Topped Up? Some K/R - pic heavy

Thanks to a tip from Dianthus, I've made a bit of progress (I hope) in my ongoing and seemingly never-ending search for woven summer tops. All purchased at sale prices. Some I know I'm keeping, and some are K/R.

I also have some shorts/clams up for review.

My apologies in advance for the iffy quality of the pics. Not to mention the end of day exhaustion apparent on my sad visage. I have had a long few days of it at work and more to come.

#1 an ink blue top from Mexx. (They called it black, but it is not.) It may be a bit short to wear with pants (though they call it a tunic -- whatever....) but I am keeping it anyway. I hope that's not crazy of me. I rather like the shape of it and that narrow V neckline. I can always tuck it if you think that would work better. Let me know. I have no aversion to the tuck.

#2 also keeping. The collar does not always stand that way; I was rushing. It can be worn unbelted as well, or tucked.

#3 White twist front top from BR. Keeping. (It may not be brilliant but it fills a need).

#4 Short sleeve cobalt top. I am of two minds about this. The sleeves are weird. IRL the gathered waist actually looks quite flattering, and hubs commented that he loved it. Here I look very washed out, but I think that is a function of the light, not a reflection of reality.

Also, the shorts. I am not sure. You can be brutal.

#5 Side view

#6 Back view of shorts. I think I see some VPL but it might be shadow. In any case, if it's there, I can remedy it; I was wearing a very old and not very good pair of undies. Top is lifted up to expose bum region. It's actually longer in back, as you can tell from the side view.

#7/8 Another top - one of those ones with a wide band at the bottom and sort of bloused waist. The trouble with these is that you need to be wearing something with a flat front. Hubs and daughter were unsure about the colours on me, which confused me a bit since normally I look good in these colours! So maybe it is really the pattern they are reacting to? The top actually feels quite nice.

#9 Turquoise version of the "tunic" in #1. I am of two minds. It looked really good in the store. It doesn't seem so great to me here.

#10 BR denim shirt. Fits loose but is meant to, I believe. Wearing with cropped pants that I could chop to clams. Except now that I have them at home I realize I have very few tops to wear with them and in addition, the feel funny when they are rolled (i.e. they stick to my calves, don't drape properly) and I don't think cutting them off will necessarily work.

#11 Bonus Max.

Frank opinions desired, please.

And thanks to Dianthus for the tip!! Even if I only keep a couple of these, I am WAY ahead of where I was a few weeks ago in the top department!!

By the way, if you have made it to the end of this endless post, do I need different footwear with some of these tops? I wasn't really "styling" here and just happened to have these on, but I am curious to what degree they work or don't work. It's relevant to packing later this month.

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35 Comments

  • Sveta replied 11 years ago

    I think they all keepers except #7-8. I don't like what this top doing to your shoulders - it makes them disproportionally large IMO.
    BTW I went to Mexx in a hope to look at the dresses you posted but have not seen them there. See, sometimes your stores have better selection thant mine! :-)

  • Jjsloane replied 11 years ago

    I like #1 top, #4-6 shorts are ok, nothing really wrong and if you need them they are good basics. I also like the denim shirt on you. Agree with Sveta on 7-8.

  • rae replied 11 years ago

    2, 3, 10 (and 11!) are my favorites. The only one I actively dislike is #7 - I thinkn that one looks too big in the bust.

  • DonnaF replied 11 years ago

    I agree with Sveta. Maybe 7/8 is cut for a taller person? Colors flatter, however. Esp. love the colors (2,4,9) on you.

  • Suz replied 11 years ago

    Ah. Interesting. It's definitely not too big in the bust, Rae, but it might be a pattern placement issue. I think I will take it back because what will I wear it with anyway? Who has flat front pants? And I don't have a flat front skirt to wear with it either.

  • catgirl replied 11 years ago

    The only one that bothers me is the cobalt top in 4 -5. The sleeves seem oddly proportioned (small?) to the rest of the blouse. I like the banded blouse top which looks like a Sweet Pea top and the colors are nice on you. It does emphasize your shoulders but is that a bad thing (says the IT)?

