WIW Going Minimal To Color - YouLookFab Forum

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WIW Going Minimal To Color

Lisa

Veteran

Hi,

There's been a lot of interesting discussions about minimalist style such as here recently.

Anyone interested in minimal style outfit voting?

#1-Typical Lisa Outfit
This is similar to an earlier WIW, except I swapped out jeans for cords. Typical Lisa, lots of color, and a scarf of course.

#2-Two Colors
One of the messages I am picking up from minimal discussions is minimalism has little to no colors, or patterns, or accessories in the outfits. Here is one I wore with only two colors. Does that make it minimal style?

#3-Three Colors
I think this is the darkest outfit I've ever posted thus far on YLF. I did add a necklace here, but stuck with darker, non bold colors (to me bold means bright for color).

#4-Starting to Lighten Up
More colors but I kept the scarf tonal with the shirt as opposed to contrasting with the outfit.

#5-Sticking to Blues
A button down shirt and cardigan is minimal right?

#6-Back to Brights
Ok does the scarf make this boho? Does the bright sweater make this non-minimal?

#7-Pink
A recent sweater I received as a gift. Should I move it along?

How did I do? Were any of these outfits minimal? Were any of them classic? (is there a difference or is that another discussion?)

Comments/Suggestions are welcomed and thanks for looking!

Outfits:

#1-Typical Lisa Outfit
Sweater-ATL
Scarf-Esprit
LS T-Eddie Bauer
Trousers-Gap Skinny Cords
Boots-Ugg

#2-Two Colors
Blazer-Lucky Brand
Tank-Target
Sweater-BR
Leans-Kenneth Cole
Boots-Frye

#3-Three Colors
Sweater and LS T-Lord and Taylor
Jeans-Express Stella Skinny
Boots-Ugg
Necklace-Lucky Brand

#4-Starting to Lighten Up
Scarf-Ann Taylor
Blazer-Ann Taylor Loft
Top-Esprit
Tank-French Connection
Jeans-Joe's Petite Provocateur
Booties-Clarks

#5-Sticking to Blues
Cardigan-BR
Shirt-Express
Belt-Target
Jeans-Joe's Petite Provocateur
Booties-Clarks

#6-Back to Brights
Blazer, Scarf, Jeans-Lucky Brand
Cowboy Boots-Justin
Top-Express
Tank-Target

#7-Pink
Sweater-American Eagle
LS T-JCrew
Jeans-Gap Perfect Boot
Cowboy Boots-Durango

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20 replies

Latest reply was from Tanya

Ljubica

A great collection of perfect looks. I like each and every of them, the only improvement would be to see your pretty face too.
EDIT: They are probably minimalist (which I'm not an expert of, but more important, they're extra flattering).

Becky

Veteran

Hmmm. I'm no expert on minimalism, for sure, but my personal favorites (minimalist criteria aside) are #1 and #6.

kellygirl

Veteran

I'd vote #3 as the minimalist winner. I think it's a combination of the colors and the sparse accessorizing. I also really like it. It's different. My favorite Lisa outfits are #1 and 6--those are so you and so fab! I'm not loving the pink sweater--it looks a bit short. I prefer the longer crossover sweaters you've posted recently.

Kate

Veteran

I think 5 has a bit too much going on to be minimal. If you took off the belt, or if the shirt was a solid, then I think it would be less "cluttered". I love all of the outfits with scarves, and love #2 also! They all look somewhat classic to me, but I'm certainly not the expert.

taylor

Veteran

I guess my style is neutral minimalist...all these sub- categories are confusing me

Lisa I will say that although I am fairly neutral in my clothing pallett I really enjoy colors on others...and you do colors amazingly well, especially blues!! I love your typical Lisa outfits!!!

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

Hi I'm new here but I think you look fabulous in #3, the tunic and boots and skinny jeans look ... which I need to figure out if I can pull off!

Polly (thunalata)

Veteran

What fun! Love to see you playing around with these ideas and making such fab outfits!

Lisa

Veteran

Ljubica-Thanks! Flattering works for me.

Becky and Kellygirl-Thanks! I felt very chic in #2-#4 but I admit #1 and #6 just make me happy to wear. Just a color girl at heart.

Kate-Thanks for starting the discussion on minimalism. It got me poking around in my closet for ideas instead of in stores while SYC.

Taylor-Thanks! You are one of my favorite neutrals outfit person. Your outfits are always a treat. I am always drawn to the blues in a store first.

CocoLion-Thanks and welcome to YLF! I think anyone can wear the skinny jeans and tunic sweater look. If you do not favor a form fitting sweater such as #3, you can try out a looser style one. Or perhaps a tunic length shirt with a cardigan over it too.

Thunalata-Thanks!

tarzy

Veteran

I LOVE #3! I've been looking for a long sweater/tunic like that for a while.

