WIWx2: tunics, belted and unbelted

I've been wanting to try the belted tunic look even before Angie posted about it on Monday. I finally got the chance to try it out today. This white silk tunic is kind of problematic on its own, as it's a little too long (I think) and tends to get stuck between my legs when I wear it with pants. Belting it makes it a little shorter, and I got around the second problem by pairing it with my VC tube skirt (I think someone mentioned in the blog comments that the tube skirt might be a good possibility for the bottom half). I think this look works best with a skinny belt (at least on short waisted me). It stays put pretty well, despite the shirt being slippery silk. Popped my turquoise knit blazer over the top. I am showing the outfit without the blazer as well just so you can see the tunic, but I kept the blazer on all day and I don't think I like it without the blazer anyway. What do you think of the proportions here? I tried it first with my more cropped and structured Nanette Lepore jacket, which I liked and may have been more conventionally flattering but it felt WAY too formal and overdressed for lab, so I swapped it out for the more casual, knit, colored one instead.

(Warning: there is a lot of grinning. I don't care.)

(Nic+Zoe blazer, Minnie Rose tunic, VC tube skirt, Ann Taylor belt, Frye boots)

Last photo is my outfit from yesterday. Another tunic, this one handknit. I did try belting that one too but the knit was too thick and it felt yucky and lumpy. What do you think of the pants length here? It's a little longer than I normally wear BFs but I wanted to try something a little different and I thought these KUT catherines were narrow enough that I could get away with a lower cuff.

(handknit tunic, BR tee, KUT jeans, Seychelles booties)

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9 years ago

Karie

(website)

Veteran

I think the proportions look fine. I really like the pop of color from the blazer. I might just have to copy this!

Joy

I think the sheerness and grinning actually add something to the outfit. There is a softness and even difference in proportions than if I imagine the tunic as opaque.

Carole

I think this looks great, Diana! Clever to pop that pretty colored jacket over...super cute...I like the last outfit, too! You look terrific in tunics:)

rachylou

These are really great. The teal looks esp. fresh with the circus stripe.

Dixie

Active Member

With the blazer, I would use different shoes. The proportions look perfect without the blazer. And last outfit works too, nice and casual.

Jaime

The teal is a great color with the black and white. The belt is adds. The hand knit tunic outfit looks terrific too!

Beth Ann

Love both looks --- the last one particularly. Your handknits are so well formed and fitted! The lower cuff works with the proportions of the tunic.

I'm surprised that the tunic + midi skirt + calf boots doesn't look stumpy. You must have long legs!

I really like the blazer outfit! The pop of color with the stripes plus boots are a fun combo.

Your second outfit made me think of this look that I want to copy:
http://www.shop-foglinen.com/p.....-blue-nuit

Firecracker (Sharan)

Both are great outfits, Diana! I like the way the boots dress down the skirt-and-blazer look, too. The belt works really well--nicely done! The handknit tunic is just stunning, and the second outfit is just perfection. It's a classic "Diana" look, in my book.

lyn67

I just L.O.V.E. the longer length of the white tunic with the striped midi skirt! So glad you posted, will give it a try for myself, too. Other tunic is also great! I have had always trouble styling tunics, need to see more of them to learn!

And yes, I also have experienced, the grinning helps a lot!

Dee

You look great in both but first one looks extra modern and spring-like. The sheerness of the blouse with the rest of the layers works really well. The thin belt was the way to go. Are you short-waisted? I'm short and short-waisted and can never make a wider belt work because I don't have enought of a waist!

I am also impressed by your handknits, as always.

Diana

Thanks, everyone!

Joy (et al): I hadn't thought about the grinning much at all, but I think you're right that the sheerness works in my favor here because it prevents the top part from being a huge block of plain white.

Dixie, what kind of shoes would you wear with the blazer outfit?

Dee, I am VERY short waisted. I have something like 1 inch between my hip bone and lowest rib on the side. Remember a few years ago when those big wide elastic belts were all the rage? They were SO uncomfortable on me, especially since I get all weirdly panicky when I have things pressing on my ribs.

Melissa

Diana, I don't know anything, but I like your white tunic. May I ask, where do you find a Minnie Rose tunic? I am not familiar with that name.
I like the structured pop of color jacket with your tunic. Great great idea.
Your hand-knit sweater tunic look rocks. Beautiful work. It is perfect.

Melissa, I got it from Neiman Marcus. Looks like the white is only currently available in large though.

Neiman Marcus

Long Silk Shirttail Blouse

View Info

Top Pick

Ah, Neiman Marcus. Thank you!

kellygirl

Love the skirt version especially. You are a genius with that tube skirt. I have the same blazer and will have to give this a whirl one of these days Gorgeous outfits!

UmmLila (Lisa)

The proportions look really good in the no. 1 photo.

Olivegreen

Wow, the handknit is lovely. Did you do that? What patience!
Maybe with full length jeans to make it a little long and leaner? i am short, too, and could care less about looking short, LOL, but have to admit that some things look better if I do the conventional flattery thing with proportions.

unfrumped

The teal blazer is inspired, with that. I'm not as sure of the top by itself , as somehow I like the structure sngmd grounding the blazer adds. I'm mors conventional, though.
The gray tunic is adorable ( in good way) on you and the jeans are fine. I would guess you do leggings too? You can really wear the tunic look.

Tanya

Love the proportions and colors in the first outfit. I wouldn't think they would look good, yet they are amazing! Lovely hand knit tunic in the second outfit too! I have also been on a tunic kick this week.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

Good job experimenting, Diana.

I like the belted tunic best sans jacket - too high contrast. A low contrast jacket would create a continuous line on top - which to my eye - creates better proportions with the too long top for the skirt.

Of course, the last outfit is super duper.

Oh, this is so interesting. Some people prefer the tunic outfit with the blazer and some without. I personally preferred it with a blazer but I'm not sure exactly why. I don't really like how the belt is doing that dipping down in front thing (I didn't want to make it looser because I needed it to be able to blouse up the top a little to shorten it.) Angie, I will try with my white blazer as well.

Olive and unfrumped, I do wear the knit tunic with full length skinnies and also leggings. Just wanted to try something different with the cuffed pants this time.

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