did someone say ... tortoise?

I am really enamored with this ziva top from Harshman -- unfortunately only available in Plus sizes. I am not sure it will be attractive -- my guess is it will be awesome or terrible-- but I am probably going to give it a try later this season.

I love a trapeze style.

Too baggy, even on the model IMHO. The sleeve is cute

Oh darn, you think? :(

I love trapeze tops in summer ... so cool to wear.

ETA I just tossed a favorite trapeze button down top yesterday. I had worn it so much that it was faded and the fabric was so thin.

Maybe ask your IRL friends. They may be a vestige of what you felt best in at a larger size and it might be time to try something new?

Ya, I will do that, thanks-- but fwiw, I don't wear trapeze styles at my highest weights as they feel/look like tents lol. I think it is all in the design whether or not it will work.

I also love the trapeze silhouette, Funky. That shirt is not really a trapeze style, although on first glance it appears to be. The top part of the shirt is very fitted, with gathered (rather than bias cut) fabric falling from a yoke that cuts directly across the fullest part of the bust. IMO it would probably look best on someone less endowed.

adding, the true trapeze shape falls directly from the shoulders and neck., if that makes more sense.

ah good point ... so I am using trapeze too loosely lol. The top I tossed this weekend was also fitted at the bust.

I am not sooo endowed. I am between a C and D cup. I actually dropped to a C in my latest order but it was a little premature ;). I'll just have to give it a try to Mtn's point and see how it works for me. I do like my shoulders of all things so hoping.

I have never seen a design like this so as noted above, it will either be fabulous or terrible. There is gathering under the armpit.

Yes I’d try it too as the shoulder cut is very flattering, but in my case the bare arms are a deterrent.

The shirt is not flattering on the model; but if you like it that much, i agree you should try it. it definitely draws attention to the bust and arms.

Looks like you would need a strapless bra.

Yes, could be, Eld ... and I have one. It is also possible that one of my racer back bras would work.

I did look up the brand and see they do have regular sizes at tuckernuck, saks and NM.. including some more traditional styles.

I won't order it now as it wont arrive before I leave ... and well, I'll probably cool my heels for a bit after I return. It is a "thick of summer" top so I dont feel rushed.

The open knit polo shirt arrived today -- I had ordered a size up because, a) it is so short (19") and b) I wanted it to be loose, light and airy. I am glad I did.. I love the fit. It IS short ... I am long waisted and even going up a size and with a very loose fit, it just hits at my belly button. I am not sure if that is a deal breaker yet. It may work with my high waisted pants and my spanx skort ... I'll try them later.

Otherwise, I do like the top-- it is lightweight, soft and breezy. I think the quality is in line with the price (not amazing but nice quality). If I keep it, I will likely replace the buttons but that's just me. I like a shimmery shell button. It is tts if not a slight bit generous in width but I am glad I went up a size as that provides the carefree look i was going for vs a closer sport fit.

My only fit complaint is the length -- and it isnt yet clear if that is a deal breaker.

(Kswl, did you misunderstand? is 19" really too long for you? )

Hope that helps those of you who were considering it ...

Funky, can you post the top you are talking about?

sure.. sorry, it was further up the thread.

Linking to regular size; https://www.nordstrom.com/s/open-stitch-button-up-polo-sweater/7782388?origin=keywordsearch-personalizedsort&breadcrumb=Home%2FAll%20Results&color=101 

I am very short waisted, Funky, and do often order petite sizes for that 18” length, sometimes shorter—- and my belly button has never seen the light of day!

OK yeah, that is a short waist (or mine is very long). Thinking I am going to return the top-- it isnt just the length. I went up a size but it's a boxy fit and I don't think the combo of big, wide and short is doing me any favors.

Funky - sorry it didn't work out but I appreciate hearing your review. I'm afraid boxy and short will be a fail for me as well (:

How's the packing going? Your trip is in a few days, right?

Funky I returned the black and white AE sweatshirt in Medium and am exchanging it for the fawn and white stripe in small.

Hope it fits better!

LOL packing ... I will pack tomorrow after work. I am planning 2 outfits per day and layers (but my current list is double that!)-- the temps are going to range between 65 and 85 and we'll be walking/in the sun a lot so I'll want to change for the evenings.

Pants, dresses and jackets are more or less set. Tops are wildly up in the air lol. Not planning anything too dressy ... evenings I will wear dressier jeans, jacket and top.

