https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-you-swayed-by-a-visceral-reaction Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 11 Apr 2026 09:46:02 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-you-swayed-by-a-visceral-reaction/page/3#post-1206761 Thu, 27 Mar 2014 16:57:32 +0000 LACeleste 1206761@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Not really. &nbsp;Like many others here, I like what I like and remain true.&nbsp;</p> <p>When it comes to dislikes, I am like the character in Seuss' <i>Green Eggs and Ham. &nbsp;</i>I say "No way!" to trying something and then the pretty persuasion of YLF works its magic and I am on-board and all in!</p> <p>You have trained my eye and changed my mind so many times!</p> <p><span>"I do so like green eggs and ham. Thank you. Thank you, Sam-I-Am."<br /></span><br />Thank you YLF! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-you-swayed-by-a-visceral-reaction/page/3#post-1206602 Thu, 27 Mar 2014 13:53:25 +0000 shiny 1206602@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Negative visceral reactions do affect me, but don't sway me.&nbsp;I can easily think of examples when such reactions haven't deterred me from wearing an item. Uggs. Maxi dresses. My horribly outdated square-toed tall boots.&nbsp;&nbsp;Non-PPL pants.&nbsp;</p> <p>I can remember a time years back when Angie gave me a "nay" for&nbsp;a pair of orange Docksiders that I fell in love with. They tickled my fancy because I have a secret&nbsp;love of all things preppy. I thought the orange version was playful and sophisticated. That was a long time ago, I don't remember what you said, Angie, I am sure it was tactfully and gently worded. I&nbsp;just remember my own visceral response, the doubt and the&nbsp;questioning of my own taste.&nbsp;</p> <p>I didn't return those shoes. I didn't wear them either. But&nbsp;I still have them and in fact, every year when&nbsp;I cull through my shoes, they make the cut and stay. Unworn. Why? Because One Of These Days(!) those shoes are going to be totally on trend. Ha! So I am waiting for that moment! And it may be 2014 -- there is something loafer-ish about them.&nbsp;</p> <p>Okay I'm being silly now. In all seriousness, what I came around to realizing is that there is nothing wrong with any particular item of clothing, it's all in the way you wear and style it. It's not so much about flattery as it is about looking modern &amp; fresh,&nbsp;rather than dated.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>As for the puff sleeves, despite being an IT, I still have an irrational passion for shoulder pads --- the huge 80s ones. I keep waiting for that style to come back. Huge shoulders weren't flattering on me back then, they wouldn't be now either, but there's just something about that deliberate linebacker look. I don't know, can't explain it. </p> <p>Puff sleeves fall into this category for me as well -- I adore them on pretty pears&nbsp;with dainty and sloped shoulders. But I also adore them on ITs because, bizarrely enough, to my eye,&nbsp;the puffiness seems to make naturally broad linebacker shoulders look more girly.</p> <p>That is the "in theory" part but YLF has taught me that the devil really in those niggling details. I need the help and extra pairs of eyes/opinions to evaluate whether THIS particular version of a fashion re-tread is&nbsp;</p> <p>1) A modern interpretation, worn in a modern, not dated way.&nbsp;</p> <p>2) Optimized for flattery. I don't need every outfit to be 100% flattering, but if I am going to try to wear an item, like puff sleeves, which may not be ideal for my figure, it is really awesome to have detailed advice about what to look for - like your set-in sleeve example. </p> <p>But,&nbsp;I take that as guidance not religion. I am thinking about a certain shiny&nbsp;purple&nbsp;exaggerated puff sleeve blouse I wore to death, with a vest, a few years back. It flew in the face of flattery rules but I still loved it for some crazy reason (maybe the color)&nbsp;and wore it anyway. &nbsp;</p> <p>Likewise, I adopted maxi dresses two seasons ago -- at total surprise to my very own self -- and I am hoping to wear them again-- and often-- this summer too.&nbsp;</p> <p>Visceral reactions -- including my own --&nbsp;be damned! &nbsp;I mean, did you notice I am wearing PINK this season?? I have finally made friends with pastel pink. Just the right shade - blush - and&nbsp;worn in a certain, sophisticated&nbsp;way. Sometimes I wonder if that makes me a fashion lemming, but I prefer to be in awe of how I can still surprise myself, and turn an adamant "no, never" into a "what was I ever thinking?"</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-you-swayed-by-a-visceral-reaction/page/3#post-1206562 Thu, 27 Mar 2014 13:18:16 +0000 Anonymous 1206562@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Nope, I'm not swayed that easily by strong reactions of others on certain styles. Like others have mentioned, I'm more concerned how I feel about something. