<p>I’m fine with tights and I have thin thighs and OK legs even for my age, but I just feel that for me, the ankle length or the capri length leggings are just too young of a look. I’ll wear these knit dresses in the colder fall months with ballet flats and tights and I’m pretty comfortable but I around work I only see very young girls with the bare ankles or the bare lower legs with leggings. I could easily do the Eileen Fisher tunic with full tights and flats. A good friend wore a tunic/capri legging type outfit to a social event and most of our friends remarked that while cute, it looked like she raided her (23 year old) daughter’s closet. It was definitely a topic of conversation that afternoon.</p>
<p>Even though my 21yr old wears leggings- I think they are actually what she wears to exercise in and that is what it looks like.</p>
<p>I wore leggings in the early 80’s & if I did so again, it would be instead of tights with boots & a dress. Tunic length no.</p>
<p>However with the right flowy tunic I could see someone say of Helen Mirrens age in them.
more like this one [Oval</a> Top in Ultrafine Merino Texture](<a href=“http://www.eileenfisher.com/EileenFisher/Petite/ShopByItem/Sweaters_And_Cardigans/Sweaters/PRD_F1UMT-W1437P/Oval+Top+in+Ultrafine+Merino+Texture.jsp?bmLocale=en_US]Oval”>http://www.eileenfisher.com/EileenFisher/Petite/ShopByItem/Sweaters_And_Cardigans/Sweaters/PRD_F1UMT-W1437P/Oval+Top+in+Ultrafine+Merino+Texture.jsp?bmLocale=en_US)
I think it helps if you are/were a dancer to carry leggings off. ( and black/neutral leggings- not the matchy Hanna Andersson sweater sets that I bought my girls)</p>
<p>Good point about the bare lower leg/ankles, MOTB. Think I’d be more comfortable with the tunic and skinny jeans than leggings. With the leggings, I’m afraid I’d look like I’m wearing my daughter’s mini dress. Raiding my daughter’s closet is NOT the image I’d want to portray. The Patagonia dress might be easier to pull off…Part of my problem is that I’m rather buxom, making long, flowing tunics somewhat reminiscent of maternity clothes!</p>
<p>I agree about the leggings that look like exercise wear and/or are capri length (for me). If I wear tights with anything, I still want the top to provide the same coverage as I would have in a dress or skirt I would ordinarily wear. Just found a mega comfortable pair of skinny jeans with a good waist band height for me and a pair of pull on jeggings that are equally comfortable. Both go to bottom of my ankle. Paired with a nicely shaped tunic blouse, shorter cardigan and ballet flats, the look is flattering and put together. I wouldn’t want to do the “young version” of this look either.</p>
<p>I was in NYC earlier this summer and studied all the various ways women were wearing leggings. Here’s what I decided looked the best (on women of all ages). YMMV, I don’t consider myself a fashion expert:</p>
<p>If your thighs are very slim, like the woman in the Garnet Hill Eileen Fisher Tunic picture, you can get away with a high to mid thigh tunic/legging combination. Notice her thighs appear to be about the same width as her knees and calves, so that the leggings form a nice straight vertical line.</p>
<p>If your thighs are not thin (particularly if they are a lot larger than your knees and calves) the tunic should reach almost to the top of the knee. </p>
<p>In any case, the tunic should cover your rear.</p>
<p>I was surprised at how unflattering the top/legging combo was on so many women, young and old. When I saw someone on whom it looked really cute, I make a determined effort to figure out why. I think the length of the tunic (or even short dress) can make or break this look.</p>
<p>I also think the same is true of skinny jeans. Skinny jeans really emphasize your thighs unless they are pretty thin but a nice tunic will help camouflage them.</p>
<p>Although I think the legging/tunic combo can be very cute, I think I’m going to sit this one out. Just feel it’s too young for me at this point. And while my calves still look great, my thighs just aren’t what they use to be. :)</p>
<p>BB - Super cute dress.</p>
<p>And, I haven’t owned any leggings since 1991. I realized that the main strength of my particular figure is the geometry from shoulder to waist, and the main weakness the geometry from hip to knee. So. Legging and skinny jeans are a bad idea in general, for me. SO HAPPY to see flares coming back. I’m almost LEGGY in a pair of flares:).</p>
<p>I’m not a fan of NYDJ jeans but I do like a pair of corduroy skinny pants from them that I wear as leggings with a longish boyfriend cardigan. They have a bit of lycra and they will tuck into a boot or look nice with a flat. They’re less skin tight than leggings but give the feel of a sleek leg.</p>
<p>[Not</a> Your Daughter’s Jeans Official Store - Janice Legging in Corduroy](<a href=“http://www.nydj.com/janice-legging-in-corduroy/d/1086]Not”>http://www.nydj.com/janice-legging-in-corduroy/d/1086)</p>
<p>I would love advice on how to dress my challenging figure. I have a few pounds I am working to lose, but that is not my main problem. This is my figure dilemma:</p>
<p>Slightly above average height - 5 -7ish, short torso, longer in the leg. Narrow hips, muscular, well defined legs, slim ankles, muscular calves and thighs. Legs are the best feature.
