WIW (and why I rarely wear it)

Today it was cold enough to bring out the GAP Lemming sweater from last year. 

A couple of people suggested last week when I complained about a bit of boredom in the No Repeat November project, that I should vary my silhouettes more often and try some tunic sweaters or at least longer sweaters. 

Here's why I rarely do that. With my short-ish legs, it cuts me right in half. 

Granted, this is a "worst case" scenario -- I did this on purpose. High contrast, with a different colour again of footwear. I could extend the leg line a bit with same colour shoes. I could semi tuck the sweater (but then I'd be back to my regular silhouette) or I could wear a faded denim to tone the leg more to the top. And I have tried all of those, and they are improvements. Nonetheless, the longer sweater isn't really my best look. Much as I like it. 

I've never found a longer tunic length that works on me either, and I have trouble understanding that. It might be because my calves are proportionately short? I like the look on others but far less on myself. 

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.

56 Comments

  • Amy replied 10 years ago

    In this case, I think you might be your own worst critic. This outfit looks nice to me, proportions and all.

  • minimalist replied 10 years ago

    Well, *you* look fab, never mind the outfit. I need to peruse your past posts to find your skin-care routine. (And I mean peruse in the traditional sense of reading through thoroughly, not in the colloquial misuse of skimming.)

    That sweater is nice, but looks very very rectangle on you. I suspect I'm on Team Best-Silhouette, and not on Team Change-it-Up.

  • Greyscale replied 10 years ago

    I think the color and the neckline look great with your face and hair. Even before I read your post, I was thinking that it would be better with denim (blue or faded black) or gray pants rather than black. The softness of the sweater is too stark against the black trousers, I think. I also wonder if you would love the length more if it were more fitted through the torso. The cables coming down from your shoulders box-ify it a bit.

     But despite all that, I think it's very flattering on you. I don't think the length of the sweater is a problem at all. It might just take getting used to seeing yourself in that length.

  • Aleta replied 10 years ago

    I think this outfit is nice, but just ordinary compared to what you normally post. It is difficult isn't it?  You find a formula that flatters you, but after a while you feel in a rut, you change the formula, but you don't feel as good.

  • Thistle replied 10 years ago

    I think you look cozy, comfy and winter chic!  I agree with Amy that you are your own worst critic :)

  • Caro in Oz replied 10 years ago

    I agree 100% with GS. Don't give up on this yet :)

  • MsMaven replied 10 years ago

    I have a hard time with tunics also unless they are a bit fitted and then flare out.  Generally they make me feel blocky and dumpy or that I look pregnant.  (No chance of that.)  They work better for me with pants than skirts--better proportions.

    I think you look pretty good, but agree with Amy and Aleta.  Congratulations for being willing to try different looks.  

  • Karie replied 10 years ago

    I do like this sweater on you, but I agree that it would look better with lighter pants and/or shoes in the same color as your pants to elongate the leg line. I think it would look great with a light wash jean and your Sam Edelman Petty's. You were thinking about possibly getting a pair of patterned pants in a different post, how about this sweater with patterned pants and cute pumps?

  • Marmee replied 10 years ago

    I'm confused.  I had to look again at the picture, because I don't think that your legs look short at all.  I see a long, cozy sweater.  Perhaps you are just used to seeing your regular silhouette?  I will say that I have a difficult time wearing black jeans with lighter colored tops, so perhaps that's part of your difficulty with the look?

  • Beth Ann replied 10 years ago

    I'm wearing a version of this now -- black skinnies and a navy cowl neck oversized sweater.  I don't worry about my legs, really, just the overall mass.  hee. 

    I think the sweater says "cozy luxe" and, if I were you, I'd wear it on those cold days in winter when cozy is called for,  and pair it with a lower-contrast bottom.  Legs look fine to me!

  • K. Period. replied 10 years ago

    Yeah. I'm with everyone else. I think it looks nice on you. You tried to make this look bad and still everyone thinks it looks nice. I think you are going to just face facts and admit that you make everything look good.  Sorry.  

