December 11th, 2009
Our forum is full of ladies successfully traveling through their own personal style journey. The forum members generously inspire and help each other and I’m always impressed with the motivation and end results.
One such forum member is Renata, who lives in Saskatchewan, Canada. Renata is a full time hair stylist, wife and Mum, who came to the forum four months ago feeling drab, frumpy and very uninspired with her daily look. But she got her fashion and style ducks in a row chop-chop and was soon proudly sporting her own creative ensembles and inspiring others by posting them in the forum.
Renata entered a recent forum challenge called The YLF Uniform Project. Participants had to take an LBD (in Renata’s case, a little brown dress) and come up with three different looks for it: “hanging out”, “office style”, and “date night.
Her outfits blew me away. So much so that I seized the opportunity to interview Renata and ask her a few questions about her style journey.
Angie: How did you find YLF?
Renata: I was looking for ideas as to what to wear to my niece’s wedding in August. I stumbled across YLF and have been an active member ever since.
Angie: How would you describe your old sense of style and why were you inspired to change it?
Renata: When I hit my mid forties, I fell into a what I call “the middle-aged invisible women slump”.
I found my old sense of style boring. Working 5-6 days a week, comfort became my first priority, and with it came style that wasn’t standing out. I was wearing plain t-shirts and jeans almost every day. I suppose my inspiration to change was when I learned that I could put together a practical outfit that looked good, without compromising style.
Angie: How did you get started?
Renata: I started out by reading plenty of books and magazines, along with blogs and forums. I did my best to learn which colors and items complement my body, and which don’t.
Angie: What have you learned? How did YLF help you along the way?
Renata: I learned that questioning myself (e.g. Is this outdated? Am I too old? Does this age me? Does this look just plain wrong?) is a very good thing, and if I can’t answer those questions I know I can turn to YLF forum members for help. It’s like having a cheerleading team! Support is there, you just have to ask for it. My first success with YLF was when I read Angie’s blog on how to pick a perfect pair of specs. I couldn’t have done it myself. When I wear them I feel instantly fab!
Angie: Where do you like to shop?
Renata: Honestly, with the limited budget that I have I can say that my favourite place to shop is Winners (Canada’s version of TJ Max). I really enjoy their selection of handbags.
Second hand stores are also great. The lure of cheap prices and one of a kind items is enough for me to brave musty smells and crowded stores. Lately I have been searching for skirts, dresses and jackets. I also love local boutiques.
Angie: You rocked the last YLF forum challenge, which was to showcase the versatility of a LBD (in your case a little brown dress) by wearing it across three different lifestyles. You came up with six fabulous outfits and I’m impressed. What inspired the outfits?
Renata: Oh, that was so much fun! Shortly after forum member Laura posted about mom on the go formula #3, I was on the lookout for a casual dress. I lucked out and found three in one week.
The inspiration for my “hanging out” outfits was Angie’s Mom on the go formula #3. I love that one, it’s so easy to follow! For office wear, I just made it little dressier by adding appropriate jackets and footwear. And date night, I guess that one was all about the right accessories, which I was missing, so I had to go shopping. But without accessories those outfits wouldn’t be fab that is for sure! I would have never guessed that my own creations would send Angie “into ORBIT” but I’m so glad they did. She is a good teacher and I’m a good student! LOL.
Angie: How will you continue to evolve your style?
Renata: I have to stay motivated and continue to tweak and perfect my own style. I intend to visit YLF for my inspiration and information. I call YLF my fashion medication!
Angie: Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Renata: I’m so glad that YLF came into my life. It’s highly addictive but in a good way! LOL.
Angie: I’m wow-ed. Thank you for your time, Renata. It has been a pleasure observing your journey, which I see is taking more of an arty and eclectic turn each time you post. You look radiant and happy. Well done.
45 Replies
Posted on Friday, December 11th, 2009 at 8:00 am
WOW! You do look absolutely fabulous and it sounds like it didn’t cost you tons of $$$ to find all those wonderful pieces. I am inspired!
