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WIW :: Day 1 - Theme "This time last year I wore..."

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

This week marks my first WIW-sary. It took a long time to pluck some courage and start posting, but you lot were so sweet and encourageing, equipping me with the new skill along the way, that I hadn't regretted that decision once. The move was so much fun and, as Michelle had so brilliantly put it, I hug my wardrobe now thanks to the insights gained here.

To mark this occasion, I am using my own outfits from a year ago as the dressing inspiration for this week. Unlike my usual weekly summary post on Friday, this week only I'll be posting my WIWs on a daily basis, both last year's inspiration one and this year's outfit that actually made it out the front door, sort of before and after. It will be interesting exercise for me to see how and if things have changed along the way.

So, photo 1 is today (2012.) and photo 2 is 2011.

This was supposed to be the same outfit, and it actually is... kind of... I'll post the thought process from one to another later.

17 replies

Latest reply was from nancylee

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

Lessons learnt:

1. Plain cardigans as toppers are no longer an option as their undefined soft shoulder line does not do my narrow shoulders much justice. The exceptions are waterfall cardigans which seem to offset the said shoulders with a bit of ALGO in the design itself.

2. Black pants - almost extinct from my wardrobe. I am far from finding a perfect pair, the efforts being hindered by the fact that great pants with PPL for a 1.82m/6ft2 tall person are not regularly on offer with most (any?) the retailers .
I find the pants I used to wear having dangerously frumpifying factor on me (what a coincidence Angie had blogged about F-factor today ). Generally, pants are a reserve player after the skirts and jeans.

3. Belted cardigan? Probably time to declare I'm overt that one too.

4. I need brights/white in my outfit.

5. Tee shirts as tops - not on their own any more. Partly due to unflatetring clinging, partly because my bodytype simply does not lend itself to this piece worn on its own so well.

2011 thingies - Where are they now:
Purple top - replaced by another one that fits better and is made of better fabric.
Balck cardigan - still in rotation, often used as layering piece, but no longer as the key element of the outfit.
Black pants - replaced by the ones in better fabric for office/formal wear only.
Red patent belt - still a favorite.

2012 thingies
Red cascading cardigan - In my favorite color and this style of cardigans is hands-down my favorite ever.
Purple top - replaced the old one. Versatile layering piece in my other favorite color.
The ginormous pearl - firm favorite, compliments everything without overpowering the outfit and makes me smile every time when I remember my pearl-twins Aida and MaryK.
PPL jeans - I raved about them enough when I bought them. My wardrobe staple.

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

Wow Ornella! Congrats on a year at YLF! You look great in both pics but I love the color and uniqueness of #1. Thank you so much for breaking everything down about both outfits and your thought process. Analytical me is lapping it up! And you always look so stylish!

I have a similar red waterfall cardi. I'm going to have to try it with purple--that's a cool combo.

GGB

Love this idea, Ornella. YLF!

Sunita

Veteran

Smashing! I think #2 was pretty nice too.

I really enjoyed your thought process. Having just posted my first WIW today, I wonder where I'll be style-wise and what I'll look like a year from now!

Jonesy

Veteran

So fun, and thoughtful too! I love the bold red on you, and that necklace is really gorgeous! I also like your earlier outfit, but I am enjoying your style evolution :).

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

This is a great idea for posting Ornella - I love that we'll be able to learn from your discoveries in your own style journey!

You look amazing in red BTW!

Ginny

Veteran

Congrats on one year!! Both looks are fab and I really like a belted cardi on you!!

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

Thanks ladies.

The full journey from one outfit to another is shown on separate thread:

Day 1 (Outtatkes) - Evolution of an outfit

p.s.
Natalie, enjoy

Anonymous

Oh, I can't wait to read the outtakes! Thanks for doing this Ornella, I'm going to learn a lot from it. Congrats on your veteran status! Your outfit du jour is fab!

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

It was really interesting to read your thought process. And I agree, the red cardi is fabulous on you. I beg to differ on one point though, I still like the belted cardi look.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Ornella, as usual, you teach us all with your incredibly thoughtful process! Thank you for this terrific idea, and when I hit the one year mark I hope I will have enough pics to do something similar at least sometimes! I will be watching these posts with great interest.

Beth Ann

Veteran

Very fine, Ornella. Thanks for sharing your insights, as well. I agree that color seems to light you up!

D'Ellen

Veteran

You look lovely in both outfits, but #1 really shows the progression of your individual style. And, let's not overlook your fabulous new hair cut!

Lisa

Veteran

Oh neat! It's interesting to look back at how one's style changes over the course of a year isn't it? I like both outfits but #1 certainly has an edge to it that #2 does not have. And I adore purple and red paired together. I find when I look back at my photos from last year or the year before until now I see the biggest shift with the fit of clothes. I am trying to get better at figuring out what cuts work best on my shape.

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

It is not that outfit #2 was not good but that it does not satisfy you anymore, right? I have exactly the same experience with my style journey and it is good because your style is evolving from good to WOW!
Congratulations on the Veteran status!

DragonflyJane

What a great idea.
The 2011 version is good but 2012 is great!
I love the difference a change in hairstyle has made too.
Loving the red cardi - where is it from?

I'm with you on the "trying to find a great fiting pair of black trousers" trail - who knew it would be so hard? I must've tried on every pair within 25 miles!

nancylee

Veteran

Thanks for posting this, Ornelia. I'm coming up on my one-year YLF anniversary and you've given me a great inspiration to take a look at my evolution, too. I'm actually coming to the same conclusion as you about pants/trousers and the frump factor. Increasingly, they are taking a back seat to my denim, skirts, and dresses.

Loved reading your analysis....so helpful!