    I'm meh on the shorts. Not screaming fab, nothing wrong either.

    The first three two tops and #9 and the denim shirt look great to me.

  • Aida replied 11 years ago

    The four tops you've decided to keep already (1-4) look good, but especially #2 and #3. Not a fan of the top in #4-6, I think it's the sleeves? Also not sold on the top in #7/8, I think the print would be better suited to a flowier type of top. The white shorts are OK, but I think I want to see them tapered even more to your knee. LOVE the denim shirt! Are the pants in #10 the same color as the olive Fluevogs you've been having trouble wearing? That could be a fun pairing. How do those look unrolled by the way? Where does the hem fall?

  • Kyle replied 11 years ago

    1, 2, 3 and 10 would be my top picks. Something about the blue top and the purple is throwing me off. I also prefer top 1 over top 9. Is it the color, maybe? Hmmm. All shorts and sandals seem cute and functional and the clams in 10 don't really feel like you. Hope that helps a bit.

  • Suz replied 11 years ago

    Yeah - I agree, Una, about that cobalt top. It's sort of a shame, really, because it's quite nice in other ways. And sleeves on a top can be a good thing. But when all is said and done, if I won't wear it (and it feels a wee bit "girly" to me, too) then why spend my money on it. Well, besides desperation, that is!!

  • Freckles replied 11 years ago

    Suz I think the lighting in pic 9 is different than in the other pics and more of an unforgiving lighting. I'd try it again tomorrow to see what you think then again next week if you have time. It could also be just a tone too whatever that is hard to tell when separated from other clothes of a similar colour. Take some time to see.

    Agree with previous authors about top in pic 7 for the same reason.

    The clams in look good but hard to tell with cuffs. Would the knees bag out?

    As for top 4, not a fan but don't hate. It's just that tops 1 and 2 are so much more stunning on you and the denim shirt looks fab. This top, 4, doesn't come up to snuff in comparison.

    The white shorts look like they would be fine for everything and that first pair, newish aren't they, are stunning.

  • Suz replied 11 years ago

    Very helpful - thank you. Aida - interesting point about the print maybe being better with a "flowy" look.

    I was thinking of my Fluevogs when I bought the clams, but I'm not EVER a pumps and trousers girl. Well, I would do it with my Long and Leans (where they cover the shoe) but I just don't feel comfortable in tapered trousers and pumps. Never have, never will.

    Freckles, you make some excellent points here. I should take another look in the light.

    Kyle, your perceptions are very similar to my own. I don't know why the darker colour tunic seems better. Some is definitely the light at the time of photos - everything is washed out. But even so....

  • replied 11 years ago

    Suz! What a great haul! I think they all have potential except the printed top. It's the print I'm not crazy about, and maybe that's what DH and DD were noticing. It looks kind of like a fancy gear running top or something because of the "cool" print. I actually like the cut of it, though. That is a favorite neckline of mine.

    The white, colored and denim shirts all look good to me. In fact, the colors you were able to find all look really good on you! What is it with the word tunic? Some manufacturers seem to think it only refers to the cut or collar of a top, and not the length! The shirt in #2 might look especially nice with a skirt because of the self belt/peplum effect going on.

    And you don't look like you've put in long days working at all, BTW. Okay. Where were we? The white shorts look good, as long as they're not supposed to fit tight like a skinny jean in the bum. I think return the olive ones since they don't sound like they're working for you. Nice work!

  • replied 11 years ago

    Really? You have a thing against pumps and tapered pants? I thought I was the only one. Not that I can wear much of a heel anyway, but DD just got some floral pumps with a two inch heel and I tried them with my bright skinnies and I just thought, "No way is this me!" You wear a heeled boot with jeans though, right? What about a heeled sandal?

  • Suz replied 11 years ago

    Heh. Claire, I am not entirely sure about those shorts. I totally sized up. The size down FIT, but it was snug like skinny jean, and that didn't feel right for the kind of fabric it is. So I just went loose instead.

    Agree with Aida they should probably be tapered but I am not sure it is worth the money to spend to get them done.

