WIW: The vest, MOTG, stumpifying proportions (Help please), and my favorite Maxi Dress - YouLookFab Forum

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WIW: The vest, MOTG, stumpifying proportions (Help please), and my favorite Maxi Dress

Staysfit

Veteran

Here are four pics from my past week or two. I am posting them because I have had some concerns. I like the outfits in pics 1,2 and 4.

It's pic 3 that I am having the most trouble with. I love the color of the top. It's linen. It has a high low hemline. I tried it with skinny jeans, with slacks, with a skirt, with leggings, and finally with this very old pair of DKNY cropped pants that I abhor. I tried a semi tuck which didn't look very good in the picture. I also tried it untucked which looked worse.

When I look at the other pictures, I think I look like me, and I look the way I think I should. When I look at the 3rd picture I look distorted, and stumpy and thick, which I am not. Something is wrong. Help? Is there a way to work with this top, or the pants?

Pic 1. Worn to work. Angie if you're reading this, yes as a doctor The WHBM vest, J Crew railroad stripe jeans, Two blue sleeveless tops layered, and Fly London Yesk Sandals in Red.

Pic 2. This was a mother on the go day look. Busy day, CSE meeting for my DS, and pediatrician visit. Oh, I also stopped in at work, so I guess it's also a work outfit. Again a casual physician look. Current Elliot muscle tee, simple leather belt, J Crew Matchstick Jeans, and Anyi Lu Viva sandals

Pic 3. Work day look. Eileen Fisher Bateau Neck Boxy Top, DKNY cropped white jeans, Anyi Lu Viva Sandals,

Pic 4. Work day look. My favorite maxi dress. This will be it's third season. I hope it's still current. Athleta grey and white stripe Maxi dress, Eileen Fisher organic linen cardigan, Pedro Garcia rose gold Ingrid Sandals

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44 replies

Latest reply was from Marley

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

The problem with the white crops is that they are falling at a wide part of your calf. I don't think that's fixable.

The sandals are dark and wide strapped for the light colors, and draw the eye down. Well, my eye down, anyway.

How does the blue box top look with dark skinnies? Or a short pencil shape skirt? It's such a nice color that it would be good to see it with other pieces?

This all sounds hyper critical, and I actually would have been unlikely to tackle it in so much detail if you hadn't asked. Sometimes I put things on and I just dislike them so much that I don't take the time to figure out why something I thought would be good in theory isn't working.

freeda

(website)

I love that dress, it makes you look a million feet tall and wonderfully shapely!

Sal

Veteran

Yes I think Ummila has hit the nail on the head. I think the crops would be better just below the knee.

I love outfit 2, and I think your maxi looks great too - and to my mind is still current.

I also think the tee in outfit 3 would work with most slim or skinny jeans...

Anonymous

I love 1, 2, and 4. That dress -- WOW!

On pic 3...I agree with UmmLila about the pant length and darker shoes. I'm also wondering if a different necklace might help the blue top. It's a nice colour on you, but I'm not loving the bateau neckline as much as I like the necklines in the other looks; maybe a longer, bolder necklace might help?

And can I just repeat how *stunning* that dress is on you?

Dee

Veteran

I think the high-contrast shoes make it more noticeable, and bookending could help. But I don't think it's that bad (JFE?). All of these outfits look good to me.

ETA: I was referring to outfit 3.

Daria

I agree that the EF tee should work with dark skinnies.
Cannot comment on how current the dress is, but the fit is fantastic.
MOTG outfit is gorgeous too.

Staysfit

Veteran

Good idea to try dark bottoms with the EF top. I only tried light. I will definitely do that.

I have to agree that these white pants end at an unflattering point. Is that what makes them stumpifying? I'm living proof that being tall and thin does not guarantee clothing is going to look great or fit well. This is a good example of how fit and proportions make a big difference.

I also didn't play around too much with my shoes, but I have a lot of options to work with

If I try a long necklace, I wonder if I should go for something bold? I have some good options to try, I also have some more subtle options.

Anonymous

I think a subtle long necklace could work, though I'd tend towards something bold to draw the eye vertically. I also like the idea of darker pants with the top.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

You look wonderful in #1. I am coming to steal that vest ASAP. It looks like just what I want! But it will be too long for me, alas....I wonder if it comes in petite?

I can see why you love that dress in #4! A great look on you. Love the hemline.

