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Has your style journey inspired another?

ManidipaM

Veteran

Looking at how we inspire each other on YLF, I wonder how many of us have --- even just at the start of our style journeys, just by paying attention to what we wear or what others are wearing, or by experimenting pretty visibly --- inspired someone else to start a new style journey or resume a stalled itinerary?

I came to be asking this question because this week, after enduring quite a few months of my impossible-to-ignore bellyaching about things I've outgrown as I purge the suitcases and emphatic declarations of 'pretty, but not quite me' while window shopping , my SO at one fell swoop...
(1) started to wear red and gold paisley printed harem pants with a T-shirt about the house;
(2) went to work in jeans, green retro-print T-shirt or grey polo and yellow Converses (trust me, this is VERY dressed-up for our uber-casual workplace; my red jeans pretty much stopped conversation across several corridors)
(3) launched a serious manhunt for red and/or green jeans and chinos for himself, plus leather boat shoes.

Now, he's always been the more experimental dresser of us (swan-printed batik sarongs! forest green skinny jeans in the 80s and neon pink and yellow tanks briefly), though he has his limits (refuses to wear floral shirts of any shade). But I think my conservative streak rubbed off on him while we were together to the point that he stuck to 14 pairs of jeans and an assortment of checked shirts, polo T-shirts and plain ol' graphic tees for the last decade or so. Worrisome, really! And now suddenly he's his usual flamboyant gender-be-damned self, which I find even more heartening than having begun my own style journey.

Has that ever happened to you? Has a co-worker joined you for a mile or a few of your style journey before going her own way, more confident and risk-taking than ever before? Have family members experienced style epiphanies and turnarounds as side effects of your experiments? Do your kids, partners, parents dress differently pre- and post-YLF at all? Just curious...

17 replies

Latest reply was from Diana

Kari

Veteran

Well, I don't know that it was something really dramatic like what you mentioned here (and your story about your significant other is sweet!) but yes, I've noticed little things.

My boyfriend B. really liked my spectacle wardrobe and ended up getting a very snazzy pair of glasses for himself when he updated his years-old frames in December. He seems to notice when I tell him how much I love him in certain pieces (blue shirts, for example) and wears them often.

Coworkers who used to dress exclusively in jeans and tees stopped good-naturedly teasing me about being dressed up, and I started to see skirts and dresses much more often.

My mom decided that she wanted to try out pencil skirts for casual wear (she previously thought they were too dressy) and I picked out one for her for Christmas that she loves. My dad started watching What Not To Wear with the ladies of the family (he called it "While You Were Badly Dressed" for a while, mixing it up with the name of another show) and started talking about how he wanted to try the "layered look", like wearing a button-down shirt under a sweater. I started to see some of my very casual friends wearing pretty patterned blouses with jeans, or wearing skirts more often.

I don't know how much, if anything, is tied to my own style evolution, but I'd like to think that I was at least encouraging them to try something new!

ManidipaM

Veteran

Oh goodness, that is a LOT of inspiring going on, Kari! And small wonder, given the stunningly successful way you 'evolve'. Did you just say 'nothing so dramatic'?!

MsMary

Veteran

Yes! My BFF has definitely stepped up her game since I started going all YLF-y! And Hubby has traded his Costco jeans and bright white sneakers for a much more sophisticated look! Big fun!!

ManidipaM

Veteran

MaryK, the same hubby who picks out your awesome shoes wore Costco jeans and white sneakers?That is just priceless! Good for you for exerting that killer influence!

christieanne

Veteran

Oh Maryk lol! My DH was a big fan of those Costco jeans for a while. Super cheap and comfortable he said. I think they have all been donated now thankfully!
My DH is now faithfully in his Levis (501's) and Cons. Western or printed button long sleeve and graphic t or black t underneath/leather jacket or suit blazer on top. It's a uniform of sorts and works for his very casual lifestyle. He can pretty much go anywhere and look hip although I wish he would wear a non-Con every so often.
I actually think he is more an influence on me (his wear what you feel comfortable in mantra is inspiring - especially since it still looks sharp and cool. I guess if it was torn t's and sweats I would feel otherwise) than I am on him except for buying him all new Levi's and tossing the Kirklands. He won't go for "fancy" jeans - I tried that.

MsMary

Veteran

My DH discovered Lucky Brand jeans at the Rack and they do pretty amazing things for his rear view! He still wears the Costco jeans to work when he is going to be on a job site, but when he's with me he looks Fine-with-a-capital-F!

Chippy Mia

LOL I have a husband who loves his Levi'sand Gap jeans as well. Dh's style has flunctuated quite a bit since we first met almost 20 years ago. We both have influenced each other over the years but I think that it as more to do with being comfortable with ourselves in our stage in life that we are more willing to express ourselves creatively. Color has a permanent home in his wardrobe after many many years of telling him that real men CAN wear pink, lime, lavender, orange, etc. I'm currently working on him wearing white/cream linen pants. Maybe a few strategically placed ads of the Mediterranian around the house will do the trick.

There is one friend who is moving away from sweats and jeans. I like to think that I have some influence on her as I see her more willing to incorporate more flowing blouses/tops instead of just t-shirts and jeans. I even got her to watch What Not To Wear!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

My husband has stepped up his style game recently as I have been making more of an effort, so I know I've influenced him. Also, my 29yo niece is much more into fashion since she moved from GA to MD, where she definitely seems to be influenced by my style. We went out for dinner last night and hit a couple of stores (helloooo Nordstrom Rack) and we always have fun getting into trouble shopping together. All the stuff that I'm attracted to that seems a little young for me, I can get her to try on!

jayne

Veteran

Oh giggle giggle, Fine! You make me laugh MaryK.