  • Amy replied 10 years ago

    hahaha...K is soooo right :)

  • donnat replied 10 years ago

    Suz, i dont know... I just dont see what you are seeing. This outfit looks great. Your legs dont look short at all. Its a nice cosy outfit for a cold day.

  • Emily replied 10 years ago

    I like this on you, Suz!  It looks cozy and easy.  I agree that same colour shoes might be better, but it looks good as is.

  • Runcarla replied 10 years ago

    I don't see what you're seeing Suz (like just about everyone else). I even measured out the proportions per the pic, and your legs, NOT including the booties, are longer than the top expanse of grey.

    Yup, the sweater is a little boxy, and a visually lighter jean might make it more a column of mid-tones, but all in all, this looks fine.

  • replied 10 years ago

    I'm so glad you've brought this subject up Suz! I've been wanting to discuss it for a while.

    First, for your outfit. I don't think this is terribly leg shortening, because your crotch point isn't covered up (I don't think, it's kind of hard to tell). I love that sweater, and of course with faded jeans, it would be more elongating. I'd like the maroon booties with the faded jeans combo, and I might try some booties that read "mainly dark" with this one--black or patterned dark--I can't remember what you have. This outfit looks super cozy and fashionable, even if it might surrender the leg line just a bit. I think a LOT of it depends on where your critical eye goes first. An average bystander might not zero in on leg length at all (and that's what I pray for in my case), but would check in that you're wearing an on trend, oversized sweater, then their eye would travel down your lean legs to your pop-of-color booties, and the very pleasing color scheme you've created. I tend to check out on others what I feel is lacking with my own figure, and I think most people do the same. 

    Okay, now! I was reading Lisa Pippus over the weekend, and she mentioned several times how much more leg lengthening tunics are, because they hide the crotch point, and you can't tell where the legs start! I'm still trying to wrap my head around that. Not sure if I agree, because I've drunk the Stacy and Clinton Kool-Aide and they always say, "shorten the top to the hip" to lengthen the leg line. I'd love to hear what you and others think about this optical illusion!

  • replied 10 years ago

    Ha, what K said :)

  • gryffin replied 10 years ago

    Suz - would you consider styling with with a shortish black skirt and black tights with a black bootie, preferable with a little heel?  You could also add a long black and gray scarf which would draw the eye vertically.  I love the color and style on you.  You do make everything look good!!!  HOW DO YOU DO IT!!! ;-)

  • Sarah A replied 10 years ago

    I think it looks lovely, not as long legged as your partial tuck looks but not stumpyfying by any means. I am reading and re-reading Claire's comment. Brilliant! On so many levels...

    The sweet spot for shirt lengths esp approaching tunics is a tricky one. Covering the crotch point without skipping down to midthigh is hard hem length for me to not feel very short legged. I cant tell if this sweater is just above or just below the crotch point. I'll be interested to see what you think in a lower contrast pairing. Still, I think you look fab cozy and warm for a day at home in the winter :)

  • deb replied 10 years ago

    I am going to differ with you and say this makes your legs look long.

  • Jjsloane replied 10 years ago

    I think it looks lovely and the slim dark pants keep the legs looking long and slim. It could just be that sweater is not so drapey and maybe another drapey one in that same length would feel better to you or a high low?

  • Shirley replied 10 years ago

    It looked fine until I read your post.  But I am still not convinced there is anything major with it.  Maybe a longish, interesting necklace?

  • merwoman replied 10 years ago

    Nodding my head with everyone's comments, particularly Jjsloane - the draping is rather stiff with this chunkier knit.  Difficult to give some waist line definition with this thickness with a little semi tuck.You'd  probably feel more comfortable with more fluid drapey topper.

  • Angie replied 10 years ago

    What Amy said. And I love what K said too.

    Suz. I wear this length pullover quite a bit, and I don't have long legs. Plus I'll wear it with flat booties to boot. Yes - you know what to do to lengthen the leg line with low contrast support acts. But this is a modern combination and definitely "flattering enough". 

  • Peri replied 10 years ago

    Well, I don't think it looks bad at all...and that would be good enough for me! I think you are too tough on yourself but also I think your standards are high and you have many things that meet them...you are less willing to put with up with less than 10. It's probably an 8 or 9, and I'd be happy with that but you want the 10!

