The Learning Curve (or The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly) - YouLookFab Forum

Category

What I Wore

The Learning Curve (or The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly)

Karie

(website)

Veteran

At work we have to set educational goals for our students, so this year I also decided to set goals for myself fashion-wise. My goals are simple: to figure out what works/doesn't work and hone in on my fashion "persona." I really want to avoid those purchases of what I like but what doesn't like me back. To help achieve my goal, I'm taking a super quick outfit photo each day for the school year (some on weekends, too)

Here's a sample from Sept.:

Pics 1-13:
Here's what I've learned so far and it's a shocker (to me anyway): I look best with a defined waist! What-what?? Pudgy belly me, define my waist? Never, never ever, would I have done this before Angie and you fab YLFers. Out of these, some fit my "persona" better than others (1, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11) but I don't really know why yet.

Pics 14-15:
Here's what doesn't work: My long, flowy tops! Boo hoo, because I love them. Maybe it's the length. IDK, I haven't figured this one out yet. Sorry about pic 14. That outfit really was awful.

And I love that in pic 8 Jasper is looking up at me and I'm wearing the Gap kitty cat print shirt. I guess it meets with his approval.

Now I'm off to set those educational goals...oh opps, I'm a tad late on that...

This post has 15 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

26 replies

Latest reply was from Sarah A

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

#8 is so precious. Darling Jasper makes me smile.

Great insights, Karie. You look terrific with a defined waist. There is no doubt about it. But I love you with a faux tuck - less defined waist - too.

Your faves are actually the more fashionable combinations. So, Missy. It's more trendy dressing for you from now on. Clearly you feel more yourself in those outfits. xo

Suz

(website)

Veteran

You are one smart cookie! This photo collage is such a great tool. Isn't it amazing what we learn over time, looking at our pics! Shocking. By the way, you look especially fab in 3, 6, and 7.

So. I am no stylist. But here are my thoughts for what they are worth. You do wear a defined waist well (though it can be subtly defined vs. obviously defined). As a tall, slender, "I" shaped person, you could wear the longer more voluminous tops as well but I think it might call for careful styling. In this case, the super high contrast between bottoms and tops takes away from a unified effect. If you tried it with similar tones in bottoms and tops you might feel differently. Also -- remember that the camera angle is a bit odd when you are taking selfies and this affects proportion in particular. Your legs are longer than they look here.

Your hair waves, but your face and body have mostly angular lines. Your best patterns and shape play up those angular lines and make the most of them. Geometric patterns and crisp fabrications, or boyish slouch.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I am back to add -- I have said it before and I will say it again, Sveta can be your fashion icon here. Yes, you are more rectangular, so you would make some adjustments (and there you might find some inspiration from Angie and even - gasp! - from little old me). But..it terms of height, plus a trendy/classic style with subdued drama? Sveta's your queen. Watch what pieces she buys and how she works them. Look at pattern (or lack thereof) and style. She wears the new fluid fits like nobody else, and you can, too.

The area where I think you might have to branch out in a unique way is colour. Your colouring is much lower contrast than Sveta's and while you need drama you can also be overpowered by super strong contrast, IMO.

I do think you wear some contrast very well but you probably can't go quite as high as Sveta. One reason that Mural jacket looks so fab on you is the light contrast with colour blocking. It is a superb look on you. Gives you the drama, but at a lower pitch. If that makes sense.

I wonder if focusing in on some colours that you love and work best for you might be one path forward?

Amy

(website)

Veteran

Your favorites are my favorites too! I agree that you look great with a defined waist, but also with the semi tuck. This photo collage is a great idea!

MsMary

Veteran

Wow, you are a good student! I agree with your analysis and Angie's and Suz's input!

And you must tell us where you got that utterly amazing yellow top in #6!!

Karie

(website)

Veteran

Thanks, MaryK - that top is actually different shades of mustard and has a distressed look to the fabric - it came from JCP.
So I'm thinking I'm on the right track with the waist defining and semi-waist defining thing? Who knew! Certainly not me pre-YLF.
Angie, yes! I like your prescription for more trendy dressing, I do love to be trendy. Sometimes I feel I'm not "acting my age" (but then I don't think I've ever acted my age, lol).
Suz, you are a fashion rock star and your analysis is pure genius. I always love reading your insights. I am taking notes on contrast and reviewing Sveta's posts.

deb

Veteran

Suz said it all. # 4 and 8 are my faves but really, I like them all except # 15.

Karie

(website)

Veteran

Deb - 8 is one of the Gap BF shirts - I love the fit of those. The last two photos are my flowy tops that I don't think work - not sure why but they don't love me back.

Vix

Veteran

Hi Karie --

Love this post and you walking the walk re educational goals, ha!

I will be back later to see if I have anything to add re the ones you've put in the "not working" pile but I have to say HOLY MOLY do you look amazing in #3!

Talk about learning the lesson about a defined waist.

lyn67

Veteran

Karie, I like you both with defined waist and flowy tops, too-but belting and faux or actually tucking is always more polished to my eye. You are slender enough to do it with confdence, even with your so called but nobody else ever noticed pudgy belly :-)). I think the trick is to have botoms with enough room in the hips for it's minor majesty, and then, all sorted!:-)

BTW ll your outfits are super fab, but the green one (nr.7) is knock out:-)

JAileen

Veteran

Wow - love #7! You look great in a very cool skirt.

