Thajyeeb... I like your outfits... the only thing is that with the prints... it seems to expand and make you appear top heavy... which I don't think you are. I think all you need is some jackets to nip you in... if blazer will be too formal for work... there are lots of jean blazers out there that will work also... and denim vest. I know you like cardigans, but they are not very good at nipping you in at the waist.
Like you said, you and I have shorter torsos, so probably a jacket that is no longer than 22 inches (measured from bottom of collar, down center line, to the bottom of the jacket)... and nip in the waist like my Teri Jon jacket that I wore with the flag shirt.
So, you're saying all these prints make me look fat because they expand my top half??
I don't know, I don't think they make me top heavy. I agree that maybe they are not nipped at the waist, so that hour-glass image is not visible in the picture, but I don't think it makes me appear wider or bigger at the top. I don't usually put emphasis on my waist because I don't exactly have a small waist like some of you. I carry my fat on my stomach and I tend to wear clothes that will hide the lumps and bumps. The last picture posted (with the black/yellow top) should appear boxy and that is because I tucked it so that it would appear boxy, thus aligning with the pants to give me that straight look.
Jackets are not ideal for this climate. I'm wearing a cropped jacket now, but even that will eventually come off in the afternoon.