YouLookFab Forum » Topic: ETA: 6 Reasons I Love WIWs!

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: ETA: 6 Reasons I Love WIWs! https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/5-reasons-i-love-wiws Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Wed, 29 Apr 2026 17:44:22 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php Anonymous on "ETA: 6 Reasons I Love WIWs!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/5-reasons-i-love-wiws#post-1540065 Sat, 15 Aug 2015 14:49:39 +0000 Anonymous 1540065@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I don't have six reasons.  I love WIWs because they inspire me to try new things.  Seeing outfits on real women is so different from seeing an outfit in a magazine or on a blog.   I never stop to consider if the outfit in the magazine could or would work for my life.  I just file it away under fantasy.  Real life women are so much more relatable.  I see and want to try similar things.  I can't even begin to count how many Ideas I got from WIWs and how much they amped up my style quotient.  So thank you to everyone that posts.   SarahTheWhite on "ETA: 6 Reasons I Love WIWs!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/5-reasons-i-love-wiws#post-1540060 Sat, 15 Aug 2015 14:37:02 +0000 SarahTheWhite 1540060@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I love this and I agree! I find that I don't contribute nearly as much as I enjoy what everyone else does. This inspires me to make more of an effort in posting. My biggest problem is getting good photos... Thank you for the reminder of how great it is to participate! cheryle (Dianthus) on "ETA: 6 Reasons I Love WIWs!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/5-reasons-i-love-wiws#post-1539851 Sat, 15 Aug 2015 00:27:09 +0000 cheryle (Dianthus) 1539851@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Well you know what I love about the WIW's - they are great for inspiration.  We have seen multiple iterations of Ms. Mary's outfit this week and every version had the wearer's stamp on it.  What a great encouragement to make an outfit our own and to mix up the pieces we have with new pieces. Shannon has been trying to pull outfits together with a few of her more experienced items and that is really fun and educational.   I learn from the WIWs in so many ways and not just from posting them but also from viewing and commenting.  It is fun and interesting and challenging all together. Maneera on "ETA: 6 Reasons I Love WIWs!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/5-reasons-i-love-wiws#post-1539727 Fri, 14 Aug 2015 18:38:58 +0000 Maneera 1539727@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thank you Cocolion. That's a lovely compliment Elly, I know what you mean. It's easier to adopt a fashion trend once you've seen a few WIWs with it. It looks less scary when real women of all shapes and sizes are wearing the trend, right? That's a great point too! Thanks for pointing that one out. Elly on "ETA: 6 Reasons I Love WIWs!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/5-reasons-i-love-wiws#post-1539724 Fri, 14 Aug 2015 18:33:57 +0000 Elly 1539724@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I tend to make an effort and experiment with new pairings and accessories when I'm planning on taking a WIW and usually feel good all day for it-- it makes me want to wear pieces in their best combos and consider holes versus just whatever is in the front of the closet.  I enjoy SEEING WIWs because it introduces me to new pieces from retailers I might not otherwise look at and new styles worn in realistic ways. I love seeing ladies looking so good, because it makes style feel more doable. So much of fashion (magazines, runways, retailers, even bloggers) is so far out of what I CAN wear in MY life. After the 20th picture of a blogger in BF jeans and 4" heels it becomes hard to figure out if it is the jeans or the lines created by the heels that you like. BF jeans are an option in my life, but 4" heels aren't-- so it is great to see our early adopters here wear trendy items in reasonable ways.  CocoLion on "ETA: 6 Reasons I Love WIWs!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/5-reasons-i-love-wiws#post-1539723 Fri, 14 Aug 2015 18:25:21 +0000 CocoLion 1539723@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I so enjoy your writing! I love reading your threads & comments.  You are a wonderful addition to this community. Anonymous on "ETA: 6 Reasons I Love WIWs!