  • sarah replied 10 years ago

    Hmmm...I just don't see what you're seeing! I think you look great in this simple yet stylish outfit.

  • karymk replied 10 years ago

    Suz, you look really good in this. Not everyday can be a super duper outfit day. Some days you just need comfort. Nothing is wrong with this silhoutte for you in my mind.

  • Ariadne replied 10 years ago

    What K and Angie said. So there. ;)

  • Jaime replied 10 years ago

    I have to join the choir. I don't know what I was expecting based on your description but your picture did not match it at all! This is a very good outfit and even when I try and focus on your legs I see shapely not short! 

  • Diana replied 10 years ago

    Well, I think this is not nearly so bad as you are making it out to be!  And with the things you've already mentioned (lower contrast bottoms, same colored shoes) I could see it being great.   But some suggestions nevertheless:
    --try a high low (even just a subtle one) or an asymmetrical hem.  That will eliminate the horizontal line problem.  
    --for the tunic thing, for me for whatever reason too-short dresses seem to work better than things billed as tunics.  No idea why.  Maybe the shaping tends to be more flattering on a dress.

  • Sveta replied 10 years ago

    I don't see short legs at all and I think this sweater looks great on you just the way you styled it. I think we should do some therapy here on the topic 'Suz and her "short" legs'.  Common girl, you ARE your worst critic EVER!

  • Parsley replied 10 years ago

    Suz, I think the thing is, you don't have to maximize every asset in every outfit. Sometimes (often, actually) just average leg length is good enough!
    Sometimes it's hard to let go of perfectionism, but I just don't think it's necessary every time. 
    I think this outfit is lovely, and I think you should enjoy your cozy sweater and not overthink it.

  • pil replied 10 years ago

    You look terrific to me! But if you're not in love with it - save it for those days working from home when you don't need to go out?

  • unfrumped replied 10 years ago

    Double ha; double k.

    What I like is that it is minimal.

    I like it better than some outfits that have ALGO with scarves and belts and layered jackets and whatnot.

    The minimalism adds an element of sleekness that I think you are not factoring in when you think about leg line in just a very static measurement sort of way.

  • Alassë replied 10 years ago

    Looks fine to me!

  • Suz replied 10 years ago

    Wow! I am sorry I nipped out there. I posted and then the phone rang and my mother had been in a head on collision! So...uh...sorry I started a storm here. 

    (She is okay, by the way, but my aunt's car is not. And I suspect that she might be a bit sore tomorrow.)

    So...thank you everyone for your considered thoughts, the lovely compliments, and the excellent suggestions. 

    I really wasn't feeling super critical of myself -- just noticing why I don't wear that length so often. I agree with Diana that one of those hi-low hems or curved ones might work better for me. But I don't actually mind this....I just don't love it. I think it works a little better on me with tall boots, actually. 

    Anyway, it is true that I am critical of my legs and notice the shortness. Blame it on the trauma of never being able to find tall boots short enough for my calves (even though I am not petite!)         ;) 

    So, let me see....the sweater is heavy and chunky but it's actually more drapey than it might appear and quite oversized. I could semi-tuck it (that would work) but I deliberately wanted to show the proportions here. 

    Amy K. - thank you - for skin care I literally do nothing ...I mean I wash my face mostly only with water and slop drugstore Cetaphil moisturizer on it in copious amounts. And eat a ton of veggies. As for the rectangle, well...that is one of my body type modifiers. Not much I can do there! The sweater does have a bit of a Spongebob shape to it, though, doesn't it? 

    Greyscale -- thank you - I do love the colour of this .

    Aleta, yes, it is just an ordinary workathome outfit -- that is okay.  I don't mind the ordinariness. I was just interested in the proportions. 

    Ms Maven, that is just it. I usually feel dumpy when I wear tunics. I don't mind feeling a bit blocky, personally....waist surrender is totally fine with me. But I don't like feeling dumpy. 

    Karie, I like your styling ideas. 

    Thanks Marmee. I think you are probably right that I am exaggerating the effect - I see stumpy and others see...well...whatever they see! 

    Thanks  Beth Ann. I usually do wear it with my jeans. 

