CocoLion

32 Comments

• Ingunn replied 10 years ago

  I like the pieces in outfit #1 very much - and the combination, of course. I also think that the low contrast is working well. For waist surrendering, I think pairing the top with a more fitted bottom or tuck/halftuck adds the structure you are after. I don't think you look "big" in any way, but I agree that the hem of the top hits you across your hips and it could be more flattering if you half-tucked it. I love #3! The jacket, sandals and necklace are gorgeous.

• Deborah replied 10 years ago
  Well I know Angie is the fainter among us but seriously Denise #1 and #2 are amazing and I am feeling light headed :)   You look incredible.  The proportions all work beautifully to me.  I think adding the colour of the necklace to this combo is perfection.  The roundedness of the hem of the sweater is very attractive and adds a softening to the silhouette. 
  
  #3 is so cool.  I adore kimonos (and I have a black one im yet to wear) but they don't look this good on me.  And #4 is really feminine.  Loving the accessories.
• Ingunn replied 10 years ago

  I worry that my first comment didn't communicate clearly enough that I think you look fantastic in #1/2! The necklace is beautiful and deserves a lot of wear, and it pops so well in this combination.

• Caro in Oz replied 10 years ago
  Honesty is my middle name:)
  I love #3 no one does this look better than you imo.
  I love the kimono with the boots & jeans too - so laid-back yet stylish.
  As for #1 & #2 my initial reaction was 100% positive when I saw these photos. I know what you mean about the high neck & where the top falls - but your necklace & the fact that the top & bottom are tonally close means you have minimised any possible problems you could have had. I think you look fantastic. The only thing I could suggest is maybe a semi-tuck with the jacket to break up the two horizontal lines - but this is more along the lines of playing with the look rather than improving on it:)
  I love your accessories too.
• Ornella replied 10 years ago
  My first reaction on 1/2 was WOW. It feels different. Gentle coloring, soft drama, still relaxed and easy and very you. I am reacting on gut level and I love it. Maybe some semi-tuck as caro suggests, but that really is for bonus points. It works as it is.
  
  3/4 - more of the Denise looks I am used to and as captivating as usual. 
• RoseandJoan replied 10 years ago
  Total honesty. You do not look big or bigger at all.
  
  Looking closely at pic #1 there are drapes in the fabric of the top which run from under the bust and mark the waist. When in movement the top will drape and move to reveal your figure underneath. With similar outfits I have noticed the models hair is often worn up to further elongate the line. in this instance I think a partial tuck could disrupt the flow of the outfit.
  
  Now, taking a step back I can fully appreciate #1, the soft muted shades with the pop of neon are perfect for 2013. The kimono jacket in #2 is a refreshing take on boho and #3 reminds me of how classic pieces can be anything but classic.
• Inge replied 10 years ago
  Outfit 1 was actually my favourite, Denise: the drape of the fabrics look marvelous on you, and the subtle taupe tones paired with the gold and bright neon accessories (such a fun necklace) are super flattering on you. I also absolutely love those trousers, wow! It's a stunning outfit, with a relaxed fit, but it doesn't make svelte you look bigger in any way.
  
  The kimono-esque jacket with the bright red top are also fabulous, and outfit 3 is Springtime Denise rocking the white tee look. (Those pink sandals are fab too, by the way).
  
  I hope you had fun at the baby shower.
• replied 10 years ago

  I don't think you look bigger, at all. #1 is super fab, so is #2 and #3.

• Janet replied 10 years ago

  Agree 100% with Zap.

• replied 10 years ago
  I love all of these. I don't think you look bigger at all, and in person, I am sure as you move, the drapey fabric reveals your shape. It's just the photo freezing it. We aren't static in real life.
  
  I love the kimono top in 3 - you own this look completely.
  
• Joy replied 10 years ago

  1/2 look fabulous as styled. I agree that movement will reveal your figure. The top is not cut straight across on the bottom, so I think it works even if it hits at your widest point (which isn't very wide to begin with!)
  I adore 3 on you.

• Suz replied 10 years ago
  Brutal honesty:  You look FANTASTIC in #1/2. K-worthy to my eye. And definitely not "bigger" in any way. 
  
  If I had the pieces I would copy this in 32 seconds. LOVE it. 
  
  To me, this is a superb example of a woman following the trends in an age appropriate way. It's also a brilliant outfit for the occasion -- relaxed, yet a bit dressy, subtle, warm, with a hint of fun (in the necklace.) It just seems right. 
  
  With respect to your figure flattery concerns, I don't see the issue. The top is fluid. I can clearly see where your waist falls and in motion that would be even more the case. The curved hem on the bottom makes it graceful, not cut off. The low contrast makes it almost a column of coloure/ texture. And the necklace makes it sing and brings attention to your face. 
  
  I do see what Caro suggests for with the jacket -- but it's not necessary at all. 
  
  The other two outfits are equally fab. Are you liking your Trina sandals? I have a kimono (older, from consignment) that I have not figured out how to style. It does not look as lovely as this one on you. Perhaps I need to pass it along to another fabber, because it doesn't do me favours. 
• Lantana replied 10 years ago

  I love your first outfit with those lovely serene neutrals. Well, I like the other outfit too but the first is my fave. Here's my take on the concerns you express about it:
  A static photo doesn't speak for the outfit in action. While I can see your point about the top ending at your wide point, those pants look to me to be of a fabric that is fluid, so there would be constant changes to that area of the outfit. I don't think the eye would focus there; it's the inherent movement in those pieces I find so appealing.

