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Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Ready for YLF graduate school?

Maya

Veteran

I am feeling bored with my style lately. I feel like I have a good grasp on proportion, fit, color, etc. All the basics are there. But it's not enough anymore. I'd like to take things a step further.

I don't want to change my style persona necessarily, but I wish I were more creative in how I dressed. I wish I did more interesting, unusual, and experimental looks instead of always doing the expected, obvious, and easy. Things like mixing patterns, textures, and creative layering really appeal to me lately. Maybe since I don't have color anymore, I am thinking more about those things than I used to. Also the season is changing so layering is something I am considering more frequently.

Has anyone else felt this way at some point?

Dressing

33 replies

Latest reply was from quail

Sparky

Veteran

I am just impressed with myself the mornings I manage a shower and full set of clothing. No more mom jeans perks me up too.

I am TOTALLY not ready for YLF grad school.

judy

Veteran

Regularly! I get in fashion slumps. It begs the question, what inspires us? I find, especially with any kind of shopping ban or SYC challenge, that piling all my clothes...ok, maybe not ALL of them...but just trying this with that leads to new discoveries. And I see that gosh, those two colors/textures are laying next to each other and I had no idea that they looked so good together. That can get the creative juices flowing. Music and wine help too :)! As does a friend/collaborator because they can help us stretch a bit and think outside of our usual box. I think when we were kids we called it "dress up", right? I guess, in short, taking a playful approach!

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I think you're fashion sense is always going to be expanding and changing- I know mine is. Once you hurdle one challenge, you are looking towards the next one.
I find that I am this way in most of my pursuits (knitting, cooking, etc). I just like a challenge, and I am told that I'm difficult to please (by the hubs ). I don't think that's a bad thing, though.

crazyone

Veteran

Maya, I'm with you, though I'm not nearly as advanced as you are. I'm bored with dressing "classically", even if it's with proper PPL and the like. I think since joining YLF, I've become bored of classic styles, and I want my clothing to at least have small details that elevate them from the norm. And I'm far more interested in being trendy these days, too--I bought that ASOS keyhole dress because of that, and I recently pulled the trigger and ordered the Sanctuary tweed shorts...hopefully they work out!

Maya

Veteran

I was considering those shorts after they went on sale again, C1, but they were gone in my size by then. Hope they work out for you!

I was where you were not too long ago and it was a fun experience and also did wonders for my body image. I remember feeling this way then too. Just bored and ready to move on. So I think there will be some changes in my style future, and I guess yours too.

crazyone

Veteran

Maya: I bought them in size 27, which may actually be too big for me. But I wanted to try and see, especially since several people said they ran small. Did you ever try them out in store?

The biggest thing I need to figure out now is how to actually wear all the nice things I buy when I don't have what I perceive as the "occasion" for it...that attitude has to change.

Maya

Veteran

I did not try them. Cathy (cciele) did, and she actually would have had to size up (the reason she didn't is because Angie deemed them not age appropriate), so there is hope. I left them for a few reasons:

1) they are brown and I just do. not. like. brown. My heart is set on gray.
2) I really prefer pleats in shorts like these.

However, the sale price was too good to resist, so if they had been in my size I might have given them a chance. In truth the shorts I really want are the ones I tried at the DC gathering, but the $128 price tag just isn't budging...

crazyone

Veteran

I actually prefer brown to grey because it would fit better with my boots and tights, I think.

Maya, what about these?

http://www.urbanoutfitters.com.....weed+Short

Maya

Veteran

Those are in my shopping cart, C1 But I'm not checking out until my size is OOS in the expensive ones (which are these):

http://www1.bloomingdales.com/.....ryID=19950

I prefer the way they fit compared to the UO ones.

I'm also still working on figuring out how to wear shorts like these without tucking. It seems inevitable, but there must be a way. I think sweaters and other knitwear is probably the answer. Angie says I need to get over my tuck-o-phobia...but fat chance (sorry Angie).

Mac

Veteran

Only got my first "killer" 2 weeks ago so definitely not ready for grad school - kindergarten suits me Just Fine (for now).

Maya

Veteran

In fairness, you don't post a lot if pictures Mac! Otherwise I think you'd be skipping grades.

Well I started reading and posting comments 4 years ago, so it makes sense that Fall '10 would be my first semester of YLF grad school.

