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WIW. Oh dear.

JR

Veteran

I am still a work in progress. How do I improve this outfit? I know the pants are baggy. Are they too long? Too short? How should I accessorize for a relaxed look? And yes, I know this would look better with a few more pounds off. *sigh*

Although it's a cowl neck, I still feel like there's something missing around the neck. It does look great with a skirt and pearls, but not for around the house and a possible trek to the mall. It's too hot for the chunky scarf "jewelry", but what do you think? I could take it to the mall for the A/C. Does it look okay with just the chain?

The green jewelry often comes out when I wear the green camisole (yes, I do matchy/matchy, although I try not to overdo it).

Cowl: Smart Set. Burnt-out pattern, so requires a cami.
Pants: thrifted, will be chucked at the end of the season. They fit badly and are cheaply made, but they were worth the $2...
Cami: Reitman's
Sandals: which we barely see, Naturalizer.

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16 replies

Latest reply was from JR

Anonymous

I actually prefer the top without the scarf, it works well on it's own and doesn't need the scarf competition. The pants look a bit long- an easy fix, just roll them up a couple of times.

greenglove

(website)

Veteran

Hi Jr,
The top is lovely I do not think it needs a scarf, there is enough interest in the neckline.
I think that if you were to wear a necklace, it needs to be shorter, above the cowl.
A bib necklace of some sort, you could find one that is not too chunky.
The pants are a bit of an awkward length, they would look better shorter.
You look very nice in that style top!

JR

Veteran

Thanks ladies. I will try rolling.

My shorter necklaces are all kind of dressy for this outfit, so I thought I would experiment with the scarf. I only put it on for the photos and I can't say I was blown away by it. I do love the scarf for marrying greens and browns, but I've never figured out how to wear a scarf with a cowl neck. The cowl almost is a scarf on its own.

Thanks for the compliment, Greenglove. This has been a revelation to me over the past year or so; seeing as I am mostly rectangular, and slightly narrow through the shoulders, drawing attention to the shoulder area flatters me. So I have been looking at cowl necks, straight tops with breast patch pockets, boat necks, strategic scarves and necklaces. I think I'll keep my eyes open for a more casual necklace of the right length to go with this one. I'm quite sure I would find other places to wear it.

Parsley

Veteran

That's a pretty top, JR! I like the neckline on you, and I don't think it needs a scarf, particularly in hot weather, but I like the way you tied it, so it for will be great for fall.

I wonder if you could narrow the pants a little? I think I'd prefer them hemmed rather than rolled.

Oh, and I just have to add that I love your glasses on you. They give you great presence, if that makes sense.

Thanks for posting!

April

Veteran

Yep -- I agree with other posters, JR -- the pants should be a bit shorter. My own sweet spot for short pants is just below the knee, but that's for shorts that are somewhat fitted/tapered. Try rolling them to see what length you like best, then you can sew or have them hemmed.

JulieJohn

Veteran

I like that top with the cami - green and brown look nice on you. Keep going - you're doing fine.

christy

Veteran

Oh, I like that top! Accessorizing can be tricky, can't it? I think this top with the lovely cowl neckline holds its own quite well without the competing scarf or necklace. Although, as greenglove suggests, a shorter necklace that doesn't drop into the neckline would look nice. So would a long pendant.

I agree that the pants would be a bit more flattering if they were shorter. Since you are planning to chuck them at the end of the season, maybe look for a replacement pair that are slimmer and shorter?

Love the green and brown together - that bracelet is so pretty!

Jem

Veteran

I love the top without the scarf. I think it elongates your neck without anything. You look great!

JR

Veteran

Thank you so much ladies, for the good advice and the kind words. I rolled up the hems and you were absolutely right; they looked much better higher.

I bought without much discrimination, because I was in full weight loss mode, so I just went to a thrift shop and bought a few items for one season, not caring much. And then the weight loss slowed down so much that a couple of those things were still wearable this year. But in the future I will buy more carefully, especially once I've reached my goal.

Beth Ann

Veteran

JR --- love the neckline of the top, and I agree that a necklace isn't necessary. I think a strong cuff bracelet would be nice on the wrist, too. This top will be a great layering piece in the fall,. And, I say this from experience, be kind to the body you have right this minute. While it makes sense, perhaps, to hold off on structured, investment pieces for the time being, don't hesitate to purchase a few things in your budget that make you feel fab. A good tailor could take these items "in" if needed.

CK

I love the cowl neck on you! I prefer a cowl neck without a competing scarf or necklace. Do you wear earrings? If so, a dangly or hoop earring would look great, or a chunky or cuff bracelet (although the one you have on is lovely). I agree a shorter length would be better, but really I don't mind the pant length, especially for $2.

Scarlet

Veteran

My mom just sent me some pants like that and the wide leg and cropped length are driving me to pieces. For the one pair I plan to roll, and for the other, there is just no salvaging unless I redo the whole leg, which I might, just for sewing practice. In the future for you I would suggest looking for a sleeker leg--it makes all the difference in the world. A denim pencil skirt would be a nice casual choice too. The cowl neck suits you very well, but I don't feel that the neckline needs to be filled in, especially with the cami underneath. Without the cami, I think the scarf is a nice choice though. Great color!

shiny

Veteran

Wow! I love that top. And I LOVE LOVE what you did with the scarf. So creative. How did you do that?

I also like it with the gold chain -- yes, probably better approach for hot weather.

I also love brown and green myself, and I love cowl necklines too, so I may be partial here. The first thing I thought of was that you need this necklace I got at Ann Taylor about a month ago, and have been having a lot of fun wearing:

http://www.anntaylor.com/ann/p.....Color=2170

In the hot months I don't normally wear heavy statement necklaces, but there's something about this one that seems to work. I have had lots of compliments on it. It would totally work with your top, I think.

Deborah

Veteran

I like this JR. Looks best without the scarf IMO:). Glad you rolled the pants as I think that will create better proportions. A short necklace in the neckline would be pretty. Overal I think this is a nice silhouette on you.

Anonymous

Oh, good job JR! We all have to start somewhere, and I think it's really smart to thrift some of your clothes, especially during weight loss (you look great, BTW)! If you sew at all, or want to learn to, you could try tapering or shortening the legs of your pants before you toss them at the end of the season. That way the risk of loss is not so great.

I love the way you've braided your scarf, but I agree that the cowl is a scarf unto itself. Keep up the good work; it's really nice to see your WIW!

JR

Veteran

Thanks so much, ladies. :o)

Yes, I do wear earrings, but I chose to go with small green ones (a set with the bracelet) for that outfit. I do have some great dangly ones I sometimes wear with this top, which you will probably get a chance to see in the future.

Shiny, I just take a narrow rectangular scarf and crochet a short chain, using my hand as the hook and pulling the other end through the last loop to knot it. Then I tie it using as small a knot as possible at the nape of my neck. With the right scarf and the right outfit, it can make a great piece of chunky jewelry, fast and easy. Doing it with the cowl was an experiment. I wasn't blown away by it, and nobody else much was either. But I will do it again in a better context.

And that necklace you linked to is really beautiful. :o)