YLF doesn't like it - but it seems everyone else does! - YouLookFab Forum

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YLF doesn't like it - but it seems everyone else does!

anne

Veteran

I have a skirt trouser combination garment, that was given the thumbs down from YLF some years ago. I was about to throw it out when one of my best friends told me how much she liked it and that she was thinking about getting one herself. So I didn't.
I don't wear it often, but when I do I always get compliments.

The other day at school pick-up I had 2 and other later in the day (this is not usual for me, I can assure you). So I am keeping it. Do you guys ever have this experience?

It is outfit number one (I would normally wear a medium heel with this but that wasn't appropriate that day)

Incidentally I tried out a new sort of layering - crossover top over cowl neck (I was just wearing the cowl neck and then got cold and just added another layer) I think it works. Do you?

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Dressing

71 replies

Latest reply was from anne

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

photo?

anne

Veteran

Thanks Anna - I had pressed the wrong button and sent it instead of getting a photo!

Christie

I really like the cowl neck and crossover top!

I can't really see the skirt/trouser very well ... the darkness is making it hard to make out on my screen. Is it asymmetrical? Honestly, I like it too and think you pull it off from what I can see. It looks like you enjoy the outfit and feel confident in it. And you're getting compliments wearing it.

Kate

Veteran

Unless you have a very hippie style, I would pass. I'm so confused by that picture, but I know that I don't like it. Is there a half skirt, over full pants? Or is there another half to the skirt in a different color and shorter length? I don't intend for this to sound rude, but maybe people are complimenting it because it's so unique but not because it actually looks good or is flattering.

I DO like the tops and the necklace though!

AJ

Veteran

I think this whole outfit has a cool artsy vibe to it. I can see a yoga or ballet instructor wearing this ensemble. So I guess for me it's in the same category as gear...there's a time and place for it, just not an everyday MOTG look. Does that make sense?

rae

(website)

Veteran

^ AJ stole my words and made them better.

Katiepea

(website)

Veteran

Personally, I like it!

I would even wear it myself. Honestly. (I'd wear this in a pinch to my music teaching job where looking artsy and creative is part of the parcel.)

I am wondering whether this type of look is more familiar to my eye as another Aussie than some of the NH members?

I'm certain I've seen women wear similar ensembles wear a look like this around the (generally very expensive) arty environs of the sunshine coast (particularly Noosa), Byron Bay or "cool" and edgy parts of Brisneyland (Westend etc). I'd love to know if other Aussies agree with me.

The words I'd use to describe this look would be that it is a fusion of creative, arty, eclectic and hippy (is boho the PC term? I dunno).

I really could envisage you walking around the streets of Byron Bay or Noosa in this outfit and I would think "There goes an artsy woman who isn't afraid to be creative!". (That's what I'd think anyway, until I realised it was you and then I'd run up screaming excitedly and say "HI!" )

Louise

Veteran

Love the layering of the tops x

anne

Veteran

Oh Katiepea I am so glad someone "gets" this!!

I live close to one of those arty environs, and often see women walking around my town in this sort of garment, some of whom are very well dressed. You are right that this is an expensive look ( I purchased mine with a gift voucher at a boutique. I added the patterned layer to cover up an ironing burn, but similar looks are out there).

How cool would it be if we actually did meet! I hope we would recognise each other

Louise - thanks.

Marigold

I think, because you live in a place where such look is pretty common, and seems like - sought after, you make it a great look. Not a lot of people would be able to pull it off, but you seem to pretty well. I can definitely see the closeness of arty environment attributing to that. In my suburbia, I'd only get weird looks if I wore something like this..

RoseandJoan

Veteran

My eye is not accustomed to this look at all Anne, I think the cropped length of the trousers may be throwing me. I'm not sure but think you should be guided by your fellow Aussies on this one.

Maya

Veteran

Anne, there will always be people who will like and compliment your clothes. When I was a freshman in college, I got tons of compliments on my paint-encrusted pants. Walking around the dorm in my PJ's even won me an "I love your outfit." that doesn't make those good looks.

It depends whose input is more meaningful to you. Even within YLF, some peoples opinions get elevated. Are the people you find complimenting you people who you aspire to be stylistically?

I'm not going to indulge you here Anne. You have posted some wonderful, memorable outfits here...and this is just not up to that standard. Honestly, it's just wacky. I don't understand it as a look. It seems to have no style persona attached to it, and it does everything in the world that is wrong for your body. It just looks like two disparate, unflattering elements tacked together. I'm not known for sugar coating things, so forgive me if I'm being awful, but really, this is far and away the least favorable thing I have seen you post. I just cannot imagine this existing in the same closet as your fab red strapless dress and the cute tops you have on here.

I think I have done everything in my power to convince you this is NOT working, but in the end it's up to you.

