WIW: Before and After the Haircut - YouLookFab Forum

Category

What I Wore

WIW: Before and After the Haircut

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I thought it might be interesting for me to look at a couple of outfits styled identically, before and after my haircut. I'm posting them in the hope it might also interest others who've made a similar change or who might be contemplating doing so.

These are two WritersFest outfits that met with YLF approval before the haircut. I wore them almost exactly as I'd styled them for the photos; only difference is the hair (and in one case, earrings), plus the light. Unfortunately the light quality wasn't quite a good on the short hair picture day.

Still, FWIW.

I'll be interested to hear what you think. I think the short hair lends a touch of edge and reduces what felt like excessive "sweetness" to me (at least to an extent) in these outfits. I also think it makes me look a bit taller.

Bonus closeup of the necklace.

This post has 8 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.

37 replies

Latest reply was from Suz

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Oh I love your new haircut!
I do agree with you that it adds edge and reduces some sweetness. It look fantastic!

Ginny

Veteran

Suz, I am glad you did this, since reading your posts about needing "something" to add that edge and wondering what it could be, I have sympathized with you. I do the same thing short hair grow it out and then think huh. I had been feeling the same way!I am glad you heeded Angie's advice And did the same thing! I was growing mine out and felt like I wanted too add an edge or something to my look. So I went back to shorter too!! I love this on you!! I just posted pix and the last couple are my hair shorter though not as funky as I was striving for but I will play with it more. Your posts helped me decide that I think I was missing that same thing and glad I cut it too!! I def. think shorter adds to your pizzaz on yut outfits!! You look great chick!!

Isabel

Veteran

Suz, it really is jarring to me. No other word to describe it. You look so much more "precious" with your old hair cut...a word I never would have thought to describe you before.

Gosh, it is soooooo amazing ! You look amazing ! I am drooling.....gotta go wipe it up now.

Kyle

Veteran

I think you nailed it with your description. I predict that you are going to evolve to a very pared down Audrey Hepburn look to which you will add the occasional unexpected edge or twist. The haircut is such a huge, wonderful leap. It's a breathtaking change. So beautiful, fun and stylish I can hardly stand it. And I can't wait to see the evolution as it occurs.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

(I am so glad I spoke up!!)

There is no comparison, Suz - and no need to ever grow your hair again

KILLER

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

Wow! You looked nice before but your hair didn't reallly match the edginess of your clothes. Now it's a perfect complement to your style! You look fabulous! I vote you Most amazing YLF hair makeover!

Sona

Veteran

Suz...that Angie.... she is KILLER. Her advice is so on target everytime!

Love the edgy look.

catgirl

Veteran

I cannot believe the difference. You are lovely in both cuts, but you went from ordinary lovely to... I don't know, the haircut somehow pared that loveliness down to the essence of what makes you STUNNING. And because of it, the outfits look worlds apart even though they're the same,

Thank you so much for doing this - it was a brilliant Idea, and I never would have thought to do it, and I feel like I've learned more from this visual than a million words could have taught me, to rephrase a cliche.

Vildy

Veteran

What a difference in mood! And you look amazing in that great short cut. You went for more edgy but I think it is also very fresh and gives you a glow.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Great comparison! And wow, what a striking difference! You are certainly lovely with your hair longer, but the short cut gives a whole new lift to your outfits. Amazing.

Erin

Veteran

Wow, great post! I loved seeing the difference in the photos! That hair cut is CRAZY great on you!!!!!

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

I think the biggest difference other than the obvious increased confidence, is that you looked quite demure with the old hair style and now you look like you have spunk and a bit of fearlessness.

It really works for you.

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

Love your new short hair!!

Deborah

Veteran

Suz Im a bit lost for words. I always loved your outfits and thought you were beautiful but the haircut has really just magnified your gorgeousness and added the edge you were after. I do think this is YOUR style and if I were you I wouldn't even conisider growing my hair long again. You are totally rocking your new do.

sarah

Veteran

Good grief. What a difference! I'm tempted to get my hair cut short.... ; )

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Thank you, all; you're so generous and sweet.

You know that IRL, many people haven't even noticed the cut or commented on it?

But I don't take that in a negative way. I think what it is, is this: people who knew me before long hair always knew me with short hair so for them it's just back to normal. And it's so clear that I feel more "myself" with short hair that it takes a while for people to put their finger on what has changed. So even those who only met me recently (with longer hair) can't identify what's different.

