https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/%e2%80%9cbust-up%e2%80%9d-vs-whole-body-dressing Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Tue, 21 Apr 2026 02:26:50 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/%e2%80%9cbust-up%e2%80%9d-vs-whole-body-dressing/page/2#post-1921267 Mon, 21 May 2018 23:21:04 +0000 Anonymous 1921267@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>As gryffin said. &nbsp;My footwear is every bit as important as anything else I wear - every single day of the week, as is my bag, my pedicure colour, etc etc etc. I can't imagine dressing from the waist up - unless I sat behind a newsdesk on-camera. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/%e2%80%9cbust-up%e2%80%9d-vs-whole-body-dressing/page/2#post-1921263 Mon, 21 May 2018 23:09:02 +0000 Anonymous 1921263@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you for bringing this point up, Jessikams! &nbsp;A couple of times recently, when I have been at an event where I was seated at a table for pretty much the entire evening, I've felt very drab and under-accessorized. &nbsp;My style is somewhat restrained, and I often depend on shoes, belt, etc. to add interest to an outfit. &nbsp;You've helped me realize that I need to train myself that for a seated event I should perhaps wear a shorter, bolder necklace or bigger earrings and/or an extra bracelet or two compared to what I would normally choose. &nbsp;As well as putting more emphasis on wearing a particularly flattering color on top. &nbsp;Even though the outfit might look a touch "unbalanced" in full length view, it would probably be better suited to the particular occasion. &nbsp;</p> <p>Also, this conversation reminded me of the female news broadcaster who always wears jeans and sneakers with her conservative suit jacket. &nbsp;You never see the casual pieces when she is on air, but she dresses the same for outside appearances and it always cracks me up - in a good way!&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/%e2%80%9cbust-up%e2%80%9d-vs-whole-body-dressing/page/2#post-1921137 Mon, 21 May 2018 14:15:34 +0000 3style 1921137@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I sometimes read Imogene at inside out style. As far as portrait area emphasis, her blog articles helped me realize that my subtle blond highlights had gradually turned into unflattering bottle blond, and that I needed to get a substantial haircut so that my hair would be in better harmony with the rest of me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/%e2%80%9cbust-up%e2%80%9d-vs-whole-body-dressing/page/2#post-1918935 Sun, 13 May 2018 08:58:03 +0000 Bijou 1918935@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Team head to toe for me! Like Aida, I dress mainly for myself and like to think that the whole look works together. I do like to dress for comfort too, so anything that is uncomfortable or fussy is unlikely to be worn, this is especially relevant for footwear. I guess I like to think that I don't have to compromise on either criteria. I want clothing that makes me feel good as well as comfort - from head to toe! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/%e2%80%9cbust-up%e2%80%9d-vs-whole-body-dressing/page/2#post-1918931 Sun, 13 May 2018 08:51:31 +0000 Jessikams 1918931@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes, exactly— this is all about emphasis. Where we want to draw others’ attention, or where we want to lavish our own attention on a particular day! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/%e2%80%9cbust-up%e2%80%9d-vs-whole-body-dressing/page/2#post-1918756 Sat, 12 May 2018 14:06:45 +0000 gryffin 1918756@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Everyone I'm terribly sorry if I was not articulate and you misconstrued my comments and thought I was judging in any way.&nbsp; That is never my intent.&nbsp; Perhaps I did not understand the question.&nbsp; &nbsp;If the question was about placing emphasis alone then I misconstrued, and I'm very sorry for the confusion.&nbsp; Also&nbsp;my style is minimalist, simple and quiet - so my opinion may also not be relevant. But there was no judgement intended.&nbsp; I wear extremely simple minimalist pieces.&nbsp; Sarah like you I often wear black leggings and black skirted leggings - extremely simply bottoms.&nbsp; I do not think simple implies that we have not dressed our lower halves with care, flattery or elegance.&nbsp; I also agree it's important to put the emphasis on what we want seen and where we want people to focus.&nbsp; What I was trying to say, obviously badly, for which I am terribly sorry (if you read my comments I try never to be less than positive and it is never my intent to judge), is that I personally dress all of me - even though parts of my outfit may be quiet, understated- even forgettable.