WIW: loud, with amazing Converse wedges

I take my pictures in a mirror. Today I'm wearing a shirt with text, so I flipped all the photos, and boy does it look weird to see myself the direction people see me in real life!

Anyway. A WIW, and a handful of shopping decisions. The Gap had an incredible sale last week so I bought a bunch of their new fall items. I'm quite happy with the direction they're heading, but as usual I can't decide about fit & flattery.

1: First, what I wore: J Crew boys' t-shirt. I am so not loud in real life. This shirt cracks me up. After taking all these, I realized the sleeves look much better unrolled, but this is what you get.

And the Converse wedges from the NAS! They're amazing. They show up better in later photos.

2: Next, with a new Gap denim skirt. I love this skirt but I am considering sizing up. It's the right size but it hugs my curves in a way that's more bombshell than avant garde, and one size up hangs straight.

3-4: Same skirt, with a Gap "gwen" top. All cotton, structured, with a zipper in back. The XS was too tight in the arms. Is this (S) too shapeless on me? I rather like shapeless sometimes.

5: Not the Gap: a L'Agence silk dress with side zippers (invisible in the photo) and raw edges. I could shorten the straps 1/4". Keep? It was only $20 at Crossroads, and it looks great, but I'm not sure when I'd wear it and it smells strongly perfume.

6-7: Gap linen top - too much like scrubs? I think woven tops just might not work on my broader shoulders, after many attempts. I had to size up and I'm not sure the effect is great. I was going for a sort of Japanese / Eileen Fisher linen look.

Worn with slouchy Aritizia linen/tencel pants I found at Crossroads a while ago. They're my first foray into synthetic blends, and I'm happy so far. I'm considering adding wool/viscose blends also. I hate the feel of most synthetics on my skin for some reason, including pure tencel, but these are basically ok.

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20 Comments

  • Maneera replied 8 years ago

    I love all these pieces! I have to say ---- you look so different in Pic 1 and Pic 6, it almost looks like those are two different people!!!! I think your hair is really your 'crowning glory' and alters your complete look when you tie it back. So fascinating!

    Onto the clothes - love 1&2.....you may not be loud in real life, but you sure rock the look! I like the skirt in 3 very much. Hard to tell how a bigger size would fall, though I like the fit the way it is here. Doesn't read bombshell to my eyes Atleast. The top looks just the right size here. The dress in 5 fits very well. You can wear it with a denim jacket and can also wear it like a tunic actually.

  • Cerinda replied 8 years ago

    My favorites are #2 and #7. I really like the way this size in the skirt hangs on you: I see edgy more than bombshell.  The little silk dress (navy?) looks terrific on you; I vote air it out and wear it out. 

  • kkards replied 8 years ago

    #2 is fab….i like #1, but changing out the jeans for the skirt, brings this to a whole different place. i like #3, i don't see it as shapeless, but as easy and clean. i like #6/7 as well, i don't see scrubs, because the linen gives the shirt a nice texture. i'm not a big fan of #5, but i think its the shoes not the dress….maybe with the oxfords?

  • Jaime replied 8 years ago

    The skirt looks good here, but maybe the difference is subtle and more apparent in difference with the next size? The short dress does look good but I think you need to have it dry cleaned to get out the smell.
    Love the vibe of the last outfit but I am not around scrubs enough to have that association.

  • replied 8 years ago

    Love the tee outfit! The new skirt and dress look really good to me. I'm not getting bombshell vibe from the skirt, but it's more important how you feel, so maybe you will like a looser fit?

    I like the last outfit, but as Jaime says, I'm not familiar with scrubs to have the association either.

  • Suz replied 8 years ago

    Some great purchases! You look terrific. I love the tee, especially with the skirt, which looks really good and not too bombshell to my eye. I do know what you are talking about -- my J. Crew denim skirt feels like that to me a bit, too, especially on side view, and I'm always trying to find ways to de-bombshell it. A big tee like this helps! 

    I love the Gwen top. Does not look too big to me. Hangs nicely. I am a fan of boxy, so take that for what it is worth. 

    Silk dress is pretty, but will be a bit shorter if you take up the shoulders, no? It does look good, though. How would you wear it, do you think? 

    As for the last top, I think it works. What might be throwing you off is your hair/ neckline -- put your hair down and see how you feel about it. 

