STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

Alegria · Kate Spade

What do you think?

Alegria · Kate Spade

Here's an example... ry%3D400

is this sweater too long? ry%3D480

-- Edited by Alegria on Tuesday 16th of February 2010 12:58:16 AM

carmenb513 · Coach

something about the print in the sweater is not rubbing me the right way. I think you look absolutely fine in the first pic.

relrel · Marc Jacobs

Do you ever watch "What Not to Wear"? This is one of the hosts usual issue...larger women tend to size up because they feel that tight or form-fitting isn't attractive or doesn't feel right. What happens is that they actually appear larger because of the baggier clothing. They also talk about highlighting the smaller parts of your body.

So, while the first outfit you have on looks great, the second would maybe look better if there was a belt underneath your chest or something like that. I also think the print is just a bit too loud. I'm not terribly thin (ahem) so I try to stay away from large-sized prints and stick to smaller-patterned prints. I do like the pants on you though, they look really good.

I also think you should just trust your instincts. Do you feel you are dressing too large? Then you probably are. Most of us have that voice inside of our head that says if something looks right or not, listen to it! :)

Boots · Gucci

I think you have the proportions perfect in that first photo. The slimness of your lower half is highlighted by the volume on the top half. In the second photo, I think the sweater's length is fine, but the print isn't doing you any justice. I agree that the pants look really good on you.

Maybe you can try a longer cardi left open and belted? I think it gives a nice, long line to the torso and draws your eyes inwards.

You also have great legs and I'd try to pull the focus there. I always feel more confident when I'm highlighting an area of my body that I love rather than trying to camouflage a part of it that I don't like. And I think that confidence is a big part of what really makes an outfit work.

Kelly · Hermes

relrel wrote:

I'm not terribly thin (ahem) so I try to stay away from large-sized prints and stick to smaller-patterned prints.

I always thought WNTW (and other shows/guides like that) said that the bigger you are, the bigger the print should be (and the smaller you are, the smaller the print). Something about how a smaller print makes you look bigger than you are, and a larger print makes you look smaller.

penguininaboat · BCBG

I actually am going to be the dissenting opinion. While I think you look good in both outfits and agree with other posters that the 1st one gets bonus points for accentuating your nice legs, I prefer the sweater look. I like that the pattern seems to fit your frame (the wntw folks do say patterns should be in proportion to your figure) and I think the dark cami opens up your neckline and likely puts emphasis on your face which is always a good thing.

But like boots says you probably know best. I think that the sweater helps show of your waist (just as the added belt in the other post does).

relrel · Marc Jacobs

Kelly wrote:

relrel wrote:

I'm not terribly thin (ahem) so I try to stay away from large-sized prints and stick to smaller-patterned prints.

I always thought WNTW (and other shows/guides like that) said that the bigger you are, the bigger the print should be (and the smaller you are, the smaller the print). Something about how a smaller print makes you look bigger than you are, and a larger print makes you look smaller.

I always thought they said the opposite! Perhaps I should be paying more attention to the TV and less to the other four tasks that I'm doing while watching television. Now, I'm really confused...maybe I'll go see what Mr. Google has to tell me.

ETA: Stupid fashion rules. After about ten minutes of searching, I've found somewhat reputable sites that all have very inconsisten information, from what I said, to what Kelly said to the fact that large prints are fattening (what a nice word!) in general. But all sites had this general rule: prints with dark backgrounds are the most flattering. That's at least something to go on.

-- Edited by relrel on Tuesday 16th of February 2010 02:32:52 PM