Very wide shoulders, back, large ribcage, 36 D chest, no defined waist. Slim wrists and forearms but chunky upper arms, because although muscular like the legs, fat tends to be put on the upper body, so no definition. </p>
<p>Sometimes I feel like my upper torso is Head on shoulders (short neck) on boobs on hips (no waist)</p>
<p>It seems most of the designs that are flattering to women tend to work well with most women’s figures, more of a pear shape. Small upper bodies and waist and then wider hips more ample thighs. None of these looks work for me: Empire waist - makes me look preggo. Cinched waist - just baaaad. Tucked in tops – ditto. Most dresses. I often end up looking somewhat boxy.</p>
<p>Best looks: Sport clothes. My favorite item to wear is a golf skort as a skirt with a somewhat dressier top. I can pull off the shorter skirt if it is a flat panel, no pleats!!.
Jeans (not skinny) look pretty good with the right top, needs to be a deep v or scoop neck due to short neck, sometimes a duster length cardio to lengthen torso, but I never find anything very feminine, chic or lady like that looks good. None of the stuff BunsenBurner and Alumom post would work for me, it seems :(</p>
<p>Any dresses or more feminine looks you all would suggest?</p>
<p>Do you feel you need sleeves? And I’m guessing you look better in v-necks than crew? Anthropologie has some great dresses right now. This, for example, might work well with your shape - although you might not like it at all:).</p>
<p>[Ruffled</a> Feathers Dress - Anthropologie.com](<a href=“http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=21060066&catId=CLOTHES-DRESSES&pushId=CLOTHES-DRESSES&popId=CLOTHES&navCount=42&color=004&isProduct=true&fromCategoryPage=true&isSubcategory=true&subCategoryId=CLOTHES-DRESSES&templateType=subCategory]Ruffled”>http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=21060066&catId=CLOTHES-DRESSES&pushId=CLOTHES-DRESSES&popId=CLOTHES&navCount=42&color=004&isProduct=true&fromCategoryPage=true&isSubcategory=true&subCategoryId=CLOTHES-DRESSES&templateType=subCategory)</p>
<p>BTW, do take a look at a blog called Inside Out Style, by an image consultant in Australia named Imogen Lampert. She is great with silhouette issues, and will help you find your body shape and thereby find posts with suggestions.</p>
<p>^ Great blog suggestion, Alumother! Thank you. I thought I was an O shape, but actually I am a V. I will study this further and come back with questions.</p>
<p>I like the Anthro dress, but my coloring tends to do best with brighter colors. Whenever I go with what I think is chic and understated, it washes me out and makes me look blah. </p>
<p>My absolute best color bar none is bright turquoise. For the most part I don’t like it paired with black, though and so while a beachy, even Lily Pulitzer palette works for me, it does not translate to elegant in my mind.</p>
<p>CJaneRead, one of the best books I’ve seen on the subject of dressing for your figure is:</p>
<p>The Science of Sexy: Dress to Fit Your Unique Figure with the Style System that Works for Every Shape and Size by Bradley Bayou </p>
<p>It goes through all the possible body combinations and has dos and don’t for each as well as illustrations. It’s really not about being ‘sexy’ - I hate the title but I thought it was a very helpful book.</p>
<p>“My absolute best color bar none is bright turquoise. For the most part I don’t like it paired with black”</p>
<p>I agree, IMO, turquoise does not pair with black well. I think dark chocolate brown makes a great “neutral” color for pairing with turquoise.</p>
<p>You can also look up Trinny and Susannah’s website, they should have some information on how to select clothes for different body types.</p>
<p>We have all noticed that clothes are being made larger to flatter us all…I’ve noted that 25 years ago I wore a size 4 and after 3 kids and 15 lbs, wear a 0.</p>
<p>Anyway, my mom was talking about how the desire used to be to be a “perfect size 10.” I saw some patterns from the 60s in an antique mall over the weekend. Here are the measurements for a size 10: 32. 24. 33! Isn’t that about a 0 or 2 now?!</p>
<p>Here’s a real honey of a new dress at Garnet Hill. I bought it in midnight and it is so comfortable and flattering. A winner!</p>
