I'm really not yet feeling sure of myself when it comes to style, shopping, trends, organizing, fit or proportion. But let me tell you where YLF has helped me most...

In my 20s, I loved fashion. Almost 6ft tall and a size 6/8, I found that fashion loved me , in return I had great fun with clothes and my looks on a limited budget. For a few years, I lived in New York where I was constantly delighted and encouraged by those around me.

In my early 30s, some terrible life events and health issues hit all at once. I put on a lot of weight, mourned and lost interest in life in general. Then, I moved to Paris where not only were there few clothes that fit my size 14/16 body, but I encountered many people who were extremely judgy about style - not necessarily mine, but just making rude, snide comments about those who dressed in a way they didn't find elegant/ appealing/ cool (Angie - I read your comment about this not being your experience in France and I believe you and honour your experience. However, I can assure you that I had my fill of it during my years in Europe.... this included some travel elsewhere in Europe, too) Until my 30s, fashion had been a source of joy but suddenly I felt excluded, rejected by it and people who cared about fashion were no longer sources of inspiration but potential "mean-girls."

Anyway, YLF has helped me slowly revive my interest in fashion. While most magazines imply that style is for size 2, 19 year-olds, YLF shows me that it's for any age, any size, any income. There are many snobby, dismissive fashionistas in the world but none at YLF. Here, Angie has created a community that single-handedly renewed my belief in truly stylish women who want to help other women succeed and look great.

I'm a single mother of a glorious 22 month-old toddler. I haven't even had my hair trimmed since January 2015 and 2 weeks ago, I lost my wallet with almost $900 dollars in it, so I suspect I won't be getting a hair cut (or buying many clothes) any time soon. But, I'm loving loving loving the few chances I get to read this blog, and see all of you guide and support and cheer each other. That's the (long-winded) lesson that YLF has re-taught me; true style is kind and inclusive, never impolite or hurtful.

Thanks, Angie & Greg (& Wee Sam)

Wow Mac, that is a very touching and inspiring story.

As for me, apart from all the lessons mentioned on this thread and previously, I have learned to appreciate a piece of clothing for how it fits in an outfit rather than just as an object in on its own.

I have learned so much in the 7 months I have been following this blog. The posts that others have shared summarize much of what I have learned. If I were to choose one thing, I think it would be that it is important to respect and acknowledge every member's fashion journey because this is a wonderful way of expressing one's creativity, passion, and love.

YLF has been a great learning experience for me. Angie, Greg and Inge have created a supportive forum to learn from each other.
I came to YLF pretty confident with my fashion sense. I tended to dabble in the fringes and wasn't concerned with being "out there" on occasion. I did feel like I wanted to explore fashion and style more. I had more time to do this because I had retired and so I started looking at blogs on the internet.
The best style lessons I have learnt (this might change if you ask me tomorrow) are in no particular order:

Bookending. I always matched my shoes to my pants or skirts (rare for me). Now I am considering footwear to match my hair and/or eyes. I think I might buy bronze/gold shoes or green if I can find a pair I like.

Never say never. I swore I would never wear skinny jeans. Never would my body get into a pair of skinny jeans. BF jeans for me. I felt I looked like an ice cream cone in skinny jeans. I now own skinny jeans. Not sausage skinny but skinny.

Set style goals at the beginning of the year. Write them down. I did colour analysis and Kibbe. I write goals for everything else in my life (part time work, yoga, etc.). This has really helped me set a direction for buying new pieces of clothing. I use to be more intuitive when I shopped. Sometimes it went well. Sometimes it didn't.

There are probably more but that is what comes to mind right now.

Great question, I think I would answer it differently every six months because I keep learning something new!

1. Pay attention to the shoulder-neck-point. I look best when it's covered because of my long neck.
2. All about drape - and why I am better off without too much of it most of the time.
3. Fit - not to be confused with drape above, also not good for me if too loose or baggy.
4. The difference between an essential and a basic.
5. All about contrast! Remember that! Lol
6. How to create and use style adjectives and put them to use.
7. How helpful a forum can be when you need to revamp your closet!!!
There's more but that's what comes to mind the quickest!

Thanks Angie! Thanks Greg!

I learn so much every day here, both from Angie and the other Fabbers. Probably my top lessons learned are:

1) Have fun with fashion. I tend to be very analytical and practical about my wardrobe, so it's good to lighten up a little.

2) Choose how I want something to fit, as per Angie's blog post yesterday:
I'm the boss!

3) Style fan has just prompted this one: book-ending. I love the cohesive look this can give to an outfit.

It's been 7 years for me as well. I'll echo everything April said already. And add...

Proportion is a huge one, especially for those of us who are petite. I've learned that I can wear virtually any style, as long as the proportion and fit is right. I can create the illusion of a pear shape or hourglass shape etc as the whim may strike. And that while I may be petite, I actually do not have short legs -- my legs are proportionately average. This is huge for me as I got teased growing up for my supposedly "stubby" legs, and I grew up with a mom who's a pear and a sister who's an hourglass, and so I believed that was what a woman was supposed to look like, rather than an IT apple with scrawny hips and barely defined waist. Actually, YLF helped me find my waist -- it's just up higher -- and showed me how to accentuate it, then later on, to surrender it because why not.