Hmmm, I am afraid all my friends dress much better than I do so I am way behind trying to catch up. Even the BF has his decided style that he sticks to better than I stick to mine.

I guess if you give me a year, I might inspire someone!

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Definitely! Hubby asked me to go shopping with him a while ago to "up his game" with better jeans and some nice cashmere sweaters. And Kristin has become very serious about PPL since I joined YLF.

Anonymous

Great story, Manidipa! I love that other people are rubbing off on their friends/co-workers and loved ones. I'm not sure about taking credit for my two teens being interested in clothes....I think most of them are. DH has not changed AT ALL, and often discourages me from dressing up too much when we are going to be with other people (for the reason that it will make the other women feel bad about themselves). I guess in his own way, he's telling me that he thinks I look good.

One happy thing I remember. We were at a sports banquet and sitting a round table with another family. I found out later that the oldest daughter of the other family said a really nice thing about me. She said she wanted to look just like I did when she was married and a mom. (Her mom is younger than I am, but dresses a little frumpy.)

velvetychocolate

Veteran

My Mom used to buy clothing that was way too big for her, and it's all because she's in plus size clothing. Since I joined YLF - she is buying better-fitting clothes. She's not the 3x she thought she was....barely a 1x and is able to buy clothes in size 16 or 18 in the regular women's section at department stores. She didn't realize it, but she's right on the border between plus and regular, and yet ...prior to me joining YLF - she was buying 3x size blouses because she felt like it was better to 'hide' or something. Before I joined and started participating in YLF, my Mom wouldn't dream of trying a 16 or 18 in the regular sizes. She's all shocked that these things actually fit her!

The other fun thing is convincing her to shop the junior's section of the plus-clothing stores for pants that aren't all wide in the legs like the rest of the offerings in the regular plus section of the store. I did say to her, "Mom, no one is going to know if you bought junior's plus jeans or regular plus jeans...the pants in junior's might be better". She *was* dealing with a situation where pants in the plus section were just way too wide in the legs. Mom's super tall (a hair over 6ft tall) and has long,slim-looking legs, despite being supposedly plus-sized. She called me one day, all giddy...."I bought some pants...they were in the teen section...." etc.

I guess this is just another variation on Angie's mantra of "leave no retail stone unturned."

It really *is* ok for a so-called plus-sized 'senior' to get some pants from the junior section. It's not like anyone's going to know! We're talking about some slim-cut black dress pants, after all.

My Mom's not locked into the few (and very limited) plus size clothing stores, and realizes that she *can* shop in the regular sizes in dept. stores, and that it's ok to buy some juniors pants if they fit better.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

My DH has also asked me to fix him up - before I came along he didn't even wear jeans (he was a chinos and madras shirt type). I supply my extremely non-fashion oriented sister with much of her wardrobe with my thrifting finds (even my little nephew knows when she is wearing something from me!). I have started at least two local friends and two nieces going to thrift stores too!

Abie

Veteran

I have a couple friends from an online playgroup I belong to that all have 19mo toddlers that have told me that I have inspired them to dress better. I think its hard for new moms in general and especially when you might not necessarily fit into your pre-baby clothes the same, or right away..

I get questions a lot from other plus size or curvy women asking about shopping. I'm always surprised at the number of women that don't know department stores carry plus sizes.

Occasionally while out I will get asked about a specific item I'm wearing.

I work with mostly men and they dress very casual. Lots of gear. Bicycle Gear, Hiking Gear, mixed gear and denim and tshirts. Maybe throw on a company polo shirt and their one pair of khakis the one time a year they might forced to "dress up" like visiting a customer etc.. I don't think I do much inspiring at work =)

My husband dresses well already. Like ChristieAnne said, he has a kind of a uniform that works for him. He wears the Lucky Jeans, a threadless tee, an open overshirt with rolled up sleeves and sneakers. Buttons up the overshirt if he needs to be more dressy. He has cool specs from Theo... One nice suit. I envy how simple and functional his wardrobe is and how it still comes off as cool, stylish, and creative. In that way, he really inspires me.

ManidipaM

Veteran

Such wonderful stories, ladies! I'm still giggling over MaryK's and Claire's (now that's a brilliant backhanded compliment: 'Don't make the natives feel too bad with your awesomeness!') and smiling at Kirstin's newfound PPL (of course she has an advanced placement thanks to Shannon; I'm still struggling months into the game!)

Of course, it is always heart-warming to see the younger generation inspired while they experiment, like Janet's niece.

And VC, that is *such* a very touching bunch of stories about your mom! Isn't it wonderful to be able to give back to the *previous* generation?

This is what is so very heart-warming about YLF---the supportiveness, generosity and careful attention it breeds has great ripple effects!

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

Well, I got four or five moms from my mommy board to join YLF by posting in the fashion section of the mommy board, which I'm happy about, but otherwise no, I can't think of anyone that I've inspired to dress differently. I love all these cool stories though!

Diana

Veteran

I love reading all these stories!

I don't think I've really inspired anyone with my style, at least not that I know of. However, our discussion last week about preppy dressing seemed to inspire my fiance to start analyzing other people's outfits for potential preppiness, LOL. Having grown up in a really preppy environment (like, actual new england prep school), he has preppy in his blood but claims that he hasn't thought about it much until we started discussing it here.