*snooze* why am I suddenly so bored? - YouLookFab Forum

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snooze why am I suddenly so bored?

christy

Veteran

Just as I'm starting to feel like I have a handle on my closet, I'm looking at my WIWs lately and I just feel bored. I'm not sure how to "edge" things up a bit. What I thought I wanted I have in my closet - sophisticated, modern, classic - but then why am I bored? Any suggestions for jazzing things up a bit?

Monday: Gibson riding jacket, Halogen shell, black tahari pants, Halogen sandals
Tuesday: This is a FFBO (Fast Fall Back Option). Chaus dress, tall black boots, black cardigan
Wednesday: interestingly enough, this is one that I felt best in. And can this jacket BE any more classic? I think the shoes and blue pants helped keep it fresh
Thursday: snooze!!! BCBG blue paisley top, black knit shell, black pants, black peep-toe booties
Friday: This looked better in my head. Classiques olive cape jacket, white button-down, black pants, Jeffrey Campbell oxfords
Saturday: Loft orange long sleeve tee, bobeau grey cardigan, jolt skinnies, franco sarto orange flats
Sunday: Old Navy white skinnies, BCBG blue paisley top, Old Navy open weave grey cardigan, Miz Mooz grey cutout sandals

Suggestions for making these more interesting? Thanks!

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33 replies

Latest reply was from christy

Anonymous

They all look like 10s to me as they are. Maybe you could add more color, but I wouldn't change a thing.

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

It may mean you are going through style evolution phase right now. You look great everyday but if it feels boring you may need some change.
You can try something new and unexpected. It can be color combination, shape, shoe choice... When you put together an outfit and reach for something tried and true try to stop yourself and reach for something you never paired with this before. If it feels too risky for work make a photo shoot session and post here.

christieanne

Veteran

What is the weather like in your part of the world? I am seeing a lot of neutrals and dark colors. I love black and grey (if you could see my closet you would agree) but I do think an infusion of color into more outfits would be a change. The blue jacket is amazing on you! And the red top too.
To break out of my darkness thing I had to literally pull the color out of my closet and reorganize with the pretty colors all together so they would pop out and make me wear them

Other than that, I see great silhouettes and some very trend right, modern shapes (that olive jacket - fantastic) put together in a professional, polished manner.

jen

Wished I looked like that when I'm bored

Lyn D.

Veteran

New accessories can make all the difference when great outfits are feeling a bit Ho-Hum. The latest earrings or bangles or a new scarf or hairstyle might pep you up and revive your enthusiasm!
I think all your outfits are FAB as they are B.T.W.

catgirl

Veteran

What I've found to edge up work outfits is footwear. Cool boots, like my quilted booties, make me feel edgy even if the rest of the outfit is courtroom-conservative.

Antje

Veteran

Christy, you look KILLER in all of these outfits! I'm especially enchanted with #3 (perfection!) and #6 (beautiful color on you!). So I'm wondering whether you're bored with the season. It's been a dreadful spring in Seattle, and many of your outfits reflect the cool climate. Maybe you're as desperate as I am for milder temperatures, which also give you more options, e.g. dresses and skirts, lighter colors etc.? I definitely think you could add a few more spring colors to some of the outfits, especially the ones that are black-heavy. E.g., if you have some yellow or turqouise accessories (or whatever your favorite spring colors are), you could try and mix those into outfits like 1, 2, 4 to make them a bit "lighter" and "spring like", that might do the trick. But there is nothing, nothing boring about your outfits in general! Rock on.

fashionista

Veteran

The same things are going on in my mind too, I am bored too. So don't feel like posting some WIWs now.

I see from your WIWs that black is the dominat color in your wardrobe and that may be making you bored. Try adding some colors in small amounts and see if it makes a difference.

ManidipaM

Veteran

Christy, other than the 'more colour maybe?' suggestion, I do think Sveta may be on to something? How about posting a few 'experimental' What-I-Might-Wears?

Because objectively, NOTHING boring in sight there at all! In fact, what Jen said...!

Deborah

Veteran

Oh Christy there is nothing boring here! I do understand where you are coming from because I experience this too, particularly is the season drags on. Adding color and footwear are great ways to relieve boredom as is combining items you may not have tried before.

For example #1 with a colored bag or a patterned bag
#2 is perfection! Wouldn't change a thing.
#3 is sophisticated and modern, would change or add anything
#4 Can you pop the collar or is it too soft?
#5/6/7 are all fab. You could add a funky pendant to 6. and 7 I would try a long sleeve t (or short) rather than the blouse.