Ljubica

I like the look.
I think I would wear a similar garment if I were a few years younger.. It's suitable for a more relaxed environment and to people accustomed to the edgy and artsy vibe it has.
I actually see quite a lot of college students sporting the look.
And I like the color combination, especially those red details.

jenva

Member

I would pass it up. It's a confusing garment that doesn't seem to know what it wants to be. Plus, it distorts the bottom half of your figure. Because it hits you at your ankle, it makes you appear shorter than you probably are. The looseness of the fabric also takes away from your awesome figure. I say toss it because it's doing you no favors.

As for the layering of your tops, I think that individually the pieces would look great on you. However, I don't think the tops are flattering together.

rute

Veteran

I couldn't agree more with Maya.. sometimes people compliment because they don't know what else to say, or because it's expected to do so..
I don't like the look, it's strange and cropped!

Queen Mum

Veteran

I have to say I'm quite confused as to what these pants are supposed to be doing. The lighter skirt fabric just seems like an afterthought... almost like an apron that is falling off.
Perhaps this is a popular aussie look that we are just not used to here....

Becky

Veteran

Anne, I guess you can add me to the list of those who don't care for the bottom half, but super job with the layering on the top half!

shana

Veteran

Anne, nice to see you around! Love the purple and red combo! I probably would not wear those pants, but honestly, if you love them and they make you feel good, wear them with pride. Not everything needs the ylf stamp of approval, you know. This is one of those looks that is a couple of standard deviations off the mean on the ylf bell curve so you can understand if the average forum member is not going to love it. I bet everyone has some outfits/pieces that others here won't "get" - it's definitely an artsy look. Like AJ said, I can picture a yoga instructor or maybe a pottery teacher wearing it!

Auburn

Veteran

I'm with Kate and Maya (and a few others) on this: I don't get it. Part of it may be do to the picture quality so I'm having trouble even discerning where pants begin and end. But my first thought was that you tucked your kitchen towel into the waist band as a sort of make-your-own apron.
My mom is an artist so although it's not my personal aesthetic, I can certainly appreciate a more funky, artistic and individualized look. So long as it is in fact, a look. This just seems haphazard to me. Also, you look quite tiny and the full yet cropped pants sort of seem to swallow you up. I have to believe that there are plenty of other interesting and artistic options out there that highlight your individuality AND your cute figure! Also, the fact that you have previously posted this outfit and stashed it suggests that you aren't totally comfortable in it yourself...

Joy

Veteran

Here in fly-over land I've never seen anything like it. My first thought was that you were wearing an apron askew. You are looking trim and lovely. The tops and beads look great.

Katiepea

(website)

Veteran

I'm finding it very interesting to read such a strong reaction here. It is not often to see such strong wording and dislike for an outfit on the forum.

I'm surprised that I actually feel compelled to defend Anne (and I guess myself) from the fact that we, and the other Aussies who have seen Anne in the outfit actually like it, when you clearly all don't. (To be clear I'm not representing view of other Aussie forum members, they can feel free to voice their own opinion.)

Ladies (and possibly gentlemen) of the YLF fashion jury, I'd like to reiterate a couple of points here in defence of this outfit -

You have to appreciate that this is a look that is NOT unfamiliar to our (my and Anne's) eyes as it is to yours. It doesn't look at all strange to me to see a lady walking down a street wearing this ensemble. If she added a puffer coat and a scarf........

This look needs to be taken in *context*. In the high streets of New York, you may look at Anne strangely BUT wearing the same outfit in Noosa, Byron Bay and other arty areas around town, you wouldn't even blink. Honestly. Well, actually, now I'm thinking I wouldn't blink. You all would probably be preparing to faint!

The pants are NOT a knit fabric, they are woven. In real life it is actually more structural in person than it appears on camera. It is more like a sort of a Japanese kimono type drape and structure. I don't think this aspect carries very well on film.

This look is generally actually quite expensive, and the ladies who wear it are not "hippies" with no style or class - they are women who like the nicer things in life, are impeccably groomed and pay incredible attention to detail. They are women who do like to be a bit daring - when it is 40C however with 90% humidity, it is pretty hard to want to add a scarf around your neck or to "layer".

I'm amused that it almost seemed implied that I only said I liked this outfit because Anne is another Aussie. I wasn't sure if some other people were making the point that I have "no idea" about anything to do with style. Hey - guess what - no news to me - I am the first to agree with them! I don't. That's why I come on here. To gain expertise and to be inspired.

HOWEVER, my opinions are authentic and are not made solely according to who you are or where you live. If I like an outfit I'll say so, if I don't I either stay silent or will say so (gently).

In fact, I've jumped on here and given a completely different assessment even though a lot of you seem to really dislike it.

Finally, since I clearly have no taste and because I didn't say before, I shall now articulate why I DO like this style on Anne:

*Firstly, it is cool and it is practical in heat and humidity when you still want some modesty. I agree that the length of the cut off of the pants may not be the most flattering (at the ankle it will always slightly shorten), but Anne carries this off well because she is so petite.

