YouLookFab Forum » Topic: 2025/2026

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: 2025/2026 https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/20252026-1 Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Tue, 21 Apr 2026 06:11:21 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php Suz on "2025/2026" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/20252026-1#post-2404599 Mon, 26 Jan 2026 17:24:30 +0000 Suz 2404599@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Yes, you might want to drill into that word "edgy" a bit. I'm not sure it's precisely what you are after, or what would work for you, unless you are thinking of Angie's "soft edge." <a rel="nofollow" href="https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/epiphany-new-style-describing-term">https://youlookfab.com/welookf.....ibing-term</a> <a rel="nofollow" href="https://youlookfab.com/2017/05/09/preppy-stripe-with-soft-edge/">https://youlookfab.com/2017/05.....soft-edge/</a> <a rel="nofollow" href="https://youlookfab.com/2015/05/18/flares-with-ladylike-soft-edge/">https://youlookfab.com/2015/05.....soft-edge/</a> DonnaF on "2025/2026" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/20252026-1#post-2404492 Sun, 25 Jan 2026 17:46:48 +0000 DonnaF 2404492@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Chris; I’m trying to figure out what *edgy* would look like for you since you want to avoid black. Maybe burgundy or dark olive? I have decided that black combat boots are *Essentials* for me that edge up any outfit and am waiting for my current two black pairs of combat boots to wear out so I can buy Doc Marten Jadons. Not your style at all so I am trying to figure out what would work for you. Chris987 on "2025/2026" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/20252026-1#post-2404417 Sat, 24 Jan 2026 19:11:54 +0000 Chris987 2404417@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ ...just catching up ... No progress yet on the hair ideas but thanks for all the suggestions And I do plan to build a mood board (probably Pinterest) ... thanks for that suggestion.  kkards - I do have one piece by Johnny Was, but most of the prints are a bit too bright for me. Nice designs though. Roberta - you hit the nail on the head about bouncing between "it's OK to wear something special less often" with "a solid color will go with everything!". I guess for me I'd like to be comfortable with BOTH. Ummlila - I try very hard to "get jeans that are cut to make your legs look long at the height you are" as you suggested ... for me that is almost always REGULAR inseams that I need to shorten a few inches. Petite pants almost always have inseams too short for me. Thanks Suz! Cat2 - great reference! Jamie that's excellent advice. Angie of course such great suggestions! Carol - having a conscious  style direction is not necessarily right for everyone ... it just feels like what I need this year. Star - I would LOVE to have a moniker but every time I try to define one I come up with words that just don't do it justice so I'v stopped worrying about it. Brooklyn, thanks, and yes I do look at AllSaints from time to time. I have a tee that I really like from them. Free People never fits me right - when the body is ok the sleeves are wayyy too long. But maybe shorter sleeved items. Asos is on my list to try. find #1 - Johnny Was sweatshirt find #2 - all saints T  Brooklyn on "2025/2026" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/20252026-1#post-2402357 Tue, 06 Jan 2026 01:39:11 +0000 Brooklyn 2402357@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Have you looked at Allsaints?I think their style is edgy boho. Also, Free People can have some interesting stuff. ASOS, especially its Collusion brand, can lean edgy boho. Quality can be variable. They often do petites too. Chris987 on "2025/2026" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/20252026-1#post-2402088 Sat, 03 Jan 2026 14:23:51 +0000 Chris987 2402088@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thanks so much all! Lots to digest. I’ll be back Star (Lise) on "2025/2026" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/20252026-1#post-2401947 Fri, 02 Jan 2026 15:53:58 +0000 Star (Lise) 2401947@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Identifying my moniker Grown-up Tomgirl really helped me (and I know you don't want one). It stopped me buying things that I like to look at but that don't fit my style vision. Eg. Some ditsy prints. I love some of them, and Tomgirl could probably wear them styled with more edgy pieces but it is just easier to leave the florals alone. Majority of my items must be edgy while standing alone otherwise when I am in a hurry or not in the mood I could quite easily end up way off from my preferred look. I've mentioned before that I like your bags, they do have the edge. Many of your new pieces are really cool and could easily be part of an edgy outfit. I guess, again, it will depend which other pieces you put with them . Example, I can definitely edge up striped or leopard print items with other items. Although a striped top could read sporty or preppy too. Black is the epitome of edgy for me (again I know you want less). I also think mixing up boho and edgy equally makes shopping a bit difficult. Obviously not impossible but easier if one is more dominant. It will be easier to shop choices. I used to think I liked edge with a touch of boho in summer. But now am swaying more to edgy with a touch of the dramatic. Maybe yours could be Boho with a touch of edge, or Classic with a touch of Edge.  