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/5-reasons-i-love-wiws#post-1539711 Fri, 14 Aug 2015 18:03:44 +0000 Anonymous 1539711@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Nice thread , Maneera - an interesting read . I have nothing new to add - agree with almost everything posted above I'm not a regular WIW poster - mostly because I'm not "dressed up" interestingly enough on a daily basis to do so. But - I do like looking at others' posts ! Suz on "ETA: 6 Reasons I Love WIWs!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/5-reasons-i-love-wiws#post-1539627 Fri, 14 Aug 2015 15:50:15 +0000 Suz 1539627@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I am late to this party because I'm travelling, but I love this thread!!! :) I would echo everything you said, Maneera, and everything everybody else has said as well. I really like Viva's point about sharing the fun of new items or stylings. I really like being able to show how I've rescued a closet orphan. I also love seeing real women all over the world come into their own style. What I wore posts have helped me develop and refine my own style. And it's just as much fun to witness and encourage that process in others. I get such a thrill seeing a newer member take wing or a veteran branch out on a whole new style direction. Style Fan on "ETA: 6 Reasons I Love WIWs!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/5-reasons-i-love-wiws#post-1539491 Fri, 14 Aug 2015 12:26:57 +0000 Style Fan 1539491@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ These are all great points.  Thank you for starting this thread.  I don't have much to add but I do enjoy the community of YLF even if I am not on the forum as much as other fabbers.  I find photos of WIW are more honest than looking in the mirror.  When I look in the mirror I focus on a certain area instead of the whole. The feedback I get from the YLF forum members and the feedback others get is more useful than what other people say.  Except DH.  He tends to have very good ideas.  I don't have any friends around here who are as interested in fashion as I am.  Maneera on "ETA: 6 Reasons I Love WIWs!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/5-reasons-i-love-wiws#post-1539393 Fri, 14 Aug 2015 06:20:40 +0000 Maneera 1539393@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Oh, what great replies! I'm loving this thread too! @ Sally - I love your point ' Living vicariously'. Its so true for those of us who work from home and don't get to always wear the kind of clothes we would actually like to wear....which is why some of us have a whole imaginary life ;D I love to see women rock their office formals.... Miss Mary stands out in my head because her closet is MY DREAM CLOSET. @ Shevia - It's great how WIWs make us feel better. You feel more confident to face a camera and have the faith that you look good when you do.  @ Aliona - I've had terrible body issues myself, and I talked about them right when I joined YLF on another thread. For years, I haven't been in ANY photographs. Like you, I would immediately get hung up on my perceived flaws and delete the picture, and aim to never be in one! I've come a long way in 2 months and I have this wonderful community to thank for it.  @ Firecracker - I'm so glad you mentioned your point!!!! Its been on my mind for a few days now! " posting WIWs gives me a place to share my outfits with people who love fashion and style". I'm sad to report that I don't get a single compliment in my real life. When I look good and go out, no one looks at me with appreciation because apparently, I always look good (like, whatever the hell does that mean!) My friends have started to expect a certain standard from my outfits, and never seem to notice when I'm wearing something I'm particularly happy in. But they do notice if I've gone out in shorts and t-shirt that they might not expect me to wear outside the house. So without WIWs, where else would we get someone to appreciate our outfits!!!  Firecracker (Sharan) on "ETA: 6 Reasons I Love WIWs!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/5-reasons-i-love-wiws#post-1539373 Fri, 14 Aug 2015 04:57:15 +0000 Firecracker (Sharan) 1539373@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Great article, Maneera. I agree with you completely. And I'll add: posting WIWs gives me a place to share my outfits with people who love fashion and style. Who else at work or the coffee shop or wherever your day takes you is going to appreciate your outfit the way the YLF community does? Anonymous on "ETA: 6 Reasons I Love WIWs!