One word.

Structure.

You like structure, Shannon. (I do too). And a fluid fit in tops around the midsection is your friend.

To Sveta's point, "just enough structure is relative". To someone like Zap and Tanya, who favour very structured clothing - going just a little fluid feels oversized. To someone like me, Suz and Inge, fluid can feel tailored. And to someone like Una and Denise, oversized feels really right.

After reading Gaylene and Angie, as well as the others, I am too late to the party to offer something you haven't already heard.

I will say you always look fab even if sometimes you don't feel it.

Photos #4 and #6 are my least favorite for you (with the slouchier pants).

For me I prefer trim styles, though I'm willing to go a bit less tailored on top (if my bottom is trim). I have sworn off fluid pants and many skirts as my abdomen/thighs are chunky and I don't feel pants--aside from well-structured jeans--are my friend.

Hi Shannon! I've been scarce here lately, and while I can't add any words of wisdom to the very wise ones you've already received, I just had to pop in to say you look awesome in all of these outfits. I can see why they make you feel fab! You are one of my YLF inspirations and #3 and #7 are two of my all time faves of your outfits. I'm drawn to the black/white contrast and the playfulness of the graphic tees. Today you're inspiring me to go on the hunt for some graphic tees of my own!

You look fabulous in each of these outfits. In addition to just the right amount of structure, your clothes here look well fitting and the proportions look great.

I haven't had time to look at anyone's comments, but you and I like such similar shapes for our clothes, I thought I'd throw a few thoughts in the ring:

1. Even just scrolling, I see structure mentioned again and again. Yes. Absolutely. You and I like some aspect/most aspects of our outfits structured. It feels natural, comfortable and flattering for us.

2. Restrictive, structured fits on our shoulders help us feel great.

3. Tapering around our knees is majorly important. We both have curvy legs and not particularly curvy middles. A tapered pencil skirt (your favorite shape and mine!) gives us the appearance of curvy hips and therefore just generally more curvy shape. AND (huge realization for me) a pant shape that is tailored more closely around the knee gives us the same feeling of curviness, but not too much volume. It gives a skinny focal point for the eye along our curvy legs. We can wear loose, slouchy trousers cut a little closer around our knees. Wide legs are harder unless they have that shaping to bring them in around our knee. We get extra slouch for those wider legs by wearing them a little longer with a little heavier break at the ankle.

Of course, these are just my thoughts and I may be absolutely crazy. Just, you know, because I've gotta hedge my bets.

In addition to the structure, I see an element of fun or playfulness in almost all of them: color, pattern, etc.

They're almost all high contrast, too, and the one that isn't has the contrasting textures and the amazing tights!

Shannon, I was on my phone earlier and wanted to get a closer look at the photos before i replied. Now I see that everyone has already said what I would have said.

But I wanted to add some thoughts along the lines of K. Period's.

When I look at your pictures, I see a very familiar shape. (And it's not just because I look at your WIWs every day, LOL! Nor is it because we have a similar haircut -- well, until mine got butchered last week, that is -- another story for another day!)

No. It's because our shapes share some similarities. That might sound odd, since I have a strong shoulder line and you have smaller shoulders; I'm a bit taller, and so on. (K. Period has an even stronger shoulder line, and she's drawing the comparison, so obviously I am not crazy.)

Anyway...what I see is this. Structure, as others have said. You love it, you crave it, and you wear it brilliantly. Without at least some in your outfits, you feel less than fab. This has been a common theme since the beginning of your WIWs.

Then, too -- it's TAPER towards the bottom. It might be, as Sveta said, that this is your slimmest part and you like to highlight it. And you do have fab legs!

This taper, does, undeniably provide some structure. But it may also reflect a deep aesthetic preference on your part -- something relevant to that whole "style is the perfection of a point of view" comment. I don't know if I can be any clearer about that because I'm not entirely sure I understand it myself. But I do think it's worth pondering.

Anyway...like you, I love tapered skirts and pants with a structured shoulder line most of all. I do in fact enjoy my fluid wide legs -- but mine are not baggy at the top. They are snug on the top and fluid all the way past the hip. Meanwhile, my slouchy trousers and BFs are baggy/ slouchy up top -- but TAPERED down at the knee and ankle. It seems there needs to be some tailoring somewhere for it to feel or look right.

Shannon I love this thread - so many brilliant insights. I wish I had something to add but I need to reread and think about this a bit more.

All of those items fit beautifully by skimming your figure. Nothing is squeezing or bagging. You look trim and confident!

I think maybe not structure but perfect fit is what's working here. Although I guess structure is part of fit?

Shannon thanks for posting this thread and eliciting so many perceptive comments. Only extra thing I notices was your lovely lipstick!

Ok I agree - structure and JACKETS.

I am blown away by the level of detail and feedback you have all provided me - thank you so much.

Deborah - I think you and I definitely share some of the same issues. But to me the biggest difference is you carry off drape and flowing fabrics much better than I do. Maybe that's because it feels genuine to your style and not as much with mine - so maybe confidence is key in pulling off certain looks too?

Suz - interesting. I never would have though we have similar shape for clothing but I see what you mean. "Taper" is definitely key to me - too much fabric at the bottom of anything, whether it be skirt, dress or trousers, just doesn't work on/for me. And slouchy trousers or BF jeans only feel good on when the legs are slimmer.

Angie - thank you so much for chiming in. I hear you loud and clear

Completeley agree with you, Shannon! I always feel more overhelmed about too much volume on the bottom, if not showing some legs or wearing high heels(which I'm no longer willing to do). Tailored(but not snug!) and structured is my very best friend. Fluid tops are easier to do, but oversized is a no, no for me, as I have not only have healthly curves:-) but broad shoulders and upper arms.

So, I say, nobody knows better then your own self! And, I completely relate with choosing these outfits, as they are really consciously put together and fab!

ETA. I feel drape is not always my friend as to my much regret and efforts I have an borderline slouchy posture(felt always too tall)-so don't need more of it. (I think if somebody is standing firm and has a great posture can make work drapes much easier.)