Style on hold - YouLookFab Forum

Category

General

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Style on hold

Mo

(website)

Veteran

The last few days have gotten hot. And my activities have largely been either exercising, staying in the home, or running errands. Honestly, most of the time now I am running errands right after exercise, so I have my gear on.
I have outfits in my head. Night before last I imagined wearing my Express Essential white button front with my TR Cameron BF jeans and my Lucky Abeo platforms. But where? Doing dishes? Certainly not walking 1.5 miles in 90 degrees to grab some stuff from the store.
I did wear my maxi skirt and white cowl racer tank the other day simply because I had the car and I can't wear a maxi on my bike. Wear it while I can!
I have my casual/lounge capsule and it's working fine for the activities at hand, if not exactly making my heart pitter patter. Which brings me to the thought that this summer is going to be all about practicality and not exactly a season of advancing my style. I don't want to try and expand a hot weather walking capsule much beyond pieces I already have that need to get wear. (Actually, my last few purchases have been directed right where I need them - the exercise gear - sports bras and running skirts.) I'm going to have to be okay with a lot more outfit repeats.
This acknowledgement got me to thinking on the drive for newness and its connection to posting. It seems most posts center around newness or variety of some sort. Buying new things (K/R), WIW's, trend questions.
It'll be interesting to see how my style 'hold', if you will, affects my posting frequency.

General

58 replies

Latest reply was from Aziraphale

ironkurtin

Veteran

I wear gear almost every single day, because I exercise almost every single day, and I don't see the point in getting dressed four times (normal clothes, change into gear, work out, shower, normal clothes, neight clothes). I love my gear wholeheartedly. I know it's not really considered clothing by the forum -- but I stand by my crops, sports bras, and wicking tees, and I feel great in them.

However, as you say, I do not post them. There ya go.

Jules

Veteran

I definitely think newness is the thing. It's something I've pondered as I notice 2012/2013 favourites (body con bandage dresses and tops for example) fade completely out of view the following season. I wondered if people are still wearing these items, and just not posting them? It's significant to me as I figure out how trendy/current I want to be while also having issues around consumerism, time investment, etc. And also, a budget
Anyway, I appreciate it when people post older pieces and even repeats. This is the reality of most wardrobes... it's not all new, all the time. Or at least that is not a goal of mine. I love that Angie features new pieces mixed with old and includes links to older posts, because I can see how her style is current yet classic to some degree.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Thanks, IK. Yeah, I used to run about 3 times a week and hit the gym once or twice with the BF by car. Now that I'm triathlon training, it's 6 days a week and only one of those is in the gym.
It especially makes no sense for me to do a neighborhood run right by the store, go home to shower and change, just to walk in the heat (and get sweaty again) to go back to the store in 'real clothes'. I just finish my run at the store, and sometimes jog back with groceries in hand. Or, a wine bottle tucked like a football lol.

And though I occasionally post a "here's me in the house with the cat" outfit, just to keep it real LOL, I don't imagine I'll be doing much more than maybe 1 or 2 outfits a week.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Jules, yes, I wonder if just the act of coming here regularly lights the fire of consumerism inside me.
It's worth pondering, for myself.

Thistle

Veteran

An interesting thought. Everything I have on today came through a recommendation on this site . . .hmmmm . . . . things to ponder.

Ledonna N.

Veteran

I think I'm still buying because I'm not happy with my spring summer wardrobe. I have to remember that it took me almost 20yrs to find my work, and fall/winter style voice. I hope it does not take me that long to find my spring summer voice. But, just like anything of worth it will take time and hard work. I hope your journey to style will be a success.

rae

(website)

Veteran

Nothing wrong with repeats, but if you are in gear so often and your style heart is not pattering, maybe you could add stylish gear as you get bored?

Parsley

Veteran

Mo, and IK: I think there are probably a lot of us who spend a fair amount of time in gear. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad if you posted it from time to time. Or at least, if you have any really great finds I know I'd be interested if you posted them in the FInds section.

At least for me, I've got the bottom half pretty well covered, but I'm always on the lookout for cool but non-revealing workout tops.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I should say, I don't think this site makes anyone shop, but if your tendencies are to see something pretty and then want it, it can be hard.

And I want to get into posts that are not about new, without boring everyone lol. Challenges and such are interesting, but lounge at home look after lounge at home look certainly isn't very exciting.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Hmm, I could do a weekly roundup of: 1 gear, 1 lounge at home and 1 go out with BF look. Slice of a week in the life of Mo

Liz

Veteran

Mo, I've seen you play an important role on the forum. New people are coming on board all the time. When you post your stylishly casual outfits, gear outfits, and stay-at-home outfits, you give them "permission" to be casual, to wear clothes that fit their everyday lives, and not have to have new stuff all the time. It may seem like the same ol' same ol' to you, but it seems to breathe some relief into others and serve as a role model of what they can look like.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

How nice to say Liz. I suppose I should take a step back and see it from a bigger picture. Maybe I just need to energize myself and my own outlook without new, more than anyone else's!