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/5-reasons-i-love-wiws#post-1539357 Fri, 14 Aug 2015 03:24:25 +0000 Anonymous 1539357@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ What a great idea to inspire these thoughts, Maneera. I'm hearting this thread to refer to later. I have nothing to add to the above, but I'm nodding along emphatically with other comments. To Angie's point about our own self-critical eye in pics: Yes. I want to take pics for the perspective that a mirror doesn't provide, but when I see the pics, I usually don't get that perspective because I'm immediately hung up on my perceived flaws. Enter the divine style advisors of YLF who have none of my baggage and can provide honest, unbiased advice. this is my thank you letter to all of you for your beautiful gift! Jaime on "ETA: 6 Reasons I Love WIWs!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/5-reasons-i-love-wiws#post-1539356 Fri, 14 Aug 2015 03:24:08 +0000 Jaime 1539356@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Agree with everything so far. WIWs has dramatically improved my ability to stand front of the camera - I was always camera shy but now at least can handle myself. Seeing women my age and older looking fab has been immeasurable support as I have moved through my 40s and face 50 next year. Sal on "ETA: 6 Reasons I Love WIWs!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/5-reasons-i-love-wiws#post-1539351 Fri, 14 Aug 2015 02:50:50 +0000 Sal 1539351@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Mmmmm, some of these will be repeated sorry. 1) I get a better eye through the camera lense than in the mirror.  The photos have made me look at items differently, more critically.  I have found this helpful for proportions which I struggle with more than colour. 2) Feedback.  It has always been helpful and constructive and tactful.  I appreciate the information and how it is delivered. 3) Living vicariously.  I am 45 and I work from a home office.  I have a shape and lifestyle which my clothes have to suit.  I love seeing other people wear things that I love, but which would not work for me.  Skirted leggings, probably not for me, but goodness some forum members wear their ones well.  4) Getting to know an interesting group of women all around the world. 5) Seeing a range of clothes on a range of women.  Most of us are not models.  Many of us are not "spring chickens" (myself included).  I love seeing women look fabulous in clothes.  This reinforces that I may not have skinny thighs but I can still look just wonderful! Thanks Maneera for a great thread;) Maneera on "ETA: 6 Reasons I Love WIWs!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/5-reasons-i-love-wiws#post-1539342 Fri, 14 Aug 2015 02:28:03 +0000 Maneera 1539342@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Sara L and Viva make great points! I do love WIWs because it's almost like 'seeing' more people everyday. I work from home and see no one, Sara.....so alot of style inspiration comes from other people's WIW. Viva, I enjoy going to a mini-vacation and sharing experiences through WIWs too! viva on "ETA: 6 Reasons I Love WIWs!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/5-reasons-i-love-wiws#post-1539134 Thu, 13 Aug 2015 19:19:25 +0000 viva 1539134@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Very fun thread! 1. Has definitely made me less panicked about having my picture taken, even on a really bad day. 2. Makes it more fun when I have something new (and lets DH off the hook as I used to look to him for comments). 3. Makes me feel I am seeing my new "friends" more often. 4. Lets me peek inside the homes / gardens / vacations of said friends. 5. Gives me easy access to ideas I never would have come up with on my own for styling that is specific to my aesthetic and wardrobe. Daria on "ETA: 6 Reasons I Love WIWs!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/5-reasons-i-love-wiws#post-1539089 Thu, 13 Aug 2015 17:54:27 +0000 Daria 1539089@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thanks for the post Maneera! Agree with everything said above and just want to add that I enjoy discovering new pieces and new brands from the fabbers who post their WIWs regularly. Sara L. on "ETA: 6 Reasons I Love WIWs!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/5-reasons-i-love-wiws#post-1539079 Thu, 13 Aug 2015 17:34:14 +0000 Sara L. 1539079@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Great post!  I loved reading your list and totally agree with it.  I want to add that I enjoy looking at other's WIW's because I don't really see that many people on a day to day basis.  