What is my issue with stripes? - YouLookFab Forum

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What is my issue with stripes?

catgirl

Veteran

I love them on other people, but I can't figure out how to incorporate them into my wardrobe! I much prefer abstract pattern... but I see so many cute outfits that seem to require stripes. Is there a substitute? Or a way to make them work for UWP styles?

Dressing

29 replies

Latest reply was from ManidipaM

Anonymous

Interesting question. I think stripes might be too classic for an UWP, but there must be a way.

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

Don't know, they are a neutral for me... I wear them with everything. Perhaps horizontal stripes challenge you because you are an inverted triangle?

Mochi

Veteran

Una, this Ines outfit is perhaps a bit preppy for you, but I could see you RATE-ing it up:

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....rks-for-me

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I am really picky about stripes. I do not like black/white stripes unless they are in varying distances from one another for example (hate the every other one even stripe thing as it reads "jailhouse" to me). I usually prefer a very narrow stripe on a dark background or maybe a narrower stripe or something like this (I have two of these I like it so much).
http://factory.jcrew.com/women...../92030.jsp

Maybe it's the "kind" of stripe and variation in distance?

ironkurtin

Veteran

I don't like stripes. I don't know why. I just don't wear them. And TBH I don't miss them.

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Una, I did not own a single striped garment until 2 years ago - just could not imagine them on me. Now like Inge I cannot get enough.
Can you just give them a try and se if they work for you? Sometimes all we need to do just try...

Inge

(website)

Hm, we need to get to the bottom of this:-)
Sveta is right, I am crazy for stripes, always have been, always will be. So perhaps I'm the wrong person to ask:-) But I definitely think you can toughen them up to fit your style, Una. A dark-coloured pinstripe blazer or pair of trousers for starters e.g.

Also, there are so many different stripe possibilities, so perhaps it's just a matter of finding the right ones? E.g. Do you think it's just the traditional black/navy and white stripe that's hard to work with?

Other ideas:
- purple and black stripe (or green and black, red and ink blue...) or a tonal stripe:
http://pinterest.com/pin/2462974767997742/

- a neon stripe
http://pinterest.com/pin/39547302947336868/

- colourful wavy stripes
http://pinterest.com/pin/66850375690522043/

- vertical stripes
http://pinterest.com/pin/421086633878946426/
http://pinterest.com/pin/181621797444519954/

- partially striped jumper
http://pinterest.com/pin/183451384793029423/

- rugby striped sweater coat over leather pants
http://pinterest.com/pin/416653402995639663/

- a striped tie with a shirt?
http://pinterest.com/pin/68187381829631519/

- variegated stripe?
http://us.asos.com/People-Tree.....nQvUHJvZC8.

- narrow striped jacket paired with a tough belt
http://us.asos.com/ASOS-Jacket.....ZS9Qcm9kLw..

- or perhaps you need striped pants?
http://pinterest.com/pin/94294185918049764/

rachylou

Veteran

I find stripes very very casual, with the exception of the pin stripe. I personally *relax* more often than I *go casual.* I don't wear stripes that much.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Inge is amazing....

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Inge you make me laugh with your "hm, we need to get to the bottom of this" - lol! Those are some fabulous links you've provided for Una to mull over.

I also think it has something to do with the "classic ala Ralph Lauren" vibe you may get from stripes.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I have a similar 'deal' with stripes, Una, although I did pick up a jailbird stripe top a year or so ago. I wear it infrequently, but at $5, it was a good way to try on the look and see if I could get into it. I'm lukewarm, neither here nor there, on it honestly. I do wonder if they are too classic for us? EDIT: as for a substitute, maybe chevron stripes?

fern

Veteran

I don't like stripes either. I agree with Mo - too classic.
I like organic, abstract patterns - the only stripes that catch my eye are organic-y.
Scarf is from Peruvian Connection - ah, grown up boho.

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rae

(website)

Veteran

Yes, i agree that they perhaps feel too classic for you - at least in most of the striped stylings and garments that have been popular lately. However, i do like stripes a lot in summer. My trick is to stay away from the more classic combos and go for more of a dirty pirate / shipwrecked french sailor look. The androgyny helps a lot, as do dingy colours, draping, and pairings with really rate items.

kellygirl

Veteran

Good question! IDK why you and stripes aren't friends. I'm in love with them (still.) I'm on a stripe diet these days!

catgirl

Veteran

Rae, you may be right! Mo and others, glad I'm not alone here...