Posted on December 11th, 2009 at 8:05 am
woo hoo! way to go Renata! I love to see your outfits in the forum. Keep them coming 
Posted on December 11th, 2009 at 8:07 am
Renata looks AMAZING and so incredibly youthful! She’s truly an inspiration for all women:) Thanks for posting too-this was a great read!
Posted on December 11th, 2009 at 8:17 am
What a wonderful example for the benefits of YLF!!!
Your outfits are creative and practical at the same time and display a lot of taste, Renata.
I´d like to read more about style transformation. Trying to evolve my style all the time, the end of a year is a good time to reconsider my fashion choices over the year and see what has changed these past twelve months.
Posted on December 11th, 2009 at 8:23 am
Your tranformation is just stunning! Congratulations to you, Renata, your outfits are creative, fun, artsy, eclectic … inspiring.
Question for you: Did you get your fab pixie cut during your style transformation?
Posted on December 11th, 2009 at 8:27 am
OMG, Renata you look 20 years younger with your new look! Have you noticed a difference in the way people interact with you now?
Posted on December 11th, 2009 at 8:42 am
BRAVO, Renata! My gosh, every outfit is more fantastic than the last. And I can’t believe you built them all atop a single dress. Talk about going from timid dresser to style expert!
Posted on December 11th, 2009 at 8:43 am
I am absolutely blown away. Angie and YLF unleashed a very talented and creative dresser. Renata: FANTASTIC RESULTS!!!!!!! You look outstanding. Love your looks here. WOW!
Posted on December 11th, 2009 at 8:47 am
Stunning outfits on a beautiful, confident woman. Impressive!
Posted on December 11th, 2009 at 8:59 am
Renata – I love your outfits. Stunning to the power of stunning. Way to go!
Posted on December 11th, 2009 at 9:02 am
Renata, you look fantastic!!! You’ve soaked up everything like a sponge. 
Very chic!
Posted on December 11th, 2009 at 9:19 am
what a difference between the befere and the after, Renata looks now 10 pounds thinner and 100 times more stylish!
Posted on December 11th, 2009 at 9:42 am
Bravo, Renata! I wish I could get my mother in law to love herself like this too. (she’s been in the middle aged slump land for a while now, but I think her raw material is excellent). You’re just beautiful and really stylish and sophisticated. I love that you do this on the budget. What an inspiration for us all!
Posted on December 11th, 2009 at 9:53 am
Wow, what an AWESOME post. So inspiring, and so very representative of the YLF experience! Thanks Angie and Renata, this just totally made my day.
Posted on December 11th, 2009 at 10:03 am
Wonderful post Renata and Angie–Renate you look fab-u-lous, really .
Very inspirational, and I agree YLF is totally addictive
Posted on December 11th, 2009 at 10:10 am
Wow, awesome style transformation Renata! Way to go. You looked cute before but now you look totally hip!
Posted on December 11th, 2009 at 10:17 am
Renata – you look *amazing*, and I’ve really enjoyed reading about your style transformation. You’re so good at this!!! I can’t wait to see more
Posted on December 11th, 2009 at 10:36 am
Oh my goodness – I’m pre-YLF Renata!!! I can only DREAM of having such a successful, mind-blowing transformation. Wow – it’s like you really know who you are now – your personality really comes through in your gorgeous outfits. I’m curious, too, whether people treat you any differently now.
Posted on December 11th, 2009 at 11:03 am
Renata, you are absolutely inspiring! What I love most is that you have gone beyond looking good– you have style oozing out of your pores. All killer looks with one brown dress– WOW!
Posted on December 11th, 2009 at 11:11 am
Posted on December 11th, 2009 at 11:18 am
The power of ylf proves itself over and over again……Angie has a way of breaking things down into easily understood formulas…..you always had super style inside Renata….ylf just showed you how to pull it all together:)…looking FAB
Posted on December 11th, 2009 at 11:23 am
This is amazing! Way to go, Renata!
