WIW 6/19: Angie-inspired soft masculine look and K/T blue stripe shirt

I loved Angie's soft masculine summer outfit on her:
http://youlookfab.com/2012/06/.....or-summer/
I did not think this would look good on me because my style tends to be very ladylike and I don't do well with tomboy or masculine looks. But I had similar pieces in my closet so I thought I'd give it a try. Plus right now I'm doing forced exploration of my closet to try to assess my older/lesser worn pieces. These blue button down shirts are all old. I don't think light blue is my color so these may have to go. What do you think--purge all of these shirts or is one of them worth saving?

As an apple, I felt rather self-conscious about tucking and belting the shirt, but gave it a try anyways. This outfit does technically meet my rubric criteria (Color--raspberry, Pattern--animal print and striped shirt, Matchy-matchy--animal print belt and shoes and red trimmed shoes matching raspberry blazer, Fitted--shirt tucked and belted, Flair--leopard pumps), but I admit it's a little out of my style comfort zone. What do you think--is this ladylike enough with the heels to fit with my style or should I give up on trying masculine looks?

1. My attempt to copy Angie (in #2):
Old Navy striped shirt
Kut from the Kloth white skinny jeans
Tulle raspberry blazer
Animal print belt
B Makowsky Heist animal print pumps
Jason Wu for Target cream and navy straw bag

And keep or toss on the light blue shirts:
3-4. Old Navy striped button down
I like how it's more fitted than the second blouse, but I think it may be too short. I don't remember buying this but I think this may be my brother's shirt that he left behind at my house many years ago.
5-6. Casual Corner striped button down
DH used to compliment me every time I wore this shirt. He likes seeing me in classic pieces like this shirt, or red turtleneck sweater with jeans, etc. This is also ancient (I mean it's Casual Corner, LOL!) It looks like a better length than the first one. But is it too baggy for my figure?
7-8. Ann Taylor satin button down. It's slightly shiny. This was my interview shirt that I wore under a black Ann Taylor suit for all my residency interviews so it's about 15 years old. I now realize that I don't look good at all in this shade of powder blue.

So the question is, should I try to upgrade to a nicer blue pinstripe button down shirt (like Anne Fontaine!) someday, or should I give up on this style of shirt altogether?

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20 Comments

  • ManidipaM replied 11 years ago

    LOVE your rendition of Angie's formula! Any appleness is invisible to the naked eye, so walk tall! That raspberry jacket is so flattering with your brunette colouring.

    I think the ON works for now, and the AT might with a more vibrant topper (like that blazer!); but you should certainly keep an eye out for a more ladylike, fitted striper.

  • RandomThoughts (Andrea) replied 11 years ago

    Natalie, I think your outfit looks smashing. I love it on you.

    I agree that shirt 3/4 is probably too short but I think other folks should weigh in on this as I am no shirt expert. Honestly, I sort of like shirt 5/6 - it's loose but the color and length work. 7/8 - meh. Bye bye in my mind.

    FWIW, I L-O-V-E my BB white shirt. It's so starched and stiff and proper. It's awesome!

  • goldenpig replied 11 years ago

    Thanks Manidipa--I was a little self conscious about my tummy so it's good to know it looks OK. I really want a shirt more like Angie's--very fitted with pinstripes and white cuffs.

    Thanks Andrea--DH does like the Casual Corner shirt too. I would love to see pics of you in your white BB shirt--have you posted WIWs with it yet?

  • RandomThoughts (Andrea) replied 11 years ago

    I haven't. I have a dog show picture where I'm wearing it but you can't really appreciate the shirt. I do love it though. I need to get back into taking WIW pictures cos I have some new items to show off. :D

  • DonnaF replied 11 years ago

    I really like 5/6 on you, esp. the color. It is a nice fit, too. If you kept it, would you wear it?

