Is this Hobbs top a dud - or can it be rescued?

[blithedance]

In desperation for summer tops for work I've bought this one from Hobbs (you are looking at "Heavy Embroidery T Shirt" in dark brown. Frankly, it's very frumpy to a curvy figure, not fitted enough at the waist; thick non stretchy fabric.

BUT there was not much choice out there- could it be rescued to be decent workwear? What would you wear it with? Necklace? belt?

If you are still looking for tops for work, try the L K Bennett website sale section - good quality and fit.
Not sure what you could do with that brown one. Less might be more.

can you return it?

I loved the look of some of the stuff on the Hobbs website, so went there at the weekend to try on some stuff for work. I did find that it was all a tad matronly, despite seeming perfectly innocuous on the hanger.

Matronly, exactly. I could return it but that leaves me with no tops at all rather than a possible one.

Not sure about LK Bennet, is hard to imagine how they will look. I bought a couple of tops from H&M, other end of the price scale, they were cheap and looked it.

On the site it looks as though it would work in a Madmen/vintage way - teamed with a cardi and 50s/60s style skirt or capri/cropped trousers/jeans. 50s/60s jewellery too (large brooch, 2009-style pearl necklace).

I'm guessing it's not that good in the flesh though.

Could you take it in? Though if it's a really unyielding fabric, you won't be able to get it on then.

If you are curvy that neckline is a BIG mistake by itself. Take it back and buy something v-necked from somewhere (there's another thread on v-necked tops running at the moment that may have some suggestions).

On the sale bit some of the LK Bennett tops are not too bad pricewise and the ones I bought looked better than I expected, although the sizing seemed a bit random. But it is hard to visualise them on when you are squinting at the little pictures- I find this with all online purchases.

Take it back and go to Monsoon/Phase Eight/LK Bennet/Fenn Wright and look again at H&M.
The Hobbs one is over priced and yes matronly.

it could be rescued, i reckon, with cream or whilte linen trousers and brown shoes/sandals and maybe some mint or lime green accessories???

Ok, thanks. The writing was on the wall really.

Have swapped it for a plain Hobbs stretch brown T shirt (which will just go under cardigans etc) and also got a black Bravissimo viscose top (cannot link as office IT system blocks Bravissimo, but it's called puff-sleeve top).

Next time I have an afternoon off I'll venture into the unknown territory of Pannacotta's brands!