I have a quick question to everyone, Renata and Angie included. Can you (or me) wear tights other than brown ones with a brown dress? I liked how Renata mixed it up with a grey jacket. How might brown, black, charcoal, blues, or other colors go with such a classic color? (I’m still suffering from the rigid rules of my childhood, which included: no earth tones with jewel tones, no black with brown, etc.)
Posted on December 11th, 2009 at 11:27 am
Beautiful, Renata – you have upped your style quotient tremendously – and I love your budget-conscious approach. No wonder Angie was “wowed – you and your outfits look fantastic. Keep it up!
Maris
Posted on December 11th, 2009 at 11:44 am
Wow, Renata! You look amazing – super artsy and cool. Thanks for sharing your fantastic transformation!
Posted on December 11th, 2009 at 11:48 am
Renata you look amazing. You really are a quick learner. I had even forgotten that when you came to YLF you had said you were in T shirts and jeans. Look at you now! Wow! One would never know a half a year ago you were an invisable woman. I love that term by the way, it really does happen.
Thank you Renata for teaching us.
Posted on December 11th, 2009 at 11:57 am
Woww, Rena, congrats from deepest of my hart! So lovely outfits, and there are all SO, SO YOU! You1re home now, I knew you’ll done it! So happy and proud of you!!!!
(can I ask what fabric is that dress?…Lucky you, where have you found it, what brand is? I’m looking for the same dress -now, for a while…:-(((Surely you’ll got a lot of use to it!!!It’s so simple, and fab!)
Posted on December 11th, 2009 at 12:15 pm
Renata – I’m back with more questions. I’m still an “invisible woman” most days – like San, I love that phrase…how did you find your transformation actually happen? Did you just go out one day and do a big shop? Was it more gradual? Have you purged your ‘invisible woman’ wardrobe or at least always restyle those pieces? I complain about my shapeless polartech jackets, but can’t part with them yet because I don’t have a stylish alternative – so here I sit in my boring jeans and polartech uniform. I will say, that thanks to YLF, I have updated my jeans to a dark wash boot cut, but the daily wardrobe (sans Sunday church clothes) is still pretty drab. Help!
Posted on December 11th, 2009 at 12:30 pm
You are truely beautiful! You give me hope that my fashion transformation will be completed one day!
Posted on December 11th, 2009 at 12:32 pm
Looking fab Renata! You are a very quick learner!
(Aside: I often feel uncomfortable when the person cutting my hair doesn’t have good hair themselves, but I would feel totally secure with you cutting my hair!)
Posted on December 11th, 2009 at 12:44 pm
What an amazing transformation! She sure is an inspiration. I will have to share this link with my mom, with a bit of *hint hint* haha
-meream
Posted on December 11th, 2009 at 12:51 pm
Renata, kudos to you for your beautiful transformation! Like you, I found myself in a rut. After nearly raising three children ( still have one 14 year old at home) I realized that I had lost my sense of self, somewhere between raising the toddlers to the teens. My “uniform” consisted of sweatpants and fleece pullovers in winter, capris and tee in summer. I am so thankful for this forum, and all the wonderful inspiring ladies I’ve found here. I am now 49 years old, and feel like I really have a much better sense of style than the “old days”. I sew for myself, and it seemed that all I ever made were “orphans”. Now I’m like a kid in a candy store with all the possibilities open to me. Thank you Angie, and all those who contribute to this forum!!!
Posted on December 11th, 2009 at 1:46 pm
Wow, I’m so impressed. I too went through a transformation a few years ago, but I had a lot of help! You did this on your own!! You really do look fab!
(I also like the thing on the wall behind you. )
Thanks for sharing with us!
Posted on December 11th, 2009 at 1:50 pm
Wow, Renata! It’s amazing what a brown dress and a little bit of confidence can do! I remember your first post about the dress for the wedding. I can’t believe how far you’ve come in so short a time! Thank you for the inspiration!
Posted on December 11th, 2009 at 2:06 pm
Renata, I have enjoyed watching your transformation over the months and you just look absolutely fantastic! You are such an inspiration. I especially love that jacket in the last row, far left…. I want to steal it!