&nbsp; But I do it with care and all my pieces focal or background give me pleasure from my head to my toes, from inside to out, so I feel polished no matter where I put the emphasis. I hope that makes sense. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/%e2%80%9cbust-up%e2%80%9d-vs-whole-body-dressing/page/2#post-1918696 Sat, 12 May 2018 11:09:57 +0000 jussie 1918696@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>just wanted to add, when I’m in a rush I think a scarf and some earrings can carry me through. And I agree with Imogen from inside out style- dressing the “portrait area” is a fab technique :). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/%e2%80%9cbust-up%e2%80%9d-vs-whole-body-dressing/page/2#post-1918693 Sat, 12 May 2018 10:27:38 +0000 The Cat 1918693@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>gryffin, I must admit that I find your comment rather prejudging. I suppose you hadn't read the comments by Liesbeth and me, which might have helped you understand others' viewpoints a little bit better ...</p> <p>gryffin, SarahD8, Jessikams and others, dressing "bust-up" (perhaps better known as "dressing your portrait area") doesn't need to mean that you are fooling others or are neglecting the rest of your body. Rather, among stylists and fabbers it usually means that you are dressing your body in a flattering way AND concentrating on creating a face focus-- an effective strategy, for several reasons. Imogen at insideoutstyleblog.com has given wise advice about this concept several times. Take a look at this: <a href="https://insideoutstyleblog.com/2016/04/if-youre-looking-in-my-eyes-youre-not-looking-at-my-thighs.html" rel="nofollow">https://insideoutstyleblog.com.....highs.html</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/%e2%80%9cbust-up%e2%80%9d-vs-whole-body-dressing/page/2#post-1918520 Fri, 11 May 2018 16:58:22 +0000 3style 1918520@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've got&nbsp; a pink round face and a super short waist, wide hips and super long and skinny legs. If I don't dress my whole body, I tend to feel like I'm doing a human imitation of a pink flamingo!&nbsp;</p> <p>My mother, on the other hand grew up unable to almost ever find large enough shoes or long enough pants (back in the Ukraine). Although she is here in the states now for 40 years now, she definitely is super keen on scarves, hats, eyeglasses/ sunglasses frames, purses, and the like, and pretty much ignores the bottom half.... When I was a kid and midi skirts were in, that style worked for her, but now she tends to feel like dresses look better than skirts, but that dresses are mostly too formal for her everyday style.She will sometimes wear simple beach midi or maxi dresses.&nbsp;</p> <p>Honestly her style can drive me a little bit batty, because I want to go fix everything, but I am grateful that when I was growing up she always bought me the best quality she could afford, and made sure my shoes were comfortable.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/%e2%80%9cbust-up%e2%80%9d-vs-whole-body-dressing/page/2#post-1918506 Fri, 11 May 2018 16:07:53 +0000 Katerina 1918506@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting question! I wear a column of black often and that includes black trousers and shoes and the colors, patterns, jewelry, scarves are used to draw attention to my face. However, I care about having nice black footwear, perfect length trousers etc. I also love to add colorful bags, although at work, my bag is usually sitting by my desk. I don´t know if this qualifies as whole body dressing, but I guess it still does.<br />Lately, I started to try to incorporate also interesting shoes and bottoms and thinking more about the whole outfits from toe to top. For me, it is the YLF effect - I make more effort, take pictures and analyse in a whole new way. I am shifting more towards the real whole body dressing. Thanks to the inspiration and knowledge I get here from Angie and the Fabbers.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/%e2%80%9cbust-up%e2%80%9d-vs-whole-body-dressing/page/2#post-1918491 Fri, 11 May 2018 15:38:08 +0000 SarahD8 1918491@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>gryffin</b>, I take your overall point about the importance of dressing for oneself, but I disagree that the "bust-up" strategy necessarily represents trying to fool others or oneself. I think sometimes the strategy that <b>jessikams</b> describes is about figuring out the most effective way to deploy limited resources of time, money, or space (i.e., in a suitcase -- I often see "tabletop dressing" advocated as a strategy for travel).