WIW...need a little help with navy trousers. - YouLookFab Forum

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WIW...need a little help with navy trousers.

Carla

Veteran

I really like these navy trousers from Louben. They fit wonderfully with a comfortable rise for my 'high hip' and are long and flowy in a colour I like very much. Though I feel quite fab when I wear them, I don't always think the photos look so fab.

I believe it has something to do with my high (and nearly non-existent waist). Measurements are 36-30-38, but a strong shoulder line lets me fake hourglass! Wearing a clingy knit untucked seems to work better than the button downs tucked in. I tried to elongate my torso with a belt that co-ordinates more with the top. This helps a little, but still the look isn't as figure flattering as I would like.

The first pic features a super comfortable cotton lace button down in a cafe au lait colour that is new from my shopping trip this past weekend, and what I wore today. The top is from Loft. I would never have thought to wear it buttoned up all the way, but was inspired by Angie's take on button ups with trousers.

Now be honest, is there hope for these trousers? Any styling tips that would help create a more balanced look? Fake a waist?

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24 replies

Latest reply was from Sveta

Anonymous

Um, I am not sure they are your best (although the fabric looks nice and drapey). I also have a short waist and don't think belts really are my friends. I just have come to some type of peace about that!

Catnip

Veteran

I'm waiting eagerly to hear suggestions for this figure problem. My measurements are very similar to yours (37-30-39), and I have a high hip and a short waist. I never wear anything tucked in because it seems to make my torso look even shorter.

You look absolutely terrific in picture #4. That may be the best solution, and is the approach I usually take.

Deborah

Veteran

I wonder about wearing tops that have a fake wrap/cross over that are fitted and due to the cross over create a waist? I actually like all versions here. The shirt versions create a masculine vibe which I think is very stylish.

Gigi

Veteran

I too have a short waist. I have been experimenting with belts, and it seems like skinny belts work much better than wider ones to flatter such a figure. Can you try the pants with a skinny belt?

Anonymous

I like them tucked in! I like the masculine vibe.

But if you do want to suggest a waist, perhaps a surplice or wrap top?

carter

Veteran

I like the pants, and I think you look great in all of these. However, I do understand the frustration of having a waist that isn't as defined as we would like. I like some visual waist simulation as well! As others have mentioned, wrap/surplice tops are great for this. I also look for other tops that have the shape I want just hanging on the hanger...weird sentence, but basically, I want the top to have a defined waist on its own, not just hang straight down. I've found some great fitted button-downs, other blouses with a bit of a flair at the bottom (some peplums, some not as pronounced), some body con sweaters, etc. If I'm wearing something that doesn't give me the shape I want when tucked and belted, a long flowy cardigan can greatly help create the illusion of a waist.

Anonymous

I find that matching belt to top helps with my short non-waist. You might also create a column of navy with a navy top that matches the pants and navy or black belt, if needed. Then add a color, contrasting neutral, or print with a jacket. Proportion-wise, I like the last photo best.

lyn67

Veteran

I love the pants, what are you wrong with? Androgynious is made for you! Love the juxtaposition of strict menwear like items with your curl-girlyy hair:-)
Love nr 4 and the others, too-maybe try a navy belt for them, for an much more elongated waistline instead of a bold white one.

Elizabeth P

Veteran

Hmm, well, I actually think they look great on you, in all the photos. Agree that a more tone on tone belt might be worth trying.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I am curious about the responses here. I quite like these looks myself -- all of them. But then I have a high tolerance for androgynous looks, period, and don't mind surrendering the waist. Plus, as someone with a shorter leg I tend to like the proportions created by tucked tops -- not only on me but also on luckier longer-legged types, too. These pants look like a lovely drapey material. While the last photo suggests a waist more, I also think it makes the pants look less well fitting, if that makes sense. They seem a bit sloppier in the crotch area in that photo, making the effect less polished or 'finished' to my eye -- but it could just be that you are standing on uneven ground, making an unfair comparison.

Anonymous

I'm not sure I understand the responses, either. These trousers look great on you. The only look I don't enjoy is the first one, but that's because of the top button being done up, not the trousers at all.

For whatever it's worth, I have a similar high hip/not much waist thing going on. I'm typically drawn to tops that create a waist for me (like your example 4), but I'm not completely against button downs at all. My body is what it is, and I don't feel like I should have to fake an hourglass figure all the time.

I second Deborah's idea about the fake wrap tops, if you're hunting for a new silhouette. I picked up a few at BR last winter and they are very flattering and versatile.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Ha - shows how personal it all is...I like top buttons done up! Sugar eye for that.

Liz A.

