So you’ve got these six things you need to go to and you’re desperate for outfit ideas.
This is where your Go-To Shirt really comes in handy. These are the tops that have enough visual interest, texture and sophistication to stand on their own without a jacket — you’re sick of wearing jackets — and you know you can throw your hair up, wear some elegant earrings, apply some dressy make-up, pair these tops with a great pair of black trousers and awesome neutral heels (not black) and be ready to go.
I’m too chubby and lumpy to get away with any of these tops alone but if you’re relatively slim, they should flatter you madly. They’re all from Anthropologie, they’re all around $60, and if you treat them carefully you should be able to wear them tons of times.
Having garments like this are such a lifesaver: look! They have generous chest coverage! They’re not sleeveless! They’re super sophisticated and fashionable! Just be sure to wear a really good bra and a tummy slimmer (if you need to), carry a great clutch bag, and go enjoy yourself. These need no necklaces and please don’t pair them with bead earrings or something equally unsophisticated. I think I need to do a column on Frumpy Earrings, now that I think about it.
I would love you to do something on how to match earrings with outfits – in fact putting together any sort of jewelry with outfits makes me nervous. For example: do the earrings and the necklace have to be part of a matched set? What sort of necklace would you wear with various necklines? Help!
Hmmm. What do you mean by ‘bead earrings’, or ‘frumpy’ earrings? I have some glass-bead earrings (large, chunky, marvellous colours), that I would call ANYTHING but frumpy.#
(Plastic beads, however, are the work of dark forces.)
i was looking at these the other day and drooling. But I do wonder about your opinion on something. I have a small waist but lots of bust (DD). I wear good lifting and slimming bras and Thanks be to God for Joan on Mad Men bringing back curvy. Do you think any of these is okay for a busty type? [No. Thanks for asking, I should have thought of that. I DO see slim busty gals wearing this sort of thing and it’s a bad look. – PB]
Joie, I’m a G cup, and would NEVER wear anything with that much stuff going on over the chest.
A lesson on earrings with other jewelry would be awesome. Also, why not black shoes with black trousers?
[Black shoes with black trousers = frumpy, only because the kind of black shoes owned by most clergy women are not interesting or fashionable enough to get the job done. They cover the entire foot, they’re too heavy, and they create a bottom half that’s just bla bla bla. – PB]
Yeah, my “girls” are in Wendy’s neighborhood, size-wise, and though these shirts are lovely, I also cannot see myself wearing them. I’m small-waisted, as well. – [Yes, the more amply-endowed really can’t do this look. – PB]
I agree – for us generously endowed folks, the less busy-ness in the bust area the better. I even shun shirts with any pockets on the chest.
I am interested in what consitutes frumpy earings. I make jewelry and am currently feeling an earring making frenzy coming on. Some advice would be great before I indulge the creative juices!
I love the look of ALL of these tops, but I am suddenly made nervous by people talking about busty women NOT wearing these tops! I am a DD (give or take; I need to go for a fitting), and I would gladly wear these tops– coverage, sleeves, and something interesting! But you lovely ladies are saying ‘no’ to these tops (with good reason; no need to draw attention to that region if it’s already pretty prominent), so now I’m wondering what could be an easy go-to top be for a bustier lady?
And I’d love to read a post about jewelry. I’m starting to get into the swing of accessories (scarves! necklaces! next up: belts!), and thoughts on this would be great.
“Amen” for your comment on being photographable. I just led worship at the weekend family retreat and was very conscious of the snapping cameras. When I’m on retreat with colleagues, and when I’m on vacation, I’ve sometimes been a slacker. But nothing motivates like the thought of passing one’s make-up free visage on the bulletin board every day, or sporting a goofy t-shirt on the church website.
Thank you for the comment about the “fancy” jackets, PB. I am spying more and more of those dreadful Chico’s jackets on colleagues, and I have to say that they are almost always terrible, terrible, terrible. The louder the patterns and busier the textures, the more dowdy they become. Unless one is very tall and very thin and has a very sharp and modern haircut, those jackets are great-grandma-makers. By the way, I also hold the common suspicion that what passes for those (nearly ubiquitous) vaguely “ethnic” patterns is a not-so-vaguely disturbing kind of sartorial racism; but that’s another topic. Mass-marketed “style” seems an oxymoron, especially for us post-menopausal gals. I love me some sparkle and shine, but it’s gotta be reined in…and highly individualized…to work. And I join the other commenters here: what sayeth you, PB, about dowdy jewelry?
