So I bought a funky slouchy vest top yesterday in a gorgeous shade of cobalt blue but.....

[tulpe]

When I put it on this morning, layered over a white long sleeve tee and skinny jeans, I looked like I should be serving tea at the local WI. Or perhaps a school dinner lady. Not quite the epitome of funky mum look that I was trying to achieve .

Where did I go wrong? What would you wear it with?

Can't link to it as was in Top Shop sale (in store - they don't have them online). It is:

cobalt blue
drapey, bubble hem
finishes just past my bottom

I also tried with a belt around it but that looked worse. Is it the long sleeve tee which is the problem??

I was kind of thinking a slouchy, All Saints kind of vibe?

this look should only be attempted by the seriously malnourished.

That would be where I am going wrong!!

I am a size 8 but not malnourished.

lol at the image of a WI old dear serving tea in her regulation tabbard... "Would you like a digestive or Rich Tea with that?"

How about accesorising with some chunky and funky (non-WI) beads?

size 8! definitely just a duff vest.

Is it the bubble part thats not working? Bubble stuff has a very limited shelf life imo. Can you yank it up inside itself so it doesn't hang so low?

or you could work the wi look with a tight perm and some flakey lipstick

Am now tempted to do old fashioned shampoo & set to demonstrate full WI impact of vest

Cybil - the "bubble" bit is very subtle - it just looks "artfully draped" rather than "bubble-like", imo. Fabric is very soft and fine viscose jersey type knit. Will try yanking it inside itself though as that may well make a difference. Thank you

Norbert - Am now thinking that perhaps lack of accessories (very unlike me) could make a big difference. A scarf or chunky beads are definitely worth a go.

Shall be incredibly peed off if this ends up in nieces' wardrobe/on ebay

Just make sure that your accessories don't include your specs hanging on a chain around your neck

PMSL Norbert

There's nothing more disappointing than envisaging how COOL one will look in the new purchase only to have that dream punctured when you try it on at home.

it's happened to all of us though

try some diff coloured t-shirts underneath? could you sew on some sparkly trim/ a few beads here and there? might make it less utilitarian like. this might be a bit complicated but you can buy strings of beads etc and then sew them on?

I know what you mean Cybil -I recently coveted a purple sleeveless jumper in Fat Face recently but when I tried it on it made me look like an RE teacher

I had a similar thing with a sleeveless cardi with an assymetrical zip in Top Shop.

It looked so cool on the hanger and just made me look thick waisted and lumpen.

I'm wondering if I'm actually one of those women who all their friends think are fat but no one will say

you need a dark-coloured top underneath it, not white

white underneath is the mistake you made

try black, or navy, it will make the world of difference, there is not meant to be such a sharp contrast between the two

maybe you need toning t shrit under not contrast

ooh i agree with AF

don't sound so surprised, AN !

Just about to post that you needed a dark colored top with it and saw AF had already said that.

And maybe another layer over the top.

cybil, you are fat

< runs >

Yes, had thought perhaps white tee was also an issue.

I have navy, black and slate tees so will try with those.

Princess mel - was also thinking about adding a navy boyfriend cardi but was so shocked at how appalling I looked, I couldn't wait to get the damn thing off!

Am going upstairs to try out various combos now.

Thanks all

Anyfucker

I appreciate your honesty

tulpe, isn't cybil rather fat ?

see ?

I would say nothing underneath (long sleeved tees under tops will never look funky imo) but a cardi over the top.

AF - play nicely

Ewe - if I were in my late teens or twenties I would wear it without anything beneath because I do think that looks very cool in a "Check me out! I work in Top Shop and can therefore wear summer clothes all year round" kind of way

However, I am 38 and whilst I "might" consider wearing it without anything beneath for a night out (with slouchy All Saints cardi over the top so as to not scare the innocent public ), I really want to wear it during the day

awww