Style Tip: Color or Proportion?
What’s more important in a garment? The color or shape? I’m always aware of proportion butĀ got distracted by a heady color last month and am sharing my mistake to illustrate what wentĀ wrong. Today I’m talking about color and the power of proportion.Ā Class is in session and I am the victim subject š
Several girlfriends and I popped into a small boutique for some retail therapy last month. I love having unique pieces that I donāt see everywhere and thatās what this shop had.Ā After putting several things in a changing room, I scanned the sale rack and zeroed in on an intoxicating color.
This top is an inherent color for me (matches my eye color and eyeglass frames). When I saw it was 85% off, I knew I had to own it. The problem is the shape is exactly wrong for my body silhouette.
I wore it with skinny jeans last month and added a scarf to draw the eye away from the unflattering shape. It didn’t help.
I wore it to meet my sister-in-law for lunch and asked my husband to take some pictures so I could show you why this top is wrong for me.
My silhouette is an inverted triangle. I have very broad shoulders and narrow hips. Things that flatter my shape are narrow on top or make myĀ lower body look fuller. Iām flattered by light colored pants, full skirts, and palazzo pants because my shouldersĀ balance them out.
This top does the opposite. It has dropped shoulders and dolman sleeves which accentuate where Iām broadest. It has no waist shaping so makes me look wider all the way down. To add insult to injury I wore it with full legged pants. I look like a rectangle.
Sadly the color is not enough to save this top. I tried tying the hem into a knot, but itās too short. I tried pinning it with a brooch. Itās too short.
Meet my new āat homeā top that makes me happy, just because I love the color.
Does color intoxicate you?
Thanks for reading and have a great day!
I’m like a “moth to a flame” when it comes to red and certain blues and I understand your dilemma.That colour is so attractive on you and you can forgive yourself for “succumbing” to it.The dolman sleeves are another matter,even though you have the shoulders to carry them.One again it shows that shape and proportion matter.
PS At least you have a comfy top for lounging around home in.Has that cough gone?
Iāll live it at home;) The cough is not gone but much better. Thanks Julie.
I guess that I am the only one who actually likes the sweater on you. I see women quite often wearing what I call, āflowyā clothes. That is how your outfit looks to me, flowy. I donāt think it is a bad look. I think that maybe you are not use to it. You might try adding a scarf that also has some āflowā to it and let it hang a little longer down the front and back of your outfit to give it some balance. I know you are petite, so I could be completely wrong here.
The top is too short to do much with. I do love flowy but it has to be the right proportion.
I think the top would look good with slim pants/skinny jeans. The rule I go by is loose fitting top, slim pants/skinny jeans; wide-leg pants, fitted top.
Donate it to someone who can wear it. Love the colour, my downfall is blue, all shades.
Is there any body shape that looks good in dolman sleeves? Dolman sleeves make me look like I am melting like a bad witch.
That is a pretty color for you. I always crave color for my blouses, though black or navy blue look good on me, especially with a pretty scarf or interesting jewelry. With my coloring, grey is just sort of there, yet it looks very pretty on you and friends of mine. Beige can be good or bad on me depending on which shade of beige, and I can never tell if it is the right shade of beige until I try it on.
Hourglass figures and rectangles can wear it well. They canāt be exaggerated and the lower garment must always be considered. Are your veins blue?
The color is great and wonderful on you! I think the rule is if loose on top, tight on bottom-or something like that!! I agree with others that this would work much better with skinny pants; for me, I’d want the top longer though, so the idea of a longer top underneath it is a good one. You look good whatever you wear, Jennifer, but agree that this isn’t your most flattering look.
Love your honesty, Jennifer! So thank you for sharing! We’ve all been there, I’m sure! I just passed off a top I loved to my sister. It was print that I loved — but the fit was just not good for me!! I purchased it in a hurry — and well, we all know what happens there!! Lesson learned — do not shop when in a hurry.
Exactly. Or fall for color and price alone.
Have you discussed body shapes before? I’d like to know what styles would flatter me the most.
I havenāt yet but will.
When I saw you in that top a week ago, I thought wow I love that color and it look good with the scarf. I think we’re all drawn to certain colors and textures. I’m realizing the importance of trying on clothing not just for fit but style. I have a donation bag in my closet so when I try something on and it’s not flattering it’s gone. Just my way of decluttering as I go. I’m looking at replacing my spring/summer wardrobe so thanks so much for all your tips.
I have an ongoing bag in my closet too Cathy. I think itās more helpful than a seasonal purge.
I agree. While colour is important, fit is even more so.
I’m with Mary Ellen – try a long white button down tunic with the collar and bottom showing – worth a try. That color is fabulous on you.
I know what you mean, however, I have had my fair shares of love affairs with an interesting shape – I get intoxicated with a quirky shape and all is lost. Gotten better over time. Just because it’s quirky and artsy, doesn’t mean it’s meant for me!
Well, all is not lost, you now know that you really need to find something in that color that also fits your shape and style. But you do look amazing in your eye color!
Thanks. We all look great wearing our eye color!! Do you wear yours?
It’s a great top and I love the shape. I would try a white collared shirt underneath it, letting the shirt tail hang out the bottom. The layering will change the whole flow. The proportions will be better …. I think! ????