Antje

Veteran

Killer haircut! And it does take all of the great outfits up another notch!

greenglove

(website)

Veteran

Amazing transformation! If only it could always be that simple. Everything will seem more current. Angie is a genius! She really knows her stuff! And I had once thought that she thought everyone should cut their hair but not true- she can discern exactly which of us would benefit and advises against cutting for some of us. Angie. am I right on that?

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Jean, I suspect Angie's right...oh, about 110% of the time! <grin>

I KNOW she was right for me (and thank you, thank you, THANK you, Angie!). Ironically, the main reason I grew it was because I'd read some of those misguided style recommendations, i.e. "If you've been wearing your hair in the same style for a decade it's time for a change." Well, of course, I HADN'T been wearing my hair in EXACTLY the same style; there were small tweaks here and there...but it had been very short for a decade, so I figured, better grow it!

And in a way I'm glad I did, because it allowed me to have the fun of cutting!

I'd love to be privy to Angie's thought process as she makes the assessment. I'm sure it has something to do with a woman's developing style as she sees it, as well as the colour and quality of her hair, the shape of her face and neck, and whether or not it appears as if the woman will feel comfortable in the style she's going to recommend. But I'd love to know how she makes the call!

In your case, your long locks are such an integral part of your look. While you might look good with short hair, we'd miss the long hair!

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Suz, your haircut is DIVINE! It looks absolutely gorgeous on you. Your outfits looked lovely before, but with your new "do", it adds the edge that takes them to a whole new level. Is it just me, or is your smile even bigger and brighter with your haircut???

citygirldc

(website)

Veteran

As a fellow short hair wearer (is this even a word ;), you look wonderful in your short hair cut. Short hair does justice to your features and now I can see your face and clothes where before I only saw clothes. You'll never go back to wearing long hair again. (I've had short hair since college).

Anonymous

I have to agree with dianthus and Transcona Shannon. It seems like you are standing a little straighter and feeling fierce and confident with your new 'do.

I wondered if it felt like "a whole new you" or "ah, back to the old me" since a pixie is your default style. Either way, it is definitely YOU and I love it!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

The dominant feeling was "Ah, I'm me again!" But in a good way. And the secondary feeling was "fresh, new, different" because the cut IS in fact different from any others I've had, in subtle ways that nonetheless feel significant to me. So I got the best of both worlds.

Arya

(website)

Suz, thanks for sharing these comparison photos. You are stunning with either haircut, but I definitely agree with you that the short 'do lends an edge and, if I may say, modernity to the outfits. Having recently gone super short with my own hair, I must tell you that I love your cut.

Also, while both outfits are fab, the second one - with the raspberry top, light purple cardigan, and pink shoes - is awesome!!! I love the play with pinks!

Astrid

Veteran

Wow, it's great being able to compare the pics directly! It's a huge difference and I LOVE your haircut. You're right, the short hair gives more of an edge and you look stunning! I understand the feeling of thinking you had to try something new, but essentially not feeling it like you do with the current hair. I had the same experience, I thought I had to change my hair drastically and cut it into a pixie a few years ago, only to feel more like me again with every growing inch. I hope yours stays short now, you look incredible!

AJ

Veteran

WOWIE ZOWIE!!

First of all, that is pure GENIUS to post the same outfit with the different hairstyles!

Second, it's like I'm watching one of those movies with the twins who live opposite lives. Longer hair country Suz vs shorter hair metropolitan Suz. Country Suz owns a winery and lives a lavish life filled with farm fresh foods, outdoor garden parties and horses. Metropolitan Suz owns an art gallery and also lives a lavish life filled with theatre, cocktail parties and dinners at the swankiest restaurants.

Both versions are FAB, just very different.

All that to say, I luv the new hairdo!! : P

rae

(website)

Veteran

Amazing - the hair really makes the looks snap into place. I'm so glad you decided to get this fantastic cut!

lyn67

Veteran

Oh, very much love the short hair on you! so so edgy!!! (sorry, no more sweets in the future, you have to dress up to that now, and try the new trends..:-))
(and mee..just green of envy:-), cause never able to sport a pixie:-()

Jonesy

Veteran

This is such a great illustration of the power of a good haircut! You looked lovely before, but somehow more traditional, which didn't seem to suit you as well. The new 'do is just so right, which you obviously know :).

12