt pre-YLF! Indeed, those shoes were orphaned all last year!

Yeah, I'd like a new jacket too --- this one is, oh, only 10 or so! I have a denim jacket in my (still not done moving!) packed boxes somewhere, a little shrunken after 16 years. There's also a purple bomber and a leather jacket; but I really would like a cardigan --- I've not had one in a few years I suspect. White denim, much as I'd love it, is a relatively rare beast around here --- not a lot of styles or sizes to choose from.

Thanks, MaryK! I rather felt like my little neck had disappeared, turtle fashion, in all those collars for a bit. Now Claire or Angie or Suz would carry these off with panache! Shirt in #1, which I love, has one key flaw --- it's too long for my short petite torso. I don't untuck it because not only is it thigh length and skinny, I can't button up the last button on it over my thighs if I'm to sit down at all! :-p

MsMary

Veteran

How about belting it and blousing it up a bit above the belt? And/or just leave the last button undone? I do that all the time!

ETA a photo with bottom button (intentionally or not) unbuttoned.

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ManidipaM

Veteran

Ah, now that belting and blousing sounds like an idea! Especially as it would also address the excess length issue (it's mid-thigh on me). This did NOT occur to me at all --- in my defense, I hadn't owned a belt I could do such things with until that precise day! Thank you so much for solving this conundrum, MaryK!

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

Hi Manidipa. I think the pants in your photos look nice and am not sure why collars are an issue. I think they all look very good on you.

I like both the shirt and sweater in 3 but think they would be better with a darker pant - perhaps the denim.

You look great in color. all very nice outfits.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

Of all the looks, #1 is my favorite. I like the way you look in classic, simple clothing, a little preppy. It seems to suit you. There's a simple elegance that gets at who you are.

ManidipaM

Veteran

Dianthus, all of those pants have really awful crotch fit issues In fact, they all got voted out of the closet in my wardrobe overhaul thread, pants edition --- I've only hung on to these two so as to have *something* to wear besides jeans. (Skirts and dresses are proving too chilly for Arctic Office.)

Denise, thank you! That happens to be my favourite shirt too

Kiwichik

Veteran

Mandipa I think you look fine in these photos. I love 1&3. It convinces me that clear bright colours deserve to spend more time on you than some of the muddier colours in your pallet. I love the red & animal print ballet flats & that Patterned shirt in the last photo is so cute.

Don't know what you mean by the pants horror - I see nothing horrible quite the opposite.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

I love outfit #1 - I love the colour and pattern of the shirt on you. I also think you look positively stunning in the bright colours of oufit #3 (although I would leave off the belt). Looking gorgeous Manidipa!

ManidipaM

Veteran

Shannon, I see your point. That raspberry sweater's a tad long on me; I was trying to use the belt to keep the hemline higher, since the shirt's not that long there. Not very successfully, clearly.

Sarah A

Veteran

i love the colors in #3! so fresh and fun as well as the classic profile in #1 very lovely.

Beth Ann

Veteran

Mandipa: Collars provide structure and face framing and, while I wouldn't suggest the high-buttoning of them in your case, I think these collared shirt elevate your look. Wearing your hair back opens up the neck area a little and also shows off the collar. I like this neckline on you!

You're right that the fit on the pants isn't perfect in 1, but the effect of the whole outfit is fab. I like Mary K's idea to blouse and belt, and this would take care of some of the pant's fit issues.

While I can see the fatigue of your work week in your eyes, I really see a woman who's style is communicating beauty, intelligence, ease, and competence.

I adore the colors in #3, the polish of 1, the put-together casual vibes of #2 and 4. And you are really working your shoe collection!

christieanne

Veteran

Girl you are way too hard on yourself! You look put together and wear these brighter colors perfectly. Nothing better than bright raspberry or orange to give the perception of alertness when you are otherwise energy drained.

I like outfit 1 - kind of preppy but the blue and red and khaki is so well paired. Try the untuck and bottom unbutton thing - I do that too especially with cardis.
I love your orange patterned knit top - very vivid and great with jeans.
Pink and orange - obviously the colors of India for a darn good reason!

That you are able to put things together even when they aren't your "ideal" says a lot.

What we need is for you to get an overseas assignment to review a resort in US, then we could fill those holes quickly.

Meredith1953

Veteran

I think all the shirts, collars and all, look great! NO turtle in sight! I especially like the pattern in the first one. It is really beautiful! You made me laugh with the comment about "artic office".

Anonymous

I"m a fan of #1 and #4. You look so elegant in #1!

ManidipaM

Veteran

Thank you, ladies! Especially for boosting my collar confidence. I guess I just need to find the right proportions that feel comfortable and don't swallow my neck visually or play up my jowls --- the last one is a very pretty shape, for instance, but possibly not the best bet for my neck!

It's interesting that so many of you like #1. That shirt is my favourite, but it was also sitting new and unworn for two years before I elected to tuck it in and roll up the sleeves. It felt too 70s before that! (And I rather like the 70s, mind you.) I need to figure out *what* about that shirt works so I can look for it actively in tops!