Capsule dressing was a godsend, especially when I took on this new job with all the travel. I no longer check bags or haul around a bag that's weighted down with too many shoes and clothes that go unworn.

Learning the power of "third piece" -- a topper or accessory - to elevate a simple outfit. Huge! I never wore scarves or belts before YLF. I've never had more fun with handbags either! And these things always fit and are easy to find. And now my wardrobe just will not function without the critical jean jacket, leather jacket, blazer, or cardigan.

Incorporating color, texture, shine, pattern into an outfit. If I want to wear all black, it will work if I add some texture and shine... and a pop of white somewhere livens it up.

Learning why I don't like some clothing items like jeans or starchy button downs. It's not just because I find them uncomfortable, it's because my body type is more soft than angular. So I roll with it and choose softer more flowing clothing that moves and stretches, like a silk blouse instead of a button down. Or I wear ponte knit pants and then add denim on top to casual it up.

Disguising my midsection! Patterned tops that flow out away from my belly, then either half tuck or cinch in with a cardigan buttoned just once to create an X.

It's not only okay, it's preferable, to keep the makeup routine simple and minimal. I stopped trying to wear eye shadow and eye liner (always looked goofy on me as my eyes are hooded) or blush (don't need it as my face is naturally red) and have never looked back. Moisturizer, light foundation, mascara, and lipstick is all I need.

Embracing the colors that flatter my skin tone (murky tones), rather than wishing I could wear yellow and orange.

The best lesson of all? Seeing real women wearing real clothes. I'd rather spend my time browsing the WiW's here, than reading a fashion magazine.

Ginger, I'm glad my comment resonated with you.
It is a lot of fun to read all your comments.

What a great question! An occasion to refresh the memory and remember what's key. It occurs to me, right off the bat, that YLF provides both direct lessons and opportunity to develop muscle in those areas. Both are invaluable.

Ok. Some random highlights in my mind.

1. Formulas. The Mother On The Go (MOTG) outfits are what drew me in - the concept of outfit formulas. This really helped me wrap my mind around clothing in a more deliberate way. It also helped me to think about clothing in more well-drawn categories. Before I'd think 'tops' (i.e., way too general) or 'my lace-edged striped top with peter pan collar (i.e., way too specific) (and no, I never really owned such a monstrous shirt, that was just metaphorical, hehe ).
2. Find Your Version. YLF taught me a collared button down isn't always an oxford. There are different ways to execute. YLF really taught me to see better, expand my field of view.
3. Fabric. I feel I've learned quite about fabric and the qualities that characterise fabrics and how they affect fit and function. Like the miracle of wool in winter and what the layers are, exactly, when layering for the cold. (Hey man, I'm a California girl. I know nothing. Lol.)
4. SYC - Shop Your Closet. Before YLF, there would be times I'd ignore my whole closet and just go shopping if I got an idea for an outfit. Once something went in, I'd stop paying attention to it in a way. Could be American Consumerism and/or the American preference for The New. Could also be that I was often looking outside myself, never in (... well, isn't that typical, hehe *it wasn't me*).
5. Focus. I've learned to focus more on my own style. Fashion is so much fun to me. I love experimenting. But that did mean a lot of fun outfits and not much to wear. Part of it, though, may be I get my fix by living vicariously through other YLF'ers when it comes to other styles. (Y'all are my crutch, peeps. Don't leave me! Lol)
6. Assess how you spend your time - and balance your wardrobe accordingly. Right. So *I need* a dressy capsule. I don't need a dressy capsule that's bigger than my dog-walking capsule. Right.

YLF has kept me current with styles, aware of what flatters me, and taught me the power of makeup.

This thread is a treasure trove of YLF wisdom!! And definitely, thanks Team Angie for creating such an informative, welcoming and fun space

Rachylou, those MOTG formulas are what got me too!!

What a fabulous thread, Torontogirl! Thank you! It makes for great reading.

Smittie, your comment about trends really resonated with me also. I used to think that following trends was just plain dumb, but now I see it as a great way to update a (mainly classic) wardrobe and show awareness of what is going on in the world.

I've learned oh so many lessons from YLF, but chief among them would be that fashion doesn't have to be a closed club. We can all enjoy adorning ourselves.

And -- while it may sound like a contradiction -- dressing for one's actual life circumstances is a path towards genuine personal style.

Since YLF I am much more deliberate in my purchases. Previously, if I liked something and it fit well, I would buy it. Now I think -
1. When and where will I wear this?
2. Do I already have something that is the same/similar to this?
3. What do I have in my wardrobe that is going to work with this?
Taking the time to reflect has stopped me from buying too many dressy items when my lifestyle has become much more casual since a change in job.

Although I bat for team dressy, YLF has taught me that a polished casual look is possible (Angie is the epitome of this). I have enjoyed steering my wardrobe into more casual territory that better suits my lifestyle. I now have more satisfaction with my personal style than when I was constrained by the requirements of working in a formal corporate environment. I have rediscovered the fun in fashion!