Thrifting Queen

WIW: Experimenting (ETA outfit tweak)

July 24, 2013

I loved this citron/lime full skirt when I bought it a few months ago but confess I have worn it exactly ONE time. I just can't figure out how to style it. It doesn't have the right kind of waist band to tuck into so I'm finding top options to be limited. 

I decided to try an experiment and wear it today with a crisp white button down shirt tied at the waist. I like the idea of this combination, but I'm not entirely sure it works in practicality. 

I've chosen my silver/bone sandals for footwear and my white clutch to keep the colour palette light with the strong green.

So here are my questions:

1. Does this work together?
2. Are the proportions correct?
3. Should the shirt be tied higher or lower?
4. Does it flatter?

As always, all comments/suggestions welcome.

Shirt: Jessica Petites (Sears)
Skirt: Cleo Petite
Shoes: Fugitive
Clutch: Danier Leather

ETA: While emptying the dishwasher and making coffee after getting dressed I realized this shirt just was NOT working for me. It had high "fuss factor" and kept moving up and around. If I were at a desk without moving all day, maybe it would be fine, but I am often running up to the O.R. or the Labor Floor, or moving equipment and supplies. I can't constantly be pulling the shirt down. 

So I made a very quick outfit change and would like your critique on outfit #2. I popped on my recently thrifted short sleeved animal print cardigan as a top, switched out my bone sandals to my Blondo bone and brown sandals, and switched my handbag from white clutch to vintage RL cognac handbag. When I look at the pictures, I think I like this version better because the cardigan has a bit more shape which shows my waist a little better. 

I am still unsure that a full skirt is going to stay in my wardrobe. I feel like it really accentuates my wide hips and that's not an area I want to call attention to. I definitely prefer pencil skirts.

P.P.S. Feeling fat today :(

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Posted in the What I Wore category
This post is also published in the youlookfab forum. You can read and reply to it in either place. All replies will appear in both places.

33 Comments

  • Mochi replied 10 years ago

    Hi, Shannon. I would tie the shirt lower on the waist. Otherwise, proportions seem okay. 

    There's nothing jarringly wrong about this outfit. It just seems to me perhaps plain, or unfinished, especially by your usual standards. Usually there's simplicity and/or minimalism, but this doesn't seem to be the case here. 

  • replied 10 years ago

    I think tied lower too. I am not sure the crisp shirt works with the soft flowy skirt but I suspect that is my poison eye for crisp shirts talking.

    Could you tuck and then put a wide belt over the waistband?

    How does your blue drapey cowl tank look with it?

  • replied 10 years ago

    And forgot to say, it doesn't look bad Shannon, I am just not sure
    It looks you!

  • replied 10 years ago

    And forgot to say, it doesn't look bad Shannon, I am just not sure
    It looks you!

  • Deborah replied 10 years ago

    Shannon, I LOVE this skirt on you! I like what you have done here and I say with no disrespect to Mochi or Ceit that I think where you have tied the shirt is prefect as are the proportions. I agree that the white shirt might need a necklace or subtle adornment. Do you still have the black top that tied off centre? I think that would look good also. Black with the citron would be traffic stopping:).

  • pil replied 10 years ago

    I really like it, especially the way the shirt is a little higher in the center where it is tied. Don't you have a banded knit top with citron in the pattern?

  • Mary Beth (formerly LBD) replied 10 years ago

    I think you look fresh and pretty, and again, I love when you have this sort of 'dancer' motif - it's very you!  I think the proportions are good on you - but I would also play with the suggestions here, and see how you like them :)

  • Joy replied 10 years ago

    What Deborah said. I really like the skirt as a different silhouette although I don't think it is as flattering as a pencil skirt. I rather like the unexpected tailored shirt with the voluminous skirt but could also imagine a draped knit with banded bottom.

  • Suz replied 10 years ago

    What Deborah and Joy said. I really like it, Shannon. And I would continue to play with this skirt. It's a lovely change, to my eye -- feminine and fresh. And while not as conventionally flattering to you in one way as a pencil skirt, I find these floaty pleated skirts do highlight the lower leg, one of your best features! 

    Did you try a full tuck and belt with this type of shirt? That might work, too, although you might not like the proportions as well. 

  • ruthe replied 10 years ago

    Oh, I think this is just lovely. As with Pil, I like the way your shirt comes up higher where it's tied in front.

  • Asingh replied 10 years ago

    I think it looks nice, Shannon!

  • Transcona Shannon replied 10 years ago

    Please see above - I ended up not wearing the outfit as originally planned.

    I agree with all of you that this isn't quite working. I'm not sure if it's the skirt itself or the way I'm wearing the skirt.

    I don't think tucking and belting would work as the waistband of the skirt is 3" wide! Adding a belt that would cover that would be much too wide on short waisted me.

    Deborah - I purged the black top with the side tie as it just made me feel "blechy", you know?

    Thank you all for your wise insights and suggestions :)

  • missvee replied 10 years ago

    I think outfit 2 is fab. The colours work very well together and the somewhat bodycon shape is really flattering. I wouldn't worry about looking heavy in this. The skirt just skims your body and the vertical pleats give a nice lean silhouette. Maybe it's the fabric you don't like?

  • replied 10 years ago

    I really like your changes, Shannon! The softness of the cardi works much better with the flowiness of the skirt, to my eye, and it emphasises your waist to balance the volume of the skirt. I would also suggest your Bianca Nygard cardi too!

    I am sorry you are feeling fat, because you don't look it.

  • Sarah A replied 10 years ago

    Okay... I liked the first one but wanted to see more contrast. The new top and sandals deliver!

  • Transcona Shannon replied 10 years ago

    Missvee - thanks for the outfit #2 validation. I think the flowy fabric is throwing me off a bit. Good observation!

