WIW: Diagnosis needed - YouLookFab Forum

Category

What I Wore

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

WIW: Diagnosis needed

kkards

Veteran

We had a spring like day yesterday, so I lighted up the layers! Yeah.... but somehow, this outfit, which in my mind was SO FAB.... in reality, i.e. The photos, seems to be slightly off, not horrible, just not fab. But I can't quite get to the root of issue.
Ideas? Suggestions? I'm open to any and all thoughts

This post has 4 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.

22 replies

Latest reply was from BrieN

Liz

Veteran

I don't see anything wrong with it! In your mind as you were wearing it, was the outfit more ________ ( sleek, casual, dressy, dramatic, youthful, sophisticated, etc.) than the outfit you're seeing in the photo?

Traci

Veteran

Firstly, I wouldn't completely discount your real life assessment that this was a fab look. Sometimes pictures can be helpful to let us take in an outfit as a whole, but sometimes they give us a skewed perspective because that's not really how we tend to look at people. Also, pictures are static and people move. Outfits can look very different in action. If you felt good, I assert that you looked good, regardless of how you feel about the pictures!

Now, onto the pictures:) I find this a simple, and comfortable looking outfit. Were you going for something other than that? The monocromatic color palette is restful for the eye, but maybe seeing it all at once you crave for a bit of color or something somewhere? Even something as simple as a bright nail polish or lipstick can punch up an outfit. I think a peek of a bright colored belt could also be nice here. Even just a little pastel worked in somewhere might be nice, like a barest blush on the jeans. With monocromatic looks, texture is important, but you can't always read texture in pictures. If it's not already there, consider adding more shine into the outfit. Pale metallic shoes, or an arm of bangles, maybe?

kkards

Veteran

liz...i think in my mind this outfit was more sleek and somewhat more wow than what the pictures showed.

traci...you maybe on to something...usally i'm all about the column of color, but i did like the outfit more when i put the olive bomber jacket on...and i've been thinking about red nails....something i haven't done in almost 10 years.....

Tisa

I like your monochromatic outfit, you look nice. If you would like to add something more to it, you could use one of Traci's suggestions (all very good).

When you add the jacket, the whole outfit looks a bit more casual in my opinion. Still great, just a bit more casual. Could that be what bothers you? You could try a bit less casual jacket and see how it looks.

Liz

Veteran

Ah... then that makes sense. If you wanted more sleek or wow, then I wonder if the fit and fabrics of the knit top and the boyfriend jeans were fighting against that.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

All of the elements are very casual -- the Henley top, cuffed loose jeans, and sneakers. I think changing one of those up to a more tailored or slightly more dressy item might lead to the effect you were looking for. Or think of adding something with more variation in texture. Swap out the sneaks for light metallic booties, for example, or a silk shirt for the tee.

I like it best with the jacket because the jacket adds a different texture (and color).

Joyce B

Veteran

I love the column of color outfit but the jacket changes it though it still looks good. Maybe a tailored jacket in a softer color would work?
I think it also has to do with the Spring- like weather, maybe the color of the jacket is dark for when you get an isolated Spring day.

Anonymous

Hey, kkards! First of all, I like this look a lot. It looks to me like a perfect outfit for a casual spring like day.
But I also know that feeling, that sometimes the vibe of an outfit doesn't translate the way I had hoped it would on e all lf the pieces are on my body
I think the other posters here are on to something - maybe elevating some part of the outfit would make it better reflect what you are going for.
I LOVE the textured henley with the casual white pants. (Are they jeans or chinos - I can't quite tell from the picture.) They have kind of a preppy vibe to me, so I might choose a leather loafer or drivers moc to play that up. And maybe some subtle gold jewelry.
Another way to go, as Janet said, would be to choose a slightly dressier top. Maybe an oatmeal textured sweather with a boat neck and a slighly boxier shape? That style top would accomodate a more dramtic necklace or pendant.
And I just have to add - that olive bomber jacket is fab!!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I like it just the way it is. You DO look fab.

Swapping out the henley for a white tee to match the sneaks might make the outfit feel more pulled together too.

Joy

Veteran

I love a column of color, especially white, but wanted to add more variation in textures to yours...shine, a chunky knit, lace, leather. A slight variation in shades of white may also do it. I am looking at this outfit on my phone, so may be missing details that are there. You do look fabulous.