Then I get 'the touch of aspect' mostly from accessories.  Just throwing around ideas. I hope my novel is some what useful :). Carol on "2025/2026" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/20252026-1#post-2401911 Fri, 02 Jan 2026 02:16:37 +0000 Carol 2401911@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Wow, I see some serious taste running through these photos. Look at that Lagerfeld bomber! And I remember well those Maeve sweaters--the rust/white is a nice pick. It can be hard for me to move in a conscious style direction, too. I tend to do better with just making occasional intuitive stabs at things that will probably work--usually I do well. I don't do as well with plans. I don't know what 2026 holds for me, fashion-wise. Perhaps more poise. That would be great.  Angie on "2025/2026" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/20252026-1#post-2401907 Fri, 02 Jan 2026 01:15:58 +0000 Angie 2401907@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I echo Roberta's first paragraph :)  Chris, wonderful that you had a good wardrobe year! As Suz, mentioned, you've moved your style forward in a way that works beautifully-for-you.  Since Anthro is on a winning wicket - they do good petites. Chicos does good petites too. Always worth a browse. Also have a friend who buys from Petite Box - as kkards suggested!  Her closet is full of fun treasures.  I'm building onto Carla's hair ideas! Let some of your darker hair colour come through too.  Jaime on "2025/2026" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/20252026-1#post-2401902 Fri, 02 Jan 2026 00:31:17 +0000 Jaime 2401902@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Lots of great suggestions on this thread Chris. I am finding that it is best to focus on the exact item you want when it comes to essentials and experiment more when it comes to statement items and accessories. Hmm, I think that is going to be my goal actually. Anyway, I hope some of the petite lines above turn out to be what you want! cat2 on "2025/2026" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/20252026-1#post-2401892 Thu, 01 Jan 2026 23:32:39 +0000 cat2 2401892@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ This WhoWhatWear article has a good list of brands for petites with images from each so you can get a sense of what they have. Suz on "2025/2026" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/20252026-1#post-2401869 Thu, 01 Jan 2026 19:24:47 +0000 Suz 2401869@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Chris, it sounds as if you came a long way this year! You started out very disappointed with your closet but managed to source some fab new items that have really moved your style forward. I love all the suggestions for retail options and will be following up to look at them myself.  UmmLila (Lisa) on "2025/2026" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/20252026-1#post-2401865 Thu, 01 Jan 2026 19:13:11 +0000 UmmLila (Lisa) 2401865@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Building a bit on kkards’ comment, how about if you try the mood board idea, that is, identify a few photos of people dressed in a way that speaks to you and your goals, and then figure out what elements of those looks are the appeal, and if they can be incorporated into your look in a way that makes sense. Could be something shiny, something pointy, a leather jacket. I also will look for images of people my own height (5’4”) which gives me ideas of which looks do or don’t make sense to scale down for a shorter person. And in terms of brands with petites, I agree with the suggestion of Ruti for arty. And I like Cinq a Sept for glamorous. If you’re a jeans girl, there are quite a few brands (Joe’s, Citizens) that offer petite sizing (it really helps to get jeans that are cut to make your legs look long at the height you are). Roberta on "2025/2026" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/20252026-1#post-2401857 Thu, 01 Jan 2026 18:53:47 +0000 Roberta 2401857@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'm very appreciative that you bought some things because "you wanted it." I think it's important to acknowledge the fun and serendipity of shopping along with being methodical and thoughtful in the process.  