Would I Wear This and Why?

Happy Sunday ladies. It’s all too easy to just look at an outfit and say yay or nay, without understanding why you feel the way you do. I want our would you wear itĀ conversations to have more value than that so I encourage you to figure out why you feel as you do.

I was thrilled to see you looking objectively at the outfit yesterday, and dissecting its components to determine if it would work for you. This skill will help you going forward as you decide what to keep, let go, or add to your wardrobe.

casual outfit from Loft
cardiganĀ  –Ā  peplum shellĀ  – Ā jeans

Hereā€™s what I see in this outfit:

Top

Because the ruffle stands up, it creates a mock(ish) neck that would flatter a smaller bustline and look great on a woman with a long neck. The peplum sits above the waistline so it would help disguise a slightly wider hip and backside for a triangle figure. It would give the illusion of curves to a straight figure or inverted triangle figure. It provides balance for broader shoulders and can help to camouflage a tummy.

More on Body shapes here.

Jeans

My photo doesnā€™t show, but if you click through to the website, youā€™ll see the jeans have a wide self-belt. This sort of knotted belt is always tough to wear under a top. It looks best with your top tucked in or half tucked in front. The combination of the stiff tie belt under the soft fabric of the peplum creates an unfortunate bump, as many of you noticed. The jeans also have a deep hem which makes the legs look shorter. Some hems are invisible, this one is noticeable.

Sweater

The ribbed sweater has a cutaway front and swingy shape which would be flattering on straight, round, and inverted triangle body shapes. The shawl collar is a soft, elongated shape that flatters most. If the sweater ended at the widest point on a triangle figure it would make her hips look wider.

The top and pants split the body in half which is less flattering than a 2:3 ratio. A longer sweater would help with that balance.

Would I wear this outfit?

I don’t think so and here’s why:

The top is described as “sweet” and I don’t do sweet. Although I love and wear peplums, I donā€™t wear ruffles and seldom wear patterns so the top wouldnā€™t work for me.

The visible hemline would shorten the look of my legs, which I don’t need. If they had a wider and longer leg that covered the top of my foot I would try them but I would replace the self-belt with a buckle belt and tuck in my top.

More on Pant Lengths here

I would wear the sweater but would opt for the gray color because the last thing my wardrobe needs is another black sweater;)

Did you spot these things?

If you liked this post, I would love you to pin this to Pinterest.

Thanks for reading and remember to wear what makes you feel confident.

 

14 Comments

  1. Iā€™ve learned so much from your blogs. Not always aware why an outfit isnā€™t quite ā€œrightā€ so your analysis is very helpful.
    Thank you!

  2. Wow! that top is actually adorable in the photo on the Loft’s web site. The mannequin/sweater/photo isn’t doing it justice. It’s actually realistically priced and it’s on sale. I do wish it wasn’t a peplum. No option for tucking it in. I also wish it was silk not a synthetic. The whole outfit is pretty wearable for us real world women.

  3. Every time I have caved in to the impulse to purchase a top with a peplum I have regretted it. You would think I’d learn that look is not for me, as I have made the mistake at least three times. I am tempted when the print is so cute, as is the one in your photo.
    Your analysis and reasoning regarding these pieces was so good!

  4. Excellent overview Jennifer in explaining why this outfit is not for you. As to the hemline of the pant legs, I’m wondering if a ‘mock cuff’ application was used? (Difficult to confirm by the photo.) Appreciating your styling expertise. -Brenda-

  5. Honestly, on the mannequin it looks a bit frumpy. Maybe it looks better on an actual woman. Canā€™t really tell. Meh…

  6. Lois Williams says:

    I look at an outfit just from my perspective, quite frankly. This one is so wrong for me that I didnā€™t even respond yesterday.
    At 5ā€™11ā€ with an hour glass figure I pretty much know what works for me but always find your analysis very interesting.

    1. Lucky you with an hourglass shape but Iā€™m guessing you struggle to find pants the right length.

      1. Lois Williams says:

        Pants, sleeves that are long enough, waists that hit at my waist plus I wear a 12 shoe!

      2. Susan Bartlett says:

        Oh, tell me about it! Iā€™m 5ā€™9ā€ with long legs and long arms. But, I am so thrilled to report that Landā€™s End makes clothes in talls. I just bought a coat in a tall size and I canā€™t believe how much better it fits than regular size. Itā€™s one of the few coats Iā€™ve ever found with sleeves long enough. The length of the coat is also longer. I feel like it was custom made, just for me!

  7. I do not like waistbands that make a visible line under a top. This combination does that. Smooth is better.

  8. I m short like you so I avoid anything that makes me look shorter and wider .li always think a longer sweate or jacket that hangs down to my hips elongates my torso rather than a short jacket hitting at my waist …and ruffles around my waist not good either l. I dont need more black ..and I find more fitted pants work better for me as long as I cover backside ..I donā€™t do sweet much either

  9. I think I will pass on this and just take the grey sweater and black jeans on the left ……the hearts look great for Valentine’s Day šŸ™‚

  10. I would agree with everything you said, Jennifer!

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