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-you-swayed-by-a-visceral-reaction/page/3#post-1206524 Thu, 27 Mar 2014 12:37:53 +0000 April 1206524@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Nah -- unless I asked for feedback on how something looks&nbsp;<i>on me</i>, I'm not likely to be swayed by others' visceral reactions. &nbsp;</p> <p>For one thing, I realize my own visceral reactions are often subject to exceptions. &nbsp;</p> <p>Regarding puffed sleeves: rounded, little girl styles are a "no way" for me, but I used to have a short-sleeved jacket where the sleeves had a squared-off, inverted pleat that could have been considered an angular, geometric&nbsp;version of the puff.</p> <p>It added shoulder volume, which I don't need, but it wasn't little-girl-ish, so I was happy wearing it.</p> <p>When I read someone's visceral, negative reaction to something, I just kid myself that they'd feel differently if they saw the example that *I* love. &nbsp;;)</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-you-swayed-by-a-visceral-reaction/page/3#post-1206410 Thu, 27 Mar 2014 05:00:56 +0000 Adelfa 1206410@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have always loved my Birkenstocks despite continual visceral reaction on the forum.... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-you-swayed-by-a-visceral-reaction/page/3#post-1206408 Thu, 27 Mar 2014 04:54:09 +0000 Deborah 1206408@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It depends on the comment from others.&nbsp; If someone simply says they dont like something that generally wont&nbsp;affect how I feel.&nbsp; However if someone says <br />"I dont like it because..." and offers some reasoning, I will consider that as it may be something I have not seen or picked up on.&nbsp; But I still like to think I make my own decisions regardless of what others think.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-you-swayed-by-a-visceral-reaction/page/3#post-1206404 Thu, 27 Mar 2014 04:46:45 +0000 Jaime 1206404@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Definitely influenced if not swayed by forum opinion and particularly your opinion Angie (well it's true!). Usually I find myself easily swayed when I was in doubt to begin with, and digging in my heals when I had a strong feeling initially. I usually post the former over the latter though. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-you-swayed-by-a-visceral-reaction/page/3#post-1206338 Thu, 27 Mar 2014 03:29:40 +0000 Marley 1206338@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>No - if I love something, I love it - no matter what.&nbsp; The interesting aspect for me (and this definitely speaks to my personality) is that if I really love something, the more negative feedback I receive about the item, the more I love it!&nbsp; I dig in my heels - very aware that I'm doing it and very aware that it may not be serving me well, but I do it anyway. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-you-swayed-by-a-visceral-reaction/page/3#post-1206324 Thu, 27 Mar 2014 03:11:46 +0000 Janet 1206324@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great comments! I agree with an earlier comment (Rae, I believe?) that if I'm on the fence about something, I can be swayed by the visceral reaction of others. However, if I love love love an item, if I feel that passionately for it and suspect forum reaction would not be overwhelmingly positive, I don't even post it for feedback. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-you-swayed-by-a-visceral-reaction/page/3#post-1206298 Thu, 27 Mar 2014 02:35:54 +0000 Catnip 1206298@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>For better or for worse, I know what I like and what I don't like.&nbsp; Negative comments from others&nbsp;wouldn't stop me from wearing something if I loved it, but I must confess that positive comments make me feel great.&nbsp; &nbsp;</p> <p>One reason I joined this forum was to keep from becoming increasingly frumpy as I age.&nbsp; I've always given a very high priority to wearing clothes that make me look attractive, but have to confess it's not always so easy with increasing age.&nbsp; I'm grateful for all the good advice I'm getting here.&nbsp; That said, I've come to realize there are two types of women, those who care passionately about being trendy and those who care passionately about&nbsp;looking as good as possible.&nbsp; I'm definitely the second type.&nbsp; &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-you-swayed-by-a-visceral-reaction/page/3#post-1206290 Thu, 27 Mar 2014 02:24:41 +0000 NDMom 1206290@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Gigi....I just want to thank you for just a transparent reply. I feel the same way as a fashion newbie.... I hesitate to post photos of items I love for fear that others won't like it and it just "May" cause next to second guess my loves....such as long cardigans, jackets, tunics. So, I was relieved to see another forum member express so clearly what I couldn't. Hopefully, as my confidence increases, my skin will become thicker....at least I hope an almost 50 year old can change her stripes! