WIW 10.18.13 - Variation on a Theme

I'm trying to make the elements of this outfit work better.

Sweater: H&M
Top: Made by Me
Belt: ?
Pants: Banana Republic
Shoes: Clarks

Something's not working right here...is it that the tops are hitting at my hip bone and drawing attention there? Or something else? Suggestions welcome.

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12 Comments

  • kellygirl replied 10 years ago

    I like this one a lot. I liked the other one too though. It seems the proportions are very similar if you count your legs in the dark tights as part of the equation. You have two great outfits!

    ETA: Nice semi tuck :)

  • merwoman replied 10 years ago

    Oh I disagree Amy - this is working! The only thing I would suggest is a little sleeve scrunch. Gorgeous color palette!

  • Angie replied 10 years ago

    Beautifully fluid and rich. You look stunning in burgundy. 

  • Day Vies replied 10 years ago

    love the colors and agree with the sleeve scrunching tip!  You could also try it with a longer BF cardi in another dark colored neutral to break up the horizontal line.  

  • Mochi replied 10 years ago

    I'd like to see a cardigan that is longer or flows lower over your upper thighs (this one seems like a high-low hem?) It just seems to break at an awkward part. But you're really close to having a great outfit with this. The colors are fantastic and you always look great in flares and bootcuts with your long legs. 

  • KikiG replied 10 years ago

    What is grabbing my eye is that with your arms down like that in the picture, all the visual "weight" of the outfit is falling at the widest point of your hips, while the cardi makes your shoulders look delicate and narrow. Not that your hips are remotely a problem. You might try pushing the sleeves up--I always feel visually thinner when I do that. Or, ideally, look for an open front or point front cardigan that just brushes the place where your torso and thighs meet. This is an example of an outfit you probably lookded darling in all day, this is just not the most terrific photographic angle on it.

  • Amy replied 10 years ago

    You ladies are so smart. Scrunching the sleeves helps a lot! Thank you.

  • replied 10 years ago

    Beautiful and sleek!

  • Ornella replied 10 years ago

    Amy, we are sweater twins, I have that one in navy (outfit 5 here and outfit 4 here).

    I think it's a tricky thing though for the reason I haven't cracked yet. While I love it's chunky and has structure, almost like a soft jacket, and that it frames my neck (I like that), and I feel great in it, it just does not photograph well - my shoulders somehow disappear.

    Looking at your outfit, I can tell something is not 100% to my eye and I'm trying to figure out whether it is the sweater-issue for you too. But I am still clueless.

    Could it be the relation of the cardigan style and the neckline for certain body types? Or the way the bottom of the cardigan -- that nice rounded bit -- somehow spills over the hips, then the sleeves make that downward line even longer, which is why the whole silhouette looks odd.

    No idea. But I wear mine and despite puzzling styling dilemmas I feel great in it. I hope you do too in yours because you look great in that colour.

    ETA: I've just read all other comments. I'll try the scrunching trick next time too.

  • Janet replied 10 years ago

    I think Ornella is onto something. I understand because I am wary of creating more visual weight at the hip too. I actually think the issue is more the sweater  -- with the sleeves down like this, it creates a down-and-outward sloping line that makes your shoulders look narrower and draws more attention to the hip area. I can see how scrunching the sleeves would draw the eye back up and create more balance. Scrunching sleeves does wonders for me in a lot of outfits, I've noticed!

    I love that color on you. 

  • Amy replied 10 years ago

    Thanks Ornella and Janet! That's very helpful. I think you are both right.

  • Emily replied 10 years ago

    LOVE the burgundy and cognac.  You look radiant.

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