I want to chime in. First of all, the first rule here at YLF is to have fun with fashion. So, all the fashion rules, guidelines, suggestions, templates become null and void if dressing up stops being fun.
That said, Angie has only a few items that she doesn't "approve of" - for lack of a better word: Uggs (even then not the fashionable kind with nice soles, laces, etc., but the regular, common uggs), plastic flip flops (when they are worn outside of activities that require such footwear, such as pool, beachside, working in the garden, etc.), and casual maxi dresses. Of the top of my head, these are the only three things that I can remember her being not fond of.
At other times, when Angie makes certain suggestions to the outfits posted on the forum, I believe that she keeps certain things in mind, figure flattery and leg-lenghtening. Now, these may not be your style goals, so we are all welcome to take these suggestions with a grain of salt. But I personally like that it gives me an Archimedean stone, so to speak, certain principles which anchor my style, which I can always go back to.
Speaking specifically to your encouraged items:
- Belts: I wear belts most often when I am wearing skirt and dresses, but I am using them less and less this year as I streamline my style.
-tucked-in tops: I only tuck in tops with skirts (and wear belts, see above), I practically never tuck into pants or jeans.
-ballet flats: I only own one (1) pair of ballet flats, which I hardly ever wear. I personally don't find them as comfy as low heel or even moderately high wedges. I think moms on the forum find them practical when running after kids, so they are very popular, but there is no particular emphasis on ballet flats as must have items.
-hosiery : I am not sure what you mean by this? Probably %99 of us go bare legged in the summer. Hosiery is a great option if you want to keep wearing dresses and skirts in the winter but not want to freeze your derriere off. But you are welcome to wear pants in the winter, which Angie herself wears more of this season.
I am sorry if I come across as a bit defensive. It was certainly not my intention. I just hope to provide some counter examples so that you can see that people like myself, who may not subscribe to any of the above mentioned rules, can still feel at home at YLF.
