Thursday, May 22, 2014

Purple Madness

A word up-front: sometimes I dress up just to dress up.  And when I do, I don't care about impressing others.  I do it for myself.  That happened last night.

I was tired, physically and emotionally.  I needed to relax.  I knew dressing up would accomplish that.  So I pulled out a $2 skirt I thrifted recently and set about surrounding it with matching pieces.

While the skirt is cute, its appealing and shiny color blinded me to a severe negative -- it has no shape and badly emphasizes the absence of curves in my cylindrical body.  The skirt couldn't be less flattering.  It makes me look awful.

Then again, any day in girl clothes is a day of bliss for me.  Even a bad outfit is good.

I need some advice.  Is there ANY way I can wear this skirt that won't make my body look bad?  Do you have any ideas on that conundrum?


 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

21 comments:

  1. I love the pattern and the sheen of that skirt, but it's hard to say if there's a way to rework it without seeing your closet. Maybe if you wear it with a dark, sleeveless top that creates a triangle shape on your top half. If you use a dark color to sort of join the two pieces and narrow your mid-section, it might work to create a uniform column with the dress. I don't know if that makes sense. Let me know if you want me to draw you a picture because that would make way more sense. Hope you're feeling better, and those colors look insanely good on you.

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    1. Nice notions, buddy. Thanks. You gave me directions to head down.

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  2. What about a peplum jacket or top over it to create a more curvy silhouette? It's an interesting piece and has some possibilities. Or you could add some gores to make it more A-line?

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  3. Une femme is right - the skirt itself isn't that bad, but you need something with shape above it to fake the hourglass that you're looking for. A blouse-y (full) shape on top with an accentuated waist would work too.

    I love the skirt, by the way - beautiful shape and colour.

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    1. Good idea, Sheila. I knew you'd come up with stuff I can't. Thanks.

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  4. Yikes, yeah, that is a problem. Which is a shame, because that outfit is awesome otherwise! I like the aforementioned idea of wearing it with peplum, which would give you the illusion of hips. Would it fit around your upper chest, allowing you to wear it as a dress? That, with a belt cinching in at the waist, might be interesting.

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    1. Hmm... great idea! The waist is elastic, so it would fit and with cinching, it would create some curves. The problem is I love the material and want to use it; I just need to re-fashion the skirt to suit me better. Your idea is creative and could work. Thanks!

      I may do a later post trying these ideas. You (and the other commenters) rock!

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  5. I vote for the peplum Une Femme suggested! I also wonder if you might like to google images for celebrities with rectangluar body shapes to see what sorts of things they wear and get ideas. With celebrities you tend to get two extremes-the street style is just jeans usually, but their red carpet looks or other gala events will give you some fancier clothes. Cameron Diaz has a very athletic, rectangular sort of body but she always looks great.

    I also love your way of dressing just for yourself. I think we could all learn from that. I am often torn between wanting to look good-as in properly proportioned my figure at it's best-and yet sometimes I just want to wear something I like because I like it or it suits my personality if not my body.

    Great post and I LOVE your purple outfit.

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    1. Thank you, Shawna. I don't expect people to understand and like me, so it's a pleasant surprise when they do.

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  6. Great colors and i love the material of the skirt but yes the shape is not great. You can always alter it of course to be a fitted pencil at knee or midi length. And best thing to do with these skirts would be add Heels to give the body shape. I like the cropped tie front top. Fitted tops or a cropped moto style jacket would be cool too in my opinion.
    Daphne.

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    1. Thanks, Daphne. I'm considering your ideas.

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  7. That's awesome!!! One of the absolutely most important elements of fashion is for it to bring the wearer joy first and foremost. Go with whatever the mood dictates and have a blast sporting outfits that calling your name. This principle has been a guiding light for me on the fashion front since I was a teenager and is always there when I slip on my vintage threads.

    ♥ Jessica

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    1. That's my attitude, Jessica. It took me a lifetime to acquire it and now I'm savoring it fully.

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  8. Echoing Sheila - a top/tunic/dress layered over top to create a faux-waist would do it. I love the colors! Purple looks divine on you. Sometimes I like wearing things that aren't typically flattering, but they still make me feel good.

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  9. The colour is perfect and really suits you, I definitely suggest a peplum jacket, preferably with a deep V neckline. Maybe in a pastel (for some reason I can see it in a subtle pastel green)

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  10. I love the print on the dress and the colour maybe try shortening it to show off your legs.

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  11. I agree with all the comments that have said peplum. Maybe make it shorter and wear some heels too. I am also drawn to it because of it being so shiny.

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  12. Peplum top! That's how I fake curves ;)

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  13. Peplum all the way! Orrrrrr an snug shirt with an off the shoulder fit. I have broad shoulders and a small bust and I often use my shoulders to create an illusion of more femme proportions. Not sure if I explained that well.

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  14. I believe you have two options here:

    1. Hem the skirt to just above the knee - the length is unflattering and matronly on you, in my opinion. Plus, it hides your best asset - your killer legs!! Then pair it with a cute peplum top to accentuate your waist or with a cute fitted top tucked in and belted.

    2. If you can't have it altered, get rid of it. Unflattering is unflattering - good pattern and fabric or not.

    Please update us on this one! I'd love to know what you decided to do!

    Lisa.

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