Anonymous

Great point from Liz and I like your idea of a weekly post. I personally don't mind seeing repeat outfits and I would like to see your stylish workout wear, so bring it on.

Marlene

Veteran

I think its unrealistic to expect everyone to post all-new-all-the-time. I don't know anyone IRL that works that way. I think constant input from internet sources (including YLF) skews how we see reality. Angie's suggestion about WEARING and ENJOYING what we already have is important. And it should fit with the life you actually have.

I personally like seeing how people re-style their favorite pieces. Such consistency is very calming to me....I like when people look like themselves. To much change is a little disconcerting to me.

Most people dress casually at home. There I said it.

Anonymous

I understand when life gets in the way of fashion. I do get dressed at times in my "nice" clothes just to hang around the house doing normal stuff like cooking.
When living in the Caribbean for the winter I did upgrade my lounge wear, my main go to item was a DVF silk wrap dress. It might seem crazy to wear a high end piece lounging but that dress was heavenly comfortable in the heat and humidity.
As far as doing WIW posts, I don't do it much because I do wear the same things over and over and over......

Zibbets

Veteran

I really appreciate this thread. I'm choosing to shop my closet, repeat and not buy right now and I'm relieved to know I'm not the only one!

Gaylene

Veteran

Mo, I debated whether or not to post a response here because I've been trying to determine if the fact that I don't choose to post WIW and K/R/Is this dated/frumpy questions ought to affect my participation in the forum.

Maybe I'm wrong here, but I think this forum is big enough to hold all kinds of participants--those who want help and feedback about outfits and purchases, those who just want to talk about fashion and trends, those who like to dig down into philosophical questions about appearance and cultural norms, those who need a place to rant, those who are on style quest--in short, anyone who would like to participate under the rules that Angie and Greg have established. I have a hard time thinking that this community would want to shrink itself into a site that only was interested in fashion as novelty and consumption.

Personally, I think it's your attitude towards fashion as something that has to fit your lifestyle that I've always seen as your greatest contribution here. Thinking of you climbing a dinosaur has made me more than once put something back on the rack because it would have kept me from climbing one of my dinosaurs. I can't imitate you by wearing what you wear (although I'd be ecstatic if a genie out there would grant me that wish!) but I can imitate your attitude towards making fashion fit your needs instead of the other way around. So post away--gear, or not--to remind us that fashion isn't just about wearing clothes that are pretty but which hobble or impoverish us.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Gaylene, first I'm laughing that my dino picture is seared in your mind! Secondly, thanks for taking the more thought through route. Yes, there are many ways to approach fashion here. I suppose I was just feeling a bit deadlocked myself this morning.

rabbit

Veteran

I agree with Liz, I've only been around a few months and am new to following fashion in anything but the most cursory way, so it's all 'new' to me and I really appreciate seeing a variety of clothing posts, including gear, and particularly across price points --- confession, I've never actually shopped at a regular Nordstrom store, although I walk by one often.

Also I know I'm posting WIW's with items of clothing that are so 'five years ago' if not longer probably but a) I usually don't know, and b) it doesn't really bother me, the idea of a wardrobe of items that are only appropriate to wear during one specific year seems wasteful.

ETA: I really appreciate when a diversity of WIW's are posted, at first I had a somewhat mistaken impression that due to the blog posts and picks that there wasn't much economic or style diversity to be found here, and it was some WIW's that really were doing their own thing that convinced me that this could be an interesting place to check out.

dustt

Veteran

I use the WIW's and ideas to see what I already have that I can use and wear in a new way - don't get me know I love to shop - I love to create new outfits - but most days the day calls for whatever the day calls for - be it gear - lounge - work etc - I find my challenge to be the most interesting choice I can make given the limitations of the day - I think you're doing a great job of just that Mo!!

rachylou

Veteran

I think it will be interesting too, to see. I like to pontificate, so I think what happens to me is I don't post pics... but I still post pontifications. Lol.

I feel one coming on now, on the differences between repeating items and repeating outfits. I probably tend to repeat items more than outfits... and now I'm thinking about how much variability this produces in terms of *outfit success*... yes, nerding out on fashion.

Ledonna N.

Veteran

I'm really enjoying this thread. Most Things in my wardrobe are on repeat. I don't post regularly for reasons stated. So it is fun to post weekend or after work outfits for people who can give constructive feedback.

Glory

Veteran

I wear gear pretty much every day. I go to the gym and like IK don't want to change multiple times. I have a wonderful collection of shoes! For me, gear posts would be wonderful!

