YLF style challenge: Inspired by nature - Day 5 - YouLookFab Forum

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YLF style challenge: Inspired by nature - Day 5

bella

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We are on the final day of the challenge.

Tortoises at Dawn, Galapagos Islands by Frans Lanting

Photographer Frans Lanting says: 'The Galápagos Islands provide a window on time. In a geologic sense, the islands are young, yet they appear ancient. The largest animals native to this archipelago are giant tortoises, which can live for more than a century. These are the creatures that provided Darwin with the flash of imagination that led to his theory of evolution.'

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Latest reply was from ManidipaM

cheryle (Dianthus)

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I took a pic this morning but didn't have time to load it before leaving for work.

I can't wait to see the outfits. The rest of the week has resulted in such interesting and varied looks. Thanks for coordinating this challenge Bella. I have found that having an inspiration picture has made choosing an outfit a much different experience and feel I have learned from it.

Sarah A

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Ill post the first pic! Today was the hardest day of the challenge for me. I do not have any of these warm buttery tones or dark gray greens. So I choose to go with all white and add a gold belt and bronze shoes to evoke the warm colors and reflective shimmery water. I added the jade necklace to be the line of turtles and brown bag to pick up more of the warmish tan in the photo. Fun week, thanks for organizing, Bella!

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Kari

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My outfit was really more inspired by the photo rather than an interpretation of the original - it's a lot less literal than some of my other challenge outfits.

My first thought was about the shapes that the photo evokes. The tortoises are all arranged in a wavy linear fashion as if they are following one another, which made me think about evoking lines and curves in my outfit. I also thought about the build of a tortoise/turtle inside its shell, which made me think of layering up - especially around the neck and cuffs. Finally, the tranquil haze of the black and white photo inspired me to tone down the brights that I've been sporting lately.

Here's what I came up with: eggplant and white striped Bailey44 dress over a collared chambray blouse, double-cuffed; black waistcoat left open; silver chain and leaf necklace; simple gray pumps.

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ManidipaM

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I love turtles and tortoises, and found this particular photo the hardest of all to style! Difficult colours to find in wardrobe. While I could think of several ways to wear this inspiration, those ways were all outside my wardrobe contents.

What I came up with:
Fluid black harem pants --- for the wrinkly necks and the fluid shapes on the surface of the pond (scum?)
Taupe/grey tunic over pink camisole --- I wanted some sort of layering to represent the critters peeking out of their shells
Coin-chain necklace --- to represent the 'chain' of tortoises winding away in an arc, the gleam of their wet shells and the roughness of the circular patterns on them
Blush-pink lightweight scarf in chequered pattern --- to suggest the colour of the sky and the geometry of the shells
...fastened with small turtle pin
Black leather bag that can curl up into handheld size or stretch into sizeable shoulder bag --- for the matte shells, leathery skins and the animals' ability to curling in on themselves and become compact, or stretch out for activity.
Silver and shell earrings --- the hexagonal/circular shape of the 'ring' recalls the pattern of the tortoiseshell to me, and incidentally, the heads of their close cousins the snapping turtles make up the silver tops of the earrings
Tortoiseshell hair grip -- forgot to photograph back of my head!

In an un-challenged life, I'd probably leave off either the necklace or the earrings. I feel a little overdressed here and not happy with my proportions (tunic needs slim leggings) --- but I can't say I didn't have fun putting it all together!

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Transcona Shannon

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Keep 'em coming ladies - these are fab so far!

ManidipaM

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Wow! Kari and Sarah, waving to similar thinkers --- the bead necklace and the layering. Amazing how different our outfits all are, isn't it?

That's what amazes me about this kind of challenge --- how people each pick out different aspects of the art to respond to, and turn it to their own individual style. And so Sarah, you privilege the brightness of the sky and the reflective water, while Kari seems to have focused on the darker tones of the shores and the tortoises themselves!

Sarah, I also want to add that I love this white on white look on you, quite apart from the challenge. So very fresh and sporty and bright-white summer, with a crisp, concise selection of neutral accessories. You look BRILLIANT! (I was just hunting for casual style blogs for summer dressing... and there you are!)