Bonnie

Veteran

I like the outfit, too. I might add a choker or small chain necklace but otherwise it's perfect.

Anonymous

I think it's perfect . I'd wear that too. And the only thing I would do myself is add on a really interesting scarf or jewellery, especially at the neck.

JAileen

Veteran

I really like your outfit. I'd wear it, too. Maybe your standards are higher than mine, though. I think you look fab.

Greenjeans

Veteran

It is fab. Sporty, casual, winter white.

Emily K

(website)

Veteran

I think this is fine. I looked at it critically only because you did! But I think maybe the henley/pullover is at issue. I think I'd be happier with the outfit it the top were either 1) smaller, tidier, and more cropped or 2) boxier and more slouchy. The slight looseness of the boyfriend pants and the slightly loose top is too much same-same slouchy fit for my eye.

kkards

Veteran

Thank you all for your vote of confidence on this outfit.....looking at it more critically now I think maybe a sleeker shoe would have given it the extra polish., but then again it was the weekend ..... more importantly I think, with a little more distance,,,,it was a matter of expectations. It was a long week-- some stressful stuff at work, with no end in sight...and bam here comes spring and I had it in my head that I would just have the perfect the weekend....

Marina

Kkards: I agree with you in 2 points: this outfit definitely has potential to be fab, but it is looking just ok when it should look fab. I don't want to be rude or unpolite (apologies in advance if I'm). Its just that I have the impression colors and textures are talking beautifully to each other in your outfit, but having an horizontal line accross your calves and your sneaker's tongue going above your ankle line are making your calves look shorter, while your blouse sitting around your low hips is making your torso look longer. Since your pieces are simultaneously shortening you legs and elongating your torso, together they are creating a short legs/long torso unbalance and cutting your silhouette in 2 (and half/half poportions usually cause that "something is odd but I don't know what is odd" sort of felling). Also, I don't think the top+bottom column of color is a problem (on contrary, it works very well), but adding a little pop of color and/or a medium neutral color accessorie would compliment your natural colors contrast better.

There are a few things you can try about the proportions and see if some of them help:
- if your sneaker's tongues is not too thick, you may try to fold them to stay behind laces (below your ankle line) and roll your pants up just a bit (you will still be "breaking" your legs lenght, but depending on how long or short your calves area really are this still may help);
- adding a 3rd piece was a very good idea, but you need your 3rd piece to help creating balance. You may try to balance your torso with a 3rd piece ending around your hipbone or waist areas or to elongate your legs with a 3rd piece ending aroud your mid thighs area; your green jacket has done that, but I think a shorter one would work better
- tucking your top had shorten your torso a bit, which worked better in terms of proportions, but your blouse untucked has a very smooth, downward fitting that is so beautiful and elegant (I loved your blouse). If its facrics is as soft as it looks semi tuck sideway may be a good option too (if it is a little stiffer than it looks this won't work at all);
- changing you sneakers for shoes letting your instep visible will visually elongate your calves/ankle area (and I think flats or mocassins with a less informal jacket would turn your outfit "more sleek" too).

Hope this helps

rachylou

Veteran

Ah more unapologetic colour or neutral colour (as the case may be)! I like it.

I do think the top is both too shapely and yet too relaxed to be sharp, which is maybe what you were wanting. I like Angie's suggestion of a tee.

Style Fan

Veteran

I think the outfit looks lovely on you. I like the addition of the olive bomber. What a fantastic jacket. I do like the idea Angie had of a white tee.

krishnidoux

Veteran

Love this look! Very weekend, but pulled together. If you want to up it one notch, switch the sneakers for a pair of low heel white booties.

The comments on this thread are very wise!

Brooklyn

Veteran

I think you look fab in no 3 and 4. I think you have tucked the top up slightly in those pics (as compared to 1 and 2, when the top is longer). I think this look is better with the top a bit more cropped (as in 3, 4). Love the monochrome palette.

BrieN

Veteran

I like this outfit very much, especially with the bomber. it looks fresh and modern.
If I would change one thing, it would be the cuff - it looks a bit bulky and puckering the jeans a bit...but maybe that's my personal style. I have been wearing this one pair of jeans and every time I look down I think oh I really need to shorten these pants so the cuff is more streamlined or just crop them and get it over with.