&nbsp;</p> <p>Personally I do think about the whole outfit, but lately I find myself drawn to very simple, basic, neutral clothing on the bottom half (mostly jeans without embellishment or distressing; plain ponte leggings; or skirted leggings). So most of the interest in my outfit is in the top half -- pattern and texture mixing with top and topper; jewelry; scarves. It doesn't mean I don't respect myself! It's just what I'm into in this phase of my style journey. (I do still appreciate a really nice/quirky/interesting shoe, though.) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/%e2%80%9cbust-up%e2%80%9d-vs-whole-body-dressing/page/2#post-1918474 Fri, 11 May 2018 13:48:27 +0000 gryffin 1918474@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>jessikams - doesn't this beg the question - "who are you dressing for?"&nbsp; I dress for me.&nbsp; I would feel fake, undone, incomplete if I dressed for what is seen.&nbsp; It's like ratty, holey undies under a designer suit.&nbsp; Who are you fooling and how would that make you feel.&nbsp; Like surface cleaning your home, you can fool others but you can never fool yourself.&nbsp; Team whole body/team whole life/team real and authentic.&nbsp; I do what I do for me, because I can never fool myself.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/%e2%80%9cbust-up%e2%80%9d-vs-whole-body-dressing/page/2#post-1918350 Fri, 11 May 2018 01:39:47 +0000 Echo 1918350@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Whole body, without a doubt. Indeed, I often put more thought into my shoes and THEN the rest of my outfit than the other way around! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/%e2%80%9cbust-up%e2%80%9d-vs-whole-body-dressing/page/2#post-1918336 Fri, 11 May 2018 00:05:36 +0000 Aida 1918336@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Head-to-toe here, regardless of whether the lower half will be seen or not. I dress to feel happy for myself and that means the whole package. That said I do tend to dress in ways that highlight my hair (and face too, I guess ). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/%e2%80%9cbust-up%e2%80%9d-vs-whole-body-dressing/page/2#post-1918070 Thu, 10 May 2018 12:51:42 +0000 cindysmith 1918070@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Whole body most days. However, when I have to work, I concentrate on the top half, because the bottom half is just going to get covered in dirt and produce drippings (seriously, I even wind up with produce in my shoes some days) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/%e2%80%9cbust-up%e2%80%9d-vs-whole-body-dressing/page/2#post-1918048 Thu, 10 May 2018 09:23:37 +0000 Mainelady 1918048@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Whole body here. Sometimes on a jeans day, I pay more attention to polishing up my top half, but I still make shoe and bag choices that will enhance my overall comfort and appearance. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/%e2%80%9cbust-up%e2%80%9d-vs-whole-body-dressing#post-1918047 Thu, 10 May 2018 09:22:21 +0000 rachylou 1918047@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have been thinking about this and feel maybe I go even further: often wearing pattern on the bottom and doing solids on top. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/%e2%80%9cbust-up%e2%80%9d-vs-whole-body-dressing#post-1918041 Thu, 10 May 2018 08:42:51 +0000 Liesbeth 1918041@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Like the cat, I think both have their place. I don’t neglect everything below bust, but I focus on my top half to ‘draw the eye upwards’; being a pear shape on the verge of petite I don’t like to draw attention to my hips or feet but wear generally dark colors and simple styles below. So I do think of my outfit as a whole, but ‘embellishing’ from the bust up is second nature to me. When I go to a sit down dinner, I amp it up a notch and would choose a necklace or earrings over a statement bag, belt or shoes anytime. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/%e2%80%9cbust-up%e2%80%9d-vs-whole-body-dressing#post-1918012 Thu, 10 May 2018 02:36:32 +0000 Jaime 1918012@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Definitely head to toe - I am always moving around even at a desk job. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/%e2%80%9cbust-up%e2%80%9d-vs-whole-body-dressing#post-1917998 Thu, 10 May 2018 02:02:32 +0000 Jessikams 1917998@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>So many interesting points here. The importance of grooming the HANDS, oh my (something I always forget). The handbag and whether it is carried or put in a desk drawer. Presenting as a head on a podium, or interacting with the audience. Shoes to be seen or shoes to walk or drive in. We all have different requirements in our lives! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/%e2%80%9cbust-up%e2%80%9d-vs-whole-body-dressing#post-1917958 Wed, 09 May 2018 23:34:05 +0000 Sal 1917958@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I also think of the whole body....