Kari, loved how you interpreted the actual shapes rather than getting stuck on the literal turtle motif. Love the concentric bands of your curvy dress --- very apt for the concentric 'stars' on the shells as well as the sinuous line of the reptiles. That IS a handy little magic dress, isn't it? And you wear that colour so very well.

celia

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I think by the end of this challenge we will have more appreciation for the photos and be more instructed in art because we are aggregating all the information that different people take from it.

Ladies all your outfits are brilliant!

Ornella

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Post and run to take the kid to have a long overdue haircut

This outfit evolved from what I originally planned to wear, the wooden necklace in the colors most resembling that of the turtles and the silk blouse. The blouse remained though and I swapped one necklace for the set of metallic ones containing one in the golden color, in order to echo the sky. The remaining bronze and silver necklaces also echo the overall color scheme.

I chose the silk blouse to reflect the serene, silky water. Its rounded hem may also be seen as the element resembling the shape of the turtles' shells The jacket has the colors that are also found in the photograph and I've added the floral pin in what looks like some sort of wildlife print.

I'm only sorry I could not find and photograph a tiny turtle my sister gave me many years ago, it's already packed away for the move, as the turtles on the photograph seem to be arranged in the shape of letter S, which is the first letter of my sister's name. It'll resurface for some other challenge hopefully.

Love the outfits I've glanced over so far!

***

Thanks bella for organizing this!!

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cheryle (Dianthus)

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Interesting that the interpretations are less literal for this inspiration picture.

Sarah, I really like the white with tan elements. It is neutral and has a similar serenity to the inspiration.

Kari, I was thinking along similar lines (and curves) this morning. Nice interpretation.

Manidipa, I think I have enjoyed your commentary almost as much as the pictures this week and that is saying a lot because normally with fashion I am very visual. I really like the elements you have used to reference the inspriation. That necklace is so pretty and you have nailed the proportions in your outfit. You look very cute.

I can't wait to see the rest.

rae

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I was running out of soft colors! At first, I thought this picture was all white and black and gray, but then I noticed that the sky was a bit warm from the dawn. So I pulled out my softer yellow top with gunmetal gray snaps & my gray cropped trench. Dark wash jeans because it is jeans day, but they do have white pinstripes to keep in tone with the picture a little more. Kept yesterday's green bag because turtles are green!

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MsMary

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These are fantastic!

Kari, your sinuous shapes are perfect for the photo!

Sarah, I love your clean take on the scene!

Manidipa, you have completely outdone yourself and everyone else this week, and today is no exception! I love your little turtle pin!

Ornella, SO HAPPY TO HAVE YOU BACK!! LOVE this jacket and pin together!

Rae, love your unusual color combo!

To me the photo evoked blush and brown (although, yeah, I see it's kinda yellow now that you mention it!), so I went with the colors mostly. Also the gold chains in my bracelet, earrings and bag remind me of the "chain" of turtles in the golden water.

Bella, you've done it again! Thanks so much for another fab fun-with-fashion week!!

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Suz

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Wow, gorgeous outfits and wonderful commentary. Sarah, I love you in the white with tan/bronze accents. Terrific! Kari, I liked reading how you arrived at your outfit, which looks serene and peaceful. Manidipa, I'm in awe of your details here. Just wonderful! And the final outfit is calm, restful, and wonderfully evokes the photo. Ornella, you and I had a similar idea - you'll see once I snap my pic! And Rae, love the silky top with the structured jacket.

rae

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Although I was pretty darn literal, I'm loving the less literal interpretations today!

Sarah, your crisp white is just like the sun reflecting off the water, and the browns add the warmth nicely. I would have worn these colors, too, if I'd had the items clean and at hand!

Kari, your vest is like a fashionable turtle shell! Love it with the dress.

Manidipa, your soft colors convey the softness of early morning very well, but I LOVE that it was more inspired by the turtle anatomy!

O, I would not have thought of a shiny top, but it is perfect representation for the water.

MaryK, your pretty golden hair brings some yellow into the equation and goes well with the blush tones - great "rosy dawn" outfit!

Jilly

Love all these outfits, ladies! It's really interesting everyone's different interpretation of the photo. Thanks, Bella, for putting together such a cool challenge.