Veteran

THese look like totally different pants from picture to picture. The most flattering look is 4, and the least is 2. The tucked in button down just may not be for you. It's creating sort of a long rectangle shape on your body with the wide leg trouser. I think you could also try a tucked knit if you like.

Lisa

Veteran

I liked the button up version, but I'm another fan of a strict masculine look. I also like the idea above to try a wrap top. These will show off your feminine shape and tend to be a little shorter so it won't end at the low hip, instead showing more leg and waist.

kkards

Veteran

i like the way the pants look, i especially like #4. i like them belted, but i'm not a fan of the white belt, but that's personal, for me its just too high contrast. have you tried a button down that has seaming in the front? i wonder if that would help define your waist?

http://www.brooksbrothers.com/.....;cgid=0302

AviaMariah

Veteran

I'm with Suz in that I like this look. I also do not have a defined waist and it's taken me awhile to "like" the tucked in look with a belt because it does have a more masculine look. So I think it's more a personal preference for you. Maybe you just need to wear them more and take more pictures to get used to it or try some of the other's ideas to create more waist definition.

Anonymous

Chiming in again to say that I agree with suggestions to try different belt - that is probably the solution and what felt off to me. Also forgot to add that the color of the pants is awesome

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

It's the shoes. A more current pair will kick all the outfits up a notch. Great, great trousers. I like them best with a tucked top and belt. Loving the white belt.

londonkiwi (now back in NZ)

Veteran

Trousers are awesome. To offer another contradictory opinion, I am a fan of the white belt and the high contrast. It might be because you look a lot happier in those photos than the other two.

My least favourite outfit is #4.

Parsley

Veteran

I think the trousers look beautiful on you and I love their fluid drape. I think they look terrific tucked or not. Do you have any pointy shoes or booties? A pointed toe would look fabulous peeking out from under those pants.

Carla

Veteran

Thanks so much for all the ideas. Really!

Deborah, Ceit, Carter, and Lisa...I love a draped or knotted top, and have a few in my closet. They are my most favourite tops to wear. You are so right about the figure flattery of that shape.

Gigi, I do have a new skinny snakeskin belt, and I'll give it a try. It is medium toned so not as dark as the trousers, but not as light as the two belts featured in these pics.

Joy, I love the idea of a column of navy! The lace top came in navy, but having been on sale, they were out of my size. I would love to have 'gone there'. I shall keep my eye open for a navy top....

...maybe with seaming like KKards suggests? After reading that comment about seaming, I rifled through my closet and realized that the tops featured don't have seaming. Actually of the 4 button downs that I do own, only one is tailored (back and front). This is a very good point!

Suz, I see what you're noticing. I think the sweater is too long, and causes the fabric all around to bunch. Shorter sweater tops would be the solution, I think

And of course, Angie is so right about the shoes! (I think my new pointy toe pumps are going to get an awful lot of wear this year!).

So many good suggestions and positive feedback. (Lyn67 you are the sweetest person!) I think I can enjoy experimenting with the masculine vibe, or androgynous feel. Been looking at pics of Tilda Swinton, who I think really rocks loose trousers, and I've got Stella Tenant (pic below) on my Pinterest inspiration board.

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Suz

(website)

Veteran

Oh, yes - the shoes will make all the difference. You can wear the masculine sporty looks really well if you want to. As a runner, you must have energy and determination in your stride. This comes across IRL and affects the overall look. Glad to see that Angie liked my favourites the best!

Pointy toed booties as well as shoes. This is the direction. I am wearing my blue Zaras into the ground already.

Vix

Veteran

Hi Runcarla --

What beautiful pants on you. Anytime I run into Louben fabric it feels so luxe; no wonder you're enjoying them.

Short-waisted + on the bustier side can be such a PITA with belts, I know, and IMO toning the belt to the top or the pants will work best (so your reasoning behind #1 is sound...you pulled off the elongation from my perspective). The snakeskin belt + light blouse would probably create the same effect.

Everyone's said what I would have re tops with seaming, cross-over etc for times you want to create more of a waist. I really think #4 would be a great direction if the sweater was a bit shorter.

[I've had tailors rouch the sides of Ts and sweaters to take a few inches off...it's generally a cheap alteration if the look appeals at all. While it would reign in some volume at the bottom you'd still have a looser fit above -- not sure if that would conflict with your goals, though.]

Keep us posted!

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

I like them. They are fluid and fit well and of course they are navy - how can I not like them?
How about using a low contrast belt: white is a very high contrast here and visually breaks you in halves (especially when there is nothing else white in your outfit).
Black or dark metallic belt would work great.