Inge, you are AMAZING! I am checking those out and getting some ideas. Love the boxy ASOS shirt!

Inge

(website)

And it's a stripe, see;-) Happy to hear you're getting some inspiration here.

(Thank you Suz and Shannon!)

Caro in Oz

Veteran

I have one striped top - it's a x-over so the stripes look diagonal.
Inge you ARE amazing I love that ASOS top too - if it came in blue I'd buy two:)

Anonymous

I do have some stripes but I am not a super fan. I like wide stripes the best. Why? I guess they are conventionally widening or too neat for RATE?

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

one more for Una to look at:

http://www.garnethill.com/stri.....stIndex=69

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Stripes are indeed a classic, but at the same time SOOOOO on trend and fashionable. They come is a billion trillion incarnations. I love stripes. Graphic, controlled, very crisp, modern and clean.

It does not surprise me that Mo and Dana do not like stripes, but it *does* surprise me that you don't Una - Rae for that matter too. You wear graphic combinations, and have a crisp element to your look. Rae has a preppy component to her look. Stripes work well with those vibes.

AND, you have an emerald and navy striped blouse. I rest my case. You do not need to be UWP all the time. It's okay to mix it up

catgirl

Veteran

Yes, I have that j crew top and the B44 dress, both stripes. But I haven't mastered the stripe pattern mix that so many here do. Maybe it's too ALGO for me. I don't NEED to wear them but I feel like I'm missing out on some delicious treat that everyone else is enjoying!

I will have to pursue a couple of options - CAREFULLY - I can see some androgynous looks with stripes, and i LOVE this Zara jacket, which is so 80s to my eye!

http://www.zara.com/webapp/wcs.....D%20BLAZER

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

There you go again, Una - loving a crisp look - the Zara outfit.

I don't think it's an ALGO thing. I think it's a dressy thing.

Tina.b

Veteran

I know... I try to convince myself to love stripes as they look fabulous on so many people. But when I put them on myself, I don't know, it's just not me. And they make me look SO wide. I have wide shoulders and I think that may be part of the problem.

I have only three horizontally striped tops which comprises on a small % in my wardrobe. Funnily enough I am wearing one today. It is kind of oversized and asymmetrical when it drapes though and that helps it a bit.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

http://www.shopbop.com/mirage-.....rId=35750#

Sorry I couldn't get the photo to size correctly - not the dress but does this kind of stripe look more you? The green one.

catgirl

Veteran

Caro, that dress is fantastic in green! I am holding in my guts just looking at it. But the cut of the shoulders is IT perfection, and the stripes are indeed non-traditional...

rae

(website)

Veteran

Ah, the Zara blazer made something click. Try channelling a little Tim Burton. Beetlejuice. Sleepy Hollow. Sweeney Todd.

No, really.

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catgirl

Veteran

Yes, Beetlejuice - the whimsical side of stripes is appealing. Or the Tim Burton-esque possibilities. A little morbidness or something. Great inspiration pix! Do you think you'll try something similar?

rae

(website)

Veteran

Oh, I'm on it. I've pinned Johnny Depp, and I suddenly want to wear that shirt with some shorts and the bronze Fryes I posted about.

Whimsical morbidity. Now there's a style descriptor that would make my mom cringe!

ManidipaM

Veteran

I think you need the non-traditional stripes, unless it is inspired via menswear (pinstripe suit elements, but non-classic cut; vertical-striped tomboy shirt; bold striped tie but not school stripes). Otherwise, it may be too classic or 'even-tempered' for you.

Mostly maybe graduated or broken or shifted stripes (chevrons). Suggesting technology/technical inspiration or fabrication, I guess --- bar codes, digital prints and knits that call for a cleverly programmed machine (a la Missoni, or the dress Caro linked to), 'brushed steel' textures, speed or sporty stripe, mixed-media stripes with at least one non-traditional material (leather, reflective strips, plastic, wire coating)...

ETA: I wondered how you feel about the almost-stripe (I consider them broken stripes) patterns on the two tops at the end of Angie's blog post today...