    On heels and tapered trousers: I will wear a bootie or boot with a heel, but only somewhat reluctantly; I think it makes my legs look cartoonish and I prefer not to. (I'll do it gladly with a wider pant, including a straight leg). I will gladly wear skinnies with a wedge heel sandal of about 2 inches - the wedge balances my muscular legs a bit (but this is not your problem, LOL!)

    But I just. can't. wear a heeled pump with shorts or a short skirt. On ME (not on anyone else, understand) it feels "tarty." And I shudder at the very idea. I cannot comfortably go out of the house like that.

    But go figure. I look at Rae's outfit today and I think it is STUNNING on her!!!! STUNNING!!!

    The thing is, I don't have her legs.

  • Aida replied 11 years ago

    Aw that's too bad, that's a staple of mine :} A tapered, cropped pant with a funky shoe like those Fluevogs sounds delightfully retro to me. Do you wear heels with shorts? If both of those are a no-go, and you don't have other shoes to work with those pants, then I would vote return them.

  • Suz replied 11 years ago

    No heels with shorts for me, Aida! I think you are right - they should go back.

    Or I should get an attitude adjustment!

  • replied 11 years ago

    Some people can really rock the combo (like Rae and Aida) but not me either!

  • Transcona Shannon replied 11 years ago

    You are looking fantastic Suz!

    Now to the clothing items: there is something wrong with those little tiny sleeves on the cobalt top in 4-5. They are just way to short for the top. I actually don't mind the patterned top - I don't love it but I don't hate it either. The tops in 1-3 are all fantastic, the denim shirt is fab and of course, Max is so darned handsome!

    I'm so new at shorts and clams I really can't offer anything useful here so just listen to the experts!

  • Vicki replied 11 years ago

    First things first! You've got GREAT posture and I need to stand up better and straighter! Now, the tops! What have you and Dianthus been up to? It's all good and I love these choices here. Some of my faves: #2 if the ultimate and this is your color, Suz. I also like 1, 10, and 3 and besides your posture, you have toned arms and look fab in sleeveless tops. I agree with Una that the sleeves in 4 seem a tad too short. Hope this helps, Suz. Love Rae's pic for 11 and I agree! ^_^

  • Jaime replied 11 years ago

    I love the denim shirt outfit on you (10)! I think I agree with the majority on the rest. The short sleeve blue top isn't quite right - although it does showcase your amazing posture and tiny waist! Same with the print top. Would like to see you in more tapered white shorts but actually sort of like these too and think they might work well with something tucked or something less fitted. Regardless, you are looking fit as a fiddle!

  • rae replied 11 years ago

    Could you chop the sleeves off of the cobalt one? It is really nice otherwise.

    I didn't even see the part about the white shorts before - I think I agree that a little tapering or maybe a rolled cuff would take them up a notch.

  • sarah replied 11 years ago

    How great that you've found so many fab tops, Suz. The only I'm not feeling is 7/8. I really love that BR denim shirt on you! (That shirt SO did not fit me).

    I like these with those shoes, actually.

  • Isis replied 11 years ago

    What a great haul! I like the shorts (they COULD be tapered more at the knee, but maybe not necessary).

    I love ALL your tops except for the cobalt (something is funny w/ the sleeves) and the print top (OK, but not great).

    The others are fab ESPECIALLY the BR denim shirt (perfect for cold nights in Bamf!)

    I like your shoes too!

  • AJ replied 11 years ago

    I like tops 2, 4 (with sleeves chopped off) and 10. I luv outfit 2 just the way you've styled it here.

    The white shorts look good too.

  • Jonesy replied 11 years ago

    I agree with Aida's initial assessment. To my eye, the blue button down looks a smidge too small, like it's gapping a teeny bit at the waist buttons (or maybe all of that gathering is somehow pulling the placket apart). I wonder if that print knit would look better with a skirt, but I think somehow it just doesn't hold a candle to all of the woven, collared shirts it's in the line-up with, you know?

    Great haul! You really scored in the summer tops department!

