YouLookFab Forum » Topic: 70% of the way there, 85% of the time

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: 70% of the way there, 85% of the time https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/70-of-the-way-there-85-of-the-time Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Mon, 04 May 2026 09:41:12 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php Kim on "70% of the way there, 85% of the time" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/70-of-the-way-there-85-of-the-time#post-236283 Thu, 21 Oct 2010 17:57:32 +0000 Kim 236283@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I work at home with little kids, so I lead a *really* casual lifestyle. I don<code>t feel</code>FAB<code>every single day, but I am getting it more and more often. It</code>s hard to feel fab in clothes that you don`t worry about getting paint on, or boogers... However, even is a shell, a nice cardie and skinny jeans along with some earrings, makeup and hair done, I`m way ahead of alot of my profession who actually answer the door for their clients in their sweatsuits or housecoats... Admittedly, my standard isn`t too high! LOL teri on "70% of the way there, 85% of the time" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/70-of-the-way-there-85-of-the-time#post-236119 Thu, 21 Oct 2010 13:00:05 +0000 teri 236119@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I spend more time looking nice for work these days. I find that when I dress nice I feel so confident all day, it makes me feel good. I dress nicer than anyone in my office.... lol (even my boss). My work environment is a mix of office and production areas. Most of the work I do doesn't require business attire, but i wear it anyway. I do computer graphics and procurement. Most girls in my office wear tshirts and sneakers. I just can't do that. Kristen on "70% of the way there, 85% of the time" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/70-of-the-way-there-85-of-the-time#post-236096 Thu, 21 Oct 2010 10:34:55 +0000 Kristen 236096@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Auburn, it's funny, I find myself taking MORE care for work outfits than I do play ones; I feel like a work I have an obligation to look nice and professional but at home is just for me and I can be a little more careless about my appearance. I've actually been making more of an effort on the weekends lately, and I am finding that the same sense of satisfaction at getting it right is just as powerful on Sunday as it is on Wednesday. Maybe for you the reverse will work! Last year I wore dresses to work almost exclusively, but while doing so I had a ton of fun with accessories, and I learned how they can change a dress so you don't even realize it's the same one. Necklaces, shoes, tights, scarves and belts -- and my stock of beloved boyfriend cardigans -- were in constant rotation with the dresses, and I had ball with them! Trust me, people at work will notice. Sometimes good, sometimes not-so-good, but the boost in confidence and attitude when you are wearing an outfit you know is 100% is undeniably noticeable. Louise on "70% of the way there, 85% of the time" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/70-of-the-way-there-85-of-the-time#post-236081 Thu, 21 Oct 2010 07:42:27 +0000 Louise 236081@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Auburn don't feel down. Don't forget most ladies here don't post a WIW daily so you're usually only seeing the best of outfits. If mine are blah or so so I usually don't bother posting them in WIW unless I want advice. Accessories totally take most outfits from blah to fab even throwing on a scarf can make the world of difference x Marley on "70% of the way there, 85% of the time" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/70-of-the-way-there-85-of-the-time#post-236079 Thu, 21 Oct 2010 07:35:17 +0000 Marley 236079@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Auburn - you are WAY ahead of me! I am probably about 75% there - 45% of the time. Most days I put on a pair of boyfriend jeans and a variation of some type of t-shirt top - tennies or flats - and I'm done. A lot of the reason for that is because I am not working right now and so I have no reason to dress up - and part of the reason is my closet is so stuffed full of clothes, shoes, purses, etc. that I really can't "see" what I have. I know that I have some knock-out pieces in my closet, but its just too crowded and unorganized to find them - coupled with the fact that I am usually in a hurry in the mornings when I am getting dressed and so I don't really have time to search for pieces in my closet. I just grab the nearest and the easiest. YLF is really helping me though - I am realizing that I tend to buy a lot of "different" kind of clothes that I absolutely LOVE, but I never invest/buy any of the basics. I don't own a pencil skirt - I have absolutely NO fall/winter dresses. Its really weird what my shopping patterns have been these last couple of years! OK, enough yapping! Mo on "70% of the way there, 85% of the time" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/70-of-the-way-there-85-of-the-time#post-235962 Thu, 21 Oct 2010 02:07:16 +0000 Mo 235962@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ If I waited until I felt an outfit was fab, you would not have seen pic one from me yet! It's not always easy to put yourself out there but I've found everyone here very helpful and if we don't risk failure we don't grow. I personally feel there is less value in posting what I'm pretty sure is a good pulled together look than in posting one I have questions or insecurities about and seeking honest feedback on. Now I'm rambling - sorry - just thinking that most of us are not batting 1000 and so don't be mislead by what you do see - no one wants to show the days they are vacuuming still in their PJ's at noon! catgirl on "70% of the way there, 85% of the time" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/70-of-the-way-there-85-of-the-time#post-235940 Thu, 21 Oct 2010 01:25:29 +0000 catgirl 235940@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Me, but even lower percentages. You are not alone! If I could manage what Beth said she does, I'd be so happy! This morning I put on my purple anthro cardi over some grey slouch trousers and my Frye oxfords. Good base, but did I bother to find any jewelry? Do I even own a long necklace? So it was not even worth posting. For me a lot of it still is figuring out what I lack, and what I have but don't use. Factor in that I'd rather sleep than look good, a kid, three pets, my own law practice, and I'm lucky if my shoes match. I don't feel like I've found a fashion stride or rhythm like so many of you here, and it's harder work than I thought, now that my eyes have been opened to PPL and bookending. On the other hand, I can't just forget it all either, now that I know the difference. April on "70% of the way there, 85% of the time" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/70-of-the-way-there-85-of-the-time#post-235876 Thu, 21 Oct 2010 00:00:26 +0000 April 235876@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ LOL -- this isn't funny at all, and it's OT (sorry, Auburn) but I *so* related to BethW's comment about work feeling like "such a soul-sucking experience." (Yes, we're in the same field.) What, Beth, you don't find it rewarding to work for administrators with room-temperature IQs? puffenstuff on "70% of the way there, 85% of the time" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/70-of-the-way-there-85-of-the-time#post-235873 Wed, 20 Oct 2010 23:49:01 +0000 puffenstuff 235873@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Oh yeah without a doubt. For me work dressing is easy though because I have a uniform to wear but that in turn stifles my creativity a bit and so when it comes to dressing for myself I struggle. I echo Polly's post above, not every outfit that we wear must be WOW, sometimes you just need a comfy no fail outfit to get you through those times when there are other things going on in your life. Dont feel to stressed or pressured to be 100%, we all have off days you just might not see them on YLF Beth on "70% of the way there, 85% of the time" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/70-of-the-way-there-85-of-the-time#post-235868 Wed, 20 Oct 2010 23:29:13 +0000 Beth 235868@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Auburn, I can definitely relate. I think out of five work days, I look fab on two days, "better than I used to look" for two more days, and a boring, pre-YLF look on one day. It's a huge improvement over just a year ago, but I still need to step it up. I'm still in the process of revamping my wardrobe, so that's a part of it. But some days I get so tired and work feels like such a soul-sucking experience that I just want to throw something mindless on. April on "70% of the way there, 85% of the time" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/70-of-the-way-there-85-of-the-time#post-235847 Wed, 20 Oct 2010 22:29:04 +0000 April 235847@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I do feel that way, Auburn. I have the pieces of a nice wardrobe, but I have been lazy about exploring new combinations of items, taking and posting pictures to get feedback, and really figuring out what works and doesn't for me. I'm lightyears from where I was when I found YLF, but still have a ways to go. Polly (thunalata) on "70% of the way there, 85% of the time" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/70-of-the-way-there-85-of-the-time#post-235835 Wed, 20 Oct 2010 22:13:31 +0000 Polly (thunalata) 235835@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ You've posted some great things! Don't do yourself down. Anyway, that's quite a good proportion to be hitting! Don't forget that lots of people only post the looks that work. There was a thread recently on the 'not so fab' days that we all have. Also, it takes time to change what you do. I discovered YLF about 18 months ago and I would say that over time I'm getting a higher proportion of days when I'm happy with what I'm wearing. Also, the things I've bought since finding YLF are more 'reliable' as items of clothing - they contribute to a look now, whereas before many things were a bit random - bought because they were cheap in a sale and fit ok. As you have more things that really work with your new image/ideas, it gets easier to drag them out quickly. Have you read Angie's posts on dressing business casual recently? Carole on "70% of the way there, 85% of the time" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/70-of-the-way-there-85-of-the-time#post-235809 Wed, 20 Oct 2010 21:56:59 +0000 Carole 235809@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Sometimes I wish I still worked in an office setting so that I could put so many of the looks inspired here to the test. That is my preferred way of dressing because I spent so many years and hours working. I have a harder time being stylishly casual. Why bother if no one will see me today, but it's fun to try and then when I have a date planned with friends, hubby and such I'm not too overwhelmed in putting together a stylish outfit. It seems we can relate to each other in opposite venues. What if you were to plan the night before what you were going to wear, I know that would help me. Having to get ready in a hurry in the morning doesn't lend itself to being creative, but falling back into comfortable quick outfits. Taking pictures of outfits that work could help remind you of what worked so you could quickly put it together in the morning. Not sure if I'm addressing your problem perfectly, but I hope it helps a little. Mo on "70% of the way there, 85% of the time" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/70-of-the-way-there-85-of-the-time#post-235801 Wed, 20 Oct 2010 21:53:06 +0000 Mo 235801@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I am!!!! But I am not working right now so for me it's casual running about town look. I guess MOTG minus the mom part lol. I know I can pull looks together but I hold back. Today I could have thrown a cool long colorful necklace on but I felt like that would be 'overdoing it' somehow. To be fair, I went to the chiropractor and the dry cleaners, not exactly fashion's hallowed halls. But I get what you're saying completely. Auburn on "70% of the way there, 85% of the time" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/70-of-the-way-there-85-of-the-time#post-235791 Wed, 20 Oct 2010 21:48:52 +0000 Auburn 235791@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Do any of you feel this way? It's like I'm MOSTLY succeeding in putting a fashionable and functional look together, but I just can't/don't get all the way there, particularly when it comes to work dressing. Some examples: I often default to a work dress because they are so easy for purposes of creating a "look" and, as a result, I have a lot of them. I've seen enough successful WIWs on this site to know that the outfit would greatly benefit from, say, some bangles or a long necklace or, let's be honest, doing my hair and yet, somehow, it just doesn't happen before I walk out the door. And I don't even have kids to blame! A combination of apathy and laziness, I guess. A feeling like--will anyone even notice? Enh, probably not, so why take the extra time. And yet that is NOT my attitude with fashion as a whole which I, an admitted shopaholic, am somewhat of a slave to. So what gives? I guess I'm just so impressed with the many women on this site who consistently NAIL a look, head to toe. I feel like I do a better job of this when I'm out and about on the weekends or out to dinner. It's really the drudgery of the office setting that seems to impair my energy for and ability to pull it all together on a day-to-day basis. So, with a nod to the old agage that misery loves company, who's with me?