And I feel your itch to wear more arty, boho garments, and struggling with the price point. I also think these more unique garments make me wonder if they will be versatile enough. Balancing "it's OK to wear something special less often" with "a solid color will go with everything!" kkards on "2025/2026" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/20252026-1#post-2401854 Thu, 01 Jan 2026 18:42:51 +0000 kkards 2401854@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ And just realized that this brand , which I think of as boho carries petites <a href="https://www.johnnywas.com/petite" rel="nofollow">https://www.johnnywas.com/petite</a> kkards on "2025/2026" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/20252026-1#post-2401847 Thu, 01 Jan 2026 18:31:14 +0000 kkards 2401847@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Chris can you create a separate thread with examples of what edgy and boho are to you? I agree that petitestudio leans classic, but imo both brands you mentioned are very similar and lean heavily towards classic, tailored styles LJP on "2025/2026" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/20252026-1#post-2401846 Thu, 01 Jan 2026 18:26:11 +0000 LJP 2401846@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Oh yes, Ruti is a great idea, especially since they offer petites. I'd love to try this brand but it's insanely expensive in Canada.   I also agree with Carla's suggestion for trying a shorter bob .  Also maybe some brighter highlights around your face?  Chris987 on "2025/2026" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/20252026-1#post-2401845 Thu, 01 Jan 2026 18:25:33 +0000 Chris987 2401845@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ LJP your comments really resonate with me. The shoes/bags thing is clearly important, as you say. I'm totally ok with spending more on individual items. I posted some finds from my wardrobe that illustrate this  ... The Rebecca Minkoff bag I just got a month ago is really working well at pulling me toward edfrgy. The buckle ootie is one I had to pass on quite a few years ago and really want to replace with something similar but no luck so far. And the two pointy toe boots are more western than edgy  but they really change up how an outfit feels. They need replacing and are not very good for deep winter. Edgy jewelry is something I do not own but with places like Esty to browse it ought to be easy to change that :-)  Thanks kkards ... yes I have looked at Petite Studio but haven't tried anything. Their style strikes me as more trendy/classic than edgy but not always. Unfortunately most of their pants are high rise (even the ones they call "mid-rise", which doesn't work for me, but I can shop regular sizes for pants. Will definitely give them more of a look. I think I'd heard of Ruti but didn't realize they had petites ... thanks!!  Carla on "2025/2026" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/20252026-1#post-2401841 Thu, 01 Jan 2026 18:10:10 +0000 Carla 2401841@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I have no advice.  I actually like your hair (mine is similar).  You could try keeping the same style but have it shortened to nape length (google ‘micro bob’) and cut straight, or experiment with it at its current length, change the part, or put it up.  If you go the super short bob length beware of too much volume and managing hair in your face - but it’s a cool, edgy look! <div> </div><div>kkard’s links look promising!  </div> kkards on "2025/2026" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/20252026-1#post-2401837 Thu, 01 Jan 2026 17:59:17 +0000 kkards 2401837@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Chris have you tried this brand <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.petitestudionyc.com">https://www.petitestudionyc.com</a>. It feels very Veronica Beard/L’Agence like to me Ruti feels like another brand that might be less Classic and more suited to what your looking for <a rel="nofollow" href="https://ruti.com/collections/petite">https://ruti.com/collections/petite</a> Chris987 on "2025/2026" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/20252026-1#post-2401811 Thu, 01 Jan 2026 16:10:45 +0000 Chris987 2401811@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thanks cat2, I did a post  last year asking if folks knew of petite brands similar to Veronica Beard or L'Agence. There weren't' any anyone knew about. Could be worth another try. Unfortunately when Nordstrom fired me as a customer in 2020 (for too many returns) they included Nordstrom Rack. I could in theory pop into a store that's 45 minutes away from me and pay with cash to stay anonymous  but I'm not likely to give them my business. The funny thing about TJMaxx is that I do occasionally find great stuff there, but I also end up wasting a lot of time taking home "maybe" items and returning them.  Cookie, that's a good idea. My need for petite sizes in tops.coats is a bigger issue than pricing. Maybe I'll go build a collection of aspirational looks and post about it.  