WIW...testing cropped...and K/R plaid (can you take more?)

Today was a mostly "home" day, so I tested out the cropped sweater look (again - I've been testing it on weekends, with gear, with sweats, and can't seem to get it right). Sorry, no shoes because I just didn't get that far (I removed the neon crocs to be less distracting)! I just don't seem to have shirts long enough to get the right look, but I thought with the chambray & denim it might not look so bad b/c of the similar tones. Next I'll try it over my black Pleione blouse and black jeggings for more of a columnal look. Who knows. One of these days I might actually wear it out of the house. Or not. That's the beauty of an $18 F21 sweater to practice a trend to see if it even works. Could just be that with my long torso/short legs combination it might be a look that is tougher to pull off. Any advice? Would you bookend with black booties?

Next up, the arrival of the LLBean plaid shirt. I'm going to admit, I don't get excited when I pull on a collared button down shirt. 1) I have a tough time doing "layers" with shirts and sweaters over top. 2) I just sometimes feel "off" with this look. Can't put my finger on it. Could be that I find my face to be long and somewhat masculine so maybe this plays that up. Who knows. Bottom line, however, is that when you pull on this shirt, it's like putting on a warm hug. I am not kidding. I can't believe the softness of this shirt. It is enough to make me keep it, and work on the plaid-shirt look. I think the colours work for me - I like the navy, and the green is the same colour as my eyes (or close). Again, it's hard to get enough length in the torso, but this isn't too bad, and I'll more than likely wear it as is, with the semi-tuck. Sorry about the lighting.

Thoughts? TIA

edited to add the find below...

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L.L.Bean

Scotch Plaid Shirt

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10 years ago

Sara L.

Veteran

I like the cropped sweater with the denim, but I have to admit I have problems wearing cropped sweaters as well. The plaid shirt looks good. I like to wear my plaid best when layered but that's too much trouble for weekends. I wear it just like you are for casual outfits.

Karie

(website)

I like the cropped sweater, and I think it would look great with black booties. I have a sugar eye for plaid, and plaid shirt and jeans is a fav relaxed weekend combo for me.

Jaime

I think the cropped sweater looks great here. If you had any blue or medium tone shoes I would try them - just to play with the proportions (super long leg line), you could also try light shoes to bookend your hair.

Anonymous

Hi Jackie, you look great in the first pic with the crop sweater. I like the plaid but not my favorite for you. Have you tried a tall size for button downs? I know you are not super tall but you look long through the body, may help give you more slouch to work with. Gap and JCrew carry talls I shirts.

ElleH

I loved the cropped look on you. I think I like the plaid shirt but I'm not sure how it should look to be modern (if that's what you want) & I will be watching because I just received mine today & need to try it on & decide.

greycat6

Have you tried a boot cut or wider leg jean with the cropped sweater? Footwear with some kind of heel? Adding structure by scrunching the sleeves?

I also have a long torso and short leg body proportions so I totally understand where your challenges are coming from. Basically, anything that lengthens the leg line seems to help me with this silhouette.

I have the same plaid shirt and totally agree that it is like a big hug! Makes me want to order several more! Have you worn it around the house for a while? Mine seemed to 'soften' up as I wore it and the fit felt less boxy after a few hours.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

Loving the cropped sweater AND the flannel shirt. (It's REALLY like wearing pajamas isn't it? SO COMFY).

Unbutton the buttons on the collar - and pop it. Cut away the white fusing by the button on the inside so that you don't see it.

jackiec

Good suggestions so far, thank you!

Angie, AHA! Got it. Will do that. I think I'll wear it around the house for awhile too.

Suz

Jackie, I am struggling with the self-same issue. I just posted about this on Una's thread. For me, I think it is a combination of my own proportions (longer torso, shorter legs -- but also short waist) -- AND the fact that I am on the short side so items fit me a bit longer than would be proportionately right in the first place. Like a cropped sweater hits me almost at the top of my hipbones rather than somewhere near my natural waist. Which means my shirt poofs out in a weird way when I wear it. Bleah!

I actually think you look great here, and agree that by choosing footwear that is toned to your bottoms, you will create a long leg line.

I also like the plaid shirt on you, and think it is all in the styling. I do understand what you're saying about this look, too, though. It was my preppy default for so long that it bored me to tears, plus I feel the same way about my own long head and squarish jaw -- I love androgynous clothing but certain items make me feel too "mannish" as opposed to "boyishly gamine" if that makes sense. Anyway, I think if you scrunch sleeves or wear this with a sweater layered over it or a jacket (I know you're not crazy about jackets -- but try it!) or if you pair it with a more refined bottom, you might feel differently about it. It looks great.

catgirl

Love the cropped look. I am waiting for an opportunity to try it myself.

Not sure on the plaid shirt. With my short neck, I much prefer smaller, flatter collars on buttondowns, but I'd like to see if styled as suggested by Angie and others. I think some items just WORK, and others need work, but that doesn't make them less fab when the effort is made.

Firecracker (Sharan)

You look great in the cropped sweater. I love that look. I also like the plaid shirt on you. It may not be my favorite ever look on you, but I'm also not a plaid shirt fanatic. Comfort is so important, I'd definitely say keep it and enjoy wearing it! Your suggestion that perhaps your face shape has something to do with your feeling about button-down shirts made me think that may be part of my aversion to them, too. I also feel a little self-conscious about my longish, somewhat masculine face. I don't see it in you--I find your face very pretty, in face. And I'm guessing others would say they don't get the masculine look I see in mine, but I certainly do understand the feeling.

CocoLion

Love the LLBean shirt on you.

As for the cropped sweater look, I like what you've done. I wouldn't mind some black footwear to bookend the black sweater though. Some more ideas -- as this is a dramatic look that draws the eye horizontally, what about keeping the rest of the outfit simple, like a cleaner wash denim, not rolled, or a pair of black slim but slightly loose black pants.

Neel

Ok .... I really love 1! I think you nailed the cropped sweater look and black booties would be perfect with this.

The second shirt is fab too. But I know what you mean about the manly look. I have a very round face and a big face! Flannel shirts make me feel the same, especially when I paired it with my slouchy BF jeans and stompy boots yesterday! The feeling was immediately offset by my drapey vest. The softness of the drape felt much better with the masculine vibe of the shirt. Try the shirt over skirts or skinny jeans with more refined shoes (pointy toe sleek boots) or pumps (I am not sure if that's an option for you in your weather). I don't remember seeing you in accessories, but a necklace or earrings could help too.

I also just ordered the LL Bean plaid flannel shirt and it truly does feel like a hug. I wore my all weekend over sweats but realized it wasn't really how I intended to wear it, so I unbuttoned the collar and popped it just as Angie suggested and wore it under a kelly green cashmere crew neck sweater and it looked pretty good. The sweater was not exactly the right length for the cropped sweater look ( I am struggling with this look as well) but the shirt was long enough on me to peak out at the bottom.

I really like the cropped sweater with the denim and chambray! Have never remotely tried this look myself, so no advice on other styling suggestions, but this combo seems to work really well.

Also like the flannel. And who doesn't need clothing that feels like a warm hug for cold winter days?

Sveta

You are so spot on describing this shirt as "warm hug"! It is unbelievably soft and pleasant to wear. I also wish mine was longer length but I think it is not too bad.
I like the cropped sweater look as well.

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