Astrid

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This wasn't as easy as the other pictures for me, because I don't have really have brown or yellow in my wardrobe. I chose the skirt and button down because they were as similar to the reddish and greenish browns in the picture as possible. The shoes are lighter, for the yellow. I first wanted to wear a certain longer necklace of mine because it reminded me of the turtles, but I couldn't make it work in combination with the belt. The necklace I ended up wearing is one that was in my 'self-made as a child' box. I really think I was ten years old the last time I wore it...

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Diana

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When I looked at this photo, I saw shades of grey, black, beige, and gold. Now we all know I don't do beige, so I went for cream instead. My tank has a houndstooth pattern that reminds me of the tesselating nature of the tortoise shells, and the slightly splashy pattern of differently toned neutrals suggests the watercolory nature of the layers of landscape in the background. My gold cuff bracelet is reflective like the water and golden like the sky in the photo. A slightly rugged leather jacket is suggestive of the tortoises' leather skins.

Tulle bolero, Anthro tank, w118 skirt, Born oxfords, Ariane Arazi cuff, gifted agate bangle, Levi's moto jacket.

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Diana

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Sarah, your "line of tortoises" necklace is such a clever idea!

Kari, love the concept of layering up inside a "shell" like a turtle. I like how you've echoed the curving line of tortoises too.

Manidipa, you have THE BEST JEWELRY. Seriously, you seemed to have the perfect accessories for every day of this challenge, and today is no exception.

Ornelia, I love the layered necklaces and the whole color scheme here is perfect.

Rae, grellow! Fab color combo, and i like it with the green turtle bag. I think I used up all my soft colors this week too!

MaryK, I definitely see the "first blush of dawn" connotation here.

Astrid, how fun that you got to pull out your childhood handmade necklace! I definitely see the line of turtles in the stones.

ManidipaM

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Ornella, Rae, Diana --- so amused to note that turtles *do* make leather jackets look all the rage!

Ornella, love the textures and rounded shapes of your jacket and the trim on your shoes, the silky blouse with the fluidity and sheen of water as well as the brightening of the sky.

Rae, you're so right --- I didn't see the yellow at all until you pointed it out, you clever thing!

MaryK, you're as bright and serene as the morning itself. Loving how both you and Astrid interpreted the texture in the photo as plaid.

Astrid, let me first say that you were far more talented at 10 than I was at 20,when it comes to stringing beads! Love the warmth of your outfit --- it reflects a certain sense of coziness and security from the image --- and the subtle sheen and pattern of the beads, so like tortoiseshell.

Speaking of which, Diana, your interpretation of the tessellation is fabulous, both in agate and printed fabric! And YAY for rocking a casual maxi skirt! LOVE this look on you, and wish I could wear it with half the flair. WOW!

Suz

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Wow, Diana, love the patterns and mix of colours! And Astrid, look at your clever necklace!

MaryK - the photo evoked something similar for us, I think.

My first impression was sepia. And I don't do beige, tan, gold, or very much brown. So this was a challenge. But I got a profoundly "old-timey" feel from the photo. Then I thought about the rounded shapes.

And somehow I started seeing myself as a girl reporter, in my taupe glen plaid jacket with its rounded, antique gold buttons and its curved lapels and neckline. My black dress echoed the darks in the photo (and it also has a curved neckline). My Doc Marcies added to the old-fashioned air. And my looped necklace with antique gold and glass is meant to evoke the shiny water.

Please excuse the picture that seems to be growing out of my head here and the slightly awkward pose. I still need to work on the best place in the house for photos. We have small rooms and the angles are all wrong!

Thanks, Bella, once again, for such a wonderful challenge. It is always a pleasure and an education to participate in these!

ETA: added a few pics with my new glasses, just back from the optician! They seemed to go with the mood and the outfit.

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ManidipaM

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Suz, those buttons makes the coolest cabal of turtles ever! Loving the antique and retro details --- so right for Galapagos.

goldenpig

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I think this picture is my favorite for the week--DH and I went to the Galapagos six years ago (our last big trip before we had kids) and went on a liveaboard boat diving with hammerhead and whale sharks and taking land tours to see all the amazing animals like the tortoises. It was an amazing trip, the trip of a lifetime! We hope to go there again someday with the kids when they are older.