I do love the colour on you. Can you take in the sides to make it a more fitted top and pair it with skinny jeans? Worth a try. That was brave of you to show us your mistake. Youāre in good company.????
I donāt think so. The construction of this top is totally wrong for me. Believe me, Iāve tried
Good example of What Not To Wear, Jennifer; good lesson for us all…thank you!
My pleasure
Jennifer.. I love the entire look on you for a change!! We donāt always have to look thin!! The look is a younger look on you and so comfortable!! I dress like that quite often and am a size 8.. Iām not hiding anything… just love the pants, color of top and loose fit!! Wear it out a few times.. you may love themāfreeā feeling!!!
Oh boy, that was definitely a donāt…brave of you to share! It was just too much wide stuff and overwhelmed your petite frame. But the color is fabulous on you! Would it work with slim leg pants and a long fitted tee with the sweater over it? I do love color. I have narrow shoulders, so I tend to wear color on top (helps warm up my fair complexion) and neutral on bottom.
Sadly it wouldnāt help with this top. It sounds like youāre doing a fabulous job. Iām always happy to share so we all learn.
Thanks for sharing this “oops” moment! I’ve been there! My usual tactic is shape, length and neckline in the first pass, but I know my colors, so eliminate from there’s and finally, even before it leaves the rack, the feel of the fabric.
Always happy to be honest to help other women.
I’ve bought several things because they weren’t my neutral palette, and after the first time, I never wear them again. It’s also interesting to note they’re all tops that are shapeless and do nothing for me. Brenda
Great choice of words: intoxicate! I am drawn to beautiful colour like a magnet. I love the colour you are wearing and I have the opposite shape to you in case you want to donate it. ???? Seriously, I make some great choices by buying what colours flatter me, but have also made mistakes on impulse buys. Side note: would have rocked the patent blue booties I found yesterday but sadly they didn’t fit well. Sigh…
Oh sad about the booties! Itās so Disappointing when that happens. Impulse buys are frequently fatal on us, and occasionally awesome.
What a great example, did the skinny jeans look better? Way too much fullness here, but you are so cute and lunch is a sitting down date.
It didnāt look any better because the top proportion was even larger than the bottom.
I use to never think about color and prints in my wardrobe being unflattering for me. If I liked it, I bought it. But as I grow older, I find I shy away from prints and am move careful about the colors I choose to wear. I think I fall somewhere in between cool and warm, so that confuses me. I think, for me, proportion is much more important. But, I do like your outfit. The top and pants have a relaxed feel that looks so comfortable. I could see wearing it as a hostess outfit, work at home wear, or as resort wear.
Our coloring does change as we get older. Especially if our hair lightens.
Just gave my cousin an Eileen Fisher dress because it was the wrong shape for me. Beautiful dress but it added ten pounds. I laughed when I read you tried tying it to make it look better. Yes, I did this as well. It was tough letting go of that dress.
This adds at least 15 pounds to me:-O
I have done this often…go for a funky shape in an effort to be different because I loved the print, or the color. I have learned to look at fit first…does it flatter me…and then the color or print next. I am still drawn to the funky…so I must try things on and take time in the dressing room and before the mirror to ask hard questions before purchasing.
Itās easy to be led astray with unique pieces.
Looks like you could easily take it in at the side seams and perhaps add a fisheye dart at the back for more shaping. Well worth the try!
Might work but itās the extra fabric in the armhole thatās the worse culprit.
That’s exactly what I took out in a similar top! When you lay it flat you can draw a new curve from wrist or elbow to the hem. Baste it, and when you like the effect sew a new seam with a slight zigzag stitch and cut away the excess fabric (or use a serger)
I am afraid of color as much as prints. I donāt know what color looks good on me and am not drawn to a lot of color. So I stick with neutrals. I would like to break out but not sure how to do it.
Find a book called Color Me Beautiful. It’s on Amazon and may be in your library. It will help you identify as a Spring, Summer, Autumn or Winter and give you a color chart of colors that look good on you. It will also let you know if you should wear gold or silver jewelry. You can have other colors in your wardrobe, but you shouldn’t wear them close to your face. (Example: As a Summer I shouldn’t wear black, but I have lots of black pants and skirts. I even have a couple of black jackets and dresses, but I wear a scarf, sweater, or large necklace in one of my lighter colors. You will be amazed how much easier this will make shopping, as well as how many compliments you get.
Start small. If your veins are blue, try cool colors. If not, try warm.
Whenever I try to buy something different, in a color I love, it always ends up in the donate pile! I think I have finally learned my lesson! Give it away—it does not look good on you!
Those color siren calls are loud!
You’re right…but the color does look amazing on you!
Jennifer, I totally understand about being drawn to certain colors. Hot pink (fuschia) gets me every time. But donāt be so hard on yourself. Sometimes, we just have to have some fun and feel good in what weāre wearing, rules being boldly thrown aside. If you love it and you feel happy in that color, wear it.
Jeanne
I agree with Jeanne . After many years spent in the big corporation at work, I love colors. Jennifer should add slim trausers would be fine. Color is great.
Oh Iām enjoying it! I love wearing it, at home;)
I’m not a fashion expert but try wearing it with a long white tunic underneath and skinny jeans.
Thatās seems like a good possibility!
Iāll try it. My guess is it wonāt fix its major problem of being dolman sleeves.