MsLuna

Veteran

Karie, I really enjoyed looking at your photos! You are right: a defined waist looks great on you! I find women's attitude towards waist/tummies interesting. I fell for the pitfall of just because misdiagnosing my shape due to belly obsession (I used to think I'm Rectangle/Apple but discovered I was IT/Apple). Sometimes we miss out on so many great looks on us when we focus too much on our bellies!

Also, you have a lot more style consistency than you think. You like vibrant colours and you seem to steer towards the more feminine/creative side. My favourites are 2,4 and 7.

And your Kitty looks like a sweetie!

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

I love your learning and your goals, Karie. You do look great with the defined waist - but as Angie said defined waist is on trend now and therefore more fashionable and current than untucked looks. This may be a contributing factor too. I enjoyed long flowing tunics with skinnies 3 years ago and for the last year I almost never wear them because I don't feel fab in them anymore. They are as flattering as they were 3 years ago but my style sense is different now..
Suz, thanks for the shout out, I am still blushing. Karie and I have very different body types but strong angular facial features do contribute a lot to one's style - as well as personality.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Yup. I know your body types are different...but height you have in common. And I have noticed that Karie really looks super fab in simple, yet dramatic outfits, as you do. And I have seen her preference for updated classics -- classics with a "trend" vs. a "twist."

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Great insights and especially impressive that you were able to see past your previous assumptions. I love you in #3 and #6 for example, so you certainly have lots of versatility in what you like and can wear well. Enjoyed this post!

Jeanie

Veteran

What a great learning exercise! Angie has great insight to see that you like the trendier styles. I love 3,6,7 & 10. And I think #14 is a cute silhouette on you because the top is fluid but not too long. Maybe the volume on top is not to your liking.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I haven't read through all of the responses so forgive me if I am repeating comments made by others. In general, I think you look great in all outfits -- I mean, you are so far and away better dressed than most Americans so keep in mind that my comments are tweaks that you can take or leave.

I notice that you have two distinct style personas -- one for work and one which is casual. Perhaps it would make sense to define each separately as the casual looks are more trendy while your work looks are classic. I myself have very different outfits for work, as mine is more like a uniform.

As for the casual outfits (6, 10, 11 and 13) I see them all reflective of where your style is going except for 13. Unless 13 is more of a gear outfit and I'm missing something.

There are a few outfits which could be either work or casual (1, 8, 9, 14 and 15) and I like that they cross both occasions. I think the flowing longer tops are flattering, contrary to your opinion. I quite like 14. And 15 just needs softer bottoms to go with the super soft romantic aspect of the tunic. For example white skinnies might work or a linen pant. Or cream colored bottoms.

Honestly you have that very enviable I or H body type (rectangle?) which means you can wear anything. You are very balanced and don't have so many curves that get in the way of modern styles like skinny jeans!

Hil

(website)

Veteran

Wow Karie - I just wanted to chime in and say that I love these outfits - they're all as fab as each other. The only one which I didn't totally love was 15. Even 14! I think you rock the faux tuck in 6 & 10 and you look so fab in 7!

Beth Ann

Veteran

I'm a goal setting gal, although I find I must keep the goals "short term" for best results. Go Karie!

You've received amazing feedback already, I just wanted to say that I see such growth in the past year or so. You've been willing to explore new combinations and have been extraordinarily successful. Even the last two, which are affected by camera angle, have much to commend them.

I think Suz's comments about contrast are worth exploring, too. I see you feeling best in mid-contrast, although there are exceptions -- the striped tube skirt is great, for example. Perhaps high contrast works best in graphic patterns?

Anonymous

Karie, you look so good! I loved reading your post and looking at these pictures. Six and seven are tied for my favorite. That plaid jacket is amazing and I hope you get to wear it a lot this fall. Now, I'm going back up to re-read your observations.

Karie

(website)

Veteran

Lyn67, I like your observations that belting/tucking/faux tucking is a more polished look.

And MsKatieKat, I do love all things creative.

Cocolion, you are very perceptive! I do believe I have a split style personality - one for work and one for weekends. I do enjoy dressing up and looking girly for work, but I'd like to try adding some 'edgier' elements to that side of my style personality. And I like your suggestion to go with softer bottoms for the top in pic 15.

Sveta, so true that a defined waist is more on-trend now and that could be a contributing factor. I question whether I ever looked good in long, flowy tops. When I was a teenager and I would wear a straight dress, my mother would tell me I looked like I was wearing a potato sack. I guess even back then I needed some sort of waist definition.

Beth Ann, I will play with contrast like you and Suz are suggesting.

And Clearlyclaire, I love that plaid jacket - it's at least 5 yrs. old but it's my fav fall jacket.

TraceyLiz65

(website)

Veteran

Yes the waist defining really does work well for you. Pictures really do tell the story don't they! Love the color and your looks are all well put together!
Fantastic goals and what progress and success!

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I really like 1, 6,7,10 and 11 on you especially. Great exercise!

Nicole D

Veteran

I love your presentation, an appreciate all the work you have done to define your style better! Love you the most in 4,6,7,10,11.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Karie --- go read up on Kibbe's dramatic and dramatic classic. Seriously.

I think high contrast can work for you in the right place. Bottoms are easier. Tops, can be good but Beth Ann is right -- in geometrics.

Sarah A

Veteran

You have gotten great feedback and I dont have anything original to add there. however I know the dedication that taking daily photos can be and I really see that paying off in your outfits. 3,6,7,10 are particular standouts for me.