Just Feeling Off - YouLookFab Forum

I'm wondering if anyone else has this problem, and what suggestions are to fix it. Sometimes, I just feel like what I'm wearing is "off." I can often put my finger on the problem: for example, I have a black skirt from Semantics that I bought at the Nordstrom Anniversary sale last year. It is a small, but it is too big. I didn't have the chance to try it on because the store was closing. When I wear it I feel "off." But other times, I can't really identify what the problem is.

I've noticed over the last year or so that dresses and heels almost always make me feel fantastic (unless the dress was a spontaneous, trendy purchase, and I doesn't fit with my style). Skirts and tops can, at times, make me feel pretty, if the top and skirt fit well. But I rarely feel this way with pants. This winter has been particularly cold, and I've had to wear pants to work for warmth, and I just don't feel as fab. The same goes when I wear smart-casual jeans/tops to work (on rare occasions).

Here is what I know: I feel uber-fab when I wear my dressy slacks, high-heel boots, and my winter coat (hat, gloves, scarf) over the slacks. I love the look. (it reminds me of an updated version of something from the 30's-40's or 70's high fashion). Take off that jacket, and, not so much. I feel uber-fab when I wear a dress and heels (boots or just pumps). I feel comfortable and nice when I wear casual jeans, boots, and a knit top. Anything else, and I just don't feel very good about myself.

Is this all too general to explain my frustration? Can anyone help? Obviously, it has to do with shirts, since I also feel the same when I wear skirts with shirts. Perhaps I'm allergic to shirts as well as belts? :-p

16 years ago

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

It might be as simple as the length of your top, but the best thing to do is post pictures here to see what others opinions are.

christie

Active Member

Hi Chewy,

Here are some recent posts:
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....ess-casual
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....ual-week-2

Thanks!
Christie

I would love critical comments on those photos, but looking through them, I don't see anything terribly wrong. Perhaps, when I wear pants, I just don't feel like it's my "style," whatever that is.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Christie, for some reason I can't veiw the second lot of outfits. What am I doing wrong?

Anonymous

Maybe you need some awsome blazers/jackets to wear at work. You said as soon as you remove your beautiful coat your fab feeling leaves.

rute

Oh.. Christie I have the exactly same problem!
I feel fab with skirts, heels, dresses and not so much with jeans and trousers.
I guess we like to feel feminine and sexy. The solution is to mix jeans or trousers with heels and fabulous tops and fab jewelery.

Angie--I think you may be able to see all of the outfits on my photobucket page. There are something like 9 of them.

San: Hi San, that may be. I actually feel quite awkward in blazers/jackets, though (at least suit type). I wear them to Court, but they feel too Hilary Clinton-ish to me (don't get me wrong, I love Hillary...).

Rute: You may be right.... I think I just have a hard time finding fabulous tops. I love soft knits, and I have a feminine blouse that I do love, but I can't seem to embrace woven shirts, otherwise.

I was actually just going to say what Sandy said. You need an assortment of fabulous indoor jackets to wear with both slacks and skirts.

Blouses are also a great idea and so are trouser jeans. I posted about them yesterday.

Revelation: I do not wear slacks accept with my suit. I am 95% in skirts and dresses unless I wear denim - bar my cigarette pants and skinny checked pants. You might be like that too.

Interesting, Angie. Are your cigarette pants knits? I think I saw a photo of them when you wore the white tunic shirt as business casual style. I'm not sure I've seen similar pants before.

Do you or anyone else have tips for fabulous jackets (I just have a hard time finding jackets fabulous unless they are on others...) and blouses?

I think a big part of my problem is that I either buy predominately from sales (which limit my selection, big time), or I always find myself in the knit or dress department. I guess old habits are hard to break.

Christie, I'm guessing that you feel better when you have some structure to your tops especially, thus the jackets favored over cardigans. You might like jackets best with feminine details rather than a straight blazer; fitted, something with a peplum bottom a bit of a ruffle somewhere, or feminine fabric like a silk or a shade of pink wool.
I no longer feel fab in slacks because they just hang, especially in the back, since my hips have dropped out of sight. Jean cuts are more flattering as are skinny pants worn with a long tunic top/short dress.

Kristine

I think you're on the right track to discovering your style. If you feel fab in skirts, wear more skirts! Have you seen the tip about doubling up on hose when you wear skirts in the winter? Maybe vintage accessories would give you some of that 40s feel. I've realized some of my own favorite outfits aren't due to the main pieces, they're the little touches, the way the colors repeat or contrast.

We all have days when we feel off. Yesterday I couldn't wait to get home to change! Anytime you grow style-wise there's going to be a little discomfort as you figure out things you love and things you don't. I'd say if you're finding a look that resonates with you, just keep developing it.

April

Here is my tip for fabulous jackets: find a couple with a great shape. Seaming that nips in the waist, even if only slightly, is a wonderful thing. For jackets, you'll need a good tailor. Make sure the shoulders fit and then you can get the sleeves hemmed or the waist nipped in quite easily.

Because they can be expensive, I always buy when on sale. I have found beautifully made, chic, un-dowdy jackets on the Talbots site for a song. Also, they're the first things I look at in a consignment shop. If you're at all squeamish about secondhand clothing, jackets are great because they don't actually go next to your skin.

tarzy

Christie - I like this post, because I think that our emotional connection to what we wear is just as important as knowing what goes with what. I think it's a process, and knowing what makes you feel fab is a great place to start.

I think a useful thing to do is to put together an outfit that you absolutely love, love, love. Take notice of the various pieces, and use that as a guide when you shop. (Some might argue that this "boxes" you in, but I think those of us who have such strong emotions about what does/doesn't feel right need to establish a good base before we can go off and experiment.) Some people look/feel great in lots of different things, but I know I'm very predictable. Give me a jacket with some structure, dark wash boot cut jeans, and some boots and I'm happy as a clam. Put me in a fussy print dress and I want to die.

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