I work for a small company so it's nice to see a variety of women and outfits, which inspires me to try different combinations and items.  I also enjoy getting feedback on what works or doesn't work with my own outfits. celia on "ETA: 6 Reasons I Love WIWs!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/5-reasons-i-love-wiws#post-1539075 Thu, 13 Aug 2015 17:27:52 +0000 celia 1539075@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Maneera I am so glad you pointed this out. I had though about it but never pinpointed exactly why WIW are so great. I too feel that I know people better trough their WIW. Great post and great comments by everyone. Transcona Shannon on "ETA: 6 Reasons I Love WIWs!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/5-reasons-i-love-wiws#post-1539062 Thu, 13 Aug 2015 17:09:31 +0000 Transcona Shannon 1539062@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ What excellent points Maneera and I'm so glad you're reaping the benefits of this wonderful community :) For me personally, my 5 reasons are: 1. Confidence. I have had body image issues my entire life - whether I was slim or heavy. Posting WIW pics as often as possible has done wonders for making me accept me as I am. 2. Inspiration. I am constantly inspired by the ladies on this forum, and of course Angie herself. Seeing so many beautiful women of all ethnic backgrounds, sizes and shapes inspires me to try and be the best ME I can be. 3. Useful analysis. When I can't figure out what is off in a particular outfit, I can ask for Fabber feedback and be sure that someone will be able to pinpoint what isn't working and I can then tweak the outfit accordingly. 4. Seeing one item in different ways. Take the current olive cargo pants pictures throughout the forum - I love seeing how several of us can wear the same item in different ways. Gets the creative juices flowing, you know? 5. Pure FUN! ETA: I also have to add a 6th reason: accessible fashion that I can relate to. I see real women, with real bodies, with real jobs and real lives wearing real clothes that can actually be purchased at real stores by real budgets. Maneera on "ETA: 6 Reasons I Love WIWs!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/5-reasons-i-love-wiws#post-1539059 Thu, 13 Aug 2015 17:02:49 +0000 Maneera 1539059@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Very true, Angie! That's one of my favourite parts....accepting what I look like in my real life, and feeling comfortable in my skin. Thanks YLF! Di, you're so right, sometimes comments on other threads really help you understand proportions, cut or drape better too. And inspiration....that's important too! Aziraphale on "ETA: 6 Reasons I Love WIWs!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/5-reasons-i-love-wiws#post-1539056 Thu, 13 Aug 2015 16:59:31 +0000 Aziraphale 1539056@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Nothing to add, but I support all the points you've put forward! Well done Angie on "ETA: 6 Reasons I Love WIWs!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/5-reasons-i-love-wiws#post-1539054 Thu, 13 Aug 2015 16:50:22 +0000 Angie 1539054@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Shout it from the roof tops, Maneera (and Diane). Thanks for the kind words, and I'm THRILLED that you post your WIW's regularly.  I'll add another. Most people are camera shy - I am too - because most of us are terribly critical of how we look in photos - I am critical too. It's understandable that we feel vulnerable under the spotlight. But REGULAR WIW's help you get over this shyness, and most of all, accept what you look like. Instead of complaining, regular photo taking helps you celebrate YOU. That's empowering, liberating and confidence building - especially when others see past your so called "flaws" and notice the best of you.  Anonymous on "ETA: 6 Reasons I Love WIWs!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/5-reasons-i-love-wiws#post-1539032 Thu, 13 Aug 2015 16:07:13 +0000 Anonymous 1539032@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Fun idea! Ok here goes 1. I get to see all different shapes and sizes of women and how fashion looks on real people, not airbrushed models. 2. Inspiration, plain and simple :) 3. Reading feedback on other's threads which might apply to me too and help with proportion etc. 4.  Seeing problems with an outfit when you look at a photograph instead of looking in the mirror. The photo never lies (well...almost never!) 5. To your first point Manny...confidence :) And I agree, you do feel more connected to other members as you feel like you get to know them better. Maneera on "ETA: 6 Reasons I Love WIWs!