I'm not sure if these are minimalist, but whatever they're called, you look great in all of them!

Jonesy

Veteran

When I think of minimalism I think of Calvin Klein or Jil Sander. Severe, austere cuts in very muted colors. Sharp tailoring seems to be involved too (e.g., even though Eileen Fisher stuff focuses on muted colors, I wouldn't think of most of it as minimalist). With that in mind, I think 4 is the most minimalist with its tailored dark jacket, tone on tone scarf/shirt, coordinating long dark jeans, and simple black booties. Just my two cents :).

I suppose if you were thinking of minimalism in a more general way, it would involve few to no accessories, subdued colors, and clean, tailored cuts, right?

Anonymous

All of these outfits are very flattering on you. You've got a great sense of style that is casual but chic and comfy. But I'm not sure that I would label any of them as being minimalistic. To me minimalism is streamlined sophistication and something you might see someone wearing in a photo shoot that features contemporary architecture. Expensive fabrics in quiet colors with minimal texture (no chunky sweaters, for example) and "tasteful" jewelry. Conservative styling with a bit of an upper class flair. Maybe a long sleeved cashmere sweater in a soft gray, with dark gray leggings and suede heeled boots, a couple ropes of Angie's pearls and not much else. :o)

Vix

Veteran

Hi Lisa --

I'm glad you are into color...I tend to backslide into my coal/brown/greys a lot and looking at your outfits helps me remember how much I am enjoying my newish explorations into the land beyond!

I actually think there are a surprising number of ways to do minimal, no matter where one falls on the casual to ultra-polished spectrum.

I also think you should give yourself some credit, because I think you're on the right track as far as outfits 1-6 go. [I admit I would love to see #2 with darker boots, but that's my "pro-legline" bias.]

I've come to believe that color-color can definitely be a big part of a minimalist style, and in my opinion the blogger (and scarf-tier extraordinaire!) MaiTai executes that beautifully. You may find some inspiration from her:

http://www.maitaispicturebook.com

[If you're at all like me, you may have to get over that she looks like a model, lives in a gorgeous place, and based on her belongings is very financially comfortable...but her posts are so down-to-earth and helpful -- and her outfits so up (at least a part of) my alley -- that I enjoy her blog a great deal.]

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Lisa, I am not much help in the minimalist look. I definitely prefer one or two bold accessories rather than a lot of them (that's why I never wear earrings and necklace together :-)). While I am not into many accessories I always need some kick in my outfit to feel great and stylish in it.
Of the lot you posted the first thing which came to my mind is that they all flattering on you. In your older posts there were more and less flattering outfits but these ones are all great silhouette wise!
My favorites are :
#1 -that beautiful scarf makes the outfit here;
#2 - like the colors though the sleeves are a bit long;
#4 - very euro chic scarf
#5 - like how striped shirt and cardigan echo each other
#6 - such a rich color scheme!

Scarlet

Veteran

I really like all of these outfits. The proportions are perfect on you. I especially love #2 and #6 because of the shocking pink color combo. I am not too sure about the #7 sweater though.

RoseandJoan

Veteran

Lisa your outfits are fabulous but to me they are not minimalist. When I think of minimalist I think of 90's Jil Sander and Calvin Klein, looks with clean silhouette, lack of texture, neutral colour palette and overall quite an architectural look.
Thia is what I think of
http://www.chicgirlstyle.com/m.....alist.html

Lisa

Veteran

Tara-Thanks! The gray tunic sweater is from Lord and Taylor.

Jonesy-Thanks! It looks like minimalism requires sharper structured clothes than I have here, as well as few or subdued colors. At least that's what I'm picking up from these responses so far.

Loves Moose-Thanks! That's a great description of minimalism you provided.

Vix-I'll check out the link, thanks for providing it. You are welcome on team color anytime. I am curious, the light boots in #2, if they aren't worn with blue jeans, how would one style a light colored tall boot like these? Against a bare leg instead?

Sveta-Thanks! Fit is something I've been trying to pay more attention to. I have a habit of grabbing a larger size than I think I am sometimes.

Scarlet-Thanks! I think the last sweater is too short for me. Off to add to the donate pile.

RoseandJoan-Thanks for the link, I'll check it out.

Lisa

Veteran

hmm, no Angie comments? My lack of color that bad?

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Sorry. I didn't get to your thread

Just had a look at your outfits and you do minimalism well! I'm all over outfits #2, #6 and #4. Fabulous! You nailed it in *your* way - not Sarah's way, but YOUR way. That's what I like to see

Lisa

Veteran

Thanks Angie! I've gotten spoiled and like your feedback.

Tanya

Veteran

I can't believe I missed this thread! Everything look awesome, but I am absolutely in love with #2. So simple yet so chic.