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

Mo, I can really relate. With working at home and the high temps we have most of the year, I rarely feel I'm dressing in an exciting way. And repeats are frequent as I tend to veer towards the more comfortable FFBOs for home wear. I usually don't even have shoes on until I'm walking out the door.

That said, it is still fun for me to see casual items, I wouldn't even mind the barefoot shots but that doesn't seem to be the "norm" here so I guess I shouldn't bring that into play. I still have a necklace on and a belt with my shorts and semi-tucked tee - just no shoes.

I also like to see clothing only shots (esp. when done well) but I know again that it's not the more popular way to post here.

I keep working towards the best items for wearing in the heat and for this casual lifestyle. I don't want to look like a neighbor we passed on the way to the local café - DH said "she sure is looking frumpy these days" and you know, he was right.

Maybe I need to figure out a way to be more creative in my photos so I feel like I am contributing more than just a simple outfit. I always adore Aida's posts for that reason.

Niki Lea

Veteran

Mo, I enjoy your at-home outfit posts and would also enjoy seeing your gear!

My husband and I exercise 5-6 days a week, in between parenting two little kids, so we're often in workout gear. In fact, I pretty much change into my workout gear as soon as I get home from work every day. That way I'm ready to exercise as soon as the kids are in bed.

Most of my outfits are on repeat also, almost exclusively. I work in an office environment and my co-workers are the same way. We all wear the same things over and over again. No one seems to mind.

Aida

Veteran

Mo I hope you're feeling better about posting! If it needs to boil down to a Weekly Slice Of Mo, I am all for that. Your lounge and casual looks are always a big inspiration to me, especially since those are areas I would dearly like to improve for myself. And double especially so for hot weather! At the start of transitional weather there's always an influx of "new" on the board, new looks, new items, new season. I like seeing new things, sure, but I really love to see how pieces get used for reals. High wear-ability is important to me these days. I have calmed my shopping down a lot (though probably shouldn't because over half my wardrobe doesn't really fit any more but the thought of rebuilding is tooooo daunting -_-), so the bulk of my outfits are primarily composed of older items. Like you, many days my primary "audience" is just YLF. If my life was more like yours I'd be wearing very similar outfits to you (assuming I didn't wilt away into a sad puddle in the heat, which is probably what would happen). I reuse my items plenty, and have never heard or felt that anyone was thinking "gosh, it's THAT such-and-such again". If anything, I'm always pleased to find that people like to see that items are getting worn!

Rachy, I also like to repeat items but not outfits. It does make for interesting pontification on variety at the sake of success.

Textstyle, hah thanks. I didn't think I was overly creative in my photos, just in the way that I collage them. I take then on my back patio or on the driveway

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Wow, a lot of thoughts on this!
I was sort of free association writing as I was thinking this morning. Of course repeats are valid, it's just that they are not the most exciting of posts.
Aida and Rachy, I'm guilty of not doing exact repeats but always wanting to change a little something. I actually gave myself a goal this year to repeat 'hits' more. I'm failing at that, alas.
I do always want to give an honest, this is how I live and what I wear in all my moments, viewpoint of my style. I just don't want to bore anyone. I'm reassured that's not at issue, so I will carry on. Slices of Mo life to come lol.
I'm also glad to hear there are many others who can relate!

Karie

(website)

Veteran

Such an interesting thread, Mo, and I can totally relate to this. I don't purchase more since joining YLF, but I purchase smarter. I don't repeat outfits all that often, but I repeat items all the time. When I post my monthly outfit round-ups, I often think, "Oh everyone's going to think this same old stuff is boring," but then I remind myself that it's all an exercise for me, what I did well with and what I can improve on - and if people want to comment, thank you, and if people don't want to comment, that's OK too.

Since I don't work in the summer, my summer style is a lot like yours is now. When I'm not away or on vacation, it's workout gear all the way. I spend my part of my mornings doing yoga or Pilates at the gym, then home for jogging, cycling, or walking with Cosmo Edward. And since I sew and make most of my workout gear, no, no, no, I'm not posting pics! Besides, I'm virtually unrecognizable once I put on my baseball cap, which I wear when jogging, cycling, and walking. That said, I would LOVE to see pics of other people's workout gear. I might be tempted to buy some good quality items for myself!

So please keep posting those "slice of life" WIW's! That type of outfit post is my favorite part of YLF.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

I agree with everything Gaylene wrote - thanks Gaylene

Mo you were the one who inspired me to get rid of my mess of "round the house clothes". Not that I had dirty or stained or badly fitting things I just had things that weren't right for any other part of my life - so what made me think they would be good for home? You also inspired me to keep track of my purchases & CPW & helped me define how much is "enough" for me.

So the short answer is as much as I love all the new items posts my love of YLF is much more multi-faceted than just the new clothes.

12