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-you-swayed-by-a-visceral-reaction/page/2#post-1206252 Thu, 27 Mar 2014 01:38:49 +0000 Diana 1206252@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>From others? Definitely not. (Although if EVERYBODY hates something viscerally I might reconsider). Anyway, I like what I like. In that vein though, I can't discount my own visceral reactions. </p> <p>I'm pretty cognizant of my poison eyes though so I try to preface comments about items on others that trigger them with a statement to that point. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-you-swayed-by-a-visceral-reaction/page/2#post-1206251 Thu, 27 Mar 2014 01:37:23 +0000 Gigi 1206251@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>If I like something but see a lot of negative comments about the thing on the forum, I will sometimes be swayed toward disliking the item, but it appears to be temporary for me. </p> <p>Not long ago, there were quite a few comments about ruffled tops being dated. I have a couple of ruffled tops from Loft and love them and think they look good on me (I'm pretty flat-chested). After reading all the negative comments, I started to feel insecure, even though the comments were in general and not about me or my tops in particular. </p> <p>I will say that&nbsp;I do not have a history of being a secure person. I was always picked on at home and in school, so I can be very sensitive to other people's opinions. But it is something that I am aware of and try to watch, to make sure that I do what I feel is best for me and not just conform to others' opinions&nbsp;out of weakness.</p> <p>Not long after the said forum discussion, I decided to wear one of my ruffled tops for the day. I put it on and looked in the mirror and was so happy! It looked great, especially with what I had it paired with (coated skinnies), and it made me feel so fab! And at that moment I thought, this is something that makes me happy. This isn't about trends but is about expressing my inner self. So at that moment I solidified my love for ruffles and other feminine detailing. And I actually ordered more ruffled tops that should arrive in the mail this week. :^) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-you-swayed-by-a-visceral-reaction/page/2#post-1206248 Thu, 27 Mar 2014 01:35:25 +0000 Helena 1206248@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><i></i><i></i>I would definitely be swayed ... I'm not a fashion-risk-taker at all, and if I liked something trendy but lots of people had a negative reaction to it, I wouldn't go there. I don't feel this is a matter of confidence particularly; I'd just rather go with the flow on these things. On other issues I am happy to stand against the crowd.</p> <p>That said, there will always be someone who doesn't like what I'm wearing! C'est la vie I guess! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-you-swayed-by-a-visceral-reaction/page/2#post-1206226 Thu, 27 Mar 2014 01:11:54 +0000 rabbit 1206226@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Just to clarify, I completely didn't feel hurt or uncertain or anything by getting 'poison eye' comments without clarification. I appreciated the feedback and took it in the spirit in which it was offered. &nbsp;I completely agree with&nbsp;what&nbsp;<span><b>Aziraphale</b> posted about tastes just being tastes and hard to rationally explain, and what <b>Angie</b> said about how it's just being upfront about biases&nbsp;and excusing yourself. &nbsp;It's actually a pretty&nbsp;elegant&nbsp;social convention for how&nbsp;to do this. &nbsp;</span></p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-you-swayed-by-a-visceral-reaction/page/2#post-1206217 Thu, 27 Mar 2014 01:00:20 +0000 Kat 1206217@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm pretty sensitive but no, not really swayed. I'm more affected, ironically, by a wave of positive feedback if it starts to feel like overkill on a fad. It's not that I'd go out and buy the faddish item based on that, but it just somehow feels uncomfortable for me. &nbsp;</p> <p>I see some snark online about a line I like and wear a lot&nbsp;-- it's not one of the cool kid brands&nbsp;-- and I guess I do feel defensive in part because I think the snark is inaccurate. &nbsp;But at the end of the day, whatever. &nbsp;I see style as self-expression, and I love it like I love art, architecture, texture, and form. &nbsp;I can't express anyone else's self, anymore than anyone else can make me like pumps, slip on sneakers, overalls,&nbsp;twin sets, or jean jackets. &nbsp;I just kind of do my own thing. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-you-swayed-by-a-visceral-reaction/page/2#post-1206211 Thu, 27 Mar 2014 00:50:44 +0000 Suz 1206211@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love what Rachylou said. That girl is <b>SMART</b>!!! :)&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-you-swayed-by-a-visceral-reaction/page/2#post-1206192 Thu, 27 Mar 2014 00:35:31 +0000 Sarah A 1206192@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This thread is such an interesting read. and now I will need to go back and check out the comments on the puff sleeve jacket post too! I am medium in the visceral reaction area. I am willing to consider trying a lot of things and there isnt a lot of "I love it, I know I love it, I dont care what anyone says" in my wardrobe, although as I have experimented more with various styles I am starting to get there more and more. I suppose I could search out the puff sleeve jacket that would have a narrower shoulder seam and let my broader shoulders fill out the jacket and whatnot but currently the style doesnt tug at me so I probably wont hunt that perfect figure flattering one out. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-you-swayed-by-a-visceral-reaction/page/2#post-1206184 Thu, 27 Mar 2014 00:24:02 +0000 annagybe 1206184@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>There have been so many times the forum has attempted to steer me away from an item. I finally realized I need to make me happy.<br /> I didn't comment on the original post because well I could easily wear this trend &amp; probably look good in it, but it doesn't speak to me. So I'm going to pass. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-you-swayed-by-a-visceral-reaction/page/2#post-1206178 Thu, 27 Mar 2014 00:21:37 +0000 Angie 1206178@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow.&nbsp;</p> <p>Thanks, Windchime (thought provoking response to my question too). My RSI is under control - going on 8 years now -&nbsp;and I have EVERTHING that you can possibly think of in place to make sure I am taking care of myself. I know exactly what to do &nbsp;- rest. A few times a year I get very, very hectic - work, prepping for trips, helping clients, dinner parties, fashion week&nbsp;- it all takes its toll on my RSI. I need to rest up - hence less typing.&nbsp;</p> <p>Aziraphale, you are totally within your right to have poison eye for things, I have four poison eyes on my own list. I try very hard to keep my poison eyes to an <i>absolute minimum</i> though. To Rabbit's point, its tactful to admit your poison eye for something upfront because it "excuses" you if you know what I mean.&nbsp;</p> <p>Great thoughts, Rabbit, Peri, Caro&nbsp;and Suz.&nbsp;</p> <p>Love that you kept that card, Beth Ann.&nbsp;</p> <p>Una, yes, you answered my question.&nbsp;</p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-you-swayed-by-a-visceral-reaction/page/2#post-1206171 Thu, 27 Mar 2014 00:14:39 +0000 Caro in Oz 1206171@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>If I LOVE something I don't usually change my mind because of a person's&nbsp;personal aversion - rational reasons like fit or colour&nbsp;are different &amp; may sway me.</p> <p>If my initial reaction is one of dislike but &nbsp;then I see someone style the offending item really well it does make me reconsider. I love the fact that we all have different opinions &amp; hope fabbers won't stop telling me about their poison-eye for anything I may wear - like my Birkies for instance&nbsp;:) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-you-swayed-by-a-visceral-reaction/page/2#post-1206155 Wed, 26 Mar 2014 23:52:43 +0000 Windchime 1206155@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I had a visceral negative reaction when I saw this morning's topic was about puff sleeve jackets. However, I wanted to know Angie's opinion of them so I carefully read the post. As a result, my opinion was actually swayed by the writing in the post, to the point that I would now be willing to try certain types of puff sleeve jackets.</p> <p>That being said, if I posted a WIW with a puff sleeve jacket and received negative forum feedback, I probably wouldn't keep the jacket. So I guess I can be swayed either way!</p> <p>Angie--as a keyboard musician, I'm very aware of the risk of repetitive motion injury to my hands, wrists, and arms, and I've noticed you've mentioned a few times lately that you are needing to rest yours. I hope that you are working with a good doctor or motion specialist who can help you find solutions. Please take good care of yourself! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-you-swayed-by-a-visceral-reaction/page/2#post-1206138 Wed, 26 Mar 2014 23:33:26 +0000 Echo 1206138@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree with Una's comments. My OWN visceral reactions sway my decisions (of course), but the reactions of others really don't very much. If I love something, I tend to be over the moon for it even if others think it is ridiculous.</p> <p>If I am really on the fence about something or a particular trend or look, then the reactions of others may influence me to try it or not try it. But "visceral reactions" don't really play into that as much. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-you-swayed-by-a-visceral-reaction/page/2#post-1206126 Wed, 26 Mar 2014 23:16:30 +0000 Aziraphale 1206126@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>To rabbit's point: if someone has posted a WIW and it involves something I have a poison eye for, I don't comment. Or I comment about other aspects of the outfit and just don't mention the part I have a poison eye for. Because I know those opinions aren't totally rational, and thus I'm biased.</p> <p>There aren't many things I have a real poison eye for, though.