But seriously you look amazing.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Maybe since you no longer need to struggle to put together truly great looking outfits, it has just become a bit too easy for you. To your appreciative viewers your outfits all look smashing, but maybe you want to stretch your boundaries by adding a bit more edge to your look. It could be shoes (I love your Sunday shoes btw), or a different hairstyle (your hair looks great, that is not a hint), or an unexpected piece of jewelry. I think you have received great suggestions already - my last thought is to ask yourself how you would describe your style and then ask yourself which part of that description is boring you?

Vildy

Veteran

#3 is all sleek elements, so you probably feel more energy wearing it.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

You have KILLER style. End of story

May I suggest adding more colour if you are bored with your combinations. Also, have you tried wearing work outfits that leave out the black? I bet that would be a great personal style challenge! I think you *might* be bored with black. Just a hunch

christy

Veteran

Thank you all! You've given me some great food for thought. I don't seem to repeat outfits very often, so I don't think it's a matter of not remixing, but I can't quite put my finger on it.

Sveta, I do think I'm searching for a bit of a style evolution, but I have NO idea what direction I want to go in.

Christieanne and Antje, so smart to think about the weather. We've had a pretty dreary spring, so maybe part of it is feeling pulled down a bit by the weather?

Una, shoes have been a sticking point for me lately!!! I think I've bought 13 pairs of shoes recently. Of those, I've kept and worn 1, 3 are in "not quite committed to yet" purgatory and the other 9 have been sent back! I have another two pair on the way. My husband thinks I'm insane!!!

Deborah, thank you! Maybe I really am just really ready for a change of season!!!

Shevia, great question...

So here are a few of the recent outfits I've really loved. Do you see anything consistent in these?

There's still a lot of black and neutrals. There's many different silhouettes. What is it about these that are "better" than 1, 2, 4 and 5 above? I'm feeling much better recently about my casual outfits, so 6/7 are less "boring" to me.

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christy

Veteran

Ha! Angie & Vildy, we posted at the same time!

Hm - work outfits that leave out the black? I won't have anything left to wear! Okay then, here's my rest of the week challenge - no black. Luckily, today's outfit doesn't have any! And, now that I think of it, neither did yesterday's....interesting!

Okay, SUPER late for work and gotta run. Thanks all! Any other suggestions/comments more than welcome!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I know that you can do this challenge, Christy

Generally, the outfits that you love at the moment incorporate colour and high contrast. That's another observation.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

I have nothing to add since I think Angie's spot on (as usual!) - just wanted to add that your style is fantastic and I suspect with a few tweaks, you will fall in love with your outfits again. I think that outfit #3 in the first batch (#7 in the second bath) is absolutely STUNNING on you and it has that shot of cobalt blue that just brightens the whole thing.

ManidipaM

Veteran

In addition to what Angie's saying, I'd say this second batch of outfits shows a softer, more feminine quality than some of your earlier outfits. Sometimes it is the colour --- a soft blush or or rosy beige, or softer neutrals (brown); sometimes fabrication and/or silhouette --- soft blouse, full gathered skirt, curvy rather than angular lapelled jackets...

The exception seems to be the cobalt pants and the Chanel-esque jacket, quite bold and sharp and geometrically, rigidly structured in appearance... but the connotations of that jacket are firmly 'feminine classic' too!

Jamie

Veteran

I have nothing new to add to all this great advice. I just wanted to say that you look fabulous! I know what you mean about being bored with the items in your closet, but you wear them all so beautifully. I especially loved the outfits that are punctuated with color!

citygirldc

(website)

Veteran

I second Angie's opinion. I do fall in the same rut wearing work clothes and tend to go back to the same things.

Your outfits are incredible but I do know where you're coming from in terms of edginess. You could try wearing a bold or modern jewelry (necklaces, bracelets), or a colorful scarf, or some funky shoes. That's how I edge up my work wear.

cheryl

Veteran

I think you look amazing in every outfit. So chic, classy and stylish. If you are bored, i'd say a pop of color, or a big statement necklace or bracelet, or a stack of bangles. You seem to be drawn to neutrals so some color might jolt you out of your boredom. I'm also a huge fan of black, but maybe try finding a different neutral to incorporate.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

You look fabulous in each one of these!

