WIW: To Work - YouLookFab Forum

First: the threads on structure and accessories were incredibly helpful to me--thanks to everyone for participating.

Second: I work in a retail environment where I have to wear an orange apron and steel toed boots. I am also in danger of getting paint on myself every shift. So, I have set aside comfortable, inexpensive clothes to deal with this. (Mostly nice pant-like yoga pants and T-shirts from Walmart.)

BUT, it is summer and I run warm. The long pants seem insufferable to me. Shorts --nice shorts-- would be pricey. Less expensive work out wear type shorts --well-- I don't feel like they give my bum enough coverage. Every time I have to put a can of paint in the shaker I have to bend right over--and I don't have my back to a wall! A dress or a skirt on its own is also inadequate since I have to climb giant staircases in the aisles to retrieve product from time to time, and I certainly don't want to give anyone a view of France!

(I see Paris, I see France, I see Alana's underpants...)

So, I came up with this idea of wearing a tunic over a T-shirt and cotton work out shorts. My Mom sewed this tunic up for me.

I am going to keep wearing this--but I would like feedback as I would like Mom to sew me another. I'd like a bit more swing to it--though I am wary of adding more fabric right at the empire waist line. Perhaps I needn't be worried?

I was wondering if I should shorten the dress by an inch or so? I tried wearing longer shorts (ie covering my knee) but I felt it shortened the leg just a titch too much and it wasn't comfortable. Perhaps I should wear grey shorts? Or is the contrast OK?

Am I right in thinking the bottom of the shorts and the hem of the skirt are too close to one another?

I walked to work today so I wore these white runners. (No topper.) I got the short socks as per Angie's post, but realised later I should have got white sockettes--not black! I was thinking of my steel toed boots which are grey suede with lime green accents. (Not attractive footwear.)

Oh--and grey--though I love it--I'd be happy with another colour, too. What do you think?

Sorry for the novel. Let me know what you think. Thanks!

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11 years ago

MsMary

Veteran

I think this is a really good solution for your very specific wardrobe dilemma! You look so pretty and happy in your mom's handiwork! I'm not all that bothered by the similarity in length of the tunic and shorts, but yes -- if it wouldn't sacrifice the coverage you're after, taking the tunic up an inch would probably be a good idea!

I like the gray, and I also really like that blue tee on you. Maybe blue for the next tunic?

Alana in Canada

(website)

Thank you, MsMary.

I like blue--but I always worry about navy and black together--but maybe you didn't mean navy? (I always jump to Navy when I think Blue.)
It's late here, now. I'll catch up on comments in the morning. Thanks for not letting me go to bed without a response, MsMary.

Adelfa

Alana, I love your tunic. Your mom is very talented. I personally wouldn't add any fabric to this pattern. I love it the way it is.

I agree with MsMary, if you're not going to lengthen the shorts, then shorten the tunic--so it looks a little more like a top and less like a dress.

I think MsMary might have meant a blue in the range of your tee's blue. I would think you would look great in many shades of blue. Not navy for summer though.

Right! That's what I meant -- a nice turquoise-y blue like your tee. Any of the lighter/brighter blues would be great on you, and would look just fine with the black shorts!

MovingFashionForward

Active Member

Will you ask your mother to make one for me? It is fabulous!

Sarah

Ledonna N.

I love when we are able to find solutions for work wear. I for one love the tunic idea as workwear. Standing ovation for moms handy work please tell her this is fab and I will commission her to make 7 for myself no really I will take 7. I have to wear steel toes at work sometimes and they are horrid but, I love them and get them resoled when needed. Man I need these for work just beautiful.

Traci

Since the dress covers your rear I'd go for a pair of slimmer fitting capris, hitting just below the knee, before the calf widens. I also think a boat neck, elbow length sleeved tshirt could be cute here. Basically, I'm advocating for narrower on the extremities.

I love your solution, and bonus points for having a mom that could whip it up to your specs!

Jaime

This is an excellent solution to a tricky problem. And yes, your mom gets extra credit!

kerry

Fantastic solution to a work wear challenge! Go Mom! I like the tunic as is. I agree with Traci to wear narrower under layers if it's not too hot.

Great job!

Angie

Fashion Stylist

GREAT solution. Well done. xo

Suz

What a fantastic and creative solution, Alana!

Now, let me guess which home supply store you work at?

I am wondering....before more comments, can you snap a picture with your boots and the apron? Because that is how it actually gets worn during the day, correct?

I'm thinking proportion advice might depend a bit on those added factors. Also colours. I do think a blue like your tee could be fab for a second tunic...it would look amazing with the orange. But seeing it all together might give us other ideas as well.

I am for making the tunic a wee bit shorter, and doing as Tracy suggests -- slightly longer and narrower capris.

Really? Thank you all.

LadyWone--if you are serious, pm me. Maybe we can work something out? You and Mom are similar in that she loooooves to thrift store shop for clothes! (She's not as bold in her style, though, lol!)

Blue. I'll be at Mom's this afternoon--if we can, we'll take a peak through her fabric stash.

Gigi

I agree with the posters who suggest shortening the tunic a tad and wearing capris underneath.

I'm wondering also about making the tunic out of patterned material. I absolutely loved this pattern on you on your other thread:
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....ccessories

I also thought that the v-neck was very flattering, more so that the square neck here. But I don't know whether a v-neck would be out of place on a tunic like this or if it would look strange layered over a regular t-shirt with a crew neck. I think that the slightly narrower "straps" over the shoulders in your other post were very flattering also. Maybe narrow the straps on the work tunic a bit?

Gigi, yes, narrow the straps--brilliant!
Suz--I thought about that--hard to get the full proper effect of me in my ugly boat shoes and loud orange apron, lol! The shoes and apron are at work--and the apron is not allowed to leave the store. But there are mirrors down aisle 21. Hmmm. Let me see what I can do. (I'm off until Tuesday, though, so don't hold your breath. Not that you would. Nor would I expect you too.) You know it really is extraordinarily kind of you to ask to see the whole ensemble. Super, super kind. (You know I ramble when I'm nervous, right? Can you tell? I'm sure you've figured it out by now, right?)

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