<p>[Gathered</a> V-Neck Jersey Dress - Garnet Hill](<a href=“http://www.garnethill.com/gathered-v-neck-jersey-dress/womens-fashion/dresses/knit-dresses/170486]Gathered”>http://www.garnethill.com/gathered-v-neck-jersey-dress/womens-fashion/dresses/knit-dresses/170486)</p>
<p>CJane,</p>
<p>Your best best is definitely a long, loose top with fitted pants. By fitted, I don’t mean tight, just well fitting and clean lined. A fashionable look for you may also be layers - a loose cardigan with a low v-neck and a camisole underneath. There are lots of interesting, longer cardigans this year with uneven hemlines and no buttons - nothing that tugs or fits closely.</p>
<p>You can also look for camis that “control” and support, while offering interest at the neckline. Turquoise is not a fall color in my neck of the woods. What is your climate?</p>
<p>A few things I found:</p>
<p>[Elie</a> Tahari ‘Norma’ Sweater | Nordstrom](<a href=“http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/elie-tahari-norma-sweater/3141027?origin=category&resultback=0]Elie”>http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/elie-tahari-norma-sweater/3141027?origin=category&resultback=0)</p>
<p>[Caslon®</a> V-Neck Dolman Sleeve Sweater | Nordstrom](<a href=“http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/caslon-v-neck-dolman-sleeve-sweater/3225645?origin=category&resultback=407]Caslon®”>http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/caslon-v-neck-dolman-sleeve-sweater/3225645?origin=category&resultback=407)</p>
<p>[Caslon®</a> V-Neck Poncho Sweater | Nordstrom](<a href=“http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/caslon-v-neck-poncho-sweater/3171377?origin=category&resultback=3147]Caslon®”>http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/caslon-v-neck-poncho-sweater/3171377?origin=category&resultback=3147)</p>
<p>SewHappy- I’m about to buy that same dress though I’m leaning toward the Graphite. Glad to hear you like it…you’ve talked me into it!</p>
<p>I tend to blah out in blacks and neutrals, too, but if I amp up my lipstick, and/or my purse, and/or jewelry and/or shoes I can wear blacks, grays and taupes. Sometimes I’ll just grab my red/blue/green glasses and my true red lipstick and I’m good to go even with neutral shoes and minimal jewelry. I don’t know what other people think but when I look in the mirror I don’t feel so blah.</p>
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<p>Hey! Eccentric glasses are my favorite accessory. I have a pair of tortoise shell and a pair that are sort of green on the outer rims but bluish inside. Then there are my everyday silver pair and dark brown pair. Frames with “attitude” can definitely save you from disappearing into the wallpaper.</p>
<p>Speaking of truly eccentric eyeglasses 
:</p>
<p><a href=“Iris Apfel: 90, Stylish and on HSN - Up Close - The New York Times”>Iris Apfel: 90, Stylish and on HSN - Up Close - The New York Times;
<p>She is 90, which proves our little theory: one can never be too old to look hip! Lol.</p>
<p>I love that story^^</p>
<p>And I always love what alumother and gourmetmom post. It seems to me a lovely, appropriate consistent style viewpoint and perhaps the “style” of most reading this thread. </p>
<p>cjane: I don’t know if this is a look you could be comfortable in? but some of my friends your size and shape do this: </p>
<p><a href=“Blue Fish | Unique, Layered Looks to Love”>Blue Fish | Unique, Layered Looks to Love; … there is a blue top but I can’t get it to be the link :(</p>
<p>or</p>
<p>[Summer</a> 2011 | Collections | Cynthia Ashby](<a href=“http://www.cynthiaashby.com/collections/summer-2011/]Summer”>http://www.cynthiaashby.com/collections/summer-2011/) … again - not the dress. … one of the thumbnails is a blue top.</p>
<p>It is a “look” that can be layered or streamlined.<br>
If it is a look for you, also consider: rundholz or jane mohr - dress to kill. </p>
<p>One friend has a daily uniform of black pants (which may not work for you) and bright loose Cynthia Ashby tops with very interesting signature jewelry. Cydwoq or trippen flats. She always looks wonderful and it is a perfect look for her life: antique shop owner.</p>