Proportion Play
This is a bit experimental for me, as I was raised with the “outerwear-should-always-be-longer-than-what’s-underneath” rule, but I really like the play of proportions here. And I LOVE this tunic…so much so that if the weather ever warms up I’d even consider wearing on its own. Yes…
sleeveless!! This is a very flattering top, with armholes cut nice and tight, so I don’t feel overexposed. But again, that’s if the weather ever warms up…
Seriously….August???
Lars wanted me to show you his best pose. (Lars, BTW, is the neighbor’s cat not ours, but he always wants to be where the action is.)
The Stuff:
Jacket: Eileen Fisher / Tunic: Eileen Fisher / Jeans: Eileen Fisher, similar (yegads, I see a pattern developing here!) / Shoes: Eileen Fisher, another open toe wedge style / Earrings: Argento Vivo, similar / Watch: Michael Kors / Bracelet: Stella and Dot.
Linking up with the usual suspects for Visible Monday at Not Dead Yet Style!
Do you follow any rules regarding proportions? Have you tried any different silhouettes that worked for you despite the rules?
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My proportion rules, despite being 56, often do involve a shorter top over a longer one for pants and jeans. I am still only a size 8 so no bulkiness anywhere other than around the bottom and thigh area and must end there. I only do straight shift frock styles and legs must be bare or covered in leggings or slender pants. Dresses can be slightly A-line but the hem must fall at or just above the knee.
I love this outfit both on its own and on you. I know exactly what you mean about the outside layer having to be longer – funny how those rules stay with us. Still it takes a bit of thought to get it right. Well done!
This is terrific layering, Une Femme, and with that tunic you really can do no wrong! Your new MK watch looks wonderful too. So does Lars, the camera-loving kitty : >
Well, you do have a Michal Kors watch ! I love the outfit, and really want that new tank. You look fabulous as always.
This looks fantastic. I’ve tried the shorter outer w/ a couple of summer cotton jackets & a longer white tee. It works a la Ellen Degeneres stle. She often dresses that way . I love your hair. And the cat. Your weather is mimicking ours right now. Growing up, the SFV was always hotter than Hades this time of year.
I think it looks great and I like that it’s one color so it’s broken up only by the cut, and not by changes in color.
I’m surprised to hear that our weather is warmer than yours — not by much, but we’ve been mid 20s (so mid to high 70’s) for a few weeks now. Heading off for a hike up a nearby mountain today and actually wishing it were a bit cooler. . . you look great and so does your outfit!
I like! And I find that short over long works very well – perfect for California’s marine layer.
I love this look on you! I think the different lengths of layers make this outfit extra special. And those shoes are great!
Lovely. Is the tunic dark brown as well as the jacket?
The links shoe the tunic in black and the jacket charcoal.
Hi Julie, the jacket is charcoal, everything else is black. I think this is why it works so well; the slight color difference provides a bit of definition.
I love that tunic on you!! Perhaps for me too:-). The proportion lengthens your legs and where the jacket stops is so flattering. I play with short over long and vice versa. What I really like about your particular pairing is the asymmetrical hemline with the short angled jacket hemline. Fabulous, really great looking and so chic on you.
To my eye short over long with an asymmetrical hem looks off balance. It may be something I have to see a lot more before I would feel comfortable with it. But I am the kind of person who had a corner fireplace in her first house, and it never looked right for the five years we lived there.
I guess I’m with you here. I have an instinctive discomfort with asymmetry of the diagonal sort. I like a curved hemline and a dynamic symmetry of window placements, like Le Corbusier, for instance. But I would never, ever place furniture in a diagonal in one of my own rooms. It’s true that I have mostly lived in classically proportioned rooms, so maybe that’s why. But Pseu looks great to my eye, asymmetry or no!
I like the look – often wear short over long – because that what I have! Took me a while to adjust as I also grew up with the “outerwear-should-always-be-longer-than-what’s-underneath” rule.
I’m over the LA weather – hoping to wear some of my summer things soon…..
I still feel awkward if the outer layer is shorter, but on you this looks nice. I love the shoes! And yeah, what’s with the weather? It was 58 when I left the house this morning at 7:15.
You ought to go sleeveless more often. You have great arms! In Texas, it’s a way of life to go sleeveless all summer–great arms or not!
I tried on this EF top last week and did not like it on me, but it is great on you. I’m also reluctant to invest in a trend. I envy those of you who do.
So, that is charcoal. It looked brown and I like the proportions. I like the layered look because it is chic and youthful.
You look absolutely splendid in every bit of this ensemble. (I even showed my guy who agreed you were incredibly chic with great taste.. Yes, I sometimes drag him into these discussions, particularly as he is francais…)
As for proportion! It’s such a challenge when you’re little! I find I stick to classics precisely because of this.
I think it all looks great on you, but I can’t get my head around the short-over-long for myself. And I do like asymmetrical hems (Anthropologie is a good source), but I wear them on weekends, not to work. Then again, I’m REALLY conservative.
I’m gonna have to buy stock in Eileen Fisher! Or just buy her clothes (when I feel flush). That tunic looks great, and I love the quirky cute look with the jacket. The shoes are just a perfect complement.
Lars is adorable – a born photo-bomber!
Love this! Great layering and the design looks modern and fresh. Perfect shoe for this outfit. Eileen Fisher has made a hit here, I’m going to checkout this top.
blue hue wonderland
I love longer layers underneath…you look great! And those shoes….gorgeousness!
Debbie 🙂
http://www.fashionfairydust.blogspot.com
Love the poodie-tat’s (Lars) face! He definitely needs a tickle on the tum-tum and a snuffle! Adorable! 😀
Great look, and interestingly, I thought the outfit was in shades of brown! So it’s good to know that you would look great in a mink brown outfit, too. 🙂 I like the jeans, and I think that you could go with slimmer, sleeker ones to tailor the look under the tunic and jacket. JMO. Thanks for all the inspiration!
Very nice look Susan. I love the sun in your hair in the first photo. Lars is a cutie pie. I think he wants a belly rub.
Thank you to all for your kind comments!
(Nicole, I agree about the slimmer pants and will try that next time.)
I love everything about this outfit and that tunic is stunning. It has an avant 80s vibe in the best way. Though I have to say that I am rooting against warmer weather, sorry.
I have (inadvertently) met Lars! I was walking my dog and he/Lars was lying in the middle of the road quite literally stopping traffic. Then he decided my dog wasn’t serious with the barking and came over to be petted by me. Quite the character
Hi Suz,
Yep, that’s a typical Lars move. 🙂
You look great in a sleeveless top! I love the tunic, jacket and trousers combination here and the shoes are fabulous.
Great look, both with and without the jacket. Very flatting and sleek. I’d wear something similar in a heartbeat.
Love those cut out wedge sandals! And I think with the black, proportion playing is so much easier and almost always looks good! And I couldnt agree more on the cut of the armholes; the closer and cleaner; the better! xoxo
I absolutely adore this look on you – wonderful angles, just enough drama, smooth matte textures, elegant and gorgeous!
Now if only I could lounge like Lars …
yes the tunic is very pretty, one of those versatile pieces that a woman needs – It looks pretty darn good on you!
I love the cleverly layered outfit, you look fabulous. It’s good to push those perceived boundaries and have fun.
Lars is gorgeous and your weather looks like a good British summer!
I really do want to be you when I eventually grow up. What is sad is that I’m older than you and it’s never likely to happen. You either have great taste or you don’t. You clearly do. I’m completely in love with this outfit, and you did it just right. That asymmetrical-hemmed top is a complete show stopper. From work to cocktails, that one. Sigh.
j’adore ce look