LJP on "2025/2026" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/20252026-1#post-2401807 Thu, 01 Jan 2026 16:04:51 +0000 LJP 2401807@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ That was an interesting read, Chris.  I too am looking to continue to focus less on fashion and clothing in the year ahead. I've come to accept that fact that it is NOT a hobby or fun thing for me, and that my time and mental energy are best focused elsewhere to preserve my mental health .  I tend to obsess over clothing and it's very tiresome at this age.    I'm doing a no-buy January, and as of today, am ignoring social media for the month (except for news-related items ).   As to your desire to wear "edgy, boho, and glam" clothing and less classic stuff, I think you might need to look at some different sources for those kind of pieces, as cat2 said.  Anthro can fill some of that - especially the boho and glam pieces, maybe not edgy though.  It might mean spending more per piece on these different brands, too.  You could dip your toe into these waters by focusing on  (this is where you can go edgy and glam) footwear and jewellery.  I find that when I wear particularly edgy /glam footwear (my fake Ganni slingback are a perfect example) , I feel 100% different than when wearing more basic shoes. Same with deliberately rocker-ish/edgy jewellery .  Easy to throw on a linen t ,  or silk blouse and wide leg pants which would  all be considered basics in most wardrobes now.  When I wear my chain link Wishbone  boots, I also create that same vibe.  Cookie on "2025/2026" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/20252026-1#post-2401802 Thu, 01 Jan 2026 15:17:39 +0000 Cookie 2401802@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Yes, show us some examples of what you might like if price were no object? cat2 on "2025/2026" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/20252026-1#post-2401801 Thu, 01 Jan 2026 15:12:40 +0000 cat2 2401801@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Maybe brain storm with this group on reasonably priced boho and edgy brands to try? And maybe check Nordstrom Rack? TJMax sources may not suit your goals? Chris987 on "2025/2026" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/20252026-1#post-2401800 Thu, 01 Jan 2026 14:58:32 +0000 Chris987 2401800@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ 2025 It  was a pretty good year for my wardrobe. I felt it worked well for me across 4 seasons, which is a HUGE accomplishment. I didn’t always have as much fun with it as I would have liked but that was ok! I bought a LOT, from finding HEWIS and replacements to “just wanted it”.  I also made some mistakes, mostly of the “it’s so inexpensive I’ll give it a try” variety or duplication in a second color that didn't get worn. I also did a bunch of donations.   2026 I’m going to set goals month to month. For January overall I’m going to focus mostly on some health and other non-fashion goals. These are some ideas for fashion goals through the year:    - Thinking about change of hairstyle. - Color: “less black”. Black and dark/light grey are still core neutrals that I love, but I want to wear less of them, or add more light colors to black basics etc. - I’d like to have more fun, more joy with my wardrobe. But avoiding a mantra or word.  - I continue to be frustrated at the mismatch between what fits me vs. the styles I want to wear. I want more edgy, boho, glam, and less classic, masculine, “arty”. The only action I've come up with so far is to try some new retailers and be willing to spend more per item.  - I want to spend less time overall on wardrobe/fashion. During January I plan to figure out at least 3 things I will do toward this goal. ANY progress I make in January will be a win! - open to a few trends but mostly don't care for the ones that have been around the last few years. Favorite purchases of 2025 (not all workhorses ... and a clear pattern of Anthro items!) BR cashmere sweater (Thanks Suz for the reco) Rebecca Minkoff crossbody x2 (one everyday size, one smaller) DKNY basic black overcoat (HEWI/Replacement) Anthro/Maeve checked scarf Anthro Carys Sweater x2 Brioso Sandals (thanks Angie for the reco) Dolce Vita sneakers Karl Lagerfeld Bomber jacket TJMax/Republic Navy/White striped sweater TJmaxx Dk Brown faux seude pants TJMaxx Philosopy Brown leopard collared cardigan (this is very similar to an Anthro/Pilcro one) Thrifted trio of LLBean tees that fit perfectly once I hemmed them Coach boots –  I know Coach quality is good, but I don't care for any obvious logos, their classic styles can be a little dull, and the trendy ones don't interest me. HOWEVER.....these boots  are great looking, comfortable, grippy, and warm. They were an unexpected find in TJMAxx.  Also showing the matching Coach bag bought last year which was my first lesson in "Coach CAN work for me". Both items have a section of coated canvas with a dark brown/black pattern of the Coach "C" motif but it's so subtle that it's hardly noticeable.  :-)