Firecracker's Blog

WIW: skinnies, skinnies, and tunic extender

October 3, 2015

Here are a few outfits of late.
Starting with the tunic extender (thanks to Elizabeth P's comment on this thread--this is how I prefer to think of them, too) aka skirted leggings, aka butt vest, aka skirted leggings of controversy (SLOC).
Then a few skinnies outfits and a question about the skinnies.
 
1-4 (worn to work): Black skirted leggings (Eileen Fisher); stone angled-hem knit tunic (made by me); stone and black holey-knit shrug (made by me); gray shimmer suede oxfords (Naot, Kedma); mauve and black packable rain coat (Mycra-Pac); gray backpack (Rebecca Minkoff). I wore the outfit with the oxfords. Tried but not worn (photo 4): with gray distressed suede booties (Paul Green, Delgado).

5-7 (worn for a day off): dark wash skinnies (Mother, the Looker); black and white print and color-blocked sweatshirt (made by me); silver and marcasite long pendant and bracelet (Lucky); black leather cuff with silver studs; gray distressed suede booties (Paul Green, Delgado); dusty olive jacket (Laundry by Shelli Segal); gray backpack (Rebecca Minkoff).
8-11 (worn for a day off): light gray acid-wash skinnies (Eileen Fisher); aqua polka dot cashmere zip-back pullover (Halogen); gray shimmer suede oxfords (Naot, Kedma); gray and stone belt); dark olive leather moto jacket (AllSaints); gray backpack Rebecca Minkoff).

12-13 (worn for a day off): same light gray skinnies (Eileen Fisher); olive heather funnel neck long sleeved tee (made by me); olive belt (Fossil); metallic pewter peep-toe booties (Paul Green); dark olive leather moto jacket (AllSaints).

eta: 14-16: Same outfit as 8-11, but with medium wash skinnies (Lucky, Lolita) instead. Also tried no semi-tuck in last photo. I need a belt with the pants, though, so the sweater is hanging over the belt buckle. Seems the sweater is loose enough to work this way.

My question about the skinnies: I love the Mother dark wash ones. Love them. They are not only comfy, but I feel like I look my best in them. The light gray acid-wash ones, not so much. Why?? They are very comfy, too, but I just don't like the look of them on me as much as the Mothers or some other medium-blue-wash denim skinnies I have (e.g., photos14-16, which I added). I really thought it would be great to have skinnies in this color. I don't know if it's just an aversion to light skinnies or if I got the wrong size or the color is off  . . . or what. I do wear them, because in reality, I don't spend much time looking at myself in the mirror, and they feel fine. But I'm considering getting rid of them, because I wonder if I should keep pants that I just don't think I look fabulous in. Your thoughts??

Thanks for looking!

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Posted in the What I Wore category
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.

28 Comments

  • replied 8 years ago

    Hi :)  Well, to jump right to the question about the acid wash grey skinnies......I will be honest and agree that I'm not wild about them on you either.  There are 3 things coming to mind for me:  
    1. acid wash treatment - trendy , but maybe not your look - and not really flattering to anyone, young or old, in my eye
    2. fit - somehow looks very form fitting which your figure can handle, but just looks too ,well, calf-sucking , to use the expression around here.  Something not elegant about the fit - and your outfits always have an element of elegance and sophistication in the fit.
    3. colour - it's such a light grey , it comes across in the photo as neither here nor there - not really grey, and not really white.  And I think with your colouring , that in-between-ness on the bottom isn't strong enough somehow.

    Interesting .  Thanks for the opportunity to chime in. 

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 8 years ago

    Thanks, Lisa, for your astute analysis. I'm going to go change now. I mean, really, I have a wardrobe full of better fitting jeans, right?
    The calf-sucking thing is a mystery to me. All my skinnies suck my calves, so I think the color must make that fit especially bothersome.

  • Aida replied 8 years ago

    Gray acid wash jeans!! Well of course I love them ;) I wonder if having acid wash on something as expected as jeans (hear me out) just isn't funky enough for you. I feel like you need something like a acid-wash denim bag or longline vest or shoes or something. Light color always tends to exaggerate any fit issues. Is the denim different between the two Mother jeans? I find that a lot of the super soft, super stretchy ones give me a lumpy thigh fit for some reason :\ I feel the mid-wash jeans in #14-16 have the best fit.

    The tunic outfit in #1-4 is amazing on you. So many interesting lines, and great high contrast yet soft colors. I like the booties as an option. Also love the second outfit in #5-7. The light outfit in #8/9 I feel needs a lighter shoe, but it works nicely once you add the darker jacket as in #10/11. #12/13 is a super fun look that feels like you+a little extra 80s.

