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It took me awhile to warm up to the Diaphanous Tunic ($88, review here). I was in love with pictures of the top but I had no idea how to wear the top. Still, I knew I had to have it. This post presents three options for how to wear the lilac version. You will notice that I did not use the waist tie in any of these looks. I took it off the shirt — it was pretty much useless to me.
The top isn’t perfect. Some reviewers online have complained of quality issues with the ruffles. Mine luckily has perfect ruffles (or as perfect as distressed gets) but it does have its own quirks. Like the fact that it’s longer on the right side than the left. Hooray, quality control! I don’t wear mine hanging loose so this isn’t a huge deal to me…but really, I expect so much more from Anthropologie. Let’s not let this happen again, OK Project Alabama?
The first option for this top is to wear it over leggings. I lucked out this fall and found a pair of dark purple leggings at The Gap that complement the top pretty well. I have a long tank top underneath — J.Crew’s sparkle tank. The outfit is finished off with J.Crew’s tall Brewster boots from last fall. The basic idea here is a lean, simple silhouette. The boots help to keep it casual but you could dress it up with pumps easily. Using a slouchy boot and a belt would make this option more trendy. Since I have a pear shape this look isn’t especially flattering on me, so I throw a blazer on over the shirt to rein my shape in a bit better. For jewelry I’ve kept it simple using a cameo brooch from Charlotte Russe.
Leggings: similar here and here
Tank top: similar here
Boots: similar here and here
Necklace: similar here, here and here
I think every woman should own a pair of skinny jeans. I am anything but skinny but these jeans are great for creating a lean silhouette. This second option is all about looking tall and fab. Once again you can easily let the top just hang down naturally. I want a little more structure out of this look though so I’ve layered a long cardigan over the Diaphanous Tunic. I have a tendency to go monochromatic — this is the effect city life has had on me — but there’s no reason why you couldn’t do blue, purple, brown, grey or gold over it. I have worn the Elodie Lily Cardigan ($128) over it as well. In this case I chose J.Crew’s Pointelle Twilight Cardigan because it has thin gold strands in it and so does the sparkle tank top.
You will want to use a long cardigan for this look — a waist-length cardigan will cut your silhouette. A thin belt is a possibility but for me the wide belt makes me look thinner. It’s a great place to add sparkle or a pop of color if you want to keep the rest of the outfit quiet. I have a very wide purple belt I sometimes use as a cinch. The thicker belt helps to define the waist and the pumps add even more height. The final height boost comes courtesy of the pumps.
Cardigan: similar here, here and here
Belt: similar here, here and here
Pink Pumps: similar here, here or a suede option here
The final option is the one that I wear the most. Long, shapeless tunic + pencil skirt = instant shape! You can belt it though I chose not to here. I think denim is a good match for the Diaphanous Tunic as it’s great for day to night. The ivory version of the tunic looks great with a wool pencil skirt. To winterize the look you can add tights. For these shots I paired heels but boots are also a great pairing.
If you want just a hint of the top to show through, a cowlneck sweater is a great option. This allows you to show just a hint of the tunic while keeping it from overpowering the rest of the outfit. Hide it for day — then reveal it when you go out at night.
Sweater: Ann Taylor Loft Rib Transfer Cowl Neck Sweater (now $30)
Skirt: Gap Denim Slant-Pocket Pencil Skirt (now $40)
Shoes: J.Crew Patent Leather Juliets in Blanched Almond (now $90)
I hadn't had must interest in this top because of the sheerness but seeing these cute outfits really makes me want it! I think I have everything I need to copy #1 and #3 lol. I seriously might go ahead and order this now. Great post!
it looks great with the thick brown belt.i love this blouse with a passion, though i preferred the dark blue, which i would wear over a simple black dress, if only i could fit into it. *cries*
Shannon you should. I think this blouse would look beautiful on you.Oh Anon that is a terrific idea! Never even thought of putting this over a simple dress…I hope you don't mind but I am borrowing your idea. 🙂 I like the navy color a lot too and would probably buy that version if I didn't already own the lilac.
Hmm.. need to get a pair of skinny jeans. I wear just Levi's bootcut these days (since the past 4 years!), so it'll be quite a change. Cute outfits you've got modelled there.Just got the Anthropologie launch e-mail (timestamp: Sunday, November 8, 2009 10:47 AM). Is it's just me or the whole west coast emails and paper catalog mailing are S L O W? Still haven't received my Nov. catalog, everyone's raving about!
Skinny jean. Any suggested brands Roxy? I am shaped similar to you and while hardly overweight, my calfs and thighs are not "skinny". I have shied away from the skinny jeans as a result. Would like to wear the shilouette but……
Thanks Anon! I just got the launch email about the Anthropologist site today too. Bronzi, there are a few brands I like. My favorites are Express's Mia, which they unfortunately discontinued in the skinny cut. I am normally an 8 in Express jeans but I size up in the skinnies to a 10 to help them fit over my calves. Whenever I see Mias in 10 longs on eBay I snap them up. They now make the Zeldas in skinny cuts. These are a bit tighter in the waist and I don't like them as much.If you are near NYC Uniqlo makes great skinny jeans. I buy their straight legs which end up being skinnies on me. I have to size up to a 12 to fit over my calves.Finally, AG jeans makes great stretchy skinnies. I like their Stilts the best (hence my excitement at seeing a pair at Anthro earlier this week). I wear a size 31 in their jeans pretty consistently. Hope that helps a bit!
Cute lookss! That top is such a pretty colour.
Oh Roxy – I have a bone to pick with you. Now I want to buy back the darn Diaphanous Tunic that I returned because your outfits are so darn cute 😉 Maybe with my discount…though, how come long cardis on me still weren't long enough to cover the shirt?! Did you tuck the tunic in?
Wow Roxy, you really did a great job putting these outfits together with this tunic. I wonder if it came back in stock. I saw a lot of them at the DC store on Friday.
Roxy: thanks alot for the tips regarding skinnies. I will let you know how I make out.
Kim – yes, I did tuck the top in under the long cardi. 🙂
I love love love the color of the blouse on you, Roxy! So pretty. The top isn't for me (I'm too short to carry off a ton of ruffles, I just look like I am sinking to death in a sea of chiffon folds, ack!) but it is so darling on you. ♥
I enjoyed how you paired the top in the second option. I did a similar feature showing how to wear this shirt in navy on my blog at http://sugarandspiceandnice.blogspot.com/2009/10/…
JenLynn, options 2 and 4 on your post are to die for. Now I want the navy Diaphanous!