    Ceit - glad the changes work. And you're right - the Nygard cardi would work brilliantly and it has citron in the abstract pattern! Now where did I put it - I hope I didn't purge it in one of my purging frenzies???

    Sarah - I think you've nailed it with your contrast comment. Glad this works better.

  • Sara L. replied 10 years ago

    I liked the crisp shirt in the first iteration but also really like the second look. The animal print is fun with the citron and I like how your shoes go so well with the top.

  • Vix replied 10 years ago

    Hi Shannon --

    I really like the switch to the knit top in terms of balance and think this variation highlights your many assets, from top to delicate ankles.

    I think a blouse that's a lighter weight than the original (silk? cotton voile? a linen blend?) might work too.

    Agree with LBD that the dancer/50s silhouette is very pretty on you, and both pairs of shoes keep things skewing modern vs too sweet.

    And were you one of the members having summer sandal angst? Am very envious of how chic, fun, and flattering both pairs shown are.

  • Gaylene replied 10 years ago

    Shannon, I love your revised version. It looks more interesting, and, as some of the ladies mentioned, the flow of the cardigan just seems to go with the skirt. You look stunning--and I don't throw that compliment out there lightly.

    I do the knot thing quite frequently, but I'm almost the reverse of you with my very long mid torso and short legs. Knotting shortens my torso and makes my lower half look longer.

  • Sona replied 10 years ago

    spoiler alert

    I am not a fan of the skirt babe. But again its because you know my personal view point of trying any trend as long as I can find a way for it to flatter my figure. I think if the gathers/pleats were tighter or it did not have as voluminous a cut it would look better. In conclusion I don't think this type of skirt is wrong for you just that this is not the correctly cut version to flatter your figure the best.

  • Suz replied 10 years ago

    I like this version, too, Shannon! 

    I guess I'm easy to please, LOL. That's what comes of being a cheerleader type. :-) 

  • rae replied 10 years ago

    Hm, I actually prefer the first outfit. The second outfit is very cute, too, but there are just so many retro elements at play that it comes off a little 50s costumey. *ducks head*

    Have you tried styling it in your new artsy/edgy HL-ish direction?

  • Susie replied 10 years ago

    I don't like fussy clothes. I HATE when I'm wearing something that I constantly have to readjust during the day (i wore such a top yesterday and it was quite annoying.) 

    So I understand why you wanted to change. 

    But I'm going to be a spanner and say that I think the first rendition was more flattering. When I look just at the thumbnails, there's a bit of vertical lift where the knot is, while the sweater is a straight line across the middle that appears to cut you in half. And just looking at color, I also like the white better with the lime. 

  • Transcona Shannon replied 10 years ago

    Well ladies - as the day wears on, I like this outfit and this skirt less and less. I feel frumpy, dumpy and lumpy (are those the Dwarves that Snow White didn't like???). 

    Based on my full skirt experiment with the one Wonder Woman re-did for me and this one, I really think full skirts and me will part ways. I just don't feel good in them. End stop. Pencil skirts get me.

    I've also realized that I don't like wearing crisp button down shirts. Which is why this one sits in my closet month after month without being worn. Many of you rock the crisp button down but they are just too fussy for me. 

    So once again, my failed outfits have taught me valuable style lessons on what I don't want to wear. And this is all valuable knowledge. Thanks again for your input and helping me get to where I need to go :)

  • replied 10 years ago

    Yay Team Non-Crisp shirts! I had my realisation earlier this year :)

  • Diana replied 10 years ago

    Hmm, I do prefer the first rendition, mostly because I think a skirt that is soft and full like this needs some structure in the rest of the outfit, and the crisp, tied shirt provides just that.  However, not being a fan of crisp button-downs for myself either, I totally get how the fuss factor would just ruin it for you. 

    Not practical probably in this weather right now, but what happens if you throw on a fitted, cropped blazer over the second version with the leopard top?  I think maybe that would provide the necessary structure and a little waist nipping action (in the same way that the tied waist of the white shirt does).

    And I'm going to put in a plug here for my most favorite type of skirt ever, which is sadly not in style and hard to find in stores right now - the trumpet.  It's like the best of both worlds, fitted on top and full at the bottom.  I think it balances out both apples and pears. 

  • Ornella replied 10 years ago

    Shannon, I like take 2 of this outfit. To my eye the floatiness of the skirt is balanced by the fitted top. The bag enhances retro vibe. The sandals bring it all to modern days. I love it, I wish I could copy it.

  • replied 10 years ago

    Ah! I find that this type of skirt, needs something structured and very tailored on top, to nip in the waist, in order to be more conventionally flattering. I think the first styling was hard because the button down is not really designed to be tied in the front, it was too stiff for the knot. The second is much more streamlined, but I wished the cardi had more structure.
    I would try a more body con top, in a dark color with dark sandals, before getting rid of it.

  • amiable replied 10 years ago

    I too like your revised version much more - but I don't have time right now to read everyone's comments, so I'll leave it at that.

  • missvee replied 10 years ago

    Shannon I like your reasoning. Just because something suits you doesn't mean that it speaks to you.

  • Deborah replied 10 years ago

    Shannon, Jenava wears this style skirt to perfection. Why not check out her blog for some ideas and inspiration?

  • Caro in Oz replied 10 years ago

    There's nothing like taking an outfit out for a spin to see if it works :)
    What about trying the skirt with a fitted jacket & booties in autumn?

  • Transcona Shannon replied 10 years ago

    Great suggestions everyone - much to think about. Thanks for your input :)

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I started playing dress up when I was 4 years old and haven't stopped since! My income doesn't match my tastes so it's all about figuring out how to thrift my way to a fashionable life while tossing in a few delectable items.