    K, you made me laugh out loud. Thank you for that! 

    Carla, I love you. You measured and my legs are not shorter? I need you to take all my measurements. :) 

    Claire, I am not sure if the crotch point is covered. I took the darn thing off. I'll have to examine it tomorrow. I think maybe it just comes to the crotch point. 

    Anne has mentioned that comment about tunics being elongating because they hide the crotch point, and I confess I have always felt confused about that.  Elongating of the BODY maybe, I have always privately thought. But maybe it really does have to do with the shape of the thing, as Diana suggests. I think I am on Team Stacy and Clinton here...which accounts for my great love of the semi-tuck. But I also think it depends on other body modifiers to some degree. Some one slim with narrow hips might look different from someone who is curvier...someone elliptical might have a different best tunic point from someone round, and so on. Anyway, all I know is I have never found one that I thought was particularly flattering on me. 

    Gryffin, thank you for those suggestions - I would consider styling it that way - long over short. I have worn it with my black pencil skirt. And it works okay. 

    Sarah, that is just it, isn't it. There has to be a sweet spot. But where? 

    Deb, you are in league with Carla to become my favourite person. :) 

    Jeanne, thank you -- and yes, I think a hi-low would be more flattering. 

    Shirley, thank you. 

    Angie, thank you -- I will wear it with more confidence. :)

    Peri - thank you. I wasn't shooting for a 10 today. Heck, I felt lucky just to manage not to repeat! I just wanted to do a bit of an experiment to see how I felt about the silhouette. 

    Unfrumped, that is what I like about it, too. The minimalism. I do really enjoy that. And that part felt very me. Sometimes I get fed up with wearing scarves. I do it mostly for warmth in winter. I need to buy myself more turtlenecks. 

    Thank you everyone else whose name I did not mention. I am grateful for your feedback and thoughts. 

  • K. Period. replied 10 years ago

    Big hugs! Glad to hear everyone is fine.  Keep a close eye on your mom and aunt tomorrow, too.  Sometimes people feel much more shaken up, physically and emotionally the next day.

  • catgirl replied 10 years ago

    I am with K - I have never seen you in anything I'd consider unflattering. And I am so confused by your short-leg perceptions of yourself!

    I think the right tunic can be elongating but I don't get why. I need comparative visuals for this kind of thing.

    Sending out the clarion call for Angie....

  • Refugee replied 10 years ago

    I would be really interested to here how you feel about this length with a lower contrast bottom.  Is it perhaps the combination of length and high contrast that makes you feel cut in half?

  • anne replied 10 years ago

    I was quoting Trinny and Susanah on the crotch covering thing, if anyone wanted references!
    I don't really think of this length jumper as a tunic FWIW.

  • Suz replied 10 years ago

    Interesting, Anne. I think you're right - a true tunic would be below the crotch point for sure. But that never seems to work well on me, at all. Or at least it doesn't work to my eye. 

  • Tanya replied 10 years ago

    I find this discussion fascinating.  For all that it is worth, I agree with K and many others. I think it looks nice on you, and your legs do not look short.

    I do share you leg length appearance concerns though. I think we have similar body types in terms of long torsos. So here is a recent photo of an outfit of mine, where the top is true tunic length.  And there is high contrast between the top and the pants.  So I would be curious if you and others think this tunic length is leg shortening, leg lengthening or neither.  I can not tell myself, and it ties nicely into this discussion.( and I hope you do not mind, I am not trying to hijack your thread).

  • Lyn D. replied 10 years ago

    (Tanya, Tanya, Tanya- your legs look like they go all the way to heaven in this outfit :) )
    And Suz, yours look pretty good too!
    IKWYM about wearing o'sized sweaters though- I need to be in the right state of mind to be happy wearing mine, as in wanting to feel and look cosy and warm rather than willowy and slim. (Mine is more boxy than rectangular like yours.)
    An interesting discussion, as I have just listed on Ebay a BF. shirt that I just felt so frumpy in :(

  • Neel replied 10 years ago

    Suz! Your legs don't look short! K made me laugh out loud too! You CAN'T look bad even if you tried. He he! I might prefer the outfit with tall boots too.