One day I hope to get my PhD...

RoseandJoan

Veteran

Maya, I get this need every couple of seasons of wanting to shake things up. I believe the clothing out now is not feeling very fresh, cascading cardi, skinnies etc. have lost their impact.

There will always be a place in my wardrobe for prints and pastels but right now I'm wanting something simpler and a little minimalist.

In other words you are not alone.

Kristen

(website)

Veteran

ITA, R&J. My dress obsession has been waning and my pants one is on the rise; the shape of my preferred silhouette is shifting from skinnies to bootcut. I still love my prints, but my shoe height is currently still lower than my usual 3-inch heels. I think it's just the way it goes sometimes; can't stay with the same thing forever or we get bored!

Mae

If I wasn't still in YLF preschool, I'd love to join you. Please visit the pre-K room often to show us your grad school assignments.

Maya

Veteran

We'll bring you apple juice and cookies and then you can take your afternoon nap, Mae.

I don't think I ever found skinnies or cascading cardis to be on the cutting edge of fashion, exactly. Same with denim on denim. They were new, fresh looks, which was and still is great. But they were never really edgy and fashion forward to me. It's not really about specific trends or anything like that anyway.

When I think cutting edge it usually involves how things are worn rather than what the specific elements are. I feel no more fashion forward in my stirrup leggings than I do in my regular leggings. I wear them the same way. I wear everything the same way, just the way it is meant to be worn, and that bores me. I am thinking of doing things like layering OVER cardigans instead of under, and letting the cascading hem hang out. Wearing a lace jacket underneath a sleeveless dress, so only the collar and sleeves show. Layering a shorter dress over a longer dress and topping it with a waistcoat. Putting a tube top over a buttondown (well, that wouldn't work for me but could look sweet on others). Colorful socks underneath my stirrup leggings. Legwarmers with long knee socks underneath them.

I have all these ideas in my head but I never seem to get them right, so it just becomes easier to wear things the catalog way. Snooze.

Queen Mum

Veteran

maya- those are some great ideas. start playing dress up and show us what you come up with. You know we won't be short on advice to tweak things to make them just right

marianna

Veteran

Haha. I'm not quite ready to get my Masters. I'll take my time getting my 4 year degree first.

Although I do think I've come a LONG way since first getting involved with YLF a year ago. I'm probably on the honor roll or honor society or something.

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

While I firmly believe in higher education for both myself and the masses, in this case I aspire to nothing more than a bachelor's degree. I'd managed to nab my high school diploma before joining YLF, but since then you guys have helped me choose a major and fill in all the other secondary requirements. I've exited my comfort zone on more than one occasion ("insert failed clever comparison to year-abroad here), but at core I'll always be more classic than not and content with mastering the expected ways to wear current looks. I'm happy to introduce edgier elements or explore new horizons of colour, cut etc, but I strongly suspect the undergrad curriculum will be enough to slake my thirst for sartorial knowledge. You never know, though -- I may decide to upgrade my credentials just to stay afloat in this competitive world!
P.S. Y'all are the equivalent of the best on-campus "access services" office in existence -- blind people need support in the post-high-school environment and I wouldn't even have made it through course selection without you guys!

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Ha ha, I like this analogy, Maya. Number of "killer" ratings on outfits and/or items of clothing purchases could equal the score for a YLF subject test for the GRE.

I think maybe I've earned a Bad.D (Bachelor of Arts in Daily Dressing), but I'm taking a break before graduate school. I'm not sure what I'd even want to focus my portfolio on at this point. Working every new trend into a Modern-Classic framework? (Not really in the budget at the moment, hee). Influencing my peer group to wear PPL/Smart Casual? (Angie's already done a lot of scholarly work in that area). Studies in wearing dresses and heels in male-dominated/fashion-hostile work environments? (That would be a continuation of my undergraduate studies, I'm a bit sick of that at this point).