  Do wear it- ( in pleading tone)

• sarah replied 10 years ago
  Denise, everything looks fantastic. Honestly. How great that you've become friends with the "competition"!
• Transcona Shannon replied 10 years ago
  I adore outfit #1 on you - it's got the tonal thing going on which you love and wear so well. The individual pieces are interesting and the necklace is a fantastic pop of color with fab details. The overall look is sleek and chic and I see absolutely no figure flattering problems AT ALL...so get that out of your head, ok???
• Mona replied 10 years ago
  Denise, I don't see any fit issues in outfti #1. You look super fab in it and I just love the pop of colour in necklace. 
• Angie replied 10 years ago
  Denise, you look absolutely STUNNING in #1 and #2. So trendy yet refined and chic. A 20 out of 10!! And more than K-word worthy. You don't look bigger at all. I find that outfit a lot more flattering than #3, although #3 is really fun!
  
  Loving your accessory party :)
  
• rae replied 10 years ago
  Wow, really love #3! Spring is bringing out some bohemienne influences on the forum, I think. I cannot picture you with extra pounds, but outfit #1 is so fun. Maybe it's good that our bodies force some extra creativity sometimes. YLF!
• CocoLion replied 10 years ago
  Thanks for all of the re-assurances about body image.  I think I included the most slimming photos of the outfit in this thread.  I took a few others where I thought, am I that big?
  
  Although I love the drape and comfort of the Vince top, this is only the second time it's been worn precisely because of the higher neckline.  I think the lesson from this is to seek more open necklines, as I feel they minimize my bust and lengthen my short torso.  The wide hip line of this outfit when worn with the jacket doesn't bother me as much as the full look of the bust.
• RoseandJoan replied 10 years ago
  Ah, it does make you look fuller busted in comparison to #3, would a longer pendant necklace draw the eye down or could the neckline be altered?
• MsMary replied 10 years ago
  Gadzooks!  1/2 is, like, one of my favorites on you EVER!!  And that is saying a LOT!!!
  
  LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!
• unfrumped replied 10 years ago
  I like it! I agree though that if you had a bit of a scoop to neckline, it might showcase the necklace more. But that's minor and the colors of the items you have give such a great monotone look with contrast of cream and coral.
• ElleH replied 10 years ago
  Denise I think you look great in all these pics. I don't think you look big at all. I understand your question though. I feel bigger in oversized clothes. They don't show my figure the way tailored or bodycon clothes do. It is a reason why I wasn't happy with the slouchy trackpant trend, even though I plan to get some for work. It is a fact that a bigger clothing item will give a bigger silouhette. It doesn't necessarily mean that you look big. Try to view yourself moving around in it & see if it drapes against your body & shows that you aren't as big as the clothes.
• catgirl replied 10 years ago
  These are all amazing looks.  I'm going to be the outlier because I don't love the colors of 1/2 - just my own issue - but the silhouette and styling are fantastic.  The kimono thingie is just so cool!
  
  I feel skinnier in oversized clothing.  Whether I look it is a different story.  After seeing some very unflattering pictures of myself in a top I thought was just fitted, I really think twice about things like bra lines and muffin top, and prefer my tops loose.
• K. Period. replied 10 years ago
  Denise, you look stunning in 1/2 (and 3 and 4). Volume on volume, right? You have a happy figure for volume on volume. On me, it can look very blocky and seriously weight adding.  You have a very slender, narrow shape and are one of the very few figure types who will always look fantastic in volume on volume and encourage women like me to dream that it just might work for them someday. (It won't, but still a dream!) Gorgeous! You are absolutely beautiful in everything you do. 
• replied 10 years ago

  The taupe outfit is just gorgeous on you and seriously flattering IMO. The top is short enough to reveal the entire line of the leg, and the high neckline is the perfect backdrop for the beautiful necklace. Like the others said, the outfit no doubt looked much different in motion. I love the kimono outfit too, super chic! Wowza!

• Thistle replied 10 years ago

  I really like #2 the best followed closely by #1. You look terrific and not bigger at all!

• pil replied 10 years ago

  You always look great to me but I seriously love #1 and #2 and think the necklace is just the perfect amount of color. Would it be worth looking into whether the neckline could be reworked so it is lower?

  On a pity party note, I just can't believe we are the same age : (

• styringca replied 10 years ago
  I love the #3,the necklace matches most with your Boho coat and orange shirt.
  
• Lyn D. replied 10 years ago
  Hi Denise, I think you are noticing that the top in the first 2 pics ends at your widest (!) part, thus making you feel 'bigger'.
  Of course you don't look anything but slender, and we are the only ones who stare at you standing still facing a camera.
  I like the variety and comfort of NOT tucking all the time, so don't give this a second thought!
  I LOVE the red in outfit 3 with your fair hair- FAB outfit!!
• jenanded replied 10 years ago
  Yes I think you look stunning in all of the outfits. Guess I can kinda see what you are saying about the silhouette but its probably a function of cut and also the colour and places of definition... All the other outfits I recall you wearing have a place of definition - the angular lines of the neon purse, or the rocker edge accessory or even the sharp colours in 3 in this post. Its just a different look but you look fab!
• Sarah A replied 10 years ago
  I have been meaning to stop by for at least a day to tell you how stunning you look in that necklace. Each outfit is perfect with it! I esp. like #2 and #3. It is sometime harder to fell as slender in looser clothing b/c when we stand still to take a photo or look in the mirror we dont actually see the items draping and falling back against our body as they do when we move. I think the looser fit in #1 is fab on you :)