And truth is, I am a mood dresser ... so I could very easily end up in my beloved summer uniform of white top, jeans and sunglasses 3 of 5 days LOL! I think it would be fine for walking soho, greenich village, brooklyn, etc.

Dresses are for hot days/cool mornings ... walking/shopping and museums. The black dress could be dressed up if needed but I typically wear it with a jean jacket.

I know you all said no to this dress and I may still cut it .... but it shows off my waist and it is great for a very sunny day. I think it may be perfect for brunch at Alice's Tea Cup ... it will be the first to cut if space is an issue though.

Hope it works better, Kswl ... did you consider the striped boat neck top? I know it is sold out at spanx but Ive seen them in smaller sizes at other stores.

I did, briefly! The issue is this: i have two black on white striped tops right now that I am not really wearing, and I have seven (yep, 7) blue on white stripe tops that unless i get cracking I am not going to wear them all more than once this summer. Do I need another striped top?……debatable. I am actually waiting for the J Crew boat neck slightly cropped shirt in a heavy cotton to restock in red on white. I love the blue on white one and will buy the red one the minute I get that email. I don't need it but otoh I don' t have one in that color, so 🤷‍♀️

adding, I like all three dresses you’ve pictured and think each one could function for a variety of occasions and temps, I think the white dress is more flattering than it appears in the picture and will look lovely on you. The angle of that photo would not do anyone any favors,

Yes, I DO think the white dress looks better on me than in the photo .. my bust isnt as large and my waist is smaller. At least last i remember 🤣. I got compliments from strangers both times I wore it last summer. That is reason enough for me! I am picking it up at the dry cleaner this evening ... I'll try it again before I pack it.

The second try for a second sneaker just arrived ... they are very comfortable and while a bit clunky, I am very stable in them (my primary goal). I wish they werent platform but this is what I could get in time (a local show boutique has a similar, non-platform style in a 1/2 size smaller which I am tempted to try-- but not for the trip)

Ara Mikky

I may pick these up when I return-- the leather is so soft, light and supple -- unlike all my other leather sneakers. Downside is they are 1/2 smaller .. the pair above is comfy but generous. I think these are worth a try when I am not walking miles in a day.

I rarely wear anything but sneakers so I can justify them.

PSA I just got this top from BR Factory in the pink color … $15! It’s quite nice! Love the color, kind of a soft terracotta.

https://bananarepublicfactory.gapfactory.com/browse/product.do?pid=792945361&vid=1#pdp-page-content

I love that color too-- and the lighter version also you had in your previous purchases! Great price but I can tell it is too short for me ....

I always knew I had a long torso-- as a kid on swim teams, I always had to get the "long" speedos. I am not sure I recognized how long my torso is ... but I am slightly above average height but with very short legs so i guess it makes sense.

Sue, that is definitely your spring/ summer color, very pretty. You should post that on the good deals thread!

Last week I posted about this LOFT dress. The size I usually wear was HUGE. The next size down came a couple of days ago. It is quite generously cut. I could probably size down one more time, but I’m going to keep it. I’m concerned that when it is washed, it will shrink. It is still going to have to have a ton cut off the bottom. If you are exceptionally tall, this may be the dress for you!

P.S. why is it her hair looks cute but when mine does that I just look unkempt?

FWIW Bbstx, I think her hair looks unkempt. I am not on board with the messy bun movement.… brushed hair for me 👱‍♀️

I agree ... unkempt. But I do think it can be cute and unkempt at the same time.

I am most often unkempt these days-- but for 58 yr I couldnt get "unkept" or "messy" or "tossled" to hold. It was too straight, fine and silky.

Now that my hair is longer, the look can hold and I am embracing it! It fits my lifestyle.

I usually wear my hair back. It usually decides randomly to be Schoolmarm Severe, or Just-Got-Back-from-a-workout Awry. Sometimes I can get one nice strand to fall out on one side, and I think it looks great. I cannot be moved or touched when this unicorn-like event occurs, simply admired. 🤣

Banana Republic pants were a fail. DH, my biggest fan, killed it when he said the color of the "sand" ones was giving him Sears vibes. The olive ones were cropped - no! How'd I miss that.

I went to Madewell, put in the BR size, and they told me to size down two sizes in their pants. I find that odd so I bought a range of sizes. I bought a bunch from them. And then a ribbed white boatneck tank because I was feeling wild again.