  • Evie replied 8 years ago

    Thanks for sharing these photos with us. It looks like you have fun putting interesting outfits together, I especially like all the lines and angles of the first outfit. It is a visual feast! I also marvel at your sewing skills! I am just starting to get back into sewing (after a 20 year break) and am wondering whether the tops you made in these photos were designed by you...or whether you used patterns. If you used purchased patterns, would you mind sharing the make and style number with me? I love the stone angled top, the printed sweatshirt and the funnel neck top. I could see each of these styles fitting into my wardrobe and style.

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 8 years ago

    Aida, thanks for your thoughts. The gray jeans are Eileen Fisher; the darkest ones are Mother. They are both very stretchy, but the Eileen Fisher ones are a little thicker fabric. The ones you like the fit of the best here--the medium wash in 14-16--are Lucky, and they are not as stretchy. I think you're right that acid-wash jeans may not be quite my thing. Though, like you, I did like outfit 12-13. (But I didn't get a back view, so I might not have liked it as much as I thought.) The shoes make a big difference.

    Evie and Aida, glad you liked the tunic outfit. Evie, the angled hem tunic is a Marcy Tilton design, Vogue 9057. The shrug is the eShrug from The Sewing Workshop.

  • JAileen replied 8 years ago

    I like seeing pics of EF skirted leggings. I bought some last spring and never wore them. I wasn't sure how to wear them, and then it got too hot. So the more pics I see of them, the better sense I'll have.

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 8 years ago

    JAileen, I also like to wear them with a cardigan or vest that is longer than the skirt. Here are a couple of examples.

    1 2 3
  • JAileen replied 8 years ago

    Thanks! Those are nice outfits, too.

  • Evie replied 8 years ago

    Thanks for the links to the sewing patterns.

  • Jaime replied 8 years ago

    Tunic extender! I want one but it must cover my knees! I don't care for the acid jeans on you, but love the dark ones. Lighter jeans need to be baggier? The acid effect? I don't know but why wear them if you have such excellent alternatives.

  • Maneera replied 8 years ago

    You are stunning in #1. Simply stunning! The tunic plus skirted leggings look amazing on you, and the shrug is such an amazing finishing touch here. BEAUTIFUL!

    I'm not a fan of the acid wash light grey jeans either. I think LisaP has already listed all the things that come to mind.

    However, while they are a bit too snug, you say they are really very comfortable. Have you tried a tunic top with them? A long and cosy sweater tunic and mid-calf or tall boots in a dark colour would look quite lovely with these jeans, in my opinion. The photos are just for proportions inspiration.

    1 2
  • Brooklyn replied 8 years ago

    I love 12/13 on you and now find myself coveting both your jacket and your top. What is it you are not happy with about the jeans? Is it the lightness of them or the acid wash? Do you have white jeans or some other light coloured jeans as an alternative? Because I really like the contrast in that look. And the shoes are great. I also think they fit fine. I personally struggle to find skinnies that are not calf sucking (or thigh sucking for that matter). I know many forum members seem to have perfect relaxed skinnies but I can't seem to find them for my build. And I have looked for them way too much!
    I also want to comment on how great you look in no 1. Genius layering. I really love that shrug and how it adds texture to the outfit. I want to copy this.
    Ooh, and I love your silver necklace too. :)

  • Laura (rhubarbgirl) replied 8 years ago

    I looked at the pictures before I read your comments and I was thinking how cool and interesting the light wash jeans were. I mean, obviously they're not as 'flattering' in the dark-things-receding sense as a pair of dark wash jeans are. But they're different, and create some interesting color combinations with tops. Maybe the light wash and the acid wash together are a step too far for your style?

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 8 years ago

    Maneera, thanks for your compliments on the tunic outfit and your ideas for the questionable jeans. I like the inspiration photos.

    Shevia and Brooklyn, I do think the gray acid-wash jeans are easily replaceable with other things in my closet that I like better. Brooklyn, I could certainly wear look 12-13 with the white straight-leg jeans below, for example. And I have a love-hate relationship with skinny jeans. When I find ones that work, I love them. When they don't work, I have to actively remind myself that it's the jeans' problem, not my body's. :) That's one of the things that makes YLF is so great--keeping such things in perspective.

    1
  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 8 years ago

    Laura, maybe so, although I do like the color and wash in theory. I just have to admit I like them better off than on.

  • Karie replied 8 years ago

    I love the tunic extender! What a great idea. I'm not a fan of the gray skinnies either. For some reason, I find that darker wash skinnies always look better. The lighter ones just seem to highlight everything. 

