WIW: Oh Glorious Summer Days - YouLookFab Forum

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WIW: Oh Glorious Summer Days

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

We're having a couple of days off this weekend due to the celebration of our Constitution Day plus Pentecost. The weather is on our side at the moment, too, and we're having temperatures getting as high as 26C (high 70's) - its literally a shock after weeks of chill! Summer temperature + days off = casual summer attire. What a bliss! Later next week we're going back to between 10 and 15C (in the 50's), so we better enjoy this while it lasts. I think casual is quite difficult, but all my acquired YLF knowledge is hopefully paying off by now.
My guidelines are Angie's great advice:
Irregular Outfit Juxtaposition
- I think I achieved that by adding the white button down in #1. I'm not too sure about the rest.
Unstructured Structure
- A little waist definition adds structure in all these outfits. Soft fabrics and messy hair is unstructured, or is this stretching the idea?
Does this outfit map back to my style descriptor?
- I aim to achieve Chic, Simple, Playful Modern Classic. I think all these outfits are true to my current style.
Does this outfit make me happy?
- Yes, all these outfits feel very ME and make me happy.

#1: Yesterday I wore my thrifted white skirt, paired with a chambray shirt and a white tank. I also hauled my beloved Ecco Bullion sandals out of the closet, even if the first pedicure is sorely overdue. They are embarking on their fourth season, and still going strong. I bought a turquoise bracelet/cuff at H&M the other day. It almost screamed summer at me. Setting: Running errands, cooking, relaxing with the family.

#2: Today it's even warmer than yesterday. I'm wearing white button down, khaki shorts with black belt, a striped tank and white Cons. That is, I wore the white shirt early, but after midday it became too hot. Now I'm only wearing the tank. Setting: Doing pretty much nothing.

#3: My planned outfit for tomorrow: A yellow cotton tee, a narrow yellow belt and my thrifted butterfly skirt in linen. I'm also pulling out my cork wedges. They were far too expensive when I bought them, but have earned their place as wardrobe essentials and are now embarking on their third season. Sometimes the investment pays off. Setting: Day off with the family, marking papers.

Thanks for reading and looking! All comments are appreciated.

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30 replies

Latest reply was from Ingunn

Anonymous

Great summer style, Ingunn! Your new haircut is perfect with this also. I like the shirt as topper in your second outfit -- that is how I like to wear them too.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

What luck when the weather cooperates! And you are nailing your summer style. I especially love #2. You look fab! #1 looks like: cottage garden party! Love the glass of water in your hand. The finishing touch. And the butterfly skirt is so pretty. These thrifted pieces will give you a lot of mileage over the summer.

Love your new hair with all of this!!

I am not sure that the outfits are truly unstructured structure...but I await enlightenment on that score. In the meantime, I would say they are terrific examples of modern casual classic style at its summery best!

ruthe

You look so nice Ingunn. Blessed Pentecost to you also.

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Suz, I agree - unstructured structure is difficult, and I'm not sure if I really get it. I think I need to reread Angie's posts about it. I also find irregular outfit juxtaposition hard to nail. Thank you for your assessment!

Ruthe and Ceit, thanks! Blessed Pentecost

Karie

(website)

Veteran

Well, I am glad to hear that I'm not the only one for whom unstructured structure and outfit juxtaposition are difficult But it's fun to learn about, experiment and create outfits, isn't it?

Ingunn, I think you look fantastic in each of these outfits. White and yellow are colors made for you! The skirt in #3 is super cute, it's my favorite.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Ingunn, I think the "unstructured structure" is a bit easier to achieve with very current pieces, because the cuts are deliberately made to give that look. So you put the item on, and voilå!

When we are wearing exclusively classic tailored pieces, to my mind, the effect is a bit different, even if those tailored pieces have a relatively loose tailored fit and even if they are made in relaxed and casual fabrications.

We do achieve "casual." And we will look current. But we may not look fashion forward or directional.

In my mind, there is absolutely no need to move away from modern classic, because modern classic is great and suits you very well! And we call it classic for a reason. When worn with as much care and playfulness as you bring to your outfits, it always looks good.

But if you wish to move it in a new direction, with your mix of classic, mostly tailored clothes, you probably need at least one slightly oversized, very current item per outfit to achieve that look. Does that make sense?

In my own (tentative) experiments, I am finding that inexpensive "test" items from the GAP have been ...well...filling that gap...and helping me make the mental leap. I am thinking first of the big bulky sweater many of us had in the winter months, and lately of the mesh sleeved sweater. The quality on these items is not great and the mesh sweaters, in particular, are probably going to be one-season wonders for me. Yet I have found them a worthwhile investment. The way they fall and look on my shape is teaching me about what to look for overall in terms of fit if I am aiming for this very current look. And despite their low price tag they immediately inject a bit of currency.

Maybe taking a look at the outfits you've made that achieve what you feel is a great level of unstructured structure is a way to go.

I am by no means an expert here, by the way. I am slowly learning, too, because my natural or fallback style is very much modern classic, too, but a much more boring and less well put-together version than yours!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Also - for outfit juxtaposition -- that is tricky in a super casual setting because the very point is to be SUPER casual and if you add a dressier element, well....it's not casual!! You've aimed in this direction with your new bracelet, though, and by wearing skirts rather than shorts in two outfits. Wear a skirt with the Cons and you've got juxtaposition. Add something sparkly? More juxtaposition.