Angie, will this be a regular feature? I love seeing the “before” and “after” and reading the answers in the interview.
I’ve been wanting to participate in this particular challenge – have been thinking a lot about it – unfortunately been just too busy at work this week! I would’ve missed Renata’s outfits if it wasn’t for this blog post today – thanks!
Posted on December 11th, 2009 at 2:07 pm
What really struck me is that for you, becoming chic was about asking questions: first asking them to yourself for yourself, and asking them of a group of people whose fashion opinions and help you trust (on this forum).
I think that may help those anyone who’s still on a style journey–it’s not about transformation as much as thoughtful reflection on who you are, what you want to look like, and how shapes and colors work for you.
Renata, all the outfits are terrific!
Posted on December 11th, 2009 at 2:11 pm
What a difference! You look wonderful and it is obvious you feel better about yourself. Thanks for sharing!
Posted on December 11th, 2009 at 4:21 pm
Renta look amazing in those challenge pice. I hope you feel as good as you look abut your new style!!!
Posted on December 11th, 2009 at 4:39 pm
Fantastic feature. I’m now feeling a bit dowdy myself. Thanks for the inspiration, Renata and Angie. You look SO puled together. Very natural and effortless.
Posted on December 11th, 2009 at 7:04 pm
Thank you ladies!
I hadn’t (really) looked at myself in the mirror for years and hesitated to change because I didn’t have a vision of where I wanted to go.The best thing I’ve done for myself in many years was to join YLF, so much information in one place.
I have always been head strong kind of person and I guess that helped speed things up.
I feel more confident, people treat me with more respect and more likely to start conversations with me. I now hold my head high with shoulders back, I’m wrinkly and saggy, but with the right outfit, no one knows (except my husband)
I’ve gotten rave reviews from my friends and family.
Laura, I always had short hair because its so thin and fine that keeping it short works the best for me. And having hair clippers close by everyday is dangerous too, if I see a hair out of place I just start trimming! LOL
Sorry,I have to run now, but I will be back later with more anwsers to your question’s.
Posted on December 11th, 2009 at 7:10 pm
Renata – You have convinced me to lurk no more Your YLF Challenge photos are gorgeous and amazing. Then add in the ‘before’ photo and they become truly inspiring (especially for all of us ‘invisible’ women).
Thank you for sharing your amazing style journey. It beautifully illustrates how stylish is best when it reflects your individual style too!
Sara
Posted on December 11th, 2009 at 8:09 pm
Wow, Renata -
Your Style Transformation is simply amazing. The YLF Challenge photos alone are incredibly stylish, but add in the ‘before’ photo and your style journey is truly inspiring!
It actually got me out of lurking and into joining YLF. You tapped into my own middle-aged, invisible heart and my own quest to ‘rediscover’ myself.
Thank you so much for sharing your gorgeous style AND for showcasing how stylish is at its best when it reflects your individual style.
Sara R.
Posted on December 11th, 2009 at 8:51 pm
I’m back!
Lyn67, I got my dress at Cleo’s, in knit fabric, which is so comfy to wear.
I did clean out my closet, and I can tell you that was the best part!
Shopping for new wardrobe is been so much fun, I have an hour long lunch, so I go and browse my favorite stores. I only buy if I can anwser my key questions about the fit, color and style. Slowly my wardrobe is taking shape!
I’m so enjoying this process! I encourage you to do the same!
Posted on December 11th, 2009 at 9:13 pm
Renata, your transformation is amazing. what an inspiring post!
I haven’t worn a dress in ages, but the way you’ve styled yours is so versatile that I may have a look for one.
Posted on December 12th, 2009 at 2:56 pm
Congratulations, Renata. Your outfits are both elegant and striking, and what an inspiring change from the before photo!
Posted on December 12th, 2009 at 5:57 pm
Yay, Renata! Way to represent all us “Team Canada” members of YLF! You “do us proud” and inspire me with your style transformation and fantastic attitude.
Posted on December 13th, 2009 at 1:19 am
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