https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/american-sweetness-and-light Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Fri, 08 May 2026 00:35:45 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/american-sweetness-and-light#post-125995 Mon, 15 Feb 2010 17:52:25 +0000 Phoebe 125995@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have visited a lot of American cities and my European view is: you can find everything in the US! This is onw of the reasons I love your country so much. It´s true in almost every aspect and of course also referring to fashion. You can find edgy, dark, sweet, casual, formal, colorful, light, heavy, whatever, depending on where you are. NY fashion is outstanding, and a lot different from Miami, LA, Nashville, Boston, Denver.....see?<br /> By the way, you can find sweet and edgy women in Paris, Rome, Berlin..... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/american-sweetness-and-light#post-125993 Mon, 15 Feb 2010 17:45:09 +0000 Kristine 125993@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Exactly Maya, I think we're talking about Americans who care about fashion and style. Lord knows what to say about the croc crowd. But even stylish Americans are influenced by the larger American culture who sees it as frivolous, pretentious or not worth the effort. It's like we have to extra friendly or slightly apologetic about dressing well.</p> <p>Even many stylish Americans seem insecure about individual style and eager to please. Many jump on trends because we're afraid to look out of touch. That's why we look to the Tim Gunns of the world to teach us "taste" (preferably with a reassuring exotic accent). How many of us have the confidence to wear something that no one else here approves of?</p> <p>So I don't know if it's that Americans don't pay enough attention so much as we're overly eager. Have you noticed how few women on the street are wearing straight leg jeans? It went right from bootcut to skinnies! Even crocs or uggs are an example of that, millions of people didn't have the self confidence to decide the trend wasn't right for them.</p> <p>Stylish French women just seem more confident and laid back. They're a little more subtle and less "done up". They know their style and stick to it. More women seem to stick to classics or work in trends according to their individual style. They buy less, but they buy better.</p> <p>These are broad generalizations of course. I've never been to Paris and I hate to jump on the "Ugly American" bandwagon. I'm sure there are plenty of confident stylish Americans and poorly dressed French women. I think there are lessons here though and I'd like to incorporate them into my style. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/american-sweetness-and-light#post-125980 Mon, 15 Feb 2010 16:45:05 +0000 Maya 125980@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I assume we are talking about Americans who actually care about how they look, which seems to not be the majority sadly. </p> <p>Americans prefer safe, flop-proof, practical, modest, comfortable, and casual. If I moved to a conservative part of the deep south and wore what I normally wear, lord help me. I'm very lucky to live in a part of the country where a bit of edge and darkness is appreciated. I was just telling Angie yesterday how I frequently feel like I was born in the wrong country for so many reasons, and this is just one of those numerous reasons. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/american-sweetness-and-light#post-125910 Mon, 15 Feb 2010 09:02:19 +0000 rute 125910@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree! You love comfort but when it comes to color and patterns, you are experts.<br /> Europeans are much darker..<br /> When I go to French stores, even with spring and summer collections, it's almost everything black, grey, white, camel but the fit is excellent.<br /> Brits are much edgier. Not afraid to try new trends.. for sure.<br /> Spanish are bolder than the Portugueses, the woman we see in the streets have perfect make-ups, big, big heels, fitted cuts, very sexy.. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/american-sweetness-and-light#post-125779 Sun, 14 Feb 2010 22:27:46 +0000 Ele 125779@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hmm. I don't think "sweetness and light" rings exactly true to me, but I can see what he was getting at. I don't like stereotyping countries (especially those other than my own!) but I would say that Americans probably prefer their fashion practical, comfortable, un-edgy and inoffensive (though of course many of us *are* offended by the sweats-and-crocs crowd!). </p> <p>In contrast, I think the French put attractiveness higher on the priority list- not that they're all running around dressing "sexy", per se, but that they do like to look good to the opposite (or same!) sex. The Brits do like edgy- looking unique, eclectic and not like your friends is prized here. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/american-sweetness-and-light#post-125761 Sun, 14 Feb 2010 20:13:19 +0000 Anonymous 125761@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I take it as we are afraid to take chances, especially if you look at candid shots of mid America shopping, and the same sort of shot we see from our friends in other countries or who visit other countries and post pictures.<br /> To me Tim Gunn was speaking about sweat pants, running shoes, sweat shirts, T-shirts. All of the things we are learning to change here with each other and Angie as the lead. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/american-sweetness-and-light#post-125757 Sun, 14 Feb 2010 19:14:17 +0000 Kristine 125757@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I found the comment in context if anyone is interested. This comes out of his book Tim Gunn's Guide to Quality, Taste and Style. I read the book a few years ago and this comment stuck with me for some reason. It's offhanded, while talking about French style...</p> <p><a href="http://sirensmag.com/2008/04/a-guide-to-quality-taste-and-style/" rel="nofollow">http://sirensmag.com/2008/04/a.....and-style/</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/american-sweetness-and-light#post-125718 Sun, 14 Feb 2010 15:52:33 +0000 Queen Mum 125718@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>hmm, interesting to think about. I do agree with Julie- I think most Americans choose practicality over fashion. That practicality can run the gammut though from "gear" to something quite stylish.</p> <p>What do you think he meant by 'sweetness?" </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/american-sweetness-and-light#post-125697 Sun, 14 Feb 2010 10:01:03 +0000 RoseandJoan 125697@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>When I think of American fashion, particularly in light of New York Fashion Week, I think of clothes which are commercial and wearable. I view New York Fashion as edgy but New York is probably not representative of the whole of the US. </p> <p>I do not think I would like to have my style described as sweetness and light, it just seems so one dimensional. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/american-sweetness-and-light#post-125678 Sun, 14 Feb 2010 01:04:40 +0000 Anonymous 125678@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It is an interesting comment coming from Tim Gunn. In thinking about it I do believe it rings true for me, even though I don't want to admit it, and I'm trying to change that rather late in life.<br /> I have not been to other countries so I have nothing to compare Americans to except for pictures. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/american-sweetness-and-light#post-125676 Sun, 14 Feb 2010 00:55:12 +0000 Kristine 125676@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Tim Gunn said something to the effect that Americans like sweetness and light in fashion (I'm paraphrasing). What it meant to me is that Americans avoid anything too edgy or dark, in their own style and the acceptance of others. I've kind of found this to be true. I want to look stylish, but I don't want to look unapproachable, especially in the casual city where I live. Have you run into this with your own style? </p>