Taking nice up a notch - YouLookFab Forum

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Taking nice up a notch

Dimity

I've been thinking lately about what takes 'nice' up a notch to stylish. I think I usually dress reasonably nicely, but it can get a bit boring and stuck in classic, sweet, a little too churchy mode. So how do you get out of that and into wow?

I'm wondering if it can be juxtapositions of edgy with classic that make things interesting? Unexpected with predictable? For example, I'm thinking about getting a pair of lace up Dr Martens to wear with my kilt and other winter skirts that can look too classic. I love the kick of the unexpected pairing. What do you think?

I guess I'm asking how you take a perfectly reasonable okay look to make it more interesting. Do you have any tricks?

Dressing

19 replies

Latest reply was from Dimity

Deborah

Veteran

Great question. I think you may have answered it already I personally find that creating juxtapositions of edgy and classic, as you suggest, is a great way to move from 'nice' to stylish. I love to put unexpected pieces together. I am thinking of Angie's formula for de-bombshelling a pencil skirt. Today I am wearing a midi length tube skirt (pencil skirt) with an oversized draped top and open toe shooties. The skirt is really quite classic but the top and footwear modern. I like to think that by creating these juxtapositions, we create outfits that are more uniquely "us".. I think these are things that help us to create our signature styles. Of the very few days that I am required to wear a suit to work, I will generally wear classic straight leg trousers, and modern cut jacket, but I will always wear a top or blouse that is not classic. It will be something with interesting draping, an unusual neckline etc. something that you might not expect to be worn with the suit.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

For me it starts with the footwear & then like Deborah I wear one more modern or drape-y or edgy item with the classic pieces.

Dimity

Thanks, Caro and Deborah. Where do you go for footwear? I haven't bought any decent shoes for ages (like nearly a decade!) but this year I've promised myself some. Do you buy from places like Zappos or other US stores and take the risk with fitting or is there a chain in Australia that you recommend?

Caro in Oz

Veteran

All over (I love footwear). I bought some Angie picks from Nordstroms in the US. I've bought from German websites. Also SoleDevotion in Oz - Melbourne & Brisbane not sure if they are anywhere else. I've also had luck at Wittners & DJs.

Helena

Veteran

Yes, I think you've got it - adding an unexpected element seems to be the way to do it (not that I do this!) - if you read that Ines de la Fressange book, she had all sorts of examples of how to mix things up, such as "wear a pearl necklace with a rock n' roll t-shirt (not a shift dress)", "wear a tuxedo jacket with sneakers (not femme fatale stilettos).

Aida

Veteran

Mixing styles is a great way. Anything that adds something "unexpected" will work: juxtaposed styles, unusual color combos, interesting mixes of textures, a classic item in an unusual fabrication or color, and right now a little seasonal confusion works too. Do you wear jeans? Pairing a more classic piece with trendier denim works pretty nicely too, or even a more classic jean with a faded wash. If you haven't upgraded your footwear in a good long while, I would suggest starting there as well. Updated footwear goes a long way into the perceived stylishness of an outfit. Pointy/almond toes don't seem to be going anywhere any time soon, so that's one idea. A fashionable bootie is another.

Dimity

Caro, I've just been looking at the Sole Devotion website. Wow! I love their shoes. They are just so much fun. I'm definitely going to have to figure a pair or two into the budget. I'll also check out your other suggestions, thank you.

Torontogirl, those are great suggestions. I think I've been tending to go too safe with everything, so I need to get a little more playful and have a bit of fun with it all. I'll see if I can find that book; I've seen it before but didn't look at it properly.

Aida, I love pointy and almond toe shoes, and I've got them on my shopping list. But I also need to explore your other ideas, like unusual colour combinations. I was thinking about what you said and remembered that while I've always liked red, black and white together, somehow it just seems boring lately. Then I thought what if I pair the red with camel instead, or brown, like in Angie's recent post. Then the same things in my wardrobe start to get interesting again. Yeah! Textures too. Thanks for this. It's going to help a lot.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I think another way to add interest is to revisit your classics and make sure they are current. Or upgrade a lower quality workhorse to something that feels a little more luxurious. (I say workhorse, because that way when you invest in quality, you know it's something you'll use a lot.)
I really got a lot out of this post by Angie: Four Shorcuts to a More Current Style. These are things you can do while staying with your own sense of style and within your comfort zone, if you're not looking for a lot of change.

Deborah

Veteran

Dimity I haven't bought footwear from the USA. But I buy my shoes all over the place. Hush Puppies and Django and Juliette are nice brands. Wittner is great, Nine West. Oroton do beautiful flats. Lots of choices here.

Dimity

Firecracker, that link's a great help. It makes a lot of sense and I think I'm going to have a serious look at getting a hair update (shoes and bags are also in the works, and I don't wear glasses except for reading and mine are actually surprisingly current!). I've been getting it cut at the uni hairdresser and well...maybe I shouldn't! I think I'm a walking 'before' picture.

Deborah, I've just been looking at those brands you mentioned. I hadn't heard of Django & Juliette before, and have I been missing out! They're gorgeous. I found that there's a few stores in Brisbane that carry them, so I'm going to try some on. There are several that I want right now, and they look as though you could walk in them all day, too.
Thanks!

Deborah

Veteran

Dimity I have a pair of D&J ankle boots and a pair of sandals (my favourites) and the comfort level and quality is second to none. One of my girlfriends owns a lovely shoe shop (5 mins from my house) and she stocks some of their range...such temptation.

Dimity

Deborah, Oh! That would be so hard, knowing that foot candy was just 5 minutes away.

Deborah

Veteran

It is! But the unfortunate thing is that I find I can get better prices on line. I would love to buy from her shop more often to support her. but...

Dimity

Yeah, that's tough. It's pretty hard to knowingly pay more, even when it's a good cause.

Beth Ann

Veteran

I second the others regarding the importance of footwear to a refreshed look! I've found Angie's recommendations for style refreshers/renewals to also be helpful. Check this one out:
http://youlookfab.com/2012/01/.....refresher/

Could your hair and specs help update your classic pieces, too? My last cut was not a big change, but it was a poor cut, and it's driving me crazy! On the other hand, fresh hair can be such a big pick me up!

Dimity

Beth Ann, I agree. I need to go to a good salon and get a really good cut and maybe some highlights. I have mousy brown hair which I think is making me look faded and drab. I used to get highlights but got so tired of just sitting there for ages. Obviously I need to toughen up in the name of beauty!

Beth Ann

Veteran

Dimity, you might ask your hairdresser about something lower maintenance. A glosser or a brighter single process would be easier, and the right choice can bring light brown hair to life with less time and money!

Dimity

Oooh, Beth Ann, I love the idea of less time and money spent! And actually, it would be more interesting to do something that I haven't done before. I'll suggest these options to my hairdresser when I go in. I've never done a gloss before; it sounds nice. Thanks.

Dimity

torontogirl, I just wanted to let you know that I borrowed the Ines de la Fressange book from the library and read it last night. There was a line in there that says 'do not cling blindly to everything that suited you when you were 30. You've changed, times have changed, and fashion has, too.'

And I realised that that's what I've been unconsciously doing. I need to embrace the new and move on.

So, thanks for recommending the book. It has changed my outlook!