    To my eye, 3/4 isn't as flattering due to the lighter color, overall length, deeper cuffs which seem a teeny tiny bit short, and general fit. The AT blouse fits well and the color is okay, but I agree that other colors flatter you more -- which makes me wonder if it would *go* with anything you have other than white pants!

  • Alecia replied 11 years ago

    I think the Angie copy cat outfit is great. It's funny that you would think of this as something other than ladylike. The shoes really take it into lady territory for me. As for the k/r questions, I think 5/6 is super. The others I vote return.

  • Deborah replied 11 years ago

    Your Angie copy cat looks great.. And it looks like you and by that I means it suits your style:). I would keep shirt #5 as I like the color and the cut (and the length). I think the others could go:(

  • Suz replied 11 years ago

    Your outfit is fab and totally works! You look terrific in this!

    And very ladylike despite the masculine elements. That is a girly jacket. ;-)

    I think of the shirts #5 is best, but I am not sure if it is too big? Hard for me to tell on my laptop.

  • cheryl replied 11 years ago

    I like #1 and #5 alot!

  • replied 11 years ago

    Love your Angie-inspired outfit. That said, I don't like any of the shirts on their own. First, you were right about the color not being the best for you. Although the Old Navy top works under the blazer (the blazer is a great color on you), it's nice to have pieces work on their own as well. The cuts are also not as fabulous as you are.

    If you're interested in sporting this look more often, I'd invest in a nicer button-down with a more flattering fit and in a better color. But, if you tried this ensemble and it didn't feel like "you," I'm not sure I'd bother investing in a button-down, much less an Anne Fontaine one. Hope that makes sense.

  • Transcona Shannon replied 11 years ago

    Your Angie copycat outfit is FANTASTIC on you Natalie! You can totally wear this look - love the colour of your jacket too. No apple-ness to see at all!

    As for the shirts, I like #5 the best. The others seem a ltitle snug but may fit differently tucked in as opposed to untucked. If you feel you like the look of your outfit in #1, I would keep my eyes open for a new crisp shirt.

    I think you look gorgeous!

  • celia replied 11 years ago

    Natalie, I can totally copycat you :) (when we are not under a heat wave)
    I think you look brilliant in your Angie inspired look.I wouldn't buy any more button downs for now but wait for the Nordstroms anniversary sale and buy goodies for next season.

  • lyn67 replied 11 years ago

    Like your version of masculine wear, too!-did you felt suiting your fashion persona?

  • Angie replied 11 years ago

    Get thee to BR right now for the best light blue striped button down, Natalie. I have a feeling that's the one. (I can't find it online). I vote return the rest. Just not 100%.

    I am humbled to have inspired an outfit. You look amazing! Raspberry is your colour! And you still look lady-like in this outfit :)

  • christieanne replied 11 years ago

    I think you should replace all these old button downs with one single perfect new version that is well fit for you. You might feel more ladylike if the fit is good. The pink blazer over a light blue shirt will be so fantastic as outfit #1 is sure close to perfect.

  • Kiwichik replied 11 years ago

    Full marks for your Angie copycat you look great. i think the shirt in 3/4 has reached it's use by date. Love the shirt in 5/6.

  • replied 11 years ago

    You were definitely made for button front shirts, so don't give up. Do what Angie said and try the BR one. You look really nice with the tucked in version in #1. I'm learning a lot from this thread as I have some of the same issues with mine. Thanks!

  • rae replied 11 years ago

    Wait, I thought this was a BR shirt? No? I do like it better than the others. Maybe Angie meant the blue shirt she has with the white collar?
    http://bananarepublic.gap.com/.....=905190002

    I think you did an *awesome* job with your inspiration outfit!

  • replied 11 years ago

    Don't give up on button downs yet. If BR does not work, try Express. You will be pleasantly surprised.

  • goldenpig replied 11 years ago

    Christianne, Claire, Rae & Lina,
    I did actually manage to get out to BR today and bought a blue and pink striped shirt, although apparently it's not the right one that Angie was thinking of and was a bit snug on my belly:
    http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....-other-krs

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