There's a Madewell in the shopping center with our Trader Joe's. Never been. I always figured it was for college age. We're not too far from LSU. So it's all ages?

IDK. I googled "tailored pants" and I got sent to Madewell. I know they are owned by J Crew, which I often like. I will let you know if they refuse to deliver them when they find out I'm not a coed anymore. 😆

“Sears vibes”
Kiss of death for any self-respecting fashionista 😂

Oh no lol... I just put a pair of talbots chinos in my packing pile. I was so proud of myself for a) fitting into them again, and b) branching beyond jeans ... and now I have Mr Mtn in ny head whispering, "sears catalog"!

Hope the new pants work for you, Mtn!

Checked our Madewell online. Not impressed.

I really like the color beige, khaki, sand, stone, sandstone, light taupe, and any other variation of it, in pants, skirts shirts, sweaters, skirts and dresses. And coats and jackets and shoes! It is more about the structure and shape of the garment (or lack of same) and whether the color is right for a person and outfit, Funky. Your khaki slacks are almost certainly great on you.

I agree though, there is a certain type of beige polyester pant that is most unfortunate and can make anyone look like Maude.

Mtn you are pretty lucky to have a sounding board with a discerning eye and institutional memory for retailers like ”that” one!

Somehow I’ve missed your moratorium on cropped pant syles 🤔

I don't understand how cropped styles look good on anyone, unless they are trying to appear shorter, but they sure are popular so it must be me,

I totally agree on beige, khaki, sand, stone, sandstone, light taupe; love them all and I am sure your chinos are classic. The BR trousers were not polyester and I liked the cut and fit but the color was a weird brownish tone with a hint of orange methinks.

LOL I love cropped pants and live in them in the summer. I am on the short side, but I don't feel like they make me look shorter. It has to be the right length, right leg width, etc. to work though. For nicer ones (that I'd wear out-to-eat, etc.) I like light weight ones that are more "flowy" if that makes sense. Plus what shoes you wear with them make a difference. Here in the hot south, I very, very rarely would wear long pants.

Re: color, the sand/tan colors are not good on everyone. I wear pants that color but I need color around my face. Neutrals are not my friend. ha!

I think cropped pants with a slim leg can look very nice, but these had a wide leg ... that I do not get at all!

For some reason I like my feet to show. Never thought about it that way before, but I don’t like pants that cover any part of the shoe. Hmmm 🤔

I am average height and I think cropped pants make me look taller! That def goes against the conventional wisdom that long pants are leg lengthening so it may be an optical illusion or just that i really like my shoes.

or just that i really like my shoes

LOL

Before Funky starts on her well dressed weekend,

I want to say; Have fun and we want pics of you in every single outfit. Or a couple of them.

Yes and then can we start a new thread, LOL. Hate uberlong threads.

I know Funky is styling up a storm in NYC— I hope she is interviewed by Double Vanilla!

HA! I wasn't styling and my hair was a wind-blown mess a good portion of the time but I had a great trip and will share some highlights in a new thread ... maybe later today or tomorrow.

To close out this thread, I wore most of what i took with. I did not wear the white dress or the blue one. I wore the black one only for a few hrs in our hotel bar. I wore the heck out of the spanx skort. Otherwise there were only 2 tops and 1 pr of jeans that I didnt wear. Pretty good, I think!

Well done, Funky! Coming home with only 3 unworn items is a WIN in my book!

ETA: Wait! I forgot to add in the 2 dresses. Still a win!

Is this the skort? I love skorts and I need a replacement for one I’ve worn to death.

https://spanx.com/products/booty-boost-17-inch-skort?variant=39774774591699&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwpNuyBhCuARIsANJqL9MT5S3YdVY9a63M5UqTbdK3gJxzk0NGbjHLKEyM4WjiXdPS1uOwhFAaAtegEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

welcome back Funky, glad you had a great time.

I meant to get the one you posted, Sue, when they had their pre-summer sale -- but I didnt. It was last week before my trip and I just forgot. I am a little concerned about the gathering of the skort in the back-- I really don't need to emphasize my booty lol but I do want to give it a try!

I have the air essentials skort-- it is a little more substantial which is what made it perfect for my trip (we had cool mornings and one cool day). It wasn't too hot for our 80 deg days but I think it would be too much for a 90 deg day.

https://spanx.com/products/airessentials-skort-17-inch?variant=43016061321427&queryID=19893f0b33ad0ee9e5e64819e70ea1fe&entry=search