*It is creative. She is having fun with being different. Not many people have actually complimented Anne on the fact that she's been willing to take a risk. YLF is generally so supportive about taking a fashion risk - it saddens me, that whether or not you think this outfit works - you are not applauding her originality.

*This waistband highlights Anne's tiny waist. She actually has pear tendancies and I'm not getting her lower half being made "bigger" by these trousers.

*<shock horror> I like the purple sash - I think that it adds a nice vertical line.

Finally, good on you for "putting it out there" Anne! (You controversial thing, you! :-))

Have a great day!

Mo

(website)

Veteran

While I personally do not care for this outfit, I (until now) simply kept it to myself. It's okay that we don't all like the same things. Thank god we don't actually - how boring would that be? And perhaps it is a tad cultural since some Aussies have mentioned seeing some similar silhouettes before. Maybe it's just too unfamiliar to American eyes. But there are plenty of more traditional looks that don't personally float my boat. And again, that's fine, I just move on to the next look that I do appreciate

I wanted to edit this to add that I also think it is okay and helpful to express if an outfit isn't working and/or why - particularly when someone posts asking for input. But I think the way in which criticism is delivered makes a big difference.

Maya

Veteran

Kirstie, to your point, is there a name for this kind of garment? What is it called? I am curious to google some pictures and see how others sport it and how else it might be styled. Perhaps there are more flattering variations or ways of wearing it. I'm not sure.

Just as you don't like it just because it's Australian, I don't dislike it just because it's "foreign" to me. I just find it confusing and unflattering. There is just no aspect of it that I understand.

Again, ultimately what Anne makes of it depends on whose opinion she prioritizes. I wouldn't be offended if she chose to completely dismiss whatever I said and chooses to elevate the opinions of her fellow Australians. When I post, for example, a pair of shoes, I elevate that opinions of people who have fussy feet or who have similar taste in footwear and tend to dismiss the opinions of those who can only appreciate heels or strappy platforms or other shoes that aren't my style or don't fit my comfort needs. Angie's input gets elevated because she is a pro and shops and dresses people for a living!

I'm sure I'm not the only one who does this. It's perfectly natural and acceptable to give more weight to those who have the most relevant input.

But since we were all sharing our opinions, I gave mine too. I don't have a reputation for being gentle in giving my opinions. I can't appreciate this look on any level, but it's certainly no one's obligation to care what I think. I'm sure there are plenty of people out there in the world who think I look like a trainwreck--I just don't concern myself with those people!

In the end it's purely subjective, and can't be apologetic about my very negative reaction to it. Anne has spoiled us with so many fabulous looks over the years and this just isn't up to the standard I have seen from her. I try to be openminded when it comes to style--but only to a point.

Having said that, I'd still be curious to see more of this style of garment in other contexts and perhaps clearer photographs so I can make a fairer judgment.

Kristine

Veteran

I think the real question is whether you like it Anne.

Kate

Veteran

Katiepea, I has assumed that people implied that Australians liked it because it was more common to their eyes, not because Australians lack style. I agree that many of us are confused and simply not used to this style, so it would be great if someone could provide us with some context. I would LOVE to see more pictures of this kind of garment - I tried a google search and couldn't find anything.

I still can't make heads or tails of what I'm looking at in the picture. Apparently there is a purple sash that I can't see either. Also, in terms of staying cool and modest, does the extra "skirt" fabric makes the item cooler somehow? Or are a long and loose skirt or baggy woven pants not modest enough already?

Please help us to understand. Right now all I see is a baggy garment that breaks up the leg line at several very unflattering spots, but maybe if I have more context I will be more appreciative of the style.

Finally, I really hope that Angie chimes in. I think we all could use her expert opinion right now.

edit: this is the closest thing I can find a picture of

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Queen Mum

Veteran

Kirstie- I think Kate is right in that we weren't implying that Aussies have no sense of style, but honestly we have never seen this type of garment here, so we have no basis to evaluate it on.

Anne- I sincerely apologize for anything I said that has caused you hurt feelings. I do applaud your fearless fashion risk taking. Fashion is about having fun and feeling good about yourself... and we have unfortunately not supported that concept here. I am truly sorry.

I am also interested in knowing the official name for this garment.

Patience

Veteran

I have never seen such a garment until now either. I imagine this is a situation like going to Israel and seeing all the women sporting harem pants back when they were just starting to trend here. So I totally think you could rock this look, Anne,-- done right. The problem in this case is the length. I think the pants either need to be full length PPL or cropped more. I also suspect that the fabrication of the bottoms also makes a big difference. But you have nailed pairing their volume with a sleek top.
And I wanted to echo that you *are* looking very trim.

Mamapicklejuice

Veteran

Whatever you do, please don't style your hair like this:
http://voguepatterns.mccall.co.....ist=search

It's far too risky a look for me, but it sounds like you would fit right in where you live.

QM: I agree with you and clarified I was speaking about the hairstyle above.

Queen Mum

Veteran

oh, now I kind of like it in that pattern MPJ. The diagonal of the skirt part is quite flattering.

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