RoseandJoan

Veteran

Hmmm, got ya Maya. I think you need to play in your closet and take photos for your reference to see what works. I would love to the best of collection. This could make for a fun challenge.

judy

Veteran

A good analogy might be cooking. In the beginning when we are learning, we need recipes. We need the structure someone else's know how of how to put tastes together, how long to cook things, what to serve with what. But after doing your time in the trenches with recipes, you can start to IMPROVISE (not shouting, but don't know how to italic that word). You feel confident that if you switch out an ingredient, the dish will not be a failure. I'm at the point with many recipes where I can not only improve them, but also know more the style of food I want to eat...just a few key ingredients, cooked well. Our tastes change and evolve as do our capacities for improvisation. The lulls just inform us we are ready for some newness, huh? Cookbooks (and lookbooks!) can still inspire us to adapt those inspirations as our own. It can also be very satisfying to be inspired to try some new kind of trend rather than merely follow them.

Barbara

Veteran

Maya, I, too sometimes get bored and restless with the contents of my closet. Usually, though, the spring and fall fashion magazine issues and my addiction to PROJECT RUNWAY give me the style boost I need. Here's a book from which you may glean some ideas: "The Lucky Guide to Mastering Any Style: How to Wear Iconic Looks and Make Them Your Own".

http://tinyurl.com/39bdt58

It's a fun read, if taken with quite a few grains of salt.

Maya

Veteran

You guys really know how to beat a metaphor bloody don't you? :p

I can't wait until Professor Angie gets home and has a minute to respond. Curious to hear what she says.

Barbara, I am a PR addict too. I obsessively check Tom and Lorenzo's Project Rungay updates and rush home every Thursday to catch it--though the quality hasn't been up to scratch for a while (not that this stops me). I am ALWAYS most enamored of the designers whose work has multiple pieces that work harmoniously. I'm so bored with all the short little cocktail dresses everyone is doing lately. Designers from earlier seasons used to create so much depth with their looks. I really miss that. Think Kara Saun's USPS uniform. Brilliant. Jay's final collection? Knocked it out of the park, I'd say. I don't see that as much these days. If that USPS challenge had been this season, 90% of the contestants would have done a USPS cocktail dress!

I have a VERY good track record picking winning designers, and this season I'm calling Mondo for the win after seeing his final collection. If he doesn't win, there is no justice in the world.

Barbara

Veteran

Maya, I was sad to see Casanova go. He was totally wack, but I loved his attitude. Mondo, you think? We'll see. I do know I cannot tolerate Gretchen. Too darned bossy.

Seth Aaron, who won last season, is my all-time favorite. Love his punk style.

Laura

(website)

Veteran

I am right there with you, Maya. One of my worst faults is how easily I get bored with things. Sigh! I think you are the same way?

biscuitsmom

Veteran

I think Im still in kindergarten! lol.....well, some days, anyway!

Maya

Veteran

Have you seen the final collections? Mondo's is far and above everyone else's. I think his Marie Claire look was adorable, and have worn my own version of it since seeing it. I haven't really felt inspired by anyone else that way so far. I'm surprised everyone else is surprised to hear me mention him as a contender. Up until the resortwear challenge he has been pretty solid (and I think that was a cute look, even if entirely inappropriate).

I don't think Gretchen is as awful as everyone thinks she is. I don't love her myself, but I don't think she deserves the kind of loathing being directed at her. I think Ivy is far worse. She should have gone home last week. Good riddance, I would have said. Her presence is seriously starting to strain my ability to enjoy this show.

Casanova makes some awful clothes but I liked him anyway. I'll miss him. He was good natured and amusing and frankly I thought his outfit last week was unfairly criticized.

I too love Seth Aaron, and called him as the winner last season. Called Irina before that even though I didn't like her. I have been flawless since season 3.

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

I haven't been up on PR, so can't comment there.

But as for fashion grad school, I'm dying to try plaid and sequins together. (-:

Oh, and layering a strapless dress over, well, anything really, is something I feel I can pull of without feeling out of place at all. So far I've managed to layer over a white ribbed racerback tank and a white peasant sleeve blouse. I've also got a sheath dress I'm going to layer over a buttondown once I fit back into the dress.

Bordeom is a great catalyst for moving out of our comfort zone.

PS, I could totally see layering a vest over a cascading cardi and then belting the whole thing. I think as long as the vest were cropped and the cardi not too bulky it could look really cool.

RoseandJoan

Veteran

Maya, has the British version Project Catwalk ever been shown in the US? We do get Project Runway but are waaaaay behind. You can see some of the catwalks on Youtube if you are interested

Just check out Jasper's designs around 5:50
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v.....re=related

sorry for the OT

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