Restyling a Mannequin- Cropped Jean Proportions
Happy Tuesday ladies. When I made a quick stop at the mall late yesterday, I passed a woman heading out to her car wearing wide-leg white linen crops with a long black and white striped shirt and white tennies. Her short dark hair was covered with a white baseball cap and she was wearing bright red lipstick. She looked cool as a cucumber, cute as a button, and extremely stylish. Everywhere I look these days, I see cropped pants so when I spotted this window display, I decided to restyle the outfit and play with the cropped jean proportions.
BTW- I think this necklace is a total misfire with this outfit. It’s too visually chunky and dressy for this casual look.
This square neck shell top is in crisp cotton with beautiful cheery colors with a tiny metallic thread running through. It has bra strap-friendly shoulder straps and its hip length is perfect to wear untucked. In fact, it looked terrible when I tucked it in.
FYI- the very first review on the website complains that the stripes don’t match on the front of this top. Of course they don’t because they can’t! The front yolk is straight and the bodice fabric is gently gathered to ease over the bustline! Please read product reviews with a critical eye.
Here I am in the outfit the mannequin is modeling. The straight-leg crop jeans are in a very pale wash that’s perfect for summer and coordinate nicely with the top.
Even though these cropped legs are straight, I know I wouldn’t wear this length so I tried the top with these modern ankle jeans. I prefer this proportion on me because it elongates the look of my silhouette. I also favor the paler wash of the crops over the darker jeans because the transition is softer.
Then I swapped into a button-front striped shirt in the palest of blues. The top on the right is longer, which theoretically shouldn’t improve the cropped jean proportions, but because the soft blue creates a column of color with the crops, it does elongate the look. There’s less body lengthening with the darker wash ankle jeans but my legs still look longer.
What proportions do you see in this side-by-side comparison with the cropped jeans?
Do you prefer the column of color?
Thanks for reading ladies and remember to wear what makes you feel confident, comfortable, and happy.
I feel like you the longer light blue shirt does elongate your legs in the jeans but I like the column of color on the right with the lighter jeans. The picture on the right is too bland for me.
The outfit on the left is perfect for a warm/hot summer day.
Thanks for sharing and keeping us up to “snuf” in the fashion world.
The length of the pant wouldn’t matter as much if manufacturers would offer crops, ankle length pants, etc. in a lightweight material in the summer. I have an older pair of Jill crops that are made of a lightweight dark denim type fabric, and I LOVE them. It seems that lightweight fabrics are mostly offered in a drawstring waist pant, and I don’t like tucking shirts in hot weather, either. Is there any way to make fabric suggestions to retailers such as Talbots, Jill, etc.?
I’m with you, Kathy. I want lightweight pants without a drawstring. I tend to just snip and remove them but what I really want is a smooth front waistband.
Both rather ho hum. Summer again@!
Side by side pics are helpful for sure. I sew, the stripes not matching is too distracting for me. It’s too hot for jeans for me, and I don’t care for cropped/ capri length on myself. I’m in the minority maybe, I like skirts and dresses. Stay cool!
I dunno – I think you look great in both outfits with the lighter wash cropped pants. The sleeveless striped top is so cute – and your lip color matches!! But the long-sleeve shirt also looks great with those cropped pants. I understand the desire to elongate the look of the legs with the longer (but darker wash) jeans, but the lighter wash looks fresh and summery to me.
The tops are both nice. The colorful top is good for a hot day and I would try it with white anything on the bottom. Jeans? I have a blue striped button-down that is good with a white tank top underneath or on its own. I’m surprised that I use it so much when in a hurry to get out the door.
I’m with you on the cropped pants. They make the leg look a bit “stubby” and just don’t flatter me.
Thanks for the post.
I don’t care for the shirts that are so see thru that I end up wearing a tank under which can be hot in summer… Any suggestions? Love your style
I don’t care for them either. I always wear a nude bra and if it shows through, the top is too sheer.
First off re the necklace; do agree with you as feel it being a little dressy (multiple strands/torsade/seed-bead sizing) would work better with a skirt/dress or trouser style or wide leg pants, combined with a lower cut neckline top. As to the tops and pants; personally prefer the one column combination of the striped blue ‘n white shirt with the light blue crops. Actually I would even like to see the shirt tied in the front, as would visually elongate the legs and create a bit of a waistline. Last but not least, though the color striped top is summer perfect; IMHO (as a sewer) the stripes in the yoke band (even though irregular) could have been laid/cut horizontal and not vertical. -Brenda-
Yup, you’re so right about the yoke. I hope Talbots is listening.
I like that the cropped pants seem to be a bit longer on you than on the mannequin because it makes them seem more modern. I’m not a fan of the shell top – it reminds me of the tops I used to sew back in the 60s-70s. I’m still getting used to the lighter wash denim…but it’s growing on me. I like that shirt a lot – it could be a versatile piece in my wardrobe.
Like others here – I like the side by side comparison photos. A picture is worth a thousand words, as they say, and helps illustrate your points. I learn from you every day!
I’m glad you find them helpful, Cyndi
I’m really liking the cropped jeans for spring/summer this year. They hit you at the narrowest part of your leg ( slightly above the ankle) and are more flattering than capris. They feel fresh and current for those of us that do not wear shorts. And look cute with either sandals or fashion sneakers.