I initially didn't think I would be able to come up with anything good for this photo but it turned out to be one of my favorites! I used a $1 H&M bracelet as the basis for this outfit--the big teal blocks remind me of the string of tortoises lying in the water. The chunky leopard and gold necklace also reminds me of the tortoise shells. Then the Lafayette 148 leather and tweed skirt reminds me of the mud they're lying in, and the White House Black Market gold satin blouse reminds me of the shimmery golden lake. The L148 cognac leather jacket and Timberland Stratham Heights cognac boots go well with the earthy color scheme and the Fossil purse I picked because the teal accents echo the teal colored bracelet (I'm matchy matchy that way--I thought the teal bracelet would look out of place all by itself). I really like how it looks all together and especially since I was able to use this blouse in a new outfit (I bought it with my pindot suit and kept thinking of it as part of that "set", so it's great to have some new options for it). And #7 is a pic of how it looks without the jacket on top.

Thanks to everyone that has commented (I hope to have time to go back and comment on other's photos this weekend when I have more time to savor everyone else's photos)! And thanks to Bella for a fun challenge and all the ladies that participated--love the fashion inspiration!

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Suz

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GP - that is an INSPIRED outfit. You really are in your element, both literally and metaphorically! The colours are "your" colours and the fact that you have travelled there just makes it all the more special. This is one to keep in your cookbook forever.

ETA: COOK book?

Honestly, I wrote LOOK book! This machine keeps correcting my non-mistakes!

CocoLion

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GP I think you captured the colors and textures brilliantly!

Suz and Ornella both of you look elegant and beautiful.

Rae the buttons on your jacket remind me of the backs of the tortoises in the picture.

Sarah you are smashing in white.

Manidipa your outfit has a relaxed feel like the creatures themselves are.

Which brings me to my outfit -- the vibe in this picture is so chillaxed! So that's what I went for. I kept the colors neutral out of respect to the tortoises.

Actually it's hard for me to post this without a smile. I wanted to lie down in the picture but couldn't pose within the 10 seconds of the self-timer.

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Jjsloane

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This was the hardest for me due to the colors and season ( I would have no problems doing this in winter, but today was 80's) I focused on the murky grey green as well in my Caslon jacket, added j crew yellow button down and Jag jeans, my Necklace also reminded me of the circle of turtles as some of the beads are even faceted like them.
I changed at the last minute due to some annoying blouse gapping I could not control and switched to a striped top and golden yellow tie front vest (which I hated once I got to work).
Wonderful to see everyone so enthusiastic and creative. Thank you again Bella, these challenges are truly highlights of my time on YLF.

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Girl X

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As usual for me, I went pretty literal with my look

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Suz

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Oooh, love your turtles, Girl X! Didn't there used to be an ad like that? Ooooh, love my turtles...

JJ - I think you look very nice in both outfits, but I had to laugh at your report. I have had those days, too. You think you're improving things with the second attempt but then feel annoyed with it all day! I guess it's because the challenges do force us to stretch ourselves, a good thing—but can be inconvenient when we are rushing.

Speaking for myself, I was annoyed with my Doc Marcies all day. And I love those shoes. It was too warm for them and the tongue kept wandering, and they left marks on my legs, and when I got home from my errands I ripped off the hose and shoes and threw on some flats that were decidedly not in keeping with the pic.

And Denise, you get the prize for the most personal interpretation! You look like fun! The living embodiment of a style evolution...

Anonymous

These are incredible everyone. Thank you so much for sharing your interpretations of this beautiful photograph!

Vicki

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On the run in a few minutes, so I'm making a brief post here. These are muted, somber colors and from my pre-YLF days, which have brightened considerably. I loved this moody image and have deep love and respect for all living creatures.

The skirt is a suede Elie Tahari with crocheted elements
"Turtleneck" (^_^) is RL in a heathered brown
Oroblu fishnets with metallic Franco Sarto pumps
Plastic "bronze metallic" necklace (and light as a feather!).

Thank you, Bella, for conceiving of this challenge and to everyone else "taking nature on" for this week, it was really a lot of fun participating with you and I always learn something from everyone's combined effort!

ETA:

It was a nice warm Southern California day here today, so the last three photos show what I really wore for the entire day.

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Amy

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With my outfit today, I tried to mimic the warm tones of the photo. I also wore a beaded bracelet, which had some beads on it roughly the same color and shape as those turtle shells. I should have photographed it, but was in a rush.

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