15 March 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.
Sources:
- Ruffled cardigan: Ann Taylor
- Striped top: Old Navy
- Skinny belt: thrifted
- Wide belt: Target
- Cropped pants: Old Navy
- Ruffled pumps: AM, via DSW
End Notes:
Today’s outfit is a reinterpretation of an outfit that I wore (and loved) earlier this month. I once again paired a patterned top with the ruffled cardigan, and so I automatically reached for my newly thrifted skinny black belt that I wore the first time around.
15 March 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.
(A brief digression. I’d like to announce that today’s outfit is a major style breakthrough for me. Yes, world, I have overcome my irrational fear of horizontal stripes. Somewhere along the way, probably due to watching too many episodes of What Not to Wear, I became afraid of horizontal stripes. I was convinced that they could only do my figure harm. But with stripes everywhere again this season, I decided that it was time to break free of my fear and try it out. And surprise. I think I might like them.)
15 March 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.
Anyway, I kept the cardigan unbuttoned and tried on my skinny black belt. (My trick when belting over unfastened layers is to actually button part of the cardigan, belt, and then unbutton and rearrange. I’ve come to appreciate having that vertical strip of top creating the illusion of length.) While the skinny belt worked fine, and gave the outfit a nice bit of polish, it admittedly got a bit lost among the stripes.
15 March 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.
So I pulled out my wider black belt and tried that instead. I appreciated how this wider belt was more visible, drawing attention to my waist and creating some visual rest in the outfit overall. Because my torso is so long, I tend to find that wider belts work best, allowing me to “fake” a higher natural waist and longer leg line.
But since this week is all about pushing the ways in which we use belts — rather than falling back on tried and true approaches — I thought I’d try one more option: belting under the cardigan. The results are pictured up top, and that’s the option I went with today. Although it may not necessarily be the most flattering in traditional terms, I liked how this combination played with softness and structure without being too predictable.
For an absolutely invaluable breakdown of the power of belting, check out Audi’s guest post on Already Pretty on the why’s and how’s of belting.
I love stripes! I’m so glad they are so popular right now and I’m glad you broke free of your fear! Rock those horizontal stripes! ;)
Awww I really love this outfit! I like how you paired everything together… I think my fav is that ruffled cardigan. I want to go out and buy it, right now!
I am totally with you on the wide belts due to the longer torso. I do the same thing. Smaller belts just get lost in the expanse.
I also think the horizontal stripes rule makes less sense for slender women. They can look great, when not too tight, and also when broken up with a belt and sweater.
Lastly, I like how you wore the belt in the first photo best. It’s really cute!
Fabulous outfit! I’m definitely going to copy this look:) And I actually like it better with the skinny belt.
[...] As E. already mentioned, this week is all about trying new things and breaking out of our belting routine. So I’m trying a conglomerate of new things with this look: wearing a high waisted shirt with the top tucked in; using a wider belt to join the seams of those items; pattern mixing to boot; and belting under a top layer such as this vest. (Also, don’t hate me for wearing the same skirt from two outfits ago, but I just brought this back from home with me and I suffer a mild case of separation anxiety every time I put it in the closet and attempt to wear something else). [...]
You look so cute, but you are reminding me of my complete fashion fear- cropped pants!
wow. the way you have this top styled (with the thin column between the cardigan) you have actually managed to work horizontal stripes in a way that makes you look even thinner than you already are!
i bow down to your fashion prowess. :)
I love this outfit! I have that same cardigan, and it is one of my faborite pieces. I’m also a big fan of stripes, so I was happy to see those as well. I’m still trying to conquer belting, however. Both belts with this outfit look so cute. I think I just need to bite the bullet and wear belts even though they make me feel ridiculous.
You look so Audrey Hepburn-esque (a term?) in that outfit. Wowee!
this looks so fresh and nice!
Actually, I like the belt-under-cardigan look: I think it takes the same visual illusion as the open, belted cardigan and extends it: the eye sees “narrow shape, divided at the midsection” and interprets it as “torso,” letting the cardigan-draped sides of your body become visual background.
I love the combination of soft neutrals, by the by. It looks very springlike in a gentle, delicate kind of way.
Two days in a row this week I wore a top I got last summer that is long but form-fitting and has fairly thick horizontal stripes (black and grey) – and, prompted by the pattern mixing, paired it with a thin silk spring-like scarf that is white and green floral. I don’t know what the horizontal stripe thing is about!
Thankyou! That’s very helpful.
Actually, I think the belt under the cardi ended up being my favourite look of them all. The softness of the cardigan plays very well with the stronger shapes beneath, and the whole look ends up being both textured and breathable, if that makes any sense.
Stick with those horizontal stripes, lady, they look fabulous on you!
I don’t think you need to worry about the alleged dangers of horizontal stripes; you are in striped splendour! Though I must warn you of the addiction. I have had to dial it back on the marketplace cry of the stripe because I realised it was overtaking my wardrobe and the inevitable Waldo jokes were not far off. Embrace the stripe, but do not ignore the polka dot or the houndstooth, or the useful solid. (This is sounding ridiculous but my wardrobe did need a moratorium on the stripe for a while–the stripe can be a cruel mistress).
I love stripes, but I am only working them with the socks and the tights these days. Will see where this restraint takes me…
Love your blog!