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/5-reasons-i-love-wiws#post-1539022 Thu, 13 Aug 2015 15:48:16 +0000 Maneera 1539022@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I am a writer by profession and I usually write articles for magazines and blogs. Often I write articles like this one --- 5 tips on XYZ, or 10 tricks for better XYZ, or 8 ideas for XYZ. Not only do I like to write such articles, I also like to read them. So today I'm doing a fun exercise....I'm going to pen down 5 reasons I love WIWs here on YLF! 1. Confidence Becomes Your Most Important Accessory This is the first thing I noticed about WIWs. People who did them often had a sense of confidence about them....it's like their body language was different. They seemed more confident and that made them look amazing - even in a simple outfit. I learnt soon enough that WIWs make you feel more comfortable in your skin because you get honest, genuine feedback, feel better about your style, and no one is judging you. That's the reason they are so addictive! 2. You Create A Foolproof Outfit Many a times I could easily point out what went wrong in other people's outfits, but couldn't always get the proportions right for my own outfit. I now know the reason. When you click a photo of your outfit, flaws or areas for improvement jump out at you and become instantly noticeable. It's like --- you see your own outfit from the outside and can immediately see the problems you couldn't see in the mirror. And whatever you do miss, other lovely Fabbers will point out to you! Next time you wear that outfit, you can be 100% confident that it works! 3. You Are Exposed To Other Outfit Ideas This one hit me only recently. Thanks to Cheryle, Miss Mary, Carla and now Shannon. I would've never considered olive pants for myself. While I loved reading Angie's post on Olive + Cobalt....somehow that didn't make me want to try this colour for myself. But once I saw Cheryle looking so lovely in her olive pants (she and I have a similar body type and colouring), I wanted to try it too! Same holds true for Angie and her white flared jeans. Once I saw that she looked elegant and so feminine in her jeans, I was open to the idea of trying them too. 4. You Get Collective, Intelligent Advice This one is a no brainer, right? While I could describe my outfit in words and even add the individual pieces in Finds, it's not until you see those actual pieces on MY body that you see the whole look come together. And that's when magic happens. One Fabber will remember that you have a handbag that would work better with the outfit, another would tell you that adding a scarf would be a nice touch, or someone will advice you on how to wear the look better for your style. It's amazing what collective, genuine, intelligent advice can achieve. 5. Imitation Becomes The Biggest Form of Flattery When I wanted to copycat the  Diane G: Cute Skirt With A Graphic Tee ensemble, she loved the idea! Here on YLF, WIWs that show another woman's interpretation of your outfit are welcome, and actually fuel our own creativity further too. We are a loving, learning, growing community where we don't mind others copying our look (and THANK-GOD for that!)  Una happily encouraged others to get the long teal blazer during NAS. Deborah doesn't mind that CocoC has her Motto Moto too, because they both look so fab in it! However,  I don't feel the same in real life sometimes. When a friend loved my coat so much last year that she bought the exact same one and I had to run into her in the elevator with both of us wearing the exact same coat in the exact same colour, I hated it. I also hated it when my husband's best friend's wife bought the same quilted bag I so loved and carried everywhere,  and we both arrived at a posh restaurant one evening with the same bag! Thankfully it was winter, and I put my phone plus wallet in my coat, and went and hid the bag! But with YLF WIWs, we love it and feel flattered when we are imitated!  6. You Create A Personal Connection What I love most about WIWs is that they make me feel like I somehow know a person who is on the other side of the world. Especially for those who are fairly regular with WIWs like Deborah, Shannon, Jenn, Carla, Cheryle, CocoC, Celia, Suz, Diane, Una, Sally and many more, I feel like I know them already. I have put a face to the name. And I love the fact that if I was ever to meet one of the WIW regulars in person, I would be able to run and hug you right away! So, that sums up my top 5 reasons for loving WIWs. What are yours?