  • Bijou replied 8 years ago

    When you have those wonderful white jeans (that are a fantastic fit) why would you reach for the acid wash grey pair that you don't feel so great in?  It is definitely a case of its the jeans not you. This is such an interesting thread as I can understand why you bought the grey jeans, to add variety to your wardrobe. However, I have to admit, that compared to your other jeans, the grey pair just don't work so well.

  • approprio replied 8 years ago

    My first thought scrolling through these was that these are some of the nicest looks I've seen you in. The acid wash jeans with the taupe jacket and teal accents was a standout for me. They look like a fantastic fit. 

    Then again, my experience with light wash jeans is that they tend to show up every wrinkle and whisker, so I can understand if you don't feel your best self in them. 

  • dakotacheryl replied 8 years ago

    I have nothing helpful to add to the comments already posted...but had to say that I love the combinations you put together in these photos ... fabulous!!

  • Angie replied 8 years ago

    You are just sooooo killer super cute all round, Sharan. I just about fainted when I saw #12. 

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 8 years ago

    Karie, thank you. And so true about light jeans. That's why many of us size up in white jeans, right?

    Bijou, yes, I really liked the idea of this color. As Aida said, maybe I would like it better in something other than jeans.

    Approprio, thank you! I also liked that color combination in the outfit you singled out. Good to hear from you; I know you must be crazy busy with your new venture!

    cheryl and Angie, thank you!

  • kellygirl replied 8 years ago

    I am your biggest fan, Firecracker! I love everything--acid wash jeans aside. I think they fit well enough but I find the seaming makes them look less polished than usual. I think I would have loved those outfits if they were just plain white jeans. You certainly have the figure to pull them off--just not sure those pants are good enough for you. 

    ETA: I just read through the comments and all of the love for those jeans! I think acid wash might just be my poison eye after all--wasn't sure I had a poison eye for anything. Ignore me, Sharan! Wear with confidence. 

  • lyn67 replied 8 years ago

    OMG, alre so artsy and fab! My faves is the nr 8-11. The color combo is so unexected, well thought and done, subtle and refined, wow!

  • Stephanie replied 8 years ago

    I am favoriting all of these looks! You have fabulous style. Your combination of the skirted leggings and assymetrical hemmed tunic is so flattering and fresh.

    I agree with you on the jeans..something is off. As others have chimed in, lighter wash jeans can call attention to any fit issues. The area I notice this is in the calf/knee area where they seem scrunched. I noticed some pooling at the ankle as well and wonder if a hemming might be a good idea? This color looks very close to white, and there is more contrast in the outfits too. Id suggest trying the jeans with lighter tops to see if there's any improvement. If not, a medium grey wash Jean may be a happy medium!

  • catgirl replied 8 years ago

    I cannot get over the pieces you make. My faves here are the darker moody colors because that's my sugar eye.

  • Suz replied 8 years ago

    Well, I LOVE 12/ 13 on you and I am hoping you repeat that outfit with different jeans if you don't like the fit of these. I do see the issues that others noted (if we are being super picky) but for some reason in that outfit I'm not bothered by it -- maybe because you and that olive  top (plus the jacket) are so harmonious that it makes me happy just to see the photo. Serious love for that colour on you. 

    I also really like the interesting lines and textures of #1. So jealous that you can wear a "tunic extender." :) 

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 8 years ago

    Kelly, you are so sweet--thank you. Don't feel bad about giving me your honest thoughts. There is clearly mixed opinion on the jeans, and I wasn't liking them myself. I just wasn't sure if I was being too sensitive or picky or whatever.

    Lyn and Una, thank you!

    Stephanie, I'm glad you liked the outfits, and thank you for your thoughts on the jeans, too. Good ideas!

    Suz, I know, I like that outfit, too, and I thought the jeans looked fine. It may be that on the second wear, they are too stretched out, so they get all those funny saggy wrinkles in them that are showing in the aqua outfit. (Or the fact that we're missing the critical back view on the olive outfit.) And laughing (with you, I hope) on the tunic extender.

  • unfrumped replied 8 years ago

    Wow, you just look great in jeans!

    I think you're being hard on the acid wash but yet I also like your white jeans better. Something about the mottled fabric makes them
    look thinner, not thicker, and throws my " eye" off. I think lighter colors are less forgiving and I only was able to handle the very thick Kut Catherine's.

    I do like the idea of trying the equestrian look if they tuck into tall boots, and see if you like that better.

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Welcome to my style blog. Dressing is something all of us do each day, but for me it is also a hobby. I like to find new ways to wear the clothes I have, make new clothes to add to my wardrobe (yes, sewing is another hobby!), shop for clothes, read and discuss fashion. Following You Look Fab has fueled my interest in taking outfit pictures to see where I've been and to get different perspectives on style. Thanks for joining me. I always appreciate hearing your thoughts.