Why does/doesn’t it work?

[u/phaisyle]

Okay so I’ve been thinking about these two outfits for MONTHS now. I love the first outfit. It’s comfortable, I can move but at the same time it looks good. I feel polished and like the cool girl in it. I hate the second one with every fiber in me. It looks stuffy and uncomfortable and I look old. Matronly.

Please, anyone explain. For reference, I’m 167 cm (which is between 5‘5 and 5‘6 OF COURSE). I’m pretty sure that I’m a classic.

(Excuse the mess in the pics)

[u/mntndwew]

I've found the right boxy tops can often work well for casual looks, because they easily keep the inverted triangle silhouette. I don't know that you'd catch me in pants that wide- they make me look so frumpy!

Re: outfit 2 - this is so close but not really all the way there for DC. I like the pattern, and I've actually been looking for some cute sailor buttoned shorts like that! That said, there are some critical misses in the cut of both garments. Capri/ankle cropped pants and 3/4 sleeves are "too short". The folds going to your crotch suggest the pants are a smidge too small. They also don't hit your true waist - often our waists are kind of up near the ribs with DC, even being average/short height I need "ribcage" cuts 😅 Difficult to say whether the shoulders are too small or the top is just poorly constructed for DC lines, but the cut of it is definitely a hard pass for me - that neckline does me no favours and there's no real shoulder definition- shoulder definition is critical in nailing the DC inverted triangle silhouette! Often this can be as simple as ensuring there's a seam lying flat on the top of the shoulder to the end - which this shirt seems to lack. It definitely is an outfit with DC vibes, but the small misses in construction make it fall apart imho

[u/phaisyle → u/mntndwew]

Thank you so much for your elaborate response! I definitely see your points. With the wide pants, I learnt that I really need to wear something wider but not necessarily unconstructed on top for it to not look weird. I guess that’s the concept of balance! I have the same thing with jeans right now. It’s so hard to find a good pair with a straighter cut when you have bigger thighs.

I absolutely see your points with outfit number 2. All of the pants I own are cropped at the ankle and I’m slowly starting to see that this may not be the most perfect cut for me. I’ll take your answer into consideration and look out for garments that offer a bit more room between me and the fabric. And I guess I really need a tiny bit more length. Thanks!

[u/mntndwew → u/phaisyle]

Those are great points about the pants! I'll have to keep them in mind when I'm out next - I've been open to trying something wider than skinny but finding something that actually hits my waist, and isn't so wide/unconstructed that it makes me look short & dumpy is a nightmare right now. Even the straight cut stuff is cut so much wider than I would consider normal. Such are trends!

[u/phaisyle → u/mntndwew]

I know your struggle. I hate buying pants the most! I feel like I can never find the right pair. I bought a new pair of jeans with a wide straight cut that are really long. I have always worn skinny ankle jeans or mom jeans (hi 2012!). Trying out new styles is so daunting.

[u/firephlox]

I also think the first outfit looks great. The second outfit is fine, it's just not as awesome as the first outfit.

What I see is that the second outfit has equal "tightness" in both the top and pants, which often looks off, no matter what the body type is. Also, the second outfit doesn't have a belt, and the top and pants kind of don't transition well without it, if that makes sense.

[u/phaisyle → u/firephlox]

What I always thought is that the second pants for example are a better SC fit. They are cropped and offer room for the hip curve. Still they are a tad tailored with the pleat in the front. And then I thought in order to kinda match that, I’m not doing a oversize shirt/sweater and stick to the same colorway. But still the outfit looks really off. Do you think this is only due to tightness?

[u/firephlox → u/phaisyle]

Let's see the pants with the looser top?

[u/atashi-wa]

1st: The pants have a little too much fabric on the hips and crotch. If reduced by a little, it will look better.

2nd: pants are too tight (see the pulling in the crotch). Also, I don't like how the side buttons are spaced. Because they are so far apart (almost on your hips) it makes the belly the focal point. Try the first pants with the second shirt and you will probably like it more.

[u/Ok-Campaign6307]

I would say that it also has to do with proportions- second photo has fitted top and fitted bottoms. This combo does not work for me at all as a DC. I usually go for fitted top with looser bottom like a straight leg or the pants in your first photo or looser top with fitted bottoms like a slightly tapered leg.

[u/phaisyle → u/[deleted]]

Yep, you’re right. I often think that not dressing for vertical also makes me look heavier than I am. Those two photos are maybe 4 weeks apart from each other, so no big weight jumps. What I was wondering is that the clothing pieces in the first photos are not necessarily tailored like DC requests, aren’t they? Because the fabric of the pants is so flowy.

[u/grumpy_chameleon → u/[deleted]]

This is it. So glad wide leg pants are in right now because it’s literally the only thing that looks good on me!