</p> <p>The one time I can think where I focussed on top half was for a corporate photo when I wore a top and jacket that worked with jeans that I know did not work!!&nbsp; The photo was a head and shoulders shot only. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/%e2%80%9cbust-up%e2%80%9d-vs-whole-body-dressing#post-1917947 Wed, 09 May 2018 22:56:00 +0000 SW Ann 1917947@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm dressed from head to toe unless I'm really sick.&nbsp; I used to do motivational speaking, and no podium.&nbsp; I walked the audience and everyone noticed every detail of what I wore....it has stuck with me and I feel best when I am completely dressed.&nbsp; Because I know, even if no one else notices..... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/%e2%80%9cbust-up%e2%80%9d-vs-whole-body-dressing#post-1917917 Wed, 09 May 2018 21:07:05 +0000 Ledonna N. 1917917@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I heard it referred to as table top dressing.  </p> <p>I am a whole body dresser but have those days when I just need a great top and jeans.  I guess I'm really dressed down for work jeans boots gym shoes and polo shirt that I tend to do the whole thing after work. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/%e2%80%9cbust-up%e2%80%9d-vs-whole-body-dressing#post-1917891 Wed, 09 May 2018 19:40:11 +0000 The Cat 1917891@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Team both. Do think of your outfit as a whole, but pay special attention to what you wear around your face--make sure to wear flattering colours and materials for tops, scarves, necklaces, earrings, glasses, hats, etc. For example, many people will choose a column of colour in black, and this may be an elegant choice. But black might look a bit harsh against your colouring, so if this is the case, you will be wise to soften the black by wearing items in more flattering colours near your face--for instance, items in your best metallic, or white, offwhite, soft pastels or your eye colour, skin colour or lip colour. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/%e2%80%9cbust-up%e2%80%9d-vs-whole-body-dressing#post-1917801 Wed, 09 May 2018 16:10:59 +0000 LaPed 1917801@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Whole body for me. I'm on my feet a lot, and don't work at a desk at all. When I give public performances, it pretty much never involves a podium, just a mic (if that). Event dressing is usually holiday mixers for DH's work or outdoor weddings -- lots of standing/walking. Finding shoes that look good and are comfortable for hours of standing/walking is, I'd say, my biggest challenge style-wise.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/%e2%80%9cbust-up%e2%80%9d-vs-whole-body-dressing#post-1917782 Wed, 09 May 2018 15:31:01 +0000 Suz 1917782@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Team whole body. &nbsp;I can't even imagine dressing from the bust up! I'm out walking all the time -- if people see me, they see me that way.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/%e2%80%9cbust-up%e2%80%9d-vs-whole-body-dressing#post-1917781 Wed, 09 May 2018 15:31:01 +0000 Diana 1917781@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Whole body for me. &nbsp;I don't want to be limited by feeling like I can't be seen from the waist down. &nbsp;Plus I walk around all the time. &nbsp;Same reason why I won't wear sitting shoes any more - I don't want to be limited by whether and where I can or can't walk. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/%e2%80%9cbust-up%e2%80%9d-vs-whole-body-dressing#post-1917748 Wed, 09 May 2018 14:36:08 +0000 Sara L. 1917748@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Whole body for me, especially since I'm a shoe person.&nbsp; However, I will take extra care with my hands when I know I'm going to be spending most of my time sitting at a dinner or bar.&nbsp; I'll make sure my nails are painted and wear a statement ring or bracelets since in those situations hands are noticed. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/%e2%80%9cbust-up%e2%80%9d-vs-whole-body-dressing#post-1917743 Wed, 09 May 2018 14:31:40 +0000 Angie 1917743@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Not in my world. I walk around a lot as a fashion stylist - which INCLUDES the bag. I focus on head to toe.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/%e2%80%9cbust-up%e2%80%9d-vs-whole-body-dressing#post-1917692 Wed, 09 May 2018 13:11:19 +0000 BrieN 1917692@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I dress for the whole body except when I know there will be photos taken--even casual occasions. I am heaviest at my bust, shoulders and arms and will try to wear something very flattering (darker, streamlined) for those 3 points as they are always in the photos even if it doesn't do much for the rest of the outfit. </p>