And #2 is a great MOTG look.

As for #3, her is my diagnosis, Dr. Staysfit.

1. The shoes are dark and rather high contrast to the rest of the outfit. If you wear the pants at this cropped length, then a lighter shoe, possibly a lower vamp shoe, and/or a pointy toe will lengthen the leg line.

You could also try the pants longer (if possible) -- more like an ankle crop -- four inches above the ankle bone, and wear a high vamped, low contrast shoe.

2. The top lacks structure for you. First, it's very wide. You can carry off some drape, but this one seems a bit on the extra voluminous side, particularly with the shape of the neckline and the sleeves. Semi-tucking is a good idea, but maybe you need a lower contrast pant.

3. The neckline isn't your very best, again, especially in combination with the cut of the sleeve. It might work with a long necklace (but then you couldn't wear a belt and semi-tuck very successfully) or with a scarf to help fill in the neckline. Or the top might be best left out over a tube skirt, with a denim (or other) jacket layered over.

Cococat

Veteran

I adore the dress in pic 4. It really suits you and IMO looks very modern. It seems like one of those dresses that won't easily date.

I think you look great in pics 1 and 2 as well.....the dress just really caught my eye.

Regarding crops, they're not a favourite thing for me. They don't seem to really flatter, and you have such a lovely figure too. It's just a personal opinion of course.

Anyway, I know crops are very popular, so perhaps a very neutral (skin-toned) sandal or one with a lower vamp would give the illusion of elongating your legs and change the proportion a little..??

ETA. I think I just repeated the shoe advice of the lovely Suz!

Sara L.

Veteran

You have great shoes! I think the dress in #4 looks fabulous on you. You say you abhor the crops in #3 so I think you should let them go. Clothing that you abhor and find tricky to style could be replaced with something you love.

Staysfit

Veteran

Suz, WHBM carries most of their items in petite sizes and I bet they have this vest. I fit in the XS but purchased a small which is slightly big but I felt more comfortable wearing it with layers underneath.

No worries about hurting my feelings if you make honest comments about pic 3. I asked for feedback. I am aware this is not a good look!

I always find feedback helpful and appreciate your thoughtful suggestions.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

You have received excellent advice about #3. In short (so to speak), I would just hem them to just covering knee length and problem solved. Your MOTG outfit is great and the maxi looks perfectly current.

Staysfit

Veteran

Sara L. Good suggestion. I am not sure why I still have these anyway? They are going into the give away bin right away!

Oh, Shevia, even better, I can shorten them. I somehow missed that and it was here somewhere already, sorry! Thinking again about why I have them - they are white. I mean, they are still white and unstained even though they are maybe 5 or 6 years old.

DonnaF

Veteran

Re #3: The color is lovely on you, but I'm wondering if the top is too big? Your slight frame seems a bit overwhelmed.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Yes! Shortening them a bit is a fab idea. I'll bet you find them easier to wear if they are just below the knee.

And of course you love the white!! I am so in favour of white pants for you it is not funny.

I wear my white shorts, white jeans, and white linen pants more than anything else in summer. It sounds like you need a pair of white crops and that is why you hung onto them even though you are not crazy about them.

I have serious crop problems. I don't have your fabulous long legs. Instead I have short calves. And in my opinion, unless I am wearing a 2 inch heel, I look badly proportioned in most crops. It works much better just below the knee -- which as it happens is also a good length for midi skirts on me.

Even on taller women I think sometimes that particular proportion issue comes up.

Thank you for the tip on the vest -- I will see if I can find!

Gigi

Veteran

For pic 3, what about trying some nude shoes, which would elongate your leg and help fix the proportions?

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I love 1, 2, and 4, also. These are super outfits on you. I like the new vest so much; it looks really cool with this outfit, and I bet it will dress up nicely also. The maxi dress looks in style to me. I really don't think 3 is bad, though I'd prefer the pants longer or shorter. I think shortening them into long bermudas is a great solution. That seems the key change to make here. I like the idea of a necklace that gives a V line, too (a long pendant style of some kind), though I think you could go without a necklace just as easily. I love the chunky earrings you're wearing and how they echo the sandal color.

AJ

Veteran

I wonder if you add the vest in #1 and the shoes in #4 to your #3 outfit if that would help?