To my mind, in addition to what Angie says, the outfits you love incorporate at least one item that's a bit of a stretch for you, style wise. In #1 it's the leather skirt (plus the batwings); in #2 it is less obvious, but those are pretty tall heels, yes? and wearing slim trousers to work probably still feels a little bit risky. In #3, that's a different silhouette to your usual. Ditto the amazing #4! #5 has pattern mixing going on. #6 might just be a different combo of elements, and #7 is the cobalt trousers.

So maybe for your new "rubric" add one element that feels fresh and new and a little bit risky to each outfit?

bj1111

Veteran

adore, adore, adore. this is what i aspire to.

where did you find that black jacket with white piping? very chanel.

Anonymous

Well maybe more is going on here than I realized, but I just had to chime in quickly to say that I love, love LOVE #3! that Chanel jacket with the blue pants...and those SHOES! I die! *fanning* Even if you don't leave out the black entirely, if you just make sure you wear a shot of color every day, that might make a more do-able challenge.

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

Your post made me cry this morning when I opened it on the train in. I waited to respond and I'm glad in the interim Angie came in and said that you have KILLER style. Because you do. End of story. My god are we looking at the same pictures? You are so hot every day!! Your wardrobe choices are so beautiful and creative. You are totally in keeping with both your uber-formal work environment and your style persona. I am blown away by how great you look every day. Color is your friend but neutrals are too. You can and DO do all of these looks so well. Perhaps refreshing your style by adding some bright or white pieces for summer and some jewelry if it fits your style persona would help as others have suggested.

I think one problem is looking at all these blogs of tiny 20 somethings with seemingly endless time and money to spend on clothes, with beautiful creative backgrounds, their far off model stares, hair blowing in the wind... You are not that person - you manage a home and family and a full time job - and girl, you do it with style!! WOWWWW!!!!

rachylou

Veteran

Your cape coat with the leather skirt is outstanding, as is the suit and drapey top next to it. I think the difference between the first set and the second set may be "visual texture." The first set are all great combos, but they are on the safer side to me. The second set has more visual tension - bolder stripes/pattern, sharper contrasts in materials, etc.

BTW, I think I just bought your Jeffrey Cambell oxfords... They're comfy! And harder to style with what I've got than I thought.

Meredith1953

Veteran

First of I have to say that these are all great outfits! You do black and white and pops of color so well! I have a particular fondness for outfit #3. I just can't get over how gorgeous that jacket is with the blue pants! I also love #6 a lot for the way you put orange into the outfit and for it's relaxed vibe. #4 which you thought was boring is pretty bt maybe the orange long sleeve t from #6 would interject a litle more "vitality"?

mrseccentric

(website)

Veteran

first, what jen said

and you do sound like you're itching for a style change! It's hard when you don't know what you're aspiring to, but i think Angie's and some of the other posters' ideas about working with what you already got is a great idea - a low-commitment way to get an idea of what's interesting and fresh to you *now*.

And brilliant idea to post your fave recent loox!! That's my number-one best way to get out of a rut - analyze the heck out of any look i wear that i love. Angie, Suz, Manidipa and rachylou all make excellent and valuable points. Here's my take:

More texture variety and textural contrasts: wool against leather in 1, patent against boucle in 7, a little tweediness in 6.

Non-classic shapes, silhouettes, and fit: phenomenal cape jacket in 1, slouchy blazer and top vs. skinny cigarette pant in 2, maaaaaaxxxxi skirt in 4.

Funky shoes: 1, 4, etc. (Love!)

Pattern Mixin': animal vs. stripe in 5. to me the tweed vs. floral in 6 and the stripes vs. the pattern of the shoes in 4 are getting very close to a pattern-mixing feel.

if any of these ideas seem interesting or appealing, you can try em' out some more. Best of luck to you - i know that feeling of you look fine, it's not like you think you look terrible or anything but it's just not giving you that 'kick' from when you're really on! It'll pass, and at least you look awesome in the meantime HTH! steph

Scarlet

Veteran

So I am not that good at this kind of analysis, but I wanted to say two things. 1. I love your style. 2. in terms of what could you change? So this is a lot of supposition on my part, but given the consistent level of dressiness in your style I am guessing that your job requires you to look a certain way to some extent (very polished and professional?). Maybe finding a way to incorporate a little more irreverence while still walking the line could be your thing? I could easily see you for example adding a little bit of a rocker edge to your look while still channeling professional. Maybe I am totally off-base here, but that is just what comes to mind. Also I just wanted to note that I love outfit 5 in your first line-up, since you wrote it looked better in your head, and that every time you wear the blue and white shirt in 5 of the second line-up (I think I have seen it a couple of times?) I am so struck with shirt envy

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