I think these are lovely and remind me of one of my favorite go-to shirts – a 3/4-length sleeved, boat-neck cream colored shirt, though these have more visual interest. I just love having a top that I can throw on when I don’t know what to throw on and it instantly looks fashionable and flattering. [Bingo. – PB]
Maybe we have misunderstood the idea of a “Go To” shirt, hhhmm?
I’m not sure I could wear any of the above (too broad in the shoulder and altogether too much in the bosom department1) but I would like to have something in the wardrobe which I could go to when I wasn’t in “uniform” and know I looked elegant and classic and not dowdy. (Which is how I feel most of the time, as a clerical shirt isn’t the most flattering of garments, no matter how you look at it…and it is “my” tradition to wear it when on duty.)
And I am so with PB on the subject of middle aged clergy frumpiness. And inappropriate earrings, although mea culpa I fear I sin in this department…
I’m with Wendy..wear a G. PB – what woud you suggest for a Go-To shirt for those of us so endowed? I have tried to minimize “the girls” as much as possible..plain tops, no patterns, almost always some type of jacket. I’m really sick of dressing this way and would love to hear your thoughts.
Also..the problem of a “well-fitting” bra. I hate underwire..have any of you found a supportive style free of those terribly uncomfortable things?
I love these. I think they would even look good on a woman who, say, is getting greater with child. Like, say, me.
(SQUEEE!)
What is it with the jacket these days? It is taking the place of the patterned sweater. Every time I put on a jacket I look and feel ten years older. There are so many cool cardigans out right now that look so much fresher to me and will wear for many years.
Good post- I struggle with jackets terribly- I’m VERY short waisted hub otherwise tall w long limbs. So finding jackets- terrors! I’m about to take mine to a tailor to see ifthey can be saved.
How would you change your makeup to make this dressier? I’m suffering through a breakout right now after losing track of skin are during a move.
Finally- did you say if the heels are awesome we can wear them? Does that mean my red soled three nch pointy square toed boots can come to cocktail hour?? Whoooooo!!!
I’m with Wendy on this one…I am of the build and size you are describing as wearing these appropriately, but all that stuff going on around the shoulders and the girls (actually, in every case accentuating just one “girl”) looks fussy to me and draws attention to one specific part of my anatomy. I’m not trying to hide my shape, but I don’t necessarily want eyes to leap to my bustline either. I prefer a cleaner look/cut. To each her own!
It’s like this, kittycats. Every post isn’t going to appeal to you or be about you and your particular figure. We’re all far too different for me to be able to choose garments and highlight trends that will work for everyone. If it doesn’t work for you (notice I said it didn’t work for me, either), maybe you will get something out of another post. But let’s not try to ruin it for the ones who dig it, okay? If you have something constructive to say, or a question to ask, by all means contribute that. It seems a bit impolite to respond by saying, “I HATE THAT” when someone wasn’t setting the meal only in front of you. The meal was set in front of the person for whom it will be nourishing. Every post isn’t for you. I only hope many of them will apply.
I love these! I have less exciting versions of this sort of shirt, but these are gorgeous. The only problem now is that I can’t afford for them all to come home with me.
And amen, amen, amen to the Chicos style jackets…
I’m an occasional reader and love your practical, fashionable tips. While not an ordained minister, I do work in a church environment and all too often see the fashion faux-pas of which you write.
I am curious, however, about the earrings. I think that with modest tops and sensible footwear; earrings can be a wonderful fashion statement. (def. NOT the Christmas ornaments or hanging pumpkin type)
But fun, maybe quirky or whimsical, beaded (semi-precious stones perhaps), artisan jewelry that shows one’s sense of creativity and style can really add to an outfit – certainly in a better way than a Chico’s jacket.
What earrings are you recommending and what styles are you shunning?
Thanks.
Hurray for the elbow-length sleeve on some of these! If I never see a cap-sleeve again, it’ll be too soon.
I love these tops and agree with you they could be go to tops for some of us. For a challenge I went looking for go-to tops for us bigger girls and I will say it was depressing. I couldn’t find anything.
Oh, I love these! Beautiful. I wish I was built to wear them, but I’m another one of the busty ones. But I can totally picture a sharp, sleek, easy look in these.
Which brings me to the main reason for commenting: I hear that the earrings/jewelry post is coming, but maybe it’s also time for a post for us busty gals? I would love to have a comment thread going about non-underwire bras, go-to tops, how to avoid wearing a jacket every day to contain the girls and more. Can we add that to your always-brimming queue, PB?
Thanks!