Style Fan

Veteran

I love #1,2 and 3. I really love #1. I am loving how you put together that outfit. Everything seems to be working. Your glasses are so cool. Your shoes, earrings and belt just add so much to the overall look without trying too hard.

Crops are so difficult. I am not sure if shortening them would help.

Staysfit

Veteran

These are all great ideas. AJ, I never thought of pairing the vest with that EF top, but I bet it could work. I see no reason why not.

I wonder why the neckline isn't working on this EF top? Is it too high? I typically wear higher necklines because of my long neck. What looks off about it?

Anonymous

OMG. You look fabulous in numbers 1, 2, and 4.

You do look stumpy in number 3. I am not an expert. My first thought is that you are showing a 1:1 ratio. The length of the top matches the length of the pants. Rather than being 1:3, which is attractive to most eyes, you are 1:1. The shirt is long. The pants are short.

I am just starting to consider proportions and I am no an expert. So I defer to others that might be more knowledgeable.

I do want to repeat that you look amazing in 1, 2, and 4. So your success rate is enviable.

One last thought. Crops are hard. I rarely see them as flattering on most women. You could be exchanging comfort for a not quite flattering (NQF) look.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Staysfit...I hope I can speak openly as someone who has something of the same issue going on.

The neckline of that top is neither too high, nor (technically) too low for you. You could wear a neckline of that depth successfully with a sharper, crisper shoulder line in the top. It is the combination of the shoulders/ sleeves/ neckline that do little favours to those of us with: short hair, necks on the long side, delicate frame.

Angie is a great illustration of this; if you look carefully you'll note that she always keeps what she calls the shoulder-neckpoint covered. This is to provide the structure that flatters those with our body type. (Note that you have done this in outfit #1 and #2.)

My neck is a little shorter and thicker than Angie's, proportionately, so I can go for a slightly looser shoulder-neckpoint at times --- but only very slightly.

In general, I find the tops that flatter me best have:

Turtlenecks, mock turtles, mandarins, shirt collars, high or NARROW Vs, boatnecks, envelope necks, crewnecks, jewel necks, Armani necklines.

But the shoulder structure is equally important. Boatnecks work far far better with a set in sleeve. A raglan sleeve can work well if it is clearly demarcated as such (as in baseball style detailing) and the neckline is quite tidy. A dolman sleeve can work great but only with a higher, neat neckline.

Dolman sleeve with low, wide neckline is basically a disaster on me. Makes me look messy and sloppy and square. Especially short sleeved versions where there is a broad horizontal line created.

Here, the neckline is okay in itself, but combined with the shape of the sleeve and the lack of shoulder definition, it ends up looking off. In short, this top does not have enough structure for you.

lyn67

Veteran

This was like an outfit lab, great to read others wise comments and learn from, have nothing constructive to add:-). YLF in all, but understand the worries about feeling not your best in nr 3 and why.

donnat

Veteran

I love your outfits Staysfit. No wonder you love that dress, it is gorgeous on you. I was thinking you are a pretty hip looking doctor. This was like an outfit lab. I learned lots about that neckline.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

Great outfits and such good advice, I can't really add anything more!

Staysfit

Veteran

Suz, I think I am understanding what you are saying about the neckline. I need to watch not only the neckline with my giraffe like neck, but the shoulder cut also, and how the two go together. This particular neckline doesn't have a defined enough shoulder line, it's too much drape and lack of structure in both the shoulder and the neckline. If I do a drapey shoulder I have to have some structure in the neck, etc. If I have structure in the neck, then I can have some drape in the shoulders, but not overdone because of my frame type, etc. I may be trying to oversimplify here?

Suz

(website)

Veteran

That's it, Staysfit. I would experiment a bit with some photos of things you have in your closet (or simply compare outfit pics from earlier) and also check out how Angie manages this. She has some blog posts where she discusses the issue as well.

I do wear some tees etc. with slightly open necklines but I find I have to play with proportions elsewhere or I still get that "giraffe" look. And when I say "slightly" open, I mean slightly. Not true scoops or low Vs or wide, open necklines of any kind.

I have one very oversized sweater. But the neckline is a crew, and the sleeves are very narrow. This makes all the difference.

Staysfit

Veteran

Thanks Suz! You have been so helpful as always. I need to find some time for a collar lab where I do exactly what you are suggesting and look at my pics and try on various iterations to see the effect! I also need to look up Angie's posts.

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