  • Neel replied 10 years ago

    Tanya I can only see your gorgeous figure! Can't get past that to your legs :)

  • Deborah replied 10 years ago

    Suz, having only read your post and no comments I am going to respectfully disagree:). I love this on you. I would wear black booties but other than that would not change a thing. I am a petite also and I would wear this in a heartbeat.

  • Astrid replied 10 years ago

    I think you look great (haven't read the other comments). Maybe you just have to get used to the new silhouette?

  • Joy replied 10 years ago

    Suz, first, you are too hard on yourself. No short legs here. But, thank you for pointing out what I'd not realized was the reason I have trouble with wearing tunics and tops below crotch length, unless the outfit is really low contrast. I have trouble wearing leggings except black ones with a too-short black dress, for example. My legs over-all are average, but the length from knee to foot is short (figured out from trying to buy knee-high boots).

  • Suz replied 10 years ago

    Joy, maybe that really does explain why we in particular find it SOOOO difficult.  I wonder. I also really, really strongly dislike the look of crop pants/ clams on myself unless they are very tapered, usually low contrast, and I have a bit of a heel (so usually a wedge sandal). When I was running around playgrounds after my daughter that was still too "dressy" and impractical for my everyday life so I rarely wore them. Now I wear them more often. But always with a bit of hesitation. 

    Thank you all for your opinions. And Tanya, thank you for the images! You are more willowy and graceful than I am in shape but we are similar in some ways for sure. But this outfit looks spectacular on you and here's why I think it works: 

    1. Your tunic is longer than mine, more like a dress. 
    2. It is shaped at the waist. 
    3. The boots (toned to the tunic) unite them and make --  not a column of colour, but a strong relationship between top and bottom -- a unity -- so what you see is just a long line, period. The knee area is sort of skipped over to an extent. 

  • Alassë replied 10 years ago

    Tanya, your legs definitely look long in that outfit. I agree with Suz that the tunic reads more as a short dress and that helps.

  • lyn67 replied 10 years ago

    Suz! I don't see anything wrong in this outfit, your legs don't look too short for me, even in this high contrast outfit and different color shoe!

    BUT I can so relate with your(and others) dilemma around achieving  flatering proportions with tunic lengths.

    I too consider have a long torso with shortish legs, but  I am longer from the crotch to waist, and have thick and (too)shapely tights, which seem to complicate things even worse.

    As Diana said, for me shorter-dress-length tunic like sweaters work best (but not the shorter dresses themselves, cuz then, they have a higher waist cut, which doesn't match the place of mine-and nor the classic shapeless tunics, wich make me look plump for the matter of having wide hips, to:-(().

  • Suz replied 10 years ago

    Lyn, you might have hit on another factor -- elliptical shape -- looks wide from the front (even if not actually large). I know I am also elliptically shaped, wider from the front than the side. 

  • E replied 10 years ago

    I loved reading this thread, because we have similar long torsos/strong shoulders/elliptical shapes and I've never really embraced the tunic trend either! That being said, I do think you're a bit hard on your legs sometimes, even if you think you're not being critical. They really don't read short or stumpy, at least in pics. And I'm so glad your mother is ok, even if the car isn't.

  • Transcona Shannon replied 10 years ago

    First off, so glad your mother is ok :)

    I think you look lovely here and there is nothing off about the outfit. Having said that...I know EXACTLY what you mean and how you are feeling about the proportions here because I am the same. I feel stumpy and short with that much of my upper body covered. This is why I have fallen so in love with the semi tuck - it raises the sweater so more legs show and suddenly, I feel more proportionate. 

    But Angie has a point (as she always does!) in that it is "flattering enough". Not everything has to be perfectly proportionate all the time. And many trendy silhouettes are not IMHO. I think it all boils down to your own personal preferences and comfort zone.

  • texstyle replied 10 years ago

    Suz - this looks SO cute on you and I don't see leg shortening here at all. Really glad you decided to change it up a bit and show us this one.

  • Alexandra replied 10 years ago

    Suz, this looks really good! Different proportions from what you usually show but nice nonetheless. And I really like that sweater.

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