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Thank you, Karie

Suz, you're an angel! Thanks for outlining this so well for me. You are spot on - I'm not aiming for being fashion forward, but I would like to remain current. Thus, structured unstructure becomes blurry at best for me. I'm actually in the process of knitting a citron sweater which is slightly oversized and with a loose structure. I think it will become the equivalent to your mesh sweater. I'll pair it with my white jeans, the white skirt etc. Juxtaposition is easier to understand, and I clearly see it now, thanks to your very clear explanation.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

That sweater will be amazing with your jeans and the colour will make it very current and fun! What a great idea.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

You look beautifully Summer-y and Stylish! And totally achieved what you set out to in the guidelines.

I LOVE that white skirt, and the white shirt layered over the stripe! And the white Chucks are perfect on bare legs. Fab

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Thanks, Angie I'm glad you approve of the bare legs look with Chucks, I think it will become a Summer favorite for me. I hope my bare legs are passable, as they haven't seen any sun yet and are winter-y pale

Makrame

Veteran

You look so fresh and summery! For some reason, looking at your outfits made me think of a glass of ice water with lemon on a hot day - cool and refreshing. I know it is a strange analogy but that's what I thought of; it must be the fresh look of the crisp white items you are wearing.

missvee

Veteran

Lovely outfits, as usual - you really have a great understanding of your style and seem to know by instinct what works. My favourite is the butterfly skirt with the yellow topper. And you're right about good quality shoes - I have a pair of Stuart Weitzman espadrilles that are almost 10 years old and they are still going strong. Hope you get some more nice warm weather soon.

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Makrame, what a lovely analogy. I'll keep that as a guideline for my summer style. Thank you!

Thanks, missvee, I'm glad you liked it. In our neck of the woods, we dearly appreciate every warm day we can get! There's no such thing as too hot here

Hil

(website)

Veteran

You look so delightfully summery that you *almost* make me miss the warmer months... almost, but not entirely!

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I love the white Chucks with the shorts, now I want white Chucks too! The white shirt bookends the Chucks perfectly. All three outfits are very summery and pretty.

I could see the chambray shirt looking cute tied at the waist or tucked with the butterfly skirt.

Parsley

Veteran

All of these are super warm weather outfits!
I hot days are the absolutely hardest to look stylish for, but you've nailed it!
I LOVE that white skirt!

krishnidoux

Veteran

These summer, fresh, dynamic outfits are very lovely and you look ravishing in them. My favourite is 2, followed closely by the all white in 1.

JulieJohn

Veteran

Agree with krish - ravishing! You certainly know how to be "a cut above" the average casual summer look.

I am impressed with your butterfly skirt and yellow top combination. I love pink and yellow together, like a summer strawberry lemonade. I borrowed that from Makrame and added a twist.

Thanks for sharing!

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Love #2 - ylf.

Beth Ann

Veteran

Shout out to my White Chuck twin! Love these on you, and your white on white look, too! All your outfits are perfect for Summertime relaxation. I've been working on new silhouettes too, and found Suz's comments most helpful. The playfulness in your classic looks is shining through, while still seeming perfectly "grown-up."

Adelfa

Veteran

It's bedtime so I don't have any insightful comments, but your looks seem perfect. They make me smile.

carolbee

Veteran

Fab outfits as usual. Loving the shorts and striped tank look.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I had a hard time getting past your fab hair Ingunn! I really think it looks great, love the new shape and where it now hits and creates a lovely slight soft curl near your face. Makes me want to stop straightening my curls. But mine aren't nearly as well shaped.

And I really like all your summer outfits here as well. I love white with chambray/denim and the striped tank and converse are perfect summer essentials.

Kristin SF

Veteran

I got a kick out of seeing this new J.Crew skirt, now available for summer. It immediately brought to mind your fantastic pink butterfly skirt! You are so on trend.

And I love the idea of a striped top with it now!

http://www.jcrew.com/womens_fe...../01309.jsp

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Diana

Veteran

I love the white-on-white skirt and tank look! So much so that I want to copy it, but I don't own a white tee or tank. (The reason why I don't own one is that I never wore them when I had them... which makes it even more surprising how badly I want to wear this outfit!)

You look so pretty and summery in all three outfits! Enjoy the weather!

harmonica

Veteran

Lovely as usual! I love how you reflect around you style goals and am impressed by how you manage to achieve such a coherent style. Always fun, modern and classic.

Also happy you enjoyed the days off and had a good taste of real summer. I hope this is just the beginning because last summer was all 10 degrees. We're back to below 10 celsius here. Great weather for work, though

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Thanks a lot for the link, Kristin! The J Crew butterfly skirt is really a statement, but I think mine is a good #2! How fun to see it. I've been planning to pair my skirt with a Breton, and now I'm sure that I will do it. Wait and see:)

Diana, you must get yourself a white tank. It is a true essential for me. Thanks for your nice comments!

Harmonica, I hope you are right! We're drowning in rain today, and the temperature requires hose and toppers. But we never give up hope, no?

rachylou

Veteran

Well, I'm not entirely sure about the quiz, but you look great! In the present and classic.

#3 is probably my summer style. No! Don't freak out! I'm not accusing you of oddity! Hehe. At a certain point in summer, I go bare bones and thus classic.

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