  • ManidipaM replied 11 years ago

    Suz, first of all, you have to tell me about those awesome-looking sandals! FAB, fab, fab with your hair, sorta echoing its highlights and lowlights! Amazingly sturdy but elegant shape too... Mmm. Love!

    Okay, back to the tops! I'm with Una --- those sleeves on the cobalt (which is the loveliest color on you!) are too tight and short. They're not going to be comfy for moving around in, I fear. I had a top that looked and behaved very much like that, and it finally drove me batty enough to throw it away after a grand total of three wears --- I'm a hoarder by nature, but the pulling and constricting were insane; if you're less sensitive to that, it *might* work. If you can lop of the sleeves however, that's great! because the colour is divine on you.

    Everything else I love, including the violet pattern! Maybe with your fuschia pants or the jacket with the white shorts you're wearing here? And your white jeans too? And definitely with skirts since it seems to be length-adjustable. It's the only one for which I'd change shoes though. The Marks maybe? Or a slightly lighter sandal...

    The tunics are certainly more 'tops' but that's okay, as I think both colours are extremely flattering. (Yeah, I know --- but I think even the turquoise is lovely on you.)

    The denim shirt and purple top may be my favourites of this fab haul. I can't believe you sorted yourself out that fast in one outing!

  • Kiwichik replied 11 years ago

    Sorry if I'm repeating anything haven't read the other posts. I like them all except 7&8 I think the proportions look off - it makes your body seem really long thereby shortening your legs.

  • Mona replied 11 years ago

    I like all of these except the printed top. But because I am not an expert, I can't tell you exactly what it is that I dont like about them.

  • Suz replied 11 years ago

    Thanks so much, everyone.

    It's pretty interesting that my own instincts were more or less confirmed. Very helpful advice, too.

    I'm going to keep #1, #2, #3, and #10 and the white shorts. I may or may not have them tapered a bit; I'll inquire about the price. It might not be worth the cost to do it. Taking them up a bit might have a positive effect on the bottom width - I'll see about that, too.

    Returning all the other tops and the olive crop pants because they're just not right.

    Thank you all for your wisdom and considered opinions!

  • texstyle replied 11 years ago

    No one really said anything about the cut of #7 - or maybe I missed it. For me the "boatneck" styling is what creates the unbalanced look - it creates a wide upper body look (even when you don't have a particularly wide upper body). All of the other tops have a v style, which looks great on you.

  • lyn67 replied 11 years ago

    Didn't read the comments, but love the nr. 1,2,3, 9, and 10. They are all oustandingly killers on you and keepers. Purple printed top (If you'll keep that too)will go better with skirts IMO. Kitty is so adorable.:-)

  • Meredith1953 replied 11 years ago

    The only one that didn't totally please me was #7. I like the color and print but it just made your torso look so dang long! Can you tuck that shirt in? Your kitty is so sweet!

  • krishnidoux replied 11 years ago

    You've already got great advice. Here are my personal impressions:

    My favourites of the lot are: #2, #7 and #10

    I am not a fan of the cobalt blue short sleeve one, although it fits you like a glove. It's just... it doesn't look as comfortable. It's a bit stiff, and it looks too much like a uniform.

    The turquoise version of the Mexx sleeveless tunic is not as nice as in black. The colour is too harsh in my view.

    You are so fit and beautiful, it's hard to find defaults in what you are wearing! It all looks good on you in the end. But oh, my, 3 and 7, so classy!

    The cropped pants in #10: they do look fine on the pic, however I understand it so much when pants don't roll the right way... yesterday I got a pair from Tommy Hilfiger and they're *almost* uncomfortable in that way. I haven't removed the tag yet... will post hopefully if my son is available for taking pics. But I so get what you mean.

  • cheryl replied 11 years ago

    Great selection! I think they are all good. I think the seam messes things up on #7 but its not that bad. #1 and #3 are my favs and I love the color of #2. I think the shoes are a great neutral that you can do a lot with.

  • Angie replied 11 years ago

    Hi Suz and Max!

    I vote keep it all. You look sensational.

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