</p> <p>(I'm pretty sure other people do this too. When I posted pictures of my unquestionably ugly, gigantic skull ring, very few people commented. I'm sure that's because most people find that type of jewellery, well, ugly. <i>I</i> still love it, though. Which is what counts &nbsp;;-) )</p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-you-swayed-by-a-visceral-reaction/page/2#post-1206125 Wed, 26 Mar 2014 23:16:01 +0000 deb 1206125@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I will not be swayed because I know they do not look good on me. They also look too fussy for my taste. </p> <p>ETA - OK, now that I reread the original post I can add that on some things I can be swayed, sometimes&nbsp;just &nbsp;not for a year or so. (hanging head, shuffling foot, whispering - boyfriend jeans) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-you-swayed-by-a-visceral-reaction/page/2#post-1206119 Wed, 26 Mar 2014 23:06:35 +0000 Aziraphale 1206119@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Angie, I was one of the vehement "no" votes. I was being flip (I'm in a goofy mood today, because I've had my nose to the grindstone for several weeks running and I haven't had much sleep).&nbsp;I hope I didn't offend anyone, but you ask&nbsp;an excellent question and I'd like to weigh in.</p> <p>So, my aversion to puff sleeves has no rational basis that I can explain. I just really don't like the look of a real puff sleeve on a jacket -- pleated or not -- on anyone. I do recognize that on some figures, it's figure-balancing. I just do. not. like. it.&nbsp;It's the exact same reason that&nbsp;I dislike magenta. It's simply too <i>magenta</i>.&nbsp;It's like trying to explain why I don't like the flavour of liver. How do you explain why you don't like liver? Well, because it tastes too much like, uh, liver.</p> <p>So&nbsp;I'm not going to dig myself deeper by trying&nbsp;to take it back, but maybe I can soften what I said. Because I have no good reason for disliking puff sleeves, or magenta, or liver, I have no reason to think that people who DO like those things are somehow "wrong". I would never suggest to <i>anyone</i> that their preference is wrong. It's a preference. How can it be wrong?</p> <p>I hope, by writing this, that it's clear that my preferences and aversions are just that: my own. :-)</p> <p>ETA: for the record, sometimes I am swayed by others, and sometimes I'm not. It depends how fervently I like something in the first place. No one's ever gonna change my opinion about, say, my black Libby Smith calf boots with red buttons -- those are RAD and always will be -- but I have been swayed before, in both directions. I initially didn't like skinny jeans, and was brought over to the dark side after a season or two. And in the other direction, my husband's disparaging comments regarding my blingy wedge sandals definitely diminished my enthusiasm for them!</p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-you-swayed-by-a-visceral-reaction/page/2#post-1205950 Wed, 26 Mar 2014 18:34:33 +0000 Glory 1205950@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh my, I am like an out of control pendulum on steroids with people's opinions. I believe this is why I have an out of control buy and return cycle.<br />I think I am in preschool when it comes to fashion so with that in mind most people's opinions are more highly valued than my own (in my opinion). I am still in the phase of buying what I think looks good on others.&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-you-swayed-by-a-visceral-reaction/page/2#post-1205944 Wed, 26 Mar 2014 18:26:59 +0000 Beth Ann 1205944@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm like Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof....... "On the one hand.......On the other hand...."&nbsp; I can be swayed this way and that, back and forth, until I take a breath and decide to make a decision.&nbsp; My recent colorblocked cardi was an example.&nbsp; Some forum members liked it, but others weren't so sure.&nbsp; I went back into my closet and paired it with my taupe suede booties and BFs and wore the sucker.&nbsp; I realized that it is a bit of an outlier in colors, but I still enjoyed wearing it! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-you-swayed-by-a-visceral-reaction/page/2#post-1205897 Wed, 26 Mar 2014 17:42:30 +0000 Neel 1205897@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I haven't read the other comments yet. But my first reaction was no. If something looks good on me, it wouldn't bother me if someone else likes it or not. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-you-swayed-by-a-visceral-reaction/page/2#post-1205867 Wed, 26 Mar 2014 17:17:03 +0000 catgirl 1205867@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Just to make sure I understood and answered accurately: </p> <p>I am swayed by MY OWN visceral reaction.&nbsp; If I love it, I am hard to deter.&nbsp; If I detest it, not much is going to convince me to wear it myself.&nbsp;&nbsp; </p> <p>I am not as swayed by the visceral reaction of others.&nbsp; But I am influenced by rational explanation of why something doesn't work for me, which is why I love YLF.&nbsp;</p>