    To wear your hair back or up, a different shape neckline will work better. 

  • Angie replied 8 years ago

    I love #1 and #2 best of all. Great proportions and awfully nice to see a bit of white in your outfits. 

    The new Cons are perfect for you too.

    Linen tee will look less scrub-ish if you partially tuck the front. 

  • replied 8 years ago

    I really like 1 and 2 as well.  Great tee :)  I don't get bombshell from the skirt with the fit as it is here - and I don't know about you, but getting a denim skirt in a looser size usually just means it spins around on the body :)  They usually stretch quite a bit during wear too. I think it looks great!  

  • Meredith replied 8 years ago

    I agree with Lisa, especially about the skirt sizing. So funny about seeing yourself the way others see you! I can't handle parting my hair on the other side, so I'm sure it feels odd to see you asymmetric do flipped!

  • Greyscale replied 8 years ago

    Your opinions are remarkably consistent, which is really helpful - it's clear that I should adjust my sense of what fits a bit. 

    I have a handful of other things / sizes to return, so I might stop by the store and snap a photo of me in the bigger skirt to show what I mean. But I think you're all right that this size is the most flattering and I shouldn't worry about the curves. Plus good point, LisaP, about skirts spinning around your waist!

    And I think I'll start being less lazy and wearing my hair down more often. It just means I have to wash it more - the curls get too frizzy or flat after a few days.

  • shedev replied 8 years ago

    My favorite is #1.

  • annagybe replied 8 years ago

    As person who wears scrubs, 6-7 does not look like scrubs. 
    Black scrubs are usually worn for fancypants private practice, especially dermatology and plastic surgery. Those are definitely more fitted all over.
    Only unisex scrubs, which is pretty much hospital issued are boxy like that.
    It does look like a failed PIB (person in black), where they only wear black but can't be bothered to sort old and faded from new. 

  • Greyscale replied 8 years ago

    Good point, Anna. The faded black isn't my favorite look.

  • replied 8 years ago

    #2 is my fave--love the t with some white, great contrast.  The skirt looks like it fits really well.  Did you do the sit-down test?   that would be helpful.  Those shoes are keepers for sure.  and your hair just sets it all off in a confident way.  The wild card is how it all adds up.  and this outfit does it for me!

  • replied 8 years ago

    I like the shapeless stuff on you . It seems modern to me, but I'm no expert. I think for myself, I would do boxy and tight together, but I'm very conservative. All boxy seems quite fashion forward.
    And I don't think the scrubs look looks like scrubs at all (and I have been binge watching grey's anatomy this week--I know, very high-brow).
    I also like the dress. I like the show of skin with the boots.

  • replied 8 years ago

    I LOVE number 2.  You could wear this just about anywhere and rule the room.  It fits you perfectly and it combines so many different style elements as to be fascinating.  

    So sad about the dress in number 5 because you look amazing in that as well.  Can you get perfume out of fabric?  If so, I would consider keeping it because it fits you so beautifully.  It seems to me that type of dress could be worn so many different places that you would find a reason to wear it.  

    I really like numbers 3 - 4 too.  

  • dakotacheryl replied 8 years ago

    LOVE 1 and 2...and your hair is glorious!!

  • Joy replied 8 years ago

    More love for the tee in 1&2 and how you have styled it. The Cons are fab.

  • jackiec replied 8 years ago

    I just have to say that those cons were made for you!! It didn't even sink in at first, I had to go back to look at the shoes bc you'd said the cons made appearances - in my head i was thinking "white sneakers", but also thinking what cool booties is she wearing?...... Perfect. I like what you've picked up. Agree with Lisa about skirt spinnage. Everything you put on seems to really fit your style. Not sure I could handle the perfume though....

  • replied 8 years ago

    Another round of applause for look 2. Also like 1. The look in 3 - 4 could work, though I agree with you on the sleeve style/length of that tee. Maybe some bolder accessorising could offset that (can't recall if you're a non-scarf wearer, but a scarf with muted greys might help create more drape and interest, also in looks 6&7, accessories might tie the blacks together and make them appear more intentional). Agree that the straps on the dress could be shortened, though it looks like there's some strap detail that could be lost if you do? IMO the dress is fine on you but I think you could find a similar style with better fit.

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